Winter Park City Talk

Happy 4th of July!

On behalf of the city of Winter Park, I wish you a safe and happy Independence Day. Here are some important events and information as it relates to holiday festivities in Winter Park:

City Hall closed

City Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. City offices will re-open at 8 a.m., Monday, July 7. Normal service for household garbage, yard trash and recycling collection services will be provided on Friday, July 3.

Fireworks safety

As you celebrate Independence Day this weekend, please remember to leave fireworks up to the professionals. In Florida, virtually all fireworks except sparklers are considered illegal and can turn any amateur fireworks festivity into a tragedy. Keep your friends and family safe this year by letting professionals do the show. Have a safe and Happy 4th of July celebration!

20th anniversary of Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration!

The city is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Central Park. Mayor Steve Leary will lead a special presentation at 9:15 a.m. from the main stage. The special 20th anniversary celebration will feature:

• Live patriotic music performed by the Bach Festival Choir and Brass Ensemble joined by Central Florida Community Arts

• Clydesdale horse-drawn wagon rides

• Orlando Cloggers, Rockin’ Roadster Show

• Annual bicycle parade at 9 a.m. (lineup begins at 8:30 a.m.) from City Hall to Central Park

• Fun games and inflatables

• Free hot dogs, watermelon and water, while supplies last.

• Free admission to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Free lemonade and admission to the Winter Park History Museum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Free Bike Valet service from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., behind the Central Park main stage near Garfield Avenue.

For more information, please call 407-599-3463.

Visioning continues

Visioning is in full swing and there are many opportunities for you to join or continue your visioning conversation in the next few weeks with members of the Visioning Steering Committee. These and all visioning events can be found online at visionwinterpark.org

1. Visioning Tent at the Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

2. Community Talks at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center on the following dates and times: July 9, 16, 30 and August 6, 13, 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. On social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #visionwinterpark

Any questions about Vision Winter Park, please call 407-599-3665 or email [email protected].

Join Commissioner Greg Seidel at CoffeeTalk

This year marks the 10th anniversary of CoffeeTalk where the community can talk one-on-one with city leaders. On Thursday, July 9, citizens can join Commissioner Greg Seidel in his very first CoffeeTalk at 8 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave.

CoffeeTalk was developed in 2005 to give citizens the opportunity meet in a more casual, informal environment and avoid the “stage fright” that is often experienced at large meetings. If you have “a latte beans to grind” or simply want to “espresso your thoughts” CoffeeTalk is the perfect cup for you.

Mark your calendars for a cup of conversation and great coffee provided by Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen. For more information, please call 407-599-3428.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

The Government Finance Officers Association recently announced that the city of Winter Park has received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its FY 2014-15 budget. The city manager will present the GFOA award to the City Commission on Monday, July 13, at their regularly scheduled meeting at 3:30 p.m.

The GFOA award represents a significant achievement reflecting the commitment of city administration and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the distinguished award, Winter Park had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for an effective budget presentation which are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communication device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, as well as the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving over 18,000 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like, follow and watch us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vimeo, and YouTube.