Winter Park City Talk

April 23 City Commission meeting highlights

There was a City Commission meeting held at 3:30 p.m. on April 23 at the Winter Park Community Center. Below are a few highlights of decisions made:

Mayor’s Report

Dr. Barbara Jenkins, the upcoming new Orange County Public Schools superintendent, was recognized and congratulated on her new role that begins May 2012.

A proclamation was made declaring Winter Park High School Cheerleading State and National Championships Day.

A proclamation was made declaring North American Occupational Safety and Health Week; and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day.

A presentation was made to Craig M. O’Neil, assistant director of communications for being awarded Employee of the Quarter.

Consent Agenda

The minutes of April 9 were approved.

Staff was approved to enter into negotiations with a list of firms for specific city services (a complete list can be found at cityofwinterpark.org > Government > City Commission > Agenda Packets).

The Cemetery Disinterment Policy was approved.

The mid-year budget adjustment for the General Fund was approved.

The adjustment to the Waste Pro rates was approved.

Action items requiring discussion

The strategic planning session list of priorities was approved.

The Winter Park train station design development update from ACi Inc. was approved.

The discussion of the City Attorney contract item was tabled until the May 14 meeting.

Public Hearings

The resolution supporting fair trade when possible among merchants in the city of Winter Park was approved with an amendment.

The second reading of the ordinance relating to pain management clinics and pharmacies as well as repealing the moratorium was approved.

The resolution designating 1509 N. Orange Ave. as a historic resource in the Winter Park Register of Historic Places was approved.

The subdivision request of Mr. Barry Render to split the property at 1200 Howell Branch Road into two single-family lots zoned R-1AA was approved.

The request of CNL Commercial Real Estate for Conditional Use approval to construct a three-story, 88,366-square-foot office building on the former State Office Building site at 941 W. Morse Blvd. was approved.

A full copy of the April 23, City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of May 14, pending approval by the City Commission.

Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety and Connectivity Forum

The city’s Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board will present a Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety and Connectivity Forum on Thursday, April 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 W. Morse Blvd.

The forum will provide an opportunity to review how recent events, developing plans and regional initiatives have heightened the need for improved pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity. Attendees will be encouraged to offer comments and share ideas relating to city projects and programs so that interested parties can work together to make Winter Park friendlier for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The forum will also provide information on Winter Park’s comprehensive pedestrian & bicycle facilities plan. For more information, please call 407-599-3217.

Winter Park train station design

The proposed elevations and floor plan of the new Winter Park train station are currently available for viewing at the following locations:

Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd.

Winter Park Amtrak Station, 150 W. Morse Blvd.

Winter Park City Hall West Wing Lobby, 401 S. Park Ave.

Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Ave.

Winter Park Public Library, 460 E. New England Ave.

Winter Park Welcome Center, 151 W. Lyman Ave.

The proposed plans are also available for viewing on the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org > Info at Your Fingertips > Amtrak & SunRail Information > Winter Park Amtrak Station Information.

Trees for Peace

The city of Winter Park and the Multifaith Education Project are proud to announce the ninth annual Trees for Peace Interfaith Tree Planting Project on Tuesday, May 1, at Cady Way Park located at 2525 Cady Way. Vice Mayor Steven Leary will begin the ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and the program will be led by Louise Franklin Sheehy, director of the Multifaith Education Project.

More than 100 Christian, Jewish and Muslim students and faculty, representing The Geneva Christian School, The Jewish Academy and The Leaders Preparatory School, will join together to plant trees for peace. In recognition of their commitment to work together in the spirit of unity, the students will plant three trees and bless them in traditional manner according to each faith. They will then celebrate the occasion with a picnic on the lawn of Cady Way Park. According to Sheehy, “One quote that represents the essence of this project is by Margaret Wheatley, ‘Don’t ask what is wrong. Ask what is possible and keep asking.’”

The city of Winter Park’s Forestry Division will supervise the students with the planting of 21 red cedars, 12 long leaf pines and 12 sand hill live oaks. Tree size will vary from 45-gallon to 3-gallon containers. The planted trees will serve as symbols of students working together for peace. In addition, the Forestry Division will donate a tree to each school so the students can hold a planting ceremony on school property to remind them of this event for years.

This unique tree-planting project represents a continuing effort to encourage children to appreciate diversity while building positive relationships with people of other faiths. Winter Park appreciates and supports the efforts of the project along with the students.

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