Winter Park City Talk

Aug. 13 City Commission meeting highlights

There was a City Commission meeting on Aug. 13. Below are a few highlights of decisions made:

Non-action Items

The June 2012 Financial Report was presented and accepted.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of July 23 were approved.

• The various contracts and bids were approved (a complete listing can be found at cityofwinterpark.org > Government > City Commission > Agenda Packets). • The staff revisions to the City Debt Management Policy to address recommendations from the City Commission from the June 11 Commission meeting was tabled. • The city’s membership in the Florida Municipal Power Agency was approved.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• A presentation was made regarding Winter Park Memorial Hospital’s “PINK OUT” promotion and was approved.

• A discussion was held regarding the downtown post office property and staff was directed to keep the City Commission informed of any developments as they happen. Public Hearings

• The second reading of the ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2843-11, Advisory Board to establish a Keep Winter Park Beautiful/Sustainable Advisory Board was approved.

• The Conditional Use request of Interlachen Guarantor, LLC, was approved.

• The first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 58 “Land Development Code,” Section 58-65 “R-1AAA Lakefront District” and Section 58-66 “R-1AA and R-1A Districts” was approved.

A full copy of the Aug. 13 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Aug. 27, pending approval by the City Commission.

Grand re-opening celebration for newly renovated City Hall

A grand re-opening celebration for Winter Park City Hall will be held Monday, Aug. 27, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to join city officials for the festivities that will include a special ceremony at 1:45 p.m., live music and refreshments. City Hall is located at 401 S. Park Ave. in downtown Winter Park.

During their strategic planning session in April 2011, the City Commission decided to renovate City Hall with necessary improvements to serve the city for at least the next 10 years. This renovation, which coincides with the city’s 125th anniversary, was made possible by a stimulus grant from the federal government intended to make city buildings more energy-efficient. In addition to providing a more welcoming, customer-friendly environment for city staff to greet residents and visitors, the renovation includes new lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

The exterior of City Hall was also renovated to create a more welcoming and attractive vista for guests and those passing by. The retention area between City Hall and Park Avenue was relocated to allow for the installation of a large, inviting public lawn, which is shaded by a magnificent live oak. An emphasis on seasonal color is sprinkled throughout the property with flowering trees framing and accenting the open views across the newly expanded lawn. Vibrant, annual flowerbeds and clusters of colorful, potted accent groupings finish off the new look.

On behalf of the City Commission and management, thank you to everyone who participated in making this renovation possible. Thank you also to our residents and visitors for their patience during the entire transformation process.

For additional information regarding Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at http://www.cityofwinterpark.org or call the main information line at 407-599-3399.

CoffeeTalk featuring Vice Mayor Leary

Please join Vice Mayor Steven Leary for a cup of coffee Thursday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave., for his annual CoffeeTalk gathering. This is the city’s seventh year in holding these annual CoffeeTalk sessions for residents that have a latte on their minds or some beans to grind.

This is your opportunity to talk with Vice Mayor Leary in an informal environment and ask him any questions related to city business. Special thanks to Palmano’s Café, Coffee & Wine Bar for donating the coffee.

City Blood Drive

The city will host a blood drive out in front of Winter Park City Hall, 401 S. Park Ave., from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20. To donate blood, you must be at least 16 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. All donors must bring photo ID. For more information, call 407-599-3506 or visit floridabloodcenters.org

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