Winter Park City Talk

Congratulations to the Communications & ED/CRA departments

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce selected the Communications and Economic Development/CRA departments as its “2012 Winter Park Champions of the Year.” The awards were presented at the annual Membership Awards Celebration on Jan. 25 awarding the departments for their significant contributions to the Chamber through supportive efforts in the community. This was a newly created award by the Chamber, and the Communications and CRA departments were the first among a future list of very distinguished organizations who will receive this award for years to come. Congratulations “Champions of the Year”!

City Commission meeting highlights

There was a City Commission meeting held Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. Below are a few highlights from that meeting:

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of 1/14/2013 were approved with a modification.

• The purchases and contracts were approved.

• The fee waiver for half of the parks rental for the Michael Andrew and Swingerhead concert Sunday, Feb. 10, was approved.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• The ULI recommendations for West Fairbanks Avenue were accepted.

• The Public Art Advisory Board request regarding “Art in Transit” for SunRail proposal was approved.

• The items listed in the state legislative priorities were approved with a modification.

• A work session was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. to discuss the City Master Plan draft.

Public Hearings

• The second readings of the ordinances requested by Atlantic Housing Partners, LLLP, to change the existing designations at 835 W. Canton Ave. was approved.

• The second readings of the ordinances amending the Police Officers’ Pension Plan and the Firefighters’ Pension Plan were approved.

• The request of TD Bank for Conditional Use approval to construct a branch bank with drive-in tellers on the property at 810 N. Orlando Ave. was approved.

• The second reading of the ordinance to annex 500 E. Lake Sue Ave. was approved.

• The first readings of the ordinances establishing a Single Family Residential Future Land Use designation and Single Family District zoning on the annexed property at 500 E. Lake Sue Ave. was approved.

• The first readings of the ordinances related to the repeal of supermajority needed for adoption of ordinances was approved.

• The resolution supporting Central Florida’s “Open for Business” initiative to promote business climate, great service, job creation and business investment was approved.

A full copy of the Jan. 28 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Feb. 11 pending approval by City Commission.

Basic self-defense awareness class

The Winter Park Police Department and the Victim Service Center of Central Florida will be holding a basic self-defense awareness class Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Winter Park Police Department located at 500 N. Virginia Ave. This is a free women’s safety awareness class for all interested women that have a tie to the city of Winter Park. There is no special dress or equipment needed. This class is for ladies only, and is limited to the first 25 who sign up. Ages 14 and older are welcome. Registration is required. Call 407-599-3664 or email [email protected]

Save the date – Amtrak & Sunrail station groundbreaking

The city will be breaking ground on the new Amtrak & Sunrail station Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 11:30 a.m. just south of the current Amtrak station located at 150 W. Morse Blvd. Featuring Craftsman-style architecture, the station will include an element of public art, ADA compliant restrooms open to the public during normal SunRail operating hours, and a warm lobby to greet and welcome train visitors to our city. This new 2,400-square-foot building will be relocated just 75 feet south of its existing location. A grand opening of the new station is expected by winter 2013. For more information, please make plans to attend the groundbreaking event or visit cityofwinterpark.org > Info at your Fingertips > Amtrak & Sunrail Information.

10 helpful water conservation tips

1. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
2. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons of water a month.
3. Consider composting instead of running the garbage disposal.
4. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold water so every drop goes in you and not down the drain.
5. Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
6. Consider replacing your old washing machine with an EPA Water Sense and Energy Star listed high-efficiency model and receive a $100 rebate.
7. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in 20 seconds, consider replacing it with a water-efficient showerhead.
8. Keep your shower to five minutes or less and you’ll save 1,000 gallons of water per month.
9. Plug the bathtub before turning the water on; then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
10. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet, it’s simple, inexpensive and can save 140 gallons of water a week.

More weekly water conservation tips can be found at cityofwinterpark.org/h2oconserve

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