Winter Park City Talk

Mayor donates his mayoral salary to ‘Feed the Need’

At the City Commission meeting on Nov. 11, Mayor Ken Bradley donated his 2013 mayoral salary of $3,000 to “Feed the Need,” the first of its kind communitywide fundraiser to end hunger in Central Florida. Mayor Bradley is encouraging the entire community to join him in this effort to “Feed the Need” which runs until Friday, Nov. 22. If you are able, please donate online at http://bit.ly/cityofwinterpark Thank you for helping Winter Park “Feed the Need.”

Nov. 11 City Commission highlights

There was a City Commission meeting held Nov. 11 in City Hall Commission Chambers. Below are a few highlights of decisions made at the meeting:

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of 10/28/13 were approved with modifications.

• The contracts were approved as presented (for a complete listing, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

• The Orange County/City of Winter Park Interlocal Utility Agreement regarding water/wastewater services was approved.

• The Mayor was authorized to execute the electric power purchase and sales agreement by and between the City of Winter Park and Covanta Energy Marketing, LLC.

City Attorney’s Report

• The City Attorney was authorized to bring back a proposed settlement agreement regarding the Max Media lawsuit for action at the next City Commission meeting.

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• Staff recommendations were approved as presented regarding the WRT Study.

• An update was given regarding downtown parking and staff was approved to proceed with the restriping on New York Avenue (approximately 75 feet north and south of Morse Boulevard) and the additional parking spaces that will be gained by relocating the offices at the Public Works Administration Building located at 180 W. Lyman Ave. No additional parking spaces will be added to Central Park West Meadow.

• The proposed settlement of auction rate securities claim was approved.

• The City Managers 2014 evaluation format was approved as presented.

Public Hearings

• The request by Aloma Avenue Holdings, LLC, for a second reading of the ordinance to change the existing zoning of Multi-family Residential District to Office District at 409 St. Andrews Blvd., was approved.

• The second reading of the ordinance amending Section 2-48, General Rules applicable to subsidiary boards of the city, was approved.

A full copy of the November 11 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of Nov. 25, pending approval by the City Commission.

$5 ice skating tickets offered for this Friday!

Beginning Friday, Nov. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, the City of Winter Park will bundle up once again for “Winter in the Park,” the city’s annual holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow. The West Meadow is located at 150 N. New York Ave., on the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard, in downtown Winter Park. In honor of this being the 5th season, tickets on opening day will be just $5 per skater.

Snowflakes of all ages and skill levels are invited to chill out as they glide, spin and turn at “Winter in the Park”:

• Monday thru Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Friday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m.

See website for extended school holiday hours.

Snow angels are invited to skate all day for only $10 per skater (skate rental included). For a blizzard of 20 or more people, some cool group discounts are available for all this frigid fun. If you are interested in bringing your whole igloo to celebrate birthdays, special events, private parties or corporate holiday gatherings, the rink is available for rental opportunities. Advance reservations are required for private party and group reservations to avoid an icy avalanche of skaters at the rink.

Holiday music, games, carolers and so much more will flurry around you as you enjoy “Winter in the Park.” For more information, please call 407-599-3203 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/WITP.

If you are interested in showcasing your business during the busy holiday season to the 30,000+ expected attendees, please visit our website and click on the “SPONSOR” tab for information on how to become an ice rink dasher board sponsor.

New view from the city’s webcam

Out of town or haven’t visited downtown Winter Park in a while and need a little dose of Winter Park? No matter where you are, as long as you have a device with internet access, you can take a 360 degree view of downtown Winter Park without leaving your seat. Just visit cityofwinterpark.org/webcam and you can pan, tilt or zoom into what’s happening from the bird’s eye view from City Hall. A great way to see Winter Park in HD 24/7.

Holiday window contest

The City of Winter Park Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to announce its 4th Annual “Winter in the Park” Holiday Window Contest will begin on Sunday, Dec. 8. The Holiday Window Contest will feature participating Park Avenue, Hannibal Square and surrounding area merchants as they transform their storefronts into works of art. The contest will be judged in two different categories, the “Design Excellence Award” and “Peoples’ Choice Award.”

Preselected judges from the local community will determine the winner of the “Design Excellence Award” based on creativity, appeal, theme, use of color, use of space, and merchandising. The award winner will receive a $500 electric utility bill credit generously provided by the City of Winter Park Electric Utility Department.

To determine the winner of the “Peoples’ Choice Award,” patrons of participating merchants are encouraged to vote for their favorite window between Sunday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 22. Patrons may vote for their favorite window online at cityofwinterpark.org/WITP by clicking on the “Holiday Window” tab, or scanning the code in participating merchant windows. The award winner will receive a $250 electric utility bill credit also generously provided by the City of Winter Park Electric Utility Department.

Participating merchants must have their window displays completed and ready for judging by Friday, Nov. 29. For information regarding participating in the competition, merchants can call 407-643-1657 or email [email protected].

For general information regarding the “Winter in the Park” Holiday Window Contest, including online voting, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/WITP and click on the “Holiday Window” tab.

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