Winter Park City Talk

April 14 City Commission meeting highlights

If you were unable to watch or attend the City Commission meeting held April 14 in City Hall Commission Chambers, below are a few highlights of decisions made at the meeting:

Mayor’s Report

• Presentations were given to:

o Sonny’s BBQ Inc. as the recipient of the First Quarter 2014 Business Recognition Award

o Linda Youmans as the recipient of the Fire Chief's Civilian Award of Merit

• Presentations were given by:

o National Arbor Day Foundation: Tree City USA Award, Growth Award and Sterling Award

o Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts providing an update

• Proclamations were issued declaring:

o April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Water Conservation Month

o April 25 as Arbor Day

City Manager’s Report

• A work session was scheduled for Monday, June 9, at 2 p.m. with the Winter Park Public Library to discuss facilities.

Non-Action Items

• The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ended Sept. 30, 2013, was accepted.

Consent Agenda

• The minutes of March 24, 2014, were approved.

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

Action Items Requiring Discussion

• Commissioner Steve Leary was appointed as Vice-Mayor

• The relocation of Concours d’Elegance to the Winter Park Country Club was approved.

Public Hearings

• The Lakeside Project off-site parking lot plan and development agreement amendment was approved.

• The resolution supporting home rule for pension decisions was approved.

A full copy of the April 14 City Commission minutes will be available at cityofwinterpark.org the week of April 28, pending approval by the City Commission. Remember, if you are unable to attend the City Commission meetings, you can watch them live, gavel-to-gavel, as they happen. During the meeting, simply log on to cityofwinterpark.org/cclive to easily stay tuned-in to official city business.

Lee Road extension information session

The city will hold a Public Information Session regarding the proposed Lee Road extension (intersection of Lee Road and U.S. Highway 17-92) on Tuesday, April 29, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 W. Morse Blvd.

Structured as an open house, the information session will have proposed project renderings, development plans and images displayed along the circumference of the room. In addition, to accommodate guest arrival at various times, UP Fieldgate US Investments-Winter Park, LLC, will give the same presentation at 5:30, 6:15 and 7 p.m.

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the development team, traffic consultants and city staff. They will also have the opportunity to submit written comments and feedback, which will be provided to staff and City Commission for their review as they consider this proposal.

Following the Public Information Session, the City Commission will hold a Work Session Monday, May 5, at 4 p.m. in City Commission Chambers located at 401 S. Park Ave. to discuss this proposal and the feedback received from the information session. Similar to all City Commission Work Sessions, the public is invited to attend, however, no public comment will be taken.

On Monday, June 9, at 3:30 p.m. the public will have an opportunity to share their comments about the proposed Lee Road Extension at the public hearing scheduled at the City Commission meeting, which will be held in City Hall Commission Chambers located at 401 S. Park Ave.

Earth Day in the Park and Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

The city of Winter Park presents “Earth Day in the Park & Arbor Day Tree Giveaway” on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Central Park. Winter Park Green School Grant winners will be awarded at 10:30 a.m. from the main stage.

Founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, Earth Day is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. The city’s celebration will showcase how the city of Winter Park and Keep Winter Park Beautiful are working to make Winter Park more sustainable. Attendees will learn how the city works toward a Sustainability Action Plan and how to provide their input into the community plan.

Earth Day in the Park will provide educational workshops focused on learning about native landscaping, tree identification and the Audubon Society will present “Creating a bird-friendly yard.” Tours of the new train station, which is being certified through the United States Green Building Council, will also be provided.

The city’s Urban Forestry Division will present a large live oak ceremonial planting celebrating both Earth Day and Arbor Day. Certified arborists will be on site to answer questions and give away an assortment of containerized trees for city residents to plant at home, in an effort to enhance our urban forest canopy. A rope-climbing course will also be available for children to try their hand at ascending and descending a tree. Patrons can also take a walk with one of the city’s arborists to learn about the trees in Central Park.

To promote creative and sustainable transportation modes, KWPB and the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board will co-host the free Winter Park Bike Valet. Visitors to downtown Winter Park will be able to check their bike free of charge at Garfield Avenue behind the main stage in Central Park.

For more information regarding the Earth Day in the Park and Arbor Day Tree Giveaway celebration or to learn about unique KWPB sponsorship opportunities, please call 407-643-1660 or visit cityofwinterpark.org/KWPB.

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