Ocoee Police recognized at city commission

OCOEE -- As part of its March 3 meeting, the Ocoee Commission recognized several people affiliated with the Ocoee Police Department by way of various awards.

Police Chief Charles Brown congratulated Detective Michelle Grogan on being the 2014 Ocoee Police Department Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year. Grogan assisted a particular veteran of the American armed forces with rehabilitation of his life beyond the call of duty, police said.

The Citizens Advisory Council for Ocoee Police Department announced four awards, as well: Madeleine Garza, an administrative assistant for the police department, received a certificate naming her Civilian of the Year. Auxiliary Sgt. Bob Chedwick received recognition as Volunteer of the Year. The Officer of the Quarter Award went to Officer Matthew Serrao, who helped 11 homeless campers find shelters. And Officer Daniel Schilling became Officer of the Year for work in tracking drugs with K-9 unit Nitro, work under gunfire in Windermere and assisting a two-year-old girl whose parents had committed crimes, resulting in the Department of Children and Families assuming her custody.

CONSENT AGENDA

The commission passed its consent agenda, 5-0. Among items approved were: a $41,814 replacement of some grit turntable equipment for Ocoee's wastewater treatment plant; a renewal of the fire department's rental lease agreement for Station 38 for two years, ending May 8, 2017; a $39,500 Classic Marcite Inc. bid to resurface the Ocoee Family Aquatic Center pool; renewal of a school resource officer agreement with Orange County Public Schools, worth $126,562.50 in reimbursement and ending June 30, 2015; and a separate surplus auction of obsolete or broken computing and audiovisual equipment once used by city staff and police.

LIEN REDUCTION

The commission unanimously approved reduction of a pair of liens against the property at 709 Lakeview Drive. The liens were for an inoperable, untagged vehicle with no windshield and overgrown grass and weeds. Federal National Mortgage Association obtained the property through foreclosure, care of Choice Legal Group PA. The liens, worth $23,900 together, reduced to $4,243.23.

IN BRIEF

• Officials from Chick-fil-A presented a $1,003 check from its Founders' Day 5k to Smile for a Lifetime, an organization helping those in need obtain free orthodontic treatment.
• The commission appointed three members to Ocoee's canvassing board for its March 10 election.