Winter Park City Talk

Bond validation process

On March 15, 2016, the citizens of Winter Park voted to approve the issuance of bonds to build a new library and events center. On May 23, 2016, the City Commission authorized the city’s bond attorney to begin the library and events center bond validation process.

The city deemed this process necessary due, in part, to an opposition effort of a Political Action Committee-driven petition that is circulating against the approved location of the library (Martin Luther King, Jr. Park). This is the same PAC that was formed to fight against the library and events center referendum. According to the City Clerk, this petition effort is following an invalid process and has been ruled untimely.

The bond validation process is a legal process that will allow interested parties to present their position to a judge, who will either validate the bonds or invalidate them for specific reasons. If the judge validates the PAC’s efforts, that could force the city to pay for and conduct another vote of the citizens, as well as potentially negate the city’s ability to build the approved library and events center. The timeline for this process is subject to the scheduling of court hearings.

Unfortunately, the PAC’s efforts will cost the taxpayers extra money and will likely delay the start of the project.

In order to protect the interests of the citizens and taxpayers of Winter Park, the bond validation process is the most expeditious and fiscally-responsible approach. This will ensure that the bonds can be properly issued and the approved project can be built without any pending legal obstructions.

Hurricane season has arrived

official city online resources

 cityofwinterpark.org Quick Info > Hurricane Preparedness

 wpfd.org > Emergency Management

 Facebook cityofwinterpark.org/facebook (#winterparkfla)

 Twitter cityofwinterpark.org/twitter (@winterparkfla)

other important resources

 Non-emergency information line [goes live upon Emergency Operations Center activation] 407-599-3494

 Message Center Information email [goes live upon Emergency Operations Center activation] [email protected]

 Winter Park Electric Utility power outages 1-877-811-8700

 Winter Park Water & Wastewater Utilities outages 407-599-3219

OUTREACH - Sign up for the city’s emergency notification system that uses technology to send out notifications such as extreme weather conditions, boil water alerts, power restoration status, and hurricane/tornado warnings. Upon hearing the tornado siren, you should tune to local media for specific weather information. In addition, it will notify you of impending emergencies via home phone, cell phone and/or email. Please visit cityofwinterpark.org on the

bottom right & click on the second button from the left.

Zika Virus: What you need to know

On Monday, June 6, at 7 p.m., the Rollins Center for Health Innovation will host a free public lecture on the Zika Virus, which was declared a public health emergency on February 1, 2016 by the World Health Organization. This event will be held at the Bush Auditorium located at 1000 Hold Avenue on the Rollins College Campus.

No reservations are required. Please park in the SunTrust Parking Garage at 203 E. Lyman Ave. For more information, please call 407-646-2130 or visit rollins.edu/rchi

June 7 Denning Drive meeting

On May 12, the city, with assistance from GAI Consultants, Inc. held the first of two public meetings to discuss Denning Drive, its current conditions, and future possibilities. A follow-up meeting, will be held Tuesday, June 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 W. Morse Blvd.

At this meeting, staff will summarize the May meeting discussions as well as present sketches and concepts based on the feedback from the first meeting. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss, and provide input and suggestions on the information presented.

As part of the Community Redevelopment Agency’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan, Denning Drive is one of the first projects the CRA is evaluating for performance, needs and possible improvements. The Denning Drive corridor is being evaluated under the city’s Complete Streets Resolution and is funded by the CRA. The intent of this evaluation is to improve the experience of walkers, bicyclists, bus riders, and cars without compromising the function and level of service of the road.

CoffeeTalk’s 2016 season begins

The first CoffeeTalk of the 2016 season featuring Mayor Steve Leary will be held Friday, June 10, at 7:45 a.m., in conjunction with the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce’s Good Morning Winter Park! at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave.

Now in its 11th season, CoffeeTalk has become the place for citizens that have “a latte beans to grind” or who simply want to “espresso their thoughts.” The purpose of CoffeeTalk is to give citizens the opportunity to talk to their city leaders in a more casual, informal environment, and avoid the stage fright that is often experienced at large meetings.

Please make note of the following complete schedule for the upcoming 2016 CoffeeTalk season with our city leaders:

 Commissioner Greg Seidel Thursday, July 14

 Vice Mayor Sarah Sprinkel Thursday, Aug. 11

 Commissioner Carolyn Cooper Thursday, Sept. 15

 Commissioner Pete Weldon Thursday, Oct. 20

 City Manager Randy Knight Thursday, Nov. 3

All CoffeeTalks are held at 8 a.m., at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 W. Lyman Ave. Please mark your calendars for a cup of conversation and great coffee provided by Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen.

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like, follow and watch us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vimeo, and YouTube.