Ocoee approves preliminary reading for changes in city park hours, postpones vote on human signs

1. Second Reading: Restrictions on human sign twirlers

Due to a last-minute revision, the commission was advised to postpone a vote on the second reading of an ordinance that aims to regulate human signs. The ordinance defines human signs as "commercial signs that are continuously held, spun or attached to a person that advertise a business, commodity, service or product." According to the agenda, this ordinance is a response to an observed increase in human signs and will prohibit human sign twirlers from being located on public property. If passed, human signs will need to remain located on the same parcel or common areas within which the business, commodity, service or product is located, or risk a penalty. In addition, no human sign may exceed more than 2 feet by 4 feet. The second reading and public hearing have been rescheduled for the May 2 commission meeting.

2. First Reading: Adjustment to park hours

The Ocoee City Commission unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance that aims to amend the hours of several city parks and outdoor recreation facilities. The ordinance proposes to adjust the closing hours from 11:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Bill Breeze Park, Central Park, Jim Beech Complex, Municipal Lakefront Park, Sorenson Fields, Tiger Minor Park, Vignetti Park, and make the closing hours from 9:00 p.m. to sunset for Forest Oaks Park, Freedom Park, Jamela Street Park, Palm Park,  Palm Drive Park, Parkside/Coventry Park,  Prairie Lake Park, Russell Drive Park and Silver Glen Park. The second reading is slated for May 2.

IN OTHER NEWS

• Mayor Johnson announced that there are three vacancies on the Code Enforcement Board and encouraged residents from District 5 to apply as they currently have no representation from District 5.
• Ocoee commissioners discussed whether or not to continue or terminate the city's contract with Gray Robinson, P.A., a state lobbying firm. The city decided to send the firm a 30-day cancellation notice of their month-month contract.
• City leaders renewed the Ocoee Police Department's contract with the West Orange Narcotics Task Force., which is set to expire April 30. Renewal of the agreement allows for the continued use of Ocoee Police officers to help staff the organization’s cooperative operations.
• Commissioners agreed with city staff's recommendation to approve a $350,000 contract with S&ME, Inc., to create designs for the planned improvements to Lakefront Park. Improvements to the Lakefront Park are part of the planned $45 million downtown revitalization project.
• The city confirmed the reappointments of Ira Calloway and Nichole Dawkins to the Human Relations Diversity Board, with terms set to expire May 2020.

Any residents with questions or concerns may contact Ocoee City Hall at (407) 905-3100. 

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected]