Ocoee sets restrictions on panhandlers, human sign twirlers

First reading: Human signs

Ocoee city leaders approved the first reading of an ordinance regulating human signs – commercial signs that are continuously held, spun or attached to a person that advertises a business, commodity, service or product. According to city staff and the Ocoee Police Department, this ordinance is necessary due to an increase in human signs observed by the City of Ocoee Community Redevelopment Agency. The ordinance will allow only one human sign per business, however, the human sign must remain located on the same parcel or common areas within which the business, commodity, service or product is located. No human sign can exceed more than 2 feet by 4 feet and will be forbidden from being on public property. The second reading and public hearing are scheduled for the April 18 Ocoee commission meeting.

Second reading: Panhandling restrictions 

City leaders approved the second and final reading of an ordinance that aims to restrict panhandling. The ordinance is modeled after the panhandling ordinances adopted by Winter Garden and the City Of Orlando. It requires all panhandlers to register and prohibits anyone from panhandling within 100 feet of any bus or train stop, in any public transportation vehicle or facility, in any city right-of-way, in any public park, fairground or sporting facility, within 100 feet of schools, ATMS or liquor stores, in city-owned parking lots or garages, and on any private property unless permission has been given by the property owner. 

IN OTHER NEWS

• City leaders approved an updated Master Capital Improvement Bond Resolution, allowing the city to borrow $25 million for the new improvements planned for the downtown Ocoee area. The financing plan is structured so that there will be no additional tax burden placed on Ocoee residents.
• City leaders also approved the $101,554 four-year lease/purchase of a shuttle bus from the Florida Transportation Systems, Inc. for the City of Ocoee Parks & Recreation Department. The shuttle bus will be used to transport children to and from the city's Recreation Center to school, as well as adults for city-sponsored events.
• Ocoee commissioners and the mayor approved city staff's request to use their existing contract with All-Rite Fence Services, Inc., to construct a 6-foot high fence on the northern border of a city retention pond on Nicole Boulevard to stop vehicles from accessing the pond and damaging the pond's slopes. The cost of the additional fencing will be $5,367.75 and will be funded via the stormwater budget.

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]