Is the wording of the ballot question about gas-powered leaf blowers too confusing? Commissioners will decide
Commissioners opted for a mail-only vote if the two commission seats up for grabs remain unopposed
Dec. 13, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Commissioners this week said they would agree to conduct a mail-only vote on whether or not to keep Winter Park’s ban on gas powered leaf blowers if the referendum ends up being the only item on the March ballot.
They also decided to consider next month a wording change to the ballot question after City Manager Randy Knight said the current wording is causing some confusion.
Commissioners will decide if the language should be changed to the following: “The Winter Park City Commission adopted an ordinance banning the use of
internal combustion leaf blowers effective June 1, 2025. If you are in favor of repealing the ordinance banning internal combustion leaf blowers vote ‘Yes.’ If you are in favor of leaving the ordinance banning internal combustion leaf blowers in place, vote ‘No.'”
As a point of comparison, the current language is, “Shall the City of Winter Park amend Article IV, Division 2, § 62-97 of its Code of Ordinances, as provided in Ordinance 3292-24, to revise the City Code to repeal the City’s ban on the use of internal combustion powered leaf blowers and to regulate noise created by the use of leaf blowers consistent with those regulations regulating noise created by power tools?”
So far the races for City Commission seats 3 and 4 are unopposed. If that remains the case by the time qualifying ends on Jan. 21 then the leaf blower question would be the only matter before voters and the election would move to a mail-only vote.
As of now, Commissioner Kris Cruzada is running for re-election to Seat 3 without a challenger. And Warren Lindsey, a first-time candidate and local criminal defense attorney, is the only person to file for Seat 4 since incumbent Todd Weaver opted not to run again.
According to a staff report, “The benefit of moving to a mail ballot, for this single question, would be a reduction in the expense of conducting the election and potentially an increase in voter turnout.”
No decision on selling ads at Parks & Rec
Commissioners opted to delay a decision on whether the Parks & Rec department should sell ads and sponsorships as a new way of generating revenue.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio and other commissioners expressed concerns about how the department would be able to approve some ads and not others, leaving questions about how controversial content might be handled.
Parks & Rec Director Jason Seeley noted in his presentation that the official sponsorships, advertising and naming rights would be limited to small and tasteful plaques or other recognition rather than larger banners on fences, large signage on park benches and other examples that he said would not be allowed.
Such a sponsorship policy could generate at least $200,000 each year with efforts mostly focused on the city’s two golf courses, the tennis center and “other parks with significant foot traffic,” according to the proposal. Notably, Central Park — the flagship green space that runs along Park Avenue — would not be included among the public places where advertising or sponsorships would be sold.
Knight said the concept is to provide small plaques and other recognition for businesses and individuals willing to help underwrite the city’s costs without turning to fees or other charges to taxpayers.
“We’re always looking for revenue sources to take the burden off taxpayers,” Knight said. “When someone says they would give you $50,000 to put a little sponsorship plaque on a park feature, that’s $50,000 the commission can use … it’s really about trying to relieve the taxpayers’ burden.”
But there wasn’t clear buy-in from City Commissioners and they opted to delay a decision on the policy until February.
WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com
Simple decision – No ads!
Why don’t we just sell the whole park to John Morgan and let him erect huge billboards. I’m sure he would pay at least $1mil.
What an absolute ridiculous waste of time and effort with this.
Put forth a Citywide restriction. PERIOD! This is about as strict a rule as you can impose.
You’ll never even be able to enforce this ban. City of WP doesn’t maintain the resources. What are you going to do, send police and code officers out to ticket landscape companies. Not realistic or feasible.
The private gated communities (Heathrow, Alaqua, Isleworth, etc.) who can actually enforce this type of ban have had minimal success. Neither will WP.
Tacky idea to allow sponsor’s names on city parks and facilities.
Banning leaf blowers will hurt lawn care companies. Leaf blowers are NOT louder than a lawn mower. Ask yourself “What is Winter Park going to ban next? Lawn Mowers, Motorcycles, ? Is Winter Park really friendly? WARNING If you support the ban on leaf blowers YOU WILL LOUSE VOTES.
Make it easy to understand
And free to the City!
The City could post a sign out on the City Hall front lawn saying:
“Honk if you want to be legally able in Winter Park to blow whatever leaf blower you damn well please.”
That should settle the matter without cost to the City and without further controversy.
New wording is improved considerably.
Thank you City Commission.
If no one challenges the two candidates so an election is not necessary, could this single measure wait and be included in the next election?
How much does this single issue vote cost the residents? What is the all in cost including the ballot mailing, the return envelope postage expenses, and the cost of labor to count the votes? Could the city quantify the cost please? Guessing $10,000-$20,000+? Would it be prudent to save this expense, and simply postpone the vote?
Good idea! If candidates remain unopposed, it would be wise to defer the leaf blower issue to the next scheduled election and avoid the cost.
We have one fellow monitoring and enforcing all of WP for parking violations. Who the heck is going to monitor and enforce this ban?
It’s really sad to see people who think it’s totally okay to use leaf blowers whenever they want. They’re noise polluting and air polluting, unnecessary power tools. Yes they are louder than most lawnmowers and currently you can use them 7 days a week. Maybe how about a ban at least on the weekends? Sundays at least? So tired of leaf blowers all day every day around me. Noisy useless tools that just blow leaves from one place to another. How about a rake?
The concept of generating revenue for parks by selling ad space is a slippery slope. No matter what rules are implemented it could create an uncontrollable demand given the deep pockets and legacy-driven private interests. Who wouldn’t want their name on Kraft Azalea.
It is important that staff understand Winter Parks green space is sacrosanct and shouldn’t be commercialized.
Also, parks departments do not generate enough income to cover their costs. That fact is perfectly okay, that’s why we pay taxes.
What started this initiative?