by Beth Kassab | Dec 20, 2024 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
What the school resource officer conflict with OCPS means for Winter Park
Winter Park provides five school resource officers and is asking for additional compensation
Dec. 20, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park is one of five cities in a standoff with Orange County Public Schools over how much the district should pay for local police agencies to station officers at schools.
Winter Park Police provides five officers to public schools in the city — one at Brookshire Elementary; one at Lakemont Elementary, one at the Ninth Grade Center and two at the Winter Park High main campus.
Both the school district and the cities say they want to keep school resource officers in place rather than a state-allowed guardian program, which does not provide sworn law enforcement officers. And safety is top of mind in the wake of school shootings and other threats that are part of campus life today.
OCPS, the 8th largest school district in the nation, pays the city about $72,000 a year per officer. That agreement is set to expire at the end of this school year.
Winter Park — along with Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden and Windermere — say that’s not enough to cover the true cost of supplying officers to the schools such as health insurance and benefits, the pension fund, equipment and overtime.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said she is responding to questions and concerns from parents about the negotiations.
“While we understand the financial challenges OCPS faces, our agencies are also contending with significant fiscal pressures,” read a statement from Apopka Police Chief McKinley on behalf of the five cities, including Winter Park. “These include difficulties in recruiting personnel and ensuring adequate equipment to meet the growing demands of our cities. Addressing these financial challenges through appropriate funding is essential to sustaining the high level of service we provide.”
The cities are asking for an increase that would cost the district an extra $2 million a year — or about $39,000 for the city of Winter Park.
The Police department accounts for the largest expenditure in Winter Park’s general fund budget with costs increasing this year by nearly 7% to about $19.5 million.
The school district said in an email to parents earlier this week that it already provided a 20% increase in the reimbursement rate to cities this year over the previous year and proposed a $75,000 per officer rate for the 2026-27 school year.
Four of nine law enforcement agencies — including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando, Maitland — agreed to the OCPS terms and signed a three-year contract.
“The district-proposed SRO reimbursement increase far exceeded the 11% salary increase given to our deserving teachers and support staff over the last two years,” stated the email to parents.
The five cities that have refused to sign the three-year deal say their costs are continuing to soar and they also devote additional department resources schools, particularly when there are threats and investigations that take place on campus.
“In addition to the basic costs, which are not covered by the OCPS contract, each law enforcement agency spends a significant amount of additional time and resources completing criminal investigations as well as active threat investigations in the schools despite the fact that OCPS funds their own Police Department,” the statement from the cities said.
The school district and the cities are scheduled to continue negotiations in January.
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by Beth Kassab | Dec 13, 2024 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
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.
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by Beth Kassab | Dec 10, 2024 | City Commission, Election, News, Uncategorized
Referendum on gas leaf blower ban could be conducted by mail
The vote along with money for flood fixes and a new policy to sell ads and sponsorships for the Parks & Rec department will be considered at Wednesday’s City Commission meeting
Dec. 10, 2024
By Beth Kassab
So far the two seats on the City Commission up for election next year have attracted just one candidate each. That’s left city leaders contemplating how to conduct a referendum on whether the city should keep its ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
On Wednesday, Commissioners will consider authorizing the referendum to be conducted by mail and, possibly, at a later date if the races for seats 3 and 4 remain unopposed when the official qualifying period ends on Jan. 21.
The referendum was scheduled to appear on the March 11 ballot with those two races. But, 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.”
The memorandum also notes that the commission’s approval would give “flexibility to reschedule the referendum to a later date,” though it doesn’t specify when that could take place.
Naming rights for Parks & Rec?
Soon Winter Park may try to capitalize on its extensive parks and recreation programs, including events, with official sponsorships, advertising and naming rights, according to a plan up for consideration on Wednesday by the City Commission.
City staff estimates the new advertising and 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.” 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.
“Today, financial and in-kind support is even more critical as the investment needed to sustain and improve the parks, facilities, and programs continues to rise,” says the staff report. “Like other park and recreation departments across the nation, the parks and recreation department is pursuing more sophisticated business partnerships with the for-profit and non-profit sectors, in the form of events, programs, projects, and site sponsorship along with limited advertising.”
$4.6 million for flooding fixes
After more than a year of study commissioners will consider finalizing the first priorities in a long list of projects needed to shore up Winter Park’s stormwater and drainage system in the wake of major storms and flooding.
Commissioners discussed the projects highlighted by the studies last month and are now poised to approve $4.6 million for the first batch of them.
About $1.6 million is already allocated for the fixes in this year’s budget. Another $3 million will come from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency.
The list of specific projects can be found here and here.
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by Beth Kassab | Dec 5, 2024 | City Commission, Historic Preservation, Library, News, Uncategorized
New Public Art Collection map reveals hidden treasures
The project catalogs Winter Park’s vast collection, which includes every “Best of Show” piece from the annual Sidewalk Art Festival
Dec. 5, 2024
By Beth Kassab
For the first time, the city’s collection of more than 90 pieces of art is searchable through a detailed catalog that provides photos, descriptions and an interactive map.
The new database, which is the handiwork of the Public Art Advisory Board and the city’s communications staff, provides the most comprehensive and publicly accessible ways of finding and viewing — in-person or online — Clyde Butcher’s photography, Albin Polasek’s sculptures and dozens more artists who create everything from jewelry and tapestry to watercolors and woodwork.
This photograph called “Ochopee” by Clyde Butcher taken in the Florida Everglades is part of the city’s public collection.
“The advisory board has been working on this for about a year,” said Craig O’Neil, the board’s liaison and assistant director of communications.
O’Neil said he couldn’t venture a guess as to the dollar value of the city’s collection, but that it would be an interesting figure to track down.
A number of pieces are undoubtedly valuable. For example, the public collection includes five sculptures by Polasek, whose former Lake Osceola home is now a museum, and whose work has sold at auction for tens of thousands of dollars.
A little less than a decade ago, city leaders decided to dub Winter Park the “City of Arts & Culture” and lean in to its identity as the place recognized for sidewalk art festivals, at least six museums, historic homes and a liberal arts college known for its music and theater programs.
“Mother Crying Over the World” is a sculpture by Albin Polasek in the city’s collection.
That effort also includes the formation of the Arts & Culture Alliance, which aims to market Winter Park as an arts destination.
O’Neil said the hope is that more people will utilize the map and catalog to take more notice of the art in public spaces such as local parks, City Hall (where the current “Best in Show” winner is displayed) and the library and events center. Most of the former “Best in Show” winners dating back to 1969 are housed in the library.
The city is actively accepting donations to its collection. And there are more public acquisitions in the works.
Leaders are planning to put out a call to artists for works to be installed at Seven Oaks Park, which is under construction. The Public Art Advisory Board would lead that process.
Last year the City Commission unanimously approved a plan to dedicate 10% of any increase in the Unassigned General Fund each year to the board, it’s first-ever dedicated funding source. That’s the same formula the city uses to devote money to the acquisition of park land, a plan that has raised about $1 million since it went into place in 2003 at an average of more than $50,000 a year, according to city estimates at the time of the approval.
You can search the collection catalog and map here.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 26, 2024 | City Commission, Library, News, Uncategorized, Zoning and Development
City lets go of Post Office dream and will spend dollars elsewhere
The new spending plan for the Community Redevelopment Agency will focus on infrastructure that could help lure workforce housing near Interstate 4
Nov. 26, 2024
By Beth Kassab
After years of hoping the federal government would sell the land for the Winter Park Post Office on New York Avenue so that the city could expand Central Park, commissioners decided to use the money they saved for the purchase on other projects.
The nearly $7 million set aside in the Community Redevelopment Agency budget for the post office land will be used instead to help pay for a number of other needs such as intersection improvements at West Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive, new restrooms in the West Meadows and more.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio noted in the meeting of the CRA board earlier this month that if the federal government ever does decide to sell the land, the city could finance the acquisition in other ways such as floating bonds.
She referenced how the Public Art Advisory Board is currently seeking permission to restore the historic mural on the side of the post office building — yet another project that will require the hard-to-comeby cooperation from the federal agency.
“The arts board is trying to clean up the mural and they will have to deal with them so good luck to them,” DeCiccio said.
With the reallocation of the post office funds and expected additional dollars as a result of the new expanded boundaries of the CRA down Fairbanks to Interstate 4, the board approved the outline of a new spending plan. The agency’s revenue is projected to be $9.1 million this year and grow to $10.4 million by 2029, according to city documents.
The spending plan includes:
- $10 million in 2028 and 2029 on U.S. 17-92 streetscape enhancements
- $5.1 million for MLK Park Improvements
- About $14 million on a variety of drainage, stormwater and other infrastructure improvements highlighted by recent studies to prevent flooding. The projects include MLK Park, West Fairbanks, Canton Avenue and Killarney Estates.
- $4.5 million for the intersection at Fairbanks and Denning, including the recently approved acquisition of land there.
- $1.2 million to add surface parking for the Library and Events Center.
- $1 million for a “Park Avenue Refresh.” The city is currently asking residents to fill out a survey that asks about satisfaction with landscaping, lighting, shade and other features.
- $1.2 million on construction of restrooms in the West Meadow of Central Park
City Manager Randy Knight said the improvements on West Fairbanks near I-4 in the newest area of the CRA have the potential to lead to big changes there.
“They lack the infrastructure for a serious redevelopment because of the flooding and septic there,” he said.
The work planned by the city along with potential new zoning will pave the way for more sweeping changes to the corridor and “we hope some workforce-type housing” in the area, Knight said.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 26, 2024 | City Commission, News
Photos: New Christmas decor debuts in Central Park
More immersive experiences like a carousel and a tunnel of white lights offer shoppers and diners reasons to linger
Nov. 26, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Later this week a carousel will debut next to City Hall as part of the enhanced Christmas display approved by City Commissioners earlier this year.
The City Commission voted to double the money it spends on the Park Avenue District’s decor to about $200,000. Some of the money was intended as a match for $100,000 the district must raise privately.
Holiday orbs light up Park Avenue, a familiar feature of the city’s Christmas decor.
More than 150,000 white lights plus new wreaths and a “cathedral of lights” in Central Park debuted earlier this month. The children’s carousel will arrive on Friday. For a full list of holiday events in Winter Park click here.
The district hopes the more immersive decor provides a reason for more shoppers and diners to visit the avenue over the holiday season.
A brightly colored menorah stands in Central Park as the new tunnel of white lights glows in the background.
Families pose for photos Sunday evening under the new “Cathedral of Lights” in Central Park.
A scene from Central Park on a recent evening.
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