Casselberry City Commission Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Casselberry City Commission met on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Commission Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for Flood Awareness Week, recognition of a budget award, approval of consent agenda items, adoption of a police deferred retirement option plan, and a detailed discussion on the Winter Park Drive Complete Street Improvements Phase 1 project.

Consent Calendar

• Approved legal services invoices: Garganese, Weiss, D'Agresta & Salzman, P.A. ($13,964.20) and Fishback Dominick LLP ($687.75).
• Approved Amendment No. 5 to the fuel supply agreement with Lynch Oil Company, Inc., extending the contract to March 16, 2027, and increasing the not-to-exceed amount to $350,000 (total term not-to-exceed $2,250,000).
• Approved a piggyback agreement with American Lighting and Signalization, LLC for lighting services along US 17-92 and SR 436, not to exceed $350,000, expiring March 16, 2027.
• Approved the purchase of a Caterpillar 420 XE Backhoe Loader CAB for $143,887.00 and related Budget Amendment #26-020.

Public Hearings

• Second Reading of Ordinance 26-1633: The Commission adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 62 of the City Code to create Section 62-2032, establishing a Police Officers' Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). The ordinance passed unanimously on second and final reading.

Discussion Items

• Winter Park Drive Complete Street Improvements - Phase 1 (30% Design): Staff presented the project, covering 1.5 miles from Merigold Road to Seminola Boulevard. The project aims to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Key elements included a 25 mph speed limit, 10-foot travel lanes (actually 13 feet face-of-curb to face-of-curb), a 10–12 foot multi-use path, raised crosswalks with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), and two proposed roundabouts at Queens Mirror Circle and Moonluster Drive. The design is funded by FDOT ($916,000 of the $1.3 million design cost, with the city contributing $428,000); FDOT has budgeted over $7 million for construction. The corridor study (2018–2022) documented 83 crashes on the southern portion, including one serious crash. The 30% design was presented to the public on January 29, 2026, with 35 attendees and six written positive comments, though verbal and email feedback raised concerns, particularly about the roundabouts. Public speakers from Lost Lake subdivision and adjacent residents expressed opposition to the roundabouts, citing concerns about fire truck access, driveway access, and a perceived lack of safety data specific to those intersections. They supported sidewalks and raised crosswalks as alternatives.
  • Options Presented: (1) No change – proceed with both roundabouts; (2) Remove the Queens Mirror roundabout and replace with a raised intersection; (3) Remove both roundabouts and consider other traffic calming measures (raised crosswalks, RRFBs). Estimated cost for removing one roundabout was $1.1 million (based on recent bid data).
  • Commission Discussion: Commissioners debated the merits of roundabouts, noting safety statistics (e.g., 90% reduction in fatalities per FHWA) but questioning applicability to Winter Park Drive. The majority of commissioners expressed a desire to remove the Moonluster roundabout due to resident opposition and feasibility concerns (potential right-of-way issues with Lost Lake HOA). Ultimately, the Commission reached consensus to: (1) retain the Queens Mirror roundabout but direct staff to tweak the design to minimize impacts on adjacent driveways (e.g., provide openings in the separator for direct access); (2) remove the Moonluster roundabout and replace it with a raised intersection; (3) extend the concrete median on Seminola Boulevard to prevent illegal turns. Staff will bring back the 60% design plans in April 2026 for further review.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-1633: Adopted unanimously on second reading.
• Winter Park Drive Phase 1 Direction: Commission directed staff to proceed with the following modifications to the 30% design: keep the Queens Mirror roundabout with design improvements to address driveway access; replace the Moonluster roundabout with a raised intersection; and extend the Seminola Boulevard median. Staff will report back at 60% design, expected in April 2026.
• Meeting Cancellation: The next regular meeting on March 23, 2026, was canceled; the following meeting will be April 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM.