Winter Park City Commission Regular Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Winter Park City Commission met in regular session on November 12, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers, 401 S. Park Avenue. Mayor Sheila DeCiccio presided, with Commissioners Craig Russell, Kris Cruzada, and Warren Lindsey present; Commissioner Marty Sullivan was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Ron Camblin of Aloma Church and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Community Partner Presentations

• Park Avenue District President Alan Chambers introduced Interim Executive Director Allison Chandler, who thanked the city for its partnership, announced holiday events including Light Up Park the following evening, and described her 90-day focus on partnerships, small business owners, and a strong holiday season.
• Orange County School Board representative Stephanie Vanos presented on OCPS programs, funding, and Winter Park school achievement. She said Orange County is the 8th largest school district in the U.S. and 4th largest in Florida, with 214 schools, 96 A schools, and a 96% graduation rate. She highlighted that per-student funding remains nearly $1,400 below CPI, the state provides only about 33 cents for each transportation dollar, and the district receives about $21 million in safe-school funding but spends about $37.5 million, including $23 million on 263 school resource officers. She noted targeted improvement work at Brookshire and Killarney elementary schools, praised Aloma's grade improvement from C to B, expressed concerns about letter grades, and urged advocacy, volunteering, and public input on the current school start times survey.
• Winter Park Youth City Council members Dan Isaak, Lily Stahlman, Jah'Ron Williams, and Molly Thomson presented a “state of the city” from the youth perspective. They described events, a new podcast, more than 47,000 social media views, and a survey of over 200 students. The survey found 27% wanted more parks and about 74% preferred preserving Winter Park's historical appearance over more developed buildings.

Mayor’s Report

• Mayor DeCiccio read a proclamation designating Saturday, November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday in Winter Park, noting that the city was recognized as a Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion for the third consecutive year.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the consent agenda, 4-0, with Commissioner Sullivan absent. It included:
  • Approval of minutes from the October 22 and October 23, 2025 meetings.
  • IFB14-25 for concrete materials and repair services, awarded to Ovation Construction Company, Inc., Allcrete, Inc., and D&A Construction Group, Inc., not to exceed $300,000.
  • Piggyback contracts: STA-CON, LLC ($750,000, pump station control and SCADA panels through 2030); Gray Matter Systems, LLC ($250,000, SCADA services through 2029); Atlantic Pipe Services, LLC ($500,000, storm pipe services through 2026); Cubix, Inc. ($175,000, carpet cleaning through 2026); and Alan Jay Fleet Sales ($750,000, vehicles through 2026).
  • RFQ20-23 with Ovation Construction Company, Inc. for repair and construction services, not to exceed $1,500,000.
  • OEM purchases from Data Flow Systems, Inc. ($675,000), MKI Services Inc. ($975,000), and Kissinger Campo Associates Corporation ($93,031.64 for the Heritage-Market Trail feasibility analysis).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nikki Seybold, 800 N. Interlachen Avenue, expressed concern that downtown parking is “out of control,” citing recent and planned projects such as The Alfond, Blue Bamboo, Winter Park Playhouse, The Edith, and the Rollins Museum building, and saying the 2018 parking survey found the city was 30 percent under its parking capacity. She urged the city to use CRA money for parking.
• Orange County District V Commissioner Kelly Semrad reported that on October 28, 2025, the Orange County Commission allocated $5 million in tourist development tax funding to arts and culture, with about 30% awarded to 11 Winter Park venues. She also reminded everyone of the November 20 community meeting about coyotes.
• During the Alberta Drive public hearing, neighboring residents Peter Brethauer (420 Cortland Avenue), Sally Flynn (1400 Highland Road), and Karen Brethauder (420 Cortland Avenue) spoke in opposition to the lot split, citing potential loss of a perimeter wall, construction impacts, reduced setbacks, and changes to neighborhood character.

Discussion Items

• The only action item requiring discussion was the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Winter Park and the Winter Park Professional Firefighters Local 1598, IAFF. No public comments were made. Mayor DeCiccio praised the fire/rescue department, and Assistant City Manager Michelle del Valle answered questions. The Commission approved the agreement unanimously, 4-0.

Public Hearings: Quasi-Judicial Matters

• SUB #25-03 (1210 Alberta Drive): Staff planner Nick Lewis reviewed the request by Mollie and Andrew Samaan to divide an R-1AA zoned property into two lots. The existing 30,648-square-foot lot would become a 19,398-square-foot lot with the existing house and an 11,250-square-foot second lot. Variances were requested for a 12-foot side setback instead of 20 feet and a 75-foot minimum lot width instead of 100 feet. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval, 3-2, with a condition that the side setback variance applies only to the existing structure. Andrew Samaan said there were no immediate plans to sell or develop the lot and that he had spoken with neighbors. Commissioners Cruzada and Russell supported approval; Commissioner Lindsey opposed, citing impact on neighborhood character and respect for neighboring opposition. A roll call vote approved the request 3-1 (Russell, Cruzada, and Mayor DeCiccio yes; Lindsey no; Sullivan absent).
• Ordinance creating Section 58-98 (recovery residences, 1st reading): Attorney Kurt Ardaman read the ordinance by title. Planning and Zoning Director Allison McGillis explained that state law (Chapter 2025-182, Laws of Florida / SB 954) requires cities to adopt reasonable-accommodation procedures for certified recovery residences by January 1, 2026. The ordinance establishes definitions, application requirements, a 60-day determination deadline, and appeal to the Commission. No public comments were made. The Commission approved it unanimously, 4-0.
• Ordinance amending Chapter 58 (nonconforming structures and stormwater, 1st reading): The ordinance revises renovation and valuation thresholds to encourage adaptive reuse and preservation, removes certain impediments for interior-only renovations, expands stormwater exemptions, and creates a stormwater utility fee-in-lieu option for small sites under one acre. McGillis and Assistant Public Works Director Don Marcotte answered questions. No public comments were made. The Commission approved it unanimously, 4-0.
• Ordinance 3358-25 (utility easement vacation at 2501 Tuscaloosa Trail, 2nd reading): The Commission adopted the ordinance vacating a portion of an unimproved utility easement. No public comments were made. The vote was unanimous, 4-0.

Public Hearings: Non Quasi-Judicial Matters

• Ordinance 3359-25 (FY 2024-2025 budget amendment, 2nd reading): The Commission adopted the ordinance amending the adopted budget and five-year capital improvement plan. No public comments were made. The vote was unanimous, 4-0.

City Commission Reports

• Commissioner Russell thanked utilities, public works, and communications staff; reported on Men of Integrity and the solar “Whistling Duck” project; encouraged parents to respond to the OCPS school start times survey; requested recognition for Winter Park High School girls volleyball’s state championship; and suggested inviting high school band and orchestra to the January meeting.
• Commissioner Cruzada announced the appointment of Dr. E. Donald Thomas to the Lakes and Waterways Board.
• Commissioner Lindsey thanked the Fire Department and asked staff to determine landscaping maintenance responsibilities at the Lee Road and 17-92 intersection and take corrective action.
• Mayor DeCiccio thanked staff, noted that City Manager Randy Knight filled and delivered sandbags to an elderly couple, reminded the public about the November 20 coyote meeting, said staff will clean up city ordinances beginning in January, and noted the city will seek grant funds for a multi-jurisdictional bike/pedestrian path.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda and the collective bargaining agreement, each 4-0.
• Approved the Alberta Drive lot split 3-1 with the Planning and Zoning Board’s condition.
• Approved two land-use ordinances on first reading and adopted the easement vacation and budget amendment on second reading, each 4-0.
• Appointed Dr. E. Donald Thomas to the Lakes and Waterways Board.
• The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.