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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Commission Regular Meeting - March 25, 2026

City Commission — Wednesday, March 25, 2026
BodyWinter Park, Florida
SessionCity Commission
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

The Gateway Church.

Speaker 2

1:30

Face with the good of the community at the forefront of our priorities.

1:35

As we experience the challenges of life, I pray that you'll protect us and that you will be with all of those who have given their lives to serving and protecting others, especially our first responders and medical workers.

1:48

As we enjoy your blessings, I pray that we'll be humble and gracious and ready to share and encourage others.

1:55

I thank you for all your blessings for the people, the businesses, the schools and organizations that make Winter Park a great place to live, play, and work, protect us from evil, deliver us from temptation, and pour out your mercy and grace upon us.

2:11

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Unassigned speaker

2:15

I

Speaker 1

2:15

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

Unassigned speaker

2:19

and

Speaker 1

2:20

to the Republic for

Speaker 3

2:21

which it stands.

2:22

One nation under God with the liberty.

Speaker 1

2:31

And now for the oath of office.

2:34

Commissioner Ingram, the podium is yours.

Unassigned speaker

2:50

Thank

Speaker 4

2:51

you all for coming.

2:52

Please repeat after

Unassigned speaker

2:53

me.

Unassigned speaker

2:54

I,

Speaker 4

2:55

Elizabeth Ingram.

Speaker 5

2:56

I, Elizabeth Ingram,

Speaker 4

2:58

do solemnly swear,

Speaker 5

3:00

do solemnly swear.

Speaker 4

3:01

That I will support, protect, and defend.

Speaker 5

3:04

That I will support, protect and defend.

Speaker 4

3:08

The Constitution and Government of the United States.

Speaker 5

3:11

The Constitution and Government of the United States.

Speaker 4

3:14

And of the state of Florida.

Speaker 5

3:15

And of the state of Florida.

Speaker 4

3:17

That I am duly qualified to hold office.

Speaker 5

3:20

That I am duly qualified to hold office.

Speaker 4

3:23

Under the Constitution of the State.

Speaker 5

3:25

Under the Constitution of the State.

Speaker 4

3:28

And that I will well and faithfully perform.

Speaker 5

3:31

And that I will well and faithfully perform.

Speaker 4

3:34

The duties of Commissioner of the City of Winter Park.

Speaker 5

3:37

The duties of Commissioner of the City of Winter Park.

Speaker 4

3:40

Of which I am now about to enter.

3:44

So help me God.

Speaker 5

3:46

So help me God.

Speaker 1

3:58

Elizabeth, if you'd like to join us up at the Dais and Vice Mayor Sullivan, it's been an honor and a pleasure serving with you.

4:06

Thank

Unassigned speaker

4:07

you.

Speaker 6

5:00

Yeah,

Unassigned speaker

5:00

that's right.

Unassigned speaker

5:01

Okay.

Unassigned speaker

5:03

I,

Speaker 6

5:03

Craig Russell.

Speaker 7

5:04

I, Craig Russell.

Speaker 6

5:06

Do solemnly swear.

Speaker 7

5:07

Do solemnly swear.

Speaker 6

5:08

That I will support, protect, and defend.

Speaker 7

5:11

That I will support, protect, and defend.

Speaker 6

5:13

The Constitution and Government of the United States.

Speaker 7

5:16

The Constitution and Government of the United States.

Speaker 6

5:18

And of the State of Florida.

Speaker 7

5:20

And of the State of Florida.

Speaker 6

5:22

That I am duly qualified to hold office.

Speaker 7

5:25

That I am duly qualified to hold office.

Speaker 6

5:27

Under the Constitution of the United States.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use and Zoning████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████████13%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Environmental Protection████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Youth Programs███3%
Parking██2%
Summary of Proceedings

City Commission Regular Meeting - March 25, 2026

The Winter Park City Commission held a regular meeting on March 25, 2026 at 3:30 PM in City Hall Commission Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial oaths of office for newly elected Commissioners Elizabeth Ingram and Craig Russell, the election of a Vice Mayor, a proclamation, multiple consent agenda items, a controversial quasi-judicial subdivision request, public comments on parking and tree removal, and various commission reports.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the March 11, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Approved the award of RFP26-5 (Bond Counsel Services) to Greenberg Traurig, P.A. after authorization for negotiations.
  • Approved the award of IFB26-8 (Hungerford Elementary School Sidewalk Gaps SRTS) to Garcia Civil Contractors for $716,966.16; approximately $27,000 is city funds and the remainder is FDOT-funded.
  • Approved piggyback contracts with Southern Switches & Contacts (not to exceed $250,000) and Premier Power Maintenance (not to exceed $200,000) for substation and generating station maintenance, via Florida Municipal Power Agency.
  • Approved contracts: Transportation Planning & Engineering Services (Kimley-Horn, Kisinger Campo, Patel Greene & Associates) through mid-2027; and Liability Insurance Broker (Foundation Risk) for up to $815,000 through March 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Williams (209 Tyree Lane) expressed displeasure with the city's tree contractor (Davey Tree Company), alleging poor work quality, sleeping on the job, and environmental damage from tree removals in his neighborhood.
  • Nikki Seybold (800 N. Interlachen Avenue) presented images and detailed concerns about downtown parking, including merchants painting curbs yellow without authorization, employees using hang tags to park in CRA lots instead of dedicated garage spaces, construction vehicles taking up parking on Knowles Avenue, and low utilization of EV charging spaces.

Discussion Items

  • Election of Vice Mayor: Mayor DeCiccio nominated Commissioner Kris Cruzada; motion passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Proclamation: America 250 Greatest American Clean-up, reading by Mayor, accepted by Gloria Eby (Director of Natural Resources and Sustainability).
  • Appointments: Commissioner Lindsey appointed to Library Board; Commissioner Ingram appointed to MetroPlan Advisory Council; Kimberly Sadowski appointed to Transportation Advisory Board.
  • City Manager's Report:
    • March 26 work session canceled due to lack of updated property tax reform information; possible special session in late April.
    • Downtown parking: Transportation Advisory Board will form an ad hoc committee with residents to study issues; Public Works Director Charles Ramdatt provided details.
    • Mayor requested exploring SunRail weekend operation during art festivals; staff to meet with FDOT.
    • Fuel costs: monitoring Iran situation; no adjustment yet.
    • Fee schedule for easement variance processing to be presented in April.
    • Insurance rates impacted by recent increase in sovereign immunity caps (from $200k/$400k to $350k/$500k), signed by governor.
  • City Attorney's Report: Update on 2661 Via Tuscany fine reduction request; applicant has not responded; liens recorded.
  • SUB #26-02 – 436 North Knowles Avenue Subdivision:
    • Applicant Z Properties (Zane Williams) requested subdivision of the 0.44-acre R-3 property into two single-family lots, with three variances: building coverage increase from 40% to 43%, front setback for front-facing garage reduced from 35 to 25 feet, and internal side setbacks reduced (effectively 1.5 feet for staircases, 3.5 feet for rest). P&Z recommended approval 6-1.
    • Public speakers: Linda Kulmann (opposed due to variances and incompatibility), Charlie Leone (concerned about drainage, traffic, and tree loss).
    • Commission discussion: Commissioner Lindsey opposed citing significant variances and incompatibility; Commissioner Cruzada concerned about side setbacks and privacy; Commissioner Ingram opposed removal of large camphor trees and wanted more drainage information; Commissioner Russell supported, noting future review during permits; Mayor DeCiccio favored because two single-family homes produce less impact than four units by-right.
    • Motion to deny (Lindsey, seconded by Cruzada) passed 3-2 (Cruzada, Ingram, Lindsey yes; Russell and DeCiccio no).

Key Outcomes

  • Oaths of office administered to Commissioners Elizabeth Ingram and Craig Russell.
  • Kris Cruzada elected Vice Mayor (5-0).
  • America 250 Greatest American Clean-up proclaimed for April 4 through July 4, 2026.
  • Warren Lindsey appointed to Library Board; Elizabeth Ingram appointed to MetroPlan Advisory Council; Kimberly Sadowski appointed to Transportation Advisory Board (all motions passed unanimously).
  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Subdivision request for 436 N. Knowles Avenue denied (3-2).
  • CRA (Agency) meeting scheduled for April 8, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. to discuss parking and budget.
  • Mayor directed staff to explore SunRail weekend service for art festivals and requested enforcement of downtown parking time limits.

Meeting Transcript

The Gateway Church. Face with the good of the community at the forefront of our priorities. As we experience the challenges of life, I pray that you'll protect us and that you will be with all of those who have given their lives to serving and protecting others, especially our first responders and medical workers. As we enjoy your blessings, I pray that we'll be humble and gracious and ready to share and encourage others. I thank you for all your blessings for the people, the businesses, the schools and organizations that make Winter Park a great place to live, play, and work, protect us from evil, deliver us from temptation, and pour out your mercy and grace upon us. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with the liberty. And now for the oath of office. Commissioner Ingram, the podium is yours. Thank you all for coming. Please repeat after me. I, Elizabeth Ingram. I, Elizabeth Ingram, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear. That I will support, protect, and defend. That I will support, protect and defend. The Constitution and Government of the United States. The Constitution and Government of the United States. And of the state of Florida. And of the state of Florida. That I am duly qualified to hold office. That I am duly qualified to hold office. Under the Constitution of the State. Under the Constitution of the State. And that I will well and faithfully perform. And that I will well and faithfully perform. The duties of Commissioner of the City of Winter Park. The duties of Commissioner of the City of Winter Park. Of which I am now about to enter. So help me God. So help me God. Elizabeth, if you'd like to join us up at the Dais and Vice Mayor Sullivan, it's been an honor and a pleasure serving with you. Thank you. Yeah, that's right. Okay. I, Craig Russell. I, Craig Russell. Do solemnly swear.

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