Winter Park City Commission Regular Meeting – May 13, 2026

The Winter Park City Commission met on May 13, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Ron Camblin of Aloma Church, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a cultural presentation by the Winter Park High School Art Department. The Commission approved the agenda with item 12C, the Blue Bamboo sub-lease request, removed.

Opening Presentations and Proclamations

• The Winter Park High School visual arts department head described program growth, including 37 AP art portfolios submitted this year compared with about 24 last year, 75 teams in the annual Chalk the Walk event, and the fifth annual art showcase held at the Capen House with roughly 200 works on display.
• Rebecca Lee, co-president of the 2026 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, presented the 2026 Best of Show artwork to the City. The painting will remain on display at City Hall until the next Best of Show is selected in 2027. The festival noted the purchase award has grown from $250 in 1969 to $12,000 today.
• Mayor Sheila DeCiccio proclaimed May 2026 as Building Safety Month, joined by Gary Hyatt, director of building and permitting services, and Mike Savage, secretary treasurer of the International Code Council.
• The Mayor also proclaimed May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month, recognizing the 20th anniversary of Winter Park’s historic preservation ordinance, about 200 protected historic homes, and the city’s two historic districts.
• The Mayor announced upcoming Winter Park RAM master plan workshops on May 14 and May 28.

City Manager and City Attorney Reports

• The Commission unanimously confirmed Jason Riegler as Director of Water and Wastewater, succeeding David Zusi, who is retiring at the end of May.
• The City Attorney reported that the billboard omnibus agreement needs additional time to resolve landowner and billboard company issues.

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit

• The Finance Director presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.
• General fund revenues increased from $75 million to just over $82 million. Property taxes rose $2.7 million on an 8.2 percent increase in assessed valuation; construction-related plan review, permit, and inspection fees rose $2.6 million; and solid waste fees rose $1.1 million after rate increases tied to the hauler’s two consecutive 20 percent increases.
• General fund expenditures increased from $70 million to $77 million, including $4.5 million more in salaries and benefits, of which $2.8 million was for public safety, and $1.1 million more for solid waste collection and disposal.
• Transfers in increased from $5.6 million to $9.7 million, including the final $2.3 million of ARPA funds, which were used in the general fund while equivalent savings were moved to capital project funds.
• The unassigned general fund balance increased by $1.7 million. Reserves equaled 28.31 percent of spending, below the city’s 30 percent target. Following policy, $159,340 was transferred to each of the parks acquisition and public art funds, leaving balances of $329,000 and $545,000, respectively.
• Water and sewer revenues increased from about $38 million to $39 million due to a 3.24 percent rate increase. Salaries and benefits were up $1.2 million, and debt service coverage remained well above the required 1.25 minimum.
• Electric revenues rose from $47.6 million to $51.1 million, with fuel costs alone up $3.4 million. The city did not raise non-fuel electric rates during fiscal 2025, though a 7.44 percent non-fuel rate increase, excluding the customer charge, took effect October 1, 2025. The electric fund ended the year with $4.1 million in unrestricted cash, including $2.7 million in the fuel cost stabilization fund, and strong debt service coverage.
• Forvis Mazars auditor Joel Knopp reported an unmodified opinion, no audit adjustments, no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies, and clean reports on the single federal grant tested—the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, with nearly $3.5 million in spending—plus the management letter and investment compliance report.
• In response to commissioner questions, staff said janitorial services were over budget but have been re-bid at slightly lower prices; golf course maintenance was over budget but revenues were also over budget; the half-cent sales tax estimate was about $5.7 million; police/fire pension funds remain well above 80 percent funded; and utility-related bonds are scheduled to be paid off in 2035 and 2037. Property tax reform was identified as the most significant financial concern.

Consent Calendar

The Commission approved the consent agenda unanimously, including:

• Minutes of the April 22, 2026 regular meeting.
• Authorization to negotiate with top-ranked firms for brick paver maintenance: JMD Global Developers, LLC, Pavers Depot, and Poli Construction Inc.
• Authorization to negotiate for professional Construction Engineering and Inspection services with GAI Consultants and Johnsons, Mirmiran & Thompson.
• Authorization to negotiate continuing water and wastewater engineering services with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
• Purchase and delivery of liquid oxygen from Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 annually.
• Contract amendments extending continuing stormwater engineering services with Baxter & Woodman, Inc., Geosyntec Consultants, and Singhofen & Associates, Inc. through May 24, 2027.
• Contract amendments extending geotechnical and environmental consulting services with Pond & Company, Inc., NV5, Inc., and Terracon Consultants, Inc. through various dates in 2027.
• Overhead-to-underground electric conversion contract amendments with Powergrid Distribution Services LLC, not to exceed $2,000,000, and HDD of Florida, not to exceed $8,700,000.
• During the consent discussion, staff reported the city’s overhead-to-underground mainline conversion is about 84 percent complete and introduced the electric utility’s first summer interns.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Betsy Owens, executive director of Friends of Casa Feliz, said the potential loss of three James Gamble Rogers homes in one year is a pivotal moment for historic preservation. She urged the Commission to formally charge the Historic Preservation Board with creating a comprehensive inventory of historic resources and studying national best practices and incentives, with funding and consultant support.
• Sally Flynn, 1400 Highland Road, said demolition of the Gamble Rogers home on Virginia Drive was painful and argued that losing older homes will reduce property values and community character. She asked the city to approach the current owner about putting the home up for sale instead of demolishing it.
• Jack Rogers, 311 East Moore Boulevard, cited presentations on heritage tourism, Charleston’s preservation record, and a Carmel, California property-value study to support the argument that historic character adds measurable value.
• Pat Robertson, 1350 College Point, described losing her family’s historic Chase Shank House and urged the Commission to create meaningful preservation incentives and protections before more is lost.
• Bonnie Hansen, owner of a 102-year-old registered historic home, said people want these homes and asked the Commission to take bold preservation steps.
• Lisa Clayton said the historic designation on her home made it extremely difficult to obtain homeowners insurance, with some insurers requiring removal of the designation or quoting very high premiums.
• Judy Maynard and Susan Bounds supported preservation, incentives, and a balanced approach that allows both restored historic homes and well-designed new homes.

Discussion Items

• Pension Board Appointment: The Commission unanimously appointed Chris Hardeman to the pension board.
• RFQ for Public/Private Partnership for City Hall Parking Garage: Staff presented a draft two-step RFQ seeking developer qualifications and high-level concept plans before more detailed proposals. The existing City Hall lot has about 145 spaces, and the minimum concept discussed was about 265 spaces, with additional parking for any commercial component and shared public access. Commissioner Ingram expressed hesitation about the permanence of a garage, but the Commission authorized staff to proceed with issuing the RFQ.
• Blue Bamboo Sub-Lease Request: The item was removed from the agenda earlier in the meeting. The Mayor said Blue Bamboo requested a workshop to discuss options. The Commission agreed to hold a workshop with three-minute public comment limited to Blue Bamboo’s request. The Mayor identified June 25 as the available date; the closing meeting summary said June 26, a discrepancy noted here.

Public Hearings: Quasi-Judicial Matters

• Reconsideration of SUB #26-02, Z Properties request for 436 North Knowles Avenue: The applicant proposed subdividing the R-3 zoned property into two single-family lots to be developed under R-2 standards, with setback variances.
• The applicant, Zane Williams, presented revised plans after the previous denial: preserving the large camphor tree near the front corner, adding a new street tree of at least eight-inch caliper, exceeding stormwater retention requirements by 50 percent with 1.5 inches per square foot instead of the required 1.0 inch, moving the stairway to eliminate a protrusion, and reducing the requested garage setback variance from 25 feet to 27 feet against the 35-foot requirement.
• Public input included a letter from St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church stating no objection; an opposing letter from Mary Himes; and supportive comments from Bill Black, Jeff Turner, and Rhett Delaney. Linda Coleman indicated her written opposition was already in the record.
• The Commission approved the subdivision with conditions: preserve the south camphor tree, provide 1.5 times the minimum stormwater retention requirement, and install a replacement tree of at least eight-inch caliper. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Ingram opposed.

Ordinance 3366-26

• The Commission considered Ordinance 3366-26 on second reading to amend the Land Development Code’s Public and Quasi-Public District to add detached single-family dwelling units developed under R-1A standards as a permitted use.
• Commissioner Lindsay proposed limiting the permitted use to Orange County Public School properties so the City retains control over future PQP single-family development. The amendment passed 4-0 on a roll-call vote; Commissioner Russell recused himself as an Orange County Public Schools employee.
• Because the amendment changed the ordinance’s scope and title, the item was treated as a first reading and will return for another reading on a future agenda.

City Commission Reports

• Commissioner Ingram appointed Ashley Fraxadis to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, attended a MetroPlan Orlando committee meeting, and thanked David Zusi for a tour of city water and wastewater facilities.
• Commissioner Russell noted Teacher Appreciation Week, praised Parks and Recreation for smooth graduation events at Showalter Field, and gave neighborhood heads-up about graduation celebrations.
• Commissioner Crasada discussed the Park Avenue refresh project, including the reopening of the block from Swoope to Cole and the next southbound closure from Canton to Garfield.
• Commissioner Lindsay gave a positive update from the Winter Park Library and thanked David Zusi and Jason Seeley for their service.
• The Mayor read a Lake Killarney Board thank-you letter honoring David Zusi’s 20-plus years of service, praised city staff for quick pothole repairs, and reminded commissioners of the May 21 Tri-County League of Cities meeting in Windermere.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda with the Blue Bamboo sub-lease request removed.
• Confirmed Jason Riegler as Director of Water and Wastewater.
• Received the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and independent audit report for fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.
• Approved the full consent agenda unanimously.
• Appointed Chris Hardeman to the pension board.
• Authorized issuance of the RFQ for a public/private partnership for the City Hall parking garage.
• Approved the 436 North Knowles Avenue subdivision with conditions, 4-1.
• Advanced amended Ordinance 3366-26 on a first-reading basis; it will return for a second-reading vote.
• Agreed to hold a Blue Bamboo workshop with public comment, subject to the June 25/June 26 date discrepancy.
• Agreed to place historic preservation incentives and options on the May 27 agenda for a vote to refer the issue to the Historic Preservation Board.