Winter Park City Commission Regular Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Winter Park City Commission met on July 22, 2026 at 3:30 PM in City Hall Commission Chambers. Key actions included adopting a tentative millage rate of 4.0923, approving a billboard swap with Clear Channel, and granting a conditional use permit for a 301-seat restaurant and 50-seat café at 1560 North Orange Avenue. Presentations on the FY27 budgets for the Water/Wastewater and Electric Utilities were heard, and an update on the SR 426 (Aloma Avenue) construction project was provided.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the July 8, 2026 regular meeting and July 9, 2026 work session.
• Approved piggyback contracts: CDW Government, LLC (Sourcewell #121923-CDW, Technology Products and Services; Cisco Enterprise License Agreement, not to exceed $507,905, through July 23, 2031); R2 Unified Technologies, LLC (NASPO #43220000-NASPO-19-ACS, Data Communication Products and Services; Local Area Network Hardware and Licensing Switch, not to exceed $237,718.38, through July 23, 2031).
• Approved contracts: Aetna (Medical Insurance Stop Loss and Administration Fees, not to exceed $1,840,000, through September 30, 2027); Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. (Professional Stormwater Management Engineering Services, Task Order for Canton Avenue Water Quality and Drainage Improvement Project, $292,878.62); Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. (Task Order for Shoreview Avenue Water Quality Improvement Project, $161,077.37).
• Approved Revisions to the Community Benefit Agreement for the Holler properties at Denning/Fairbanks.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aarav Gupta and Asad Sadicov, seniors at Trinity Preparatory School and co-founders of HavenLink, spoke about the need to connect children awaiting adoption with prospective families. They requested the city issue a proclamation for National Adoption Month, share information via city communications, and provide a venue for an adoption information session. Mayor DeCiccio directed them to Communications Director Clarissa Howard for assistance.

Discussion Items

• FY27 Budget Presentations:
  • Water and Wastewater Department (Jason Riegler, Director): Presented on operations, 101 employees, treatment of 11 million gallons per day, aging ozone equipment, meter replacement program (3,500/year), and a $19 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with half principal forgiveness. Responded to questions on contaminants, aquifer protection, private lift station regulation, and rate structure. The department is an enterprise fund funded by ratepayers.
  • Electric Utility (Jamie England, Director): Presented on 9-square-mile service area, 16,000 customers, underground conversion work (107.7 miles completed, goal of 2030), community involvement, awards (10-year FMPA Endurance Award, etc.). Covered substation transformer replacement (three 2005 transformers needing replacement, cost ~$3 million each, 3-5 year lead time), power purchase contract negotiations with OUC, and goals including a meter replacement program (6,000 meters near end of life). Responded to questions on rate competitiveness, outage comparisons with non-underground utilities, and usage increases due to larger homes and EVs.
• Update on SR 426 (Aloma Avenue) Project: Director of Public Works Charles Ramdatt reported construction begins August 3 from Park Avenue to Lakemont. Lane closures within 600 feet of intersections limited to 8:30 PM - 6:30 AM. Property access maintained. DOT contact info: CFLRoads.com/project/451282-2, Ryan.Yglesias@dot.state.fl.us, 407-278-2713.
• City Attorney's Report: Orange County micromobility ordinance update (no draft yet, consideration after Sept. 29). City's draft near completion, with community education campaign planned for fall. Villa Tuscany fines – no follow-up offer received; city will not initiate foreclosure at this time. Cole Lawsuit – awaiting ruling. Library Events Center dispute – ongoing collaboration with contractor and architect.
• Budget Discussion & Set Tentative Millage Rate: Director of Office of Management and Budget Peter Moore explained that due to SB4F, keeping the same millage rate now requires a supermajority (4 votes). The proposed rate is 4.0923 (same for 18 years). The rollback rate (simple majority) would generate the same revenue as last year, but no inflation factor is now included. A 7% increase in taxable values noted; if Amendment 3 passes in November, it could result in a $5.4 million impact on the general fund and cap non-homesteaded property appreciation at 5%. Staff will provide budget reduction scenarios by end of July for August review.
• Proposed Billboard Swap Deal with Clear Channel: Staff described this as a critical first step separate from ongoing deals with Lamar and Outfront. The agreement allows removal of three billboards (two on Fairbanks, one on Aloma).
• Public Hearing – Conditional Use CU #26-04 (WP Station Tower, LLC): Request to establish a 301-seat fine dining restaurant and 50-seat café in the existing office building at 1560 North Orange Avenue. Planner Allison McGillis presented 21 conditions including an acoustical noise study, valet containment, employee conduct rules, park improvements at Hooper Mini Park, replacement of deteriorated fence, landscaping, traffic calming measures, and a neighborhood relations committee. Public speakers opposed: Kay Carpenter (1540 Norfolk) cited traffic and safety concerns for children; Charles Hooper (1444 Norfolk) raised scale and potential issues similar to past lawsuits; Atish Shah (1481 Orange Avenue) argued incompatibility, traffic safety (F-rated intersection), and noise concerns. Applicant Rebecca Wilson noted the restaurant size is driven by existing building space and highlighted neighborhood enhancements. Commission discussion: Concerns about noise from departing employees were addressed; commissioners noted existing noise from Sunrail and traffic. Motion to approve with 21 conditions passed 5-0, with condition 21 modified to replace existing dilapidated fence with a 6-foot vinyl fence and landscaping.
• Public Hearing – Partial Vacation of Holt Avenue (FBC South Project): First reading of ordinance to vacate a portion of Holt Avenue right-of-way. The city needs about 2 additional feet at the front and will trade footage from the back. Passed 5-0 on first reading.

Key Outcomes

• Set the tentative millage rate at 4.0923 and the general obligation bond at 0.1937 (motion carried 5-0).
• Approved the Clear Channel billboard swap deal (motion carried 5-0).
• Approved the partial vacation of Holt Avenue on first reading (motion carried 5-0).
• Approved Conditional Use CU #26-04 for a 301-seat restaurant and 50-seat café at 1560 North Orange Avenue with 21 conditions (motion carried 5-0). Condition 21 revised to specify a 6-foot vinyl fence and landscaping.
• Directed staff to add a public paid parking trial (non-residents) at Dinky Dock and Dog Park to the next meeting agenda.
• Agreed to invite Michael Poole to an upcoming August meeting to discuss his role as Winter Park's representative on the Orange County Tourist Development Tax Board.