Winter Park leaders are considering guidelines for paid sponsorships at city parks and facilities that were proposed at the December 11 commission meeting.
The policy draft outlines a passive approach to advertising where logos and messaging are worked into existing signage and wind screens at city golf courses, the tennis center, and parks. Naming rights and bench and billboard ads would be excluded from consideration along with any signage or ads in Central Park and outside the Library and Events Center. Parks and Recreation Director Jason Seeley told commissioners that sponsorships would be chosen based on compatibility with city and parks department values, policies, and design standards, and that the Parks Department Board would have the right to refuse applications based on policy guidelines.
Commissioner Marty Sullivan spoke in favor of the policy but believes it could be improved, adding that political messaging should also be excluded. Commissioners Craig Russell and Kris Cruzada agreed but Russell voiced concern over the possible strain on parks department resources for the maintenance and upkeep of sponsored signage.
Vice Mayor Todd Weaver was not in favor of the policy and felt it contradicted the city’s efforts to eliminate billboards. “I’m concerned that this policy would affect our brand,” he said. “If it’s not ok for the Library and Events Center and Central Park then I don’t think it should be allowed elsewhere.” Mayor Sheila DeCiccio felt the proposal could be a “slippery slope” and that legal issues could arise over accepting or denying applications.
City staff estimate sponsorships could result in $200,000 in annual funding and Seely noted that interest has already been expressed. “There are situations where we have people that want to write checks,” he said. “If we have to tell them no thank you come back another time we will, but we have significant money that’s already out there, potentially.”
Winter Park residents Gigi Papa and Sally Flynn offered cautionary viewpoints during public comments. Papa suggested a public survey to engage the community in the decision-making process while Flynn felt the policy required more definition. “I just don’t think there’s a clear picture here at all and to go ahead with it without studying it more; you’re really going to open a can of worms.”
Dylan Thomas, former director of marketing and public events at Orange County Public Schools, said the school district enacted a similar sponsorship policy suggested the city approach them for advice.
Mayor DeCiccio moved to table the item to the first commission meeting in February and the motion passed by a 4-1 vote with Sullivan dissenting.
Stormwater projects and leaf blower referendum
Commission voted unanimously to move forward with stormwater projects stemming from recent studies of the city’s three major drainage basins. As previously reported by the32789, six of nine project proposals had previously been considered and approved by commissioners. Just over $1.6 million in stormwater project funding had been approved for 2024 and 2025 budgets. Approximately $3 million is required for additional recommendations and can be accessed through the Community Redevelopment Agency budget. No timeline was given for the projects, but Public Works and Transportation Director Charles Ramdatt said that projects will need to first be permitted through St. Johns River Water Management District.
Commissioners also authorized the referendum on the city’s gas-powered leaf blower ban to be conducted by mail in the event the March city election to fill commission seats 3 and 4 is not required. The ordinance placing the referendum on the March 2025 ballot passed by a 3-2 vote in April, allowing residents the chance to repeal the ban, which was unanimously approved by commissioners in January of 2022.
The city canceled the March 2023 election when Marty Sullivan and Sheila DeCiccio ran unopposed for their respective reelection bids for seats 1 and 2. Local attorney Warren Lindsey is currently the only resident to file for candidacy to fill Seat 4, which will be vacated by Vice Mayor Todd Weaver who will not run for another term. Commissioner Kris Cruzada will run for reelection to Seat 3 and a challenger has yet to file. Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said that, aside from saving the $40,000 to $50,000 cost of an election, mail-in ballots may result in higher voter participation.
Among the agenda items for the January 8, 2025 commission meeting will be a review of updated ballot language intended to clarify the referendum for voters. Meeting schedules, agendas, and virtual access are available at cityofwinterpark.org/meetings.
