Todd Weaver’s final report as a Winter Park city commissioner included the suggestion of a possible breach in the Chamber of Commerce lease for the Welcome Center at 151 West Lyman Ave.
During the March 12 city commission meeting, Weaver alleged the chamber could be subletting or assigning its lease to its affiliated political committee, Winter PAC, noting the committee address is the same as the Welcome Center.
The chamber occupies and manages the building as the city’s official welcome center but the city retains ownership of the property. The first floor offers concierge assistance and interactive maps, public restrooms, free water, and exhibits pieces from the city-owned collection of Best in Show winners from the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival.
City attorney A. Kurt Ardaman was asked to summarize the lease terms, which state the chamber may assign or sublet after no less than 30 days’ notice. The city also has the right of first refusal on a lease assignment and can exercise the right to acquire the balance of the lease from the chamber, though Ardaman added there was nothing to indicate the lease had ever been assigned.
“Just because the Chamber of Commerce is there doesn’t necessarily mean they have subletted or assigned any portion of the lease to Winter PAC,” he said. “I doubt that’s going to be the case, but I’m happy to research it if the commission wishes me to do so.”
Weaver, who did not seek re-election and ends his second Seat 4 term this month, began his comments by criticizing the chamber’s involvement in the recent race for Seat 3 between challenger, Justin Vermuth, and incumbent, Kris Cruzada. Vermuth’s campaign supporters included developers and property companies, and an endorsement from Winter PAC. He also commented that the Welcome Center does not offer enough examples of city history, arts and culture, or local small business promotions. And suggested that buying out the lease would provide needed space for city department staff at a cost of roughly $100 per square foot. “It’s something that we as a commission should think about – for economic reasons – and to allow the chamber to operate as they have, but elsewhere,” he said.
Commissioners Marty Sullivan and Kris Cruzada stated interest in researching the possibility of a lease violation. Commissioner Craig Russell, who was endorsed by Winter PAC in his 2024 campaign for Commission Seat 2, said he was not interested. The recommendations by Weaver, Sullivan, and Cruzada were enough for staff to move forward with the research. Findings will be presented at a future commission meeting.
the32789 reached out to the Winter Park Chamber on the morning of March 13 and was sent the following comment by President and CEO, Betsy Gardner:
“The Chamber of Commerce hasn’t received any inquiry from the city regarding a purported assignment or sublet of the lease, but to clarify, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has not sublet or assigned the lease, in whole or in part, to any other party.”
Weaver’s Seat 4 replacement, Warren Lindsey, will be sworn in at the next commission meeting on March 26 along with Cruzada, who will begin his second term.
Grant program tabled
A halt on federal and state funding of municipal projects has forced Winter Park to delay plans for new nonprofit grants.
The annual program would utilize the city’s Organizational Support Fund, made up of 0.25% of the gross revenue from the top three budget funds – General, Electric Utility, and Water & Wastewater – along with money previously earmarked for a yearly funding agreement with Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which ended in 2024. The total amount of $100,000 would be divided into 10 grants, each totaling $10,000, that would be distributed to qualifying nonprofits at the start of each new fiscal year
City staff presented guidelines for grant applications and distribution at a February 12 work session. Budget Director Peter Moore offered an updated version for vote during the March 12 commission meeting, but Mayor Sheila DeCiccio requested a pause as fallout from the Trump administration’s halt on federal grants is still being assessed.
“There are going to be no grants or money for cities and states,” she said, and suggested revisiting the discussion if money designated for the Organizational Support Fund is not required for capitol improvement projects in the 2025/26 city budget. Commissioner Sullivan was in favor of moving forward with the application process and deciding whether to implement grant funding during the budget hearings.
Moore advised against asking nonprofits go through an application process for funds that may not be available. He then suggested an abbreviated project using $86,000 in available Support Fund money for eight, $10,000 grants to be distributed within the current budget period.
Sullivan and Commissioner Russell agreed with the option, but Commissioner Kris Cruzada made a motion to hold the project for a year to allow time to assess budgetary needs and utilize full funding when available. Sullivan responded by suggesting the application process for the available $86,000 begin after the 2025/26 budget hearings.
Cruzada agreed and a six-month hold on the program was unanimously passed. Moore said a one-month grant advertising period followed by a 30-day solicitation and 30-day application review would mean funds could be distributed in January of 2026.
Neighborhood park donation
Commission also accepted a donation from Dr. Alan Price of a 0.37-acre passive park property at 1825 Gipson Green Lane. The lot, appraised at $1,225,000, is next to a city-owned retention pond and features trees, plants, and natural paths. Parks Director Jason Seeley has noted the property would require minimal maintenance as it contains no grass.
Dr. Price donated the property on the condition it be deed restricted as a park and plans to maintain it himself it as long as he is able. The owner of the neighboring lot has also agreed to keep its natural state as an extension of the donated passive park.
