The commission began by addressing the need to ratify an emergency repair for the motor pool roof, which was damaged during Hurricane Milton. The cost of the repair amounts to $15,504. This expenditure has been submitted for insurance claims and classified as a FEMA project, enabling the city to seek Public Assistance reimbursement. The repair had already been authorized, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation, which needed immediate attention to prevent further damage and ensure the motor pool’s functionality.

Next, the commission discussed a notable change in the development plans for the Paul Schultz property, where a proposed amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) was considered. The amendment seeks to replace a commercial event space, notably the Outback Oasis venue, with estate-sized residential lots. The maximum potential for development is 18 single-family units, although the actual number is anticipated to be lower due to design and infrastructure constraints. This shift from commercial to residential development addresses the community’s previous opposition to commercial uses and aligns with current public sentiment, which appears to favor residential development. The commission noted that no members of the Planning Commission had expressed opposition to the change, signaling broad acceptance of the new direction.

In addition to these key developments, the commission moved to fill a vacancy on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) by appointing Ed Smith, a professor at PK State College. Smith’s appointment followed the resignation of Elizabeth Davis from the Planning Commission. The need to fill Davis’s seat on the AHAC was underscored, with Smith emerging as the recommended candidate to continue the committee’s work on addressing housing challenges in Winter Haven.

The meeting also addressed the expansion of the Community Development District (CDD) related to Peace Creek Village. The proposed extension covers nearly 85 acres south of the existing Annabelle Estate subdivision, expanding the total CDD area to approximately 180 acres. Importantly, the city will not bear any financial responsibility for debts incurred by the CDD. The city will maintain utilities like water, sewer, and reuse services, while the CDD will own the roads and drainage infrastructure. This expansion is part of a larger effort to manage growth and development in the area without impacting the city’s financial resources.

Further discussions at the meeting revolved around the outcomes of the Grant Aid Application Review Committee, which convened on November 1. The committee introduced several recommendations aimed at enhancing the grant application process. These include a two-week sufficiency review period to provide feedback on applications not meeting requirements, and the removal of a $440,000 single initiative grant that had never been successfully funded due to demand from numerous nonprofits. The commission was asked to clarify how to handle funding requests from local schools and established foundations. Additionally, the committee highlighted the issue of “legacy members”—agencies historically receiving funding, such as the Boys and Girls Club and Meals on Wheels. The commission was tasked with providing direction on the continued funding of these agencies, considering their impact on the overall budget available to other applicants.

A document shared with the commission revealed insights from a meeting with Kim Long, which included incorporating recommendations from the United Way’s Community Assessment to strategically address local challenges. These challenges, identified as priorities by the grant committee, encompass education, afterschool care, workforce development, transportation, and housing. Commissioners were urged to consider which priorities they wanted the grant aid to focus on moving forward.

The commission also discussed road closures for upcoming parades, such as the Jude alumni parade and the MLK parade, noting coordination with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office due to staffing limitations affecting law enforcement coverage. Additionally, a vacancy on the grant aid committee was mentioned, with a call for a suitable individual to be appointed before upcoming training sessions.

Another topic of discussion was the expansion of the South Lake Howard Nature Park, with the first phase involving the design and construction of recreational elements like trails, a playground, picnic areas, and a kayak launch. The project has an estimated cost of $739,500, funded by a $200,000 grant and $200,000 from the city’s general fund surplus. Subsequent phases include a grant-tied Heartland headquarters and a proposed nature education building, currently lacking funding.

Lastly, the commission addressed the purchase of nine vehicles for the water department and the issue of uncollected accounts receivable totaling $269,000 in delinquent utility billing accounts. The commission was requested to approve the removal of these accounts from active receivable reports pending further decision.