42:18The most notable development at the meeting was the unanimous approval of Ordinance 025-13, which prohibits smoking and vaping in public parks and beaches owned or leased by Winter Haven. This measure aligns the city with a similar ordinance adopted by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. The city manager highlighted that the ordinance establishes a new section in the code of ordinances, authorized by Florida statute 386.209, to ensure that public spaces remain smoke-free. The implementation will be managed by the parks and recreation department in conjunction with the Winter Haven Police Department. Despite acknowledging potential indirect impacts on tobacco product sales, the city manager noted these effects would be minimal.

01:18:51Discussions also addressed funding for nonprofit organizations, with a particular focus on “legacy agencies” that consistently receive city financial support. A representative from the Haley Center, a legacy agency, requested $33,000 but was approved for $20,000. Community member David Barry raised concerns about the current funding structure. He advocated for a more equitable system where all organizations must apply for funding with set request limits. Barry emphasized the need for transparency in financials to ascertain genuine funding needs. In response, a commissioner clarified that legacy agencies do complete applications. Betty Smothers, representing senior citizens, stressed the importance of considering the elderly in funding decisions.

01:01:26The commission engaged in a broader discussion about nonprofit funding, ultimately deciding to exclude schools and established foundations from the grant process. This decision aims to direct limited funds toward non-profit agencies that lack robust financial support. The commission approved a motion to maintain current funding levels for legacy agencies while increasing the overall fiscal year 25 appropriation budget by 10%. This decision was made to ensure that funding needs are met without compromising historical support for established agencies. The commission expressed a desire to review the funding structure in future cycles to ensure equitable support for all applicants.

01:21:48Community welfare was another important topic, with emphasis on vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children. One speaker addressed the commission, advocating for better support for those living on inadequate wages and social security benefits. They shared a personal connection to the issue, stressing the need for community involvement in addressing these challenges. Updates from the transportation disadvantage organization addressed concerns about funding for elderly services, with cautious optimism expressed about the continuity of support for these essential services.

05:41Additional updates included a presentation on the Special Olympics torch run by Sergeant David Keegan from the Waring Police Department. Keegan highlighted the department’s longstanding involvement in fundraising for the Special Olympics, with the recent 5K run raising approximately $21,821. He introduced Josh Peak, a local athlete, and expressed gratitude for the community’s support. Plans for a future fire truck pull event were also mentioned to continue fundraising efforts.

The commission also reviewed grant application recommendations for fiscal year 2026, led by committee leader Alex Santiago. Notable changes included updating the application timeline and eliminating the $40,000 single initiative funding category due to high application volumes. Discussions on February 19, 2025, led to the decision to exclude schools from the program, redirecting funds to non-profits lacking financial support.