Andy Palmer, the parks planning and strategic initiatives manager, presented an update on the ongoing Willowbrook project, supported by Katie White. The project, backed by a $2.65 million easement executed with Duke Power in 2022, aims to enhance the golf course’s infrastructure, playability, and aesthetics. Palmer detailed the challenges in prioritizing these funds, focusing on critical improvements and new amenities. White provided an overview of the project phases, noting that phase one, completed in May 2025, involved restroom renovations, design work, and a master plan establishment. Noteworthy was the removal of trees and brush around the clubhouse and course. Phase two, which began in June 2025, included irrigation system enhancements and green installations, with the clubhouse temporarily closed.

The commissioners engaged in a discussion on the upgraded irrigation system, which addressed previous inefficiencies that led to overuse and drainage issues. A significant reconfiguration of the number 14 green was required due to property line encroachments, resulting in a new fence installation. Palmer invited commissioners to visit the site, highlighting the aesthetic improvements. White reported project savings enabled additional upgrades, including the completion of four out of five critical drainage areas and a major cart path replacement project covering 2,600 linear feet. The demolition and anticipated replacement of the encourse pump shed, along with clubhouse updates, were also discussed. White expressed optimism for the course’s completion by mid-November, with a potential celebratory reopening event in January.

The commission also focused on long-term maintenance strategies and emphasized the need for a marketing campaign to promote proper golf etiquette. Suggestions included collaborating with the Trun team to educate players on maintaining course conditions. Additionally, concerns about the condition of the course bridges were raised. A consensus emerged favoring repairs over complete replacement, with aesthetic improvements discussed, such as involving local artists.

Following the golf course discussion, the meeting shifted to the newly proposed traffic calming program. The program, last updated in 2008, aims to improve safety and quality of life for all roadway users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Staff representatives outlined a data-driven approach to avoid simply shifting traffic issues. An interactive digital map is being developed to help residents determine road eligibility for traffic-calming measures. The application process involves screening requests based on criteria such as road type, speed limits, and construction status.

A cross-departmental transportation and mobility team will evaluate applications and recommend measures, meeting monthly to assess crash data and identify patterns requiring attention. Traffic calming measures are categorized into tiers, ranging from awareness and education to physical road modifications such as speed humps and roundabouts. The program targets city-owned roads at least 1,000 feet long with speed limits of 35 mph or less. Roads like Cypress Gardens Boulevard would not qualify, with county road complaints directed to Polk County officials.

In the course of the meeting, additional business items were addressed. The commission discussed a proposal to appoint Casey Clark to the Winter Haven Firefighters Pension Board of Trustees, following a trustee resignation. Also highlighted was a request for travel and training related to the 2026 Polk County Day in Tallahassee, with plans for city officials to attend.

An agreement with Dubberry Engineers for the new utility complex on the Bradco Farms property was approved. The contract includes design tasks necessary for the project’s proposal review, with a budget of $246,637.72 and an expected completion date around July 2027. Additionally, the commission presented the sixth amendment to the sewer service agreement with Wanita Water, facilitating sewage acceptance from a new McDonald’s development. The amendment includes a connection fee and ongoing service charges.

Lastly, an agreement with Kimley Horn and Associates for design services on South Lake Howard Drive improvements was discussed. Funded by a $750,000 grant, the project focuses on pedestrian facility construction, with design work costing $294,800 and estimated to take nine months.