City of Winter Garden City Commission: August 27, 2026

Meeting Overview

Type: Budget Workshop and Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (5 of 5 members present) Duration: 95 minutes (called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Rees; adjourned at 8:05 p.m.) Location: City Hall, 300 West Plant Street

Attendance

• Present: Mayor John Rees; Commissioner District 1 Lisa L. Bennett; Commissioner District 2 Iliana R. Jones; Commissioner District 3 Chloe Johnson; Commissioner District 4 Colin Sharman
• Staff Present: City Manager Jon C. Williams, Assistant City Attorney Dan Langley and City Clerk Ronisha Martin (listed as also present); Planning Director Kelly Carson, Finance Director Laura Zielonka, Assistant City Manager for Public Services Stephen Pash and Economic Development Director Marc Hutchinson presented items

Agenda Items

Item 4.A: Ordinance 26-26, Zoning Compliance Review (second reading and public hearing)

• Type: Code Amendment (Chapter 118, "Zoning," Article II, "Administration"; new Division 6, "Zoning Compliance Review")
• Case Number: Ordinance 26-26
• Request: Create a zoning compliance review, "providing a process for verifying that certain development activities comply with objective land development regulations," with application requirements, review standards, timeframes, conditions of approval, expiration, extensions, appeals, fees set by resolution, and enforcement and penalties
• Staff Recommendation: Approval
• Action: "Motion by Commissioner Sharman to adopt Ordinance 26-26. Seconded by Commissioner Johnson and carried unanimously 5-0."
• Vote: 5-0
• Notable Discussion: Assistant City Attorney Langley read the ordinance by title only. Planning Director Carson stated that the ordinance establishes a uniform administrative review verifying that proposed work complies with the City's land development regulations, Comprehensive Plan and other applicable laws before work begins, clarifies its relationship to building permits and other approvals, and preserves exemptions provided by state law. She stated that it was prompted by Florida House Bill 803, which exempts minor residential construction work valued under $7,500 on single-family properties from building permit requirements, and that the standalone zoning check is meant "to prevent homeowners from unknowingly creating nonconformities that could result in code enforcement action."

Public Hearings Summary

• Number of speakers: 0 on Ordinance 26-26 ("Mayor Rees opened the public hearing; hearing and seeing none, he closed the public hearing.")
• Matters From Public: three residents spoke. One thanked staff for the budget presentation, opposed the proposed property-tax amendment and asked about salary increases in the utility divisions; one asked whether the City would carry insurance on the proposed art museum; one suggested sponsorships and donations to fund special events and holiday activities.

Key Signals

• Winter Garden adopted a zoning check that runs before work begins. Ordinance 26-26 passed 5-0 on second reading with no public speakers. The Planning and Zoning Board's August 3, 2026 agenda carried the same ordinance (2026-08-agenda-PZB.md).
• The city tied the new review to a state permit exemption. Staff named Florida House Bill 803, which exempts minor residential work under $7,500 on single-family properties from building permits, as the reason for a standalone zoning check.
• The Commission approved lien reductions for two East Bay Street properties under contract to Habitat for Humanity. The Commission approved 5-0 each "lien reduction and removal of Code Enforcement lien" for 885 and 879 East Bay Street. Staff had recommended reducing the 2015 mowing liens to their original $200 and $350 (from $726.30 and $1,263.44 with interest), provided payment is received by September 30, 2026, and stated that both properties are under contract to be sold to Habitat for Humanity for the construction of affordable housing.

Raw Notes

• Budget workshop (no action required, per the Finance Director): Raftelis presented a 10-year General Fund model under scenarios with and without "Amendment 3, Homestead Tax Exemption"; the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget keeps the millage rate at 4.8565 mills, adds 19 positions (17 for public safety), totals $181.3 million citywide with a five-year capital improvement program of $157.5 million; public budget hearings are set for September 15 and September 29, 2026. Routine items: August 13, 2026 minutes approved 5-0; a Mayoral Award of Excellence and a recognition of 65 years of commission-manager government.
• Item 5.A: the Commission approved 5-0 a BrightView Landscape Services proposal for Tucker Ranch, waiving formal procurement, for a one-year Temporary Landscape Maintenance Agreement of $741,450.84.
• Item 5.D: the Commission authorized 5-0 a Second Amendment to the Rental and Operating Agreement with the Winter Garden Art Association for 127 South Boyd Street, adding museum use; staff stated that Orange County awarded the Association a Tourist Development Tax grant of up to $4 million to construct an art museum and that the City, as owner, is named as a joinder and consent party to the funding agreement and would reimburse Orange County up to $4 million if a replacement operator cannot be secured after an abandonment or default.
• The minutes number the regular business section 4 after the ordinance section 4; this record follows the agenda's numbering (Item 4.A for the ordinance).
• Sources: agenda and approved minutes, CivicClerk wintergardenfl, event 527.