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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 06 10 Regular r- 6.10.92 BOWS MASTER PLAN OUTLINE The goal of the Master Plan is to provide the City of Winter Springs with a set of guidelines and recommendations for the purpose of City beautification. As buildings require resurfacing and/or painting, consider a color combination uniform throughout the City. The new City Hall color scheme might be the best color combination to carry uniformly throughout the City. The Beautification of Winter Springs Board sincerely hopes that these recommendations will be viewed and accepted in a positive light as steps towards the improvement of our City. The beautification of Winter Springs will instill a true sense of pride and benefit to all of our citizens. I. CITY-OWNED PROPERTY In order to impress the public with its desire to beautify the City of Winter Springs, the City should begin with its own buildings. A. Public Works - The following improvements should be made to make the area more attractive: r 1. 2. 3. 4. * 5. 6. 7. 8. Repaint the wall. Resod the area between the wall and the street. Add additional low shrubs along the wall. Add additional flowers or low-growing shrubs in the existing flower bed. In the area next to the garage on First Street, pave the parking spaces or put in new gravel. Plant shrubs between the parking area and the garage. Installation of an irrigation system. Storage area near Fire Station #1 needs to be hidden from public view by means of a buffer zone, such as fence and/or a high hedge. B. City Hall - (Due to the future widening of S.R. 434, some of the following recommendations may not be feasible and will modify Exhibit A.) ~ Phase I: 1. A large, well-lit marquee-type sign should be installed at the entrance near S.R. 434 to inform the public of upcoming meetings, events, and other important information. 2. Trees should be planted around the front of City Hall to provide symmetry to the building. 3. Add southwestern planters or urns on the front steps of ,,-.... Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 2 City Hall. 4. Plant flowers (e.g. azaleas) around existing trees. 5. Plant flowerbeds of annuals at the entrance and around sign. 6. Existing plants and shrubs should be maintained regularly. Phase II: 1. Plant a 30" hedge along the southern border of the front parking area, satisfying the County Code by blocking headlights from oncoming traffic. 2. A median should be created in the entrance into City Hall. 3. A fountain for the grassy area in front of City Hall should be installed to create a focal point for the building. 4. Benches around the fountain should be placed to provide areas to sit outside during lunch, breaks, etc. ,,-... C. Water &: Sewer West (offices), 1 North Fairfax - With the exception of City Hall, the next most visible City-owned building is Winter Springs West. The building itself is an attractive one but the grounds need beautifying. Thousands of people pass this office everyday and it would be an attractive example to private residences and commercial establishments. With this in mind, the following changes are recommended: 1. An attractive uniform sign be installed. 2. Sod should be planted between entranceway and S.R. 434, and resod the grassy areas surrounding the building. 3. Install foundation plantings on the three (3) visible sides of the building. 4. Renovate the area now covered by pebbles on the Fairfax side by putting in new shrubs. D. Wastewater Treatment Plant West, 1000 West S.R. 434 - r 1. Acquire the pie-shaped piece of property which is outside of City boundaries, located in front of the treatment plant ,.-- Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 3 entranceway. 2. Entranceway needs landscaping, (reposition the fence further back). 3. An attractive uniform sign should be installed. E. Water & Sewer East (offices), 890 Northern Way - An attractive uniform sign should be installed. F. Wastewater Treatment Plant - East, 1560 Winter Springs Blvd - The area should be kept in a neat and orderly fashion. 1. Grass should be mowed on a regular schedule. 2. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. G. Water Treatment Plant #1 - Corner of First & Fairfax (site only): ,'-"" 1. All debris should be removed, especially the concrete slabs. The standpipe should be demolished. The grass should be mowed on a regular schedule. Sod the area between the fence and the streets, preferably with a St. Augustine-type grass. Vehicles not in use should be parked behind the fence, not in the grassy area between the fence and the street. Plant clinging vines (e.g. Confederate Jasmine) on existing fences to make all Water Treatment Plants uniform in appearance and hidden from public view. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. H. Water Treatment Plant #2 - (Highlands), Sheoah Blvd. behind the tennis courts - 1. A ttracti ve uniform sign is needed. 2. Water tanks should be painted and cleaned as needed. 3. Install adequate irrigation. 4. Plant clinging vines (Confederate Jasmine) on existing fences to make all Water Treatment Plants uniform in appearance and hidden from public view. 1. Water Treatment Plant #3 - (Bahama, between Edgemon & Moss Roads). r 1. 2. 3. 4. An attractive uniform sign should be installed. Water tanks should be painted and cleaned as needed. Install adequate irrigation. Plant clinging vines (e.g. Confederate Jasmine) on existing /'"' Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 4 ,.-.. .1"""""" fences to make all Water Treatment Plants uniform in appearance and hidden from public view. J. Water Treatment Plant - East (Northern Way, across from Fire Station #2): 1. Large shade trees should be planted along the area bordering Northern Way. 2. Improve parking by resurfacing as needed. 3. Maintain and paint the fence as needed. 4. Hedges and shrubs be planted at the opening side, bordering the pond, in Tuscawilla Park. Maintain the existing hedge. 5. An attractive uniform sign should be installed. 6. Water tanks should be painted and cleaned as needed. 7. Install adequate irrigation. 8. Plant clinging vines (e.g. Confederate Jasmine) on existing fences to make all Water Treatment Plants uniform in appearance and hidden from public view. K. Retention Ponds - All ponds in the City should be maintained in both function and appearance. 1. Grass area surrounding ponds should be mowed on a regular schedule. 2. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. 3. Barren areas should be resodded. 4. Where appropriate, hardy native shrubs should be planted around the borders. 5. Any protective fences should be attractive, maintained and compatible with the existing neighborhood. L. Lakes - 1. Grass area surrounding ponds should be mowed on a regular schedule. 2. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. 3. Barren areas should be resodded. 4. Continue and expand the weed-eating perch program when necessary. M. Fire Station #1 - Recommend that the appearance be enhanced by adding the following to the landscaping: ,I"""' Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 5 1. Edge and resod where necessary. 2. Plant low-maintenance shrubs and a flowerbed. 3. Install adequate irrigation. 4. Install a uniform sign to be located in front of the building, visible from both directions. N. Fire Station #2 - Recommend that the appearance be enhanced by adding the following: 1. Remodel outer wall of the building to enhance its overall appearance. 2. Improve landscaping by planting more native shrubs and shade trees in open areas. 3. Resurface driveway as needed. 4. Replace existing sign with a larger uniform sign. o. Recreational Facilities - 1. Civic Center/Senior Center a. Improve sodded areas by resodding and fertilizing where necessary on a regular basis. ,-... b. Plant flowers in flowerbeds around the Civic Center to keep in line with the Senior Center. c. Remove debris and aluminum structures lying on the ground near the tennis court fence and fence leading to the playground equipment. d. Repair fence leading to playground equipment and install a gate. e. Plant shrubs (e.g. ligustrums) around tennis courts. f. Install lights at tennis courts. g. Install benches around the tennis courts. h. Resurface tennis courts as needed. i. Remove the two palm trees at the entrance of the Senior Center. They are unattractive and are not in line with the Center's landscaping. j. Plant additional trees in the middle parking lot. ,-... k. Install adequate irrigation. r Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 6 1. Foundation-type plants should be placed around the building. 2. Parks - Overall Recommendations for all Parks 1. Increase lighting in heavily vandalized areas. 2. Extend preventative maintenance to the equipment, i.e. water-sealing and rust-proofing of the swings and slides. 3. Benches and logs around playground areas need to be repainted. 4. 5. 6. 7. .,,- 8. 9. 10. Add more mulch to the swings and play areas. Erect sign posts to designate parking areas. Implement a regular water maintenance schedule. Implement a regular mowing schedule. Eliminate mulch in exercise trails and replace with turf- type grass. Inspect playground equipment on a regular basis to ensure that the equipment is safe and usable for the children. Install park signs noting the following information: a. park hours b. contact person responsible for reservations and equipment use. Specific Park Recommendations TUSCAWILLA PARK 1. The Exercise House sign needs to be replaced. 2. Eliminate trash and weeds in and around the pond. 3. Continue and expand the weed-eating perch program to eliminate the green scum from the pond. r-- RANCHLANDS PARK Add several more grills and benches. /"" Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 7 SAM SMITH PARK 1. Grass should be mowed on a regular schedule. 2. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. SUNSHINE PARK * 1. 2. The ballfields should be periodically maintained. The mound of clay at the entrance to the park's ballfields should be moved to a less conspicuous area. MOSS ROAD PARK Install gate to prevent cars from entering the park at night. II. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY - .r- A. Retail/Professional 1. Signs - The Beautification Board has reviewed and endorses the existing City Code. 2. Dumpsters All dumpsters should be placed in an inconspicuous location or screened in on its four sides by a solid wall with a gate. 3. Landscaping - Recommend all commercial property should include appropriate landscaping compatible with the surrounding area and be maintained on a regular basis. 4. Irrigation - Provide an adequate irrigation system. 5. Parking - The Beautification Board has reviewed and endorses the existing City Code. 6. Buffers - All Commercial property should have an adequate buffer separating it from residential property. This buffer should be properly maintained. 7. Setbacks - Increase the commercial front setbacks zoned C-l and C-2 to a minimum of 50 feet from the right-of-way and side setbacks to a minimum of 20 feet. .r"' 8. Retention Ponds - All ponds in the City should be maintained in both function and appearance. a. Grass area surrounding ponds should be mowed on a regular schedule. r Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 8 b. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. c. Barren areas should be resodded. d. Where appropriate, hardy native shrubs should be planted around the borders. e. Any protective maintained and neighborhood. fences should compatible with be attractive, the existing III. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY - A. Garbage Container Policies and/or Recyclables - All garbage that might cause a health hazard or odor must be placed in sealed plastic bags or lidded containers. Empty cans and recyclable containers should be removed from curbside by noon the following day. B. Dumpsters - r All dumpsters should be placed in an inconspicuous location or screened in on its four sides by a solid wall with a gate. C. Retention Ponds - All ponds in the City should be maintained in both function and appearance. 1. Grass area surrounding ponds should be mowed on a regular schedule. 2. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. 3. Barren areas should be resodded. 4. Where appropriate, hardy native shrubs should be planted around the borders. 5. Any protective fences should be attractive, maintained and compatible with the existing neighborhood. D. City Code/Code Enforcement - Provide City Code ensuring adequate standards for resident homes in the City; and provide necessary maintenance to those neglected/abandoned residences. IV. CHURCHES- .r- A. Retention Ponds - 1"""'" Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 9 All ponds, should be maintained in both function and appearance. 1. Grass area surrounding ponds should be mowed on a regular schedule. 2. All debris should be removed on a regular basis. 3. Barren areas should be resodded. 4. Where appropriate, hardy native shrubs should be planted around the borders. 5. Any protective fences should be attractive, maintained and compatible with the existing neighborhood. B. Dumpsters - Recommend all dumpsters be placed in an inconspicuous location or screened in on its four sides by a solid wall with a gate. .r"'" C. Church Vehicles - Recommend vehicles owned/operated by the Church, should have adequate parking with attractive buffer. These buffers should be designed to conceal Church vehicles. D. Appearance - Churches should be adequately landscaped and maintained. V. COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY - A. Schools 1. Appearance - a. All schools should be adequately landscaped and maintained. b. Debris and trash should be removed on a regular basis. c. Adequate irrigation be provided. d. Fences should be attractive, maintained and compatible with the existing neighborhood. 2. Dumpsters - Recommend all dumpsters be placed in an inconspicuous location or screened in on its four sides by a solid wall with a gate. 3. Parking - Adequate paved parking be provided. B. Bus Depot - !~ 1. Recommend that the sign "Consolidated Services School Board of Seminole County" be surrounded by landscaping - Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 10 and shrubs. 2. Trees or shrubs should be planted on the S.R. 434 side of the chain link fence, large enough to conceal the buses. C. Roads - County roads should continue to be adequately maintained. VI. STATE/FEDERAL PROPERTY - A. Highways and Right-of-Ways - 1. Trash should be picked up on a regular basis. 2. An Adopt-a-Road program should be encouraged by the BOWS Board and other City agencies. B. Bike Path - Due to the BOWS Board's effort, Florida Department of Transportation will institute a bike path along the northern side of S.R. 434 from S.R. 419 to Central Winds Park. ,,--. 1. A landscaped rest area will be constructed midway along the bike path. This should include decorative benches, bike racks, water fountain, and trash receptacles. 2. A plaque of appreciation dedicated to Florida Department of Transportation on behalf of the BOWS Board should be installed. C. Post Office - The Post Office should continue to be adequately maintained. VII. ADDITIONAL SERVICES - Additional source of manpower be provided to implement the BOWS recommendations. VIII. PROJECTS - TO BE FOLLOWED UP A. An "Award Program" be instituted in the following categories: 1. Best "standard designed sign" for the City - r- A contest for best "standard designed sign" would be devised to come up with an attractive, uniform sign for the City of Winter Springs. The contest would be open only to ./ r Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 11 residents of Winter Springs and the winner would be selected by the Beautification Board. The criteria used to select the "winning" sign would include design, appearance and wording. The winner would receive an award, to be determined at a later date. The sign selected would then be adopted by the City as its "trademark" and be placed at the entrances into the City as well as in other strategic areas. 2. Best "kept up" resident home - The award for best "kept-up" resident home would be selected annually, from each election district, by its respective Commissioner. The criteria used would solely be based on overall appearance. The 5 winners would each receive: a. b. Proclamation signed by the Mayor; Mention with photograph of the residences displayed in the Winter Bulletin. winning Springs 3. Best "kept up" business area - ,-..,.. The award for best "kept-up" business area would be selected annually, from each election district, by the BOWS members. The criteria used would solely be based on overall appearance. The 5 winners would each receive: a. Proclamation signed by the Mayor; and b. Mention with photograph of the winning business areas displayed in the Winter Springs Bulletin. 4. Most "improved" Residence/Business - The award for most "improved" residence/business would coincide with Arbor Day and Beautification of Winter Springs Week, and advertised in the Winter Springs Bulletin. The winner(s) would be selected by the Beautification Board and each receive: a. Proclamation signed by the Mayor; and b. Mention with photograph of the winning residence/business displayed in the Winter Springs Bulletin. B. "Adopt-a-Park" program - II""" 1. Voluntary clean-up programs by groups/organizations. ~. , Beautification Board of Winter Springs Master Plan Outline Page 12 2. Beautification approval of Park Director. 3. Uniform sign of recognition. C. "Adopt-a-Road" program - Voluntary clean-up programs by groups/organizations. D. Garden Clubs - 1. Pioneer Garden Club, Marilyn Dickinson, President, 699-6398. E. B.O.W.S. Week - 1. Utilize the Tree Program as the kick-off to proclaim "Beautification of Winter Springs Week". This can be accomplished by the City purchasing seedlings from the Forrestry Department of Seminole County and distributing them, without charge, to Winter Springs organizations/groups/individuals, for planting in Winter Springs. 2. Street-Scape - TO BE FOLLOWED UP BY META. -"r' F. Special Projects - 1. Grant for beautification (sprinkler system). 2. Grant for beautification of S.R. 434 bicycle path. 3. School Clean-ups - Implement a "School Clean-up Day" each May, involving students cleaning the school grounds. The participating schools as well as media will receive information from the BOWS Board. * Implemented and completed since recommendation made in the BOWS Master Plan. I""" '~.~.. H. JI n MR. KARL ROEBLING P.O. Box 300866 FERN PARK. FL 32730-0866 14071 331.5550 , , April 28, 1992 The City of Winter Springs Separate copies to Mayor Philip Kulbes City Manager Richard Rozansky Commissioner Terri Donnelly Commissioner John Torcaso Commissioner Don Jonas Commissioner John Langellotti Commissioner Cindy Kaeler Beautification Board Member Carl stephens, Chairperson Beautification Board Member Gladys Zahnd Beautification Board Member -Shirley Johhs-on Beautification Board Member Jesse Grantham Beautification Board Member Terry Meta Beautification Board Member Diane Brown Beautification Board Member Jean Jacobs Dear Officials; It is not my intention to offend anyone. However, it 1s my intention to present the position of one tax- payer/investor, and to see if there cannot be some improvement. -. Since this involves a number of interrelated matters present and past, I have taken the liberty of writing city officials, Water Dept. and Beautification Board. . It is very difficult to separate these matters one from another. 4 / 1 ....- t / . l""' .."./ The first matter is current, and involves the Water Dept. There seems to be a very large misunderstanding. I Some weeks ago, the Ci ty wrote me regard ing my rental house at 258 Buttonwood. The letter declared that 1 must pay a $25 inspection fee regard- ing the irrigation meter backflow valve. 1 replied to disconnect 258 Buttonwood, and cited the following reasons: a) 1 spent $1,000 for sod and a sprinkler system for this house for purposes of beautification, which benefits the city as well as, supposedly, the property owner. b) Since the house next door has been burned out for some five or more years, the neighborhood Is blighted. The house is boarded up" has an unkept yard and an open swimming pool in the back. yard. c) Hence, 1 am unable to get the quality of tenant I would de- sire. All ask "what is this next door?" -- and I have to answer that it is a burned-out and unoccupied house which has been in that condition for years and years. Prospective tenants or pur- chasers fear a "I!uth Bronx"effec~'j d) At least two years ago, I contacted the City in an attempt to have something done about this burned-out house. I received only the usual: shunting to other departments, deflective answers, putting off, and so on. e) Other municipalities have ordinances which require properties to be kept in reasonable order and not to depreciate a neighbor- hood or adjacent properties. f) The house has pulled down the neighborhood values. g) The house has particularly pulled down my value at 258 .Button- wood by certainly $5,000, and in fact has, I believe, made my property unsaleable. h) The neighborhood has slumped badly in compar ison with, for example, stretches of S. Alderwood, where houses have risen steadily into the 'sixties, and are in good shape generally~ 1) Recently, one of my tenants at 258 Buttonwood was shot to death 1n front of the house, pointing to the tenor of the neigh- borhood. j) My question in my March 23 letter was "What's the use of trying to beautify or improve?" k) With specific reference to the irrigation meter at 258 Button- 2 /' 1/'" .'- wood: In the past few months, there was a broken irrigation line at 258 Buttonwood which ran and ran. I asked for' the line I to be shut down, and the water dep~.'said.no because it was connected to the tenant's waterline in"such a way that the tenant's water line would have to also be shut off. It was shut off after some hours, but only after shutting off the tenant's water line. All this took my time plus my maintenance man's time at $12.50/hr. includ- ing fringe and truck allowance. At this point, I asked the dept. '\ if they would have "just let it run", and received the reply that they would have '!,j\1st.let it run.}' Now, what kind ofa dept.! and what k.ind of a connection of an irrigation meter is this? The bill for the totally wasted water alone, running down the street, was $13 on top of everything else. 1) Irrigation meters are an intrinsic part of a citizen's program of beautification and improvement. m) I commented in my Mar. 23 letter that I would think the City would go out of its way to encourage irr igation meters and the consequent beautification -- and certainly to do inspections for free as part of encouraging this activity. n) No one has explained to me the specifics of the $25 inspection fee and the specifics of the type of.engineering required. 0) The upshot of all this was that I said go ahead and disconnect the irrigation meter at 258 Buttonwood. p) It is still connected. However, the six irrigation meters at my 'quadplexes. at Lorl Ann Lane -~ which I did not ask/ to be disconnected (and on which I have received no notification) have been disconnected. MY SIX LORI ANN LANE QUADPLEXES If you are not familiar with Lori Ann Lane, there are 16 quads there, 64 apartments. Of these, I own 6 quads, 24 units. Mine reflect my philosophy of trying to beautify and improve. I would suggest you drive down that street in your city and-look. You will easily identify which are mine. Most of the street looks like Beirut, but my six quads are beau- tified. The beautification includes about $10,000 In sprinkler systems 3 -:/ ,.,./ ,>~'/ .,,..,,/1' ./ ,<iI' ./" 1" ....:/.," and $15,000 In lawns and shrubs, etc. (some replaced two and three tImes in the face of droughts, vandalism, plant rustlin~, children, cars drIvIng over and through, and so on). These six bUildings have irrigation systems installed on City' permIt, and inspected by the City. They have backflow valves of ' the type that was required, at the time. I was not notified that water would be shut off to my $~5,000 in plants -- n~arly the only plants in the entire area. No notice -~ not verbal, written,or certified receipt. The Ci~y is liable, I would think, for loss of plants under these circumstances (however, until this date, there has been ample rain since the time the meters were shut off or removed without notIce). Regarding the type of connection: I have complained both this year and in previous years (without response or remedy in previ- ous years), that the meters were co~nected to the tenants' water lines in such a way that The c~tqff of .tenantwat~~ on a moveout or nonpayment shuts, off my lrrlgationsystelP and' defeats the automatic watering of plants; whlchlsthe entire purpose of having the irrIgation setup. This has averaged a cost to me of $200 a year in replace- ment plants, labor, etc., because often such cutoff Is not notIced until plants die, calling attention for the first time to the fact that we are not being serviced by irrigation water. Regarding maintenance of all types at Lori Ann Lane: Maintenance as a percent of gross rents Is 33\ on Lori Ann Lane, as compared with less than 15\ for my other proper- ties. High maintenance and turnaround costs on Lori Ann Lane have contributed to the 'fact that more than half the bUildings (all owned by others), have gone through - bankruptcy (four have just emerged from RTC, while two others have just entered RTC). My losses (hard costs only, not depreciatIon) have averaged more than $30,000 per year for eight years, paid for out of revenues from properties elsewhere in Central Florida. 'I could have quit on Lori Ann Lane, but I didn't. 4 / ? ~I> ',r c' )' // /~/. /,/' '/' .,~. Regarding ':!~.ter meter boxes along the length of Lori Ann Lane: Today and over the years, cement water boxes (which have a cement lid with a metal access panel in the center)~ have often been open -- many of the metal access panels open, some totally missing, and several of the entire cement lids open, crushed or missing. In addition, some cement boxes themselveu are out of the ground or partly out of the ground. In addition, some cement boxes themselves are crushed. As to the open holes, if a child were to run across these rows of lids and step into one.of these openings, a serious injury could result, and (aside from humanitarian reasons and reasons of simple safety precautions which might govern city actions), I would imagine that legal counsel could advise that the city would be liable. The situation is chronic. I have written twice before about this, with no result. It's not that these just came open recently; a significant number have been open off and on for eight years. Thus, this is not happenstance, it could be called negligence. Is this my responsibility? No, but I have a lot of children in my 24 units. Regarding appearance: The street already looks bad enough, and these boxes add to the picture of disrepair and neglect. Regarding the new inspections: Perhaps there is something about the inspections that I do not understand, been notified (and the notification contained few details). newly-required since I have not for 258 Buttonwood I continue to believe that the City should perform required inspections of systems free of charge, instead of p~nalizing those attempting to beautify. 5 I' ,I I have a letter now from Mr. Taylor agreeing to reinstall th~ irr igation meters on Lor i Ann Lane and to hook them' up independ- ent of tenants' water (thereby ensuring their continuous opera- tion even when the tenants' water is shut off for nonpayment, or in the event of moving, and also making possible maintainance without interrupting tenant water). I am willing of course to be inspected, however restate (a) that I cannot see (without further advice, which should be detailed and, in writing), why this would not be a city service free to the customer; (b) do not understand why "the city inspections made at the time when the lines were originally installed would not have been adequate enough so that only a recheck would be necessary. In any event, I am going to need water immediately, or the plants are going to die. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STATE LAW APPLYING TO REALTORS AND PROPERTY SELLERS AS IT AFFECTS CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS Again, I want to reiterate that I do not want to offend anyone. and sellers any and all the buyers There is a recent State law which requires realtors of property to "fully disclose",to potential buyers things which they believe might adversely affect regarding a particular property. I f this disclosure is not made, then the seller or realtor or both can be sued by the buyers even years later (protect i ve clauses notwithstanding if (a) the seller knew something detri- mental and didn't fully disclose it, and (b) the r~altor knew something detrimental and didn't fully disclose it.) I am a licensed real estate broker, realtor, member of the Great- er Orlando Area Board of Realtors. I am also a potential seller: my six Lor i Ann Lane quadplexes have been listed in the MLS -- Multiple Listing Service -- for more than two years. Frankly, the package of all-around services from the City of Winter Springs has been so unique that I believe I have to ~nform the Board of Realtors and prospective buyers of this all-around situation, or be liable for possible lawsuit even years after the property sells. The fact.. .1s,.....other..muntclpalit.ies- (I"'have"investments in" five" others at present, and more in the past), simply do not have the 6 #" /, .-<>/ strange occurrences that Winter Springs does. How can. these be explained? Are investors looked upon negatively by the city? Are property owners, taxpayers, citizens looked upon negatively, or ignored? Is there more than ordinary room for improvement in some city services? I ask you to judge. * My remarks about the Water Dept. are above. * My remarks about the special situation next door to 258 Button- wood, which depresses the value of my house and its marketabili- ty, and which diminishes its rentability, and which affects the character of the neighborhood, are above. * Fire protection: Three or four years ago, a fire caused by a cigarette ignited a dried floral arr~ngement in the corner of the living room at 132 Lori Ann Lane. This was a very minor thing, and should have been extinguished with water or the fire extin- guisher. However, the tenant, a single mother, realizing one of her daughters had an infant upstairs, panicked and ran upstairs. Removing the baby, she ran outside and called for help. Many tenants helped. Directly across First at., only 150 feet away, is the Fire Department. Tenants reported calling to firemen playing basketball, that there was a fire. The reply was that the Dept. had "not received a report" yet. A backpack extinguisher would have put the fire out and taken two minutes. Tenants reported amazement and frustration as no one would come, but in time -- some said 11 minutes, others 22 minutes -- the truck came around onto the street in front. By this time, the unit was totaled. Damage was $28,000 plus all the tenants' furniture and clothing upstairs as well as down. As for me, this cost me a near-doubling on the spo~ of insurance on all six buildings, the insurance company unable to believe how the fire, in full view across the parking lot, and only a few feet from the Fire Dept., could have been allowed to get se far. I could not pay the doubled insurance rate and had to cancel all policies and search for new ones on six buildings, not just one. This has cost me plenty, not counting time and the requirement, for more than a year after the fire, to attempt to relieve the 7 /' ,.,Y. . /<.f /)' ,"." . /;.: anxiety .,/,/' .,'/ ,Y of many tenants about their safety. The burned-out tenants experienced a loss in the thousands -- all their furniture, all their clothing wall to wall in the closets; solid with black, greasy coating. Not one word of explanation was ever offered. * Police protection. Several years back, an angry person whom I had evicted from one of my apartments, broke into one which I was cleaning and assaulted me. I was sent to the hospital with broken ribs, paid a $450 bllli.and took weeks to recuperate. The ~olice Dept( which at the time was alongside the Fire Dept., told me they had "nothing to do wi th assaul t. and nothing to do with break~ins'''f I was assigned a police officer 'who, before coming on the Winter, . _.. Spr ings Dept., had been evicted -by me for non-payment of rent. I asked that another officer be assigned, and gave the reason, but assignment of another officer was re~used. * Garbage,current and recent: I understand that garbage serviqe is not a direct City service but a franchised one. The service, is unresponsive to the customer, or superficially responsive and agreeable, followed by doing nothing, requiring the entire matter to be brought up again, and usually to new people. The current problem involves extra pickups. With 24 apartments, averaging a one-year tenancy, I have numerous abandoned couches, bureaus, even busted washing machin~s. Worse, with my dumpsters visible from the street, I have many "midnight" deliveries from other residents of the City ~f Winter Springs. About half the large pieces are ours, about half gratuitously deposited by unknown persons from elsewhere. The history is as follows: Or iginally I had three large dump- sters, and the drivers told us if I could get an item into the dumpster, they would haul it., A year or so ago, IWSreduced the size of the dumpsters and at the same time requested we not put the big items into them. , ' ~hey said,flIf you'need an 'extra ptckup,' just '-phone~"' 8 /' ',,' ~ ,,/ ? . /'~..J i' We telephoned, and experienced as many as ten calls (and ten "agreements" to make a pickup), before we could get picked up. I In the meantime, the ugly piles distracted tenants and "turned off" prospects. The situation was intolerable. Finally, in one case, we had called 18 times without success, when we gave up. We then called Hr. Al White, and he very kindly phoned IWS. Immediately, the pickup was made. Case in point: IWS is unresponsive to customers, but responsive to the City. . ... On the next pickup, we were charged $35 but this was marked "5" -', 'pickups. The truck had co gc)"' to three of our dumpsters. IWS had started charging for what they had told us was a ~ service and a convenience to them. We overlooked this first incident, being just too busy to argue at that moment. On my most recent special pickup (in Apr il), I consolidated my extra-pickup items along First street facing the Fire House. Each day that the special pickup truck didn't come when promised, children made havoc of the piles that night, requiring up to an hour of reassembly each morning. Playing in those broken couch springs, etc., can be dangerous to chi ldren, and I don't know who would be 1 iable -- IWS for not coming when promised, the City, or myself, or all three. Finally, the special truck took the stuff. And then I received the shoek -- a bill for $851 Obviously, this is intolerable. Have we gone from the promised free pickups '~to a flat charge per-pickup, and finally to a charge per piece? There is no notification of any changes. There is no written policy. There are just arbltary actions or inactions, ancL. large sums added to the monthly bills. The whole thing bespeaks a disregard fpr the customer/taxpayer/investor -- which unfortunately fits a pattern; a pattern which can no longer be ov6rlooked because it is defi- ni tel.y there. And it's different from my exper ience in other municlpalities. 9 ~. ._, //; ~'"' I" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND... , Mr. Al White, who has required dumpsters along Fairfax and behind the other Lori Ann Lane quadplexes to get into an orderlY condi- tion, and who has been helpful and cooperative in other regards. The present police patrol officers who respond quickly and who are very supportive of Nancy Parmenter, our Asst. Manager. - ,. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Again, I have no wish to offend anyone. _lIowever, the matters simply have to be br9Sght out into the open-.-.... Yours truly, \ \ 'AM V\ \r"E" (ZY\'1 ~ Karl Roebling , . ~'~... ..0=>' ...~. f'P / . ~'.7'" .....,~~,-= ".>-""",-,-.-.,.'. fiJ q 1-1:: . -_._--->.// q - q - f} c!\. ~ [3LJ.uJ.5, -rk-. 1tJ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ P.ffl<<~~.l t>- ~ ~ o-.Jl c..;&.:f. ~~ .r?" ~ L. ~ ~ ~. ~ u" - &..... .- L<..p r ~ ~ 6..,...<..:.u~. >...tJ..... ~ ~&:;.7I;:.f c:tLt U/~ ~ b-<.I~~~..~- ~ ~. 15 ~~. .I...u"...J #--- ~ ~ ~ ~?;;- ~ /. ~~ ~ "t-AA- -~ /Z-~#~~I - ~ ~ r- 14 0 1 .iI..Jt- ~. #4.". · 1~.J ~ ........., J ;tJ~1~~ /I~ - /~ ~ 6- p/~~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ I/:J..~ ~, ~u~ '1"JY .d~ . .. 9.AP Cindy Genne 11 P. O. Box 520608 Longwood, FL 32752-0608 March 19. 1992 Mary Norton. City Clerk City of Winter Springs Florida 1126 East S.R. 434 Winter Springs, Florida 32708 Dear Mary, This is to advise you that due to a serious family illness I will be unable to complete my appointed term as a member of the BOWS Board. During the time which I served on the BOWS Board I concentrated mainly on establishing contact with state and county agencies which oversee the upcoming construction along Highway 434. I was instrumental in obtaining additional sidewalks along the future highway and I introduced the BOWS Board to the Highway Beautification Grant Program administered by the State of Florida. I attended numerous outside meetings such ~s the Long~~~~ G~amber of Commerce, DOT meetings in Kissimmee and Orlando, Department of Natural Resources meetings in Sanford, Florida Fish and Game Commission meeting in Sorrento and meetings " of various local civic, school and garden groups, making them all aware of the existence of the BOWS Board and inviting them to participate in future beautification projects within the City of Wi~s~r Springs. I participated in planning for the beautification in front of City Hall and represented the BOWS Board at many City Commission meetings. I have enjoyed working with the other members of the BOWS Board and as having served as their Vice Chairman for the "A"""r- past two years. I I feel that I was able to make a worthwhile contribution toward the betterment of the City and look forward to serving again once t~is current crisis passes. Please convey my regrets to the City Commission as w,ell as the members of the BOWS Board. Sincerely. c~rf~e ,I r ',,-, . "--' \.........., I ''<;..'' ~~ '~ "..... .... u . ~ ORDINANCE NO. 459 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS (BOWS) BOARD; PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE, MEMBERSHIP, TERMS, CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, has determined that it is in the beslt interest of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, to have a Beautification of Winter Springs (BOWS) Board. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I: There is hereby created "The Beautification of Winter Springs Board" (hereinafter referred to as "BOWS"). SECTION II: Composition; appointment of members. BOWS shall consist of seven members, five (5) members to be appointed by the City Commission and two (2) members to be appointed by the Mayor. \ \ SECTION III: Terms: organization; officers, meetings. ,. The members of BOWS shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years three (3) of the initial BOWS members shall be appointt!~., .for,-'.nc: t!!rm of three (3) years, two (2) of the initial BO\.JS members shall be. apP9Jnt~~ for tefm~..;~f two (2) years and two (2) of the initial BOWS members shall b.e.!1Ppoinjtd f1?.!E.u.. the term of one year, thereafter the terms shall be three (3) years. Immed.iat ji; ,1;l.1 ly upon appointment, the members of the Beautification of Winter Spri~gs Board ..,I J ..;1" shall meet and organize and. shall elect from among t~e m~bership a ,chair~an, a vice-chairman, and a sccre~<8ry,. whose terms of office, shall be for the (perio of one year or until their successors are elected bytherlm~mbers of t.J:le Board The Beautification of Winter Springs Board shall conduct such meetings as may necessary to properly perform its duties and functions and: stlall establ1sh'~rul or bylaws to govprn the mAnner. in which its meetings nnd affairs are cOQd~cted SECTION IV: Duties; expenditures. ... ," I ..!If ,. r ,i : U "Jh (a) The Beautification of Winter ,Springs J30ard is. e.mpowerqli!, and II. J directed to consider and study the entire field of beautification in the G-ilt>l' and shall advise, counsel and consult with the City Commi:$~ion ,-,nd the,.,Gity",. Manager in connection Vith .the beautification and preservat~on of natural be~ul of the City. 'the BOWS Board shall consider all ma,tters submitted to it; by lihff City Commission or the City Manager, and shall,offer suggestions nnd recom~en- -- dations on its own initiative in regard to the beauti(icatiqn, and cleanlinBs~: of city properties. It shall receive petitions .and sug~estiof.)s rfrom the!l >' " t '-" . ''-'"'' " -..../ "-' '~, w '" ~ citizens of the City, and shall cooperate with civic groups. garden clubs, governmental agencies and other organizations regarding beautification, conservation of natural beauty, and related subjects. (b) The members of BOWS shall be compensated in accordance with the manner and procedure set down by the City Commission. SECTION V: Master beautification plan; recommendations to City Commission. (a) It is the purpose of the, Beautification of Winter Springs Board to prepare a master plan for the overall beautification of the City with regard to those areas owned by the City, and recommendations to private owners. '.~his Board shall work with other civic groups and governmental agencies within the environmental limits of the City such as the following: 1. Approaches to the City; 2. Surrounding County areas which affect the impressions of visitors and citizens of the area with regard to the City. (0) BOWS shall recommend to the City Commission such overall pro- . jects as seem warrented, but shall refrain from making individual specific recommendations. -BOWS shall not concern itself with the day-to-day affairs of normal City functions, but shall, upon request of the City Commission, make specific recommendations. SECTION VI: Conflicts. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith being the same are hereby repealed. SECTION VII: Severability. If any section or portion of a section or subsection of this Ordinance proves to be invalid, unlawful or unconstitutional, it shall not be held to invalidate or impair the validity, force or effect of any other sectiol or portion of section or subsection or part of this Ordinance. SECTION VIII: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption. Passed and adopted this ~~~ day of t~P)1 , 1989. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA ~ ~1'~ LEANNE M. GROVE, YOR, ,', ATTEST: ~4b?;: J~ City Clerk First Reading April 10, 1989 Posted April 26, 1989 Second Reading and Public Hcaring May 22. 1989.