City Commission Work Session

City Commission Work Session Meeting Minutes June 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. City Hall, Commission Chambers 401 S. Park Avenue | Winter Park, Florida Present Mayor Phil Anderson, Commissioners Marty Sullivan, Sheila DeCiccio, Kris Cruzada, and Todd Weaver (Virtual); City Manager Randy Knight; Assistant City Manager Michelle del Valle and City Clerk Rene Cranis. 1) Call to Order Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. 2) Discussion Item(s) a. Stormwater Update/Hurricane Preparation Mayor Anderson explained the purpose of the meeting to review existing conditions of flooding, beginning a series of capital projects including grant applications, and long- term plans in collaboration with other agencies. Fire Chief Dan Hagedorn gave a presentation on the city’s emergency management, needs and risk assessment. This storm preparedness effort required each department to review staffing, equipment, and training which ended with a tabletop exercise in June He explained the three levels of operation of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Ms. del Valle noted receipt of grant funding of $3.2M from the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) for drainage improvements, dredging and other storm- related projects and advised of pending grant applications and expected reimbursements ($2m) from FEMA for Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Mr. Knight said it could take 1-2 years to receive reimbursement. Ms. del Valle confirmed that the city is prepared to assist residents and small businesses with FEMA applications as well as city programs in the event of another major storm event. Electric Utility Director Dan D’Alessandro spoke about their storm preparedness with largest efforts toward retaining outside resources prior to the storm and allowing staff time to prepare their home/family. He explained required notifications of outages to the state at regular intervals and spoke about post-storm restoration. Water and Wastewater Utility Director David Zusi spoke about the impact to stormwater systems and lift stations and unprecedented flooding from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. He reviewed improvements since Hurricane Ian including targeted sewer lining, rerouting flow, adding a bypass pump connection, and installation of additional portable connections and generators. He reported on current projects/efforts to

Work Session of the City Commission June 29, 2023 Page 2 of 3 improve existing conditions and efforts to decrease flooding in the MLK and Hannibal Square areas. He explained the circumstances of stormwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer system and the city’s efforts to eliminate water pouring into the system with the lining project and smoke testing. Communications Director Clarissa Howard explained the operation and staffing of the EOC and tools use to communicate to residents throughout storm events (website, social media, targeted reverse 9-1-1 emergency alert system, and press releases) and noted the publishing of the Hurricane Preparedness Guide. St. John’s River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Chief Resilience Officer Tom Frick gave a presentation on the District service area covering 18 counties with more than 50% of the area in the 100-year flood plain. He reviewed the impact of Hurricane Ian showing the volume of water flowing in local basins with Howell Creek getting more than 20 times the normal water flow and St. Johns River which took 2-3 months for the water level to decrease. He explained the impact on 100-year floodplain areas, flood storage volume and the District’s strategies for flood protection and floodplain conservation. In response to questions about opening the weirs at Lake Killarney, Mr. Frick stated the District has emergency authorization and most of the structures have a control elevation, and flows that deal with things that are going downstream. (recording cannot be heard clearly in the section due to audio interference.). Commissioner Weaver noted the Governor has vetoed money for stormwater improvements in Central Florida and asked if the District has a wish list of projects that SJRWMD is considering when funding comes available. Mr. Frick said the District is working with local governments to compile a list with a goal to ensure there is communication between agencies to establish the priority projects to get the system flowing through multiple jurisdictions as best as possible. Mayor Anderson asked about adjusting the weir at Lake Maitland/Howell Branch. Assistant Director of Public Works Don Marcotte said the weir is a fixed concrete structure. He said the weir on Lake Killarney at Lake Gem has not been adjusted in several years and the weir at Lake Bell can be adjusted. Discussion followed on lake weirs, whether they can be adjusted or controlled before storm events, and the need for cooperation with the District for control of lake weirs. Director of Public Works and Transportation Charles Ramdatt advised that the city, other agencies, and SJRWMD are working toward a resolution. Discussion continued on adjustment and control of weirs. Director of Natural Resources and Sustainability Gloria Eby outlined the responsibilities of the Lakes Division including barrier removal, environmental monitoring, and weir inspections. She presented images of flooding from Hurricane Ian and said the city’s flood management guide outlines tasks that begin a week in advance of a storm and

Work Session of the City Commission June 29, 2023 Page 3 of 3 includes lowering weirs when the outer edge of a hurricane cone reaches Central Florida. She explained the function and management of the drain well/risers at Lake Killarney and new smart technology for lake elevation meters which will provide telemetry in order to understand what's happening with lake elevations. Mr. Marcotte spoke about the department's responsibilities for storm sewers and pumps and also of city facilities and sandbag distribution. He showed images of flooding in three basins to be studied: WP Golf Course, Chain of Lakes, Killarney/Lake Bell/MLK Pond. He outlined post-hurricane efforts: canal dredging, storm pipe repair and replacement, and upcoming drainage basin studies (western basin, central and eastern basins) and outlined next steps. He responded to questions on the scope of basin studies and the potential to create more storage at MLK Pond as an interim solution. Mayor Anderson suggested looking at micro basins for less intense storm events. Mr. Ramdatt said the consultants for each study will be working together toward an integrated urban model and responded to additional questions on Mead Garden improvements and basin study areas. Mr. Knight and Mayor Anderson expressed appreciation for staff’s work on toward preparedness for storm events. He asked that an updated infrastructure project listing be distributed to the commission. Items Not on the Agenda: Mayor Anderson said the commission directed staff to move forward with a second approach on the purchase of the Bank of the Ozarks property at yesterday’s meeting. Mr. Knight advised that the ten-day response time was ten business days, not calendar days, and the actual deadline is Monday July 3rd. Consensus was to send the letter on July 5th due to the 4th of July. Commissioner DeCiccio announced that the Winter Park High School girls crew team are in Henley, England competing in the world championship and won their first race with a record-setting time. She congratulated the team on their achievements. 3) Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. ______________________________ Mayor Phillip M. Anderson ATTEST: ________________________________ City Clerk Rene Cranis