CITY COMMISSION
 REGULAR MEETING
 OFFICIAL AGENDA
 February 17, 2025
 6:00 p.m.


  Municipal Administration Building
 Commission Chambers
 201 W. Central Avenue
 Lake Wales, FL 33853



1.

INVOCATION

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3.

CALL TO ORDER

4.

ROLL CALL

5.

COMMENTS AND PETITIONS

Public participation from residents, taxpayers, business owners, and utility customers is encouraged. The City Commission welcomes information that would assist them in considering agenda items, City business, and otherwise fulfilling the City’s mission to make Lake Wales “a bit better or more beautiful” for its citizens.  

Anyone wishing to speak should give their name, state if they are a resident, taxpayer, business owner, or utility customer and they will have 5 minutes.  Courtesy and respect is the hallmark.  Speakers are expected to address the Commission and not audience members, and not engage in back and forth discussions that can deteriorate into argument, debate and accusations.  

Questions about subject matter are best directed to city staff during normal business hours

6.

CITY CLERK

6.I.

Board Appointments –Code Enforcement

Appointment to fill a vacancy due to expiration of terms and resignations.

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

Any member of the public can ask the City Commission to pull a consent item for separate discussion and vote that they would like to make comment on.
7.I.

Minutes - February 3 & 11 2026

7.II.

Approval of Excavator purchase from Bobcat

Staff requests commission approval to purchase an excavator from Bobcat to be able to complete everyday utility work within the Water Department.

7.III.

Authorization to Proceed with Solid Waste Collection In-House Feasibility Study

Staff is requesting authorization to proceed with a Solid Waste Collection In-House Feasibility Study to evaluate the operational, financial, and service impacts of providing solid waste collection services directly by the City as an alternative to the current contracted franchise model.

7.IV.

Event Permit Application: Good Morning Lake Wales February 27, 2026

This is a request from the City of Lake Wales Communications, to host an event downtown called Good Morning Lake Wales: ABC 28 Tampa Bay Live Broadcast on Friday February 27. This event will involve closure of the Marketplace and Park Avenue from 5:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

7.V.

Event Permit: Freedom Fest Juneteenth Concert

A special event permit application to sponsor a Juneteenth Concert on June 19, 2026 from 5:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. This event will include alcohol.

7.VI.

Special Event Permit Juneteenth Street Fair

A special event permit application to sponsor a Juneteenth Street Fair on June 20, 2026. This event will require the closing of Lincoln Avenue between D Street and B Street from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This event will include alcohol.

7.VII.

Developer Credit Agreement -Hunt Club Grove South

The city requested developer provide some off-site improvement in relationship to the Hunt Club Grove South development.

7.VIII.

Stormwater Equipment Acquisition – Combination Sweeper with Vacuum-Assisted Capability

Staff is requesting authorization to procure a combination street sweeper equipped with vacuum-assisted (vactor-style) storm drain cleaning capabilities to enhance the City’s stormwater response capacity. 

7.IX.

Law Enforcement Vehicle Purchase

Staff is requesting Commission approval to lease purchase seven (7) police vehicles using the Bancorp Master Lease Agreement and dispose of ten (10) surplus vehicles.

8.

OLD BUSINESS

8.I.

ORDINANCE 2026-02, Amending Chapter 10, Fire Prevention, Lake Wales Code of Ordinances – 2nd Reading and Public Hearing

The amendment will update Section 1 of Chapter 10 to achieve compliance with State Statute.

9.

NEW BUSINESS

10.

CITY ATTORNEY

11.

CITY MANAGER

11.I.

Commission Meeting Calendar

12.

CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS

13.

MAYOR COMMENTS

14.

ADJOURNMENT

(The staff memos are incorporated into the official record)

Minutes of the City Commission meeting can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office. The minutes are recorded, but are not transcribed verbatim. Persons requiring a verbatim transcript may make arrangements with the City Clerk to duplicate the recording, or arrange to have a court reporter present at the meeting. The cost of duplication and/or court reporter will be the expense of the requesting party.

In accordance with Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact the City Clerk's office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting.

Appeals concerning decisions on issues requiring a public hearing:

Persons who wish to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered during a public hearing at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.