[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6259041,"mediaKeyId","3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2","parentId",3143800,"title","Oviedo plans mall-based Independence Day event with fireworks; staff has funding and land approvals pending","audioSeconds",795,"startMs",4514000,"endMs",5309000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2&start=4514&end=5309","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2/thumbnail_4514000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259041/Oviedo/Seminole-County/Florida/Oviedo-plans-mall-based-Independence-Day-event-with-fireworks-staff-has-funding-and-land-approvals-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259041-3efed8f51c6c5d5fd69cf8200d16fd01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141800&Signature=SEJRBiBt-Wvmt-HEqCsNYX2pIgemG19H~cTyjkB8bLxQqgrakMyNixk2bFeredIZjTgrCw7wWT3ODOECb4P-zWlAsPDBmxQiuvvvO5tv3DLukBF6iH2POAnvtkIaKoPSSD~1CLRTNeoYwftichUfAViWvhEnEbyFj8W3rfpqmVyp--7nZ3xt53jky~FbTX817XSYiD~BEGsVJteBcjWe9ZQg11xBh14xoYqVO0kToVr1DoqRFHIdu9-qC3lHRSk7Du1Ey7PcmesQGKfcS7fb4blXwa7g3X~sFhuNIVUXXUqLBdi2pzkrrj52qx7Z3xvN7WZhtkz5GnV9fPg8vymt3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oviedo, FL","date","2025-04-29T11:17:01.153Z","article","City staff updated council on plans for the Independence Day celebration, saying the event will be centered inside the Oviedo Mall with fireworks launched from the Dillard’s firing zone and vendor and entertainment activity arranged inside the mall corridors and food-court area.

Staff said three of four parcel approvals required for fireworks at the mall had been received, with the fourth expected shortly. The estimated cost for this year’s program is currently about $54,000, which staff said will be absorbed within existing allocations and will not require a supplemental budget amendment.

Event format and logistics

- Programming: Staff said the event will place a stage in the mall's food-court area, allow vendors through the mall (with the city asking vendors not to compete directly with mall stores), provide children’s entertainment and encourage attendees to move outdoors before the fireworks display. The mall hallways will remain open for attendees to access restrooms and to move from indoor seating to outdoor viewing areas before the firework launch.

- Fireworks and timing: Staff said fireworks are expected to be fired about 9 p.m. Staff will promote indoor restroom availability and will provide additional portable restrooms outside. Vendor and fireworks vendor contracts were being finalized and staff said they were in ongoing coordination for this year and beginning planning for the following year (for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026).

- Budget and approvals: Staff reported the event’s current estimated cost of about $54,000 will be absorbed this year and that the city has budgeted up to $69,000 if needed. Staff said earlier expansions (like the Centennial event) helped test mall-based programming and that the mall plan provides covered space and reduced weather risk.

Action and next steps

Staff said remaining schedule items include receipt of the final parcel approval and final vendor contracts; they will continue planning for next year’s event and return with any required budget requests if additional funding becomes necessary.

Ending

Council members praised recent Centennial event logistics and accepted staff’s plan to proceed with the mall-based Independence Day celebration this year, with staff to report back if final approvals or vendor costs require additional budget action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/28/2025 - Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported progress on plans to hold an Independence Day celebration centered inside Oviedo Mall with fireworks launched from the Dillard’s area; most property approvals are in and the event is within the adopted budget for the year.","taxTitle","Oviedo, Seminole County, Florida","taxId",51940,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259046,"Seminole County asks Oviedo to fund intersection curb and pedestrian work tied to new signal on Lockwood Boulevard",407,4046000,4453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2&start=4046&end=4453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2/thumbnail_4046000.jpg","/articles/6259046/Oviedo/Seminole-County/Florida/Seminole-County-asks-Oviedo-to-fund-intersection-curb-and-pedestrian-work-tied-to-new-signal-on-Lockwood-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259046-40dd410905687c99ad1ac06c747d0f9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141800&Signature=LE4qAEv3Xo-xdVYtyI5umX3nrna1ALI9bce0P395govQ4nqSu1ZyhW-r1v1frenl0drbJIOvpkW~4TmFy6INQJ6-~OmI14tO5bosQTFkAA11FAj2dtc2VWbxv-8YBVj2d09f1QRFSxwD44vR574bHYpPJ-NCSlc73SKEN06GpunMTXeTKhvSIIHfbuTCux1~zv-fnRIHbQbeP1mT10Ln1jPSSmN-h~FwkQGIbbyaljhz9WGApDlAS7nzrCo9mLDnst3LD8XJT4fRiFz~pOrZfSgoF9kw~h27w46Ea4-ZTYGACSszUNM8Rt6hxDPTi9hK4HkmCpLB0DhVWnfpFt-LgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seminole County has procured signal equipment for the County Road 426/Lockwood Boulevard intersection and asked the City of Oviedo to fund and construct supplemental intersection improvements (curbing, striping and pedestrian treatments) adjacent to the signal footprint.

Background and request

Staff explained the county conducted a warrant study showing signal warrants were met and the county pursued signal design and procurement to accelerate construction. County-provided pricing for the signal itself was roughly $580,000; the county told staff it had budgeted $650,000, leaving about $70,000 in the county’s budget. Staff estimated the additional intersection work identified in the city-side design would cost approximately $130,000 in total, with about $100,000 allocated to city-side items and about $30,000 for county-side items.

Seminole County’s position, as described to council, is that it will pay for the signal hardware and installation but not the additional curb and pedestrian details; county staff proposed that the city procure and build the intersection operational improvements and use a reimbursement agreement to allocate the county’s remaining budgeted balance toward the work.

Council questions and staff response

Council asked whether the county still considered a signal warranted after a right-turn lane was already constructed; staff confirmed the county still believed a signal was warranted. Staff recommended the city seek a written contribution from the county (the remainder of the county’s $650,000 budget) and, if council agrees, bid the curb and striping work and return with an award and a reimbursement agreement.

Action and next steps

Staff sought direction to proceed with preparing bid documents for the intersection improvements and to draft a reimbursement agreement capturing the county’s contribution and any contingency. Council signaled support for asking the county to contribute its remaining budgeted balance toward the work and for staff to bring the bid award and agreement back for formal approval.

Ending

Staff emphasized that, if approved later, the intersection operational improvements would be bid and constructed concurrently with the county’s signal installation and that the city would present a reimbursement agreement for council approval before committing funds.","Seminole County will pay for a traffic signal at County Road 426/Lockwood Boulevard but requested the city cover additional curb, striping and pedestrian-zone improvements; staff asked council for direction to pursue a reimbursement agreement and bid the work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259051,"Oviedo council narrows arts-and-entertainment district map, favors event-only pilot and branded reusable cup",1795,2251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2&start=2251&end=4046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2/thumbnail_2251000.jpg","/articles/6259051/Oviedo/Seminole-County/Florida/Oviedo-council-narrows-arts-and-entertainment-district-map-favors-event-only-pilot-and-branded-reusable-cup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259051-bf8950fc6f6dab2e906f608bda4771bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141800&Signature=J8HyrcVwLtZyjm4s8I11Nz0rsg2YUVFiTaymFivtNFExF8SaroJ~LbXPg6fLxJV74obdvrLmyBHsaif1j3ZQMZTGlGGM5gbVchGtCbAWX6E-vE7FVRrVAr27NhF3K74WYRWRFDATbGGgjFfm5ul73QTAMCKnjIrf4Bj-ldhP6sqUFDEZnxVQLT-xea-VzMA9~MxeMhgEvn1VTJrCSUea9MxZNqZIJRqvqeNPPQ60ayJSS88q3-vRBU9ybdqrLyLpM2vaQZHwOu4UWU5JFb01IaSSibHiIC~a-KImzKNbKgb80Q5rxM5UIiB60D4QEsp7CS0hAL7pCfi3rZMc~v9eBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council and staff discussed a draft ordinance to implement the state-authorized Oviedo Arts & Entertainment District, focusing on boundaries, permitted timing for open-container consumption, a required district cup and registration rules for participating establishments.

The state bill authorizes the Beverage and Tobacco regulator to issue licenses for \"off-premise\" open consumption capability; local regulation determines whether and how open containers may be carried in public within the district. \"The bill the bill just provides the license,\" a city staff member said. \"The state doesn't regulate open consumption. It is up to the city, in our local code of ordinances to regulate open consumption of alcoholic beverages.\"

Why this matters: if the city adopts enabling rules, patrons could leave participating businesses with an approved container and walk within the district during allowed times; the council's decisions will define area limits, timing, enforcement, and mitigation for adjacent residences.

Key council direction

- Boundary: Councilors generally favored shrinking the district to coincide closely with the park/park-adjacent businesses and to carve out apartment/residential parcels. One council member said, \"Carve out the residential,\" and staff noted the map can be changed later; staff indicated the state’s action issues licenses but the local ordinance dictates the consumable public-space boundaries.

- Timing/pilot: Staff recommended a pilot limited to city-sponsored signature events or city-sponsored festivals so the district would operate in a controlled way at first. Councilmembers favored the pilot approach to avoid a permanent, everyday open-container zone.

- Branded cup/logo and limits: Staff proposed a 16-ounce reusable \"stadium\" cup with a district logo (and optional vendor logo) so enforcement and public-safety staff could recognize authorized cups. Staff proposed limits such as \"no establishment shall sell more than two beverages to one person\" and \"no person shall carry more than two beverages.\" The draft would prohibit glass and would bar open alcoholic beverages in city-owned parking lots except when those lots were designated event space for authorized city events.

- Enforcement and permitting: Staff proposed an official registration process for participating establishments, to be administered by a City Manager designee and operationalized by a policy. Staff also offered to consult with the state Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco about licensing and practical issues (for example, whether an establishment with a beer-and-wine license could accept off-premise liquor beverages brought in from another business).

Quotes and clarifications

- \"So, the question is, how does the city want to regulate that consumption,\" staff said. \"If the city does nothing, then they can't really utilize it because they're licensed for it, but the city doesn't allow people to walk out with an open container.\"

- On enforcement, staff said a standardized, recognizable cup would help officers and event staff identify authorized beverages quickly.

Action and next steps

Council gave direction to staff to reduce the district footprint to avoid direct inclusion of residential parcels, proceed with a pilot limited to city signature events, have staff draft the ordinance language to reflect the parking-lot exception for event space, and refer the cup/logo concept to the public arts board for design recommendations. Staff will return with a draft ordinance and a registration policy for council consideration.

Ending

Staff said the state has taken action to issue the new license type but the city's ordinance will determine whether and how residents can carry an open, branded beverage within the district; council direction focused on limiting the program’s initial scope and creating an identifiable cup and registration process.","Council discussed city-level rules to implement a state-authorized Oviedo Arts & Entertainment District, directing staff to shrink the proposed boundary, limit open-container rights to city-sanctioned events for a pilot period and work with the public arts board on a district cup/logo and registration rules.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259055,"Oviedo staff lays out FY25-26 personnel, capital priorities and proposal to use reserve funds",2169,69000,2238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2&start=69&end=2238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3143800-78a2ee3c0d1661ec9f162464f471afc2/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6259055/Oviedo/Seminole-County/Florida/Oviedo-staff-lays-out-FY25-26-personnel-capital-priorities-and-proposal-to-use-reserve-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259055-6ebe438a1ed3d636b3db088b47c0894a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141800&Signature=BYjdq8QQ6oZKlvnZXytHSeTtBZ4GYQrxfcpPy6~E1e7vMy-yNLxjqm56VQ4zkIzaHQLoX9wxLGpi3tNvOQF-HiqTHPmXf3qaFlNfinEkVlBSJDHAbJWGxn9nygt0MK4RyNka5RAyay20yJLpLwAxc0~gr8ZWbU3A~KaCPaKAb8aPMOvTluv4TzAezOHKI9jE6btd7OVMaYL0-NveyVtgIZxlflJ~ZJbY0QoYq7k5Q5HAhIrvmkX3u59ogoWoWs1qGO5StJZffrdlKjEvZCbb78Y6BR1nn1NXSTF1kKPx6g-Os2-JeseBcAUV8YJ4~reX1~OGGbHETaQV6lcC3gXOzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on a council work session presented a prioritized list of requested personnel additions and capital projects for fiscal year 2025–26 and asked council for direction on which items to prioritize and whether to use portions of the city’s unassigned fund balance to pre-fund selected projects.

The presentation, led by Mr. Cobb, identified four request categories: personnel, capital improvement projects (items greater than $25,000), capital outlay (items under $25,000) and facilities maintenance. \"Please bear in mind though, as we go through this process, this process is not a guarantee of absolute funding,\" Cobb told council, adding that staff wanted council priorities up front so funding decisions later in the budget cycle could reflect them.

Why this matters: staff said recurring personnel costs are treated cautiously because they add to the base budget while capital is generally one-time spending. Council direction now will shape which positions and projects staff try to fund when final revenue numbers (property valuations and state estimates) come in later in the spring and early summer.

Discussion highlights

- Personnel and timing: Staff provided a three-year view of full-time equivalents added in recent years and said the current prioritized personnel list was developed after a directors' meeting. When asked whether staff intended to hire all requested positions in the coming year, Cobb said the list reflected requests for FY25–26 but that a full funding decision would depend on revenue estimates later in the budget process.

- Departmental priorities: Staff said parks and facilities maintenance ranked higher this cycle than additional firefighter/EMT positions. \"Yes, that's correct,\" Cobb responded when a council member asked whether the prioritization reflected staff consensus.

- Capital items: The capital list included large items such as an artificial turf project and a City Hall chiller. Councilmembers questioned spending $250,000 on consultant master plans versus using that money for direct recreation or facility improvements. Staff said some plans (such as a FEMA- or grant-required facility management plan) might be necessary to meet grant terms.

- Equipment and operational items raised: Councilors asked about locker room renovations, vehicle replacement policies (including a request for an additional code enforcement truck), shade structure performance, a specialized park piece of equipment (a \"dingo\"), swan-boat revenue and a multi-year portable radio replacement program for public safety. Chief Coleman and other presenters explained the radios are a multi-year, Motorola-based portable replacement estimated at about $900,000 total, with $300,000 budgeted in the current year and another $600,000 needed.

Council direction and staff proposal on fund balance

Staff asked for council consensus to use unassigned fund balance for three purposes: pay off approximately $2,200,000 of existing general fund debt to free up cash flow; allocate $2,200,000 toward construction of a police station annex; and use $550,000 to pre-fund capital outlay and equipment for the next fiscal year. Cobb summarized how those uses would affect reserves and policy compliance.

On the reserve policy, staff said the city policy calls for a 15% general fund reserve and noted GFOA best-practice guidance of about 16.67%. Cobb said the projected unassigned fund balance before the proposed uses was about $19.8 million; the three proposed uses would move the balance toward about $14.8 million but staff expected to remain close to the city’s policy floor. A council member said, \"I always like paying off debt, especially if we could stay above our threshold that we still have enough for hurricanes.\"

Action and next steps

Staff requested consensus to prepare budget-adjustment documents for formal consideration in a future meeting (May/June). Council gave verbal consensus for staff to bring back the recommended adjustments and a formal budget adjustment ordinance for approval later in the process.

Ending

Staff said final decisions would await updated property valuations and state revenue estimates in June–July; council priorities provided tonight will guide what staff attempts to fund if revenue allows. If council wanted changes to the ranked lists, staff asked that those be provided before staff completes the budget packages for formal hearings.","City staff presented prioritized lists of personnel requests, capital projects and facilities maintenance needs and asked council to confirm priorities and consent to using parts of the unassigned fund balance to pre-fund three items including paying off general fund debt and advancing a police station annex.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oviedo plans mall-based Independence Day event with fireworks; staff has funding and land approvals pending

Seminole County asks Oviedo to fund intersection curb and pedestrian work tied to new signal on Lockwood Boulevard

Oviedo council narrows arts-and-entertainment district map, favors event-only pilot and branded reusable cup

Oviedo staff lays out FY25-26 personnel, capital priorities and proposal to use reserve funds