Lake Wales commission approves utility code amendment and FDOT airport grant amendments

The City of Lake Wales commission unanimously approved an ordinance updating the city’s industrial pretreatment code and three separate resolutions authorizing amended grant agreements with the Florida Department of Transportation to add funding for projects at Lake Wales Municipal Airport.

At the start of new business the commission heard Ordinance 2025-2, described as "an ordinance City of Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida amending Lake Wales code of ordinances, chapter 21 utilities, division 3, industrial pretreatment," and, after brief mention that it had been discussed in a work session, the commission voted to adopt it on a roll call. No public hearing was held and no commissioner requested additional discussion before the vote. The roll call recorded unanimous approval: Commissioner Williams, Deputy Mayor Gibson, Commissioner Gillespie, Commissioner Thompson and the Mayor all voted yes.

The commission also approved three resolutions authorizing amendments to public transportation grant agreements with the Florida Department of Transportation to allow FDOT participation in airport projects at Lake Wales Municipal Airport. The titles read into the record identify the projects and financial project numbers as follows:

- Resolution 2025-03: amendment for Lake Wales Airport apron reconstruction (financial project number 45471719401). - Resolution 2025-04: amendment for Lake Wales Airport taxi lane/ hangar taxi lane rehabilitation (financial project number 45272019401). - Resolution 2025-05: amendment for Lake Wales Airport lighting, signage and marking (financial project number 45461719401).

Each resolution was moved and seconded with no additional discussion; roll-call votes recorded unanimous approval by the five commissioners.

Before new business the commission approved the consent agenda by motion and voice vote after no members of the public or the commission requested items be pulled for separate discussion.

City Attorney and City Manager updates followed: the city attorney said the code enforcement board had ordered two foreclosures and the attorney was waiting on title evidence to file the related actions and to transfer properties to the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) when appropriate. The city manager reported that gym repairs were ahead of schedule and announced a ribbon-cutting for Smokin' Dee's Barbecue at 10 a.m. Saturday on First Street, and noted a Polk Arts Alliance feature on the downtown square mural.

All formal motions recorded at this meeting on the ordinance and the three FDOT resolutions carried unanimously; no amendments to the motions were proposed.