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Altamonte Springs manager announces police promotions, fountain repair plans and infrastructure updates
Summary
City Manager reported promotions in the police department following Chief Riggs’ retirement, work to assess and likely replace the Cranes Roost fountain, assistance to Southwest Florida after recent hurricanes, fiber‑provider outreach to residents and the start of planning for transportation projects under the new sales‑tax period.
City Manager reported several department and operational updates at the Jan. 7 Altamonte Springs City Commission meeting, including promotions in the police department tied to Chief Riggs’ retirement, an assessment of the Cranes Roost fountain that may lead to replacement, recent assistance to post‑hurricane recovery work in Pinellas County and early planning for transportation projects under the new sales‑tax cycle.
"As you know, Deputy Chief Nicholas is going to be our new chief, and they have named Evelyn Steenkamp to be our next deputy chief," the city manager said, adding that Matt Fowler, a lieutenant and watch commander, will be promoted to commander. The manager praised long service in the department and previous leadership for building the department’s capacity.
On the Cranes Roost fountain the city manager said the system is an older, MIDI‑file‑driven fountain that has reached the end of its service life: parts are hard to source and repair is costly. He said staff will evaluate options over the next several months and that a replacement design likely will not replicate the original MIDI‑driven system because of maintenance complexity and the stormwater vaults and pump room under the plaza.
The city manager also said city inspectors have been sent to assist Pinellas County with post‑hurricane inspections and rebuilding; he said the city is reimbursed for those deployment costs. He reported recent work by staff and utilities to resolve residents’ problems tied to fiber‑provider work and credited staff for outreach to affected homeowners.
Looking ahead, the city manager said the city is starting to marshal plans for projects funded under the fourth‑generation sales‑tax period and reminded the public that several large road and utility projects (including the 434/Central Parkway corridor) are state or county projects, which can affect timing and communications. He described a connected‑vehicle and work‑zone safety pilot the city participated in and said the city will begin communicating project timing and journey‑planning information to residents as designs progress.
The manager asked the commission to keep an employee and family in mind after the death of an employee’s spouse and recognized staff for holiday events that drew large community attendance.
Commissioners used the remainder of the meeting for holiday recognition and announcements, including Commissioner O’Malley noting an MLK interfaith breakfast on Jan. 20 hosted by AdventHealth Faith Care Partners at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.
