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Winter Haven outlines crackdown on snipe signs and donation boxes; announces hazardous‑waste and tire events and a wetland acquisition
Summary
City staff detailed efforts to remove snipe signs (3,500 removed in 2025), proposed ordinance work on donation boxes amid illegal dumping and resale concerns, results from a hazardous‑waste collection (112 participants and multiple material totals), a free tire collection event Jan. 24, and acquisition of a 152‑acre wetland parcel for conservation and a nature‑trail opening expected in March.
City staff used the January strategic‑pillar slot to present environmental‑stewardship activities including code‑compliance work on illegal signs and donation boxes, recent waste‑collection results, a free tire event, and a major wetland acquisition intended for conservation and low‑impact recreation.
Tanya Ayers (referenced), director of safe neighborhoods, defined 'snipe signs' as unauthorized temporary signs placed in rights of way that damage mowing equipment, present public‑safety hazards and become projectiles in high winds. She said code compliance removed about 3,500 signs in 2025 after adding a technician who typically removes roughly 100 signs per Monday sweep; staff emphasized they do not remove signs on private property and political signs are routed through the city clerk's office.
Ayers also described a proliferation of donation boxes on public rights of way and parks that attract illegal dumping and, in some cases, appear not to be run by charities. She said public‑works and safe‑neighborhoods teams remove boxes on public property where possible and that planning staff are drafting an ordinance to regulate placement and maintenance when state law allows; staff cited state legislation (SB 80) that currently restricts local ordinances addressing the issue.
Bobbi Watson, solid‑waste coordinator, reported the December 6 hazardous‑waste collection event at Reuben Williams Sports Complex had 112 participants and collected items including 10 fire extinguishers, 38 propane tanks, 25 gallons of paint, 37 batteries, 152 fluorescent bulbs, 135 gallons of motor oil/antifreeze/gasoline combined, and 67 tires. The city also placed holiday recycling bins at three sites that together collected over eight tons of recyclables.
Staff announced a free tire collection event in partnership with Keep Polk County Beautiful at Reuben Williams Sports Complex on Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., open to Winter Haven and Polk County residents (limit 24 tires per vehicle to avoid commercial‑hauler licensing thresholds). They also reported the acquisition of the 152‑acre Astute Financial property with about 130 acres of wetland between Lake Pansy and Lake Rochelle; the land will carry a conservation easement and allow low‑impact recreational amenities such as trails and boardwalks. Staff expect the Chain of Lakes nature trail improvements to open about March.
What happens next: staff will continue ordinance drafting for donation boxes, coordinate removal and public‑works efforts for signs and boxes, and present any required approvals related to land acquisition, trail work and upcoming events to the commission.
