From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Apopka’s week ahead includes a Wednesday City Commission meeting addressing discretionary funds, a Heart and Soul Fest budget amendment, and proposed traffic safety grants. Commissioners will meet Friday again to consider ratifying four department leaders, while the Development Review Committee takes up a charter school plat, subdivision revisions, and an amenity park Wednesday morning. Families can also look ahead to Camp Wewa’s Parents’ Night Out on Friday and the police department’s Horsepower for Heroes car show Saturday.
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Apopka’s first full week of November brings decisions about who will help lead City Hall and how the city spends its money. Two City Commission meetings anchor the Nov. 2-8 schedule, with development reviews and community events rounding out the week.
Related: Nesta promises leadership changes as questions remain about three key positions.
Commissioners will review discretionary funds and a Heart and Soul Fest budget amendment Wednesday, then return Friday to consider ratifying four department leaders. Outside City Hall, Camp Wewa will offer an evening for children while parents take a break, and the Apopka Police Department will bring cars and community members together to benefit Honor Flight Central Florida.
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Three development applications
The Development Review Committee meets at 9 a.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers. Its agenda includes a charter school plat, changes to a residential subdivision and an amenity park.
The Apopka K-8 Charter School plat application is receiving its first review. Red Apple at Apopka LLC owns the property identified on the agenda as 1839 and 1829 Plymouth Sorrento Road and West Lester Road, with Bohler Engineering submitting the application to plat parcels for the school.
The Ridgebrooke Subdivision Amendment also returns development activity to the Plymouth Sorrento Road area. The first-submittal construction site plan application proposes extending the depths of multiple lots and adjusting open space on property along Bailey Hill Road, Sorrento Avenue and Plymouth Sorrento Road.
The third application is a second submission for an amenity park at Crossroads at Kelly Park. The Kelly Park Community Development District owns the property, listed as 0 Zepher Lily Avenue, and the application concerns Park Tract P1A-1.
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Discretionary funds and festival spending
The City Commission meets at 1:30 pm in the City Hall Commission Chambers. Among the business items is a review of Resolution No. 2025-34 concerning discretionary funds, presented by Mayor Nick Nesta.
Commissioners will also consider a budget amendment for Heart and Soul Fest, presented by Budget and Financial Planning Manager Katrina Gibson. The agenda does not specify the amendment’s dollar amount.
Three proposed Florida Department of Transportation traffic safety grants appear on the consent agenda. They total $67,000: $12,000 for impaired-driving enforcement, $35,000 for distracted driving and $20,000 for speeding and aggressive-driving enforcement.
Other consent items include street closures for the annual Foliage Sertoma Club of Apopka Christmas Parade, an updated memorandum of understanding with Valencia College, a code enforcement settlement for 718 S. Park Ave. and an Oakmoor utility upsizing agreement. Commissioners will also consider a facility use agreement with the Orlando Fire Department and equipment and supply contracts.
A public hearing item addresses Ordinance No. 3182, which would amend the Firefighters Retirement System Plan in connection with the recently approved collective bargaining agreement. The meeting also includes a Week of the Family proclamation.
Friday, Nov. 6: Four leadership positions up for ratification
Commissioners will meet again at 2 pm in the City Hall Commission Chambers. The agenda lists one business item: ratification of four City of Apopka directors, presented by Nesta.
The names and positions listed are:
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Cynthia Edwards, parks and recreation director.
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Robert Hippler, IT director.
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Zandra Balkcom, human resources director.
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Marcel Lee, chief financial officer.
The agenda places those ratifications before commissioners for action; it does not establish that they have already been approved. A public comment period is also scheduled.
Friday, Nov. 6: Parent’s Night Out at Camp Wewa
Camp Wewa will host Parent’s Night Out for children ages 9-13 at 221 S. Binion Road. The program includes dinner, games, crafts, a movie with popcorn and other activities supervised by camp staff.
Drop-off is from 5 to 5:30 pm, with pickup from 9 to 9:30 pm, both at the dining hall. The cost is $25 for Apopka residents and $30 for nonresidents, and registration closes Thursday, Nov. 5, or when all spaces are filled. Details and registration information are available on the city’s Parent’s Night Out page.
Saturday, Nov. 7: Horsepower for Heroes
The Apopka Police Department’s Horsepower for Heroes car show runs from 9 am to noon at Kit Land Nelson Park, 10 S. Forest Ave. The free community event will feature cars, law enforcement vehicles, local vendors, food, and music.
Vehicles of all years, makes, and models are welcome. Car registration is $25, includes a challenge coin, and supports Honor Flight Central Florida; awards are scheduled for 11:30 am. Visit the Horsepower for Heroes page for registration information.
Drivers should also plan for an event-related Orange Avenue closure. The city says the closure will begin at 7 am. Saturday, and reopen the road at 1 pm.
Following the meetings
Both City Commission agendas state that the meetings will be livestreamed on the City of Apopka’s YouTube channel. Residents attending in person who wish to speak should submit the appropriate intent-to-speak form to the city clerk before the meeting.
For calendar updates and event information, visit the City of Apopka website. Meeting items remain subject to commission or committee action.
Five key points
- The Development Review Committee meets Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 9 am to review three applications.
- The City Commission meets Wednesday at 1:30 pm to consider discretionary funds and a Heart and Soul Fest budget amendment.
- A Friday, Nov. 6, commission meeting at 2 pm includes ratification of four department leaders.
- Camp Wewa hosts Parent’s Night Out on Friday for children ages 9-13, with registration closing Thursday or when spaces fill.
- Horsepower for Heroes runs Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 am to noon at Kit Land Nelson Park, benefiting Honor Flight Central Florida.
