April 2014 - In This Issue:

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) celebrated Water Conservation Month at its March 25 meeting with a proclamation and announcement by Mayor Teresa Jacobs of her support of the
SMART IRRIGATION STUDY
In 2005, Orange County Utilities began an extensive effort to develop the plans for alternate water sources in Orange County due to the prediction that the primary source of drinking water in Florida (the Floridan Aquifer) would reach its sustainable level by 2013. Research at the University of Florida and in other areas of the U.S. has shown that Smart Irrigation Controllers have the potential to conserve water by efficiently scheduling irrigation.

 

Since more than 50 percent of the residential water use is for irrigation, Orange County Utilities became interested in Smart Irrigation Controllers as a potential practice to reduce landscape irrigation water use with residential customers.

 

Commissioner Boyd is a strong proponent of this study. Coming from an agricultural background, he realizes the great importance of water conservation. He has been instrumental in gaining support for the project, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners in August of 2009, and he continues to champion the effort today.

 

Customer water use is being tracked for at least a three-year period, and recommendations will be made to the Water Management Districts to support any potential rulemaking regarding the use of Smart Irrigation Devices.

  

As of February 2014, Utilities began to survey all 167 study participants to gain valuable insight about the products being tested and the study overall. The completed dataset is being analyzed now.

 

The final report for Phase I of the project will be completed by December 2014.

 

It is certainly an exciting time when technology is developed that can improve our stewardship of the natural and economic resources for our community.

 

For more information, see the most current report on the Smart Irrigation Study.

WINDERMERE OFFICER TRIBUTE
As a sign of Windermere's unified sympathy and support of its Police Department and the Officers who serve and protect daily, Windermere residents are encouraged to place a blue ribbon on your mailboxes or light poles through April 21, 2014. This is the official mourning period honored by all police officers in Orange County for Officer Robert German.

While we honor Officer German, it is our hope that this display of respect will also send a strong message of support to the entire Windermere Police Department as they resume their official duties. While this tragedy has shocked all of us, we are privileged to live in a great town that will never forget the sacrifice of Officer German and his fellow Law Enforcement Officers. 
UF/IFAS EXTENSION EDUCATION CENTER
The UF/IFAS Extension and Education Center is a partnership between Orange County and the Unviersity of Florida, where Orange County citizens can take advantage of the univeristy's extensive knowledge base, which is at the heart of the "Cooperative" Extension Service mission.

 

At the Center, County Extension faculty develop educational programs based on issues such as sustainable agriculture, competitiveness in world markets, natural resource conservation, energy conservation, food safety, child and family development, consumer credit counseling, and youth development.

 

Check out the Center's monthly Event Calendar for classes, workshops, youth activities and more.

 

For more information about the wealth of resources available to all Orange County citizens, please visit the Orange County Extension Education Center's website.
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WHAT'S NEW THIS MONTH!
April 2014

Hopefully many of you were able to enjoy some relaxing time with your families during Spring Break! April has a whole new set of exciting happenings with Passover, Easter and Earth Day around the corner. In addition, April is Water Conservation Month, and below you'll find some fantastic educational events in which you can participate for FREE.

 

The District 1 Office also will be participating in the following events:

  • Earth Day Proclamation at the BCC Meeting on April 22
  • Arbor Day Tree Planting at the Orange County Administration Building on April 25

Enjoy your latest issue of the District 1 Newsletter!
HOT TOPICS
Current Projects & New Developments

Water conservation is certainly a top-of-mind issue this month. In District 1, environmental preservation, water quality and

consideration of our natural resources are always a chief concern. We are blessed to have an abundance of beautiful lakes and streams in our District, and protecting them is a priority now and for future generations.

 

As we shine a light on water conservation this month, there are multiple events in which you can participate and learn more.

 

Our friends at Orange County Utilities are holding several FREE workshops:

 

Free Florida-Friendly Landscape Workshops: April 12 & 17

 

Learn about the nine principles of Florida-Friendly landscaping

such as the importance of putting the right plant in the right place, how to irrigate efficiently by grouping plants based on watering needs, how to manage yard pests, and much more.

  • Saturday, April 12 - 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the South Creek Branch Library (1702 Deerfield Blvd., Orlando 32837)
  • Thursday, April 17 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Orange County Extension Education Center (6021 S. Conway Rd., Orlando 32812)

 

Basic Landscape Design Workshop: April 23

 

Attendees will use the nine Florida-Friendly principles in a

hands-on activity to learn the types of landscaping that can be used for yard design.

  • Wednesday, April 23 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the South Creek Branch Library (1702 Deerfield Blvd., Orlando 32837)

To register for any of the above workshops, please visit www.OCFloridaFriendly.Eventbrite.com  or call 407-254-9850 (select option 1, then option 2). 

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Avalon Rural Settlement
The Lake Avalon community was designated a Rural Settlement by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners in May 2004. Limited neighborhood, commercial and office uses are allowed in the rural settlement to support the community's residents.

 

With its history dating from the 1920s, the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement designation will help to ensure that this community's rural lifestyle remains in place for the next several decades, while maintaining and enhancing the community's serene standard of living.

 

Recently, the District 1 Office worked collaboratively with the community to identify traffic calming measures in the Avalon Rural Settlement. Following a community meeting in March and subsequent work with Orange County staff, speed humps were identified as a solution to help slow traffic, ensure speed limits are adhered to and keep motorists and pedestrians in the area safe. 

 

The Orange County Comptroller is currently preparing a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) ballot to be mailed to the property owners affected by the project. If approved by 66 percent of the property owners, the project will be scheduled for a BCC Public Hearing. The property owners will be funding a portion of the project through the MSBU if approved.

 

This improvement will help to uphold the quality of life within the rural settlement.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Get Involved!

The following meetings are currently scheduled through the end of April:

  • Cypress Point Planned Development (Dr. Phillips) -Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 6 p.m. at Dr. Phillips Elementary School Cafeteria, 6909 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819.  
  • National Spa & Resort Planned Development (Dr. Phillips) - Meeting will be held April 16, 2014. Location to be determined.
Official meeting notices will be sent via email and posted on Facebook as they become available.
Sincerely,

 

S. Scott Boyd
Orange County Commissioner, District 1
201 S. Rosalind Avenue, 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
PH: 407.836.7350
FX: 407.836.5357