May 6, 2016
In This Issue
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Human Resources Director Kandace Tappen

Haines City is hiring! Please visit us at hainescity.com/jobs to view a listing of positions open to receive applications.  When completed, your application and resume may be e-mailed to jobs@hainescity.com. For more information, please call Human Resources (863) 421-9927. 
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Assistant Fire Chief, Stuart McCutcheon

Firefighters Rescue Man From Burning Building
Haines City firefighters responded to a multi-family housing fire early on the morning of April 28, 2016, and pulled a sleeping man to safety. When emergency crews arrived at 1111 Ave F., bystanders told firefighters that one person was still inside. Acting quickly, the firefighters entered the structure and knocked down the fire coming down the hallway while the tenant rooms were searched for occupants. 

Firefighters located a locked door that was breached open by the rescue crew. Upon entering the room, firefighters discovered a male resident still sleeping in his bed. Although the room was filled with smoke, firefighters were able to rescue the man by getting him out of the building while crews were battling the fire. The man was treated and released by Polk County Fire Rescue for smoke inhalation. The housing unit was home to eight people. The Red Cross is assisting the victims.
 
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Assistant Fire Chief, Stuart McCutcheon

Firefighters Rescue Puppy from Storm Drain
Lt Bruce Mace (left) and FF Mitch Lamm (right) with the rescued puppy.
Haines City firefighters performed a different kind of rescue on April 27, 2016, when they received a call from a concerned citizen that an animal was trapped in a storm drain. When they arrived at the intersection of Melbourne Avenue and North 24th Street in Haines City, they found a small puppy had apparently fallen down into the drain. 
Ember- Firehouse Dog

Firefighters removed the cover to the drain and were able to retrieve the puppy. Fortunately, the puppy did not have any obvious injuries, but one firefighter wanted to be sure. 

After no owner came forward to claim the puppy, firefighter Alex Diemer took it upon himself to clean and feed the young animal and take him to a veterinarian for care. FF Diemer had the puppy checked for an identification chip and paid for his initial vaccinations. If no owner is located, FF Diemer plans to give the puppy a good home with him.
 
This is not the first time the Haines City Fire Department has come to the aid of an abandoned dog. Ember, an American Staffordshire terrier, was found muzzled and tied to a tree in 2012. The Fire Department rescued her and she now lives a comfortable life as the station mascot. 
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Utilities Director, Michael Stripling

Are You Over-watering Your Yard?  
The Haines City Water Utility Division and Southwest Florida Water Management District are offering a FREE Landscape and Irrigation Evaluation to costumers that currently have an irrigation system using potable (drinking) water. 

For a limited time, participants will receive at no charge the following:
  • A complete irrigation system evaluation
  • Recommendations on how to improve your irrigation system and save water
  • Landscape evaluation with planting recommendations
  • Installation of a rain sensor device if one does not exist or is not operating properly
  • Assistance with your timer
  • A free water conservation kit

To be eligible, you must be a Haines City residential, commercial or multi-family water utility customer with an operable in-ground irrigation system.

To apply for your Landscape and Irrigation Evaluation please download the application below, print it and mail to:

 

Utilities Department
426 Claude Holmes Senior Avenue
Haines City, FL 33844

For more information, please contact the Utility Division at (863) 421-3696.

Download(s)

Landscape & Irrigation Evaluation Application

 
UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Utilities Director Michael Stripling

The Haines City Utilities Department is seeing growth. Two of the newest subdivisions are Balmoral Estates and Carlisle Grande.

Balmoral Estates is located on South US Highway 27, south of US Highway 17/92 interchange and will build 3 Phases. Completion of Phase 1 is half way finished and will have 102 homes.

Carlisle Grande is located on North US Highway 27, north of the Heart of Florida Hospital and will also build 3 Phases. Phase 1 will have 57 homes and construction is half way completed.

Below are aerial photos of Balmoral Estates:

View of NE of Lift Stations in Phase 1

View of Sewer Dewatering in Phase 1

This set of photos are of Carlisle Grande as they are flushing a swab AKA (pig) through the water line to clean any debris out of the line. 
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Development Services Director Richard Greenwood, AICP

Two New Commercial Developments Coming to Haines City

Little Caesars - Planned for the corner of US Hwy 17/92 and Johnson Avenue
Little Caesars is in the process of securing permits to build a new restaurant just northeast of the corner of US Hwy 17/92 and Johnson Avenue in Haines City.  The restaurant will be 1,500 square feet and will offer their trademarked "HOT-N-READY" pizzas in a drive-through or carry-out capacity.  The City of Haines City would like to welcome this new addition for "Pizza, Pizza!"

Rendering of a Little Caesars Restaurant

Family Dollar Store Planned for the corner of Lockhart Avenue and US Hwy 17/92
US Hwy 17/92, Family Dollar will build a new retail store on the corner of Lockhart Avenue and US Hwy 17/92.  The retail store will be 8,320 square feet when completed.  According to their website, "In addition to offering quality merchandise at low prices, Family Dollar is committed to the communities we serve by supporting the non-profit organizations that seek to improve the quality of life for our customers and Team Members."  This store will help continue the vision of Haines City in moving towards the future and providing citizens with necessities in their everyday lives.

Rendering of Family Dollar
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Parks & Recreation Director Auburn Taylor

Parks Department

Upcoming Hurricane Season
On May 2, 2016, the Park Department was notified that all Parks Department attendees of the Florida Department of Transportation Approved Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Intermediate course have passed their exams and certificates have been issued. Attendees of the training were Josh Sasnett, Katie Fussell, Jeff Hipley, Joe Jackson and Lamar Cliett.

The Parks Department's other staff project at this time is the Department of Corrections certifications. These will allow our certified staff to supervise an inmate work crew from the Department of Corrections, that would be supplied to the city in case of natural disasters such as hurricane damage, flooding, etc. The background checks are already being processed at this time and the training will be held during the month of June. We are sending eight staff members to this training.
 
Both of these certifications will work together in establishing and maintaining traffic flow and debris removal during these times of flooding and road blockages.

Haines City Public Library

Get Caught Reading Month
Celebrate National Get Caught Reading Month during the month of May with the Haines City Public Library and you could WIN! For your entry to win one of our brand new canvas library totes filled with fun goodies, catch your friends or loved ones reading and share with us on Instagram using #GetCaughtReadingHCPL. Don't forget to tag us in your posts too! @hainescitypubliclibrary 

Star Wars Fans
Save the date: October 8, 2016! Star Wars Reads Day returns to the Haines City Public Library. This year promises to be bigger and better. More details to come.



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WOW (Watched Outstanding Work!)

The City of Haines City would like to thank all of our excellent, dedicated employees and volunteers who help make the City a great place to work, live and play. Have you "Watched Outstanding Work" within the City lately? Let us know at wow@hainescity.com.