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Oviedo in the News
Oviedo celebrates water conservation challenge and climate week
In the City of Oviedo, conservation isn't just an idea, it's at the very core of who we are. Together, we can all help our community save energy, save money, and protect the invaluable natural resources that truly define Oviedo as 'Family Community, Endless Opportunity.'
This April, the City is participating in two initiatives to further our mission of ensuring the natural and built environment in Oviedo is healthy and sustainable.
- Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation - The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation provides residents with opportunities to make water-friendly lifestyle changes on behalf of their City, undertaking home-based environmental projects that add up to cleaner, safer, communities and sharing tips and strategies with friends and neighbors. Participants in the winning cities are eligible to win prizes. Last year, the challenge awarded more than $50,000 in prizes to nearly 300 residents in participating cities. The challenge ends April 30. Visit MyWaterPledge.com to sign up and learn more.
- Florida Climate Week - Florida Climate Week, April 19 - 24, was designed to help residents understand the impacts changing climate has on the Sunshine State. The City is helping provide resources and information to help residents become part of the solution to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations.
Visit City Administration on Facebook to learn more about these initiatives, including water trivia at noon each Friday in April.
Oviedo has bright financial future despite COVID-19 pandemic
The City of Oviedo will emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic fiscally healthy, according to an annual financial review.
City Finance Department staff presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to the Oviedo City Council at its April 19 meeting. The report is required by the state and is through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2020. This annual report has garnered the City top honors from the Government Finance Officers Association, winning its "Excellence in Financial Reporting" award, 29 times, most recently in December 2020 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019.
Finance Director Jerry Boop said this positive news is a result of excellent leadership and hard work in every City department.
"The City responded immediately to COVID-19, and the projected financial impact it could have," Boop said. "With the lessons learned from the great recession of 2008, City leadership responded quickly and decisively by reviewing all activities and focused on its core operations."
Without knowing what to expect, or the depth of the economic impact resulting from the virus, expenditures were held to those that were absolutely essential. The City’s quick response to the pandemic resulted in far better financial results than could ever have been expected."
The independent public accounting firm Purvis Gray & Company, LLP wrote the report and presented it alongside City staff at the April 19 meeting. Highlights include:
- The City’s General Fund fared way better than expected despite COVID-19.
- Last year at this time, at the onset of COVID-19, the City was projecting a loss between $727,000 and $1,120,000.
- The City’s leadership responded quickly, focused on core operations, and eliminated all nonessential spending.
- An uptick in Florida’s economy, combined with leadership’s focus on core operations, provided for a $1.3 million increase in the fund balance of the General Fund.
- The City’s General Fund has a financially healthy position going into the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget.
To view the presentation in its entirety, click here and select the April 19 City Council Regular Meeting packet and/or video.
arbor day 2021 details
The City of Oviedo is excited to announce Arbor Day 2021! The event is first-come, first-served, and will take place 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1.
This year will be a drive-through event, following CDC guidelines and allowing residents to participate while staying safe. Two trees maximum, Oviedo residents only. City staff will check Florida Driver's License for proof of residency. If you're concerned about soil in your vehicle, please lay a cover down beforehand.
Please see the below flyer for more details.
Click here to download the Arbor Day flyer, Please print this flyer to make your tree selection and bring it with you May 1.
Call (407) 971-5668 for more information.
on the agenda
The Oviedo City Council is expected to decide on two proclamations recognizing upcoming events at its May 3 meeting.
- May 9 - 15 National Women's Lung Health Week
- May 9 - 15 National Police Week
To view all city meeting agendas and meeting packets, click here.
ROUNDABOUT RECONSTRUCTION TUESDAY, APRIL 27TH
The City will reconstruct the roundabout located at Franklin Street, Geneva Drive, Oviedo Boulevard, and Division Street 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 27
The following diagrams show how traffic will be re-routed as the work takes place on the north and south sides of the roundabout.
Traffic control will be in place to route vehicles safely around the work zone. Expect delays and please drive with caution if traveling in this area.
Chief's Corner
The last day of school for Seminole County is Wednesday, May 26. Early release dates for school are May 24 and 25, which are only partial days. The end of the school year is a time when many parents should start thinking about the unsupervised time their children will be facing, time spent home alone. It's also a time when additional officers are actively enforcing traffic laws, especially in school zones. Here are just a few tips to keep children safe.
- Slow down and be aware when driving, especially in neighborhoods where more kids who may run into roadways or walk out from between cars are out playing. Teach your children to make eye contact with a driver before they cross a street. Remind them to walk, not run across the road, and stop, look and listen before crossing the street. Talk to them about not jaywalking and crossing at intersections that have a marked crosswalk.
- Always watch for small children as you back your car up. Walk around your vehicle to make sure no kids or pets are behind it.
- Line up trustworthy childcare. This guarantees there is no lapse in supervision. Take time to do the research and make sure you are comfortable with the person or facility you choose. Plan activities. Too often a bored child will find mischief. Summer camps, community educations classes, youth groups, or mission trips are all great ways to help your kids stay engaged. The City of Oviedo offers many programs over the summer. Check them out.
- Protect those children staying home alone. Lay down some rules and guidelines and let your children know there are consequences for not following them. You will want to make sure your child knows how to operate any safety measures that are in place at home and how to call for help if needed. Make sure they do not share garage door codes with friends. Inform friends of your rules.
For kids, summer is all about hanging with their friends. For you, this means supervising and being responsible for more kids than just your own. Make sure, the children and the parents know your rules and expectations.
We know kids may make some bad decisions and sometimes hang out with others who may lead them the wrong way. There are little things we can do to help children make the right decisions so they don't wind up in the back of an ambulance or a police car. The best way to do this is to self-educate ourselves on steps we can take. Google "end of school safety tips" to learn more.
Dale Coleman
Oviedo Chief of Police
City of Oviedo Job Opportunities
Come join the amazing team that serves our community! The below positions are full-time and come with many excellent benefits! Click here to learn more and apply online.
- Development Review Coordinator
- Building Custodian
- Maintenance Worker I - Recreation & Parks
- Plant Maintenance & Electrical Technician
- Lift Station Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Operator
Mitchell Hammock Resurfacing Project CONTINUES
Mitchell Hammock Resurfacing Work will continue throughout the month of April.
The City will close various lanes of Mitchell Hammock Rd. 7 p.m. - 6 a.m. through the end of April between Tee it Up (Driving Range) & Lockwood Blvd. for resurfacing.
Please drive with caution and allow for delays.
SEMINOLE COUNTY COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
Seminole County is offering COVID-19 vaccines for area residents. Please visit PrepareSeminole.org to view eligible groups as the state continues to expand eligibility. Appointments are required. Register online.
Visit PrepareSeminole.org for more information, including testing and vaccine availability through pharmacies, stores, and local organizations. The Seminole County Citizen Information Hotline is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 407-665-0000.
the 9 p.m. routine
We send a friendly reminder every night through social media to head out to make sure you've done the #9pmRoutine: A nightly plan to make your vehicle and home more secure. It's important because thieves often look for opportunities such as unlocked doors and unlocked vehicles. At 9 p.m. remember to:
-Check your vehicle for visible valuables
-Lock car doors
-Make sure your home is well-lit
-Lock all your doors
Join the conversation with #HeyOviedo and #9pmRoutine or share our posts on FB and help spread the word. Real Wans know.
@OviedoPD
The Wild Side of Oviedo
We're highlighting animals found in our community. You'll never know what furry, feathery, or scaly friends you'll find in your backyard!
THE AMERICAN RIVER OTTER
The North American Otter is especially sensitive to pollution and their numbers are rapidly declining in Florida; they have disappeared already from 11 states.
Otters have been sighted in the Live Oak Reserve area in Oviedo!
Otters live in the banks of rivers and ponds, and their homes are called Holts. They have also been known to live in wetlands. They are mostly awake at nighttime (nocturnal) and eat mostly fish but also hunt for turtles, raccoons, and small alligators.
The American River Otter is a very social animal, usually living as a family. They have two coats of fur, the undercoat traps air while they are swimming, and the guard hair on top which is a protective layer and is waterproof. Otters can stay underwater for up to eight minutes.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Current and Upcoming Asphalt resurfacing of various streets
Several streets in Oviedo will get resurfaced in the coming months. A regular program of road resurfacing is necessary to prevent City maintained roads from deteriorating to the point where reconstruction is necessary. Traffic will be rerouted during the operation.
The City will continue to release information as these projects begin and are in progress.
Project Timeline
- Mitchell Hammock Road – April 5th to April 30th (night work)
- Norma Ave / Clonts Street / Whispering Woods - April 19th to April 30th (day work)
- S Lake Jessup Ave / Garden Street / Milton Square - April 26th to May 7th (day work)
- Kingsbridge East / Waverlee Woods - May 3rd to May 14th (day work)
- Live Oak Reserve Blvd - May 10th to May 21st (day work)
These timelines are approximate and may change due to weather or unforeseen events.
PUBLIC PARKING LOT ON THE CORNER OF N DIVISION STREET AND E FRANKLIN STREET
The eastern entrance and eastern section of the public parking lot located on the corner of N Division Street and E Franklin Street is closed until further notice. The western entrance and western section of the parking lot will remain open for public access.
GENEVA DRIVE - ROAD CLOSURE FROM THE ROUNDABOUT TO THE WESTERN ENTRANCE TO CITIZENS BANK
Geneva Drive will close, as needed, from the roundabout to the western entrance of Citizens Bank during the construction of the Solary Park Project. Maintenance of traffic will be in place to route vehicular traffic safely around the work zone. The Project is currently under construction and is estimated to be completed in August 2021.
SIDEWALK CLOSURES - EAST FRANKLIN STREET AND GENEVA DRIVE
Closures to the sidewalks adjacent to East Franklin Street and Geneva Drive will occur during the construction of the Solary Park Project. The Project is currently under construction and is estimated to be completed in August 2021.
CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN OVIEDO
Click the photo below to view current development projects in Oviedo.