August 1 City Newsletter

OVIEDO I‌N THE ‌ EWS N CITY OF OVIEDO

AUGUST 2025

contents contents City Council News from City Hall Events Employment Projects Recreation and Parks Public Safety Our Environment For Your Health

UPCOMING MEETINGS: August 4, 2025 - City Council Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

August 18, 2025 - City Council Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

City Council Chambers Oviedo City Hall - 400 Alexandria Blvd., Oviedo

You can also view all public meetings live on the City's YouTube Channel!

September 1, 2025 Offices will reopen Tuesday, September 2

Art in the Chambers On May 5, 2025, the Oviedo City Council and Oviedo Public Arts Board opened the second Art in the Chambers Exhibition, displaying charcoal drawings by Ms. Wonda Granville, a local artist raised in Oviedo. Most of the charcoal drawings in the Oviedo exhibition are based on photographs of old Oviedo and old Central Florida.

Ms. Granville is an accomplished artist who has received several awards, including the best emerging artist award from the 65th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and the purchase award from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation.

The free exhibition will be open to the public from May 5, 2025, until September 5, 2025, during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some of the charcoal drawings are for sale, and 25% of the sale price will be donated to the Public Art Fund.

Get Notified! ​ e sure to sign up for notifications from the City of Oviedo. You can choose which topics you would like B to be notified about. When you sign up, you will be texted or emailed when events or meetings are happening. You can be informed about public City meetings, events, road closures, emergencies and city news. It is a great way to stay informed and when you see the questions about city projects on social media, you’ll have the answers!

HURRICANE SEASON - JUNE 1 - NOVEMBER 30 Hurricane Season is just around the corner and now is the time to prepare yourself, your family and your property to make sure you are ready should a storm come.

In 2024 we have Hurricanes Helene and Milton pass over and thankfully Oviedo was spared any significant damage. Use our website to download a checklist and make sure all the boxes are checked.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEBPAGE Sign up for Alert Seminole Don't wait until it's too late! Register online now and stay informed when severe weather comes our way. You will be notified with emergency messaging that could save your life. Residents in Seminole County can opt-in to emergency notifications by text, phone and emails.

REGISTER HERE FOR ALERT SEMINOLE

BE FLOOD AWARE It is a good time now to be Flood Aware and your insurance policy needs to be in place 30 days before a major storm event for claims.

Residents should know what they can do to protect their property before the summer storms and hurricane season. Heavy storms can come through our area on any given day during the rainy season, causing water to rise. Homes can easily flood, even if the homes/neighborhoods are not in a published flood hazard area. Here is some information the City can provide for you to help navigate through the insurance process.

If you would like to make an inquiry or need a copy of an elevation certificate or require a letter as verification, please tell us the street address and, if available, the subdivision, lot and block number. The City of Oviedo does not charge for this service. We are open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please contact the Stormwater Coordinator at 407-971-5682 or e-mail at akortus@cityofoviedo.net.

INTERACTIVE FLOOD MAP

Oviedo Cultural Center Rentals Do you have an event you're planning and looking for a venue to host it?

The Oviedo Cultural Center is the perfect place?

It is a full-service facility that can host events such as: Wedding Receptions Birthday Parties Retirement Parties Corporate Workshops/Functions Training and so much more To see what is offered and costs, please use THIS CULTURAL CENTER INFO LINK We have a list of vendors for use, tables/chairs/dance floor and may other amenities that come with package pricing. You can even rent the side stage, amphitheatre and lawn for your event! Free parking on site.

We are Hiring!

Here are the most up-to-date job listings!

Field Inspector - Full Time Heavy Equipment Operator - Full Time Maintenance Worker - Full Time Police Officer - Full Time - Sign On Bonus Police Officer Trainee - Full Time Water Quality Technician - Full Time

The City of Oviedo is Hiring! Check out the Sign-On Bonus! We offer full and part-time positions with benefits that fit your lifestyle, including Competitive wages, A complete Wellness plan with an on-site clinic at no cost to you, dental and vision plans, flex spending accounts and other voluntary supplemental coverages. We have a full retirement plan that includes a 401K plan with 5% matching, a 457 deferred compensation plan, Roth IRA and public safety pension plans. Paid time off includes holidays, vacation, sick and bereavement days. Other perks of the job include a free Employee Assistance Program, free recreation membership, city discounts, tuition reimbursement and best of all…a chance to advance in your career doing what you love!

Public Works Capital Improvement Projects The Public Works team has been busy working to establish an easy-to-use story board where citizens can check on the progress of any of our capital improvement programs and repairs happening around the city.

This map shows all projects for: Water Stormwater Reclaimed Water Wastewater Transportation To view the projects page, head to www.cityofoviedo.net and look for POPULAR LINKS Click on the Tab that says Public Works Capital Improvement Projects.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Upgrades The City of Oviedo is working with Duke Energy to coordinate the upgrades to the EV (Electric Vehicle) charging stations in the Center Lake Park Parking Lot. The work is starting Tuesday, July 15th and is expected to take several weeks, weather pending.

On Tuesday, the old EV charging stations will be removed and a new conduit will be installed to prepare for the new units.

Duke Energy, along with Miller Electric, is in the parking lot and will be working to upgrade the existing transformer next to the lift station. This requires a transformer replacement which will affect the fountain in the center of the lake, but will not affect any homes or businesses in the area. The transformer replacement is set to begin on Monday, July 23 and will require a road closure on Center Lake Lane for the crane. Please follow the posted detours and do not attempt to go around the barricades for the safety of the workers. This work should only take one day, weather permitting. The sidewalk in front of the lift station will also be closed to pedestrian traffic.

In place of the older chargers will be two new upgraded EV chargers that will have the capability of charging two vehicles at a time. This is double the capacity of what the current chargers can do.

It is anticipated that the new EV chargers will be ready for use mid to late August, pending all final testing and inspections.

Both the City and Duke Energy are excited to bring the new technology to our citizens who utilize the stations and we appreciate your patience while the upgrade is ongoing.

Coffee with a Cop Coffee with a Cop was a great success and we want to thank Chick-Fil-A for being the host site, providing games, the cow and even putting our officers to work in the drive-thru.

(They seemed to know everyone who came through!) It was a lot of fun seeing everyone enjoying themselves and talking to our officers!

😁

Check the Back Seat Leaving children or pets in a vehicle during extreme heat can be deadly—even if you’re only stepping away for a few minutes. The interior of a car can reach dangerous temperatures in a very short time.

Always check the back seat before exiting your vehicle. Look for children in car seats or pets that may be riding with you.

Florida’s Good Samaritan Law allows individuals to assist in emergency situations. If you see a child or pet locked in a hot car, call 9-1-1 immediately. In our Florida heat, overheating can happen fast.

Window and Door Alarms

We are getting into our hot season and this is the time of year where we spend a lot of time outside. The Fire Department has partnered with the Wesley Seth Foundation to make drowning deaths preventable. Fill out this INTEREST FORM and we can provide you with FREE door and window alarms that will alert you if a little one goes outside to explore and play in bodies of water. Florida has the highest drowning rates of children ages 0-9. Let’s prevent drownings!

Follow us!

Facebook: OviedoPD OviedoFireDepartment Twitter: @OviedoPD @OviedoFire

Oviedo Police officers always do great things and this week Unit Citation Awards were handed out to several officers for going above and beyond!

It's not about being a hero. It's about saving lives. Deputy Chief Brian Foley presented a unit citation to Officers Roderick Velazquez and Vladyslav Blagodar for their actions after a head on vehicle collision on June 17, 2025 that resulted in one of the cars catching fire. They responded and immediately began life saving efforts on one driver only 15 feet from the fire. They provided CPR and operated an AED, showing calm professionalism in the midst of chaos. Well done!

Congratulations to Sgt Justin Varkony, Detectives Junny Valerio and Brittany Warren and Officers Rishona Jerome, Frank Franze, Luis Garcia-Chow, Johnathan Lopes, Noah Reyes, Tyler Stimpson and Brian Chesnut for their Unit Citation Award that was presented this morning by Deputy Chief Brian Foley. Their actions on May 13, resulted in the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office apprehending and arresting three suspects on multiple felony charges related to reports of counterfeit money use near Mitchell Hammock and Broadway. Great job by all!

On May 8, Officers Joseph Meyer, Ryan Meyer, Luis Garcia-Chow and Noah Reyes responded to a 911 call of someone being threatened with a firearm. Upon arrival, they met with the victim, took the report and because of rapid communication and teamwork, they quickly located the suspect vehicle. They were able to conduct a traffic stop and secure the firearm. We have an amazing team at Oviedo Police!

RETIREMENTS Congratulations to our two retirees from Public Safety. Lt. John Miller and Sgt. Carl Rager. Both retired last month after long, dedicated service to the City of Oviedo. You will be missed by the City and the community. Both were always smiling, had a great sense of comradarie, loved their departments and all the citizens they served. We wish them a wonderful, relaxing retirement as they move into the next chapter of their lives!

Sgt. Carl Rager

Lt. John Miller

Medication Disposal Program The City of Oviedo offers a Medication Disposal Program, which allows Oviedo residents to dispose of non-liquid medications. The program is for residential customers only and does not include physician offices, nursing or assisted living facilities, pharmacies, or any other commercial business.

The Medication Disposal Program was developed to offer you an opportunity to properly dispose of prescribed medications. An alarming number of teenagers are discovering that prescription medications are easily available to them from their home medicine storage cabinet and are not aware of the health risks of taking prescribed medications not intended for their use. Now you have a method of disposing of unused medications or perhaps those that are out of date or no longer needed for individual health needs. In addition, following the passing of a family member, we are asked to dispose of those prescribed medications safely. This program is designed specifically for that purpose as well.

Disposal You may dispose of any non-liquid medications at: Oviedo Police Department Main Lobby 300 Alexandria Boulevard Oviedo, FL 32765 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Seminole County Sheriff's Office 1255 E. Broadway Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A self-deposit, self-serve Medication Disposal Container is located inside the main Police Department Lobby and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. All narcotics (pain and other medications) may be disposed of at this location. As a reminder, these types of medications may not be disposed of at the Oviedo Fire Administration Office or Fire Stations.

Liquid medications can be disposed of by pouring them into coffee grounds or cat litter and disposing of them in a plastic bag in your garbage.

PROMOTIONS

Official Pinning

The Oviedo Fire Department proudly announces the promotions of two firefighters to Engineer and Lieutenant.

On Friday, July 25, 2025, Oviedo Fire Chief Michael Woodward held an official pinning ceremony for Michael Radzak, who was promoted to Lieutenant and Tim Deppen, who was promoted to Engineer.

Lt. Radzak has been with the department for 11 years and has earned his certifications as Fire Officer I and II, Live Fire Instructor and has an Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medical Services.

Eng. Tim Deppen has been a firefighter for 21 years and in 2007 was recognized as Firefighter of the Year for his involvement immediately after a fatal plane crashed in a Sanford neighborhood. Deppen has been with Oviedo Fire Department since 2004 and helped plan the pre-fire plan program in the City.

“I am so proud of both of these firefighters,” said Fire Chief Michael Woodward.

“Both have stepped up for the Department and the crews they work with, working hard to earn these promotions. They are well deserved.”

The official pinning ceremony was held on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Fire Station 46.

Fire Chief Michael Woodward presided over the event, which was attended by fellow firefighters, command staff, and family members.

Water Conservation Water Conservation Be a Water Warrior!

The City would like to remind residents about the year-round watering restrictions that are in place for water conservation efforts. Please be sure to share this information with relatives, friends and neighbors to help with lawn irrigation.

During Daylight Saving Time (Spring Forward) the following restrictions apply for Reclaimed Water (Residential and Commercial) Residential with ODD or NO address - watering may only occur on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Residential with EVEN address - watering may only occur on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday Non-residential watering may only occur on Tuesday and Friday THERE IS NO WATERING BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM These restrictions apply to all municipal water users, including alternative, surface, reclaimed and potable water users.

Anyone who has questions can call the City of Oviedo at 407-971-5691

Survey the Septic!

The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.

Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.

These are the major factors that influence how often to pump your septic system: Household size Total wastewater generated Volume of solids in wastewater Septic tank size Failure to maintain or pump the system leads to surface water pollution including algae blooms, human health hazards, disease to local wildlife and harm to our ecosystem. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more than four billion gallons of wastewater from septic systems are dispersed underground every day.

“I’ve lived in this house many years and never pumped my septic tank, is that a problem?”

If the household has more than several occupants, this could mean several things; The tank may have a leak and the water is going directly into the ground instead of into the designed drain fields.

The tank could be full of solids, they could be slowly migrating into the drain fields and will eventually create a costly fix, potentially having to replace the whole system.

If the Grass is Greener check your Septic Tank!

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES Special Events Athletics Youth Adult Aquatics Youth Adults Seniors Activities Youth Teens Adults Seniors Parks and Facilities Senior Programs Oviedo Cultural Center Volunteer Opportunities

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED ON PROGRAMS

Facebook: OviedoRecNParks X: City of Oviedo Rec and Parks

TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS ONLINE: https://registration.cityofoviedo.net

Memberships Available for Residents and Non-Residents

Riverside Ribbon Cutting and Open House We had an amazing turnout for the official ribbon cutting of the Riverside Recreation Center! We want to thank everyone who came out to celebrate with us and enjoy the open house to see what kinds of programming we offer while giving us new suggestions! This will be THE place for seniors to come socialize, play games, get some exercise and have some fun in the mornings!

SPLASH ZONE HOURS SPLASH ZONE (3 SESSIONS) 12:00pm - 2:00pm (check in begins @ 11:30am) 2:00pm - 4:00pm (check in begins @ 1:30pm) 4:00pm - 6:00pm (check in begins @ 3:30pm)

Daily Admission: Oviedo City Resident - $6 Non-Resident - $9

Enjoy Our Facilities For Your Health Each month we will feature a place at our facilities where you can practice healthy habits throughout the year. These spaces will include not just physical health, but mental health breaks as well.

​TAI CHI AT RIVERSIDE RECREATION CENTER Tai Chi is an Eastern martial art that combines mind and body. It is a series of slow, deliberate and gentle movements with focused breathing and meditation. It is a non-impact practice (meaning no jumping or movements that will create high impact to the joints) and is perfect for someone looking to find a gentle exercise routine! Memberships are available for both residents and non-residents.

Tai Chi is practiced every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Riverside Park is located at 1600 Lockwood Blvd., Oviedo, FL 32765 Click here for more information about prices and lessons

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