Lake Wales meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Lake Wales Commission Agendas Include Trail Design Contract, Developer Credit

Lake Wales city boards and commissions held several meetings over the past two weeks, with the City Commission's agendas featuring a proposed trail design contract and a developer credit agreement. Minutes for these meetings have not yet been published, so no official decisions are available to report.

City Commission

The City Commission held a workshop on July 29 and a regular meeting on August 4. Both agendas included two notable items:

• **Tower Blvd. Trail design contract:** An agreement with AVCON for civil engineering and design services for the Tower Blvd. Trail.
• **Developer credit agreement:** A credit against impact fees for the Bok Estates project, also known as Ridge Luxury Townhomes, under City Code Section 23-770.

The workshop agenda also included a presentation on the South Polk Pathways to Prosperity initiative, a discussion on verifying residency for Commission candidates, and a discussion on NGO funding. The regular meeting agenda added a proclamation for Water Professionals Month, approval of minutes from July 21 and July 29, and the Commission's August meeting calendar.

No vote tallies or dollar amounts were listed in the agendas.

Pension Boards

Two pension boards met on July 27:

• **Lake Wales Firefighters Pension Board:** Agenda items included approval of the annual administrative budget, updates from the custodian, investment manager, investment consultant, and attorney, plus consent items for previous minutes and an accounting report.
• **Lake Wales Police Officers Pension Board:** The board was set to review the annual administrative budget, receive a custodian update, and hear reports from the investment manager, investment consultant, and attorney. The agenda also included a consent agenda for minutes and an accounting report, as well as an open forum for public comment.

Both meetings were listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published.

Police Advisory Board

The Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board met on July 27. The agenda included approval of minutes from May 18, 2026, a discussion of police activity, and general communication. No specific action items or public hearings were listed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

Lake Wales meetings set borrowing, zoning, and trail design items — but no outcomes confirmed yet

Lake Wales residents had a full slate of public meetings in late July, covering more than $17 million in proposed borrowing, zoning changes, pension board budgets, and a trail design contract. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so no final decisions, votes, or dollar approvals can be confirmed from the available record. What follows is what was on each agenda.

City Commission Regular Meeting — July 21, 2026

The City Commission agenda included two major financing items:

• **Resolution 2026-11 / Capital Improvement Revenue Note Series 2026A** — a proposed loan of up to $10,607,000 for public safety improvements, specifically the police annex and fire stations #2 and #3.
• **Resolution 2026-12 / Capital Improvement Revenue Note Series 2026B** — a proposed loan of up to $7,052,000 for public parking and other capital improvements.

Together, the two notes could total up to $17,659,000 in borrowing.

The agenda also listed two public hearings:

• **Ordinance 2026-22** — a zoning map amendment to rezone approximately 2 acres from R-1B Residential to C-3 Highway Commercial, described in the agenda as for a hotel.
• **Ordinance 2026-21** — second reading and public hearing on amendments to Chapter 23 Land Development Regulations.

The consent agenda included a two-year mass transit service contract with the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (Citrus Connection) and a special event permit for the Lights and Laces Winter Classic 5K race.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed whether these items were adopted, tabled, or amended.

City Commission Workshop Meeting — July 29, 2026

The workshop agenda included:

• A proposed agreement with **AVCON** for civil engineering and design services for the **Tower Blvd Trail**.
• A **Developer Credit Agreement** for **Bok Estates**, also known as **Ridge Luxury Townhomes**, regarding impact fees under City Code Section 23-770.
• A presentation on the **South Polk Pathways to Prosperity** initiative.
• A discussion on verification of residency for Commission candidates.
• A discussion on NGO funding.

No vote tallies or contract amounts are available in the agenda record, and minutes have not been published.

Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board — July 27, 2026

This board's agenda was limited to approving minutes from its May 18, 2026 meeting, a discussion of police activity, and general communication. The agenda contained no specific action items or public hearings.

Firefighters Pension Board — July 27, 2026

The Lake Wales Firefighters Pension Board agenda listed consideration and possible approval of the annual administrative budget, plus updates from the custodian, investment manager, investment consultant, and attorney. The consent agenda included previous meeting minutes and an accounting report.

Police Officers Pension Board — July 27, 2026

The Lake Wales Police Officers' Retirement System board agenda similarly listed review of the annual administrative budget, a custodian update, and reports from the investment manager, investment consultant, and attorney. The agenda also included a consent agenda for minutes and an accounting report, and an open forum for public comment.

What this means for residents

The proposed borrowing items on the July 21 agenda — up to $10,607,000 for police and fire facilities and up to $7,052,000 for parking — represent the largest dollar figures on any recent agenda. If adopted, they would affect public safety infrastructure and downtown-area parking. The zoning item could change land use on a 2-acre parcel. However, none of these outcomes is confirmed without published minutes.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should watch the City of Lake Wales official calendar for newly posted meetings and for minutes from the July sessions, which have not yet been published.

Lake Wales boards weigh $17.7M in public-safety and parking loans, 164-acre annexation, and $610K housing request

Lake Wales officials packed the last two weeks with land-use, budget, and redevelopment discussions, though minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings. The following items were on the agendas as scheduled; confirmed outcomes are not yet available.

City Commission — July 7

The commission's regular meeting agenda included second readings and public hearings on several major land-use changes:

• **Hunt Bros Mixed Use Annexation** — approximately 164 acres, covered by Ordinances 2026-12, 2026-13, and 2026-14, with associated Future Land Use Map and zoning map amendments.
• **Hickory Ridge FLUM and Zoning** — 47 acres, Ordinances 2026-15 and 2026-16.
• **Downtown Historic Overlay District** — Ordinance 2026-20, enhanced maintenance standards (second reading).
• **Library impact fees** — ordinance to allow spending on collection items (second reading).
• **Hotel zoning** — Ordinance 2026-22, zoning map amendment changing 2+ acres from R-1B residential to C-3 Highway Commercial.

Consent agenda items included a contract award for a City Hall generator to Zabatt Engine Services under FEMA and CDBG disaster recovery grants, approval of Engineered Sprayed Solutions to coat 31 wastewater manholes, and special event permits for a World Cup Watch Party (July 18–19, 2026, in Downtown Market Place) and the Lake Wales Woman's Club Plant & Garden Festival (Oct. 17, 2026, with Cypress Garden Lane closure).

City Commission Workshop — July 15

The workshop agenda featured the largest dollar items of the period:

• **Resolution 2026-11**: Capital Improvement Revenue Note Series 2026A, up to $10,607,000, for the police annex and fire stations #2 and #3.
• **Resolution 2026-12**: Capital Improvement Revenue Note Series 2026B, up to $7,052,000, for parking-related capital projects.

Together the two notes total roughly $17.7 million. The agenda also called for adopting the 2026 taxable-value certification, setting the interim millage rate, and scheduling FY26–27 budget hearings. A two-year mass-transit service contract with Citrus Connection was listed, along with the same hotel zoning amendment (Ordinance 2026-22) and a special event permit for the Lights and Laces Winter Classic 5K race on Dec. 12, 2026.

Community Redevelopment Agency — July 14

The CRA board agenda centered on housing and downtown improvements:

• **Grove Manor Phase III** — $610,000 funding request from the Lake Wales Housing Authority.
• **Downtown Parking Study** — presentation by Kimley-Horn.
• **Lincoln Avenue and A Street Streetscape** — Halff agreement proposal.
• **Ridge Scenic Highway Trail** — project management services agreement with Colliers Project Leaders.
• **Business Incentive Program** — applications for 10 S. 1st St. and 1109 Bryn Mawr Ave.
• **Food-Related Services Grant** — application from McGowin's On Park at 247 East Park Avenue.

Code Enforcement Board — July 13

The board was scheduled to hear 13 cases, including several fine-reduction requests. Listed cases included:

• Case 2023-00348 (reduction): City vs. Omar Ahmad Alqurishi, 340 Dr J A Wiltshire Ave W.
• Cases 2008-00008 and 2024-00407 (both reductions): City vs. Gospel Missions LLC, 605 Wales Dr N.
• Case 2025-00255: City vs. Brian K Denton, 23 Sessoms Ave W.
• Case 2026-00098: City vs. Giovanni Toscano, 411 Harding Ave.
• Case 2025-00476: City vs. Dorla J Trotman, 1069 E Grove Ave.

The board was also set to vote on a board member application.

Coming up

• **July 27 — Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board**: Routine monthly meeting; agenda includes approval of May 18 minutes and discussion of police activity. No specific action items.
• **July 27 — Lake Wales Firefighters Pension Board**: Will consider the annual administrative budget and hear reports from the custodian, investment manager, investment consultant, and attorney.
• **July 27 — Lake Wales Police Officers Pension Board**: Will review the annual administrative budget, receive a custodian update, and hear investment and attorney reports. An open forum for public comment is included.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" — minutes have not yet been published, so vote tallies and final outcomes are not available. Readers should consult official city records for confirmed results.

Lake Wales meetings packed with land-use votes, street projects, and contracts — but outcomes still pending

Lake Wales officials had a full slate of meetings in early July, with agendas covering a 164-acre annexation, a $50,000 facade grant, multiple streetscape agreements, and several contract awards. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so it is not yet possible to confirm what was decided. What follows is what was scheduled for consideration.

Community Redevelopment Agency — July 1

The CRA Board agenda included a vote on a $50,000 Historic Restoration Facade Grant for 101 E. Park Avenue.

Also on the agenda: Addendum #3 with Chastain-Skillman/DCCM for the 1st Street/Central Avenue streetscape project, a proposed agreement with Catalyst Design Group for that same streetscape, and two proposed agreements with Colliers Project Leaders — one for the RAISE Grant streetscape re-design and pre-construction, and another for the Walesbilt Hotel and Stuart Avenue streetscape projects.

None of these outcomes are confirmed; minutes were not yet published.

City Commission Workshop — July 1

The commission workshop agenda listed multiple ordinance readings and contract items.

Land-use items scheduled for second reading included the Hunt Bros mixed-use annexation, FLUM, and zoning for 164± acres (Ordinance 2026-12/13/14); the Hickory Ridge FLUM and zoning amendments on 47 acres; and a library impact fees ordinance allowing spending on collection items.

First readings were scheduled for a right-of-way vacation and Ordinance 2026-22, which would rezone 2± acres from R-1B to C-3 Highway Commercial for a hotel project.

Contract items on the workshop agenda included a City Hall generator award to Zabatt Engine Services, funded through FEMA/CDBG-DR grants, and a wastewater manhole rehabilitation contract to Engineered Sprayed Solutions for 31 manholes.

The agenda also listed Ordinance 2026-20, proposing enhanced maintenance standards for the Downtown Historic Overlay District.

City Commission Regular Meeting — July 7

The regular meeting agenda carried many of the same items forward for second readings and public hearings, including:

• Hunt Bros mixed-use annexation of 164 acres with associated FLUM and zoning map amendments (second reading)
• Hickory Ridge FLUM and zoning map amendments on 47 acres (second reading)
• Downtown Historic Overlay District enhanced maintenance standards ordinance (second reading)
• Library impact fees ordinance allowing spending on collection items (second reading)

First readings and public hearings were scheduled for the C-3 Highway Commercial rezoning of 2 acres and a right-of-way vacation on 9th Street North.

The consent agenda included the City Hall generator contract award to Zabatt Engine Services via FEMA/CDBG-DR grants and approval of Engineered Sprayed Solutions to coat 31 wastewater manholes.

Special event permits on the agenda: a World Cup Watch Party scheduled for July 18–19, 2026, in the Downtown Market Place, and the Lake Wales Woman's Club Plant & Garden Festival on October 17, 2026, with a closure of Cypress Garden Lane.

What residents should watch for

Because minutes are not yet available, the actual vote tallies and outcomes for every item above remain unconfirmed. Residents interested in the Hunt Bros annexation, the Hickory Ridge land-use changes, the downtown maintenance standards, or the streetscape agreements should check the City of Lake Wales website for posted minutes, which will show what passed, what failed, and how commissioners voted.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Watch the city's official calendar for newly posted agendas.

Lake Wales Commission Workshop Yields No Votes; 164-Acre Annexation Vote Set for July 7

Lake Wales officials spent the past two weeks reviewing funding requests and land-use proposals, but the only meeting with published minutes produced no formal decisions. The most consequential items — including a 164-acre mixed-use annexation — are scheduled for the July 7 City Commission meeting.

City Commission Workshop (July 1)

The City Commission held a workshop to review updates and funding requests from cultural groups, downtown revitalization efforts, and economic development initiatives. Presenters detailed operational costs, attendance metrics, and proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.

No motions were introduced, and no items were approved, denied, or tabled, according to the official minutes.

Community Redevelopment Agency Agenda (July 1)

The CRA agenda listed a $50,000 facade grant for 101 East Park Avenue under a historic restoration grant program. The agenda also included several professional service agreements tied to streetscape and hotel development projects:

• Agreement with Catalyst Design Group for the 1st Street/Central Avenue Streetscape
• Addendum #3 with Chastain-Skillman/DCCM for the 1st Street/Central Avenue Streetscape
• Colliers Project Leaders proposal for RAISE Grant Streetscape redesign
• Colliers Project Leaders proposal for Walesbilt Hotel and Stuart Avenue projects

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Planning & Zoning Board Agenda (June 23)

The Planning & Zoning Board was scheduled to consider a major modification to the Special Exception Use Permit for the Hunt Club Grove residential project, as well as a zoning map amendment and major site plan for the Lake Wales Hotel under Ordinance 2026-22.

The agenda also included proposed amendments to Chapter 23 of the Land Development Regulations under Ordinance 2026-21, and two board member appointments: Ralph Marino and Robin Gibson.

Minutes have not yet been published, so no votes or outcomes can be reported.

Coming Up

City Commission Regular Meeting — July 7, 2026

The Commission will hold public hearings and second readings on two major land-use changes:

• **Hunt Bros Mixed Use Annexation** (Ordinances 2026-12, 13, 14) — 164 acres
• **Hickory Ridge FLUM and Zoning** (Ordinances 2026-15, 16) — 47 acres

Other scheduled items include:

• Contract award for a City Hall generator to Zabatt Engine Services, funded through FEMA/CDBG grants
• Ordinance 2026-20: Enhanced maintenance standards for the Downtown Historic Overlay District
• Ordinance 2026-22: Zoning map amendment for a hotel (2+ acres to C-3 Highway Commercial) — first reading

The July 7 meeting is the next opportunity for residents to hear and comment on these items before the Commission.

Lake Wales CRA, City Commission Tackle Major Annexation, Streetscape, and Facade Grants

Lake Wales officials considered a slate of development and infrastructure items during back-to-back meetings on July 1, including a proposed 164-acre mixed-use annexation, a $50,000 historic facade grant, and multiple streetscape projects. Both the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City Commission held meetings that day; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes of votes are not yet known.

Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting

The CRA Board's agenda included a vote on a $50,000 Historic Restoration Facade Grant for 101 E. Park Avenue. Also on the docket were several agreements tied to downtown streetscape improvements:

• Addendum #3 with Chastain-Skillman/DCCM for the 1st Street/Central Avenue streetscape project.
• An agreement proposal with Catalyst Design Group for the same 1st Street/Central Avenue project.
• Two agreement proposals with Colliers Project Leaders: one for the RAISE Grant streetscape re-design and pre-construction, and another for the Walesbilt Hotel and Stuart Avenue streetscape projects.

All items were listed for consideration; final votes have not been confirmed.

City Commission Workshop

The City Commission workshop on July 1 covered ordinance readings, contract awards, and appointments. Key agenda items included:

• Contract award for a City Hall generator to Zabatt Engine Services, funded through FEMA/CDBG-DR grants.
• Wastewater manhole rehabilitation contract to Engineered Sprayed Solutions for repair of 31 manholes.
• First reading of Ordinance 2026-22 to rezone approximately 2 acres from R-1B to C-3 Highway Commercial for a hotel project.
• Second readings of Ordinances 2026-12, 2026-13, and 2026-14: the Hunt Bros mixed-use annexation, Future Land Use Map amendment, and zoning change covering 164 acres. This is the largest land-use item on the agenda.
• Ordinance 2026-20, which would establish enhanced maintenance standards for the Downtown Historic Overlay District.

The commission also was scheduled to consider special event permits and board appointments.

Coming Up

As of July 5, no upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Check city and CRA websites for future agendas.