FALL 2008.indd

Fall 2008
City of Kissimmee Honors 9/11 Victims
September 11th Memorial Service
The Kissimmee Police & Fire Departments hosted a
brief memorial service to honor the victims of the
September 11, 2001, tragedy. The service took place
at 8:30 a.m. in the courtyard of Kissimmee’s City Hall
on Thursday, September 11.
The Joint Honor Guard of police and fire personnel
placed a wreath at the flags and rang the final
bell. Chaplain Peter Zieg from the Kissimmee Fire
Department said a prayer in remembrance of those
who perished during the attack and a moment of
silence was observed.
In This Issue:
• Cover Story
- 9/11 Memorial Service
• News & Notable Mentions
- Discover Osceola
- FAQ’s: Fire Assesment Fee
• City Services
- Bulk Trash Collection
- Water Usage Restrictions
• Facility Spotlight
- Fortune Road
“September 11th marks a very monumental day in our Country’s history. It is a time
for us to reflect and also to show our appreciation to the men and women who risk
their lives everyday to keep our communities safe,” explained Kissimmee Police Chief
Fran Iwanski.
• Safety Watch
“We shall never forget is not just a catch phrase in the fire service – September 11,
2001, was the most tragic day in the history of the U.S. Fire Service, therefore we
take a moment every year on 9-11 to remember those 343 firefighters, and all those
who lost their lives that day,” added Kissimmee Fire Chief Bob King.
• Programs & Activities
- Preventing House Fires
• Events Calendar
• City Hall Directory
This is a Publication of:
The City of Kissimmee
Public Information Office
Carla Banks
Manager of Communications
& Public Information
Taina Toro
Public Information Coordinator
Paula Liska
Graphics Coordinator
Kissimmee Konnection
News & Notable Mentions
Discover
Osceola 2008
The Community ‘Discovered’ the City of Kissimmee
The City of Kissimmee participated in the 2008 Discover Osceola event on Thursday, September 11 at the Osceola Heritage Park.
The City’s booth included exhibits from the Clerk’s Office, Public Information Office, Public Works Department, Development
Services, Parks and Recreation, and the Airport. Jim Robison, the author of the City’s history book, was also available for autographs.
FALL 2008
Fire Rescue Special Assessment
City of Kissimmee Answers Citizens’ Questions
The City of Kissimmee has taken a proactive approach to the State-mandated property tax reform. The City Commission decided to
exceed the state-mandated 9% reduction and reduce the property tax rate from 5.5453 mills to 3.7058 mills, which is a 33% tax
reduction.
To ensure a dedicated funding source for fire protection, a Fire Rescue Special Assessment was implemented by the City Commission
in September 2007. This will generate approximately $3 million, allowing the City to reduce its millage rate to 3.7058 mills.
The average homeowner of a property valued at $175,000 stands to save between $120-$130 after the reduced property tax
rate and special assessment have been factored in. Projections indicate that this reduced millage rate along with the new special
assessment will generate sufficient revenues to maintain the City’s current level of fire rescue services at a lower overall cost to
residents.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q) Why did the City of Kissimmee consider imposing a Fire Rescue Special Assessment?
A) The City of Kissimmee Commission decided to impose an annual Fire Rescue Special Assessment within the municipal
boundaries of the City of Kissimmee to ensure a dedicated funding source for fire protection services that is more
equitably distributed to properties across the City. This assessment will not be applied to emergency medical services.
Q) What is the amount of the Fire Rescue Special Assessment?
A) If you own a residential property, the special assessment will be $73.00.
Non-residential properties with 1,000 sq. feet will be assessed a minimum of $88, or $.088 per sq. foot, if the unit
exceeds 1,000 sq. feet.
Q) How will the Fire Rescue Special Assessment be billed?
A) The Fire Rescue Special Assessment is included on your annual property tax bill and will be collected by the County Tax
Collector. If you have a mortgage on your property, your mortgage company should factor this in to your escrow
payment.
Q) Can the City place a lien on my property if I do not pay the Fire Rescue Special Assessment?
A) A lien can be placed against the property and the City can foreclose the lien if the property owner fails to pay this bill.
Q) When will the Fire Rescue Special Assessment go into effect?
A) The Fire Rescue Special Assessment went into effect on October 1, 2007.
Q) Will the owner of a duplex receive a Fire Rescue Special Assessment for both units?
A) No. The assessment is for each parcel of property.
City Services
Kissimmee Konnection
Stay Informed About City Services
The City of Kissimmee Sanitation Division now provides bulk collection services once a week, instead of twice. This
change went into effect on August 4, 2008, and does not apply to standard garbage or yard waste collection services.
The bulk service is for the collection of large items such as furniture, appliances, and large tree trimmings and
branches. In an effort to reduce fuel consumption and costs, residents may only place bulk items out for collection
once per week.
Reminders:
• Items must be set out no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection days and no sooner than 24 hours prior to
collection day.
• Place items curbside at least four (4) feet from any other object, including other containers, mail boxes,
power poles, fences, trees, or bushes.
• Trash placed curbside shall be deemed placed for the City’s special trash collection service and will be
collected at the prevailing charges whether or not service was requested.
• The City can only accept up to a maximum of 12 cubic yards per customer, per collection day.
• The City does not pick up items generated by private contractors hired to do tree trimming or remodeling
work at your home. The contractor must remove the waste.
For more information, please contact the City’s Sanitation Division at 407.518.2507.
To determine the bulk collection day for your neighborhood, please refer to the map below:
To view a larger PDF
version of the new
Bulk Collection Days,
please click on the
link located on the
home page of the
City Web site at
www.kissimmee.org
FALL 2008
Water Usage Restrictions
Days & Times for Toho Water Authority Customers
Watering Days & Times
No irrigation is allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
This restriction includes customers with no designated watering days.
Exceptions include:
1. Irrigation with a micro-irrigation system (emitters use less than 30
gallons per hour)
2. Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, herbicides,
pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides when required by law,
recommended by the manufacturer, or constituting best
management practices
3. Maintenance and/or repair of irrigation system
4. Irrigation system use to discharge water from water-cooled air
conditioning systems
5. Swimming pool maintenance
Watering Days for Designated Subdivisions – Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water is treated wastewater. The process of reusing wastewater
for irrigation of lawns and landscapes is just one more way Toho Water
Authority is working to save our precious drinking water.
Reclaimed water is used for irrigation of residential lawns and landscapes,
golf courses, roadway medians and commercial lawns and landscapes.
Toho Water Authority delivers an average of twelve million gallons of
reclaimed water on a daily basis for customers use on lawns and
landscape.
To continue to provide an adequate supply of reclaimed water for our
customers and prepare for future growth in Osceola County, reclaimed
water customers have been placed on a year round watering schedule.
The following tables provide the subdivisions and their current watering
schedule.
Kissimmee Konnection
Eastern Service Area
Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Remington Subdivision
Pebble Point
The Oaks Subdivision
Jade East
Estancia
Victoria Landing
Fortune Lakes
Kissimmee Bay
Rose Hill Cemetary
Osceola Memory Gardens
Osceola Health Department
Central Service Area
Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Stonefield
Celebration
Eagles Reserve
Creekside
Cypress Reserve
Eagle Point
Weston Reserve
Lake Berkley
The Loop
Cumbrian Lakes
Osceola Commerce Center
Royal Palm Bay
Gaylord Palms
Bay Point I & II
West 192 Medians
Hamilton Reserve
WalMart (Osceola Parkway)
Country Creek
Flora Ridge
Indian Point
Liberty Village
Fiesta Key
Crystal Cove
Terra Verde
Wilshire Oaks
Western Service Area
Monday, Thursday
Tuesday, Friday
Wednesday, Saturday
Oak Island Harbor
Formosa Gardens
Indian Ridge Villas
Oak Island Cove
Arcadia Estates
Indian Creek
Emerald Island
Rolling Hills
Windsor Hills I & II
Windsor Palms
FALL 2008
Each watering day is a 24-hour period starting at 8:00 a.m. on your
scheduled day and ending at 8 a.m. on the following day. Do not water
between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Example: If your watering day was a Monday, and you wanted to water in
the early morning hours, say 2:00 a.m., you would set your irrigation
controller watering day to Tuesday at 2:00 a.m.
Reclaimed water should only be used for irrigation of lawns and
landscape.
Reclaimed water should never be used for filling a swimming pool or
washing an animal.
Watering Days for Designated Subdivisions – Drinking (Potable) Water
Residential Homes with EVEN street numbers – Thursday and Sunday
Residential Homes with ODD street numbers – Wednesday and Saturday
Non-Residential Customers – Tuesday and Friday
(Includes commercial, government, and educational facilities, medians
and common areas)
Watering days for Drinking Water areas start at 12:01 a.m. and end at
11:59 p.m.
Toho Water Authority – Water Waste Resolution
The Water Waste Resolution prohibits:
�
�
�
�
�
Irrigating outside of designated watering days
Irrigating outside of designated watering times
Leaks in the irrigation system
Over-watering that causes significant runoff into adjacent property
or right of way
Watering after significant rainfall (A functioning rain sensor is
required)
Penalties
Violators will receive at least one warning, however, refusal to correct a
wasteful situation, or a pattern of repeated violations may cause irrigation
or reclaim water service to be discontinued.
Facility Spotlight..
Kissimmee Konnection
Nestled just outside Kissimmee is the City’s own field of dreams - the Fortune Road Athletic Complex. Located at 2500
Fortune Road and home to the City of Kissimmee’s softball leagues and a variety of City-hosted events, the Fortune
Road Athletic Complex offers something for all ages. Completed in 2006 and encompassing nearly 40 lush acres,
it has already been host to car shows, cook-outs, tournaments, car washes, and a variety of charity events. More and
more national organizations such as USSSA, NSA and others are booking their events at this beautiful complex and
for three weeks each Spring it is home to the Rebel Classic Games. Fortune Road is also the home base for the Parks
and Recreation Athletics staff, who book the majority of all athletic facilities within the City of Kissimmee and run a
variety of Youth and Adult Sports and Specialty Programs. Coming up in November, they will again play host to the
Good Fortune Car Cruise for Kids, a charity event directly benefiting the Terry Stewart Memorial Scholarship program,
which enables the youth in our community to participate in Athletic and Recreation programs. ALL cars and trucks
of every genre are welcomed. This is a fun-filled, family event with WJBJ DJ Jennifer, raffles, food, and prizes. The
grounds include four full service softball fields and a children’s playground.
“We want to be the face in the community that our citizens think of when they are looking for a way to get involved in
sports in Osceola County,” said Athletic Secretary Alisson L. Jalil. Whether you are booking your family’s next Family
Reunion softball game, your church’s team-building game of rugby or you just want to get your children involved in a
little extracurricular activity - now, more than ever it is important to keep our children active, involved in the community
and off of the streets. Team Fortune is always at bat to assist you in your Athletic needs, so give them a call. The
softball fields are just the beginning of the dream for the fields of Fortune. Stay tuned as we spread our wings on the
horizon of bigger and better things.
Contact Information:
2500 Fortune Road
Kissimmee, FL 34744
407.518.2504
or visit us on the Web at
www.thefrac.org
For more information on how
you can become part of the
Fortune Family through volunteer
opportunities, please call
Alisson L. Jalil at 407.518.2344.
FALL 2008
Safety
W a t c h
Preventing House Fires
From the Kissimmee Fire Department
How many times have you left the house in the morning and wondered, “Did I turn off the stove?” With our busy lives,
the safety of our homes and families is sometimes relegated to the back of our minds – an afterthought as we get in
the car to start the day.
According to the latest statistics from the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were an estimated
396,000 reported home structure fires in the U.S. in 2006, resulting in 2,580 civilian deaths; 12,500 civilian injuries;
and $6.8 billion in direct damage. House fires caused 80% of civilian deaths and 76% of injuries.
Most home fires are easily preventable. Kissimmee Fire Department is encouraging residents to put their safety first
by performing a Home Hazards Inspection during Fire Prevention Week from October 5-11, 2008. The theme of
this year’s campaign, “Prevent Home Fires,” focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking,
heating and electrical equipment, and smoking materials. You can pick up a checklist at Kissimmee Fire Department
Administration Office or you can download one from www.firepreventionweek.org
There are also a number of simple steps that you can put into action to keep your home safe from fire:
• Cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a
short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Heating: Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least three feet away from
heating equipment.
• Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only.
Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
• Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside; wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
For more information about how to stay safe, please call the Kissimmee Fire Department’s Fire and Life Safety Hotline
at 407.518.2585 or send an email to [email protected]
E v eCalendar
nts
Kissimmee Konnection
October
12th Annual Fall
Festival
Saturday, October 25, 2008
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Berlinsky Community House
300 Monument Avenue
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Fun family activities will include
kids’ games, candy, prize-raffle
giveaways, arts & crafts,
and a costume contest.
November
Thanksgiving - City Hall Closed
Thursday, November 27, 2008
and
Friday, November 28, 2008
FALL 2008
Programs and Activities
Available Through the Parks & Recreation Department
Oak Street Park Community Center
717 N. Palm Avenue
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407.847.2388
Kiddie Programs:
• Kiddie Korner
• Kiddie Art
• Kiddie Dance
• Kiddie Gymnastics
• Kiddie Klay (New)
Youth Programs:
• Baton & Pom-Pon
• Youth Gymnastics
• Hip-Hop Dance
• Ballet
• Youth Guitar
• Youth Martial Arts
• Special Needs Recreation
• Parent’s Night Out (PNO)
• Bomba & Plena
• Beginner Piano (New)
• Kids Hand building (New)
• Disney’s Conservation After-School Program (New)
Adult Programs:
• Salsa & Ballroom Dance
• Martial Arts
• Guitar
• Scrap booking
• Baby Signs® with Melissa
• Dog Training
• Beginner Piano (New)
• Pottery (New)
• Special Needs Recreation (New)
• Bomba & Plena (New)
Senior Programs:
• Texas Hold’em Club
• Ladies Craft Club
• Mah Jongg Club
• Bridge
• Cribbage Club
• Fun Cards
• Toho Friends
• Cribbage Tournament – Friday, November 14, 2008
• Texas Hold’em Tournament – Monday, October 13, 2008 &
December 8, 2008
• Tennis Programs: Classes for all skill levels and ages.
Events:
No School Field Trips – October 23-24, 2008 & November 11, 2008
Haunted House – October 24-25, 2008
Fall Festival – October 25, 2008
Santa Calling – December 12-13, 2008
Holiday Camp – December 22-23, 2008 & 29-30, 2008
City Hall Directory
EMERGENCY
911
Main Line
407.847.2821
Civic Center
407.518.2503
Airport
407.847.4600
Athletics Division
407.518.2504
City Attorney
407.518.2310
Oak St. Community Center
407.847.2388
City Manager
407.518.2300
Rose Hill Cemetery
407.518.2350
City Clerk
407.518.2308
Special Event Hotline
407.933.8368
Public Information
407.518.2314
Parks & Recreation cont.
Personnel
Community Redevelopment Agency
407.518.2544
Development Services
407.518.2140
Purchasing
Building Inspections
407.518.2120
Public Works
Building Permits
407.518.2120
Job Line
407.518.2110
407.518.2108
407.518.2510
Administration
407.518.2170
Business Tax Receipts/Licenses 407.518.2120
Engineering
407.518.2169
Code Enforcement
407.518.2133
Stormwater
407.518.2385
Development Review, Zoning
407.518.2146
Streets
407.518.2506
Planning
407.518.2140
Sanitation (Trash Pickup)
407.518.2507
Finance
407.518.2210
Traffic
407.518.2500
Fire Dept. (Non.Emergency)
407.518.2222
Fire & Life Safety Education
407.518.2585
(Non.Emergency)
407.846.3333
KUA (Electric)
407.933.7777
Administration
407.518.2414
Criminal Investigation
407.518.2415
Parks & Recreation
Police Department
407.847.0176
Administration
407.518.2501
Off Duty Details
407.518.2418
Makinson Aquatics Center
407.870.7665
Records Unit
407.518.2412
Chambers Park
407.932.3332
Toho Water Authority
407.518.2161
After Business Hours
407.933.7777x5
City of Kissimmee, 101 N. Church Street, Kissimmee, FL , 34741, PH: 407.847.2821, FAX: 407.846.8369, www.kissimmee.org