City staff reviewed five consent-agenda items with the commission, including an appointment to the Winter Haven Firefighters’ Pension Board of Trustees, travel for Polk County Day 2026, professional services agreements for utility and pedestrian projects, and a sewer-service agreement amendment for a commercial connection in Juanita.

Staff recommended appointing Casey Clark to the five-member Winter Haven Firefighters’ Pension Board of Trustees to fill a vacancy left by trustee Creedy Windemaker’s resignation. City staff said two board seats are city‑appointed residents, two are elected full‑time firefighters, and the fifth trustee is chosen by a majority of the first four trustees.

On travel and training, staff noted Polk County Day for the 2026 legislative session is scheduled for Jan. 21–23, 2026, in Tallahassee; staff asked that commissioners then seated authorize travel for the five commissioners, the deputy city manager, and the public affairs director to attend.

Staff described a two‑task agreement with Dewberry Engineers for design criteria and owner’s‑representative support related to the new utility complex at the Bradco Farms uplands. “Task 1 is to create the design criteria package, which is a required element you have to have in order to advertise for design build,” staff said. Staff reported the combined cost for tasks 1 and 2 is $246,637.72 and that the cost is included in the fiscal 2025–26 budget. Staff anticipates the design‑build project could be completed around July 2027 once awarded.

For pedestrian improvements, staff said Kimley‑Horn and Associates prepared a scope of design services for South Lake Howard Drive — a project funded by a $750,000 community project allocation — that includes survey, concept evaluation, permitting/NEPA services, construction documents, bidding assistance and administration. Staff reported the Kimley‑Horn design fee at $294,800 and said the work is funded from the transportation fund for fiscal 2025–26. The design is expected to take about nine months.

Staff also presented a sixth amendment to the city’s sewer‑service agreement with Juanita Water System, which dates to 1993. The amendment would allow the city to accept sewage from a privately maintained commercial sewer system serving a new McDonald’s development in Juanita; staff said the developer will pay a connection fee equivalent to about 8.35 equivalent residential units, which staff estimated at about $85,316, plus ongoing monthly service charges.

Staff said these items will appear on the consent agenda for commission action; no formal votes were recorded during the presentation.