HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2026 Worshop MinutesJune 23, 2026
OCOEE CITY COMMISSION
Ocoee Commission Chambers
1 N. Bluford Avenue
Ocoee, Florida
MINUTES
WORKSHOP
• CALL TO ORDER 6 j0 g il>l
Mayor Johnson called the workshop to order at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers of City
Hall. Recording Clerk Justice called the roll and declared a quorum present.
Present: Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Kennedy, Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner
Firstner, and Commissioner Oliver
Absent: Commissioner Firstner
Also Present: City Manager Shadrix, Assistant City Manager Rumer, Parks & Leisure Services
Director Johnson, Finance Director Weber, Assistant Finance Director Lawitzke, Utilities
Director Bolling, Assistant Utilities Director Hopper, CRA Administrator Vaca, Development
Services Director Lepp, and Recording Clerk Justice
• DISCUSSION ON FOREST LAKE GOLF COURSE 64"11 Pl'ifl
City Manager Shadrix explained that the plan being presented will not compromise property tax
revenues for the City and will be funded by other means. He introduced the following
consultants, partners, and staff:
• Scott Wellington, Senior Director, PGA of America
• Nathan Logan, Senior Design Associate, Beau Welling Design
• Andrew Yeast, Executive Director, North Florida PGA
• Alfredo Ortiz, CEO, First Tee Central Florida
• Robert Utsey, Principal, ZHA
• Mark Johnson, Parks and Leisure Services Director
City Manager Shadrix summarized the workshop objectives which covered:
• Provide a Brief Overview
• Introduce Partners and Consultants
• Discuss Vision, Field Work, and Research
• Discuss Forest Lake Master Plan
• Discuss Next Steps
He then described why Forest Lake Golf Course matters and provided a timeline of events leading
to the City taking over its operations.
Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson provided an overview of course improvements
that have been made over the past year. He also highlighted upcoming projects, equipment
acquisitions, and recent events that Forest Lake has hosted.
City Manager Shadrix explained the vision for Forest Lake under which the City has been
operating for the past year, based on feedback from the elected officials, and showcased the
destination golf courses that inspired this vision. He remarked that he will be asking the City
Commission to formalize partnerships with First Tee Central Florida and North Florida PGA to
help bring that vision to fruition and invited their representatives to talk about their organizations.
Alfredo Ortiz, CEO, First Tee Central Florida, and Andrew Yeast, Executive Director, North
Florida PGA, briefly described their respective organizations' missions and goals for a mutually
beneficial partnership with the City to improve Forest Lake Golf Course.
City Manager Shadrix provided a history of Beau Welling Design and invited Nathan Logan,
Senior Design Associate, to explain the advisory, golf course design, and land shaping services
that his team provides. Mr. Logan also provided his credentials and work history and presented
some of the courses his team has worked on. He summarized the goals and objectives that will
help the City create a destination golf course.
City Manager Shadrix reminded the City Commission that the golf course land is owned by the
wastewater utility. He advised that there will be utility projects, such as the expansion of the
reclaimed water system, running concurrently with the Forest Lake improvements to maximize
efficiency and funding opportunities. He further shared the new vision for the clubhouse, which is
to create a recreation and entertainment destination, and described potential features.
City Manager Shadrix announced that, before introducing the Master Plan, it was important to
circle back and learn more about First Tee Central Florida and North Florida PGA. Mr. Ortiz and
Mr. Yeast highlighted their respective organizations' programs and services further in depth,
emphasizing the importance for each to develop a home -base facility and impart a positive impact
on the local community.
City Manager Shadrix explained why he would like to partner with both First Tee Central Florida
and North Florida PGA. He then invited Mr. Logan to present the Master Plan.
Mr. Logan provided an overview of the Master Plan, covering key components and a synopsis of
each of the three proposed phases. Discussion ensued.
City Manager Shadrix commended Parks and Leisure Services Director Johnson for his
team's efforts to maintain strict budget control from a revenue standpoint, while simultaneously
making incremental improvements. He then presented an in-depth look at the three proposed
improvement phases, the first of which is already underway and anticipated to be complete by
early fall. He pointed out that some projects would be running concurrently to optimize speed; the
goal for phase two would be completion in late 2027, with phase three in the third quarter of 2028.
The floor was opened for each member of the City Commission to ask questions. Mr. Logan, Mr.
Wellington, Mr. Utsey, and City Manager Shadrix addressed all questions.
City Manager Shadrix reiterated next steps and noted that many agenda items and utility -related
plans would be forthcoming parallel to this project.
a 0 1 1
'ice, Re ording Clerk
Rusty John
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