Commission authorizes MOU with Friends of Lake Apopka as group pursues dredging grants

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously authorized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA) to formalize the parties’ roles while FOLA advances a multi‑phase lake dredging effort.

City staff said FOLA has a $600,000 FDEP grant for pre‑construction activities and has secured $3,000,000 in federal appropriations earmarked for phase 1 of dredging near Newton Park. FOLA is pursuing an additional $1.9 million in forthcoming requests and staff described an overall goal of about $20 million to complete larger phases of dredging and shoreline work.

Under the MOU, the city would assume the role of project manager if the project moves forward, but the city has no obligation to appropriate municipal funds; FOLA will transfer awarded funds to the city for project management as described. Staff noted a minor wording change clarifying that the $600,000 FDEP award is for pre‑construction activities rather than permitting and design.

Commission discussion noted the staged nature of the funding and that future appropriations by the city would be discretionary and subject to normal budget processes. After a brief exchange, the commission voted to authorize the city manager to sign the MOU.

Next steps cited in the meeting: FOLA will submit another appropriations request (application due the next day) and continue pursuing state and federal funding for later phases.