Craig Russell
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 31
- Total speaking time
- 3:37:02
- Avg per meeting
- 7:00
- Segments
- 2612
Want every word Russell has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Russell said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Draft Public Art Strategic Plan
No direct cost, but state property tax reform could squeeze city budgets, making donated artwork more important as a funding source.
Park Avenue Foot Traffic and Retail Health
Park Avenue is one of the city's biggest tax-value generators — board members said the declining retail mix 'deserves more attention' to protect that revenue.
Lakefront Lot Splits
No direct city cost, though opponents cited potential legal exposure under Florida's Bert Harris Act.
Lake Water Quality and Aquatic Plant Management
No direct cost to residents; staff time and FWC partnership resources are engaged in monitoring.
Sustainable transportation
Any traffic-calming measures, like a speed hump or stop sign, would be city-funded pending engineering review.
Chabad of Greater Orlando synagogue and townhome project at 210 E. Morse Boulevard
Stormwater Pipeline Projects on Bennett, Shoreview, and Palmer Avenues
Funding already approved by the City Commission; no new cost to lake residents.
Net Energy Metering Policy Review
Current cross-subsidy runs about $150,000 a year — under $1.50 per month for the average customer; individual options could change that.
FY 2027 Budget and Millage Rate
Property owners will pay about 5.16% more than last year because of higher assessed values; the rate itself is unchanged.
West Fairbanks Development Consideration
No direct CRA cash — the cost comes as waived fees on the city's side, up to $1 million worth per year.
Urban forestry budget reductions
Roughly $411,000 of the $511,618 in cuts touch urban forestry; the money rolls into contingency and can be restored.
Micromobility rules
No direct cost stated; administrative costs involve updating citation forms.
Micro-Mobility Ordinance
Higher fines for parking and scooter violations.
Downtown Parking Garage Public-Private Partnership
The city would likely make a substantial multimillion-dollar contribution — one proposal suggested $8-9 million — pending the November referendum.
September 2026 Utility Financial Report
Rate adjustments began March 1, so customers may see fuel recovery charges on bills.
Noise Dispute at 1695 Lee Road, Unit D-104
A nominal $2 total fine shared between tenant and owner; enforcement continues if police are called again.
Red Light Traffic Cameras
Potential new revenue not yet quantified; Russell proposed directing it to road repair.
Denning & Fairbanks property and Lake Rose boardwalk project
Right-of-way donations could unlock FDOT funding for turn lanes by 2028.
Lake Killarney Water Quality and Stormwater Management
Future alum treatment costs are unfunded for now; a septic planning grant is being pursued to address nitrogen.
Winter Park Day Nursery expansion
A flashing pedestrian signal could be funded through impact fees the project generates; cost not specified.
Decisions during term (359)
Recorded while Russell was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Minutes (October 13, 2026)
Boathouse/Dock Permit BLDR-2026-0901 — 2020 Venetian Way
Seawall Application SAP-2026-0007 — 1206 N Park Ave.
Adjournment
Approval of September 3, 2026 Meeting Minutes
CCB# LDC-26-0141, 1960 Albert Lee Parkway — Violation Order with $250/Day Fine
CCB# LDC-26-0342, 2291 Glenwood Drive — Found NOT in Violation on Tree Pruning
CCB# TRP-2026-0119, 151 North Orlando Avenue — Tree Removal Permit Denial Upheld
CCB# N-26-0005, 1695 Lee Road, Unit D-104 — Noise Violation with $1/Day Fine
Consent Agenda
Approval of agenda with item 13.c tabled
Consent agenda approved (minutes and seven contracts)
Winter Park Day Nursery conditional use approved (CU #26-06)
Z Properties office project rezoning and conditional use — first reading approved
Ordinance 3380-26 — FDOT property conveyance (first reading)
Ordinance 3379-26 — FY 2026 budget amendment (second reading)
Approval of Agenda
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting, October 14, 2026
Approve the following contracts:
IFB14-25 - Amendment 1 - Allcrete, Inc. - Concrete Repair Services; For continued concrete repairs and maintenance throughout the City on an as-needed basis. Contract Term: Through December 15, 2027; Not to Exceed: $350,000
Voting record (67)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Winter Park Day Nursery conditional use approved (CU #26-06)
Z Properties office project rezoning and conditional use — first reading approved
Ordinance 3379-26 — FY26 Budget Amendment (1st Reading)
Ordinance 3378-26 — State Revolving Fund Loan (2nd Reading)
approve the ordinance
adopt the ordinance
adopt the ordinance
table until November 11, 2026, with the condition that the applicant and City Attorney draft specific condition language
Ordinance 3377-26 — City Code Recodification (2nd Reading)
Ordinance 3368-26 — Merrywood Lakefront Lot Split (Tabled)
Sought concrete, enforceable condition language before voting.
adopt Ordinance 3373-26, setting the millage rate for FY 2027
adopt Ordinance 3374-26 FY 2026-2027 budget
adopt Ordinance 3375-26
adopt Ordinance 3376-26
approve the ordinance on first reading
approve the ordinance on first reading
Ordinance 3373-26 — FY 2027 Millage Rate (2nd reading)
Ordinance 3374-26 — FY 2027 Budget Adoption (2nd reading)
adopt the resolution with the following amendments: increase micromobility $35, 1st offense 2nd offense $75, parking offenses increase to $30
maintain the millage rate of 4.0923 mills and adopt the debt service rate
approve future land use
reinstate $5,000 to Blue Bamboo, combined with Men of Integrity reduction of $25K
adopt the FY2027 budget as amended
annex the property
approve zoning C3 on the annexed property
approve 4.6% rate increase
adopt the resolution
approve
FY 2027 Millage Ordinance (1st reading)
Motion to cut Men of Integrity to $25,000 and restore $5,000 to Blue Bamboo
FY 2027 Budget Ordinance (1st reading, as amended)
Annexation of 915 North Wymore Road (2nd reading)
Commercial Future Land Use for 915 N. Wymore Road
C-3 Zoning for 915 N. Wymore Road
Conditional Use, 210 E. Morse Blvd (Chabad synagogue/daycare/townhomes) — Tabled
Wanted the playground and traffic questions addressed before a vote.