Alright, good afternoon and welcome to the August 10th, 2026
meeting of the Orlando City Council. We're going to start
today with the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance led
by to Mr. Sheehan. Thank you, Mayor Dyer, and I
would like to read an inspirational quote from Theodore Rose,
President Theodore Roosevelt. It's called The Man in the Arena.
It is not the critic who counts, not the man
who points out how the strong man stumbles or where
the doer of deeds could have done them better. The
credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and
blood, who strives valiantly, who heirs, who comes short again
and again, because there is no effort without error or
shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds,
who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spend himself
in a worthy cause, who at the best, in the
end, who best knows in the end the triumph of
high achievement, who at the worst, if he fails, at
least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall
never be with those cold, intimid souls who neither know
victory nor defeat. President Roosevelt. I ple. Allegiance to the
fly of the United States of America. Into this woman
with liberty just for all. The. Madam Clark,
would you call the role and make a determination of
a quorum, please? Yes, Mayor, Commissioner Keane, Commissioner Ortiz, moisture
chapin, Commissioner Sheehan, Commissioner Rhodes, Commissioner Burns, Mayor Dyer. Here.
Mary, you have a quorum with all members present. Thank
you, Madam Clerk, first item of business is consideration of
minutes from the July 13th city council, agenda review and
workshop meetings, motion by commissioner or teas. Second by Commissioner
Sheehan, all in favor indicates so by saying aye, as
opposed to say the motion carries. Okay, we will go
right into the mayor's update, and I have some bittersweet
news to share, Lillian Payne, our director of economic development
has accepted an opportunity in the private sector that allows
her to spend more time with her family. Her last
day with the city is Tuesday, September 8th, but this
is her last and most favorite all - time city
council meeting. Her nearly 20 years with a city. She
has served in the planning division, later led our business
development permitting services divisions under her leadership permitting services implemented
a digital review platform and complete redesign of its offices,
making a development review process more efficient and customer friendly,
and the digitalization came just before COVID, which was very
fortunate timing for being able to continue doing that work
for the city. We're grateful for many contributions of the
city and wishes in our next chapter announcements relating to
additional leadership changes will be coming soon. Let's get Lillian
McDonald. If you would like the Podi Minzers, you don't
have to. You can say no, or you can either...
I probably should have told you that. Well, I don't
have anything prepared, Mayor, but thank you. I just wanted
to say thank you. It's been a pleasure to work
with all of you. Some of you longer than others.
Most of you have become good friends. And I love
this city. I live here, and I'm looking forward to
continuing to take advantage of all that it has to
offer just through a different lens and seeing you all
soon. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, I know everybody looks
forward to state of the city, so that is this
coming Friday and invite everybody to join us at the
Plaza Live. We'll talk about the investments of city is
making, and also we're going to do a little love
letter to city employees. We're going to celebrate the city
workforce on Friday. So if you can't attend, you can
watch it online at orlando. globe backslash soc. Back to
school, students are returning to the classroom tomorrow, and we
want to thank and recognize our school resource officers, city
council's prioritized city funding to make sure that we have
a school resource officer in all of the OCPS schools
that are in the city of Orlando. We're grateful for
their efforts in keeping children safe, and teachers and staff
safe. Next Tuesday is primary election day. You can start
early voting their 27 early voting sites, Olympin, through Sunday,
regardless of partie affiliation there, a number of local races
on the ballot. We encourage you to do research and
go out and vote. A couple of items of note
city volando continues some extrategic investments in public safety by
advancing two major Orlando fire department projects, to strengthen a
merchant response. We will consider the preconstruction agreements for a
new state - of - the - art Orlando fire
training center over by the mercy operations center, and a
replacement to fire station 13. Today we'll hear an item
that used to be the under eye and is now
the canopy project. It is created a place under I
- 4, or community can gather and connect and experience
downtown Orlando in a whole new way. We'll be transforming
10 acres of underutilized space to a vibrant public destination,
bringing new opportunities for events, arts trails, multi - moldal
connections, parking and community programming. And we want to thank
the state of Florida, Flor Department of Transportation participating with
a 3. 75 million dollar contribution. And then lastly, on
today's agenda is the DTO Historic Redevelopment Incentive Program that'll
help encourage private investment in our downtown has sort district
by supporting the restoration and revitalization of historically significant buildings
while preserving unique features, making these places part of Orlando
story. With that, we'll move on to the consent agenda,
which is a number of items. They're acted upon through
a single - boot council. We have each of our
commissioners an opportunity to comment on items on the consent
agenda and update you on important happenings in their district.
We rotate the order that we do that to Mr.
Sheehan is first up today, Mr. Well, thank you, Mayor
Dyer, and I think we had a couple birthdays. We
missed yours, and we have Commissioner Ortiz coming up, so
I don't know who want to do them separately or
together. Saying happy for - Commissioner T's, and I always
do things together. You want them together a separate note
together. Happy birthday to you all. Happy birthday to you,
happy birthday, marrying commissioners. Happy birthday to you. Alright. Wow,
that was excellent. It's all good. Alright. And I was
not at the last city council meeting, but I see
interim fire chief Shannon and any odd look forward to
working with you very much. And congratulations, and sorry I
wasn't here to welcome you last week. I want to
thank Carol Adams group for 22 years of sponsoring backpacks
and all the school supplies on the Orange County Public
Schools list for our kids in public housing and Reed's
terrorists. They do it every single year. They've been doing
it for 22 years. That's really commitment. I want to
thank Ted Carroll and his team for doing all these
for our kids at Reed's Terrace. Um, and they're thriving
at Lake Como School because they have all the supplies
they need from day one. So I just want to
thank Ted Carroll and Carol Adams group again for their
wonderful public service. I did miss the last city council
meeting as I was in Europe. And it was a
much needed vacation. Um, I was pretty upset after the
last city council meeting. I attended where we threw out
historic preservation in the downtown Orlando business district. Historic preservation
is not some convenient buzzword for me. It is something
I honestly believe so the character and identities of cities
and countries. I spent over a week marveling at Gowdy,
sagreta familia, Rome's Vatican City, a castle in botanical garden.
And as France and an ancient Greek archaeological wonder and
Agrogento Sicily. And I thought back on what I had
experienced here in Orlando, the stripping of protections from all
of our most historic buildings. And for the first time
I was embarrassed of our city. It was not just
the actions of the council, but the disenfranchising of the
volunteer members of our historic preservation board, not giving them
notice to react. I tried to fight for them and
point out the funding we could lose. All to no
avail. I do appreciate Commissioner Burns hearing me and supporting
historic preservation, which has benefited several historic buildings in Pairmore.
I now find myself at odds with the economic development
department how we do things in the process matters. Fair
process matters. Many residents have lost their faith in government
because of actions like this. It is about integrity to
me. As such, I have often said that I'll be
patty she and long after I'm commissioner Patty Shein. My
good name means everything to me. I cannot be the
public face of an organization I have fundamental disagreements with.
That said, it has been my pleasure to serve on
the East Centre Florida Regional Planning Council for the past
26 years. I was very proud to be appointed by
Mayorhood and I have worked regionally on planning issues impacting
center of Florida. But I can simply no longer represent
an economic development department. I do not share values with.
I am resigning immediately from this position, even though I
do so with a sense of regret coupled with a
sense of relief, integrity matters. That's all I had, Mayor,
thank you. Okay, Commissioner Rose. Um, recently I read an
article that I believe presented a misleading narrative by implying
that the city of Orlando's, oh, let me backtrack. Good
afternoon everyone. Okay, recently I read an article that I
believe presented a misleading narrative by implying that the city
of Orlando's procurement policy changes directly caused minority and women
- owned businesses to lose contracts, layoff workers, relocate or
close. However, the article did not provide specific evidence establishing
that casual relationship. It did not examine other relevant factors
such as contract performance, pricing competitiveness, contract expirations, business management
decisions, or broader economic conditions. Public policies should be guided
by verified data and objective analysts, not assumptions or advocacy
claims presented as FAC. That article did, however, prompt me
to think about how we confer the strengthen our local
small businesses. Rather than structure and procurement preferences around classifications
that may invite legal challenges, I believe we should explore
objective, place - based criteria that direct opportunity to businesses
operating in our most economically distressed communities, um, a couple
of approaches that I'd like for us to think about.
One approach would be to provide a local preference for
businesses located within federally designated opportunities zones or economically distressed
zip codes. This framework focuses on geographic and economic need
expands access to opportunity and is grounded immeasurable objective criteria
rather than a protected classifications. At the same time, the
policy should explicitly exclude procurement's funded by federal or state
grants that prohibited local preference or geographic preferences ensuring compliance
with applicable funding. Our goal here at the city of
Orlando should be to create a procurement system that is
fair, legally defensible and effective at building wealth and capacity
within underserved communities. By investing in businesses located where economic
need is greatest, we can help strengthen neighborhood economies, create
jobs and expand opportunity while maintaining a competitive and transparent
procurement process. Similar play space preferences concepts have long existed
in certain government procurement programs demonstrating that carefully tailored geographic
preferences can be implemented when authorized inappropriately structured. Our last
back to school event this evening is that Rock Lake
neighborhood center, we are given haircuts to the community. I
want to take the time to thank all of our
partners who helped make this possible. Uh, the Orlando Fire
Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Orlando Magic, the Orlando
City Soccer, Auroyal Palms, Elks Lodge 439, Jay Henry's Barbershop,
Turner Construction, Benowitt's wealth management, Andy Frane, the Orlando National
Penhellenic Council, One Heart Foundation, Mercy Boy Foundation, Walmart, loving
hearts, praying hands, mission Orlando, experience Christian Center, CNJ Bricken
Barriers, Lyft Orlando, Mount Olive AME Church, Cathedral Church of
St. Luke, Orange Blossom Family Health, Coping Lab, Orlando West
Ministries, Protect Thy Ministries, uh, District 5 has had back
to school events throughout the entire district since July 11th,
and we have sent this kids off with amazing back
to school. Here do's haircuts and I'm just grateful for
all of our partners. Our youth being sent off to
an amazing school year with closed supplies and bags for
fresh hair dues. Um, everyone should mark your calendar, starting
August 15th, visit Orlando's magical dining is back. It will
benefit OCA. A lot of great businesses on the magical
dining experience menu. I want to take the time to
thank Ray Rodriguez and our transportation team for their diligent
work in getting our school zone cameras installed to help
improve safety for our youth. Our children deserve to feel
safe traveling to and from school every day. Two years
ago, I made a commitment with our neighborhood association president
once a quarter, and I'm proud to continue honoring that
commitment to all of our neighborhood association, leaders, volunteers. I
want to thank you for showing up, speaking up, and
working every date to improve the quality of life in
our communities. Your partnership matters and together we are making
a difference. I want to thank Travel and Leisure for
hosting career day with our youth in the Pairmore community.
This created an opportunity for youth to gain better understanding
of the many career paths that exist behind the scene
operations that make resorts successful, exposing our young people to
opportunities, industries, and careers. They may not otherwise experience an
important part of helping them envision their future. I want
to give a heartfelt thank you to FBR Rodney and
the entire team, um, for making arrangements over the past
few years at my request to ensure our youth continue
to have access to care through the Florida Departments of
Health Mobile Dental Bus. This continued partnership helps remove barriers
to dental care and making sure our young people have
the opportunity to receive the services they need to stay
healthy and confident. I'm grateful for the commitment to investing
in health and wellbeing of our youth this summer we
were able to provide 1, 066 services, um, at our
neighborhood centers and all of District 5. And I look
forward to the continued collaboration. Onto the agenda 3C5 youth
climate action fund grant. This grant will strengthen its youth
engagement infrastructure by surfacing new ideas. Um, we recently had
with the sustainability team. We recently had our first pilot
and grateful to continue this opportunity. 3d6 looking forward to
Hulu Mulu opening a hula moola. There you go. Um,
3d8 look forward to the temporary used to extend the
downtown entertainment area, mobile food cart pilot program. Um, this
allows staff the opportunity to develop the future expansion, especially
as we have major construction taking place in our downtown
corridor. Um, three I, two, the letter of agreement and
contract for award FDOT. This funding will utilize law enforcement
to support and reinforce safety, pedestrian, bicyclists and driver behaviors
and priority areas. This continues to work on what we
had in our workshop this morning with e - mobility
and keeping our community safe. Um, while it's not in
my district, I'm glad to see 301, the FAA grant
application for the restroom renovations at the airport. Orlando is
a world - class city and improvements to our airport
are vital to visitor experience. Um, glad to keep our
word to the community regarding the historic moratorium in downtown
Orlando by bringing forward item 4D, the downtown, the DTO
historic redevelopment incentive program. This is about finding a thoughtful
balance between preserving our history and creating opportunities for responsible
redevelopment. I'm proud that we are moving forward with solutions
that honor our commitment to the community while helping downtown
grow and thrive. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner Burns. All
right. Thank you Mayor. Good afternoon everyone. Uh, thank you
for being in attendance today. First, I'd like to say
thank you Lillian for your years of service to our
great city. You will be missed, but I hear you'll
be kind of hanging around. So hopefully we will see
you. But again, thank you for all that you've done.
As we prepare to go back to, uh, send our
kids back to school over the last couple of weeks,
we've had several back to school events and we've given
out over a thousand book bags to local families. And
I just want to say thank you to Orlando Fire
Department Orlando Police Department. A few good men, Darcy Foundation,
Axiom Bank, Lanes and many more supporters who came and
gave of themselves and their resources to ensure that we
got our kids that needed resources for them to go
back to school, but also, uh, just encourage them as
they go back to school. Now Mayor, this is a,
uh, interesting year for me as I have my oldest
daughter going to college and my youngest going to kindergarten.
Uh, and I have one right right in the middle.
So I'll be leaving tomorrow to take my daughter to
clock Atlanta University. But again, thank you for all of
our community support around our kids. Also, uh, just a
few upcoming events on August 11th. We'll have the center
Florida dipole bank distribution that grand avenue neighborhood center at
930. Also on August 19th, District 6 Greenworks plan update,
community workshop at the doctor James R. Smith Center from
630 to 830. And then also my satellite office hours,
Dr. James R. Smithson on the second Wednesday. Grant Avenue
neighborhood center on the fourth Wednesday. And El Claudia Allen
Center on the third Friday. So if any one of
our constituents wants to come meet with me outside of
City Hall, please reach out to me so we can
get that schedule. On the agenda, I'd just like to
say thank you to all of those who are being
appointed or reappointed to our citizen advisory committees in these
boards. This is how we truly, uh, these boys help
us truly guide and maintain the services of our, of
our great city. So thank you to all of you
all who are giving of your time to serve in
those areas. Also, uh, on the agenda, uh, want to
express my support for 3C5. Which is the youth climate
action fund grant. And these funds will be, uh, will
be distributed to eight to 50 youth led sustainability projects
through micro grants radium from a thousand dollars to 5,
000 dollars And this will strengthen those landlords engagement in
our youth and our future leaders to get them excited
about coming up with innovative ideas to sustain our beautiful,
uh, our beautiful earth, if you will. So again, very
supportive of those. Thank you to our sustainability team for
accessing those grants. And that's all I have, Mayor. Thank
you. Thank you, commissioner. Commissioner Keene. Well, good afternoon, Mayor,
commissioners. Everyone join us today here in person and online.
As always, I want to highlight some of the great
things happening throughout District 1. It's been a while since
the last council meeting the last few weeks have been
busy and a great reminder of just how much is
happening here in Orlando. I had the opportunity to spend
some time with our young people as the afternoon. All
- star in YMCA summer programs began wrapping up. I
want to thank the staff counselors and volunteers. These programs
gave our kids opportunities to run their very own restaurant
and to build confidence around pools and bodies of water
through swim lessons at the lake known in YMCA. It
was proud to participate in the making advocacy magic ADA
day celebration. These events remind us that the accessibility and
inclusion must be part of everything we do as a
city. I want to shout out to Canada. She's a
rising senior. She's still a rising senior till tomorrow, I
guess, uh, at innovation high school. She's the president of
making advocacy magic who put together the great event with
lunch, talent showed and collaboration to celebrate the anniversary of
the ADA Act. It was exciting to celebrate the East
Lake Park Playground ribbon cutting. And I heard the mayor.
He said this was our sixth playground renovation this year.
I know we've got at least one more because I've
got one more in my district. So I want to
thank Rodney and Mike for their dedication to Parks and
our district. On the consent agenda today, I want to
highlight a couple items. Item 3B10, the design build may
or mention it. This is the pre - construction agreement
for the fire station 13 and district one will be
a brand new 11, 600 square foot of space set
aside to serve the boggy creek and trade port areas.
And item 3i 1, FAA grant application for restroom renovations,
always very important when you're traveling out of Orlando International
Airport. Looking ahead, we have as much happening in district
one as we just have gone through here, uh, which
to want to thank and wish our students, parents and
teachers, administrators and school staff very successful school year. I
know there have been some big changes recently with the
e - bikes and how parents and students will plan
their arrival at school. I want to remind everyone that
this is community issue and we'll take collaboration and effort
of everyone. We continue to set the table together the
most efficient solution can be achieved. Please use my office
as a resource over the next month or so as
we are in our last minute travel changes and build
a solution that incorporates problem solving from all angles. Also
looking forward to words and wonders. Poetry exhibition. Thank you
to Marcia and her team for planning that choosing the
best district to host. That event will be a terminal
A at MCO this Wednesday. I'll be representing and attending
my first Florida League of Cities annual conference later this
week. I'll have the opportunity to learn from municipalities across
the state chair ideas. And of course I am looking
forward to the state of the city from the mayor.
A great opportunity to reflect on where Orlando is today
and recognize the progress we've made. And finally I'm excited
about my upcoming joint transportation town hall with Orange County
Commissioner Marybel Cordero on August the 26th. Transportation remains the
most important issue we hear about from residents and district
one. I want to thank K, jockey, and Ari for
their hands on with me to get prepared for that
town hall so we can better serve our residents. That
mayor looking forward to get started. Thank you Commissioner Ortiz.
Thank you Mayor. Let me clear something up. This was
one is another first one is District 2. So. I
was messing with you. Anyhow, Lillian. We're going to miss
you big time. There's been an honor and a privilege
to work with you all these years. It's been almost
20 years. But anyhow, um, thank you so much for
everything you've done. Thank you for your not only transparency,
but for your tolerance, so many occasions. But thank you
so much. You've done a great job. We're going to
miss you greatly. So. Let me start with the items.
The agenda items that like Commissioner Burns said citizens advisory
board. Thank you so much to all those who want
to volunteer and who have been selected to work in
our boards as he very well said already. These are
the boards that pretty much direct our city with our
guidance with a selection sometimes. You know, with a voting
on certain items and give us direction in which way
our communities want to say things happen. So thank you
so much for volunteering your time. Um. On item 3B11
resolution to approve by solids, clean water state revolving fund
facilities plan. This is going to be dealing with PFAS,
which is such a hot ticket item in our society
today. Um, trying to get this totally out of the
waste stream. So I think that's a, that's a great
contract. There's a great opportunity for us to move forward
and be a proactive in so many ways. All right.
So and public works. I want to give thanks. Shout
out, shout out a shout out to our public works
team that we're working on Brockway on Englewood. Doing some
digging and cleaning some of the piping. Uh, there was
some issues. And the community were being affected. So they
did a terrific job underwater. I saw this guys working
under rain. I mean, it was amazing. I was just
watching. I wanted to take a video and bring it
to a city because I was so proud of them
working under the rain and doing a great job over
there. They didn't stop because of the rain. So, um.
Please convey my congratulations to those guys and the thanks.
On the morning of July 22nd, I joined ATNT to
recognize an important milestone in expanding fiber connectivity. I brought
back as a cross floor. I think you mayor for
allowing me to do that for you. Um, it was
a great experience. And I, I knew about the great
job they're doing, but it's more than what I thought.
I share remarks and importance of reliable high speed internet
for our communities, especially on this day and age. You
can see, you can talk to your doctor without having
to go to the doctor's office. Isn't that something you
can actually see the doctor? So, um, the continuing investment
in connectivity helps resting access educational opportunities, healthcare services, as
I just mentioned, and tools to support local businesses as
well, strengthening our series deutel future. So congratulations to ATNT
on these milestones. An evening of July 23rd, we held
our annual neighborhood watch national night out kickoff celebration. Rock
the house and we sure did rock the house. The
place was packed. I heard rumors as the best in
the city, but I'm not going to compete against anybody
on this one. So bringing residents families first responders and
community partners for an evening focus on connection and community
spirit. Law enforcement were there. Um, the firefighters, everybody. Everybody
was very happy. A lot of support from the, uh,
retails from nonprofit organizations. Everybody was showing off over there.
It was, it was great. Thanks to everyone who joined
us as well as Yolando Police Department, Orlando Fire Department,
volunteers and partners who helped make this event as success.
And the particular show that took everybody's breath was arcanine
dog with the Orlando Police Department. What a great show.
So. On the morning of July 25th, I joined families
at the Englewood neighborhood center for a back to school
event supporting local students, thanks to our community partners, more
than 500 backpacks along with school supplies and other essential
items for distributed to help students star the new school
year. Be pair for success. Um, on the 25th of
July is also the, we celebrate the constitution of Puerto
Rico. Now that this is something we celebrate here in
Orlando, but for those Puerto Ricans that left the island
for a number of reasons, um, congratulations on the Constitution
of Puerto Rica. An evening of July 30th, I attended
Renacer, which means reborn graduation ceremony celebrating participants who completed
the community health worker certification program. Congratulations to all the
graduates. And thanks to you, Renicered Career Source Central Florida
and advent health, Hispanoflodia Central. For their commitment to straightening
health and wellness resources in our community. And on the
morning of August 4th, you joined Mayor Buddy Dyer and
Commissioner Rose at City Hall for a meeting with community
associations managers and property managers. Event provided an opportunity to
connect city staff, share resources and strengthen partnerships that support
Orlando's neighborhoods and apartment communities. And last but not least,
spatial congratulations to my daughter who is about to have
our first grandkid in a family, just making me a
grandpa. And here's Josematov time. The countdown just started. So
I'm looking forward to see Esmeralda, leader of smeralda to
come to welcome her to this world. That's what I
have mayor. Congratulations Commissioner Ortiz. Thank you, boss. Appreciate it.
Mr. Chapin. Thank you Mayor. Thank you residents. Thank you.
Um, all those in attendance and online. Congratulations, Lillian. I
just got here. Was it something I said? Look forward
to working with you. In your next phase, as we
wrap up the summer, I want to give a big
shout out to family parks and wreck. Uh, for an
incredible season at our neighborhood centers. Uh, I was able
to attend, uh, various events during the summer at college
park and Rosemont. And it was always a hustle and
bustle of activity. Uh, I was also delighted to attend
the end of summer showcase at the Dr. Philip Center
and was truly blown away by the talent and the
confidence on display by our young people. Thank you to
all the neighborhood center staff and counselors for your dedication
hard work. To provide an outstanding summer for our campers.
As students return to the classroom this week, I want
to wish all of our students, teachers, school staff, families,
a successful and safe school year. Thank you to the
many community partners, volunteers and city staff who have helped
ensure our students start the year prepared and ready to
succeed. Last week, we hosted our annual district three safety
splash. And we didn't need any extra splash because we
had a lot of rain. But it was a fantastic
event. Families from across the community joined us to celebrate
the start of a new school year while learning about
the many safety programs and services available throughout the city.
I want to especially thank the police department and fire
department for spending the evening with our families. The kids
loved exploring the equipment, meeting first responders and seeing firsthand
the incredible work of these departments and what they do
every day. Thank you to OPD Chief Eric Smith as
well as Milton Suppner and Georgiana Butler for bringing all
things OPD in such a fun and engaging way and
for promoting upcoming national night at opportunities. Thank you to
our Lando Fire Chief Shannon teamer for continuing to foster
a strong culture and community engagement and learning. I also
want to thank the many city departments and divisions that
participated in the event attendees. Got a firsthand look into
streets and stormwater. Keep Orlando beautiful. Orlando wetlands solid waste.
Water reclamation and transportation. The creativity and enthusiasm displayed in
teaching children about their city government was truly impressive. I'd
like to thank Advent Health and the Orlando Magic for
generously. Providing backpacks on school supplies to local students as
they prepare for a new school year. Finally a huge
thank you to Robin Payne, Sampenia and the entire staff
at the college park neighborhood center. They go above and
beyond every day to create a safe, enriching and welcoming
environment for local children and families. This event reflected the
culture. They fostered year round and we are grateful for
all they do. Over the weekend I had the opportunity
to participate in a community fun day at the Rosemont
neighborhood center. Thank you to neighborhood center manager Gerald Chiles
for always going above and beyond to support Rosemont families.
I was glad to partner with the Orlando Professional Firefighters
and providing backpacks and school supplies to local students. Thank
you to Doug Saban for working with us to make
this partnership happen. Events like this ensure our children are
prepared, supported and excited for a successful new year. Lastly,
I want to thank Brittany Sellers, Michael Taylor and Isabella
Bavino for organizing the district three greenworks plan update meeting.
Turnout was great. And the activities were very creative and
effective in generating productive conversations about the future of sustainability
in the city of Orlando. I too am looking forward
to the state of the city address at the end
of the week. That's all I've got mayor. How about
a motion, Commissioner? Summoned? Second. Motion by Commissioner Shapen, second
by Commissioner Sheehan. All in favor of the motion indicates,
so by saying aye. Aye. As opposed and so the
motion cures. Okay, if you were here just for the
consent agenda, had a mind on there. We'll give you
just a second to take your leave. And we will
recess the city council meeting without objection and convenient CRA
meeting. Item 4A is advisory board minutes from June 24th
motioned by Commissioner. Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan. All in
favor indicates so by saying aye. Those opposed most curious.
4B is CRA meeting minutes June the 22nd. Move it.
Mrs. Michael Machine's second by Commissioner Rose. All in favor
by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed motion carries. 4C is
CRA meetings from July 13th. Motion by Commissioner Sheehan. Second
by commissioner Rose. All in favor indicates so by saying
aye. Aye. Those pose motion cures. Okay 40 David. All
right. Thank you very much Mayor. Good afternoon commissioners. So
4D before you today on the CRA is a new
incentive program. It's the DTO historic redevelopment incentive program. Um,
that we talked about at one of our earlier meetings.
So the context of this program is to really encourage
our private sector to invest in those historic buildings and
contributing structures that we have in downtown to reinvigorate them,
uh, and to reuse them in ways that not only
activate them, but also respect those historic character that those
buildings play, uh, in the role of our city and
of our downtown. How the program will work is for,
um, those property owners who invest in reactivating properties that
are at the end are downtown historic district. As long
as it is a contributing structure or it is a
landmark structure, uh, they would be eligible, uh, for a
10 year Advalorum tax rebate of the additional tax revenue
that that investment creates, uh, as they reactivate that, they
do have to make sure they keep those historical elements
of the building and have them reviewed appropriately. Uh, but
based on their classification, if it's a contributing structure, they
would receive 50 percent of that additional advalorum tax rebate
they create, uh, or if it is a landmark building,
they would receive 75 percent of that for a 10
year period. The minimum investment is 5 million dollars which
is needed. So we make sure that we can have
a significant investment in that building and also create that
additional tax base that we can ultimately pay back as
a part of the incentive program. So I am happy
to address any questions. Second. Motion got commissioner rose second
by commissioner chapin. Mr. Sheehan. Uh, yeah. I do have
a concern about, I have concerned about doing it to
start district, but the other thing was that with this
was supposed to incentivize reuse. The problem I have with
that is the five million dollars. I mean, if you're
going to require only the very, very wealthy and the
best and the biggest investors, there are buildings that someone
might want to, you know, renovate. And it would be
under five million. And this is the problem that I
have with some of the things that were said about
doing a historic district district was that there were smaller
investments. They just weren't five million. It's like we're only
counting five million dollars of investment. And I think that's
pretty disingenuous. I don't think this is the redevelopment incentive
does as much as an historic district to keep the
teardowns from happening. So, um, for that reason, I will
not support it today. Thank you. Okay. Further comment here,
none of them pay the motion indicates about saying all
right. I suppose no. Okay. Motion carries. Any further business,
David? There's not mayor. All right. Uh, then we will
adjourn the CRA meeting and reconvene the city council meeting
without objection. Um, hearings, ordinances, first reading 11a, Madam Clark.
Ordinance number 2026 - 26, an ordinance of the city
council, the city of Berlino, Florida vacating closing and abandoning
a portion of Rockmont Court, generally located east of edgewater
drive between 907 north and 908 South Rockmont court between
Dow Street and Bishop Moore High School, main entry drive,
as described in the Edgewater Court Platt. As recorded in
Plattbooks S, page 92 of the public records of Orange
County, Florida and comprise of 0. 16 acres of land
more or less, providing for conditions of abandonment, providing for
execution of affecting documents, severability, corrections governor's errors, and an
effective date. So moved. Motion by commissioner Chapin's second box
or tees. I don't have any requests for public participation
discussion. Hearing none all in favor of the motion indicate
service AI. Aye. Those opposed motion carries. All right. On
to hearings. What's his second reading, 12A. Ordinance number 2026
- 21, an ordinance of the city council, the city
of Orlando, Florida annexing to the corporate limits of the
city. Certainly and generally located north of Corinne Drive, east
of Janice Avenue, south of Marble Avenue and west of
East Winter Park Road and comprised of 0. 22 acres
of land more or less, providing for separability, correction of
governor's errors, and an effective date. Motion by Commissioner Tape
and second by commissioner Sheehan. Do not have any requests
for public participation, discussion. Hearing that all in favor of
budget indicates there by saying aye. As opposed to motion
carries. 12 B. Ordinance number 2026 - 12, an ordinance
of the city council city of Orlando, Florida, amending the
city's growth management plan. Designating certain lanternally located north of
Corinne Drive east of Janice Avenue, south of Marple Avenue,
and west of east winner park road as neighborhood activity
center on the city's official, the end use maps, and
designating the property as neighborhood activity center on the city's
official zoning maps, providing for amendment of the city's official
future land use and zoning maps, providing for severability, corrections,
governor's errors, firmment disclaimer, and an effective date. So move.
Motion by commissioner Chapin, second by Commissioner Ortiz. I do
not have any request for public comment, discussion. Every now
and all in favor of the motion indicate said by
saying aye. Aye. As opposed most theories. Okay, 12c. Ordinance
number 2026 - 14, an ordinance of the city council,
the city of Orlando, Florida, amending the city's adopted growth
management plan to update figure c dash 8 entitled Urbanize
Disturba lands to correct a mapping error. Providing for conflict
severability, corrections governor's errors, and an effective date. Move to
approve. Motion by to Mr. Burns, second by. Commissioner Sheehan.
I do have one request for public participation. Lawana Gelser.
Alright, do you have to. Do one.
Can. They get bigger? Okay. Keep full of. Touch.
No, bring it back, I want dad right there. That's
good, that's good. Thank you very much.
Lauana Gill's 815 Hills Street. Um, the reason why I'm
here today is on this. Well, anytime I see urbanization
and updating the growth management plan kind of get a
little nervous. And my nervousness is, where's the transparency? Who
can read this doggone map. This is what the citizens
had to make a copy of. And anytime I see
county and city open laughing, I'm going, hmm, is the
city and the county working together. And anytime I hear
about any urbanization, I'm concerned about deforecization, removal of trees.
I'm concerned about extreme heat. Heat hours, more concrete, more
things that going in our community. And I'm looking at
this, and if anybody can explain what it used to
be, cause I looked to what is being changed to
is a concern. And so the concern is, you tell
me it's not going to be a business impact. It's
not going to hurt us. But what you provide to
the community is crap. And people are making too much
money to provide this. As crap, it could have been
colored coordinated. It could have been better. What I'm saying
is what you're providing us to talk about is telling
us you really don't want us to say anything about
it, because you expect us to believe everything you're saying.
It's okay. And it might be. But if it's about
an open door and it's about accessibility and it's about
transparency, it shouldn't be disheartened and difficult to find out
what's going on or what kind of changes. Now see,
I don't like killing trees. So I'm telling you, I
printed everything you had. And still there was a question.
Where's the county lines? Where are the city lines? Because
we have islands within the cities. So it's some properties,
counties surrounded by city. But when I see Washington Street,
that's one of my places of living. When I see
what is affected me, I have a concern. And I
really can't tell based on this map. What you going
to do? Oh, sorry about that. So my question is,
I know it's the second reading. But with all the
funds that we're paying for the great staffers, can you
do a better job inviting information to the citizen so
they can understand what is happening to their community? So
they can be here. And maybe we can give you
better suggestions. But when you give us this. This is
what I'm questioning. This is like a transparency. And when
I see you adopting your growth management plan and you
making it better, to me it says, I'm about to
be on that menu. Because you're about to change it
to something that we're probably not benefit my home and
my community. It might not be, but based on what
I've been able to find so far, I have too
many questions. Know us the second reading. No, it's going
to pass. But can you do a better job next
time? Can you please do a better job for the
citizens? That's all we're asking. Thank you. That's the only
public comment we have. Discussion. Are you none all in
favor of the motion indicates about saying aye? Aye. As
opposed to motion carries. Okay, 12D. Ordinance number 2026 -
22, an ordinance of the city council, the city of
Orlando, Florida rezoning certain land, generally located north of West
Church Street, east of South Tampa Avenue, south of Central
Boulevard, and east of South Tampa Avenue comprised of 1.
4 acres of land more or less from holding to
public use, providing for amendment of the city's official zoning
maps, providing for server ability, corruption scripters errors, permit disclaimer,
and an effective date. Motion box, Mr. Rose, second doctor,
Mr. Sheehan. We do have two requests for comment on
this. Luana Gelser, and then Roslin Anderson. I'm glad you
left this up. I'm running. Is it showing. I don't
know how to work this. Thank you very much. Okay.
Now. Got a little better, Lauana Gelsa, 815 Hills Street.
My concern is about this 1. 4. Acres. And what
it used to be and how it's surrounded by residential
and all the mixed use. And I've noticed in communities,
especially the BIPOC communities and urban communities underserved community. We
have mixed use. Zoning. And it's not your fault, but
it's a continuation that we have not been able to
repair. And when you have mixed use zoning and residential,
and all of this, and this is around the camping
world stadium, it allows for residential to be removed a
lot easier. We're not working together as a community. So
I'm going to give you credit. P is what it
used to be. H is what you're trying to do,
and you're making it public. Use. Now we all know
you're getting ready for the Jaguars to come. We all
know you're getting ready for what's going to happen at
Camping World next year. We all understand you put Camperworld
completely in other areas around in the CRA zone. But
as a business owner who was in the CRA zone,
for many, many years, what benefit are we receiving. Because
Camping World Stadium belongs to the people. So I don't
think the people paying no taxes on that. But you're
going to benefit. From changing this. And now you can
use CRA zone money. You can apply for tourist tax
department. You can apply for a whole lot of things.
And so I'm not saying anything wrong with it. I'm
just saying, can you repair some of the places around
there, the streets. And the things that just going on,
I'm just saying, boy, y'all busy. You're busy today. Everybody
busy. But this is Lake Lana Doom surrounded by residentials
community. And we talking about attaining my house and affordable
housing, and yet I see this change. Don't surprise me.
It's just irks me. It don't surprise me. It disappoints
me. It don't surprise me. But why do you continue
to do certain communities a certain way. And all I
can say is you really just don't care about those
communities. When I saw this this morning, I called three
people. Unfortunately, they couldn't make it today. And then one
of them said they was contacted about this. But you
can't just contact one or two people. When the impact
is the community and surrounding community, we all should have
been advised of what's going to happen. And that's always
saying, keep us abreast, transparency is the best type of
policy you could ever have as a public servant. Public
servant. Thank you. Have a wonderful day. I'll be back.
Rosalyn Anderson.
No ruzzle and. Okay, that's all the public participation we
have on that one. Um, discussion here in non -
favorite, the motion indicate. So by saying I, those opposed
lotion carries. Okay. Ordinance is on first reading 13a. Ordinance
number 2026 - 24 and ordinance of the city council,
the city of Berlino, Florida, amending the zoning designation of
certain land generally located south of the OEUC railroad and
west of Boggy Creek Road on the city's official zoning
maps, providing for amendment of the city's official zoning maps,
preventing a disclaimer, providing for severability, correction scrimmage errors, and
an effective date. Motion bike, commissioner
keen. Second by Commissioner Burns. Do not have any request
for participation on this one discussion. Hearing none all in
favor indicate so by saying hi. Aye. There's opposed motion
fears. Okay, 13B. Ordinance number 2026 - 25, an ordinance
of the city council of the state of Berlino, Florida,
changing the future land use map designation for certainly and
generally located north of West Church Street, east of South
Dawlins Avenue, south of West Pine Street and west of
South Tampa Avenue and comprised of 3. 9 acres of
land more or less from mixed - use corridor medium
intensity in port and residential medium intensity in part to
public recreation and institutional, changing the properties, zoning designation from
medium intensity mixed yeast corridor in part and medium intensity
development in part to public use, providing for amendment of
the city's growth management plan and zoning map, providing for
sufferability, correction of scuvener's errors, and an effective date. Motion
by Commissioner Hill, second bye. Commissioner Burns, we do have
three requests on this. The one of Gelser.
Wanted girls, they ate one five Hill Street. Now I
see why we doing all of this. All in one
day, growth management plan and the official zoning map, 3.
9 acres. From medium intensity. And residential medium. Two, public
recreation, and what you're doing is you're taking it up.
And you're removing residential. And you're saying it's for public
use. 3. 9 acres, ooh, right round of camping world
stadium. I believe that's where it's at. Because we've got
to make sure everything is right. For people who are
coming to visit Orlando, despite what happens to the people
that live in the community. Now, put it all together.
One step. Then another step, and here it is, the
final step. The final step is you're changing something from
median residential to public. And I got a problem with
that. I'll say it earlier. We got a lot of
mixed use in that community already. So if you have
residential, why would you want to change it to something
else. And to keep factor is you can. They keep
factories, and to keep hackadies, the impact, we really don't
matter if it affects the community or not. So. I
know it's the first reading. I know when I call
several people that lived around that community and said, were
you aware of this? Two said that the community were
not for this. I'm so sorry they couldn't make it.
I don't like to speak for nobody. But there was
not a community meeting. About this. But it was a
meeting with several one neighborhood association. But this is 3.
9 acres. Around the camper world stadium. This is changing
zoning. And making it more dense. And taken away residential.
And all I'm saying is. Here's your transparency. His great
development, not smart. But his development, not smart. And then
the communities around, we're still waiting. For our streets to
be paid. Because when you bring all of this additional
traffic is wear and tear on the roads. I didn't
see any improvement for that. So all I'm saying is,
here we go again. We see you do something about
it. Do a better job in the form of your
community. Have a blessed day. Commissioner Hill, nice to see
you, Commissioner. And again, thank you Mayor
Furlay on me to come up and speak. I'll be
speaking on 3B. Good afternoon to the commission and staff.
Congratulations. Thank you for all you've ever done for me,
really, and I appreciate it. I'm here today as a
Westlakes homeowner, but I'm also here as someone who has
spent years participating in supporting and helping to lead the
revitalization of this neighborhood. For 14 years, I community has
been one of the strongest advocates and supporters of the
city of Orlando and Florida Citrus Sports and Liffer Lindo
when it comes to the revitalization and growth of the
West Lakes area. And I must say our partners have
done an incredible job as we have moved the needle
there in the Westlakes community. But today Mayor Dyer and
Council, I am making a heartfelt request. Before the second
reading of this ordinance to please bring the broader Westlakes
community into the conversation about what is being planned for
this city - owned property, of course many I know,
but we have it, the community has not been informed.
If you can spare me a few seconds, I do
know, and we do know, and I don't like that
it's being distorted about that 1. 9 acres, which is
going to be a much needed administrative office for the
Lake Launeredoom Park and staff. But as I stated respectfully,
speaking to six community leaders of the HOAs, it's not
the same as engaging the community at large. Those leaders
absolutely have a voice, but their homeowners, families and seniors
and young people like myself and businesses throughout West Lakes
who has not been engaged in the conversation. Of growth
around the camping world stadium where we live. They're making
these decisions. And these decisions have affected for generations to
come. When the city owns property and our neighborhood, residents
should not have to wait until ordinance reaches to deos
to understand what is being proposed and how it could
affect the community surrounding it. I'm not here to oppose
development. I'm here to advocate for development. But responsible growth
and revitalization for meaningful inclusion and opportunity. What opportunities will
exist for our local businesses, vendors, contractors, entrepreneurs, service providers
in the 32805 community. What opportunities will exist for residents
to participate in jobs, contracts, programming, and economic benefits created
by this development, how will traffic parking safety access quality
of life be addressed. These are just a few of
my questions and some of the questions the community deserve
answers for. As I stated, we have not been engaged
by Commissioner of District 5. None of us knows what's
going on because that, can I just, I have just
a little bit. Can I get the privilege? You wind
it up, Commissioner. Thank you, sir. So Mayor Darre, I'm
asking you to please make sure before this second reading
that we, the community is engaged, that we understand that
we have input that we're valued because we help led
the way of the revivalization of that community. So I
think as we move forward in the city around that
camper world stadium that we're included and informed, thank you
Mayor and thank you, council, for allowing me to speak.
Thank you, Commissioner. Roslin Anderson. Still not here. May scene,
ice.
Good evening. Macy nice, I'm 912 wooden boulevard. These two
young ladies have really expressed a lot. And when I'm
going to say today is that we're not informed about
much of anything that's going on in Orlando. A simple
thing in my neighborhood, back in the early 80s, the
late nineties. We as residents had to raise over 6,
000 dollars to improve washing show shop in center street,
which belongs to the city. We had to match the
funds to it. And I have the information. And right
today, you have signs in that neighborhood, that shopping center.
No one like pocket, no vending. Nothing is being done
about it. Police went out there one Saturday and they
said someone from the city had given them a permit.
To sell on those streets, the city streets. And it's
not getting any better. It's getting worse. Just like they
said, our community. You all don't involve us. I didn't
know anything about. The problem we're going to have around
the citrus boat. But 40 years ago, it was planned
that you all were going to take over west Orlando.
You need that property. It is going to become downtown
in West Orlando. I have the 100 year plan to.
You're looking to take out property. Property that. We fought
to get. And you allow everything to go down so
you have a right to take it. You got, you
know how long mayor die, they've been giving money to
that sister's ball since 1961. And it still looks like
the dump that he did when I grew up over
there. The latest bathroom has not been changed since 1955.
Money is being poured in there, but nothing is being
poured in our neighborhood. Our streets are run down. We
cannot continue to allow you all to do this. I
know you sit there. You don't answer us. But mayor.
For one year comes September the 19th. I've been trying
to get an appointment in your office to speak to
you about what's going on in our community. It's beginning
to look like pine heels. It's run down. And you're
bringing all this new stuff in. And you pushing us
out. And I'm asking each and one of you. Think
about it. Would you want this to be happening in
your neighborhood. Okay. Just for clarification, the 12D, which is
1. 4 acres of land that are right next to
Lake Laurnededoon is an existing building that we are rezoning
to public use so we can use it as a
park's administration building. Mr. Hill mentioned that. So I think
that's pretty common knowledge, not a whole bunch of. Um,
underlying things there. And Mr. Hogan is here. And apparently
we have not educated people enough on what is going
on. This particular beast. Would you come on up.
Would you just enlighten us as to the use of
this peace of property proposed use? Yes. Thank you Mayor
Steve Hogan, Florida Citrus Sports. This is a particular piece
of land that we contributed to the city of Orlando
so that the event center could be built, which was
approved in 2023. Three years ago. Part of a funding
project that was well documented, I think in the community.
I certainly have myself had the opportunity to speak all
though not an official community meeting, I speak at many
community meetings in the West side neighborhoods and of late,
certainly in the last year of had a couple of
occasions to talk about the coming event center. Uh, certainly
have made no secret about my desire to see if
our community could add some parking capacity. But, um, this
event center was planned for the campus and the land
that was contributed with from Florida Citrus Sports. And I
think most people know that we have invested quite heavily
in the founding of lift Orlando and affordable housing stock
in the west side. Soon people will see massively upgraded
Tampa Avenue and Rio Grande as part of the CFX
Expressway because I agree completely that the infrastructure and roads
needed some love and attention. We joined the commissioner at
the time and many community leaders in the neighborhood who
drew the upgrades to Lake Laurnededune Park, which was essentially
a nine and a half million dollar project that Florida
citrus sports, uh, was the general contractor for and joined
the city with four million dollars of its own money
to invest in the park and on and on and
on. So we're very proud of the relationship. The many
community meetings, fact the other night two and a half
hours with nine community homeowner association presidents in our office
talking about a range of issues in the neighborhoods and
appreciative of, uh, some of the public works folks coming
over to talk about floodplain, uh, information and other things
that the residents were asking about. So we communicate quite
regularly. But this parcel as a part of a 2023
approval of the tourist development tax to invest in 140,
000 square foot space for indoor assets on the campus,
um, was approved. And then we donated the land that
it's going to sit on. So a public - private
partnership between Orange County, city of Orlando and Florida, citrus
sports. Yes, and as I have suggested, it's begot many
more. Public - private investments in the neighborhood that are
going to be much needed. Okay, thank you. Discussion. Here,
not all in favor of the motion indicate by saying
aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed. Motion carries. Okay, that is
all of the official business before the city of Orlando
today. Ed, would you get us ready for general appearance.
Okay, we do have a number of requests for general
appearance. The procedure is, I'll call your name. Come to
the podium, state your name and address, and then you'll
have three minutes to address counsel. Broderick Sheffield. Roderick Sheffield.
Okay, Dr. Moyer. Dr. Moyer, I happen to be watching
Orange County. Government the other day. And I saw you
were over there. I thought we were your favorite. What
are you doing over in Orange County. Okay.
Thank. You. Good afternoon, Mayor Commissioners. My name is Dr.
Jim Oyer. I'm elected Arning Soy and Wooder conservation district
to supervisor. Serving Northwest ored, which includes. Rosemont in District
3. Thank you, Commissioner Rose for mentioning the Greenworks. Community
Outreach events. I attended District 3. Thank you, Commissioner Chapin
for your hospitality. It was an honor. Uh, I want
to point out one thing that was mentioned in that
meeting. And quoted verbatim. Because it's exactly what
I've been doing. And I'm hoping to partner with the
city in that regard. Forgive me, I lost it. Here
we go. This is right off of one, the bullet
points. It says expand.
I can make it better, bigger, expand education and outreach
efforts to increase. Understanding of. How to manage wooder. Resource
and pollution. Prevention. That's exactly what I've been trying to
do in the community for the last year and a
half. And part of the responsibility of Florida, soon, and
wooden conservation districts are to work in conjunction. With other
government or entities. Mr. Mayor, to your point, that's why
I've been attending the BCC meetings for quite a long
time, as well as the popular meetings, the COE meetings
for over six years. And, uh, here I've been trying
to attend every meeting. I have community outreach. I mean,
community monthly office hours has been approved with the county
for the Will Street community center in Zellwood. Pop at
the city hall, a co - yet that Tom Eisen
Center. I have a meeting on Wednesday with in Eatonville
to meet at the chambers, which with the founder, Ms.
Lavonda Wilder. I had a conversation just today with Commissioner
Chapin. And his staff, and they've referred me to the
Orlando Parks and recreation, department passed it on. And eventually
I would very much like to have office hours to
work directly with the public to conserve what her use
and prevent what her pollution one - on - one
at the Rosemont Community Center. Thank you for your time.
And God bless all of you for everything you do.
Commissioner Ortiz. Dr. Meyer. I got two things for you.
First of all, you look very good on that picture.
It looked like a Marine Corps general. And the second
thing I have for you is I miss your Marine
Corps hat instead of the American Legion. Could you wear
the Marine Corps hat better? Yes. All right, thank you,
Sean. Okay. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. David Ferrero.
Good afternoon. My name is David Ferrero, and I reside
at 1602 Illinois Street. In 2025, I reported to the
Orlando Police Department that I had been the victim of
unlicensed contracting. I provided evidence, and I cited statutes making
the conduct a third - degree felony under the circumstances
involved. OPD had discretion over whether and how to investigate.
But after consulting OPD legal, the detective said that there
was no probable cause at this time. And that only
the Department of Business and Professional Regulation would file charges.
That was wrong. DBPR does not file criminal charges. Internal
affairs later called the Matter Civil. The chief's office then
said there were no criminal charges OPD could pursue. Most
recently, Chief of Staff David Arnot said OPD had done
everything legally possible. The city's position hardened from provisional to
categorical. The claim that the matter was civil and that
no criminal charges existed were incorrect statements of law. After
exhausting city channels, I contacted the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement, which referred to the matter to the Bureau of
Insurance Fraud. A law enforcement bureau within the Department of
Financial Services. Starting from the same core complaint and statutes,
DFS conducted the criminal investigation OPD had declined to conduct.
It had obtained a judicial finding a probable cause and
an arrest warrant for two alleged third degree felonies. The
case is now set for trial. The defendant is presumed
innocent. My concern is the city's legal and administrative failure.
Not the outcome of the prosecution. The same core facts,
the same statutes. A different agency, a materially different outcome.
On June 23rd, I asked Mayor Dyer and Chief Smith
for an administrative review. I prevented members of this council
a copy of the letter via email. The mayor's office
referred me to public records. A public records link is
not in a demonstrative review. Mr. Arnot repeated that OPD
had done everything legally possible. Repeating the conclusion does not
explain it. City leadership has avoided the review needed to
determine whether this was a failure of legal analysis, referral
procedure, or both. No Orlando resident should have to locate
a state investigative agency after multiple city reviewers incorrectly dismiss
a documented criminal complaint as civil. I ask this council
to direct a written review of OPD case 25352251. Identify
where the legal and referral process failed. And state what
will change before the same failure reaches another Orlando resident.
Thank you. Linda coffin.
32810 immigrants are welcome here. Good afternoon, Mayor and Commissioners.
I'm here today to say thank you. Thank you for
reaching out to Senator's Moody and Scott and asking them
to vote yes on S4814 to reinstate temporary protected status
for a Haitian and Syrian neighbors. Since TPS ended on
July 27th, many of our Haitian neighbors are afraid. Some
are afraid to go to work because they fear detention
or deportation. And that affects all of us. What happens
to your health care system when people working in hospitals,
nursing homes and other healthcare facilities are afraid to go
to work or are forced to leave. What happens to
our construction industry when we lose workers who are helping
our community grow. And something I think we all are
thinking about today. Did their children go to school today.
Or were their parents too afraid to send them. If
our Haitian neighbors are deported, where are we sending them
back to? The U. S. Department of State maintains a
level four do not travel advisory for Haiti because of
violent crime, kidnapping, and civil unrest. We must acknowledge that
firearms and ammunition trafficked from the United States, many from
Florida, have contributed to the violence destabilizing Haiti. We cannot
ignore our connection to these dangerous conditions while sending families
back into them. So again, thank you for contacting Senator
Scott and Moody. And I have one more ask. Please
research and consider supporting the AAACT mandate and pathway to
citizenship written by an Orlando citizen and advanced by local
community members. We have spoken to more than 37 congressional
offices, and we have not had one negative meeting yet.
There is a willingness to talk for real solutions. So
if you visit AAACTnow. org, you can learn more or
definitely give me a call. We'll be glad to have
meetings with you. Our neighbors deserve safety, stability, dignity and
due process. Thank you for standing up with our immigrant
neighbors, coworkers, friends, and families. And I also want to
say thank you for supporting the SROs with my gun
violence prevention background. We definitely want the SROs there and
not guardians. Thank you. Thank you. Assadkov.
Good afternoon. Assad Sadikov 4774 stern wheeler lane. RFOPTA 210
East Lakes who Avenue. Good afternoon Mayor and Commissioners. My
name is Assad and I'm here with Orv. We're rising
seniors here in Orlando at Returni and co - founders
of Haven Link, a free platform that connects people who
want to adopt with licensed agencies. We serve more than
1, 000 families and have come to ask us since
in almost all of them asked the same question. Where
do I start? There aren't undecided rather they've been thinking
about it for years and have no idea where to
begin. Family partnerships of Central Florida, the licenseeded agency for
this county is responsible for more than 2, 800 children
on any given day. Most will go home to their
parents. And that's the outcome everyone wants first. Some won't.
Those children need a family willing to raise them. The
families exist. What's missing is the path between them. In
2024, the Florida legislator passed House Bill 1083, which ended
photo listing, the practice of publicly posting profiles of children,
waiting to be adopted. That was a child privacy decision
and we think it was the right one. But it
removed the state's most visible way of reaching people who
might step forward and nothing has replaced it. That outreach
has had happened through institutions, residents already hear from. In
a city like this, that's the city itself. We're here
in August for a reason. School started this week for
a child and foster care, a placement change usually means
a school change, and every move cost instructional time, permanency
isn't just concerning to homes, but classrooms as well. Orlando's
well positioned. The city department of families, Parks and Recreation,
with afterschool programming, uh, recreation and in neighborhood centers, plus
a newsletter and social channels reaching all six districts. Right
now, those centers are full of parents that pick up
its signup. We have three requests. First, one newsletter item
and one social post this fall, pointing residents to licensing
information through agencies and central Florida. Second, at a parent,
I already on the calendar at a city center, a
table staffed by licensed agencies. They should answer the questions
and would help publicize it. Third, November's National Adoption Month.
Our ask for proclamation recognizing Orlando's faster and adoptive families.
Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for
being here. Nice work, guys. Okay, Emily Vandervere.
Hi, Emily Vandervere, 2224 Sue Avenue. I am here to
talk about a small piece of the Lou Gardens master
plan. Specifically, there are 100 mature trees in the area
that the parking lot is proposed. And I think the
splash pad area that also has some mature trees. And
only 14 are slated to be saved at this point.
So that is 88 mature trees that we are in
danger of losing. Um, and I'm hoping to have you
guys support saving these trees and finding alternatives. We're parking
at Lou Gardens. You know, of course we all know
parking is a nightmare there. So I understand we need
to find a solution. Uh, so the mature trees, I
know you guys know are very important. One mature tree
can take uptake 40, 000 gallons of surface water every
year. And that's just one treat, 40, 000 gallons. And
so with like Rowena being there, it's already flooded recently
as well as the neighborhoods. It's very important that we
save these trees, right? And I know you guys know
this. We hear about trees, the city initiatives all the
time. So, you know, I see these initiatives and then
I'm hearing about these trees potentially going down. And I'm
wondering like maybe the left hand doesn't know what the
right hand is doing. So I think we still have
an opportunity here to work with Lou Gardens and make
sure these trees are saved. There are many alternatives. I've
put them in the, uh, the notes here, but a
couple offhand. There is a piece of land off of
forest that is already for the maintenance at Lou Garden.
So you could have two story parking garage there. There's
not any mature trees in the area. There's also Odumbon
Park for nights and weekends. They have a large parking
lot. We could have cute little trolley going down Corinne.
Definitely options. So I'm hoping to have your support in
saving these trees. Thank you. Thank you. We will take
that under consideration. Okay. Commissioner Hill. You're back up.
Okay. Uh, thank you for allowing me to come back
before you. Please counsel know that I'm not turning to
Luana Gelser. I only come to talk about stuff that
is meaningful to me. And I'm always pro city. You
all are doing amazing job. Um, and I was proud
to sit with y'all. But this is, as you know,
I'm here to talk about, um, while the rice program,
because I heard that it's being sunset. Otherwise program was
created. And it never was just another city program. Rise
was about giving people a pathway from where they were
to where they wanted to be. A pathway to workforce
training, a pathway to employment, a pathway to hire wages
and higher education. And ultimately a pathway to self -
sufficiency. Mary, you and I both have had the pleasure
of working together on this program. We've witnessed so many
great success stories. We've watched people who have struggled get
up and get an opportunity, gain skills, find employment and
begin changing the trajectory of their lives. And I just
wanted us to remember something important. When rise was created,
the city council allotted 2. 6 million in American rescue
plan dollars, specifically for the rise employment and training program.
And as the city developers brought a recovery strategy under
CAO, Kevin Edmonds, Ryes became a part of the larger
accelerator Lando investment in economic opportunity. The city may deliberate
decisions to preserve rise by moving it from the original
opera funding structure into the general revenue funded accelerated Orlando
initiative that I was part of. That decision told us
something about rise matters. It mattered because we understood the
economic recovery wasn't simply about helping people survive a crisis.
It was about helping people build a future. And that
is why the sun set arise concerns me. Because when
a program like this ends, we're not just ending the
line item in the budget. We're potentially ending a pathway
for people who are trying to get there. May I
know you believe in higher education. We are investing millions
of dollars into our young people and their programs and
education. We're expanding youth programs. We're investing in education. I'm
sorry. You are. I forget. I'm not we. You are
creating opportunities. You are moving the needle. But you can,
I say we, cause this is a community. We cannot
forget the adults rising those young people. Because when you
help the head of the household become educated train, employed
and self - sufficient. You don't just change one person's
life. You change an entire family. When we see mothers
go back to school, her children see it. When we
see fathers are in a certification, his children said, when
a parent goes and get a better job and create
stability, their entire household benefit. So how do we preserve
the heart of rise and continue given Orlando residents a
path to self sufficiency? Employment and higher education. You've heard
me said many times before. The greatest social program is
a job. And that's what Ryes has created. So as
you put your budget forth, please consider to continue the
rise program because there's general dollars attached to it. And
hopefully we can find those dollars and continue this great
program and continue hope. Thank you. And I'll talk with
you all again. Thank you. Have a good day. Okay.
That is all the general appearance requests we have. So
thank you for attending your day. And I thank you
commissioners for your attention. We stand adjourned.