City Council Highlights – December 10, 2018
Last updated on December 14, 2018
WORKSHOP
Watch the City Council Workshop.
Downtown Orlando continues to attract new businesses, residents and visitors. As downtown continues to grow, so do the unique needs of our community. This morning Thomas Chatmon, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency, will provide an update on two new initiatives Downtown – the Ambassador Program and a Text-to-Give campaign aimed at helping the homeless
CITY COUNCIL
Watch the City Council meeting.
GENERAL ITEMS
Commissioner Stuart & Ings Birthdays
Mayor Buddy Dyer recognized District 3 Commissioner Stuart and District 6 Commissioner Ings who recently celebrated their birthdays.
Bowl Games & Parade
Downtown Orlando hosts more than 1,200 events a year and as the end of the year approaches, we have some exciting events to share.
On Saturday, December 29 at 9:30 a.m., all are invited to experience a beloved annual tradition. The Orlando Citrus Bowl Parade has grown to become one of the largest sport affiliated parades in the nations and will feature marching bands from throughout the nations, celebrity appearances, and citrus decorated floats. This year’s parade will support Give Kids The World Village.
The Citrus Parade is part of Bowl Season here in Orlando and we are once again the only city in the country to host. three bowl games. This Saturday, December 15, the AutoNation Cure Bowl features a match-up between Tulane and Louisiana.
On Friday, December 28, the Camping World Bowl will have West Virginia facing off against Syracuse.
And finally, on New Year’s Day, the VRBO Citrus Bowl will play host to Kentucky versus Penn State.
High-profile events like this continue to bolster Orlando’s reputation as one of the country’s premier sports destinations and drive economic benefit throughout the region with the tens of thousands of fans traveling to our city.
Wreaths Across America
On Saturday, December 15, join Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Sheehan at Greenwood Cemetery to honor fallen veterans during the holiday season as part of Wreaths Across America Day. You can help us place wreaths on the headstones of the many veterans who are buried at the ceremony. The event begins at this Saturday at noon.
ITEM OF NOTE
A #6 – Mayor’s Matching Grant Awards
Council voted on an item to approve funding for nine Mayor’s Matching Grant projects.
These grants will support our local neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations and schools that offer programs that help us to enhance the quality of life in our city and ensure we provide opportunities for everyone.
Grant projects include adding neighborhood safety features and enhancing the beauty of our neighborhoods; providing critical after-school mentoring programs and providing increased access to creative arts, education, culture, career exploration and athletic programs for our youth.
Byron Farewell
The Monday, December 10 City Council meeting was Byron Brooks’ last council meeting with the City of Orlando. After 15 years with the city, Byron has accepted a position with Orange County.
In 2005, we did a nationwide search for a new Chief Administrative Officer, and Mayor Dyer was proud that the best candidate for the job was right here in Orlando. Through the years, Byron has provided a strong, steady leadership to this organization.
From the community venues and the Blueprint to challenging budget times during the economic recession to the development of Medical City and the routine city business like union contracts council agendas… Byron is certainly going to be missed, but we wish him the best of luck over at Orange County.
Thank you for your commitment to the city and making the lives of our residents and business owners better.
Quasi-Judicial Hearing #1 – 125 Wisteria Avenue
City Council held a hearing relating to a request for a Major Certificate of Appropriateness for property located 125 Wisteria Avenue. Richard Forbes, Historic Preservation Officer presented background on the case and then City Council heard from the petitioner.