City Council Highlights – January 8, 2024

Last updated on January 08, 2024

City Council Update 1.8.24 

AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Week and Proclamation  

This afternoon, we would like to start out by acknowledging the work of our city’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission as we begin this week honoring the legacy of Dr. King.  

The MLK Commission, along with our staff, work all year long to ensure that we organize meaningful events that recognize the legacy and efforts of Dr. King and demonstrate his values throughout our community.  

We encourage everyone to visit orlando.gov/MLK to get involved and participate in the Great Day of Service. 

Before we read today’s proclamation, we have our city’s Director of Community Affairs, Marcia Hope Goodwin, to give a brief presentation.

GENERAL ITEMS 

Oath of Office Recognition  

Moving on to the Mayor’s update, you may have joined us earlier this morning as we kicked off the new year for our City Council with the Oath of Office ceremony. We want to again congratulate Commissioners Ortiz, Sheehan and Burns on their new terms. We look forward to serving our community alongside you – and Commissioners Gray, Stuart and Hill – for the next four years. 

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day/Debra Clayton Recognition 

Tomorrow is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and our community recognizes that every day, our OPD officers risk their lives to keep us all safe. We are so thankful for their courage and commitment. 

January 9 also marks seven years since our city lost a hero – OPD Lieutenant Debra Clayton. She was dedicated to making our community a better place and although time has passed, Lieutenant Clayton remains incredibly missed. 

Prismatica in Downtown 

Over the weekend, a temporary art experience called Prismatica was installed at Lake Lucerne and Orange Avenue for residents and visitors to enjoy. Prismatica furthers the city’s commitment to creating a vibrant and diverse urban downtown. The exhibit is on display now until February 11, 2024.  

ITEMS OF NOTE 

Ordinances 1st Read #1 – Code Amendment – Affordable Housing  

There’s one item of note we want to highlight on today’s agenda. One of the city’s top priorities is ensuring anyone who wants to call Orlando home has access to safe, high-quality housing they can afford, which is why we are focused on developing new policies and partnerships to spur investment and create more housing options for residents at every income level.  

Today we will vote on an amendment to our city’s Land Development Code that would allow for the increase in production of affordable housing units in the city by enhancing the available density and intensity bonuses for low and very low-income housing developments.