City Council Highlights - March 11, 2024

Last updated on March 11, 2024

City Council Update 3.11.24

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION 

Carlton Burke Retirement Proclamation  

Today we celebrate a member of our City of Orlando team who is retiring after more than 33 years of service. Carlton Burke is a valuable member of our Information Technology staff.  

GENERAL ITEMS 

Women's History Month Recognition 

March is upon us and we are celebrating Women’s History Month. Our city is fortunate to have a long lineage of women of every background who have played critical roles in shaping our community. 

This includes Commissioner Mable Butler, Mayor Glenda Hood, Police Chief Val Demings, and so many others, like Commissioners Sheehan and Hill, who are currently helping strengthen our city every day. 

Our city staff – led by another woman trailblazer: Kathy Russell – are supporting Women’s History Month events throughout the community, helping us reaffirm our commitment to ensure that rights and privileges are available to women and all residents equally, so that Orlando remains inclusive and welcoming to all. 

ITEMS OF NOTE:

B#8 - The Canopy and Temporary Parking Agreement 

Last month, the city proudly unveiled “The Canopy,” the newly designed urban gathering space under I-4 that will further create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable urban oasis that reflects the spirit of downtown Orlando and connects our diverse neighborhoods. Today, we’ll vote on approving a temporary rideshare pilot and parking concept in the space that will open this summer. The goal of this pilot is to create more accessible spaces for those to enjoy our downtown amenities and to help better understand the usage of the temporary zone ahead of the permanent project design, which can be modified to meet future multimodal needs.

D#1 & #3 - CVI Extension and Expansion 

Also on today’s agenda is the renewal and expansion of our Community Violence Intervention program thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Office of Justice. The city launched the evidence-based CVI initiative in November 2022 with the goal of reducing and preventing gun violence.   

  To date, the project has shown early success and positive impacts, including -  

  • Firearm homicides are down by 20%.  

  • Non-fatal shootings are down by 36%.  

  • Saved taxpayers between $8.3-$8.9 million by preventing likely injury shootings and homicides.  

This project is a partnership with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and we’d like to recognize them for their dedication in helping us to further safety in our community. 

J#3 & 4- SunRail Transfer Agreement 

As we work to invest in more sustainable, multi-modal transportation options for residents and visitors, today we are also looking to amend the SunRail agreement that will further the future of our commuter rail system.  

The transfer of SunRail to the local partners is a critical step in moving towards our collective goal to expand service to nights and weekends, as well as to the airport and beyond. 

CRA#7 - CRA Property Acquisitions 

Lastly, on today’s agenda, the CRA is proposing the purchase of four catalytic properties in the Downtown CRA area to further support the evolution of downtown and make investments in plaza/open space and further activating the city’s urban core.  

These acquisitions further our vision of a more vibrant and inclusive downtown and our Project DTO 2.0 Action Plan.  

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