City Council Highlights – June 3, 2019
Last updated on June 04, 2019
COUNCIL UPDATE 6.3.19
WORKSHOP
Citizens Advisory Board
One of the roles of the Clerk’s Office is to manage the more than 25 city boards. These boards and the volunteers who serve on the boards play an integral role in the policy-making process, offering valuable input and review. Our City Code also calls for a review of all the boards along with recommendations.
In January 2018, a Board Review Committee was appointed and have worked with the City Clerk’s Office throughout the year to compile feedback from our Citizen Advisory Boards in order to make their recommendations.
Here to present the Board Review Committee’s findings and recommendations is Chair, Celeste Thomas. Ms. Thomas is an Account Director for NCM America’s Movie Network and has previously served on the City’s Families, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Vehicle for Hire Appeal Board.
2019 Legislative Session
The recent legislative session was again another contentious one for local governments. There was a barrage of bills filed that aimed at prohibiting our ability to govern our city.
Our legislative team aggressively worked to protect our Home Rule and pursue legislation to support our City. Today, Kyle Shephard, our City’s Director of Intergovernmental Relations, and our legislative team, presented a detailed recap of the 2019 legislative session.
GENERAL ITEMS
Moment of Silence for Virginia Beach
Our City of Orlando government family and our entire community is heartbroken as a result of the horrific act Friday that took the lives of 11 City of Virginia Beach municipal employees and one city contractor. We send our love to our fellow public servants who have lost co workers and friends, and send our support to the entire Virginia Beach community. We’re also grateful for the brave police officers who prevented even more fatalities.
At this time, let’s pause for a moment of silence to honor the innocent lives taken.
Pulse 3-Year Mark 6/12 –
Unfortunately, our city knows that pain of Virginia Beach all to well. It’s hard to believe, but next Wednesday marks three years since the darkest day in our city’s history.
After the 49 innocent lives were taken at Pulse on June 12, 2016, our community came together to show the world what compassion, inclusion and unity look like. We are proud that we are still responding that same way.
There will be a number of events in the coming days to honor the victims, survivors and first responders, including the remembrance ceremony at the Pulse Interim Memorial, as well as initiatives like the Acts of Love and Kindness campaign that allow our entire community to participate.
Lake Lorna Doone Groundbreaking on 6/4 –
Tomorrow we will break ground on a renovation project at Lake Lorna Doone Park Renovation that will give us Orlando’s first inclusive playground, our first city splash pad, new basketball courts, a community garden and much more.
This has been in the works for a few years and I am looking forward to turning dirt with Commissioner Hill and our partners at Florida Citrus Sports.
State of the City on 6/18 –
The annual State of the City Address is on Tuesday, June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
During the speech we’ll reflect on our city’s recent accomplishments and make announcements on the city’s priorities to keep our city connected, thriving and moving forward. Seating is limited so if you can’t make it you can watch online through Facebook or on our website.
Hurricane Season is Here, Get Prepared –
June 1st marked the start of hurricane season and we’re asking everyone to get prepared now. Early preparation ensures you and your family have the supplies you need when disaster strikes. Visit orlando.gov for our hurricane preparedness guide that has the information you need to know to prepare your family, your home, and your neighborhood before a storm, as well as the resources available for you during and after a storm.
Residential Food Waste Collection Pilot –
Earlier this year we began piloting food waste drop off stations at our local farmers markets.
Our residents have shown immense support, and have already brought nearly one ton of food waste to our drop off locations, ensuring that that waste is diverted from our landfills.
We are excited to see this level of commitment from our residents as we work toward our 2040 zero waste goal. You can visit orlando.gov/foodwaste to find drop off locations and learn more about the program.
ITEMS OF NOTE
Mayor #2 – Sustainability Policy
Food waste collection, is just one of the our initiatives underway as we continue our efforts to be the most sustainable city in the southeast. Part of this endeavor is a commitment by the City to lead by example in this effort.
Today, we vote on a proposed internal policy that would eliminate the sale or disbursement of food-related single-use produces such as polystyrene, plastic straws and plastic bags on city-owned property.
Through leading by example, with this policy we aim to reduce the use of non-biodegradable products and further prevent these detrimental products from getting into our surrounding ecosystems and landfills.