City Council Highlights – March 11, 2019

Last updated on March 15, 2019

COUNCIL UPDATE 3.11.19

WORKSHOP

World Cup 2026/MLS All Stars

This morning City Council hosted a workshop focusing on two excellent opportunities for the City of Orlando, both involving soccer.

As you all know the sport’s popularity worldwide continues to grow and coming this July, Orlando will be hosting the 2019 MLS All-Star game at Orlando City Stadium.   This promises to be an exciting event that will bring the league’s best players and fans to Central Florida.

A little farther down the road in 2026, Orlando remains poised to be a host city for the World Cup. As part of the United 2026 joint bid between Canada, Mexico and the United States, we’ve been shortlisted but there remains a lot of work to be done to capitalize on this opportunity.

Jason Siegel, CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, provided a comprehensive overview of what’s ahead.

Census Bureau

In the 2010 U.S. Census only 70% of Orlando residents were counted and as a result it is estimated that our community lost over $2000 per person in federal funding.  Those federal dollars could have funded critical services here in the City of Orlando.  Today, Director of Constituent Services, Reggie McGill presented a workshop explaining the importance of the U.S. Census.

CITY COUNCIL

GENERAL ITEMS

Meet Your Chief

As a city, our top priority is the safety of our community.

Last week Mayor Dyer joined Commissioner Ortiz and Commissioner Stuart to host the first two Meet Your Chief events, which provide opportunities for residents to connect with our new police chief, Orlando Rolón and for residents to learn how they can partner with the Orlando Police Department to work together to keep their neighborhoods safe. Mayor Dyer will join Commissioner Gray in District 1 and on Tuesday in District 5 with Commissioner Hill. In a few weeks, we’ll conclude the series in Commissioner Ings and Commissioner Sheehan.

CityArts Grand Opening

On Thursday March 21, the Downtown Arts District will celebrate the grand opening and new home of CityArts at the Rogers Kiene Building. Here, CityArts will feature 5 galleries and a café, which is set to open in April. In the past, the Rogers Kiene Building was home to social groups, a dance school, restaurant, and more. We look forward to welcoming CityArts to their new home and showcasing local and international works of art.

ITEMS OF NOTE

Mayor #2 – Designation of cemetery spaces for installation of donated markers in memory of the 49 Pulse victims

Commissioners,

Following the Pulse tragedy, our community came together in so many different ways to help our community recover and heal.  And more than two years later, we continue to see that love uniting our city even more.

One of those acts of love and kindness was the generous donation from Greenspoon Marder Law of 49 individual granite markers, each bearing the name of one of the 49 lives taken during the tragedy, to the city.

After months of careful planning, on today’s agenda is an item that will further the installation of these markers into a permanent space at Greenwood Cemetery that will provide a place for reflection and a way to continue honoring the victims.

I’d like to recognize Commissioner Sheehan for her leadership on this project.  Thank you Commissioner.

I’d also like to personally thank Greenspoon Marder Law for their generous donation and making this project possible.

Together, your efforts continue to ensure we have special places in our community to remember those lives lost and pay honor to their memories.

Economic Development #18- Funding Agreement Between the City of Orlando and Central Florida Foundation, Inc. For the benefit of the Central Florida Social Enterprise Accelerator

On today’s agenda, we have a funding agreement with the Central Florida Foundation for the benefit of the Central Florida Social Enterprise Accelerator, also known as Rally, an accelerator program designed to support the startup and growth of social enterprise non-profit companies.

As part of the city’s strong commitment to diversifying our economy and investing in startup companies, we are providing additional funding to the Rally to continue their programming.

Providing these entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the early stages of developing their product or business will ensure they are able to self-sustain and succeed.