City Council Highlights – September 11, 2023
Last updated on September 11, 2023
City Council Update 9.11.23
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
There’s no question that our community’s diversity makes Orlando a more vibrant place to live and visit. We are proud that we celebrate that diversity and are committed to ensuring our city is inclusive and equitable for all.
Today we start our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and we want to thank the staff of our Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee who have organized upcoming events for our community to enjoy. We also want to recognize Commissioner Ortiz for his leadership and contributions.
SPECIAL ITEM OF NOTE
J#6 – OPD Officer Kevin Valencia Sign
Before we proceed with our updates and the agenda, we have a special item of note to speak on. Two and a half years ago, our community lost a hero who was dedicated to keeping Orlando safe. Although time has passed, OPD Officer Kevin Valencia will never be forgotten.
On today’s agenda is a resolution supporting the honorary designation of a portion of State Road 435 – Kirkman Road – as Officer Kevin Valencia Memorial Highway. We want to thank State Senator Geraldine Thompson and State Representatives Rita Harris and Bruce Antone for bringing this forward at the state level.
Today we are joined by Officer Valencia’s family: his wife Meghan, sons Kaleb and Kolton, mom Karen and brothers Mario and Steven, along with several of his OPD squad mates.
Thank you for being here. Please know that our community is still sending its love and support to you. And we will continue to honor Officer Valencia and recognize his service and sacrifice.
GENERAL ITEMS
September 11th Anniversary
Today, we continue to think of our first responders and our community as the day marks 22 years since nearly 3,000 of our fellow Americans lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. As we honor the lives and legacies of those taken that day, our community still sends its support to their loved ones.
That includes the more than 400 first responders who raced into danger that day to save many lives. Tonight, our city will honor them at Fire Station 1 during OFD’s annual candlelight ceremony. Earlier this morning, we were joined by volunteers and firefighters at Fire Station 2 to pack meals for United Against Poverty as part of September 11th National Day of Service activities. Our community continues to showcase the unity, kindness and compassion that was part of our nation’s response to September 11th.
POW/MIA Event
We would also like to invite the community, and especially those who have served in our armed forces, to attend our Veterans Advisory Council’s POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony this Friday, September 15th at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The annual event honors our country’s military prisoners of war and their families.
More information can be found at orlando.gov/POWMIA.
State of Downtown
Another event coming up is our State of Downtown Address, a Downtown Orlando Partnership's fundraiser, on Wednesday, September 27 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. For more information visit doporlando.com.
Commissioner Ortiz Birthday
And last, but certainly not the least, since this is our first meeting in September, we want to recognize Commissioner Ortiz’s birthday from August.
ITEMS OF NOTE
#F2-16 – Housing CDBG & ESG Funding Agreements
Moving on to items of note, on today’s agenda are a number of items that will allow us to leverage federal funds to help the most vulnerable members of our community.
This includes 15 agreements totaling nearly one million dollars in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds, to support critical programs and services provided by our non-profit partner agencies, including:
- building repairs to preserve affordable apartments;
- homebuyer education and counseling;
- case management and support services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking,
- And outreach programs and emergency shelter operations.
We are grateful to these partners for helping advance our shared priority that every resident has a safe place to sleep, and their basic needs are met.
CRA#5 – SAK Comedy Lab Funds
Also on the agenda we are looking to approve funding to help relocate SAK Comedy Lab to West Church Street.
One of the CRA's goals is to provide destination activities that add to the thriving entertainment hub in the downtown core.
This new location will support the Cultural Corridor in providing a wide variety of arts destinations and be at the center of activities that take place within the City District Main Street.
We would like to recognize Chris Dinger, with SAK, who is here today on behalf of the theatre.