Council Highlights – September 12, 2022
Last updated on September 12, 2022
MAYOR’S UPDATE
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
Proclamation - Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15 – October 15, 2022
MAYOR -
Each year, our community celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the heritage, culture, and contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to our nation, state, and city.
We want to thank the city staff on our Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee who have planned events that support our continued efforts to create an inclusive, equitable city for all.
GENERAL ITEMS
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Commissioners, last night Orlando Firefighters and Orlando Police Officers paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost 21 years ago in the attacks on 9/11 in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Honor Guard members from both departments lit 343 red candles and 60 blue candles outside of Station One downtown during their ceremony to honor the courageous fallen first responders and vowing to never forget.
2022 POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony
We invite our community to also honor our United States Military prisoners of war and those still missing in action during our annual POW-MIA ceremony hosted alongside our Veterans Advisory Council.
We would like to you join us next Friday, September 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This year's keynote speaker will be Stephen Grubb, who is a proud gold star son of United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Wilmer Newlin Grubb, who served in the Vietnam War. The entire Grubb family have been activists in the movement to honor those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing.
Orlando Connect
Commissioners, last week launched Orlando Connect, the latest initiative to partner together with our community to further reduce crime and enhance safety. It also builds on our culture of collaboration and our future-ready efforts to create a safer, more connected city.
The new program – a 21st century neighborhood watch - allows residents to register their cameras and businesses to also integrate their camera systems together with our public safety cameras. Anyone interested in joining the program should visit orlando.gov/orlandoconnect.
ITEMS OF NOTE
B #2 – Aspire Health/CRT Program
On today’s agenda we’ll vote to expand our partnership with Aspire Health Partners to extend and further enhance our Community Response Team pilot program. The program launched in March 2021 as part of the City of Orlando’s efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive community for all residents.
We are proud that through the program we’re providing a more compassionate and effective response to assist those in need. Trained professionals from Aspire have responded to nearly 13-hundred calls for service involving residents in mental crisis, attempted suicide or suffering from substance abuse.
The pilot expansion adds another 18-months and includes a new mental health professional at our OPD 911 Communications Center and add a full-time clinician position.
Housing Items 1- 10 – CDBG Funding
Also on today’s agenda are a number of items that allow us to leverage federal funds to help the most vulnerable members of our community, including those experiencing homelessness.
This includes eight agreements totaling nearly $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, to support our partner agencies and benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
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 - Hope Team
Today we’re also voting to approve providing Downtown CRA funding to the Health Care Center for the Homeless to continue supporting its HOPE Team outreach specialists. These team members – easy to find in their red shirts – play a key role in our compassionate response to homelessness by connecting those in need in our downtown to resources and services.