WORKSHOP
(Watch City Council workshop online)
Orlando International Airport Master Plan Update
With more than 820 arrivals and departures daily, Orlando International Airport is the 13th busiest airport in the United States. Last year Central Florida attracted 59 million visitors, and for many of these visitors, Orlando International Airport was their first impression of the City Beautiful.
On Monday August 11, we were joined by several representatives from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority including Phil Brown, Executive Director; Stan Thornton, Chief Executive Officer; Davin Ruohomaki, Senior Director of Planning, Engineering and Construction; Brad Friel, Director of Planning; Mikko Huttunen, Senior Project Manager – Planning and Engineering for a workshop on the Orlando International Airport Master Plan; and Dean Asher, Vice Chairman of the GOAA board.
The Greater Aviation Authorities’ General Consultant, Schenkel Shultz Architecture, delivered the workshop. Tom Chandler provided the update which included a planning horizon based on passenger and aircraft forecasting, Capacity Analysis and Facility Impacts resulting in a 5 year Capital Improvement Plan and an Airport Layout Plan with existing and future facilities.
Tinker Field
A second workshop was held on on Tinker Field.
As you know the reconstruction of the Citrus Bowl has impacted the outfield of Tinker Field. Additionally, for the past few months, there has been a public process regarding the historic designation of Tinker Field.
Allen Johnson, Executive Director of the Venues, gave a presentation.
CITY COUNCIL
(Watch City Council meeting online)
General Items
Commissioner Ortiz Birthday
Mayor Buddy Dyer wished District 2 Commissioner, Tony Ortiz a happy birthday! He will be celebrating his birthday on Monday, August 18.
Agenda Items of Note:
Mayor #1 – Chapter 57
Commissioners, I am incredibly proud of the steps we’ve taken, including the implementation of the City’s domestic partnership registry, that have made Orlando one of the most inclusive cities in America.
I remain committed to equality for everyone and further understand its importance as an economic development tool as our community looks to attract talented, creative people and employers and create jobs for all of our residents.
On Monday August 11, 2014 we took another step that will allow us to amend our code to include the “gender identity” as a protected category to our anti-discrimination policy, chapter 57.
FPR – After School Feeding Program
City Council approved an application for a grant that will allow us to continue to provide meals to children after school, on weekends, and during school holidays throughout the City of Orlando.
During the past school year, through this grant, our Families Parks and Recreation Department served more than 30,000 snacks and nearly 80,000 dinners to children at 17 after school locations citywide.
As parents struggle to pay bills and pinch every penny to get by, this program will allow us to help our families meet their children’s needs for nutritional foods so they can grow up to be healthy and successful adults.
EDV – Honorary Designation of West Washington Street as the Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman Memorial Highway
There was a resolution on Monday’s agenda supporting the honorary designation of West Washington Street as Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman Memorial Highway.
Bessie Coleman was a pioneer aviator who was the first licensed African-American pilot and the first pilot to ever receive an international pilot’s license which was granted to her in 1921, a full two years before Amelia Earhart received her own international pilot’s license.
Bessie was a resident of the City of Orlando at the time of her passing and she resided on West Washington Street. Bessie already has a library in Chicago named after her, she had a US Postal Stamp issued in her honor and she has streets named for her in Chicago and Frankfurt. It’s only fitting that a street be designated in her honor in Orlando.
I’d like to thank State Senator Geraldine Thompson for her leadership in getting the state senate to place an honorary designation on West Washington Street in Bessie’s honor…and the City is proud to support Senator Thompson’s efforts with this resolution.
