Watch the City Council Workshop Online
Watch the City Council Meeting Online
Workshop:
Leu Gardens and Mennello Museum Update
The Monday, August 15, workshop focused on two of Orlando Venues; Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.
Before the workshop, Mayor Buddy Dyer took a moment of silence to reflect on the recent passing of former Mennello Museum Executive Director Frank Holt.
Frank passed two weeks ago and his passion, enthusiasm and spirit will be sorely missed, but through his work at the City and with the Mennello Museum his impact lives on.
Frank started with the City in 1990 when he was appointed as the first Public Art Manager. In that role he amassed more than 900 pieces of art which led to his role in establishing the Mennello Museum. He was the museum’s first and only executive director up until handing the reins over to Shannon Fitzgerald last September. Under his stewardship, the Mennello not only blossomed, it thrived.
Mayor Dyer called on Allen Johnson, the Orlando Venues Executive Director, to provide updates on two cultural amenities in Orlando: Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum.
City Council
General Update:
Hill and Ortiz Birthday
Mayor Dyer recognizing two Commissioner birthdays:
- District 5 Commissioner Regina I. Hill’s birthday is Monday, August 15
- District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz’s birthday is Thursday, August 18
Back to School
Monday, August 15, marks the first day of the school for thousands of students in our community.
Through our after-school and athletics programs, we expect to serve more than 13,000 students this school year. We’re focused on impacting academic success, reducing juvenile crime, promoting health and wellness and providing economic security for families.
Pet Friendly City
In case you missed it, last week Orlando was named the number one “Pet Friendly” City in the U.S.
The ranking came from WalletHub.com and recognized our City for the number of pet-friendly restaurants, pet stores and parks and our city’s walkability.
Mayor Dyer recognized Commissioner Sheehan for the important role she has played in our City achieving this honor – including her leadership in helping to pass legislation to allow for “doggie- dining.”
Items of Note:
Orlando Parks Project Collaboration with Downtown CREDO
Council voted on an item that will help spread pride as well as awareness of our City parks and also raise funds for local non-profits Downtown CREDO and the Orlando Community & Youth Trust, which supports the mission of the City’s Families, Parks and Recreation department.
The collaboration, called the Orlando Parks Project, will recruit 20 local artists to create illustrations that interpret the artist’s experience at selected City parks.
The illustrations will be printed in a limited-edition oversized coffee table book and as limited-edition posters which will be sold at an opening night exhibition that will feature the original artwork.
Incentive Agreement for Grocery at Lucerne Development
As Downtown Orlando continues to grow through increased residential development, great urban retail and world-class venues, it’s important that the City provide diverse urban amenities that offer a high quality of life for our residents, workers and visitors.
Council voted on an item that will help the City do just that and bring a grocery store to the Downtown core. The project will be part of a mixed-used development that will help to revitalize the south of Downtown at a key intersection – Orange and Gore – and bring further economic impact to our City.
Quasi-Judicial Hearing #1 – Soccer Stadium
City Council heard a recommended order from a hearing officer in case number QJ2016-003, relating to the certificate of appearance approval for the Orlando City Soccer Stadium. The petitioner in this case is Lawanna Gelzer, and the applicant is Scott Neal for the applicant Orlando Sports Holding, LLC.
Planning official, Dean Grandin, gave some background on this case and Council heard from the petitioner and the applicant.
- Dean presented on the ARB request and gave procedural history
- Council questioned Dean
