Workshop – Budget
On Monday, July 13, the Orlando City Council held the annual Budget Workshop to discuss the 15/16 Fiscal Year.
The Mayor thanked Commissioners for their leadership in making tough budget choices to ensure the city remained on strong financial footing despite the economic recession and state-mandated property tax reforms.
Mayor Dyer said this commitment is reflected in the City’s credit ratings, which are among the highest financial ratings of any city in the state.
Deputy CFO, Brian Battles, conducted the 15/16 Fiscal Year Budget presentation.
City Council
General Items
Commissioner Sheehan’s Birthday
Mayor Dyer wished Commissioner Sheehan of District 4 a Happy Birthday.
Downtown Orlando Partnership
Downtown Orlando Food Tours
On Saturday, July 11, the Downtown Orlando Partnership kicked-off one of their newest initiatives, Downtown Food Tours. The food tours will take place every Saturday from 2 – 4 p.m.
While on the tour, guests will walk the Central Business District, visiting some of Downtown’s local favorites and sampling everything from oysters to truffle fries. The tours will showcase the diversity of cuisines as well as rich history that Downtown Orlando has to offer and will add to Orlando’s wide variety of affordable entertainment and dining options as well as enhance quality of life by adding to our growing event options.
To sign up for a future tour, visit DowntownOrlandoTours.com.
Ivanhoe Paddleboard Dock at Gaston Edwards Park
On Friday, July 17, Mayor Dyer will join with Commissioner Stuart and the Ivanhoe Village Main Street to celebrate the first launch at the Ivanhoe Paddleboard Dock at Gaston Edwards Park.
The new dock replaces the deck that was previously there and damaged by fire, and will help provide a new amenity for our residents.
The new dock is specifically designed for the use of paddleboards, canoes and kayaks, and other non-motorized vessels.
As part of the event the Mayor will launch his paddleboard with his dog Sammie from the dock for the first time and Commissioner Stuart will launch a kayak for the first time. Any other paddlers are welcome to join!
National Night Out
Year-round the Orlando Police Department supports more than 960 active Neighborhood Watches that play an important role in keeping crime out of our community.
During the month of July and August we celebrate our Neighborhood Watch Program by participating in National Night Out. National Night Out is a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Last year, our City’s National Night Out events drew more than 16,000 participants. This year we want to double that number. Mayor Dyer is looking forward to visiting several of our NNO parties and events leading up to that evening, Tuesday, August 4th and our Commissioners will be out and about in their districts that night as well.
For a full listing of events and to get involved with Neighborhood Watch visit cityoforlando.net.
Items of Note:
Dover Shores Gym Floor Replacement & Hankins Park New Pavilion & Improvements
There were two items on Monday’s agenda that will further enhance the amenities we offer for our residents.
The first is the replacement of the Dover Shores Gym floor in District 2. The new floor will provide an enhanced athletic experience for the numerous recreational programs offer at this community center, including summer basketball leagues, Junior Magic Basketball and our Midnight Basketball Prevention Program.
The second enhancement will be the addition of a new Pavilion and picnic tables at Hankins Park in District 6. The new pavilion will allow the community center to expand their after school program and give children a safe place to do their homework and participate in educational workshops in addition to providing a new gathering place for our residents.
EDV & CRA – Biz Assistance Grants
It has been a long-standing priority of the City’s to support our small businesses and recognize the tremendous contribution they make to Orlando.
An item on Monday’s agenda takes action to support three small business through our small business assistance programs:
• Dr. Koyfman is relocating his dental practice to a new location on West Colonial Drive and investing more than $1.2 million in its renovation. Dr. Koyfman has requested assistance with his impact fees through our Business Assistance program.
• The property owner where Hebni Nutrition is located on West Central Boulevard has requested assistance through our small business façade program to install new awnings, paint and make repairs to stucco and restripe its driveway and parking lot.
• Dr. Behzadi (beh-zotti) is opening a second Central Florida dental practice in Downtown’s North Quarter District and is investing more than $700,000 in a complete renovation of the building and qualifies for assistance through our Downtown Façade & Building Stabilization Program.
These three small businesses are investing nearly $2 million, are filling our storefronts and activating and beautifying our city. And better yet, for each dollar the City is investing in these three small businesses, we will see a nearly $43 return.
To these three small business program recipients, thank you for investing in Orlando and enhancing the quality of life for all who live here.
Invest Grant – Domestic Violence
As part of our ongoing effort to keep our community safe, the Orlando City Council approved a $100,000 grant from the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence to help fund our Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT).
The Orlando Police Department has the only DVRT in Central Florida, which has been recognized as a model program, and consists of a dedicated OPD domestic violence detective and crime analyst focused on holding offenders accountable and enhancing the safety of domestic and dating violence victims.
This grant will help to further our efforts in reducing incidents of Domestic Violence, not only making our residents safer, but also in many cases, saving their lives. Through partnerships like this, with our Orlando Police Department and community organizations like Harbor House of Central Florida, our City continues to make great strides in reducing incidents of domestic violence
