Watch the Orlando City Council meeting online
General Update:
MEI Score
Last week, Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Commissioner Sheehan, City Commissioners, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Florida and LGBTQ advocates to announce the City obtained the highest score of 100 on the HRC Foundation’s 2016 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for the third year in a row.
This was a testament to the City’s ongoing commitment of preserving an inclusive government that embraces diversity. Mayor Dyer thanked all of our elected officials, community partners and city staff for the role they played in helping the City to achieve this recognition.
Come Out With Pride New Date
And part of being an inclusive City, we have hosted the annual Come Out With Pride (COWP) events for a number of years. This year’s events were postponed due to Hurricane Matthew, and will now be held on Saturday, November 12th at Lake Eola Park. The festival starts at 1 p.m. and the parade at 5 p.m.
As part of the parade, Commissioner Sheehan and Mayor Dyer will join with members of OPD & OFD and Pulse survivors and victims’ families and serve in the Community Pride Marshals unit.
Mayor Dyer recognized and thanked City staff who are also walking in the parade together. Your participation helps us to continue to send the message of solidarity and unity following the Pulse tragedy while also showing our support for the LGBTQ community.
We are proud to host this annual event in our City again, which attracts more than 140,000 people to our Downtown, bringing not only significant economic impact to our local businesses, but also continuing our mission to ensure our City embraces diversity and is a welcoming place for everyone.
Veterans Day Parade
Also on Saturday, November 12th, my Veterans Advisory Council will host the City of Orlando’s 17th annual Veterans Day Parade to honor the courageous men and women of our armed forces. The parade begins at Orange Avenue and Robinson Street in Downtown Orlando at 11 a.m.
The parade will consist of participants from Central Florida veteran organizations, active duty military, high school marching bands, junior ROTC units and community groups.
This year’s parade is recognizing the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Mayor Dyer encourages everyone to go to the parade to show your support for our veterans and active duty military.
For more information on the parade, visit CityofOrlando.net/VeteransParade.
Items of Note:
BFF Funding and OPD High Visibility Grant
The City has been focused on increasing pedestrian and bicyclist safety throughout our community.
Council voted to approve about $90,000 dollars in funding towards these efforts and further our Best Foot Forward initiative.
Since Best Foot Forward launched in 2012, the City has improved more than 160 crosswalks with things like enhanced pedestrian signals, pavement markings and signage. And with our community education efforts and targeted enforcement we’ve now see more than four times the amount of drivers yielding to pedestrians within the City.
Community Venues Amendment
In 2007, Council voted to approve the Interlocal Amendment with Orange County to approve three community venues. We have experienced the success of the Amway Center, Camping World Stadium and the Dr. Phillips Center, but the vision for the performing arts center is not complete. Due to the recession, the Dr. Phillips Center completed the first two halls, but the important third hall that will serve our local groups like the Ballet and Philharmonic must still be completed.
Council voted on the City’s portion of the Interlocal Agreement that will make that final phase a reality.
