Dear friends,

As we entered this hurricane season, no one anticipated that Florida would have already been hit by a tropical system this early in the season. While Tropical Storm Alberto had a minimal impact on Orlando, it serves as an important reminder that hurricanes are unpredictable and we all need to take steps to be prepared. In this issue, you will find information about upcoming community Hurricane Preparedness Meetings and volunteer training opportunities to assist during hurricanes.

Also included in this issue, is a recap of the 2006 Legislative session that recently concluded. During this session a number of Legislative bills were passed that will directly impact the Orlando community. City staff have been working with state legislators to develop bills that are beneficial to the residents of Orlando, including securing funding for transportation, postsecondary education and housing.

As always, please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

This year, the Florida Legislature passed 362 bills, the majority of which the Governor will sign into law. Below are highlights from the 2006 Legislative session:

• House Bill (HB) 1237 authorized the University of Central Florida's Medical School that will be located at Lake Nona in the City of Orlando. In addition, the State allocated $3 million for preliminary design work on the medical college.
• Senate Bill (SB) 1350 authorizes counties to levy, by referendum, a new rental car tax up to $2 per day. This issue will be on the ballot in November for residents to vote on, if passed approximately $38 million would be raised annually for needed transit and road projects in Orlando and Orange County.
• City staff worked with Legislators to secure $1 million to complete the construction of UCF’s School of Film and Digital Media located in Downtown Orlando. This is an important step toward creating a “digital media village” in the heart of the City.
• HB 1363 provided $433 million in funding for a range of affordable housing programs, that provide housing for a variety of income levels throughout the state. One of the programs this bill creates is the Community Workforce Housing Innovation Program, which will provide housing options for the workforce population including teachers and public safety officials.
• SB 2728 creates the Innovation Incentive Program, which provides resources for economic development projects, including the location or expansion of research and development entities and innovative businesses in Florida. This program is an invaluable tool as the City works to obtain new industries, including life science companies and corporate headquarters, which generate high-wage, high-value jobs in the community.
• Also passed was the “Doggie Dining Bill.” The State of Florida is the first in the nation to pass legislation giving cities and counties the ability to regulate whether dogs can dine on restaurant outdoor patios with their owners.
• SB 692 once again establishes a “Back to School” sales tax holiday, from July 22 – July 30, for school supplies and clothes.
• We have a State bird, flower, tree and fish, and now we have a state pie—the Key Lime pie. The key limes used to make this dessert are named after the Florida Keys where they first originated in the US. The first key lime pie was created in the 1850’s in South Florida.

Volunteers are always needed to help staff the citizen call center during hurricane activation of Orlando’s Emergency Operations Center. Formal training is mandatory for all phone line volunteers. The following training dates are available:
Wednesday, July 26 from 3--5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, July 28 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

If you are interested in volunteering please call Kimberly Avera at (407) 246-3787.

On Thursday, June 15, Mayor Dyer and the Orlando Fire Department unveiled the new Tower 8 fire truck. As the City moves forward with infrastructure to support growth and enhance public safety, this 95-foot ladder with full advanced life support capabilities will enhance service in the City’s growing southeast corridor, including Lake Nona, Lee Vista and our airport. With the addition of Tower Truck 8, the City of Orlando is taking one more step to ensure the public safety of the entire community.

Making plans to celebrate 4th of July? Join Mayor Dyer for Fireworks at the Fountain on Independence Day. All Orlando residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Independence Day with Fireworks at the Fountain for the 29th patriotic celebration of fun, food and fanfare at beautiful Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.

Fireworks at the Fountain brings excitement to all ages throughout Lake Eola. Festivities began at 4 p.m. with live entertainment, children’s activities, storytelling and games, and fire department demonstrations.

At 9:15 p.m., Mayor Dyer will kick off the unique fireworks display, which will feature approximately 20 minutes of colors, sounds and “booms” filling the air to commemorate the 2006 Fourth of July celebration. Attendees for Fireworks at the Fountain should arrive early to reserve their spot around Lake Eola to view the City’s firework display.

A complete entertainment schedule will be posted in an upcoming edition of City News.

JetBlue

On Wednesday, June 7, Mayor Dyer helped JetBlue break ground on the new JetBlue Crew Lodge at Orlando International Airport. The Crew Lodge will house crewmembers of JetBlue who are conducting training and other related airline business.

Johnson’s Diner

On Thursday, June 8, Mayor Dyer attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the new location for Johnson’s Diner. The diner moved to the new City View, which allows for additional seating. After the ceremony, Mayor Dyer and other dignitaries served as host and servers for the lunch hour.

Hurricane Mitigation Exercise

On June 8, Mayor Dyer attended the Hurricane Mitigation Exercise at Universal Orlando. The City of Orlando is working with local governmental leaders, non-profit and faith-based groups to help coordinate resources and services in preparation of hurricane season. This series of brain storming sessions are to help mitigate or minimize the impact of any possible hurricanes this year.

Fifth Third Bank

On June 9, Mayor Dyer attended the grand opening of Fifth Third Bank’s Central Florida headquarters and downtown banking center. The opening not only gives downtown residents and workers additional banking options but also brings new high-wage, high-value jobs to the community.

Welcoming Keith Tribble

On Tuesday, June 13, Mayor Dyer officially welcomed UCF’s new Athletics Director, Keith Tribble, to the City of Orlando. At UCF, Tribble will direct an intercollegiate athletics department that includes nearly 600 student-athletes in 17 varsity sports including football, basketball and baseball, more than 150 coaches and other staff.

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email: buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net