Dear friends,

Public safety is the top priority for this administration and the entire City Council. From police to emergency management and fire, our unwavering commitment to public safety remains stronger than ever.

This week, as part of our multi-year, $110 million public safety initiative, we announced that the former Lynx bus station will be the future site of a new, state-of-the-art, fire complex for the Orlando Fire Department. This site, located in the City’s downtown urban core, will support our commitment to delivering high-quality urban services and leveraging City-owned property.

Totaling more than 57,000 square feet, this comprehensive fire complex will house Fire Station 1, Fire Administration and all of our special operations units including Arson and Bomb, Dive Team and Haz Mat on the first three floors. In addition to centralizing these fire operations, the city plans to lease the space above the station to facilitate a private mixed-use project, with the goal of providing attainable housing in our downtown core.

As a leader in our region, the City’s goal is to remain cutting edge in providing efficient and effective services to our residents. This new complex will serve as a model, showcasing the power of public-private partnerships.

As another beautiful spring weekend begins, I wish everyone a Happy Easter and Passover.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

This section of City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged.

Safe Orlando Task Force Recommendations

The Safe Orlando Task Force, comprised of 26 local community leaders, was formed in August 2006 to identify specific ways to prevent crime, use police resources more effectively and stop repeat offenders.

The task force was divided into three separate sub-committees: prevention, enforcement and re-integration. Each sub-committee researched their topic area, discussed options and developed recommendations, which were presented to the City Council on March 26.

The prevention subcommittee considered strategies for the prevention of violent crime, focusing on Central Florida’s youth. The following are some the recommendations of the prevention sub-committee, along with an update on what actions the City is taking.

Ensure the availability of adult-supervised after school activities for all elementary, middle and high school students.

• The Orlando Magic have announced a $250,000 contribution to fund the “Roving Leaders” program, an initiative used in cities across the nation, to provide resources for athletic activities, community service projects, field trips, teen dances, arts initiatives, special events, movie nights and leadership development for youth who are vulnerable to drugs, gangs and violence.
  
  
• Commissioner Wyman’s After School All-Stars program, which assists more than 1,000 middle school students, will expand its reach beyond local schools and into City neighborhood centers to provide more children access to the educational and recreational activities.

Increase focus on the impact of faith-based organizations and job partnerships.

• Since October 2006, Commissioner Lynum and Commissioner Ings have worked with staff and community venues partners to develop a comprehensive approach to ensure the economic impact of the new venues directly benefits the local community. A comprehensive blueprint will be presented to City Council in the next several months, modeled after best practices of cities such as Memphis, Nashville and Newark and incorporating the input of groups such as Workforce Central Florida, African American Council of Christian Clergy, the Urban League, Black Business Investment Fund and National Minority Supplier Development Council of Florida.

• Through the Parramore Kidz Zone, the “Teenz of Parramore” or T.O.P Advisory Council has been established with 12 neighborhood youth to advise on effective ways to engage youth who have been on the streets without adult supervision, in positive and productive activities. T.O.P will serve as a model to be implemented Citywide.

To read more about the Safe Orlando Task Force recommendations, visit our public safety section at CityofOrlando.net

Telecommunicators Week

Mayor Buddy Dyer is proclaiming the week of April 8-14, 2007 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the City of Orlando. This week recognizes the dedicated telecommunicators throughout the City who daily serve the citizens by answering 911 calls for police, fire and emergency medical services and by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible. Public safety telecommunicators are the vital link between residents, victims and the public safety provider who may apprehend a criminal, save their possessions from fire or save their life or the life of a loved one.

Orlando 360°

This new show, produced by the City’s Office of Communications, features in-depth conversations with City officials on important issues facing Orlando. The first episode focuses on the City’s Public Safety Initiative. Host Annetta Wilson talks with Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando Police Chief Michael McCoy on the City’s efforts to combat violent crime in Orlando and how citizens can become engaged and support this effort. Catch Orlando 360° on Orange TV, Bright House Networks Channel 9 Sundays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. or watch it online.

Public Safety Information Series

City residents are encouraged to attend the last Public Safety Information meeting on Monday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at NorthLake Park Community School, 9055 NorthLake Parkway. This meeting will inform citizens about Orlando’s public safety efforts and will empower citizens to help reduce and prevent crime in our neighborhoods. The first meeting held at the Rosemont Community Center can be seen online at the Public Safety section of the City’s website, cityoforlando.net/publicsafety.

For more information, please call the Office of Neighborhood & Community Affairs at 407-246-2169.

On Saturday, March 31, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the Phi Delta Kappa Celebrating a Gift of Teaching Luncheon at the Orlando Marriott Downtown. Mayor Dyer was honored by Phi Delta Kappa for his leadership and commitment to pre-K education.

Mayor Buddy Dyer and Fire Chief Jim Reynolds announced that a new fire station complex will be built at the old Lynx bus terminal in Downtown Orlando. In addition to housing fire administration, Fire Station 1 and specialty units on the first three floors, the remaining floors will be used as a mixed-use development that will include attainable housing.

On Monday, April 2, Mayor Dyer attended the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association meeting to provide an update on the City’s education efforts for children.

On Tuesday, April 3, Mayor Dyer and the City’s Solid Waste Division recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was assassinated in Memphis, TN while attempting to resolve a garbage worker strike. Mayor Dyer and the City’s Solid Waste Department placed black bows on the front of the city’s solid waste trucks to mark Dr. King’s sacrifice and the entire Solid Waste fleet drove with their headlights on all day.

Water and Sewer Billing Upgrade

OUC—The Reliable One, provides billing for the City's solid waste and waste water services, recently implemented a new billing and customer service software system. The new system will enable OUC to increase efficiency and provide faster access to customer account information.

OUC and City staff have been working for more than a year to ensure that the change to this new software is as smooth as possible.

Customers will begin to see the new bills on Friday, April 6. Should a City customer have a concern about the City portion of their bill, they should call Solid Waste at 407-246-2314 or Waste Water at 407-246-2213. If a customer has a concern regarding the OUC portion of their bill, they should call 407-423-9018.

Camp Orlando Summer Registration

The City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department is …”where the fun starts!” and offers a variety of summer camp activities at various locations throughout the City. Camp Orlando is a five-day a week program scheduled 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for children ages five -14 at the City Community Centers. Natural Expressions - which combines art and nature experiences - is held at the Mayor Carl T. Langford Park on Tuesdays in five-week sessions. The Kids Clay Camp is located at the Pottery Studio at the Downtown Recreation Center on Livingston Street on Thursdays and Fridays in four-week sessions; and the Summer Puppet Series is held at the Ferncreek Elementary School. Parents may register for the puppet series onsite.

The Orlando After-School All-Stars provides innovative and fun programs for youth ages 11-14 only at five City middle schools, Dr. J.B. Callahan Neighborhood Center and at Southport Community Park. All programs are closed on recognized holidays. Activity costs vary by program. Field trips and t-shirt costs are extra. There are also lower rates for students who are City residents and enrolled in Orange County Public Schools free and reduced lunch programs.

Registration methods vary by program. Parents may register for Camp STRIVE at the location nearest to them. Swimming lessons are also offered for infants through adults at the City’s 11 pools. Parents may go to the nearest pool to register for swim lessons. Swim lesson registration begins on June 2.

Parents have three ways of registering for these programs: online, by phone, or onsite at the individual community center. Online and phone registration for City residents begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 14. Non-City registrants can register online or call starting Saturday, April 14 at noon. Log on to: drfun.cityoforlando.net or call 407-246-4081. To register using either of these methods, parents must first have an account in our system. An account can be created via our website or by visiting the nearest City community center to create an online account.

Onsite registration for Orlando residents begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 14. Non-City residents may register onsite between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 14.

For more information about the individual programs or the summer camp locations near you contact the staff at the facility of your choice, call 407-246-4300 or visit the Families, Parks and Recreation summer camp page.

Darden Restaurants Donates $5 Million to Performing Arts Center

The Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center announced this week that the Darden Restaurants Foundation, Inc. will donate $5 million over five years to help build the Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center (DPAC) in the heart of downtown Orlando. As part of the donation, the performing arts center will name its box office after Bill and Mary Darden. The Darden family helped found and build Orlando-based Darden Restaurants into the world’s largest casual dining restaurant company, benefiting Central Florida ever since.

“We thank Darden Restaurants for its long-term commitment to the performing arts in Central Florida,” said DPAC Board Chairman Jim Pugh. “Investing in the arts is vital, and Darden’s $5 million donation helps ensure our community continues to prosper, attract creative talent and celebrate our culture.” Of the 30 largest markets in the United States, Orlando is the only city without a signature performing arts center.

This donation comes at a critical juncture, as DPAC boosters are raising private funds that will help make this project a reality. To achieve its fundraising goal, the nonprofit is currently seeking $100 million from private contributors – such as Darden – to fund the $376-million project. Darden’s gift brings the total amount of charitable contributions raised to $54.5 million.

The vision of DPAC is to develop a destination that elevates the arts, provides the best arts education, generates urban renewal, and most importantly, is programmed to be fiscally responsible in construction and operations. For more information about the DPAC initiative, please visit www.orlandopac.org.

Mayor’s City Academy

The Mayor’s City Academy is an ideal way for residents to become informed about City government. This nine-week program will feature road trips, field demonstrations, department tours and many other experiences.

The Mayor’s City Academy is held twice a year in the spring and in the fall. Participants meet every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. during the nine-week program. The spring application deadline is April 20, 2007. Apply by submitting the application form to:

City of Orlando - NCA
P.O. Box 4990
Orlando, FL 32802-4990
or via fax to:
407-248-3508

You must be at least 18 years old. For information on the next session, please call 407-246-2169.

Early Registration Discount for Neighborhood and Community Summit

Register for Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Neighborhood and Community Summit by Monday, April 16, 2007 and pay half price, $5, for registration. The registration fee includes the summit’s workshops, a continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Seating is limited to 300 people so register early. Registration forms are available in the Office of Neighborhood & Community Affairs or online at www.cityoforlando.net.

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