Dear friends,

Monday is a milestone day as we move into the next phase of the Community Venues, delivering on our commitment for enhanced entertainment, sporting and arts amenities to benefit our residents.

After more than two years of due diligence and public input, we have made significant progress and City staff has successfully concluded negotiations with Orange County and our partners on the agreements that will guide the development and operations of these three venues.

I'm confident that we've developed prudent agreements for the City Council's consideration, and I appreciate the Council's continued support and tireless efforts. I would also like to thank Mayor Crotty for his leadership and involvement with the Venues and for recognizing their significant regional economic impact.

Monday's Council vote is a critical step in the process as we continue working with the County to make our vision for improved Venues a reality. Again, these Venue agreements are contingent upon City and County approval of the Interlocal agreement. To be clear, we are continuing to monitor the State's efforts related to property tax reform so that City and County staff can address any potential impacts of new legislation before the Interlocal comes forward for a vote.

As you are aware, we have invested significant time and resources advancing our vision for a revitalized Downtown and building Community Venues to benefit the region. From November 2005, when this City Council embarked on a comprehensive master planning process for our Downtown, to August 2006, when we launched a series of Neighborhood Updates for our citizens, our community has been building support and momentum for these regional assets.

This City Council hosted nearly a dozen public workshops on Venue-related topics over the last two years, and Monday morning, we'll host one more workshop at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers, followed by a public meeting at 2 p.m. Information on the proposed agreements is available online at cityoforlando.net/tv for residents to easily access, and the workshop and public meeting can be watched starting at 10 a.m. on Orange TV, Bright House Channel 9 or on cityoforlando.net/tv.

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.

Neighborhood Watch

Preventing crime in our community is a shared responsibility between the police and our residents. The Orlando Police Department's Citizens for Neighborhood Watch Program empowers Orlando's residents to keep their neighborhoods safe.

Neighborhood Watch remains the most successful crime prevention program worldwide. In some areas, Neighborhood Watch has decreased home burglaries by forty percent.

The program provides several crime prevention tools, including training, Operation I.D. to mark personal items, assistance with home security surveys, a speaker's bureau of knowledgeable crime prevention professionals, neighborhood crime statistics, and block watch creation and maintenance. These opportunities educate residents and help increase crime awareness in a neighborhood.

The Orlando Police Department's Citizens for Neighborhood Watch Program will assist residents in forming neighborhood watch groups. If you would like to know if a Neighborhood Watch group already exists in your neighborhood or if you would like to start a group, call 407-246-2369.

Office of Emergency Management Meets with Foreign Consulates

The City's Office of Emergency Management held a meeting on May 11 with representatives from several foreign consulates to discuss how the City of Orlando can work with them during emergencies like hurricanes. With many international travelers and residents in our area, the City wanted to establish a line of communication between the consulates and the Emergency Management Office and to address any needs during an emergency situation. Countries involved in the meeting included the Netherlands, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Haiti, Mexico and Great Britain.

Mayor Dyer participated in the rededication of the Lake Eola Amphitheater on Monday, May 14. Walt Disney World Resort donated over $1 million to refurbish the facility's sound system and lighting and update its color scheme. The event was part of the Year of the Fountain, the fiftieth anniversary of the Lake Eola fountain. Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resort, used this occasion to announce that Walt Disney World would donate $12.5 million to the Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center.

On Tuesday, Mayor Dyer gave the keynote address at the Orlando Vo-Tech graduation ceremony for more than 300 graduates.

On Thursday, May 17, Mayor Dyer hosted the kickoff session of the Mayor's City Academy. The nine-week, interactive program facilitated by Mayor Dyer, Police Chief Michael McCoy, Fire Chief Jim Reynolds and City Directors, will take residents on a private tour of Orlando City Hall, police headquarters, the busiest fire station and allow them to see how the City operates.

On Friday, May 18, Mayor Dyer rode his bike from his neighborhood Starbucks to City Hall with other bicycle commuters to celebrate Bike to Work Day. The annual event promotes bicycling as an alternative form of transportation. Designated a Bicycle Friendly Community, in 2006, the City added 70 bike racks in the Downtown area, completed almost 15 miles of additional bike lanes and trails for a total 250 miles of bikeways and held a bike giveaway for adults as part of Active Living by Design.

Orlando Tops the Business Charts

Recently, Orlando was recognized in four different publications for its growing business climate.

	In the May issue of CNN's Business 2.0 magazine, Metro Orlando ranks as the #1 location for "America's best jobs in the hottest markets."
	In the current "2007 Boom Towns" issue of Inc. magazine, Metro Orlando ranks #4 on the list of "Best Cities for Business" in the large cities category.
	fDi magazine (Foreign Direct Investment) ranked Metro Orlando as one of the "North American Cities of the Future." In the large city category, Metro Orlando ranked #3 in the "Most Business Friendly" category and #4 in "Quality of Life."
	In the annual "Top 10" issue of Southern Business & Development, Metro Orlando ranks as one of the "Top 10 Places in the South for Emerging Industries."

These rankings are based on a variety of factors, including Orlando's high job growth, several growing industry sectors and the presence of the University of Central Florida. In addition, established worker training programs contributed to the rankings.

Special Edition of Jeep Midnight Magic

Jeep Midnight Magic, the Orlando Magic's weekly television show, will take a special, in-depth look at the proposed community venues for arts, sports and entertainment in its season finale episode. The 30-minute program will first air at midnight on Sunday, May 20 on WKMG-TV 6 and then will be re-aired on Sun Sports at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 21. Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins, Orlando Performing Arts Center Executive Director Kathy Ramsburger and Florida Citrus Sports Executive Director Steve Hogan will take part in the show.

Orlando 360

Host Annetta Wilson talks with Mayor Buddy Dyer about his State of the City Address. Watch an in-depth interview that highlights the pride, progress and partnerships that are making Orlando a world-class City. 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 at CityofOrlando.net/tv. Orlando 360 is another creative product by the Office of Communications.

Hurricane Preparedness Week

To help residents prepare for our upcoming hurricane season, the City of Orlando recognizes Hurricane Preparedness Week from May 20 to 26. Since the hurricane season begins June 1, citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the upcoming tax free days. From June 1 – 12, sales tax will not be charged on many hurricane preparedness items, including flashlights, radios, batteries, gas or diesel fuel containers, non-electrical food storage coolers and storm shutters. Residents can take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on necessary items.

To be prepared, follow these simple steps.

1. Get a kit of emergency supplies.



2. Make a plan for what you will do in an emergency.



3. Be informed about what might happen.



4. Get involved in preparing your community.

2007 Summer Puppet Series

Sail the high seas, explore the jungle, wander through exotic lands and blast off into outer space with the City of Orlando Puppetroupe. In X Marks the Spot, A Pirate Adventure, Calico Jack the Cat sets sail for lost treasure with his first mate Anne Boney and Mary "Canary" Read. Will they find riches or will they fall victim to the dastardly pirate Captain Barrett? Arrrr, you won't want to miss it.

In Expedition: Adventure!, take an exciting journey of music and movement from the jungle to the wonders of outer space. See what penguins do when no one's watching and what lives at the bottom of the ocean.

X Marks the Spot plays June 4-8 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Fern Creek Elementary School Theatre, 1129 N. Fern Creek Avenue.

Expedition: Adventure! plays July 9 –13 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tickets are $3 at the door. Reservations recommended for groups of 10 or more. Call 407-522-1917 for show location and reservations or e-mail puppetroupe@cityoforlando.net.

Historic Preservation Board Calendar Photo Contest

The Historic Preservation Board is seeking photographs of the architectural features of the Lake Lawsona Historic District to use in its 2008 Historic Preservation Board Calendar.

Each photograph selected by the Historic Preservation Board will earn the photographer a $100 honorarium. Photographs must be black and white and printed on 8" x 10" paper with a white border. Vertical or horizontal photographs are acceptable. Up to four photographs, labeled with your name, daytime telephone number and the address of the subject must be submitted or postmarked by July 30, 2007 at 5 p.m.

Deliver photographs to the Historic Preservation Office on the 6th floor of Orlando City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue or mail them to the Historic Preservation Office, PO Box 4990, Orlando, Florida 32802.

Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped 9" x 12" envelope if you would like your photographs returned.

For a map of the district and rules of the contest, visit CityofOrlando.net. If you have any questions, please call Richard Forbes at 407-246-3350 or Diane Rivera at 407-246-3416.

Memorial Day Holiday

In observance of the Monday, May 28 Memorial Day holiday, City offices will be closed. Garbage and recycling services will be picked up as normal if Monday is your scheduled pickup day.

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