July 2, 2009 - City News

Mayor's Message

This week, U.S. Representative John Mica and I briefed lawmakers and a host of Central Florida's business and civic leaders on the progress of the effort to revive SunRail, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project. Our message to them was SunRail is back on track.

We outlined a new plan for SunRail that leverages federal stimulus dollars to dramatically lessen the financial burden on Florida's budget. The plan also includes a commitment to adjust liability provisions in the original SunRail plan that many state lawmakers opposed. Our new plan is a win for all of Florida.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) officials envision Florida as a prime corridor for high speed rail, but they say high speed rail cannot exist without the creation of local commuter lines to form a rail network. This is why the FTA has committed to keep the SunRail project in the "Final Design" stage despite delays.

A new liability provision could come before the Florida Legislature as part of a special session later this year or during the 2010 regular session. Details of our plan include:

• $432 million in funding to purchase the corridor for the rail line will come from federal stimulus money and a Federal Rail Administration (FRA) loan at a lower interest rate than the original commuter rail agreement, saving the state of Florida more money.
   
• The terms for the $615 million for construction of the project remain unchanged. 50 percent will come from federal dollars, 25 percent from the state and 25 percent from the local funding partners.
   
• The state of Florida will still fund the first seven years of SunRail's operations with the local funding partners taking over in year eight, as outlined in the original SunRail plan.
   
• No additional money will be required for any of the local funding partners.
   
• CSX Corporation agrees to extend the agreement to purchase the rail line as well as look at new terms of liability.
   
• FTA committed to keep the federal funding schedule in place for SunRail and to keep the project in the "Final Design" Stage.

As we continue to move forward with SunRail, you can stay up-to-date on the latest news by visiting sunrail.com.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor
 

Independence Day Holiday Notice

Back to School Immunizations

School will be in session before you know it, so make sure your children have their required immunizations. The Orange County Health Department will be providing FREE immunizations for children two months to 18 years of age, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Central Florida Learning Community Center (1200 W. Colonial Drive). This site will also be open on Saturday, July 11, 2009 and August 8, 2009 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Due to the high demand for immunizations, services will be provided on a first come, first served, walk-in basis. The maximum number of children will be immunized each scheduled day based on staffing. The Orange County Health Department will not host back-to-school events after August 8, therefore the Health Department encourages all students needing immunizations for school to obtain them prior to August 8, 2009.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If not, a notarized permission form must be presented. Photo ID of parent or legal guardian and a copy of the child's shot record are required.

For further information, contact the Orange County Health Department at 407.836.2517.

Public Works Projects Out For Bid

Mayor Dyer has directed staff to look at ways to expedite and accelerate the bid and award of $80 million in City public works projects over the next year to create more opportunities for local contractors and sub-contractors and infuse this investment into the local community. The following are projects that have posted Request for Proposals or Qualification Statements:

• Qualification Statement for Continuing Professional Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Services to the City of Orlando must be received by 2:00 p.m., local time, July 9, 2009, at the reception desk, Department of Public Works, 8th Floor, City Hall, One City Commons, 400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801. A Qualification Statement Instructions document may be obtained free of charge at the Department of Public Works, 8th Floor reception desk, City Hall, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning June 16, 2009.
   
• Qualification Statement for Professional Engineering Services related to research and preparation of a Transportation Impact Fee Study to the City of Orlando must be received by 3:00 p.m., local time, Monday, July 13, 2009, at the reception desk, Department of Public Works, 8th Floor, City Hall, One City Commons, 400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801. A Qualification Statement Instructions document may be obtained free of charge at the Department of Public Works, 8th Floor reception desk, City Hall, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning Monday June 15, 2009.

For more information on Request for Proposals or Qualification Statements, visit http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/projects/qual.html.

Buy Local Orlando Business Profile

Buy Local Orlando is under way and each week we want to make sure you know that you can get great deals, discounts and offers. There are more than 150 merchant members participating in the Buy Local Orlando campaign offering special offers and discounts exclusively to Buy Local Orlando consumers.

Show your Buy Local Orlando card at Tastings, A Wine Experience (111 North Magnolia Avenue) to receive two-for-one drafts and $2 off wine by the glass each evening between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Call 407.999.9950 or visit awineexperience.com for more information.

Treat yourself to a therapeutic massage for only $65 when you show your Buy Local Orlando card to Balance Massage and Structural Bodywork. Offer valid for new clients only. To make a reservation or for more information call 407.704.8867 or visit balanceorlando.com.

Need a good book to read at the beach this weekend? Visit Urban Think! Bookstore (1201 East Robinson Street) to receive 10% off your book purchase when you show your Buy Local Orlando card. Call 407.650.8004 or visit UrbanThinkOrlando.com for more details.

For more information on the Buy Local Orlando program, please visit buylocalorlando.net.

For Americans, Fourth of July celebrations signify summer fun, vacations and the gathering of family and friends; but Independence Day can also bring tragedy. In a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported on July 4 than on any other day, with fireworks accounting for half of those fires. In 2007, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,800 people for fireworks related injuries.

Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe this Fourth of July:

• The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
   
• Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit - hot enough to melt gold.
   
• Steer clear of others. Fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
   
• Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
   
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.

Remember, the best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle them. So don't miss the most exciting fireworks display in Central Florida, Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola Park. Festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. and the fireworks finale kicks off at 9:15 p.m. over beautiful Lake Eola. For more information on Fireworks at the Fountain, visit cityoforlando.net.

As Florida's rainy season sweeps across our state, the City of Orlando's Streets and Stormwater Division wants you to be aware of possible safety issues in our lakes. Lake Alert is the new public information system that provides seasonal and localized warnings (and updates) for City of Orlando lakes. Through Lake Alert, you will find information related to lakes where water quality is a concern, as in the case of a sanitary overflow or following an atypical rainfall. The alert includes the type of water quality hazard and severity and will notify you when the water-body is safe again for recreational purposes.

If a negative impact has been made to the water quality of any of our City lakes, the City Stormwater Compliance section's response will be three-fold. Citizens can call a 24/7 phone line, 407.246.2220, to receive the most up-to-date information, they can utilize information on the website, cityoforlando.net/lakealert, or can voluntarily sign up for the email alert system. To sign up for the email alert, visit cityoforlando.net/public_works/stormwater/lakealertsignup.htm.
 

Kids Construction Luncheon

On July 1, 2009, the Hunt Construction Management Team and Orlando Magic held a Construction & Kids Safety BBQ for kids in the Parramore community. This event educated the youth about the Orlando Events Center project, careers in the construction industry and the importance of safety on a construction site.
 

Free 6-week Training Course for Business Owners

The City of Orlando's BLUEPRINT Program Office, in partnership with Turner Construction, is conducting a six-week construction management training course. Local business owners, especially minority and women-owned firms, are encouraged to attend.

BLUEPRINT is the City's initiative to ensure that maximum opportunities are awarded to local, small and disadvantaged businesses, as well as minorities and women in association with the construction of the new Community Venues. This includes job creation and training, business development and the procurement of goods and professional and construction services.

The training course is being offered July 16 through August 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are 12 sessions occurring twice per week. Class topics include an estimating bootcamp, project and budget control, strategic business planning, risk management, construction accounting and other elements vital to the success of construction-related businesses. Classes will be held at the Varsity Club at the Florida Citrus Bowl located at One Citrus Bowl Place.

Business owners who wish to participate in the BLUEPRINT/Turner Construction Management Course must RSVP by July 9 to Marya Ekon at 407.246.2687 or via email venues.blueprint@cityoforlando.net.

Please click here for a detailed schedule.

Community Venues Construction Update

Did You Know?

The City of Orlando has produced the popular Historic Preservation Board Calendar since 1991 and each is an exceptional depiction of Orlando's treasured historic resources. For the 2010 calendar, the Historic Preservation Board is seeking photographs of Orlando's two historic train stations. All photography is due on July 10, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Click here for more information.

Mayor in the Community

Upcoming Events

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