July 10, 2009 - City News

Mayor's Message

As part of our continuing effort to engage the community in taking a stand against crime, I would like you to join me, Orlando Police Chief Val Demings and Orlando Fire Chief Jim Reynolds on Tuesday, August 4, as we celebrate National Night Out. This unique event brings neighbors together as they work to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate participation in local anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. The event also sends a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against their negative influence.

We continue to focus on decreasing violent crime. But, the men and women of the Orlando Police Department (OPD) can't do it alone. We must engage our residents and businesses in the fight against crime. Neighborhood Watch is one way OPD and our citizens are collaboratively spreading awareness about the importance of crime and drug prevention. Last year, 102 new Neighborhood Watch groups were formed.

I encourage you to register your Neighborhood Watch group to participate in National Night Out or to form a Neighborhood Watch before August 4th. Join us in being a part of the solution by visiting cityoforlando.net/police.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor
 

SunRail Update

Last week, Mayor Dyer and U.S. Representative John Mica 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. The message was SunRail is back on track.

They 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. The 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 the plan include:

• $432 million 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.
  • 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.

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.

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.

Buy Local Orlando members receive 10 percent off when dining at Downtown Orlando's newest restaurant, Pesca Lakeside (431 East Central Blvd.). Take in a beautiful view of Lake Eola while enjoying fresh fish, seafood and sushi. Call 407.843.6650 or visit pescalakeside.com for more information.

Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux Neighborhood Café (3022 Corrine Drive) invites you to attend one of their many special events including Artist Open House featuring live music (July 11, 7:30 p.m.) and Cartoon Saturday (July 18, 10:00 a.m.). Buy Local Orlando consumers receive 10 percent off food orders and non-alcoholic drink orders. Call 407.427.1440 or visit B3Cafe.com for more information and a full calendar of special events.

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

Orlando teens have a unique opportunity to learn about the Orlando Police Department through the Teen Police Academy. Modeled after the popular Citizen Police Academy, the Teen Police Academy gives youth an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and the Orlando Police Department. Sessions include a field trip and presentations with the Homicide Unit, crime scene technicians, Gang Unit, Drug Enforcement Division, hostage negotiations and School Resource Officers. The next Teen Police Academy begins Wednesday, August 26, and continues every Wednesday until October 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Orlando Police Department. To register for the August Teen Police Academy, applications must be received no later than August 19, 2009.

Teen Police Academy applications are online and must be sent to Officer Tia Sears Pruitt, Orlando Police Department, P.O. Box 913, Orlando, FL 32802-0913 or faxed to Officer Pruitt at 407.246.4227. For more information contact Officer Pruitt at 407.246.2095 or Tia.pruitt@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.
 

More Than $66 Million in Contracts Awarded to Minority-Owned Companies

Minority-owned companies have been awarded more than $66 million in contracts for work on the City of Orlando's Community Venues project, which includes the Orlando Events Center, the Dr. P. Phillips Performing Arts Center and the Citrus Bowl. The contracts, which cover the three-month period ending January 31, 2009, include services such as staffing, hard construction, design, geotechnical work and engineering.

Of the $229 million in contracts awarded for the Events Center, more than $60 million, or 26 percent, has gone to minority-owned firms. That's significantly higher than the 18 percent mandated by the City's BLUEPRINT program. Women-owned companies were awarded another $12.4 million.

"Having minority and women-owned companies actively involved in building the Community Venues has been a cornerstone of the project," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "We are pleased to see this level of participation and remain committed to providing and encouraging these opportunities throughout the life of the project."

Under the City's BLUEPRINT, major contractors are required to partner with minority and women-owned companies. Eighteen percent of the work must go to firms owned by minorities, 6 percent to those owned by women. African-American companies that have received contracts include: 4 Evolution, A-Ryen Unlimited Staffing Solutions, Apex Air Conditioning, B&L Management, Brindley Pieters & Associates, Cohesive Constructors LLC, Comp Security, DEM Development Corp. Inc., Denson Construction, HB Walker, HZ Construction, IMDC, JJ Christie and Associates, Nadic Engineering, P.A. Wallace & Associates, R.L. Burns Inc., Russell Henderson Masonry, Solan Trucking & Excavating, Suca Pipe Supply, True Power Electrical Services Inc., Tyrone Cleaning, TRZ Construction and WBQ Design & Engineering.

Community Venues Construction Update

Did You Know?

This is the first of a series of concerts presented to the community by Hines. For more information, please contact LaVon P. Bracy, Hines project community coordinator, at 407.839.0119 or LaVon.Bracy@hines.com. For parking information, visit cityoforlando.net/locate.htm#park.

American Idol Searches for Central Florida's Best
Thousands braved the lines and judges' criticism as they competed for a coveted ticket to Hollywood and the next round of the American Idol competition. American Idol tryouts, held Thursday, July 9, at Amway Arena, attracted contestants from across the U.S. Orlando is one of seven major cities around the country hosting auditions for Season 9. Click here to see Ryan Seacrest at the American Idol auditions in Orlando.

Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps
In the state of Florida, funding for education is at an all time low. Florida needs to act now and reposition itself as a leader in education. An often overlooked source of leadership, support and idea generation is our youth. The Leadership Corps, a two-day conference at the University of Central Florida on August 8 and 9, will bring students from all over Florida together for a time of inspiration and hands-on training in community mobilization.

Students will have the opportunity to interact with leaders from various sectors (federal and state government, non-profit organizations and local businesses) and will participate in brainstorming sessions with peers that will hopefully result in their empowerment to affect change at a statewide level. In order to take part in the conference, students need to visit lawtonchiles.org or worsttofirst.org, download an application and follow all directions accordingly. Applications must be received no later than July 20.

Mayor in the Community

On Saturday, July 4, 2009, Mayor Buddy Dyer hosted Fireworks at the Fountain to celebrate our nation's Independence Day. More than 150,000 residents and visitors experienced the festive event and awe-inspiring fireworks finale.

On Friday, July 10, 2009, Mayor Dyer gave an update on SunRail to the Orange County Council of Mayors.

Upcoming Events

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