August 14, 2009 - City News

Mayor's Message

This week, the City of Orlando welcomes the Florida League of Cities for its 82nd Annual Conference. This conference provides a platform for municipal leaders to come together to share information and exchange ideas. Even though each of our cities is unique and special, we still have similar successes and challenges.

The topics discussed are just as diverse as the cities represented. From safety to sustainability, from transportation to trash, these topics all contribute to the quality of life for both residents and businesses. In addition to discussing core city services, this conference provides an opportunity for a candid discussion on how cities are surviving during these tough economic times. This information sharing and cooperation has provided incredible value as our Florida cities craft their respective budgets.

Cities continue to be the engines that propel our state and our nation towards a more prosperous future. We must continue to fuel those engines through the partnerships we both develop and sustain. The Florida League of Cities has provided that opportunity. For more information on the Florida League of Cities, visit floridaleagueofcities.com.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

“Orlando Builds” Workshop on August 25

The City of Orlando’s Permitting Services Division is hosting an education session, “Orlando Builds – How Can it Help you!” on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 400 South Orange Avenue.

Permitting Services is helping generate economic activity by offering quality control on-site inspections, impact fee payment plans, same day inspections and expedited plan reviews. These services will reduce project costs to developers, contractors and homeowners during these tough economic times.

Please RSVP to arlene.gonzalez@cityoforlando.net by Friday, August 21, 2009.

Parking: Up to two hours of free parking is available in the lot at the southeast corner of South Street and Orange Avenue for City Hall business only. If full, please park your vehicle in the City Commons parking garage located on the west side of Boone Avenue behind City Hall. Validation will be provided.

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.

• Mi Pequeño Angelito Children’s Store (6419 South Chickasaw Trail) offers an extensive variety of clothes for everyday wear or special occasions such as a birthday, baptism or first communion. Bring a friend and your Buy Local Orlando card and get $5 off a $30 purchase. Call 321.235.0111 or visit mipequenoangelitostore.com for more information.
   
• Is the summer heat leaving you in need of air conditioning repair? Buy Local Orlando consumers receive 10% off standard rates for any residential air conditioning, plumbing, electrical or gas service repair at Westbrook Service Corp. (1411 South Orange Blossom Trail). Call 407.841.3310 or visit westbrookfl.com for more information.
   
• Looking for a new pair of running shoes? Stop by Track Shack (1104 North Mills Avenue) and get 10% off regularly priced merchandise with your Buy Local Orlando consumer card. Call 407.898.1313 or visit trackshack.com for more information.

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

The Orlando Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizen Police Academy and the Teen Police Academy. Both academies are free of charge.

The Citizen Police Academy class ranges from 12-14 weeks (depending upon optional class tours) and is held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Orlando Police Department Headquarters. The next class begins August 18. It includes detailed information on such topics as uniformed patrol, special operations, criminal investigations, youth/criminal law and more. Also available are elective field trips to the Orlando International Airport, the 33rd Street Jail and a ride-a-long with a uniformed patrol officer.

The next Teen Police Academy will begin August 26. The program is eight weeks long and will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Orlando Police Department Headquarters. Participants will learn about teenage drinking and driving, assault and battery, drug enforcement and more.

Please click here to download an application for the Citizen Police Academy or here to download a Teen Police Academy application. For questions, please call the Orlando Police Community Involvement Section at 407.246.2461.

Events Center Webcam

Watch the progress of the construction of the new Events Center with the Events Center Webcams. Showing multiple bird's eye views of the two blocks south of Church Street and west of I-4 which will become the home of the City's new venue for sports, music and entertainment, the cameras take a picture every 15 minutes and saves the photos so viewers can watch the progress like a movie. The webcams can be found online.

Community Venues Construction Update

The City approved an agreement with Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. to offer its Drop Back In program at the John H. Jackson Community Center for a second year and expand the program to the Rosemont and Northwest community centers. A community partner of the City’s Parramore Kidz Zone, Drop Back In works to motivate and instruct "at-risk" students, including those who have not been successful in a regular school setting, and offers youth who have dropped out of high school free sessions to get their high school diploma.

Coalition for the Homeless

The City Council also approved the use of Community Development Block Grants for a new Men’s Service Center at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. A cooperative project with Orange County, the capital funding support will enable the Coalition to construct a new center for men on its property and to offer much-needed case management and supportive services to the most underserved segment of the homeless population – men.
 

Did You Know?

Commissioner Patty Sheehan was honored at the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council’s twelfth annual Women of Distinction Gala on July 31. Seventy-three women were nominated in nine categories. Commissioner Sheehan was chosen as a Woman of Distinction in the Government/Law category. Started in 1998, the Women of Distinction Award recognizes the contributions of women in our community who improve the quality of life of others and serve as a role model for young girls.

Mayor in the Community

• On Thursday morning, Mayor Buddy Dyer joined seniors from the City’s community centers for Mayor’s Senior Day at the Plaza Theater in Downtown Orlando.
   
• On Friday morning, Mayor Dyer welcomed the Florida League of Cities to Orlando during their opening general session at the Marriott World Center.

Upcoming Events

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