City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon and happy fall to everyone. Welcome to the 09/22/2025 meeting of the Orlando City Council. I'm gonna call on commissioner Gray today to lead the invocation and the pledge of allegiance.

Thank you, sir. If you're so inclined please join me in prayer. Dear God, we thank you for bringing us together this afternoon. Please direct us in our wisdom and our decisions, patience in our discussions and respect for one another. And may our actions reflect fairness integrity and compassion. Amen. Amen.

Okay. Let's call the meeting to order. Madam Clerk, would you call the roll and make the determination of a quorum, please?

Commissioner Gray?

Here.

Commissioner Ortiz?

Here. Commissioner Stewart? Here.

Commissioner Sheehan? Here. Interim Commissioner Rose? Here. Commissioner Burns?

Here.

Mayor Dyer?

Here.

Mayor, you have a quorum with all members present.

Okay. Let's take up the minutes from the city council meeting, the agenda review, and the first budget hearing. Second. September 8. Motion by Commissioner Sheehan, second by Commissioner Stewart. All in favor, Nikki? So by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? And so the motion carries. Okay. Rosh Hashanah gets underway this evening and I want to wish everybody a happy holiday. Celebrate this in our community. The Jewish New Year May the Jewish New Year be filled with good health and happiness. We're celebrating Main Streets today.

Since it's Yay. Couple Yay. Lines of Main Street folks out But it really has been one of our most successful economic development initiatives. We began with five districts and it's now grown to 12. We enter, if you can believe this, the eighteenth year. And while the full impact is immeasurable, I'll give you a few results which I think are pretty remarkable. More than 2,400,000,000 in economic impact and neighborhood improvements. Nearly 3,000 new businesses. Close to 15,000 jobs created. A 177,000 volunteer hours.

Over 30 Michelin Guide recognized restaurants. And more than 300 events in our main streets. And they are a key reason we continue to rank as one of the best cities in America to start a new business. So our district executive directors are here today along with our leader Lisa Kuat. Would you guys all stand and be recognized?

Thank you for everything that you do. Sometimes I think that you're a detriment to the downtown because why come downtown if you can get to one of the main streets and all those great restaurants. Okay. Through our Orlando Unlocked initiative, we're exploring every opportunity we can to make it easier for developers to deliver a variety of housing options across our city. We have a couple of those initiatives that are bringing more housing to our city on the agenda today.

Today, the city is conveying land that will bring 60 new multifamily units for low or moderate income households to Robertte Clemente Road. Our partners at Creative Village are moving forward with the next new development. A seven story mixed use development that includes 112 units of multi family. And that is coupled with a 115 affordable multi family units that are under construction at the Beacon. So, that'll be 227 new units at Creative Village by the '27.

And every single unit of housing we add is important. We have we will be welcoming 80 new employees to downtown with the relocation of engineering consultant services regional headquarters to the Central Business District and we're excited about their decision to relocate. And on a sad note, I also want to recognize that our city's planning division manager, Elizabeth Thang is retiring after more than twenty two years of dedicated service. She rose quickly through the ranks. I earned the McNamara employee of the year in 2007.

Went on to lead transformational initiatives including streamlining regulatory processes, digitalizing planning workflows, consolidating review boards into a single development review committee, efforts that greatly reduce cost and helped with our efficiency. She's known as her servant leadership style. She prioritized her team's growth and well-being creating a culture as we always want to have of collaboration and inclusion. So we extend our deepest gratitude for your contributions and wish you well

in

your next

chapter. Okay.

We will move on to the consent agenda. And that's a number of items that are acted upon through a single vote of counsel. We give each of our council members an opportunity to comment on items on the consent agenda as well as update you on extremely important happenings from the district. We rotate the order that we do that and we're back to District Number 1 commissioner.

Thank you, mayor. And nothing but the the most important do I bring up always. Thank you, sir. A couple of events in the here at the city and then a couple of comments on the agenda. I'll start with September 9. I was fortunate enough to attend the thirtieth anniversary of the mayor's matching grant program. One of the mayor commissioners Rose and Sheehan were there. And I had the opportunity. It was a great event. Marcia team, thank you very much for putting that together.

Amazing how much the community's been been helped by that program. But had the opportunity to sit with former mayor Glenda Hood, was at our table. And it just reminded me, a, she's just a class act all the way. But we've been very lucky in this city. We've had some really really good mayors over the year and she certainly was one of those.

So that was a great evening. On 09/11, a full day of remembrance certainly started with the CFHLA ceremony at the Doubletree out by Universal and then ended the day with the OFD ceremony. I wanna thank both of those groups. Those they take some time to to organize and and put together But I just wanna thank both of them for helping keep that memory of of nine eleven honoring those that were the first responders for that tragic day. So thank you to those two groups for doing that.

And then finally, just kind of on a private note, I was traveling for private business and this weekend ended up in Sacramento, California of all places. And I thought, you know, while I'm gonna be there, I'm gonna just go stay near where the new development or where the development is around the Downtown Sacramento Kings Basketball Arena which is the same development group and sponsor that's gonna do West Court here near the Kia Center. I thought I'm gonna give it a trial run. So I stayed at the Kimpton Hotel and it it's a 100% true. Walked out the of course, it's off season for the basketball but they were had two two weddings going on.

You walk out into the plaza and there's restaurants. Happened to be a sports bar with football games on. They just had to check that out. But it was a great environment is all I'm trying to say and I'm just made me even more anxious for our development downtown to get started. And I know they're working on the final steps to to bring that over the the line and get started. But just from my 2¢ spending 24 hours there, it will be a great addition to Downtown Orlando. And same sponsorship group so I'm sure they'll take all the good things from that and improve on those that weren't so good and give us a great great product downtown. So thanks to them. Last thing on that, I wanna echo the mayor's comments. Elizabeth, thank you.

Elizabeth, thank thank you so much. She When I heard you were leaving and my first call to her was to say, was it me? Because Yeah. With all growth we have down in our part of town, poor Elizabeth, I've got her on speed dial and she always answers so I guess that's a good thing. But selfishly, I'm gonna miss you a lot but thank you for all you've done.

I don't think people realize the half of what you've done for the city as far as planning and and being flexible and trying to help balance this thing. We're always playing with with growth but yet, you know, we wanna try to do, you know, control growth, adequate growth, good design. And Elizabeth, you and your team have done a great balancing that. So thank you very much for what you've done. And all I wanna say on the agenda is three c 17, the development agreement at Creative Village in District 5. Again, just from my 2¢, great to see we continue to develop Creative Village and and help it blossom into what we all planned it to be. So that that's good news to see that. So mayor, that's all I had. Thank you.

Thank you, commissioner. Commissioner Ortiz.

Mayor, I'm gonna need you to indulge me. So mayor, about twelve, fourteen years ago, you gave me the opportunity to represent the city of Orlando in the Florida League of Cities. I took your position, later on, I ran for president. I presided the league for about a year. Years later, when I stepped down as part of the main board, we brought in commissioner Robert Stewart and he's been he served the league as part of the board from 2018 to 2025.

Sadly enough, commissioner Stewart is is leaving us. He has decided to, you know, dedicate to his family the rest of his time. And that's something that is of of a grave of I'm not gonna say disappointment because I have to be I have to share you. We have to share you, right, with the family. But but your service has been critical.

You have helped us fight in in Tallahassee against legislations like home based business, property tax exemption expansion, the tax shift, not an actual tax cut, short term rentals, and more than anything else, home rule. So the league wanted to recognize you and because you have done an excellent job. You have been really involved. You have represented the people of Orlando at the state level, and we have accomplished way more than many of those who sometimes we send up there. So the league as a former president of the league, they want us to recognize, and I wanted the mayor to be part of this because the mayor was the one who made it possible for us.

So and the plaque says Florida League of Cities were presented to Robert Stewart for their their dedicated serve for his dedicated service and outstanding leadership while serving as director from 2018 to 2025. Thank you for everything you've done for us. So now mister commissioner Bakari Perrens is taking his place. And let me reinstate that. We would not have the chance to do that has it not been because of the mayor who gave us the opportunity.

So thank you so much, mayor. Alright. I'm not done. I got a lot of things to cover here today, so I hope you guys brought your pillows. On the evening of September 9, I was honored to be invited to join members of the Brazilian community in celebrating the two hundred and third anniversary of Brazilian independence.

Thank you to the organizers and organizers and everyone who helped make the celebration memorable. September 11 marked a somber day of remembrance. Alongside the Orlando Police and Fire Departments, we honor the lives lost twenty four years ago and recognize the bravery of our first responders who will never forget their heroism, unity, and resilience that emerged from such tragedy. On the morning of September 16, had the privilege of joining the Mexican consulate, the mayor of Apopka, and other local leaders to commemorate the two hundred and fifteenth anniversary of Mexico's independence. Also honored to unveil an official suit of Yolanda proclamation celebrating the occasion.

The evening of September 17, I had the privilege of speaking at the opening reception of the City Hispanic Heritage Art exhibit with the mayor. This inspiring showcase honored Hispanic culture through powerful and imaginative artistic expression. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the 33 talented artists and the dedicated organizers for their invaluable contributions to our vibrant local arts community. September, participated in the Florida League of Cities Conference. This engagement are vital to sharing best practices and advocating for policies that improve the quality of life of our community, especially when those of us that serve you at this level, we know best what your needs are.

So we go to Tallahassee and we go to Washington fighting for your needs. On the evening of September 20, I had the honor of participating in the Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Apopka. I had the privilege of serving as the evening emcee. This event was a tribute to the rich history, traditions, and contribution of the Hispanic community. I wanna thank mayor Nelson for giving me the opportunity. It was well attended. We had a great time, and I've never done something like that. It was quite a quite a an event. And now on item three d four, which is we're getting this a milestone, and we're celebrating big. And I'm so excited about it.

Let me find my phone here. Because this has to do with the Azaria Park Little League. Azaria Park Little League was founded in 1960 by members of the Azaria Park community on land donated by Brochette Dairy. Local volunteers built the first field with their own hands and resources. In 1962, the league was officially incorporated as a Florida nonprofit, cementing its role as a community driven institution.

For most of its history, the league has been entirely volunteer run. The dedication of parents, coaches, and community members sustained its growth, with early recollections referring to coaches such as Mr. Peterman and Mr. Vail, through many names from those formative years were not formally documented. Over the decades, Azealia Park Lunar League teams have competed successfully at district, state, and national levels.

Notably, the league achieved a COVID appearance at the Senior League World Series, demonstrating the talent and commitment nurtured within the program. The league has also produced players who advanced their professional baseball careers, including Joel Pinheiro, Mike Metcalf, and Billy Hibbert. The league ongoing success has been made possible through a combination of government grants, local sponsorship and community fundraising. Despite these efforts, recurring needs for field maintenance and repairs have required constant education from local leaders and volunteers. In particular, the past thirty years have seen extraordinary service from individuals who represent the spirit of Azealia Park Euroleague, like Jolina Z.

Swartout, who has cared for the fields and three decades with minimal resources, ensuring safe and payable facilities for generations of young athletes. Ray Santiago, once a player in the league, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, and after his professional career, returned as one of the league's most celebrated coaches. Melissa Torres, serving as a vice president for over ten years, she has provided stable and committed leadership. And my good friend Earl Lugo, known as a voice and relentless advocate of the league. Earl has devoted over twenty years to championing the physical and mental well-being of local children.

He has personally raised over 250,000 in sponsorship and grants to sustain the program. More than six decades, Azalea Park Litter League has been more than just a sport program. He has been a community anchor. Generations of children have not only learned baseball fundamentals, but also life lessons in team work, discipline, and perseverance. Through the sweat equity of volunteers and the unwavering dedication of leaders like Zee, Ray Santiago, Melissa Torres, and Earl Lugo, the league continues to thrive and inspire. Fifteen years ago, Mr. Earl Lugo approached me because their contract with the Orange County School Board had expired and they wanted to renew it. They were having some issues. So we went over there and we fought. At the time, Mr.

Rohn Blocker was the superintendent and I remember saying, Why don't you give me the league? He said, I'm sorry, I'm not that. A good friend of mine, and he was a great supporter in so many ways, so we renewed the contract. So for the past fifteen years, we have been fighting to get those fields to the city. So I went to our team, Lisa Early, Rodney Williams, Deborah Girald, and I said, we need those fields.

They are not kept the way they're supposed to be kept, and we need those kids to have the best of the best so they can really play, so they can really be part of our community, proud of those fields. Just like we celebrate the venues that we have in the city, these are the great venues of our little kids. For them, this is the world, because they don't get to go and play at the Camping World or anything like that every day, right? But these are the places where they go, and we have to celebrate this. So today, today, thank you. Thanks to the work of mister Rodney Williams. Is he here today? Rodney is not here? Oh, that's sad. Rodney Williams, I I came to him.

I every time he hears the phone ringing and he says my name, he probably goes, here we go again. Because I've been driving him nuts for years. Years ago, I went with Lisa Early, with Deborah Girald, and I said, this fields have to be brought up to the city. There's five fields next to a Zetier Park Litter League, and they don't lose the par. We need to really make a great baseball complex.

And I shared, you know, stories with a commissioner Stewart about baseball because he's an umpire, and he participates in the local leagues. So to us, this great achievement that we're celebrating today is more than just an achievement. It's a huge milestone, not only for District District 2 and the Zella Park Little Lake family, but for the whole city. Because we're converting, we're bringing, after fifteen years, we're bringing these fields from the county to the city. And I know we're gonna take care of those.

This is gonna be our very own field of dream. And I wanna thank each and everyone, to include also Supervisor of Elections Karen Castro Dentale, who was a representative at the time, and she helped us get those to the city. So thank you so very much to our staff. Thank you so much to Cee, to Earl, to everybody who has fought so hard to make those fields, you know, a great place for our kids to develop their their minds and their bodies and to bring crime down in big numbers in District 2. That's what it takes, a community, to make things happen. So thank you so much. With that, 'm done.

Thank you commissioner. Commissioner Stewart.

Thank you Tony. And I'm excited about what's going on with Azalea Park Little League. As a quick background, I used to play there and then as a teenager, we actually went and worked on the fields together with my dad and then later on umpired there and have continued to umpire there as they need me. So that that is a wonderful group out there and I appreciate your dedication to the youth. It means a lot.

Along the same lines, kicked off our fall ball over at NOK. NOK is I think the longest serving or longest little league organization in Central Florida and they will be soon celebrating their seventieth year. So excited about them and seeing what's happening there. And special thanks to Mike Wilson. He knows what it's for, so I'm just gonna leave it like that.

Elizabeth, thank you for your service. I feel a little bit like Jim, so whatever you've done, all of us have feel the same way that we can pick up the phone and give you a call and we appreciate that and and we've learned so much from you and we appreciate your leadership. So thank you very much. Also Jim, there's a guy named Jim Young who's who's going to retire a second or a third or fourth time. I can't figure out what it is.

Jim, it has been wonderful being your friend and I am very grateful that we have friends and and grateful that you allow me to call you after you leave. Thank you for doing that. Couple things that came up over the last few weeks. We had a groundbreaking for Albert Park and Dartmouth Park and it's really moving down. Dartmouth's kinda looking great over there and we'll see a little bit of that in Albert Park.

Our goal is to to cut the ribbon in the December 1, so we're really excited about that. This past weekend, the College Park Main Street had drinks along the drive, was very successful. And Ivanov Village had Virginia Drive live and very successful. Both of y'all thank you for what you've done and congratulations, we appreciate it. And if you haven't seen Halloween in Audubon in the Audubon Park Garden District, you're you're missing out something special.

So so I love our main streets and so hard to to support them in today in terms of their funding. Appreciate that a great deal. Upcoming, real quickly, Thursday, we cut the ribbon for Lake Fairview on our park innovations. Lisa, thank you for your leadership on that. Some may not realize, but we have a little bit of thanks to go to Orange County because some of the seed money that started this was money that we got from Orange County through your boat tax.

And so it was nice to be able to take advantage of that. And thanks to Jerry Mayor Demings and to Byron Brooks for their leadership and help us secure that seed funding. So thank you very much. Coming up, the Bumbi Avenue safety improvement projects. I think commissioner Sheeran will mention this as well, but it's come on September 30.

Talk about some safety things we're gonna do along Bumbi. Bumbi separates District 3 and District 4 and so excited about some of the changes to make that community safer, so we appreciate that. Once upon a Halloween's coming up in Ivanhoe Village and then the most important night of the year for crime prevention, National Night Out is October 7. So if you haven't already gotten your National Night Out group together, I don't know if it's too late or not, but we'd love to have you do that and if you want If you're in my district, give me a call. If you're in somebody else's, give them a call and let's get people out on the streets trying to promote safety in our community.

In addition to that, mayor, the only thing I really had on the agenda was about the Main Street Agreements. Wanna say how much I appreciate that and appreciate we've added now this new clause which I think is great. It says you got four events, go have at it and try to streamline events that our main streets do on behalf of the community. I think it makes things a whole lot easier, so I appreciate each of you and what you do. Especially appreciate the three and a half here in my district but the other ones you guys are okay too.

But I I'm grateful. Mayor is right. One of the real successes over the last twenty years has been the fact that we are promotion and commitment to small business. This is our way of being able to accomplish that task and I appreciate that. Mayor, thank you for continuing that leadership especially when it was challenging financially. We continued to to work with our main streets and our small businesses to make it happen. So I appreciate your leadership. Mayor, thank you very much. And that's all that I have, so thank you mayor.

Thank you commissioner. Commissioner Sheehan.

Thanks mayor and I will add with Elizabeth Dang retiring, sometimes I feel like when we lose somebody good it's like cutting off my right arm. And I think that's really what it's gonna feel like this time because she always is the calm in the storm and always has great answers. And it's one of those people that can tell you to go to hell but it makes you forward to the trip. Which is which in Irish is a huge compliment. And I'm not gonna say goodbye to Jim Young.

He'll be back. He always says come back. I too wanted to to just talk about the amazing job. Oh well first of all the public charging stations on city property. I think that's just a great thing for us to do and glad to see that we're gonna be expanding that program and on the main streets. I mean it is one of the best things that we do. I want to welcome Rob with Thornton Park, our newest main street director who's back, who used to be Milk Street, Milk Milk District. So he's back and I wanna thank him for coming back. And you all do so much great work that really benefit this community and I was appalled and horrified when they took out your decorative crosswalks. I know how hard each one of you worked on those and what a great safety improvement that was for your district.

And it's disgusting that state government and and national government doesn't understand the money that you all invested in this. That your business districts invested. And I think that's something that has been glazed over in all this controversy. That you lost money because of their bad decisions when you did the right thing and you worked with them. So I just want to say, I'm sorry it sucks and it wasn't fair.

But you all, I know how you all do things. You get up, dust yourselves off and keep going and I appreciate that. So thank you for everything that you do and we're going to keep moving forward and making these business districts the best they can be over the objections of state and federal government because we know what we're doing here at local government. So thank you for everything that you do. Also had Wills Pub had their thirty year anniversary which is amazing.

And you know what, if you run the bars the right way and if you have live music and wonderful entertainment, you can succeed. You don't have to bring bad promoters in that bring bad people into I think that's the why. I that's the our Mills 50 District is so successful and why our main street districts because we have bar owners and business owners that understand it's important to bring in the kind of entertainment to bring in people that aren't gonna tear things up and you know cause crime. To be quite frank with you that's what's happening. I'm delighted to see the success that's happening in all of our main streets and that's all I had, Mayor. Thank you very much.

Thank you Commissioner. Commissioner Rose?

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for yielding your time, Commissioner Sheehan. For those that don't know, this past weekend, we laid commissioner Mabel Butler to rest, and I would say now the good work will continue. She's laid a great foundation for this community. I wanna thank the Downtown Orlando Partnership, the Downtown Development Board, and these various locations in downtown for hosting employee appreciation week.

This was a week long of treats for Downtown Orlando employees to show that we, at the city, appreciate their hard work in making Downtown Orlando a great place. I wanna thank Shannon Fitzgerald, Flynn Dobbs, Mary Stewart, Ken Hughes with the Paramount Main Streets, and all of the artists for participating in art pollination. I wanna encourage everyone when you get some time, walk through Paramore. I would say start at the 500 West Block Of Church Street and enjoy all of the food pollination and all the great artwork. We will announce a date to unveil the mural that memorializes senator Geraldine Thompson and Thomas Chapman.

I wanna thank the Orlando Police Department and the Fire Department for a wonderful nine eleven for member celebrations. Thank you to the CFHLA for the annual patriot breakfast, but part of it is also recognizing our local heroes here in the community. I wanna congratulate Marquise Mackenzie for opening an office for his Dirt Master LLC. So if you're looking for someone to do cleaning services, be sure to check out Dirt Master. This is also I also want to thank the OBT Next CRA for supporting his endeavors in business development funding.

I want to congratulate although it's in commissioner Sheehan, I'll tell why. I wanna congratulate Big Dave Cheesesteak for expanding to breakfast, but also Derek Lewis for his leadership and exemplifying what partnership looks like. He's partnered with Angela Yee to bring coffee during breakfast so it shows a great partnership, but Big Dave cheese steaks is also at the Kia Center and at Camping World in our concessions. This Saturday, if you're not doing anything at 8AM, the Desire Foundation will be hosting their monthly food distribution. So come out at 9AM at Interstrup which is located at 814 West Church Street.

I wanna thank the Valencia Foundation for host hosting a gala to raise funds to continue to support higher education in our community. I am sorry to see Elizabeth Dang, Michelle McCrimmon, and Jim Young leave. It has been wonderful. Just like everyone else, they answer calls and they make the impossible possible. For those who have never been on the first Wednesday of every month at Luminary Green, we have a market in the Paramore community and then we also have movie night. So on October 1, there's gonna be a partnership with OCPSAs. They host family culinary nights. So what we're doing is they'll be showing ratatouille. So come out October 1 and come watch a free movie in the park. Onto the agenda.

Three B five is a license agreement with Ebony Nutrition Consultants for location behind City Hall and CNL. What's special to me is when I was an employee here at the city of Orlando, Ebony Nutrition used to bring the produce bus and used to only be for city employees. So when I came back, I'm like, where is the bus? So Glenn Providence is here in the audience. He's the executive director.

So they will be returning back to City Hall, and it will be open for the entire Downtown Orlando. So look forward to providing healthy produce and fresh produce to the community. It will be on the third Wednesday of each month from 11:30 to one. There will be a graphic that I will post on social media should my colleagues also point it. In District 5, so commissioner Stewart said that I have two and a half main streets, City District, Paramore District, and West Lakes.

I wanna thank you all for your leadership in strengthening the businesses in our community. And congratulations, City District is expanding a little bit more. They're doing such great work. Three c seventeen, Creative Village Parcel h. Glad to continue the progress in Creative Village as we continue to create housing for all in the Paramore community. On top there's a cup there's a couple of ordinances that we will talk about later, so I will hold my comments until then. And that is all I have, mayor.

Thank you, commissioner. Commissioner Barnes.

Alright. Thank you, mayor. Good afternoon, fellow commissioners and all who attendance. First, I'd like to say also say thank you to Elizabeth Dane for all that you've done for our great city. I will miss you. I I will miss that calm, diligent, thorough approach to our our planning process. I just wanna say thank you for always answering my call as well. We will we'll miss you. Also, to Jim, thank you for everything you've done. We will miss you.

But as it looks like you'll probably be back at some point. So look forward to you coming back, Jim. On Tuesday, September 9, I was able to deliver remarks at the PerSCOLIS graduation as their commencement speaker. Is a organization that provides tuition free IT training. They had a class of about 17 or 20 individuals to graduate.

I was very impressed with their curriculum, but more impressed with they provided free to the to the individual. So thank you to them, and I look forward to partnering with them as we move forward. Also, I had the opportunity to read the proclamation for the Central Florida Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce Independence Day here at City Hall. The Brazilian community in Orlando and Central Florida play a vital role enriching the local culture and economy through its diverse traditions and contributions. The Brazilian consulate and Brazilian chamber of commerce estimates there are 200,000 Brazilians living in Central Florida, nearly 60,000 who live in Orange County, and another 30,000 who live here in the city of Orlando.

And I believe that my district has a lot a large percentage of those. So again, glad to support them. Also had the opportunity to attend the Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit. Love to see all the the art that was displayed and appreciate that. Also, on February 19, I attended the Florida League of Cities new member board orientation as well as the board meeting.

So thank you mayor for appointment. I know I have some some big shoes to fill with commissioner Stewart and and commissioner Ortiz. You all have definitely left a a legacy because when I came down, all I heard was stories about Stewart and and Ortiz. So, I guess I have to go make my own stories. Good stories. Good stories. Also, Friday and Saturday, we celebrated the incredible life of the honorable Mabel Butler. Upcoming events, National Night Out. I'm excited to invite everyone to join the National Night Out on October 7. I hope all residents will come out and support their respective neighborhood and community events.

Mayor and fellow commissioners, I would like to acknowledge District 6 as we had almost total sweep of the contest. I say sweep of the contest because District 6 took home the first place and the third place in the National Night Out Awards. So I think that's a deserves a round of applause for District 6. So let's congratulate congratulate District 6. So first place was won by Carver ashores, and third place was won by Owls of Catalina, and they were a first time participant.

So very excited about what happens there. But National Night Out is a chance to connect with our neighbors, meet local officials, and interact with officers who serve our community. So let's come together and give crime and drugs a going away party. Also, satellite hours, October 8 at El Claudia Allen Center from 10AM to 3PM. So if you wanna come meet with me outside of City Hall, please reach out to our office.

Also, mayor, on the agenda, as commissioner Rose acknowledged the license agreement with Ebony Nutrition Consultants. They're providing making available fresh fruits and vegetables. Thank you to Glenn for doing that. But also, on this Thursday, Ebony will be celebrating thirty years of healthy initiative serving our Central Floor serving the city of Orlando and the Central Florida community. I've had the pleasure in the early years to serve on their board of directors.

So I was excited to help them celebrate these thirty years. And thank you, Glenn, again for all all that you do. Under housing, I will be declaring a conflict on item three f one, the release of the restricted covenant executed by the health care center for the homeless. As you all know, I serve as the president and CEO. And, I have filled out form b, the memorandum of voting conflict with the city clerk. And, with that mayor, I move approval of the consent agenda.

Okay. We have a motion and a second. Before we do that commissioner Ortiz has offered to forego two consecutive commission meetings of giving commissioner comments. If I would let Earl Lugo who he failed to call on come from the Azalea Park Little League come up and speak. So, I'm gonna take that offer. Earl, you wanna come on up? I'm a man of my word.

Mayor, can you restate the second on that motion?

What's that?

Who's the second?

Stewart. Yes.

If you wanna let us know how badly Commissioner Stewart was umpiring in your league.

Woah, woah,

woah. You don't really want me to tell that story. He's always done a great job as an umpire. There How's was your one time we had to question one of his calls. I had to call Tony and say, Mr. Ortiz, I don't know what's up with your buddy, but anybody who takes the time to be a volunteer, you cannot complain about their work. Remember that. You you don't get paid you don't get paid as a volunteer. First of all, I'd like to thank everybody who's here, especially the people who came from Azela Park, the kids that that probably left school early. Please give them a pass, mayor.

I didn't come here prepared to speak, so I'm gonna speak from the heart. I've been excuse me. I've been at the park for twenty years, and I showed up as a parent. And I sat in the stands, and I watched a bunch of kids having fun. The park looked like it was struggling a little bit. Equipment looked a little old. The fields looked a little old. And I just I just sat there and and I'm watching the kids having fun. And it took me back to a time when I was

a

kid, up in the South Bronx, being raised by my grandparents because my parents weren't around. My coach, coach Willie, who I still have a relationship with him today, he's 85 years old, he still calls me to to ask me about the league. But he was the only father figure I had. And, you know, when I when I saw that one coach struggling by himself trying to keep it together, something told me to walk onto the field and and and volunteer to help him. So I did.

I followed my heart. I did that every Saturday until the season was done. And then that coach put his arm around me and said, this is now your team. And I had that team for ten years. I had the same eight kids for ten years. There's two seasons every year. That's 20 seasons. I looked over those same eight kids. I met other kids on the way. I've probably met 200 kids that I've coached in those ten years.

But those eight kids that were with me that whole time, each and every one of them finished college and it didn't cost their parents a dime. Okay? To include my own son who's now working as an engineer and graduated from UCF and it didn't cost me a dime either. I just want to thank Commissioner Ortiz who's been around for a long time trying to get these fields the help that it needed. It definitely was a challenge. We kept getting the runaround. Go speak to these people. Speak to these people. It's not my land, it's his land. It's not our land, it's their land.

We just kept fighting. I kept going out there, finding sponsorships. I kept applying for grants. We just kept fighting, fighting, fighting, fighting. We built relationships with Roberto Clemente's kids.

I had some beautiful murals painted to pay respect to Roberto Clemente in order to share who I believe was one of the biggest and best mentors in the world that I grew up looking at. When I was a kid, in my house, honestly, there were three pictures on my wall. It was my graduation picture from junior high school, picture of Jesus Christ, and then there was a picture of Roberto Clemente. I used to ask my grandfather why that man's picture was on the wall and he used to tell me, he said, that man fought for for our people. He wasn't just a great baseball player.

He was a humanitarian. He cared about our people. He died trying to help our people. I was five, six years old when he told me that story. When I grew up, I figured it out. And I said I wanna be like Roberto Clemente. I wanna leave a legacy behind. And and today I could say that I think with this new park that our neighborhood is gonna get, I think I did my job. Thank you guys for your time.

Okay. On the consent agenda, was a motion by Commissioner Sheehan, second by Commissioner Stewart. All in favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? And so the motion carries. Those of you who were just here for Just the

to correct the record, the motion was Commissioner Burns.

Oh, it's Commissioner Burns? Second. Correction. How do you have it?

Commissioner Burns moved and Commissioner Stewart seconded.

Everybody good with that? Alright. All of you who are just here for items that were on the consent agenda, we're gonna take a thirty second little break here and let you, make your way to the lobby if you so desire. Okay. We are going to recess the without objection, we're gonna recess the city council meeting.

We are going to convene the CRA meeting. First item is CRA advisory board meeting minutes from 07/23/2025. Motion by commissioner Rose, second by commissioner Sheehan. All in favor indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Okay. David, you wanna take the other two?

Can do. So good afternoon, mayor. Good afternoon, commissioners. Item b on the CRA, this is a facade grant. This is specifically for the Waverly right there on the South Side of Lake Eola. They are doing some significant improvements to the exterior of their building. It's gonna be a total improvement of over $800,000 And for that, they do qualify for $100,000 in assistance from our CRA facade grant. It did go to the facade review committee on August 6, and they recommended approval. Approval. And I'm happy to address any questions of

the Board. So moved.

Motion by Commissioner Sheehan, second by Commissioner Rose. Discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion indicates by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? And so the motion carries. David?

Thank you. And item c on the CRA agenda. This is, mayor, which you mentioned in some of your opening comments. This is a high wage, high value job agreement for ECS Florida LLC. They are an engineering consulting and services geotechnical firm that is moving their regional headquarters right here to Downtown Orlando. Specifically, they're coming to 150 North Orange. It's also known as the Fulcrum Building. A lot of great things happening in that building recently. So we're excited to welcome them to downtown. They do qualify for a $117,000 in incentives through our high wage value job program.

And effectively, what they'll be doing is relocating 51 employees here immediately and and then growing an additional 27 over the next several years for a total of 78 jobs that'll be created in house right here in Downtown Orlando. That'll be paid out over a six year period as the program allows. And I'm happy to address any

questions. Motion

by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan. Discussion?

I did want to make a comment.

Commissioner Rose.

Glad to see us bringing high wage jobs. We want to connect with the owner to kind of figure out how we can do some connections with FAMU as some students come back home as well as UCF students to make sure that we're keeping jobs here local.

Happy to do so.

Okay. All in favor indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Further business, David?

That is all, ma'am.

Then we will, adjourn the CRA meeting without objection. We will convene the neighborhood improvement district meeting. We have one item which is the funding agreement.

Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and members of the board. We have one item for you today. This is the agreement between the NID and the So to Main Street. It is for $30,000 in reimbursable funds. The advisory board on August 13 also reviewed this item and recommended its approval as well. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Second. Motion by Commissioner Sheehan, second by Commissioner Stewart. Discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Further business?

That'll be all.

Thank you. Then we will stand adjourned as to the neighborhood improvement district. And we will reconvene the city council meeting. We'll move to hearings. And the first hearing relates to the 2425 red light camera annual summary report. In accordance with Florida statute, the annual red light camera summary report reviews the performance of the city's 45 red light cameras at 25 intersections covering the period from July 1 through the twenty fourth. I'm sorry. Covering the period from July 1 through June. Let me get this right here in a minute. 07/01/2024 through 06/30/2025.

The summary report includes a number of violations issued, contested, upheld, dismissed, issued as a uniform traffic citation and paid as well as how the revenues were distributed. Ray Rodriguez with Orlando Stops will provide the report highlights.

Ray? Yes. Good afternoon honorable Mayor Dyer and city commission members. If you can start the slide. I have a presentation as you said and it's a disclosure of the 07/01/2024 to 06/30/2025 summary report of how many issue how many tickets were issued by the city of Orlando, Orlando stopped.

Now

according to Florida statute three sixteen zero zero eight three, All municipalities that operate a red light camera have to give this disclosure. This is just a disclosure not for the purpose of of voting. We currently have over 500 intersections in the city of Orlando and there are 25 intersections with 45 operating approaches. These cameras are located where a heightened safety risk has been shown for the period of, like I said before, 07/01/2024 to 06/30/2025, the city of Orlando issued 6,433 notices of violation and twenty thousand four and twelve uniform traffic citations. Out of those, the notice of violations that were paid were 41,400 and the uniform traffic citation as you may know, may not know, it stays at Orange County Clerk of Courts, and they basically figure it out how much they they owe the city.

The amount that was contested on the notice of violation is 50. The amount that was contested under uniform trial citation at the Orange County Clerk Of Courts is a thousand 220. Out of the notice of violation, there were 34 that were upheld. And in Orange County Clerk of Courts, 171 were upheld. The dismiss for notice of violations was six, and, of course, the dismiss for uniform travel citation at the Orange County Clerk House was 60 five.

The revenue collection by city of Orlando is 4.222654. Orlando stops, recovered $3,119,498. A thousand 1,103.56 is what was allocated. And the state of Florida, of course, takes $70 out of every ticket, so they wound up having $3,000,004.22 $3.03 9. The trauma center also gets funding, and they recovered 414,000.

And the spinal cord brain injuries trust fund got a $124,200. The Department of Revenue in total recovered or should I say taking out the trauma center and the spinal cord recovered 2,000 I'm sorry. $2,000,884,139. In the in the next slide, it's basically the same information but it's in a it's in a in a in a better format where you can see what exactly was recovered. Like I said before, this is a disclosure and it's required by statute.

Does anyone have any comments, questions?

Okay. I am gonna open up public hearing. We have no request for testimony from the public, so I will open it up for questions or discussions. Did you sign up to speak? I'm signed up. Madam Clerk? Okay. Well, this what he was just saying is totally wrong.

Sir, can you state your name?

My name is Walter George Adams the third bay from the Morris Science Temple of America, Asia, the nation of North America.

Mayor Dyer, we have him for general appearances.

Yeah. Juroristic person.

What? For general appearances.

Okay. You signed up for general appearance, not on this issue. Okay. So that would be in about fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes. Okay. But I just wanted to question, that's fraud on the court. You'll have an opportunity for the spot you signed up for. I'm talking on all of this. Okay, thanks. Discussion?

Yeah, mayor, I'd like to if I could. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I just want to say Ray thank you for the work that you do at over 20,000 violations at 25 intersections. That's a lot and I know that doesn't even show the fact that we've had less crashes at these intersections. So I just wanna thank you for your work and I think it's kind of ironic that we had to work so hard to lobby, you know, in Tallahassee to get this approved for public safety and then they once they realized how much money it was generated then they just wanted to keep the money. So again good work that you've done. I wish we could keep more of the money locally in order to be able to do more safety improvements but I just wanna thank you for everything that you've done.

Thank you Commissioner Sheehan.

Alright further questions or comments? Commissioner Ortiz.

Thank you Mayor. I wasn't but I feel the duty to do this. By all means the fact that I remember when we first implemented this system and there was a lot of criticism because they said it caused more actions than solve issues. And it has not been the case, especially since we announced as a red camera before the people get to those intersections. I know that it has definitely saved lives and it has established a new order.

People look now for cameras they're into intersections, which is a good thing because it has definitely deterred a lot of these accidents that end up in fatalities. So thank you for the job you're doing. More than even the money, because this is not even about the money, it's about saving lives. And I think it's a great the fact that the city of Orlando and the city of Popocate were the first ones, pretty much implemented the system, know, the whole state and is something to be commended for. So mayor, thank you for your leadership on this. Incredibly the staff, our council, and thank you Roy for doing Ray for doing the job that you're doing up there. Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

For the comment hearing none, all favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, motion carries. Thank you, Ray.

Thank you, sir.

Okay, our other hearing is for the disposition of 5750 Roberto Clemente Road to Blue Clemente LLC for affordable rental housing development. This is a public hearing for the sale of city owned land valued in excess $500,000 as required by chapter 13 section seven of the city charter. Notice of the hearing was published in the Orlando Sentinel on 09/16/2025 And approval of this transaction will require a majority vote of all members of the city council. The property is located at 5750 Roberto Clemente Road near the Southeast corner of South Cimarron Boulevard and Roberto Clemente Road. City purchased property in 2023 for $850,000 The current estimated fair market value of the property is $900,000 based on an independent appraisal.

To encourage and incentivize much needed affordable housing, the proposed purchase price is a dollar per the city charter, the sale of city owned real property are priced below the estimated fair market value requires specific good cause shown. Warren, our Director of Housing. Warren Henry.

Good afternoon, mayor and commissioners. Staff is recommending to partner with Blue Sky Communities for the development of the affordable housing for seniors on the city owned property you mentioned at 5750 Roberto Clemente Road. And that is in the Inglewood Park neighborhood in Commissioner District 2. Just a brief history in 2020, the City Council approved the planned development for this property with an affordable housing component known as the Blue Apartment. However, the developer was unable to move forward with the project.

Since then, multiple developers have offered proposals with success. Thus far, developers have had difficulty attracting appropriate financing, getting necessary approvals, or receiving tax credits to build new affordable housing. After the purchase of the property by the city in 2023, the city rezoned the property from PD original zoning of MU-one. As the site was being prepped for redevelopment, the city entered into negotiation with Blue Sky Communities in order to develop the site with 60 affordable units with six of those units dedicated to permanent supportive housing. The remaining 54 units are dedicated to those at or below 60% of area median income.

Currently in 2025, 60% of area median income for one person, that limit is $44,300 and it's $50,600 for a family of two. Now the benefits this project presents, the opportunity to redevelop city owned property in the Englewood Park neighborhood that has been vacant for more than ten years and expand our housing inventory for low income senior residents. So the next step would be approval of the purchase and sale agreement. Then it's necessary for the developer to put the finances together for the project which may or may not include CDBG DER funding, that's disaster recovery funding that Orange County is going to be making available hopefully later this funding gaps. Also, Orange County has additional resources such as their housing trust fund.

There's also state housing funds that may be available for the gap and other local funds. The other permanent financing piece would be the Florida Housing Finance Corporation 4% or if available 9% low income housing tax credits and tax exempt bonds or the Orange County Housing Finance Authority 4% tax credits with bonds through them. And then we would obtain final land development approvals and obtain the permits and hopefully get this under construction soon. So thank you today for your consideration. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Okay. Questions? Questions from commissioners?

Yes, mayor. I

I do have a question. Commissioner Byrne I'm sorry. Commissioner Ortiz and mister Byrne. Okay.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Commissioner Byrnes.

Thank you. Thank you very you know, I'm I'm definitely a supporter of of affordable housing. And so you mentioned that there I guess there's been some struggles finding financing in the past with the other developers. If for some reason this group is not able to get financed, can you talk about the process of reverting it back, the ownership back to the city? Is that part of this agreement, which I'm assuming it is?

Yes, sir. They would have a limited opportunity to get the financing. If they're not successful, we would get it back. But one of the problems has been for a developer to get control of the property and then take all the time that it has taken to get the financing. And that's been one of the hindrances for the property not being developed before.

So now are there are there because you mentioned several pots of money that they can go go for. Is there any funding that the city controls that they will have access to for any gap funding as well?

At this time, we're anticipating they'll be successful getting funding from the other sources, but, you know, every day is a different day so we'll see. Hopefully they'll be able to get all of the funding necessary for the project.

Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Ortiz.

Thank you mayor. First of all I want to thank you because this is a dream come true. You know that we had had quite a journey with this particular property and I'm ecstatic about this particular development. I think it's gonna help our seniors incredibly and just like we're doing in the rest of the city. As as mayor, I mean, I wanna thank you once again and our and our board here and our staff because we have really, really kicked the ball in the 400 yard line, talking baseball here, when it comes to to affordable and helping our people, know, and we have been a great example to others.

But having said that, let me ask you something, you mentioned 60% medium income, I mean of the 60

The percent the rents would be capped that they're affordable to someone at 60% of median income.

Oh, it's gonna be capped. Okay.

Yes, the rents would not

exceed. Because I was concerned about people that made less that couldn't apply for this and we have a lot seniors that are in much lower income levels, fixed income levels.

Well, it gets into that they'll have to qualify that they can afford to live there. Obviously someone can't make a lot less and they still have to be able to afford to pay the rent and then have living expenses. But I'm happy to go over that with you at some point to explain too how utility allowances and other things kick in to make this affordable.

Well I wanna thank you once again Deborah, thanks a lot once again. And all your staff, everybody in the housing and everybody who helped us with this throughout the whole journey. Thank you so much. Mayor once again, a lot.

Commissioner you wanna make the motion?

Yes, make that great motion to approve.

Motion by Commissioner Ortiz, second by Commissioner Sheehan. I have no request for public comment. Further discussion hearing none. All in favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? And so the motion carries. Thank you, Warren.

Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Madam Clerk, you're up. Ordinances first reading number one or 13 a. Gotta get used to this new numbering system. 13 a.

Ordinance number twenty twenty five dash thirty one. An ordinance of the city of Orlando, Florida relating to parks and outdoor public assemblies by amending chapter three section 3.07 of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida. Amending chapter five section 5.19 of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, amending chapter 18, sections 18 a point zero one, 18 a point zero two, 18 a point zero three, 18 a point zero four, 18a point zero eight dash one, 18a point zero nine, 18a point zero nine dash one, and 18a point two four of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, repealing chapter 18 a, sections 18 a point one zero, 18 a point one one, 18 a point one two, 18 a point one two dash one, eighteen a point 13, 18 a dash 18 a dot point 14, 18 a point fifteen, eighteen a point sixteen, eighteen a point seventeen, eighteen a point eighteen, eighteen a point 19 a, 18 a point 21, 18 a point 22, 18 a point 23, and 18 a point 23 dash one, but enacting chapter sections 18B.01, 18B.02, 18B.03, 18B.04, 18P.05, 18B.06, 18B. Zero seven, 18B. Zero eight, 18B.

Zero nine, 18B. 10, 18B. 11, 18B. 12, 18B. Thirteen, eighteen b point one four, 18 b point one five, 18 b point one six, 18 b point one seven of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, amending chapter 24, section 24.13 of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, amending chapter 33, section 33.06 of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, amending chapter 42, sections 42.04, and 42.07 of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, amending chapter 58, section 58.72 of the code of the city of Orlando, Florida, providing for severability, codification, correction of Scribner's error, and an effective date.

Motion by commissioner Ortiz, second by commissioner Stewart. Jim, we should have probably had you read that. Name this the Jim Young retirement ordinance. Okay. I don't have any requests for public comment but I do wait for discussion commissioner. Discussion? Commissioner Sheehan.

Thanks mayor. I just still have some concerns and I've had some issues in my district about transportation being over it instead of OPD because it's really hard to get follow-up on the weekends. I'll be voting no just because I have concerns about that. That's the only thing.

Okay. Maybe we can assuage your concerns over the next couple of weeks. Alright. Let's see. We had a motion and a second. So, no further discussion. All in favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. And it's 6.1, Commissioner Sheehan is a no. Okay. 13 b, madam clerk. I think it has a little shorter title.

Ordinance number twenty twenty five dash 34, an ordinance of the city of Orlando, Florida granting a petition to expand the boundaries of the River Walk Community Development District as initiated by the district's board of supervisors, amending ordinance number 22 twenty twenty two dash 44 to expand the external boundaries of the Riverwalk Community Development District, which is generally located North of State Road 528, East of Darcoossee Road, and West of State Road 417 in accordance with said petition providing for severability correction of Scrivener's error and an effective date.

Motion by commissioner Gray second by commissioner Ortiz. I don't have any request for public comment discussion. Mayor. Commissioner Stewart.

As I mentioned at the gender review I have a conflict of interest as my son-in-law is president of Pulte Homes who is applicant on property owner of this property. So I have filed the proper report with Stephanie.

Alright. We noted further comment, further discussion. Hearing none, all in favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed and actually Commissioner Stewart did not vote.

That was an accident, sorry.

Okay. And so the motion carries. And 13 c, madam clerk.

Ordinance number twenty twenty 5Dash30 seven. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Orlando, Florida amending chapter five article three city code by adding a new section 5.23 amending article four authorizing the placement, installation, or contracting for placement or installation of traffic infraction detectors at specified intersections providing legislative findings, providing for severability, clarification, correction of scrivener's error, and an effective

date. Motion by commissioner Sheehan, second by commissioner Stewart. I have no request for public comment. Is there a discussion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion indicate so by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? And so the motion carries. Ed, could you get us ready for general appearance, please?