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>> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat up here. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat.
[music] Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music]
[music] >> [music] [music] [music] >> Good afternoon and welcome to the January 26, 2026 meeting of the Orlando City Council. We're going to begin today's proceedings with the invocation and pledge of
allegiance today led by Commissioner Keane. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good afternoon. As we begin this this city council meeting, let us pause and reflect. Please be mindful of the responsibility we carry and the trust that the community places
in us. Let us work today. Let us work today be guided by care, fairness, and thoughtful consideration of the people and the neighborhoods we serve. As we move through our agenda, may we remain focused on what brings lasting benefit to the city of Orlando. With that shared
purpose, let us proceed. Please stand for the if you're able for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the for it stands one nation under God
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, let's call the meeting to order. Madam clerk, would you call the role to make the determination of quorum, please? >> Commissioner Kane >> here. >> Commissioner Ortiz >> here. >> Commissioner Chapen, >> present. >> Commissioner Sheen,
>> here. Commissioner Rose >> here. >> Commissioner Burns >> here. >> Mayor Dyer >> here. >> Mayor, you have a quorum with all members present. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, first item, business is consideration of minutes from the January 12th agenda view and city council meetings.
>> Motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheen. And all in favor indicates so by saying I. >> I. Those opposed. And so the motion carries. Okay. Mayor's update. Nope. awards, presentations, and recognitions. Just
have one. So, it is Black History Month, and we recognize Black History is American history and our Lando history. And February marks the 100th anniversary of the recognition of Black History Month. And thanks to our Black History
Month um employee committee and sponsors, we have a number of events during the month to help residents join in the recognition. and I'm going to call on Marcia to give us an overview and then I'll read a proclamation.
>> Thank you, mayor. Good afternoon, mayor and commissioners, and everyone who is with us today here and also who may be watching. We're glad that you're here today. I am pleased to join Mayor Dyer and our city commissioners and of course our employee Black History Month
committee and all of our sponsors today to officially kick off Black History Month in the city of Orlando. As a welcoming welcoming and inclusive city, we are very proud to celebrate the positive contributions of African-Americans throughout history in
our city, state, nation, and world. 2026, as Mayor Dyer mentioned, marks a century of national commemorations of black history. In 2025, just a quick history, in 2025, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson planned the inaugural week-long
observance of black history, he could not have anticipated or envisioned the imprint he would leave on the world. His organization known as ASALA, the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, began
in 1926 and has continued that tradition for 100 years. The observances have become part of American culture and increasingly the global community. For this year's centennial theme, the founders of Black History Month urge us
to explore the impact and the meaning of black history and life in all of our uh various communities across the country. Commemorations are reflecting the culture, impact, and achievements of African-Americans worldwide. Each
February, as Mayor Dyer mentioned, the city of Orlando hosts several events to commemorate Black History Month and the positive impacts and the meaning of Black History and life in our community. This year, several city commissioners uh
are joining us for several special events, and I'd like to briefly mention them, but there's a lot more information on the website. Um, we will have initially on February 3rd an opening reception of the art exhibition of Black
History Month. Uh, Tuesday, February 3rd at 5 at City Hall in the Terrace Gallery. [snorts] Please join us there. We will have 52 amazing pieces of 28 local visual artists who have been inspired by this year's theme.
And then the second event will be on February 10th, one week later. And we hope you'll join us for the community celebration at the Plaza Live featuring live entertainment, uh, performances, great food, and act, uh, activities such
as a performance by our city beautiful voices, which is the city of Orlando's employee choir. We'll also have a presentation by our Orlando poet laurate, uh, Chimera Gaither, and we will feature the featured vocalist will
be CC Tanil. So, all of the information on this is on our website. We hope you'll visit orlando.govhm for all of the information. And before Mayor Dyer reads the proclamation, I'd like to ask our sponsors of these two events that are here today to please
stand so we can recognize you and thank you for your generosity. [applause] Thank you. Thank you so much. We couldn't do this without you. And Mayor Dyer, if you will read the proclamation, the committee will come up and have a photo with you
and the city commissioners. >> Whereas Black History Month is an integral part of American history. And whereas Black History Month recognizes the central role of Black Americans in our nation's history. And whereas Black History Month was established in 1926
by historian Carter G. Woodson who initiated the first celebration of Negro History Week. And whereas Black History Month gives our city the opportunity to recognize the rich legacy of Orlando's black community and inspire the next generation to continue shaping our community. And whereas while celebrating
Black History Month, the city of Orlando recognizes the historic contributions of black Americans while acknowledging that struggles still continue. And whereas during this month, our community recommmits to continuing the work to ensure that all residents have access to opportunities that help them thrive,
supporting our collective efforts to make Orlando a welcoming city for all. Now, therefore, we Buddy Dyer, mayor of the city of Orlando and the entire Orlando City Council, hereby do proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in the city of Orlando. >> Thank you. [applause]
Thank you, Mayor. Would the committee come up for a quick picture? And thank the thanks to each member of the commission for all of the work you've done to pull these events together. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. [applause]
We voted on that. >> [cough] >> Okay. And now to the mayor's update. Um, I just have one item and that's to wish Commissioner Burns a happy birthday. It is his birthday at the end of this week on January, nope, February.
January the 30th. So, Commissioner Ortiz, [laughter] >> happy birthday. >> Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Commissioner Burns.
Happy birthday to you. [applause] >> Okay, we'll move on to the consent agenda. the consent agenda are a number of items that are acted upon through a single vote of council. We give each of our commissioners an opportunity to comment on items on the consent agenda
as well as to update you on important happenings from their individual commission districts. We rotate the order that we do that. And first up today is Commissioner Keane. Commissioner Keane. >> Thank you, Mayor. I hate to do this, but I'm going to break uh my tradition of one meeting. I have a few things to talk
about today. >> Go with it. Hey, I've got that exact same tie, by the way. I'll make sure I don't wear it on the same day. >> Yeah. Thank you. Well, the first thing I want to talk about is an upcoming event District 1. We have the L LPGA Tournament of Champions hosted by uh I
think it's Hilton uh Grand Vacations. It gives an opportunity for Orlando to be on national television on Saturday and Sunday. Uh that tournament starts uh on Wednesday and goes through the weekend. Unfortunately, I think the weather is going to be a little tough, but uh it is
what it is. So, but it's going to be an exciting time for for Orlando. I wanted to thank again Marcia and her team as well as the MLK Commission for some of the events that I attended. I thought they were incredibly well organized and I think uh what you're doing is impactful for the city, brings people
together with purpose and heart, and I applaud you for the great work you're doing there. Um, as far as a tour I took, uh, the first week I was in office, I visited the Southport uh, baseball fields with the South Orlando uh, Babe Ruth uh, organization uh, to better understand
uh, their little league and the vital role it plays in serving our local youth. The experience offered a a really good insight into how continued support can help strengthen the program and expand opportunities for young athletes here in Orlando. And then finally, I just have a uh a heartfelt thank you to
the city of Orlando department heads for providing me with the training and guidance needed to serve effectively as a commissioner. I deeply appreciate your time and patience and commitment to preparing me uh to serve the community well. Uh as far as a consent agenda, I do not have any comments.
>> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Ortiz. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'm going to direct my attention today to uh legislative session. And I'm going to talk to you all about home rule and what we need to be concerned about for this legislative session, at least from our priorities,
keeping our community ab breast of what's going on. Um, as you all know, home rule is that right through a legislation that give that allows for municipalities and counties to legislate for their people without the interference of the state or the federal
government for that matter, but is through legislations that have not been preempted through the state or by the state. We have a number of uh legislations that our priority today and this has to do with property tax and budget sta stability. In the past, we
had incidents or we had uh occasions where the property tax the exemption was the state tried to increase that exemption and people thought, "Oh, that's a great tax cut." The reality was a tax shift because at the end of the day, the services that you're getting
locally, we have to from somewhere we have to get that money in order to pay for this. And um so by them decreasing, we would have to increase our taxes locally. So now we're confronting that in that issue again where the legislature is trying to at least the
governor is trying to get rid of property taxes or make some some changes that will affect us greatly locally. I want you all to think about this heavily and to do some research because that would put a huge burden uh onto the city. Right now just to pay for police
officers and and firefighters is about 51% of our budget. Well, what we get, the revenue we get from property tax is only 48%. So, if we were to think about where are we going to get this money, the only way we can do this is by increasing taxes, right? Sales taxes. Well, two things
happens if we increase sales taxes. One that we all are going to go to a supermarket and products are going to be incredibly high for us to sustain oursel. What the other thing is that who's going to come and visit? You know, we've get we're receiving 75 million
visitors in the city of in a in a region right now. When sales taxes go up, people are going to think, "Okay, hold on a second. It's getting too expensive over there for us to visit." But there's a third item that is going to be that is even more impactful. You guys like to be able to come to city council and say,
"We have these issues. Can you solve them? If this happen, if we get rid of property taxes, we'll be centralizing the government even more. we're going to have to go to Tallahassee to get answers. Is that what we want as a community or is it easier for you guys
to come here and talk to us about the issues that we have? So, think about these things. Okay, that's in the property tax side uh side of the house. We have short-term rentals. So, uh they're trying to get the government of the state to be more involved in order for them to uh demand that those who
have short-term rentals they register themselves with the city of Orlando. I mean with the different cities around the state uh because what happens is a lot of people are running these short-term rentals under the radar and that affects each and every one of you.
Uh home rule advocacy of course as as I explained before infrastructure and resilience and sales tax fairness. So those are some of the things you can find information about this at the Florida League of Cities uh website. And if any of you have any other questions I can address, please don't hesitate.
That's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Chapen. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I would also like to thank uh the Southwest Orlando JC's, the YMCA of Central Florida, and the city of Orlando's MLK Commission uh for hosting the Papy Kennedy prayer
breakfast that I had the honor of attending. Um, it was uh truly inspirational event and uh I was able to be alongside many community leaders who I have long admired and respected. Uh, I'd like to thank the family parks and
recreations uh department for putting on the seedlings for civil rights beautifification event in Rosemont. It was cold. Um, uh, which made everybody a little bit more efficient. Um, so it was it got done really really quick. Um, I'd
like to congratulate our new fire chief, Jason Revolt, for officially being sworn in as our 22nd Orlando Fire Department chief. Uh I too along uh would like to echo uh Commissioner Keane and thanking all the department heads who have uh
been so gracious with your time and your patience and getting us up to speed on the issues. And I'd also like to thank the other commissioners and your uh aids also for helping uh both of us and our aids and kind of uh managing um our
first weeks. Um this past weekend, the city of Orlando Youth Basketball League season commenced. Good luck to all the athletes, especially the district 3 teams. Um, and just on the uh consent agenda items, I would uh just like to uh
congratulate um uh Dr. Bridget Williams and Phil Brown for being appointed to the Orlando Utilities Commission. Um or being appointed um I know they both do a fantastic job. And I'd also like to
point out that uh just two days ago, the Orlando Utilities Commission sent multiple crews up north to South Carolina to offer mutual aid in advance of the winter storm and ice storm. And that's something that uh when other communities need our help, we are there
with mutual aid. And when we need their help, they also help us in our uh time of need. um the last storm you could see uh crews from Michigan, Wisconsin, sometimes even as far away as Washington state. So uh kudos to OU and that's all
I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Sheen. >> Well, thanks, Mayor. And I'd also like to I'd like to say that that was a great choice on Dr. Bridget Williams and Phil Brown, too, to the OC board. So, congratulations once we get them approved. Um, also really excited on the the agenda today that the Florida
Department of State grant is requiring a restrictive covenant on Dr. Phillips. But what's really amazing is they're going to have screens outside to hear indoor performances from Judson's and Steinmets Hall. Even though it's not my district, I'm very excited about the fact that people will be able to see those performances outside without
having to buy a ticket because I think that's really good for our community. So kudos on that. Glad to see that very much. And also on the agenda today is an artwork agreement for Curry Ford West to beautify a lift station with some natural artwork. Love seeing the the fact that we're celebrating nature as
well as paying our artists that so richly deserve to be paid. And that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Rose. >> Good afternoon, Mayor and um everyone in the audience. Um couple of things. Um we've had a great time here in the city of Orlando c celebrating Martin Luther
King Jr. as a community. I want to thank Keep Orlando Beautiful and Public Works for hosting a community cleanup this past weekend at Lake Lana Dune. I want to remind everyone darkness cannot drive out darkness only like him. We had an exciting time welcome welcoming travel
and leisure to downtown and the Paramore community. This is what intentional inclusive economic development looks like. Our businesses are already experiencing the positive impact um on the 900 new employees. Uh we've had to ask some of the other restaurants, can you guys open up so lunchtime so that uh
staff cannot just bookard one or two so that there's um options and I will be posting job opportunities in the coming days. Um they're open for everyone to apply. There's a lot of jobs still available. Um we've had some very exciting events happening in February before our February council meeting and
I want you all to mark calendars. Um Immersefest will start on February 5th. DTO Live Chalkfest will be right outside of City Hall on February 6th, 7th. Um, then we're doing something new called Swag the Art Experience. It will be on
February 7th at Art Squared from 3 to 7. And then every Monday at 6:45 at Lake Monadun, we now have the Grow Run Club. There's an option to for individuals to run. You can do running and walking and you can do walking. We want to make sure that, as you know, my um saying is
health is wealth. We want to make sure that there's options so that we're keeping ourselves healthy. As always, uh for anything and any activities happening in district 5, you can follow Instagram or Facebook. Now, on to the agenda. I also want to echo congratulated Philip Brown to the OU,
but more importantly, Dr. Bridget Williams. She's a District 5 resident, so I'm really glad to see Dr. Bridget um appointed to OU. And then um grateful for 3B1 transportation team working hard as we start revitalizing the coming into
the downtown corridor from John Young. So being able to redo Church Street from John Young to Garland is going to be a great addition to downtown. And that's all I [clears throat] have. Mayor. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Burns. >> All right. Thank you, Mayor. Uh good afternoon, everyone. Uh Mayor, first I'd like to welcome back from maternity
leave uh my aid, Heather Bale. And we have a beautiful new addition to the district 16, uh, Charlotte Liberty Bell, and we affectionately call her, uh, Charlie. So, uh, so, uh, welcome back to to Heather. Also, I'd just like to say
thank you to Marcia and Brandy and the entire Mayor's MLK Commission, uh, for curating the event celebrating the life and legacy of of Dr. King. Uh, you all did a great job as you do as you do every year. Uh, also and thank you to the Black History Month committee. We're
looking forward to uh all that you all have planned for the month of February. Uh, and as was mentioned, I just like to say thank you to Dr. Bridget Williams and uh Mr. Philip Brown for accepting their appointments to the Orlando Utilities Commission and for their willingness to serve uh in this
capacity. Um, as was mentioned, I had the uh opportunity and the pleasure to attend the uh Southwest Orlando JC's and the Edenville MLK parades. They were well attended, well done. Uh, also on Monday, January 19th, I attended the
Arthur Papy Kennedy uh 33rd annual prayer breakfast. Uh and then following that I had the opportunity to uh participate in the MLK 2026 great day of service with the US hunger where we endeavored to uh pack a million meals
over at the Orange County Convention Center. And I'm proud to announce that uh we exceeded the goal. We actually packed 1,4124 meals. So uh great great work that was done by all the volunteers. And just as a reminder in central Florida region,
food insecurity affects one in seven people. Uh and then unfortunately including children is one and six children. So um food insecurity is still an issue that we as a community need to continue to work together to combat. Uh
also as um as uh commissioner mentioned, the Florida legislature is in the third week of the session. Uh and this week the Florida League of Cities will be up in Tallahassee advocating uh for the interests of our cities and in our towns throughout Florida. And as the session
uh moves forward, uh I know uh Commissioner Ortiz will be providing updates now. We'll be supporting uh that as well. And um last thing, but not uh least, uh my satellite office hours will be Wednesday, February the 11th from
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Elclaia Allen Center. Uh, and this is an opportunity for residents and constituents to come meet with me outside of uh, city hall because it's oftent time uh, easier get to uh, the Elcla Senior Center. Uh, so if you want to make an appointment, just reach out
to my office and we'll be uh, willing to sit down with you. Uh, and that's all I have, mayor. And with that, I move approval of the consent agenda. >> Motion by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Ortiz. All in favor indicate so by saying I. I. >> Those opposed. And so the motion
carries. Okay. Okay, we'll take just a 15 20 second recess. If you were here just for the consent agenda, now would be a good opportunity to make your way out. Okay, Madame Clerk, you're up. Let's move to hearings ordinances. First
reading 11A. Ordinance number 2026-1, an ordinance [clears throat] of the city council of the city of Orlando, Florida, vacating, closing, and abandoning approximately 91 ft of West Ilana Street, generally located east of CSX
Railroad, south of West Michigan Street, west of Taylor Avenue, and north of West Pineelock Avenue, as described in the plat of George Greenore's subdivision, as recorded in platbook G, page 79, and in the Carlton Terrace Plat as recorded in platbook O page 38 in the public
records of Orange County, Florida, and comprised of 0.126 acres of land more or less providing for conditions of abandonment, the execution of affecting documents, severability, correction of scrier's errors, and an effective date. >> So move second. >> Motion by Commissioner Sheen, second by
Commissioner Burns. I'll open the hearing. There are no requests for public participation. I'll close the hearing. Uh discussion hearing. None. All in favor of the motion indicates so by saying I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. >> All right. On to ordinances first read
13A. Madam clerk. >> Ordinance number 2025-48. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Orlando, Florida amending the land development regulations of the Wiiwahoodi plan development zoning district. Such district being comprised of approximately 1,262
acres and generally located north of Moss Park Road, south of State Road 528 and east of State Road 417, providing for severability, corruption of scrimmage errors and an effective date. >> Motion by Commissioner Keane, second by
Commissioner Ortiz. Uh likewise, I don't have any requests for public participation. So discussion hearing none in favor of the motion indicates so by saying I I those opposed and so the motion carries and so does that bring us
to the end of our official um agenda for the day. Ed, would you prepare us for general appearance? [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music]