Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. down. He Heat. Heat. Happy birthday. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Hey, hey hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Okay. Good afternoon everybody. Welcome to 420 day here in the city council. Um, we're going to begin today's proceedings with the invocation and the pledge of allegiance today led by Commissioner Ricari Burns. Commissioner. >> All right. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, and good afternoon, everyone. If you are so inclined, please join me uh in bowing your heads in a word of prayer. Gracious and wise creator, we thank you for bringing us together in service to our community. Grant us clarity of mind, humility of heart, and unity of purpose. Help us to listen with respect, speak with integrity, and decide with fairness. May our discussions be guided by wisdom, our actions rooted in compassion, and our outcomes bring lasting benefit to those that we serve. Bless each and every person here with patience, understanding, and a spirit of cooperation. Let this meeting be fruitful, peaceful, and a step for toward a brighter future for our beloved city. This and other blessings we ask in your name. Amen. >> Amen. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which 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 a determination of the quorum, please? >> Commissioner Keane, >> here. >> Commissioner Ortiz. >> Commissioner Chapen, >> here. >> Commissioner Sheen, >> here. >> Commissioner Rose, >> here. >> Commissioner Burns >> here. >> Mayor Dyer >> here. >> Mayor, you have a quorum. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. First order of business is consideration of minutes from the April 6th city council general review and workshop meetings. Motion by Commissioner Burns, second by Commissioner Sheen. All in favor indicate so by saying I >> I >> I those so the motion carries. Okay. We have no awards presentations and recognitions today. So I go quickly into the mayor's update and what a great time it is to be a sports fan in Orlando. The Magic are playing like we thought they would the last two games. So they have opened the NBA playoffs um with a big win over the top seated Pistons, but looked as good as they've looked all year long. So, we're excited to cheer on the Magic in this postseason as they return to the Kia Center in a few days. This is our final meeting before um uh an important awareness week and that is public service recognition week. In the first week of May each year gives our country the opportunity to celebrate and thank federal, state, and local government employees. and city of Orlando employees certainly deserve our community's gratitude, their great commitment and compassion um ensure that we provide key services, amenities, and programs to residents, businesses, and visitors. And I think I speak for the entire city council when I say to all of the city employees that are either here in the room watching on streaming or out doing their jobs, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. And I have two items of note on the consent agenda. One is the authorization to award a contract of Wharton Smith for design build services at Lake Yiola Park on the Lake Eyola master plan. Um, three key components. We're not doing everything on the master plan all at once, but the first three things that we are doing is relocating the Swanboat dock to a location near the Yola House, constructing the walkway behind the amphitheater, and doing a bunch of drainage improvements that um you won't necessarily see, but are probably the most important things that we're doing. And then the other one that's exciting, we are looking forward to a new ready dog park in the Grove in the packing district. U we finally figured out how to turn a wet swampy area into a drier effective place for a dog park. And I'm especially happy because Susie and I have just adopted a new Bernadoodle named Leo like the Pope. um and can't wait him to take take him to the new dog park. All right, those were the two exciting items that I wanted to chat about. I know there are others that commissioners speak about. So, we're going to move on to the consent agenda and that's a number of items that are acted upon through a single vote of council. We give each of our council members an opportunity to comment on items on the consent agenda and to update you on important happenings from their districts. to rotate the order that we do that and Commissioner Burns is first up today. >> All right. Thank you, Mayor. And uh good afternoon again, everyone. Uh first off, I'll just like to mention uh that uh my fourth the student success scholarship application closes today. Uh this is a scholarship for graduating seniors who live or attend school in district 6. We started this uh scholarship probably about five years ago and to date we've uh we've at we've given away close to 200 and some thousand dollars worth of scholarships to graduating seniors. So please if you know seniors who live in district 6 or attend school in district 6, have them to uh reach out to our office because the scholarship uh uh application ends today. uh also uh was excited to celebrate 407 day by supporting local businesses in the district. A few of those businesses were the Village Square uh in Washington Shores, Holy Grain Coffee Shop, Art Sandwich Shop, uh Cupabana, Brazilian Cafe, uh Gods and Monsters, Perfume Land, Tony's uh Brazilian Grill, and uh Super Sean, which is a uh noodle noodle uh restaurant. So, as well as Juicy Patties, which is which is a Jamaican Juicy Patty establishment. So, again, I it was uh great going around to these uh to these businesses. But one of the main things is that we need to continue to support our local businesses, encourage uh our community to spend money locally because when we spend money locally, that money tends to circulate in our communities uh a little longer. So again, thank you mayor for for starting full 7 day and I look forward to continue to celebrate that. Also, uh, Thursday, April 6th, had the opportunity to, uh, attend the Lift Orlando legacy in Bloom, uh, celebrating the impact of women in our community and their powerful role in shaping a brighter future, uh, which proceeds, uh, supporting the We Lift Orlando campaign to expand education, health, and economic mobility for families across the 32805 uh, zip code. Also, uh that same day, I attended the West Orange Chambers annual BestFest, uh a food and beverage and business expo showcasing the best local restaurant, bars, uh caterers, breweries, and businesses in West Orlando or West Orange County. Uh this event provided an opportunity to network, enjoy cuisine, and support the community. Uh, also on uh this past Saturday, I had the opportunity of speaking at the uh affordable housing um at the National Association of Real Estate Brokers Community Day at ElClaudia Allen. This event was uh designed to advance home ownership through advocacy and access. So, I've sat on the panel where we just talked about uh some of the resources that the city has and then just encouraging home owners ownership, but also advocating for um for affordable housing in general. Uh just one update, uh my next satellite office hours will be Wednesday, April 22nd at the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. And this is an opportunity for residents to uh come meet with me outside of uh city hall. So, if you want to get on that schedule, please reach out to my office. Uh, Mayor, that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Burns. Commissioner Keane, >> good afternoon. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, just got a few things to talk about today. Uh, since our last council meeting, uh, had several special events I want to highlight, uh, including thanking you, sir, for issuing that proclamation to designate Malia's Park in Lake Nona. This past weekend, I was able to join Malia's mother, Megan, to help with that ribbon cutting ceremony at her daughter's statue. Also like to th thank Orlando Health for hosting 407 day of giving on April 7th. Worked with some volunteers across the city to make over 500 bags of hygiene essentials for atrisisk communities. Cortez and Anusuka uh were doing great things over there and I want to thank them again. I'm very appreciative the time parks and recreation uh took from their busy schedule to meet with me in district at district one. Thank you Rodney. They have over 150 parks to oversee and it means a lot to residents when you're when you come out hands-on in the heat as we work together improve recreation in Orlando, specifically in district 1. Uh last weekend I walked with Senator Lauren Book and her Lawrence Kid 2026 walk in my shoes to support awareness for child abuse. We started over at Great Oaks Village and ended up at the courthouse. Well, some people ended up at the courthouse. I I may have dropped out a little early. Uh so want to thank uh everybody for for turning out for that great cause and I was happy to be part of it. On April 14th, I attended Junior Achievement or Junior Achievement hosted a career fair at the University of Central Florida and I got a chance to stop by and meet local businesses that showcase how to start careers in fields like video game design, EMT paramedic services, and biotechnology. So much great information and open door opportunities for the soon tobe young adults in our community. Um, I think there were eighth graders that popped in, about 1,500 of them. Very exciting to see real world impact that Junior Achievement is making in Orlando. And then this last weekend, I also attended a YMCA healthy kids day event at the Lake Nona YMCA. Was able to read to about 150 kids plus their parents at the gymnasium over there. And it was really a great event. The Y offers uh education on healthy choices that lead to healthy lifestyle. A few things on the horizon for the upcoming week. I'll be walking in the Florida Puerto Rican uh parade. I'm very excited to celebrate with my friends over the Hispanic Chamber. Um I'm already looking forward to the and I'm going to I'm really going to do bad with the pronunciation here. A roast con gond. >> I'm looking forward to trying those. So, it sounds like it's going to be fun. Uh district one leazison officer Dylan Naja will be presenting an active duty shooter workplace safety this week. uh very important information in today's world. Let's try to be as prepared as we can for for any situation we hope will never happen, but that great information to have at the ready. And then lastly, Lake Nona Arts is opening its presentation of stage struck. Tickets are pay what you can. So, it's a great opportunity for absolutely everyone in Orlando if you want to come out to District 1 to enjoy the great art that the community produces. Uh you can come out if you're available. I'll be there. I'm going to be It's going to be an amazing show. And with that, mayor, thanking you. Thank you for letting me share about district one. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Ortiz. >> Thank you, mayor. I want to thank uh Commissioner by Carrie Burns because I'm sending my kids over there since they're giving those those monies. I'm having them in your, you know, getting apartments over there so they can apply for that so for those grants. Just kidding. So, anyhow, um let's see. Wednesday, April 15th, I had the honor and the privilege of going to a CFHLA lunchon where we discussed tourist development tax, we discussed housing and we discuss uh property taxes. It was a really aminable conversation among those uh industry leaders because there's a lot going on in the central Florida region and I think everybody has to be really informed about this thing. So, um, mayor, I'm really excited about today's 3DA and 12A, small and local, uh, business enterprise, uh, ordinance and, uh, that we're passing. I think this is about time. We we've been waiting for this. Our community have been waiting ever since the government, the state and federal government got rid of DEI. So, uh, I think it's a moving forward with our communities. It's about time. I know there's a lot of companies out there that are dying to see this happening. April um afternoon on April 16 uh at the recent Tri County League of Cities lunchon officers and directors were sworn in. Congratulations to President Jordan Smith, Vice President David Hansen, and all newly inducted board members for their continued leadership and service. The evening of April 16 also mark our second neighborhood leaders meeting. Corpal Rogers and Corpal Duvik attended providing residents with the latest District 2 statist statistics as well as information on upcoming events hosted by the Orlando Police Department. So, thank you guys. Thank you, Chief. Um, residents also had the opportunity to hear directly from public works staff about solid waste, wastewater, and optimization and uh systems practices. Especially thanks to Marjgery Briones and Christopher Andress and Alan Morrison for taking the time to educate residents on important work and complexities behind this essential services and indeed they're complex and there are such a need in our communities and some people um oversee this this particulars from time to time. the Government Academy. We're proud to be halfway through the 12-week uh government academy and program designed to give residents an in-depth understanding of local government operations. Participants have explored a wide range of topics including the Orlando Utility Commission, transportation, Orange County school boards, etc. The programs continues to provide valuable insight into how our community is served across multiple departments and government as a whole from the federal government to the local government. And so those interested, all you have to do is contact my office and we'll set you up for the next economy. I think that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Chapen. >> Thank you, Mayor. I, too, enjoyed uh my first 407 day uh as a district commissioner. And um I don't think I went to as many restaurants as Commissioner Burns did. Um but, uh did visit several uh businesses in district three, especially in the our main street districts. We have three and a half. In district 3, we have the the drive, Ivanho Village, Ottabon Park, Garden District, and Mills 50. Also had the opportunity that morning to uh visit Rosemont Elementary School where I was able to read for the Head Start class, which was a lot of fun. Um, outstanding staff and a great reminder of the impact that these early learning programs are having on our young people. Uh early this morning I attended the groundbreaking for the new event center at the Four Roots Farm in the packing district. Uh it's a unique asset in our community and a a result of incredible partnership with Four Roots Foundation, Dr. Philips Charities and they're making a big impact in Central Florida through its agriculture and educational mission uh as far as as well as bringing people together, especially school children that uh they're um have thousands visit every year. Um the new event center will help expand their programming and create even more opportunities for students, families, and local organizations to gather. They are getting $12 million from the tourist development tax. I think we were talking about earlier that we all like the tourist development tax. So, um it's a a a great asset and a a great use of some of those funds. Uh later this week, I'll be at the ribbon cutting for the His Health Center, which will bring an important affordable health care option to the district. Access to care remains a significant need for many residents, and it's encouraging to see more organizations stepping into this role. I also toured 26 Health last week. They're another organization doing incredible work providing inclusive, affordable, and comprehensive health care. The momentum around expanding healthcare access is something that I'm proud to see growing in our community. I had the opportunity uh to attend the ribbon cutting of the new HCA freestanding emergency room at the corner of Colonial and I4. Uh it was it's a great facility and also uh nice to see some economic development momentum in that little stretch of of uh Colonial Drive there. Uh I also would like to highlight item 3B4 which is the new dog park in the packing district. I look forward to visiting Leo, the first dog there uh in in district three um very soon. Uh, also just pointing out on Maya, Monday the 27th at 6 p.m. Lou Gardens will be hosting a community meeting to discuss some of their expansion and improvement plans uh moving into the future. So, uh, if that's something you're interested in, please attend and, uh, make your voice heard. Thank you, Mayor. That's all I've got. >> Thank you, Commissioner Sheen. >> Uh, thanks, Mayor. And, uh, five of our main streets went to the main street conference, uh, national main street conference. I think it's really important to learn best practices. It was in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And you might say, "What's in Tulsa, Oklahoma?" They have Route 66 and they're doing some really cool stuff with art and everything. So delighted to see our participation and certainly uh certainly um you know, support that. Um Pause for Peace is this weekend in Baldwin Park. to help victims of domestic violence because when um victims of domestic violence will often not leave their pets because the pets often get um harmed by the abusers. So, Mayor Dyer and I will be there and I can't wait to meet Leo either. And uh Mayor Dyer lost Sammy last year and I lost Sienna. We always used to bring our dogs to things together and I love to tell the story that Sammy Dyer was the best lobbyist for dog parks our city has ever had because the mayor used to have these wild dogs he could never take anywhere and then Sammy came along and then all of a sudden there was no problem getting a dog park because he finally understood it was like to take a dog cuz Sammy was like the best dog. She really was. And I'm glad you got a new love because Leo looks adorable. Um but you know um those of us who love dogs, there's just there's so much room in our hearts for them and I'm glad that you got a new baby. Um on the agenda today, um we have the community rainbow run. I'm glad we're continuing to have it here at city hall. That is fundraising for the pulse memorial. Um we have to do a special we have to do this special um thing so we can raise money at city hall. And I want to thank my colleagues for their support on this um on the design build for Lake Eola. Yeah, these drainage swells are very, very important because Lake Yola is actually a retention pond. A lot of people don't realize that. And all the crap that you throw out your window ends up in the lake. The swans eat it. It's really bad for the environment. The turtles eat uh there the styrofoam. If please, if you want to help the environment, don't throw stuff out your window. Um all of these lay all of these streets in our city, most of them drain to a lake. So, the best thing you can do to keep our legs clean is don't throw your garbage out the window. Um, so I'm glad to see that we're doing these remediation to help our swans. We've had swans that have gotten killed by eating things that they're not supposed to. So, I'm delighted to see that we're making these very, very important. The other stuff is great, but I'm most excited about the I know this landscape swales aren't very sexy there, but I like them because they're really going to help the wildlife and everything. And uh I too am glad to see that we're seeing the small and local business enterprise program moving forward. What I'm distressed by is that women and minority owned businesses um are being singled out and disenfranchised by the federal government and I think it's disgusting and I think that we need to you know we need to realize that there are real impacts to discrimination and this is this is one of them and I'm glad to see that we're going to help small businesses but I do not think we should be disenfranchising women and minority owned businesses and uh that's all I had mayor. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Rose, >> good afternoon, everyone. Um, couple of things. I think my colleagues, we've been to a bunch of activities together, which um I want to highlight. It shows our bond and our commitment to this city um where we're supporting a lot of our nonprofit organizations. Commissioner Keen and I did that walk and um I had spaghetti legs afterwards, but it's prepared me for the 5K. Um, I just want to like say this for those here, those listening, the city is stronger than it's ever been as far as the commissioners and how much we care about you all. The decisions that we get up and we make, um, the things that keep us up at night to make sure that everyone has a good quality of life. And so, I just wanted to share that as because I'm not going to reiterate the same places that we've all been. Um, but I will um, publicly congratulate the Orlando Magic for making it to the playoffs. I want to encourage everyone, let's pack the house. They will be playing this Saturday and on Monday. Get your tickets, get your blue, and let's turn the whole city blue. Uh let's beat the Pistons. We beat them here two weeks ago. Um let's continue to uh pray for and cheer on the Orlando Magic. Um I want to congratulate Tyrone Walker. He was recently promoted to FBI department manager. Look forward to continue to work together, Mr. Walker. Um, on a sad note, we mourn the passing of Bob Burns. Uh, he was true builder in every sense of the word. His work helped shape our community. His legacy will live on in the structures he built and the lives he's touched. I'm sending my prayers and condolences to his family, friends, the entire Ara Burns team. And it hits home a little bit harder for me because Bob Burns built my house that I live in. Um, so it hits a little bit harder for me. Um, he was a friend um, and a mentor. On a positive note, I had the pleasure of spending time at page 15. And I want to encourage everyone looking for a great organization to get involved. This is definitely one to support. Their commitment to uplifting the young readers and strengthening our community is something you can truly feel the moment you walk in. Um, I spend time with a lot of kids in this district, but walking in to familiar faces and young people, but actually getting to connect with those I don't know. Um, a lot of the young people were their own. their elementary middle school kids were telling me how much participating page 15 improved their reading skills um improved their the shyness being able to publicly speak. So page 15 ultimately they give them different writing assignments and then they sit around and they read it. So they may do a ha coup or they may do um the cute one is the they pick a topic and they they two um individuals will get together and they'll write a poem and put it together. So it's right here in the paramount community over at the downtown wreck. It's called page 15. Um, I want to congratulate Jack and Jill of America, the Orlando chapter for their 70th anniversary gayla. Um, special shout out to Commissioner Burns for being a participant of Jack and Jill. Um, it was truly a great time celebrating the legacy of leadership and service here in the community. I had the pleasure of joining the Florida Engineering Society at Sleeping Heavenly Peace to make some magic happen right here. Uh, one bed at a time. I helped to build beds for children in need and together we work to make sure that no kid sleeps on the floor in our town. If you're looking for somewhere to volunteer, um, Sleeping Heavenly Peace is right off Ivy Lane here in the district and in the community. Um, they build beds for those um, families in need. Uh, huge thank you to Community Legal Services, the state attorney's office, and all other incredible community partners for showing up and making another great expungement clinic a success. Um, I've made it an annual tradition to host an expungement clinic in our community. Expungement um clinics, they open the doors, create second chances, and help our community move forward. Grateful for everyone who continues to do the work and stand in the gap. I want to thank the Orlando Fire Department for hosting us this past weekend for an open house and signed topper reveal at fire station pride of par fire station 2 pride of parore alongside the Callahan neighborhood association through mayor's matching grant. This is a meaningful way to connect with the community while sharing history. So, in the Paramount community, you may notice some beige and burgundy signs. They are historic markers um signifying landmarks of places that were once there or places that are still there that made an impact in the um Paramore community. Onto the agenda 3B1. While it's not in my district, um I am glad to see the Lakeola master planning move forward. Legiola Park is a central attraction here in downtown Orlando and it's great to see the continued improvements enhancing the experience of residents and visitors. 3D5, we will talk about the small business enterprise program, but looking forward to moving forward to help um make sure that it works towards eligible contracts for the procurement of construction services with our small businesses. 3G2. Um, Aspire is a great community partner and looking forward to helping them um with some facility renovations. Grateful to see um mural going on the lift station and 3J3. I am grateful to finally be getting our community partnership funding from the Orange County CRA to Redo Central. As you know, Pyramore and West Lakes is one corridor when it comes to events and activities. And so, I want to make sure it is a great experience, not only for our visitors, but for the residents because we live it every day where people are traveling on our roads and want to make sure we approve um the roads. And that is all I have. I move to approve the agenda. >> Motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheen. All in favor indicate so by saying I. I. Those opposed. And so the motion carries. Okay. If there are folks that were here only for the consent agenda that want to make their way out, we'll give you just a few seconds to do that. Justin, you're up for the uh let's see. We will without objection recess the city council meeting. We'll convene the CRA meeting. And now Justin, you're up. Actually, I can handle the first one, which is meeting minutes. Is there a motion to approve the CRA meeting minutes 16th? Motion by Commissioner Sheen, second by Commissioner Rose. All in favor indicates so by saying I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Now you're up. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good afternoon, commissioners. Item 4B is a companion item to the business and financial services 3B1. It is the ranking and authorization to negotiate with the top ranked design build firms for the first phase of the Lake Yola master plan. We have four firms ranked with Wharton Smith ranked first and as mayor mentioned in his previous comments. Uh the initial phase will focus on three key components including the relocation of the swan boats uh the construction of the walkway behind the bandell uh and a variety of drainage improvements uh such as low impact development basins to improve the quality of storm water before it gets to the lake. Happy to answer any questions. >> Questions? Commissioner Sheen. >> I just I'd just like to say thank you to the CRA because you know for many many years we were trying to get Lake Yola Park fixed and everything like that and you all have been a wonderful partner and I'm really glad to see this happening and the reason we've had a lot of the great events at Lake Yola Parks because of CRA. So I could not be more happy for the partnership. Um, I just want to make sure that things are done in scale and everything like that with this master plan, but what y'all are proposing, it looks really, really good. And I just have some concerns about security with the um, walkway going behind the band shell. We've had some acts that have been concerned about security and we've had to provide security. We just need to be aware of that in the future as we have events that we might need to figure out a way to secure um the the walkway during special events. But other than that, I think it looks great. >> Absolutely. No. >> Okay. Is that a motion to move >> approval? Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Sheen, second by Commissioner Rose. Discussion >> hearing none. All in favor of the motion indicates so by saying I. >> Those opposed. Motion carries. And item C. >> All right. Item 4 C. This is a facade agreement with Orlando City Properties LLC for a two-story mixeduse building located at 221 South Paramore. That's that northeast corner of Paramore and Jackson Street just south of Inner and Co Stadium. Uh the property owner is looking to make some substantial upgrades to the building including windows, painting, stucco, canopy work, and a new roof. So there's a lot going into this building. Uh the total cost of their work will be roughly 460,000. And because the area they are in, they qualify for 80% assistance from the CRA. So the award can be up to 300,000. Uh the project went to the March 18th facade committee meeting where it received a recommendation of approval. >> Happy to answer. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheen. Discussion hearing none. All in favor motion indicates so by saying I. I. >> Those opposed. Motion carries. >> Okay, Justin. Anything else come before the C? >> That'll be a mayor. Thank you. >> Then we'll stand adjourned as to the CRA. We will without objection reconvene the city council meeting. Madame clerk, that brings us all the way to hearings ordinances on second reading. Um 12A >> ordinance number 2025-47 an ordinance of the city council of the city of Orlando, Florida relating to procurement of goods, services and supplies providing for the creation of small and local business enterprise preference and the suspension of chapter 7 article 11 section 7.1101 and chapter 57 articles 2 and three related to the minority and women business enterprise and providing for severability codification correction discriminator errors and effective date. Second. >> Okay, there's a motion and second. I think this one is important enough that we want to let everybody know what we're doing here with this new program that is going to uh run in concert or parallel with what the county is doing as well. So, Erica Skowitz, the city's business development division manager, will update us on the ordinance. Okay. see if I could figure out this technology which was supposed to be dummy proof but I may be dumber than that >> and then should be said >> there's a commercial about that Eric about the guys that can't operate the technology >> which I happen to be one of those. >> Uh good afternoon mayor and commissioners. Uh I'm going to do an overview as the mayor mentioned of the city of Orlando's proposed small and local business enterprise program. Uh this will be just a high level program or a high level overview of the program and the presentation as an outline. We'll go through the background and how we got to where we are right now. Um the program and the eligibility requirements certification process. We'll talk about reciprocity which is very important to our local businesses and really one of the main goals of the program. the benefits of the program, the timeline and where we are, and the communication plan, and happy to take questions as we get to the end. So, for background, on May 30th, 2025, the city suspended its minority and women business enterprise program to comply with federal and state guidelines. The county then suspended their program on July 1st of 2025. Orange County and City of Orland Orlando staffs have worked collaboratively during that time frame uh up until now to really help mirror the programs so that we could achieve reciprocity which I'll talk about a little bit later in the presentation. In December, the city held its first reading of the ordinance to suspend and reserve the MWBE program and then establish this new small and local business enterprise program. The county approved their ordinance on July 15th of 2025. The county does not require a second reading. So on March 24th, Orange County approved their policy and procedures for their small business enterprise program. Um and then they launched their certification portal on April 8th. the former during this time frame the former MWBE division now SBE transitioned into the business development division as a part of the economic development department we think that's actually a really good move as we coordinate all of the business services that we provide here at the city so the small and local business program the elig eligibility requirements are listed below they must be a corporation partnership sole proprietorship or other legal entity certified by the city which means the following They maintain a permanent uh principal place of business within the metropolitan statistical area, the MSA, which is Orange Lake, Semol, and OciOla counties. The owner must be a permanent resident of the state of the state of Florida and the business must be operating independently from other firms and provide a commercially useful business function and have less than 100 employees. The eligibility requirements continued. They must have a three-year annual average gross receipt that does not exceed the following per sector. 13.1 million for construction, 7 million for professional services and supplies, and 5.7 million for general services. These requirements I just went through, as I mentioned, mirror what was approved by Orange County. One of the differences uh that we have between the pro two programs is the city of Orlando decided to have and offer an LBE or local business enterprise program. This is something Orange County does not have. The only different difference in the requirements between the small business enterprise and the local business enterprise is the local business enterprise has to be headquartered wholly within the city of Orlando limits. So there's an extra benefit to being headquartered within the city. From a procurement standpoint, uh an LBE certified business will receive the following preferences if they commit to utilizing and uh participating 15% SBE and LBE. So with that, a sealed proposal preference of 10% if you are LBE headquartered in the city or 6% if you are an SBE and then a bid preference of 5% for LBE and 4% for SB. I do want to reiterate, you cannot be both. You are one or the other. So the requirements, as I said, are the same. If you're headquartered in the city, you will be categorized as an LBE. If you're not headquartered in the city and your principal place of business is in the MSA, you will be an SBE company. >> The certification proc want to clarify the LBE has to qualify under the other standards of the SB. >> Right. >> Yeah. Requirements are all the same. The only difference being headquartered within the city limits. Correct. From a certification process standpoint, city of Orlando in partnership with the county will be um offering recurring certification workshops. Those will be the second Monday of every month at the National Entrepreneur Center, a great partner of ours. I do want to say this is not a requirement that they go through the workshop. They can learn about the program online. uh they can just you know go through what the requirements are themselves but we want to offer this opportunity for them to go and ask questions and get feedback on the program. Uh so once they are ready the business would apply as an SB or an LBE through our portal which will be linked to our website on the city web page. The business then will receive certification or they will be denied based solely on the requirements. So one way or the other and then once certified businesses can actively participate in the city's procurement process as a certified business upon the launch of the program and we'll talk about the timeline in a little bit. Uh now reciprocity as I mentioned earlier in the um in the presentation the city of Orlando are wanting they wanting to design a streamline certification for businesses that are already certified with another agency an approved agency or vice versa. So if they are a city certified business other agencies once they enter into this process with us also they would have an expedited timeline. So basically what would happen is they would show proof of certification from another agency and then fill out a short form application to get them through that process quicker. Uh one thing we heard from local businesses was that certification takes them a long time especially as a long as a small business. We think this process will be easier, but with reciprocity, that means when they go around to different agencies that are participating, it'll be a much faster process and they have the opportunity to bid on more business throughout the community. We're looking at potentially Expressway Authority and Goa as two organizations that have an interest in participating with us. So, we're having conversations with them. So, businesses certified by other approved agencies will qualify for our process uh through an expedited system. Program benefits, access to contracting opportunities. Obviously, that is the most important piece of the benefit. Um, as I mentioned before, for LBE and SB, you will get preference points or a bid preference based on that certification. So, it behooves companies to take advantage of becoming a certified business. The other thing I wanted to mention was the business support services in collaboration with our partnerships. So there are a number of organizations that through the business development division and CRA that we support that provide business support services to our local companies. One of the challenges is that most of them are not necessarily aware of what's available to them even though many are funded by the city of Orlando. So having this parked under the business development division I think is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and refer those companies out whether they are certified or not because really the end goal of all of this is to grow our local small business community. So to be able to really talk about what's available throughout our city and throughout the region actually is really important. I think part of this program is to connect those dots. Next benefit is inclusion obviously in the uh city's S and LBE vendor directory which is how they uh can qualify for the businesses and as I mentioned before the certif uh certification reciprocity that will speed that up uh for our community. As far as the timeline we are here April 20th today for the second reading of the ordinance and the presentation of the policies and procedures. Should this program be approved today, companies will be able to go to our website tomorrow, get logged on into the portal and go through that certification app certification application process. Uh last week, as I mentioned, the workshop, the first one was held by Orange County at the National Entrepreneur Center. A number of our team members went uh to listen in on that. They had a great showing of businesses. I think they're up to over 50 applications right now and they're working through that. Um, but we will then once this program is approved partner with Orange County on those events. April through July is when we anticipate certifying businesses and getting them added to our vendor directory. And then our target date for businesses to be able to participate in the city procurement process is July 1st. This is based on available certified businesses that we get into uh that vendor database. We're working closely with David Billingsley and his team in procurement to make sure that we're on on target with those timelines. I know Orange County had mentioned at their board meeting they're targeting August. It may go before or after. So, we're kind of along that same timeline, but moving as aggressively as we can. I know everyone has an interest in getting this program up and running as soon as possible. As far as a communications plan, uh should this be approved today, we are looking to um have an announcement in city news Friday. Uh we'll go through our different channels, LinkedIn, eblast to stakeholder databases, including people who have participated in preference programs before all of our social media platforms. Our website is ready to go. We've been working closely with Kayla Hall from our team and the whole communications team to have that ready. We're going to have a robust FAQ section on the website so people that have never participated in this type of program before can get a quick understanding of whether or not they qualify. And then all of these materials we will get to your offices so that you can communicate that out to your districts and your constituents as well. We mentioned the NEC workshops. We're also looking at doing virtual workshops so for people that have questions can also participate virtually in the future and not necessarily have to go to an an organization, but we will be partnering with the organizations that we partner with and fund throughout the community to help spread the word. We'll actually have our main street directors as well up to speed on this program so they can talk about that uh throughout their district. So, all the biz resource providers that we partner with will be looking to really help get the word out and amplify the message about this program. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions for any really hard ones. I've got Byron Razer here, just recently promoted to SB program manager, David Billingsley from the procurement department, uh, is here as well. Thank you. >> Okay, questions. Commissioner Barnes. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Uh and thank you Eric and Byron and the and the entire team for uh all the work that has been done. So I just want to clarify mayor we are um discussing the ordinance and then we will come back and have discussion about the policies and procedures that support >> well I think the presentation related to both. So okay >> we will take a separate vote on each. So we'll vote first on the ordinance and >> ordinance first. Okay. So, one one thing with the ordin I and again, you know, I I share the concern that was uh mentioned by Commissioner Sheen and having to get rid of our our our program. And so, again, thank you for the work that has been done on this with the ordinance. Uh, one thing that I didn't see in this ordinance was a mention of the 15%. And I know we've had some discussions about um whether we could add the 15% and have it truly stated in the ordinance. Uh and so can you just talk about the reasoning why we don't have that 15% stated in the ordinance? >> Yeah. So the way this was designed was that the ordinance really establishes the program in general and that it sets aside and suspends the MWB former MWBE program. So in the policies and procedures, if we wanted to make a change that any change to the program would come back to city council and they would have a vote on that, but it wouldn't have to go through the ordinance first and second hearing process. So we feel it's a faster process to be able to make changes uh as we evaluate the program because it is a new program. I know that we've had the MWBE before, but there will be businesses participating that have never participated before that maybe weren't eligible before. So, this allows us to make changes to the program, I think, on it quicker, but also requires board approval. So, it would still need to come back to the board to be approved. >> Right. Okay. Thank you. And so, that that's it for the ordinance as far as the policies and procedures. and uh I've I've you know spoke with the team on at length and I want to say mayor thank you for um obliging me and and deferring it and and bring this for a full discussion. Um, one one of the things that I want to make sure that this ordinance and the policies truly reflect the intent of a uh SLBE program and that's to ensure that our local and small businesses have an opportunity to to participate. Uh, and I think we do that by making it uh kind of unattractive to not have that involvement. And so what I would like there to be some consideration of is those percentage points that are are being assigned. So I I see for the uh SBE there's I think it's 6% for SB and 10% for the LBE. Uh and I and you mentioned that they can't be combined and and and I can understand that but I would like to be have some discussion about the potential of raising the um lbe up to 10% and the LBE up to 15%. Uh and I'm more focused on the LBE because again that's you know here in the city of Orlando I think that's where a lot of our our preference should be uh focused. Uh, and my reasoning is because if you say that uh you can only get um if you don't have LBE, you you miss that 10%. 10% is still a A cuz if we looking at 100% if you miss that 10%, you know, when I was in school, you got you had to get a 94 and above to get a A. Now you can get a A at 90. And so, um, if someone doesn't have local business enterprise participation, they miss those 10 those 10 points, but they still have a high score. And and my concern is that I think we should have these percentages high enough to where someone would look at that and says, "It's definitely in my best interest, or I can't afford not to have that involvement." And the reason why I say that is because the uh when we look at our minority program, minority and women program, there was a 24% goal. All right. We look I I requested information. We looked over five years and we never got close to that 24%. It was always around 11, I think you all were saying 12%. And that bec and I believe that's because we weren't as intentional about ensuring that participation. And I think with this being a new program, I think we need to start off strong. We need to start off high. I know there was some discussion from staff about where we can start off with the lower percentages and then revisit those in 12 or 18 months. But my my approach should we should do it differently. I think we should have the higher numbers and then do some type of assessment to see what that impact what that impact is because again we now uh are going on a year where our minority and women businesses have not been able to participate and with the and I think we have a unique opportunity now to start off on the right foot and I just think that uh the right foot h means increasing again the lbe and the SBE from 6 uh to 10. So that's one of the things I would like to just kind of throw out and you know for discussion for um and I would like to hear if any of my colleagues have any response to that. But I think we're in a unique opportunity to truly get off on the right foot uh to truly ensure that we are make sure that our small and local businesses are being able to to participate. And I think the only way we do that is by making these percentage points significant. And if they don't meet it, it truly impacts their ability to secure that to secure that contract. >> And that's that's all I have, man. >> Okay. Commissioner, I just think it's easier to start at a point and then raise it if it's not proving to be successful than it is to start at a higher level and to ever decrease it. So, that's just my thoughts, but I'm willing to listen to everybody else. Commissioner Rose, >> um, I have a question. Uh, LBE, is that only for city contracts or is that on any funds that we receive? Period. >> I didn't I didn't hear the last part. I'm sorry. >> The local business, like is that only do we give additional points only for individual for all of our bids or only for bids that are city of Orlando projects? Because I thought when I thought if we receive state or federal funds, we cannot use local preference. >> Yeah, it would be city of Orlando projects. If we using state or federal funds, it probably would be DBE or something like that that we're utilizing. >> Okay. >> So, they already have their goals all set for those lap projects and any of those types of projects. >> Okay. >> What's that DBE goal? Is there >> disadvantaged business, >> right? Is there a goal? >> There's a goal set for that. >> What's that? uh 10.5%. >> Now with the scoring, what's the what percentage would they get on scoring if they have DBE? >> Right. So DBE would be a little different. Uh they base it on presenting the contractors that you're going to utilize and then they go through their evaluation process in a totally different way than the MWBE program. >> Thank you, Mr. Sheen. I I understand I understand Commissioner Baron's uh concern, but I I also understand the staff concern because if you make it too high, you're just going to make it an automatic once you put in. I'm wondering maybe it would be, you know, and I hate to throw out numbers at the last minute, but you know, since SB is at 6%, maybe double it and make it at 12 as opposed to making it higher at 15. make it maybe just a little bit higher but not so high that it's going to you know I mean I agree that you shouldn't just get thrown in just because you are a small business or an LBE maybe make it a little bit higher and then we can always adjust it and we have talked at this day as before about you know involving more local even with without you know the MWB of having more local preference so I'd be more in in line with maybe keeping the SB at 6% and just maybe put making it double for LB be just to con just to kind of you know add that in. That's that's my only I I'm supportive of of everything else. I just wondering if that wouldn't be a better compromise. >> Yeah. So So just to clarify, uh for them to receive the points on any of our RFPs or anything like that, they would need to meet the 15%. So if they don't meet the 15%, they're not going to get any points. So the likelihood of any contractor not trying to get that participation and receive those points is not likely because every point matters when it comes to a bid. And we know that over history that we looked at about 30 projects proposals the spread was about 7%. That one and two had for those particular proposals. So this number is right around where it needs to be for them to make sure they attain these points. Not only that, throughout the state, throughout the country, some of these other uh cities that have SPE programs, this percentage amount falls right in line with a lot of these other programs that have been operating longer than us, between five and 10%. So it's going to benefit the contractor. The likelihood of them not getting points, we haven't seen that in our other program. It's not likely that we're going to see that now. Uh they're going to need those points. And also a lot of these private contractors and other contractors, they have to utilize their history of getting participation on any projects they do for other projects at other agencies because they want to know what are you doing as far as helping other businesses when you're on a project. So that history from working at one agency to another has to follow them and it's going to benefit them. So that's going to give them more of a reason to make sure on every project that they're going for that they're going to abide by what's being required of them. >> Yeah. I and and I I appreciate that. And I I think in a u in a perfect world, we want to, you know, hope that the larger firms will see the benefit of working um of of including our local business. But again, I think we have to make sure that we're intentional to ensure that that happens because for the life of the MWBE program with the 24% goal, we have never gotten to even to half of that. All right. And there so and I don't want to get into back. So So I agree with everything you you're saying. Again, I would just like to see us uh increase that uh LBE to you know, if it was 12. I I'm saying 15. I think a good compromise could be could be 12, but I think we just need to have have those uh percentages of the evaluation a little higher to again encourage that. But also, I think we need to um have some type of assessment and review and and being that this program is new, I would say a quarterly. I know someone said come back at 18 months, but but again, if we're going to really see how it's impacting and if we need to course correct waiting 18 months, I think we would be doing our small and local businesses a disfavor if it's not working in their behalf. So, what what what I would like to see is some type of more regular assessment and reporting back. Um, you know, especially maybe it's just for the first year doing it quality. then we get an understanding of the true impact of this program and then look at it every six months as as we would as we were supposed to do with the MWBE which we never did. So again I think you know with those percent I I I would again like to have that increase but also as a part of that some type of quarterly some type of assessment I would I would like to see a quarterly then some type of quarterly reporting. Yeah, and I would say commissioner, we will be obviously checking this monthly as far as what goes on. The challenge that I see just with quarterly early on is it's going to take us two three months to launch the program. RFPs can take five, six months. So I don't know that the data early on is going to be as valuable as if maybe you get through a year and then maybe frequent get the frequency up as far as when you evaluate. But I think early on that would that's going to be tough to do because I don't know you're going to have a lot of the data there. >> Um and that's also a concern. I think we don't know in those first three months how many businesses are going to be certified and in that portal. So the the only other concern I have about the percentage points is that we want to make sure the work is equality work and there are enough vendors within that portal to be able to perform the work. So that's one of the reasons I'm a little reluctant to say or to the recommendation that we made to go higher um is to make sure that we're getting the quality work for the city contracts. And that's why I think waiting a year and then evaluating and looking at how the programs going might be beneficial to to what we're trying to accomplish. >> And and I understand not want to do a quarter. I just think a year is too long. I think if we looked at it 6 months and I and I understand new program, you know, a quarter might be too too aggressive, but I think waiting a full year may um maybe too. >> Commissioner, we'll come back and look in six months. I mean, and we'll >> say, well, there's only three contracts that were qualified in that time period or whatever, but there's no harm in taking a look, >> right? Going to be available. I think anyway, >> Commissioner no matter how how well we put it together, this is not going to be it's not going to reach the quality of what we have with the with the MWB. That was awesome, you know, because that really granted opportunities to our minorities. But in this particular case, I see what they're trying to do. First of all, we have to have a um series of elements that are required in order for any of these companies to qualify and then it becomes competitive. Then you look for the quality because the quality is is of the performance it's going to going to provide and so us increasing that percentage can play a double-edged sword. So I think uh like the mayor and and Eric said, it's better to start slow. I mean a low and and see where it take us because we don't want this can since there's no minority like used to be. This could be any small company. So this can flip you know back and forth. So I I think that um for the time being I think this is the right choice. Now I do have a question in reference to because uh when we had the WMBBE you could not mix and match that one with uh with this point um uh with the veterans veterans uh um benefit is this going to be the same way is either or or can you add to this particular rating uh this percentage the veteran uh standing? >> So if you're talking about the criteria commissioner it'll be separate. So we'll have the SBE criteria and then the veterans criteria still exists and it's still a part of all proposals. >> But you pick either one or or can you combine? >> No, you can you can be a veterans and receive those points. >> You can be a SB and receive those. >> So you combine in this particular case. So that's an extra plus. I mean an extra couple of points there cuz you cannot use that was back when it was uh MWBE >> and and Stacy makes want to clarify for me. Um but before Yeah. you couldn't combine because you couldn't be an MBEWB and a veteran. >> That's important to know because I think our community needs to know this and I I think is um especially we do have a lot of veterans out there that are trying to uh >> move forward with all this. >> Stacy is racing to the mic. >> Stacy Bon, assistant city attorney. Good afternoon, commissioners, mayor. It's not. It would work the same. It's either or. It's either the veterans preference or the small business preference. And that is written into the code. >> Okay. Because veteran is only like 2% or something like that, right? >> Correct. >> There's no way that they can reach. There's anything we can do to >> Well, they could choose. They would choose their they would choose which one. >> Rather it would not make them any any special than any other small business. >> Oh, that's fine. >> No, correct. I I see what you're saying. Correct. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Okay, let's go to um public comment. I have no request for public comment. So, oh, Commissioner, we'll come back with no public comment. Come back to discussion. Commissioner Keane. >> All right. Thank you, sir. I just had one quick question with the county the representative. >> I I don't It's a long day, I guess. Uh this is the first time that that's happened. >> Yes. >> So, is that that's a good thing, right? So now we'll see some potential benefit to these small businesses. Right. >> Absolutely. >> Before Right now, Orange County has about 108 applications of they certified probably about 10 of those firms and they have about 90 firms that need to complete the application process. So the hope is that once they finish there, they'll come over to us and do our expedited process. >> So the county is certifying them and then we're just going to accept them. That's what Right. >> Vice versa. >> Say it again. >> And vice versa. >> Yeah. Okay. used to have to go through both processes, >> right? >> That's a good deal for us. Okay. Thank you. >> Now, they'll just need to show us their certification from whatever agency we've approved and they'll be certified with the city of Orlando. >> Okay. Anybody else? All right. All in favor of the motion indicates so by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? Motion carries. Okay. Is uh we need to also do the policies. So, is there a motion to >> move approval? >> Second. Motion by Commissioner Chapen, second by Commissioner Sheen. Discussion hearing none. All in favor, the motion indicates so. >> Just a minute, Mayor. I I wanted to make sure that we because I think there was an agreement that we would look at this in six months. So, if would like to have that added into the uh into the motion that the program will be reviewed at 6 months to look at uh the impact of it. >> Okay. We'll accept that as a friendly >> amendment. All right. All in favor of the motion including um that we'll review this in six months indicate so by saying I I those opposed and so the motion carries. Okay. Congratulations guys. Good work. >> Thank you. >> And uh congratulation Mr. Razer for your um being appointed to that position. Think you're going to do a great job. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Madam clerk, you want to read 12B? Ordinance number 2026-7, an ordinance of the city of Orlando, Florida, pursuant to section 163.387, Florida Statutes 2022, amending ordinances enacted on July 12th, 1982, June 18th, 1990, October 23rd, 2000, June 25th, 2007, February 22nd, 2010, February 10th, 2014, June 15, 2015, and August 14th, 2023 creating a community redevelopment trust fund for the downtown Orlando community redevelopment area. Providing for the deposit of increment revenues attributed to the expansion of the downtown Orlando community redevelopment area. Providing for the calculation of the increment revenues attributed to the expansion of the downtown Orlando community redevelopment area. Amending references to the community redevelopment plan for the downtown Orlando community redevelopment area to include the plan amendment approved by the city council on April 6, 2026, providing for an effective date. Second >> motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheen. Um, I do have a request for input. Chantilly Bennett. Chantilly Bennett. Okay, that's the only request I had discussion. Hearing none, all in favor of the motion indicate so by saying I. I. Those opposed and so the motion carries. And that is the conclusion of the uh agenda business for today. >> Can you get us ready for general pure Heat.