City Council Highlights – December 8, 2025
Last updated on December 08, 2025
Council Workshop
We’d like to start by taking a moment so we can all recognize the legacy and impact of Brenda March, who passed away late last month. Brenda was a member of our city team for more than thirty years. But she was so much more: a servant leader, relationship builder and friend to every person she encountered – including everyone on this City Council.
Brenda held a number of different roles during her time with the city, but there’s no question that her work and leadership with FPR was the most impactful. With Lisa, she helped launch and then guide the Parramore Kidz Zone for many years. Every day she worked to ensure that every young resident in Orlando had access to opportunities that helped them prepare for successful futures.
Brenda provided mentorship, support and guidance to countless young residents, and city staff over the years. She influenced much of the success we are about to talk about.
Workshop
Our Families, Parks and Recreation Department runs several highly effective programs that improve the well-being of children across the City of Orlando. Today’s workshop will examine the impact these efforts have on our community by investing in cradle-to-career programs.
Families, Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Early has led these efforts for nearly two decades. She is here today to share data demonstrating how her team’s commitment makes a year-round difference for our city.
Thank you, Lisa. There is so much for us all to be proud of. We’ll be celebrating you in a few weeks before your retirement, but please know that your work and passion have been incredibly impactful over the years. Lisa was one of the Mayor's first hires. We think we made a pretty good hire. Your commitment to Orlando’s children, seniors and all residents have truly made our city stronger. Thank you.
City Council
Invocation and Pledge
Call on Commissioner Rose to lead the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Awards and Presentations
Proclamation in Honor of Commissioner Jim Gray
We have two special awards and presentations to begin with as this is the final meeting for two of our City Council colleagues.
We’d like to start by sharing our collective gratitude for Commissioner Gray. Over the last thirteen years, Commissioner Gray has proudly served District 1 and our entire community with great passion and commitment. District 1 has been one of the fastest growing areas of our entire region, and he has worked to not only make it appealing to newcomers and new businesses, but has ensured that the district is a great place to live and raise a family.
Commissioner Gray has brought a pragmatic, business minded approach to this City Council. And whether we’ve agreed on a topic or had differing opinions, he has always provided great insights, research and respect in every conversation we’ve had.
Commissioner Gray… on behalf of the City Council, our city staff and entire community… thank you for serving our city and for working each day to make Orlando a place where families and businesses can thrive. We’d now like to read a proclamation, before Commissioner Gray shares a few words. We will take some group photos in a few minutes.
Proclamation in Honor of Commissioner Robert F. Stuart
Next up is Commissioner Stuart. Commissioner Stuart has dedicated himself to a lifetime of service to our community, including nearly twenty years on the City Council. He has worked to lead our city forward with great dedication, compassion and kindness.
Commissioner Stuart’s love for Orlando is undeniable. We think that love has guided him on every decision he’s made in this room over the years. Commissioner Stuart… we thank you for your advocacy which dates back to your not-for-profit leadership days, your commitment to helping our city address complex challenges and for working to uplift every person in Orlando.
We’d now like to read a proclamation and share a special honor that those who serve more than sixteen years on the Council are eligible for.
General Items
Brenda March Passing
We’d like to start our update by taking a moment so we can all celebrate the legacy and impact of Brenda March, who passed away late last month. Brenda was a member of our city team for more than thirty years. But she was so much more: a servant leader, relationship builder and friend to every person she encountered – including everyone on this City Council.
Brenda held a number of different roles during her time with the city, but there’s no question that her work and leadership with FPR was the most impactful. She helped launch and then guide the Parramore Kidz Zone for many years. Every day she worked to ensure that every young resident in Orlando had access to opportunities that helped them prepare for successful futures.
Nothing brought her more joy than seeing children in the program grow into thriving young adults. Brenda provided mentorship, support and guidance to countless young residents, and city staff over the years. She is already missed, but she leaves a lasting legacy through the people she impacted that will continue on well into the future.
Election Day
If you’re a resident of District 3 – and you haven’t voted yet – the runoff for the City Council seat is tomorrow. Visit orlando.gov/election to find your polling place.
Wreaths Across America
This Saturday, December 13 we will host Wreaths across America starting at 12 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery. Join us in honoring our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.
Items of Note
3.a.2 Mayors Matching Grants
On today's agenda, we will vote to approve funding for 31 Mayor’s Matching Grant projects. These grants support local schools, neighborhood associations, and nonprofits that help enhance our community’s quality of life and out-of-school enrichment opportunities for our youth. We have representatives from many of these organizations and members of our review panels here today and watching our live broadcast. Would any representatives here with us please stand so we can recognize you?
3.a.3 and 3.a.4 - Homeless Services Funding
We’re fortunate to have a number of not-for-profits that support our efforts to offer assistance and hope to individuals experiencing homelessness. On today’s agenda, we’ll vote to provide more than 200-thousand dollars in funding to two of those groups. The funding will be used by Healthcare Center for the Homeless for outreach specialists, who work to assist those experiencing homelessness regain self-sufficiency through shelter, housing and access to services. And funding will help SALT Outreach provide access to hygiene services and operate a cooling center next summer.
Affordable Housing Items
3.f.1 and 3.f.2
We have several items on today’s agenda that support the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Orlando.
First, we will consider the 2025 Report of Recommendations from the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. This committee meets several times a year to review our current incentives and policies, and recommends specific actions and initiatives to promote or facilitate affordable housing.
We want to recognize and thank our committee members, including Chairman Calvin Pham, and Commissioner Ortiz, for their time and efforts dedicated to support the development of affordable housing in our community.
Today we are also considering funding for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 12 affordable apartments on Dollins Avenue. This would include new kitchens, baths, HVAC upgrades, lighting and landscaping, in addition to the conversion of one of the units into an ADA-compliant unit.
The City of Orlando continues to work to ensure that every resident, regardless of economic status, has access to safe, high-quality housing they can afford.