Table of Contents
Connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla
Welcome to the 70th edition of the Newsletter!
I am honored to serve the people of Orange County District 5. From College Park to Christmas, our office is here to represent your interests. We are working tirelessly to meet with as many constituents and community groups as possible to learn first-hand about your concerns and priorities. We encourage you to stay informed and voice your opinions as we move forward to improve the quality of life in our District.
Noteworthy
Visit our timeline to see many of our past accomplishments for District 5.
Orange County Ends State of Emergency Order
It seems we have turned a corner in this pandemic! Mayor Demings allowed the Orange County State of Emergency Order to expire on October 27th after favorable COVID-19 positivity and vaccination rates. Masks will still be recommended indoors and more COVID testing/vaccination info can be found at the bottom of the newsletter. Orange County had been in the State of Emergency for 19 months.
Extending Water Services to Bithlo
On October 25th, the Utilities Department and I delivered a presentation to the community of Bithlo regarding a Water Main Extension! Phase 1 West will extend service to 337 parcels in SW Bithlo, south of SR 50 and west of N. 3rd St. After lobbying for utility infrastructure for years, I am grateful that the American Rescue Plan Act funding made this project possible! More updates and project phases to come!
Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Improvements!
You may have experienced several Solid Waste/Recycling collection service issues since the pandemic started. I am happy to pass on a report from our Solid Waste Divison showing a dramatic improvement in the number of reported incomplete routes since September! Thank you to all of my constituents for your patience and fortitude! Email District5@ocfl.net for the complete report.
“Emily Tells All” Introduces Spanish Closed Captioning
As part of my ongoing effort to include all swaths of our District 5 community, I am using Rev services to add Spanish closed captioning and subtitles to “Emily Tells All”. Bienvenidos mi gente Latina! Catch the latest episodes here!
Case Closed!
Recently, a constituent experiencing hardship reached out to our office in hopes of receiving utility and food assistance. We were able to waive a portion of her OCU fees and connect her with OURFlorida to cover ~$500 in water bills. Additionally, our office partnered with the Islamic Society of Central Florida / Seeds of Paradise Food Pantry to supply her family with 2 weeks of food! I am relieved that we have willing community stakeholders in place to assist our District 5 residents. Thank you to the volunteers that made this possible!
CASE CLOSED!
If you have an issue that needs to be resolved, use our contact form and we will connect you with the right people and resources.
District 5 Videos
You can watch our videos on the YouTube Channel or special content only available on our Roku Channel where you will find full episodes of the Emily Tells All talk show and bonus segments.
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to not miss any videos and Install the “Emily Tells All” channel on your Roku.
Important Updates and Information
Career Online High School for Adults
The Orange County Library System is participating in Career Online High School, an online schooling program geared for adults of all ages! The library is granting scholarships so adult students can gain their high school diploma and a career certificate from the comfort of their homes!
Steps:
1. Click the link above
2. Click Get Started button at the top
3. Select Orange County Library System
4. Fill out the survey
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Orange County has disbursed millions in ERA funds to residents who lost income due to COVID-19. Applicants are being encouraged to apply if months of prospective rent were not covered the first time around. If you are behind on rent, consider turning in an application today.
Decennial Redistricting
Members of the Advisory Committee for Redistricting, appointed by the BCC, are currently in the process of redrawing the lines that delineate Orange County’s six districts. If you would like to learn more or submit your own maps, go here.
Past Events
2021 Central Florida Veg Fest – 10/23
I had a great time celebrating sustainability and environmental consciousness with my vegetarian/vegan allies. The biggest vegan festival of the year is always a great opportunity to interact with constituents and hear your concerns. Our prize wheel was such a hit that we ran out of goodies by 4 pm! As always, our presence at this event would not have been possible without our energetic and engaging volunteers! Thank you!
North East Orange County Areawide Transportation Study Meeting – 11/1
I am pleased to announce the first NEOCATS community meeting was a success! The extensive Transportation Planning study covered environmental analysis, existing traffic conditions, and future improvement projects. Watch the meeting here.
Redistricting Meeting #7 – 11/1
The 7th Redistricting Advisory Committee for Redistricting took place in District 3 at Colonial High School. Several maps were presented and discussion over a fair redistricting process was extremely productive. Make sure to stay tuned in to the upcoming meetings!
Wedgefield Dog Park Community Meeting – 11/2
Citizens in Wedgefield lobbied me for a dog park and I was more than happy to deliver! We partnered with Parks and Rec Manager, Matt Suedmeyer, to present the plans for a new dog park in District 5. We were grateful to hear specific concerns and a delightful positive response from the community! You can expect the dog park to come to fruition at the end of 2022!
District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council Meeting – 11/3
The D5 NAC came together on Zoom to debrief and move forward on their two workgroup projects, preserving environmentally sensitive lands east of the Big Econ River and reimagining development in the UCF Corridor! Submit a policy idea or form submission if you would like to learn more!
Upcoming Events
Emergency Rental Assistance Workshop
Community organization Florida Rising is partnering with Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida to host a Rental Assistance Application event! The Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is still accepting applications so if you are behind on rent for COVID-19 related reasons, do not hesitate to apply!
Location: 4116 Silver Star Rd. Orlando, FL 32808
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th, 2021 FROM 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Community Meeting – Assisted Living Facility at 10000 Buck Rd
Join me and the Planning Division as we go through the following rezoning requests:
RZ-21-11-082 – R-1A to R-3 for an assisted living community SS-21-11-081 – LDR to MDR for an assisted living community. This project is located at 10000 Buck Rd which connects to Dean and is a short way from University Blvd.
Location: Join the meeting on Webex.
Monday, NOVEMBER 8th 2021 FROM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Land Use Public Hearings: Orlando Speedworld and Others
Here are the following land use cases to be heard on November 9th at 2 pm at the BCC meeting.
1. Petition to Vacate
Case #PTV 16-07-018
Applicant: Eric Rosoff, on behalf of 7328 Aloma, LLC, vacate an unopen and unimproved right-of-way
2. Shoreline Alteration Dredge and Fill Permit
Case #SADF-21-08-021
Applicant: Christopher Dawson, Little Lake Conway, permit
3. Board of Zoning Adjustment Appeal
Case #VA-21-09-081
Applicant/Appellant: Juan Frias, September 2, 2021
4. Board of Zoning Adjustment Board Called and Appeal
Case #SE-21-07-039 – Condition #8 Hours of Operation
Applicant / Appellant: Kelsey Weiss for Orlando Speedworld, July 1, 2021
(Continued from October 26th, 2021)
LOCATION: 201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando FL, 32801
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, AT 2 PM
2021 Veterans Day Parade
Hosted by the City of Orlando, this year’s parade will feature the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council and local veterans. I ask you to join me in honoring those who sacrificed in service of our great country! The opening ceremony will take place at Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard. The parade will begin at Robinson Street and Orange Avenue, turning left on Central Boulevard, left on Rosalind Avenue, and ending at Robinson Street.
LOCATION: Robinson St. and Orange Ave.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13th, 2021 FROM 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Redistricting Advisory Meeting #8
Join us for our ninth public advisory meeting for redistricting and our first meeting in District 2! The meeting will be held at Wekiva High School Gymnasium (2501 Hiawassee Rd Apopka FL 32703). The committee will be reviewing the proposed maps.
Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on OrangeTV airing on Spectrum 488, Comcast 9, Centurylink 1081, WSWF channel 10.2, as well as online on Orange County’s Facebook, and ocfl.net/OTVLIVE.
Learn more about the redistricting process, meeting dates, and how to submit a public comment by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.
LOCATION: 2501 Hiawassee Road, Apopka FL 32703
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 2021 AT 6:30 PM
Redistricting Advisory Meeting #9
Join us for our ninth public advisory meeting for redistricting and our first meeting in District 5! The meeting will be held at Goldenrod Recreation Center (4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL 32792). The committee will be reviewing the proposed maps.
Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on OrangeTV airing on Spectrum 488, Comcast 9, Centurylink 1081, WSWF channel 10.2, as well as online on Orange County’s Facebook, and ocfl.net/OTVLIVE.
Learn more about the redistricting process, meeting dates, and how to submit a public comment by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.
Location: 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL 32792
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 AT 6:30 PM
Redistricting Advisory Meeting #10
Join us for our tenth public advisory meeting for redistricting in Orange County. The meeting will be held at Barnett Park in District 6. The Committee will be selecting which maps will be discussed at the public hearing.
Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on OrangeTV airing on Spectrum 488, Comcast 9, Centurylink 1081, WSWF channel 10.2, as well as online on Orange County’s Facebook, and at ocfl.net/OTVLIVE.
Learn more about the redistricting process, meeting dates, and how you can submit a public comment by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.
Location: 4801 W Colonial Dr
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 AT 6:30 PM
District 5 Torchbearer
Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal
Do you know a person or organization who is an Orange County District 5 Torchbearer? Nominate them to be featured in our email newsletter.
Updates from Past BCC Meeting
10/26/21 BCC Meeting
Watch the Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) Meeting or download the minutes. After the meetings, the e-agenda is updated with the results of the votes.
Upcoming 11/9/21 BCC Meeting
View the e-agenda of the next Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) Meeting. The e-agenda for each BCC meeting is usually available online on the Thursday before the meeting.
As always, we do have time before the meeting starts for Public Comment, and for Public Hearings there is also an opportunity to speak. For more information and how to sign up to speak, please go to https://www.orangecountyfl.net/BoardofCommissioners/BoardAppearanceandpubliccomment.aspx#.XppXRFNKgWo
This meeting will start at 9 AM for the morning session and 2 PM for the afternoon session.
Below are a couple of highlighted agenda items. Click on the agenda number to learn more about the item.
Consent Agenda
- 21-1327 – Approval and execution of Orange County, Florida and University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. FY 2022 Grant Agreement and authorization to disburse $811,824 as provided in the FY 2021-22 adopted budget. (Office of Economic, Trade and Tourism Development)
- 21-1338 – Approval of revised Administrative Regulation 11.07.01, titled “Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition.”
Discussion/Work Session Agenda
- 21-1365 – Cluster Industry Diversification. (Office of Economic, Trade and Tourism Development)
- 21-1366 – Citizen Safety Task Force Update.
- 21-1367 – MetroPlan Orlando Board Meeting Briefing. (Transportation Planning Division)
- 21-1368 – Small Scale Amendment Process and Property Rights Element.
PZC Recommendations
- 21-1369 – October 21, 2021 Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations
Public Hearings
- 21-1201 – Case # PTV 16-07-018 Eric Rosoff, on behalf of 7328 Aloma, LLC, vacate an unopen and unimproved right-of-way; District 5
- 21-1203 – Case # SADF-21-08-021 Alan and Kay Forbes, Lake Rowena, permit; District 5
- 21-1200 – Case # VA-21-09-081 Juan Frias, September 2, 2021; District 5
- 21-910 – Case # SE-21-07-039 Kelsey Weiss for Orlando Speedworld, July 1, 2021; District 5 (Continued from October 26, 2021)
Upcoming Land Use Cases in District 5
You can find a list of upcoming land use cases and the dates for their community meetings and public hearings at this link: https://emilybonilla.com/blog/upcoming-land-use-cases/.
See Upcoming Land Use Cases for 11/9/2021 here.
COVID-19 Information
For updates on the numbers, public service announcements, and resources, please visit https://emilybonilla.com/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-for-district-5/ We do our best to keep this up to date and translated into Spanish.