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Connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla

Welcome to the 93rd 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 in order to learn about your concerns and priorities first-hand. We encourage you to stay informed and voice your opinions as we move forward to improve the quality of life in our district.

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Noteworthy

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INSTRUCTION BLOCKS
Here are where the “Noteworthy” items go.

Noteworthy items are those events or accomplishments that we want to share that had happened since the last newsletter.

The items to use will be found at this link in ClickUp https://app.clickup.com/1244405/v/li/5005985 labeled as “Noteworthy Items” or having a tag “noteworthy”.

You can also review the last “Coffee with the Commissioner” video to see what was discussed that the Commissioner thought was important to share with her constituents. This video can also explain the items in more detail.

You will also need to provide an image. You can search for an image on the internet, create one in Canva, or use one that we had already created.

There are 6 spaces below. We will work to keep it 6 or less. If it is less, delete the other blocks that are not needed.

Summarized steps:
1) Add the image
2) Add the description of the noteworthy item
3) Delete any unused blocks

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Visit our timeline to see many of our past accomplishments for District 5.

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Case Closed!

INSTRUCTION BLOCKS
Find a constituent case that was successfully closed to showcase here.
Search ClickUp for a case that is tagged “case closed”.
Use a picture that staff may have provided or create a picture to use.
Provide a description of what the case was about and how it was successfully handled.

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CASE CLOSED!

A constituent contacted my office to request a sign for the Charles H. Bronson State Forest for the Florida Trail Association. I contacted the Orange County Traffic and Engineering Division and acquired the sign as requested.

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.

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District 5 Videos

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You can watch our videos on the YouTube Channel where you will find episodes of the Emily Tells All talk show.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to not miss any videos.

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Important Updates and Information

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This section is where we place important updates and information that is really important to get out to our constituents. We should keep it below 4 items. Search emails and social media posts that we release for anything that would fit this category.

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Past Community Events

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The Past Community Events section is where we place a picture and short description of an event the Commissioner hosted, attended or was part of. These can be found on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CommEmilyBonilla.

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Upcoming Events

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Please click on the Event Title to find more details about the event.

INSTRUCTION BLOCK

Upcoming Events is where you place the image for promoting the event.

Image: This image should be the same that is used in Facebook events.

Title: Enter the title of the event and link it to the event page on this website.

DON’T FORGET to add ALL upcoming events!

Make sure to add the locations, dates and times, and how to register if needed.

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District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council

We welcome all high school students to our youth in government initiative called the District 5 Youth Advisory Board! Join us as we embark on a journey of volunteerism, engaging discussions, and hands-on deep dives into critical local legislative topics. 

Location: Orange County Administration Building at 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: June 19, 2024

Time:  3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Register Here: https://emilybonilla.com/district-5-youth-advisory-council-2024-06-19/

District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council

Welcome to our exclusive ‘Coffee with the Commissioner’ event, an invaluable opportunity for District 5 constituents to engage directly with Commissioner Emily Bonilla in person. This gathering serves as open office hours, where community members can voice their needs, ideas, and concerns firsthand. Attendees will enjoy freshly brewed coffee and delightful refreshments while engaging in meaningful conversations.

Location: Orange County Administration Building at 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: June 19, 2024

Time:  5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Register Here: https://emilybonilla.com/coffee-with-the-commissioner-june-19-2024/

District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council

This is an excellent opportunity to engage actively in our vibrant and forward-thinking community. We eagerly anticipate your presence at the meeting!

Location: Orange County Administration Building at 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: June 19, 2024

Time:  6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Register Here: https://emilybonilla.com/district-5-neighborhood-advisory-council-june-19-2024/

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District 5 Torchbearer

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Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal

INSTRUCTION BLOCK

The image and text block below this one is the only block you will have to edit.

Check the survey responses at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vkesM4sSCbNOue2tLcjKOQgWvCJSLH0khjpz5lCaAWA/edit#responses to see if anyone submitted a nomination.

Then check with the Commissioner to approve the nomination.

You will then contact the person who is nominated for their bio and an image to use. With this information write up a short story about them and why they are being nominated. The reason for nomination is for contributing to their community.

Add the image and story to the image/text block below this one.

Leave in the other blocks, do not delete or edit them. They are to explain what the Torchbearer is and how to nominate more people.

If there are no nominations, delete the image/text block below this one, but leave the others in the email so that others can still make nominations with the link.

Do you know a person or organization who is an Orange County District 5 Torchbearer? Nominate them to be featured in our email newsletter.

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Updates from Past BCC Meeting

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INSTRUCTION BLOCK

The block below contains a date. This date needs to be changed to the last BCC meeting date. The list of meetings can be found at https://emilybonilla.com/category/bcc-meeting-agenda/ where you can locate the last date.

05/07/24 BCC Meeting

INSTRUCTION BLOCK

Below is a custom HTML block. You will need to the “embed code” for the previous BCC meeting video in this HTML block.

Video Embed Code: Go to the comptroller’s website at https://occompt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and search for the BCC meeting date. At the far right of the list are the video links. Click on the video link and make sure it goes to the video of the correct date you are looking for. Below the video, there is a word that says “Embed”. Click on “Embed”. A couple of lines down, you will see a gray box that says, “Copy this html to embed into your page”. Copy the code and paste it into the HTML block at our website.

INSTRUCTION BLOCK

The block below has 3 links that need to be updated. 

“Watch the Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) Meeting” is linked to the same video URL that is used above.

“download the minutes” at the link https://occompt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx where all the meetings are listed, you will find a pdf link to the minutes on the row of the meeting you are searching for. This pdf link is the link you will use.

“e-agenda” at the link https://occompt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx where all the meetings are listed, you will find a link that says “meeting details”. This is the link that you will use.

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.

05/21/24 BCC Meeting

• There is currently no embedded video for the 5/21/24 BCC Meeting; however, you can access a direct stream at the link below.

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.

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INSTRUCTION BLOCK

Update the date below to the next BCC meeting date.

Upcoming 06/04/24 BCC Meeting

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INSTRUCTION BLOCK

The information for the block below will not be available until the afternoon on the Thursday prior to the next upcoming BCC meeting.

There is one link below that needs updating.

“View the e-agenda” go to https://occompt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and use the “meeting details” link on the row of the upcoming BCC meeting for the link.

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.

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Replace the list below with the new items.

Consent Agenda

• 24-809 Approval and execution of the minutes of the May 7, 2024 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. (Clerk’s Office)
• 24-838 Approval of Drainage Easement between Jose Domingo Rodriguez Cruz, Ana Cecilia Diaz Lopez, and Orange County, and Subordination of Encumbrance to Property Rights to Orange County from Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. to Orange County, and authorization to disburse funds to pay recording fees and record instruments for 5th St and 15th Canal (BLSDC003). District 5. (Real Estate Management Division)
• 24-841 Approval and execution of Termination of Sublease between Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, Inc., d/b/a AdventHealth Centra Care (Sublessor) and Orange County, Florida (Sublessee) dated February 9, 2021, and Sub-Lease Agreement between Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, Inc. d/b/a AdventHealth Centra Care and Orange County, Florida, and authorization for the Real Estate Management Division to exercise renewal options, termination, execute estoppels, and furnish notices, required, or allowed by the Sub-Lease Agreement as needed for Fire Rescue Mask Fit Training Centra Care 630 N. Bumby Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803. Lease File #2054. Districts 3 and 5. (Real Estate Management Division)
• 24-846 Approval of Orange County Stormwater Low Impact Development Manual and authorization for the County Engineer to modify the Low Impact Development Manual to reflect new technology and practices. All Districts.

Discussion Agenda

• 24-854 Selection of one firm and an alternate to provide a Special Magistrate for Animal Services, Request for Proposals Y24-199-AV, from the following two firms, listed alphabetically: – DHN Attorneys, PA – The Law Office of Adolphus Thompson LLC ([Health Services Department Animal Services Division] Procurement Division)
• 24-855 Selection of three firms and an alternate to provide Continuing Geotechnical Engineering Services, Request for Proposals Y24-904-CC, from the following four firms, listed alphabetically: – Ardaman & Associates, Inc. – Terracon Consultants, Inc. – Tierra, Inc. – Universal Engineering Sciences, LLC ([Public Works Department Highway Construction Division] Procurement Division)
• 24-856 Approval of FY 2024 Cultural Facilities Funding Recommendations by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Council in the amount of $2,217,070. (Arts and Cultural Affairs Office)
• 24-857 2024 Hurricane Season Update. (Office of Emergency Management)
• 24-858 Stormwater Management – Moving Toward a Resilient Future Task Updates. (Stormwater Management Division)
• 24-859 Commissioner Bonilla would like to discuss Direction to staff for Drafting Ordinance and Ballot Language for the Rural Boundary.

PZC Recommendations

• 24-860 May 16, 2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations

• There is 1, Case #RZ-24-05-030

Public Hearings

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Upcoming Land Use Cases in District 5

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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/

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In The News

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INSTRUCTION BLOCK

In the section below, you will search for news stories from the date of the last time this was researched for the last newsletter to today’s date that you are working on this.

1. Search in Google using “emily bonilla”. 
2. Cick on “News”
3. Click on “Tools” to open the tools options
4. Change the date to the custom options to enter the dates from the date of the last time this was researched for the last newsletter to today’s date that you are working on this.
5. Search the results for news stories for “Commissioner” Emily Bonilla. 

When you find the news stories, you will update the template below with the news story title linked to the story and a quote from Emily Bonilla or mention of her. You get the link and quote by clicking on the news story to open it.

News stories should mention the Commissioner, related to her accomplishments, and be relevant.

Example:

• Orange County considers offering film, TV production incentives (bizjournals.com): “On May 7, the Orange County Commission will consider forming a film incentive working group that would propose recommendations to the county on starting a local program, an idea previously floated in 2023. The meeting will include a discussion with Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who has led Sunshine Meetings with interested education and industry partners.”
• Orange County’s Charter Review Commission set to vote on amendment protecting rural land (wftv.com): “Orange County’s Charter Review Commission is set to decide whether an effort to protect rural parts of Orange County will be on the November ballot. The Charter Review Commission will soon vote on a Rural Boundary Amendment. If the board advances the amendment, voters would ultimately decide whether or not to establish a rural boundary…Meanwhile, commissioner Emily Bonilla has requested to discuss the amendment during Tuesday’s regular Board of County Commissioner’s meeting.”
• FWC gives final approval for toll road to be built through Split Oak Forest (wesh.com): “About 40 people, including conservationists and Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, spoke out about the topic at a meeting Wednesday morning. ““Eighty-six percent of Orange County voters in 2020 expressed their opposition to any impacts that would harm this forest,” Bonilla said. “On Nov. 28, 2023, Orange County, in a six-to-one vote, made a statement that it no longer supports the impact on the forest by the road construction and will not sign to amend any of the interlocal agreements between FWC or FTC.””
• Orange County commissioners reject strip club settlement after staff allegedly trafficked teen girl (wesh.com): “Orange County commissioners approved changes to the adult entertainment ordinance on Tuesday that could help those businesses reopen faster after their licenses are suspended or revoked. However, the commission also rejected a proposed settlement from the owner of the property on which a former strip club once operated…Other commissioners, like Emily Bonilla, wanted a delay of several weeks to study the settlement. ““I mean this is a huge impact on our district without having the proper information to make a good decision,”” Bonilla said.”
• Lights, camera, incentives! Could public money make Orlando ‘Hollywood East?’ (orlandosentinel.com): “They didn’t walk a red carpet, but a roster of aspiring actors, directors and stage hands gave cinematic speeches to Orange County commissioners Tuesday, urging the board to resurrect a dormant film incentive program with hopes of turning Orlando into “Hollywood East.”…Bonilla, who formerly worked at Full Sail University, said an incentive program would offer the county an opportunity to collaborate with Visit Orlando, the destination marketing organization which received more than $100 million in tourist-tax funding last year.”
• Orange County eyes film, TV incentives (wftv.com): “On May 7, the Orange County Commission will consider forming a film incentive working group that would propose recommendations to the county on starting a local program, an idea previously floated in 2023. The meeting will include a discussion with Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who has led Sunshine Meetings with interested education and industry partners.”
• Orange County commissioners approve working group to explore developing film incentive program (clickorlando.com): “Film industry veterans and newcomers met Monday night when Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla discussed creating a tax incentive for film projects. Bonilla’s plan documents stated that Florida has missed out on roughly $1.5 billion in tax revenue within the last few years.”
• Orange County Government considering film incentive program (bungalower.com): “Bonilla suggests the county set aside roughly $5 million in order to launch an incentives program effectively, according to information provided by Film Florida, and suggests that the best place to find those funds would be in the Tourist Development Tax coffers; something both Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties have successfully done themselves.”
• Wildfire Season, Development Paused, Civics Workshop, Eatonville Community Center (cfpublic.org): “A six-month pause on development began this week in Orange County. Commissioners approved the temporary suspension on Tuesday. It stops Orange County from processing new applications for development projects that would require changes to current zoning maps or plans. It does not impact applications already submitted before Tuesday. The ordinance pauses development applications so that county staff can work on finalizing Vision 2050 which is the long-term plan to manage the county’s growth. Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla joins Engage to discuss the temporary suspension and the 2050 overhaul underway.“
• Orange County wants to lure filmmakers to Orlando with new incentives (finance.yahoo.com): “Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, a proponent of the initiative and a former film school student herself, emphasized the economic potential of reinstating film incentives. She estimated a loss of approximately $1.5 billion in tax revenue due to the absence of such programs. “There are film incentives in different states, there are also film incentives in different counties, and they don’t come to Orange County because we don’t have that,” Bonilla lamented.”
• Orange County Sheriff’s Office lobbied the Legislature for new way to crack down on nightclubs — and won (orlandoweekly.com): “Last week, the Orange County board of commissioners approved an update to county law, adding the unlawful sale of alcohol on two or more occasions within a 12-month period to the county’s definition of what constitutes a “public nuisance.” Four commissioners — Emily Bonilla, Mayra Uribe, Christine Moore and Maribel Gomez Cordero — voted with Demings to approve them. Commissioners Mike Scott and Nicole Wilson were absent for the vote.”
• East Orange County residents celebrate after commissioners ‘preserve’ rural land (wftv.com): On Tuesday, Orange County’s Board of Commissioners granted another victory to neighbors opposed to development in the North Lake Pickett area of Orange County. Commissioner Emily Bonilla lives near Lake Pickett, and introduced the amendment to Orange County’s Vision 2050 plan. “It has never had the high-density approval on it and this is making sure we don’t give it to them unintentionally,” said Bonilla.”
• FWC gives final approval for toll road to be built through Split Oak Forest (wesh.com): The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given the final approval for a toll road to be built through a portion of prized conservation land that has been protected for three decades. About 40 people, including conservationists and Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, spoke out about the topic at a meeting Wednesday morning. “Eighty-six percent of Orange County voters in 2020 expressed their opposition to any impacts that would harm this forest,” Bonilla said. “On Nov. 28, 2023, Orange County, in a six-to-one vote, made a statement that it no longer supports the impact on the forest by the road construction and will not sign to amend any of the interlocal agreements between FWC or FTC.”
• Motion picture industry advocates for Orange County film tax incentive (spotonflorida.com): “Film industry veterans and newcomers filled a meeting room in Orange County on Monday. Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla explained her plan for a film industry tax incentive. Her plan documents stated Florida has missed out on roughly $1.5 billion in tax revenue…”

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