20:28The most development at the meeting was the unanimous decision to allocate $1,800 for the HRDB’s diversity brochure. The funding will enable the distribution of the brochure alongside water bills. The brochure will include a synopsis of the HRDB’s mission, history, and a survey QR code compliant with the Sunshine Law. This initiative aims to foster community engagement and promote diversity awareness in Ocoee. The HRDB representatives expressed gratitude for the commission’s support and reiterated their commitment to enhancing community relations.

Another agenda item was the Women’s Club of Ocoee’s request to host a political forum on February 12. The club sought permission to use a city venue and confirmed they had requested the event’s televising, as in previous years. The commission supported the initiative, acknowledging the importance of civic engagement and the need for staff time for setup and cleanup. This event aims to provide residents with an opportunity to engage with local political issues and candidates.

Community concerns were also addressed during the meeting. A resident voiced issues of noise, reckless driving, and littering in their neighborhood. The commission discussed collaborating with the police to address these concerns. Another resident highlighted frustration over recent changes by the Orange County Commission to create additional districts, noting a lack of representation for Ocoee. They suggested the commission advocate for a representative from the city on the citizens’ redistricting panel.

Education and youth initiatives were topics of interest, with commendations directed at David Terry’s program that funds financial education for students through a chili cook-off event. A speaker urged commissioners to consider contributing $500 each from their discretionary funds to support this initiative, emphasizing its role in enhancing youth financial literacy.

The commission also addressed infrastructure issues, such as the lack of streetlights on Kissimmee Avenue, a busy thoroughfare. A commitment was made to explore the potential installation of streetlights to improve safety. Additionally, the longstanding issue of lighting at the south end of McGuire Road was discussed, with a promise of follow-up after an eight-year delay in improvements.

During the meeting, various community events were emphasized, including the upcoming Martin Luther King Junior Unity Parade and the HCO OCO Jazz Fest. Updates were shared on youth sports leagues.

0:00The commission also heard from Dr. Hector Gonzales of the Small Business Administration, who presented disaster recovery programs available to homeowners and renters affected by hurricanes. He detailed loan options for business owners and non-profits, emphasizing the importance of recovery centers in assisting with applications.

Courtney Jones from Community Legal Services presented the organization’s mission to provide no-cost legal services to vulnerable populations in Central Florida. Jones highlighted their achievements in 2023, including hosting numerous legal advice clinics and assisting thousands of clients. She introduced their criminal seal and expungement clinics.