The Orlando City Council met on October 6, 2025, to address a range of community initiatives and recognitions.
In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, the council highlighted the upcoming Come Out With Pride festival. Commissioner Sheehan was acknowledged for leadership in fostering inclusion. Luis Martinez from the Office of Community Affairs is expected to provide more details about the month’s recognition. The event underscores Orlando’s ongoing commitment to being a welcoming city.
A farewell was extended to Michelle McCrimmon, who will be leaving her role at City Hall after fifteen years of service in the Office of Businesses and Financial Services. Beginning as Controller in 2010 and later serving as Chief Financial Officer, McCrimmon played a key role in maintaining fiscal responsibility for essential city services. “Michelle… thank you for your leadership and service to our community. We wish you and your family the best as you start the next chapter in your lives.”
The council also marked Kia Center’s fifteenth anniversary since its opening in 2010. The venue has hosted major events and contributed significantly to local employment and economic activity by attracting visitors to Orlando.
With Election Day approaching on November 4, 2025, residents were reminded that vote-by-mail ballot requests must be submitted by October 23 at 5 p.m., with early voting available from October 27 through November 2 at the Supervisor of Elections Office located at 119 West Kaley Street. Additional information can be found at orlando.gov/election.
During the meeting, recognition was given to past Poet Laureates Susan Lilley and Shawn Welcome for their contributions to promoting literary arts within Orlando. A vote was scheduled on appointing Camara Gaither as the new Poet Laureate; she is known both as a spoken word poet and mental health therapist with experience leading poetry groups and participating in national competitions.
Two funding agreements were discussed: one with the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to provide overnight accommodations for unhoused individuals, and another supporting the Homeless Services Network’s efforts in coordinating regional homeless response systems.
Approval was considered for installing an Angel of Hope bronze statue at Loch Haven Park. The statue serves as a symbol for parents grieving lost children, initiated by Cindy McCree Bodine (in memory of her son Matthew) and Susan Chapin (in memory of her daughter Blair).
Affordable housing remained a focus with plans under review for Mariposa Grove—a development aimed at seniors with low incomes near downtown amenities. All units are designated for those earning up to 70% of area median income. This initiative is part of Orlando Unlocked, which seeks to modernize zoning regulations and offer incentives such as density bonuses, impact fee waivers, and permit rebates to encourage residential development.
“Michelle… thank you for your leadership and service to our community. We wish you and your family the best as you start the next chapter in your lives.”
“We want to thank our Venues staff and all of our partners on providing residents and visitors with countless legendary experiences.”
“This includes literary arts. Which is why the City of Orlando introduced our Poet Laureate position in 2017 to foster appreciation of poetry for residents.”
“Our inaugural Poet Laureate – Susan Lilley – is here today. Susan, please stand so we can recognize you.”
“Our city’s second Poet Laureate – Shawn Welcome – just finished his four-year tenure. Shawn has been a great ambassador for our community… Shawn… thank you for serving as our Poet Laureate and for showcasing Orlando’s vibrancy.”
“We want to thank the members of our Poet Laureate Search Committee, who spent hours reviewing nominations.”
“The Angel of Hope serves as a symbol for parents who have endured loss… It represents hope…”
“As an AARP Age-Friendly Community… safe, appropriately designed housing options are available… including housing with services…”
“Through our Orlando Unlocked housing initiative… we are modernizing zoning… streamlining approvals… offering real incentives like density bonuses…”
