Orlando Standard

In the latest City Council meeting held on January 22, 2024, several important topics were discussed and announced. Here are the key highlights:

Firstly, the Council took a moment to honor the retirement of two long-serving members of the Public Works team, Kevin Hoolihan and Lee-Ann Snipes. With a combined eighty-four years of dedicated service to the City of Orlando, their contributions were recognized and celebrated. Public Works Director Corey Knight was called upon to join in honoring their achievements.

In a significant announcement, it was revealed that Orlando will be hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon on Saturday, February 3. Becoming the first city in the state of Florida to host this prestigious event, Orlando is set to welcome the nation's elite male and female long-distance runners as they compete for the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. With an estimated 375 athletes participating, the race will take place in downtown Orlando and the surrounding neighborhoods. The city encourages residents to show their support by cheering from the sidelines and dressing in red, white, and blue. The Council expressed gratitude to the community partners and city staff for their hard work in preparing Orlando for this historic event.

To provide more information about the race and help attendees plan ahead, a dedicated website has been launched at orlando2024trials.com. The website includes details on transportation, road closures, parking, spectator locations, and more.

On a lighter note, the Council also announced the upcoming birthday celebration of District 6 City Commissioner Bakari Burns at the end of the month. The community is invited to join in singing happy birthday to Commissioner Burns, adding a touch of fun to the Council's agenda.

In conclusion, the recent City Council meeting highlighted the retirements of two esteemed members of the Public Works team, the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, and the birthday celebration of Commissioner Bakari Burns. These announcements demonstrate the city's commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of its residents and the hosting of significant events that promote sports and community engagement.