Orlando updates Greenworks planning, highlights 16‑person sustainability team

The Office of Sustainability, Resilience and Future Ready told the Orlando City Council on April 21 that it will launch an update to its Greenworks strategic plans later this summer and has grown to a roughly 16‑person staff.

Mike Hess, director of sustainability, gave the presentation and said the Greenworks initiative has been in place since February 2007 and that the office will solicit a consultant for the plan update. "We're in the middle of Earth Month. Tomorrow is Earth Day," Hess said as he opened the briefing.

The nut graf: City leaders said the update will reframe short‑ and long‑term sustainability targets and that the process will include stakeholder engagement and district representation. Britney Sellers, assistant director, told council members the update will cover both municipal operations and community‑wide goals and that the team will return to a City Council meeting in May to seek approval of the consulting group selected for the plan update.

Hess and Sellers emphasized the office’s small size and cross‑department partnerships. Hess said the office currently counts "16 ish people, total" and described Greenworks as a citywide initiative tied to other departments including public works and parks. Sellers said staff will reach out to community members to ensure representation across council districts during the plan update process.

Council members used the presentation to raise process and funding concerns. Commissioner Stewart said the city should do a better job communicating existing accomplishments to residents. Commissioner Stewart said, "I believe we are [doing a lot]," but added the city must explain those efforts more clearly so constituents know what is already in place.

Ending: The office did not propose new legislation at the workshop; it asked for council support to proceed with consultant selection and community engagement as it launches the Greenworks plan update later this year.