Cities in the Classroom - Tammy A. Johnston
City of Ocoee
My internship was with the City of Ocoee located just outside Orlando in Orange County. The Mayor of Ocoee is Scott Vandergrift and the City Manager is Robert D. Frank. There are 4 districts within the City of Ocoee. Each district has an elected Commissioner.
Internship Topic
My assignment was to research the Foreclosure issue in the State of Florida. Specifically, I looked at how other cities are addressing the increase in foreclosed properties. These vacant properties create increased fees on the city. These fees range from lawn maintenance to pool draining. More importantly these vacant properties cause a decrease in property values throughout the community.
Research Results
After weeks of research the common plan of action for many of the cities in south Florida is to implement a vacant property registration ordinance. The ordinance is designed to help recover costs incurred by the city such as lawn care and draining pools that are potential mosquito breeding grounds. The Ordinance requires the responsible party to register with the city once a property begins the foreclosure process. With each registration there is an annual fee for as long as the property is vacant. Code Enforcement can then use the contact information to communicate when the property is in violation of the city’s code.
View Tammy Johnston's Presentation on the Foreclosure Crisis in Ocoee
Ocoee Code Enforcement Visits Mrs. Johnston's class at Ocoee Middle School
Title: City Play by Tammy A. Johnston, Ocoee Middle School (Utopia used with permission from Mayor Vandergrift.)
Objective: Students will be able to identify the various roles of government officials. Students will be able to compare and contrast and present information.
Standards: SS.C.1.3 The student understands the structure, functions, and purpose of government and how the principals and values of American democracy are reflected in American constitutional government.
SS.C.2.3 The student understands the role of the citizen in American democracy.
LA.E.2.3.1 Understands how character and plot development, point of view, and tone are used in various selections to support a central conflict or story line.
Materials: Copies of Play by Mayor Vandergrift. White Board or Flip Chart and Markers. Costume for each character.
Procedure: Have classroom set up to mirror a city hall meeting.
Opener: Describe how you would spend a million dollars?
Begin with class discussion on opener. Have students create categories for spending.
Review structure of local city government and city official’s job descriptions.
Assign roles for students according to Utopia Play by Mayor Vandergrift.
Remaining students will act as audience.
As students act out play, record ideas and comments on board to assist with reflections.
Wrap up activity by having students write a reflection about their experience noting if they agreed with the final vote outcome and why.
Assessment: Check student reflections for understanding and comprehension of the roles of government officials.
Follow Up: Have students share ideas from activity with relatives at home.
Title: The Charter by Tammy A. Johnston, Ocoee Middle School
Objective: Students will be able to analyze and understand the city charter of Ocoee. Students will be able explain the significance of a city charter.
Standards: SS.C.1.3 The student understands the structure, functions, and purpose of government and how the principals and values of American democracy are reflected in American constitutional government.
SS.C.2.3 The student understands the role of the citizen in American democracy.
LA.A.1.3.2 Uses a variety of strategies to analyze words and text, draw conclusions, use context and words structure clues, and recognize organizational patterns.
Materials: Copies of the city charter or using a computer access the charter on the city website at http://www.ocoee.org/Departments/Clerk/aboutus.htm. Copies of The Charter worksheet.
Procedure: Board Opener: Describe the significance of a city charter and what other forms of government documents you might compare it to.
Review opener by having a class discussion on what a city charter is and how it works. Review vocabulary from the charter.
Have students work with a partner to read the charter aloud to each other and allow time for partner discussion.
Then have a class discussion to clarify any additional vocabulary.
Next have students continue working in pairs to complete Charter worksheet.
Assessment: Check worksheet for understanding and comprehension of city charter.
Follow Up: Have students reflect about one change they would make to the city charter and why.
Extra Credit: Have students attend a city commission meeting and report to class.
City of Ocoee Charter Questionnaire
1. How many articles are in the City Charter of Ocoee?
2. Under what article would you find the duties of the Mayor?
3. Describe the powers of the city.
4. Must the city maintain private property?
5. Describe how the city commissioners and the Mayor are elected.
6. Why do you think the City Manager, according to Article IV need not be a resident of the City of Ocoee or the State of FL at the time of appointment?
7. Compare and Contrast the City Manager and the Mayor of Ocoee.
8. Is the city required to have a balanced budget? Support your answer.
9. Does the city of Ocoee have the power to tax? Support your answer.
10. What do you think is the most important article of the charter and why?
