Village of Palmetto Bay
COVID-19 Updates
April 7, 2020
NEWS UPDATES

New CDC Guidelines: In case you missed it, new guidelines have been released by the CDC encouraging folks to wear cloth face coverings while out in public. Leaving your house is still not recommended. The Coronavirus Task Force has warned against going outside, expecting positive case numbers to rise over the next two weeks. It is critical that we all continue to stay SAFER AT HOME. However, if you need to leave your house for an essential trip, experts are recommending the use of a mask, as recent studies show that the virus may be spread by general interactions with others, including speaking. Watch the short video below on how to make a facial mask at home.

  • How to Make Your Own Face Covering Video

Consistent with the CDC recommendations, County Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued Emergency Order 19-20 for the county related to facial coverings. Scroll down for a list of emergency orders issued in Miami-Dade County.

Three testing sites opened in South Dade between yesterday and today. A new drive-thru testing site is open at the South Dade Government Center located at 10710 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. The drive-thru has been set up in Lot E, which is directly behind the building. You may call 305-499-8767 for more information. The others opened in Homestead and Florida City. The Homestead and Florida City sites are managed by Community Health of South Florida, Inc. and no appointments are necessary. Please scroll down for a list of testing sites and contact information.
Need help with distance learning? Miami-Dade County Libraries announce the launch of their Online Homework & Tutoring Program. Students in grades K-12 can get a free 30-minute one-on-one tutoring and homework assistance session in reading and in math with a certified teacher. Sessions are available on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm by appointment only. Please call 305-375-1413 or go online for more information.
Virtual Meeting Tonight: the Village will hold a Special Council Meeting for a Zoning Applicant starting at 7 pm. This meeting will be shown virtually online and on Facebook. You may also catch the meeting on WBAY. The meeting will open and will be continued to a date and time certain. For instructions on how to submit your public comments, click here.
UPDATES AT-A-GLANCE
VILLAGE UPDATES

VILLAGE OPERATING SCHEDULE
  • Village Hall is closed to the public. 
  • Main line at 305-259-1234 is still open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.
  • Village Parks are closed. The Deering Estate and Bill Sadowski parks are also closed.
  • Freebee on-demand service is available Monday-Saturday; 7 am to 7 pm; download the app.

UPDATES ON PUBLIC MEETINGS AND VILLAGE SERVICES 

Public Meetings
  • Virtual Special Council Meeting for Zoning Applicant - April 7, 2020, 7 pm. Meeting will be streamed live online, on WBAY and on Facebook. See agenda. Meeting will open and will be continued to a date and time certain.
  • Public Comments: Submit you public comments using this Public Comments Online Form. Complete and submit the online form before 6 pm on the meeting date to be read with the corresponding agenda item number during the meeting. Public comment forms received after 6 pm on the meeting date will be read at the end of the meeting.
  • All task force and committee meetings are canceled through April 30, 2020.
 
Building & Permitting Department
  • Only emergency permits are accepted by electronic means. Visit our website for details.
  • Inspections: please see our website for instructions (scroll down the page.)
  • Garage sale permits will not be issued until April 30th.
  • Occupational license permits will not be issued until April 30th.
  • Special Event permits will not be processed/issued until April 30th

Code Compliance Division
  • Code Compliance complaints are to be reported via telephone by calling 305-259-1272 or via email
  • Complaints will be prioritized based on safety-to-life concerns. The Village will continue to respond to complaints requiring immediate attention.

Human Resources Division
  • Employment applications are to be mailed to: Village Hall, ATTN: Human Resources, 9705 East Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. Applications are not to be delivered in person.
  • No interviews or employment screenings will be scheduled until after April 30th.
 
Planning and Zoning Division
  • New Planning & Zoning applications will not be accepted until after April 30th.
 
Parks and Recreation Department
  • All community events are canceled through April 30th.
  • All Village parks are closed until further notice; restroom facilities and parking lots will be locked.
  • Miami-Dade County parks and beaches are also closed to the public. Consequently, the Deering Estate and Bill Sadowski parks are closed.
  • The Coral Reef Park Farmer's Market is closed.
  • All marinas and boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supplies, and all marina services within county limits are closed.

Police
  • Criminal registering services will be available at the following locations:
  • South District: 10800 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
  • Town of Cutler Bay Station: 10720 Caribbean Blvd., Suite 200, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
  • Fingerprinting services are canceled until further notice
  • Background check services are canceled until further notice
  • Police reports are to be requested by phone by calling 305-278-4000 or online
 
Public Services Department/ Local Transit Services
  • FreeBee on-demand services are available Monday through Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm. 
  • FreeBee van services to and from the South Dadeland Metrorail Station from the Park and Ride facility at Palmetto Bay Park is suspended until further notice.
  • I-Bus services to and from the South Dadeland Metrorail Station from the Park and Ride facility at St. Richard’s Church is suspended until further notice.
  • Both Park and Ride facilities are closed.
 
Village Clerk
  • Passport services are canceled through April 30th.
  • Golf cart registration services are canceled through April 30th.
  • Public Request services are canceled through April 30th.
TESTING SITES AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

A number of testing sites have opened throughout Miami-Dade County. A list of sites is provided below, as reference. However, please know that an appointment is required for all sites and that you must be symptomatic to be tested. Also, some of the sites listed require that you meet certain criteria, such as residency requirements, therefore, you must call first.

  • Amelia Earhart Park: 401 E 65 St., Hialeah- 305-268-4319
  • Charles Hadley Park: 1350 NW 50 St., Liberty City- 305-960-5050
  • CHI of South Florida - Loren Roberts Park: 627 NW 6th Ave., Florida City -no appointment necessary
  • CHI of South Florida Martin Luther King Jr. /Clinica Campesina Health Center: 810 W. Mowry Dr., Homestead- no appointment necessary
  • CHI Marathon Health Center: 2805 Overseas Highway, Marathon - 305-216-2107 or email KeysCovid19@chisouthfl.org
  • South Dade Government Center: 10710 SW 211 St, Cutler Bay- 305-499-8767
  • Larkin Community Hospital: 1475 W. 49 Place, Hialeah- 305-830-0790
  • Marlins Park: 501 Marlins Way, Miami- 305-499-8767
  • Hard Rock Stadium: 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens- 305-960-5050
  • City of Miami Fire Department: In-home testing for SENIORS only, age 65 and above- 305-960-5050

Other important information:

  • Call 3-1-1 to schedule meal delivery for seniors.
  • Online application process for CARES Act is open. Email the Beacon Council for guidance and inquiries at beaconhelp@beaconcouncil.com
  • Florida Emergency Bridge Loans are currently available; call 833-832-4494
  • Small Business Disaster Hotline 866-737-7232: find out what program is available for your small business.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  • Schools to remain closed until May 1st and students are to continue using the online platform
  • Mobile devices are still being distributed. Please call 305-995-3000 to make an appointment with the school principal to receive your device.
  • Curbside meal service is available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 4 pm to 7 pm. See list of sites here.
  • MDCPS website
  • M-DCPS Support Lines (Hours of Operation: M-F from 8 am – 4 pm):
  • District Emergency Operations hotline: 305-995-3000
  • Instructional Learning Plan hotline: 305-995-HELP (4357)
  • Mental Health Services Parent Assistance Line: 305-995-7100
  • M-DCPS Employee Assistance Program: 305-995-7111
  • Adult and Career/Technical Education: 305-558-8000
STATE OF FLORIDA
(please note that this list does not include all orders issued for the state)

  • Executive Order 20-94: halts all mortgage foreclosure proceedings and evictions for 45 days
  • Executive Order 20-93: requires additional personnel and resources to assist with unemployment claims.
  • Executive Order 20-92: supersedes local Executive Orders in conflict with Executive Order 20-91.
  • Executive Order 20-91: mandates Safer at Home protocols statewide; expires April 30th.
  • Executive Order 20-89: orders Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Monroe County to "restrict public access to businesses and facilities deemed non-essential."

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has issued countywide Emergency Orders, which are applicable to all municipalities; below are some highlights:

  • Emergency Order 19-20: encourages everyone to wear a cloth facial covering consistent with new CDC guidelines (summarized below.)
  • Emergency Order 18-20: requires that hospitals report certain information relate to hospital resources and COVID-19 patient status to the county on a daily basis.
  • Amended Emergency Order 16-20: allows for the provision of certain basic, supportive and optional services to persons at person's residence.
  • Emergency Order 17-20: regulates unpackaged food handling and provision of sanitizing supplies for customers and employees of essential businesses.
  • Emergency Order 16-20: closes adult care facilities throughout the county. See more
  • Emergency Order 14-20: suspends building permitting and inspection services
  • Emergency Order 12-20: establishes all previously-issued orders in their totality as the SAFER AT HOME protocols
  • Emergency Order 09-20: shuts down lodging facilities and regulates Airbnb's.
  • Emergency Order 07-20: mandates the closure of certain business establishments, with certain specific services that may remain open.
  • Emergency Order 06-20: directs the closing of all beaches, parks, marinas and boat launch facilities

OTHER NEWS

Miami-Dade County Library System Announces its Online Homework & Tutoring Program

Miami-Dade County Libraries announce the launch of their Online Homework & Tutoring Program. Students grades K-12 can get a free 30-minute one-on-one tutoring and homework assistance session in reading and in math from certified teachers. Sessions are provided Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm by appointment only by calling 305-375-1413 or go online for more information.

Palmetto Bay Extends Emergency Declaration for the Third Time

On Friday, March 13, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham and Interim Village Manager Greg Truitt declared a State of Emergency for the Village of Palmetto Bay . The declaration, which is valid for 7 days, was extended for the first time on Friday, March 20th and was extended again on March 26. A new extension was signed on April 1. The order ensures all necessary resources will be available if needed to respond to COVID-19 emergencies, including the purchase of necessary supplies.


Florida Department of Revenue Extends Property Tax Payment Deadline to April 15th

The Florida Department of Revenue has issued an order of Emergency Waiver , which is applicable to all Florida counties, extending the deadline to pay for property taxes from March 31st to April 15th . Recognizing the financial strain that these times may put on some families, the Miami-Dade County's Property Appraiser made its announcement last week. See more details .


Monroe County Closed to Visitors

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is implementing southbound checkpoints at MM 112.5 on US 1, and on Card Sound Road (905), to reinforce Monroe County’s closure to visitors and non-residents. Only residents, property owners, and those actively involved in work in the Florida Keys will be admitted, including fuel tankers, delivery, and grocery trucks. Documentation showing proof of residency or proof of employment would be required.
HELPFUL LINKS

Please monitor the latest updates concerning the virus at the national, state and local levels by visiting the websites listed below:


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