April 2020 Newsletter
A Word from the Director:
We are continuing to use our monthly newsletter to provide you with the updates from ORCA, Monroe, and Miami-Dade county as well as information from SBA an SBDC regarding small business loans, paycheck information, etc. 3 important highlights of this issue:
          • Monroe County virtual BOCC meeting TODAY at 11AM 
          • Complete the Ocean Reef Chamber Member survey 
          • SBDC Small Business Guide to COVID-19: Tips to do Right Now to Stay Afloat!
Please follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on everything! 
Ocean Reef Chamber Member Feedback
We want to hear from you!

We want to hear from you, please complete our brief survey to let us know how this pandemic is affecting your business!
 
 
If you have any additional feedback or event suggestions that we can incorporate for the 2021 season, please email them to [email protected]
 
Thank you! 

Monroe County to Host Virtual BOCC 
Special Meeting TODAY  @ 11AM

 
 
Monroe County
The Florida Keys
 
NEWS RELEASE
April 28, 2020
 
Kristen Livengood, Public Information Officer
305-680-8226, [email protected]
 
MONROE COUNTY TO HOST VIRTUAL BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING ON APRIL 30
 
MONROE COUNTY - Monroe County will hold a special Board of County Commissioner meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 11 a.m. to virtually handle any items needed to move the County forward. The meeting can be via traditional means at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/mctv and on channel 76 on Comcast or channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse, or on the MCTV Roku channel. Any items that may bring considerable public interest that are able to be postponed have been due to COVID-19.
 
The public can view the published agenda and agenda backup at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings or more directly at http://monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx .
 
Persons wishing to address the Board regarding an item(s) can participate electronically at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/boccmeetingapril30 starting at 11 a.m. the day of the meeting. Once registered as a participant (name and email), participants will have the ability to address the board on items of interest. This can be done by selecting the button on the device labeled "raise hand." Once the button is selected, the meeting host will recognize the participant and allow speaking capabilities. The public can also participate via phone (audio only) by dialing 646-518-9805 and, when requested, enter the Webinar ID# 981-6897-6436. To comment on an item, pressing *9 will also "Raise Hand."
 
If a member of the public desires to submit written or other physical evidence which he or she desires to offer into evidence for items on the published agenda to be considered for this meeting, the documents must include the submitter's name, address, phone number and email address, and the Agenda Item Number of the item the documents are regarding. The documents must be received in the County Administrator's office no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. The documents must be submitted by either email to [email protected] or mail to Lindsey Ballard, Executive Administrator for Roman Gastesi, 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040.
 
If additional information or assistance is needed relative to this meeting, contact the County Administrator's Office at 305-292-4441 or [email protected] .
 
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Kristen Livengood
Public Information Officer, Monroe County
Phone/Text: 305-680-8226
 
Twitter: @monroecounty
Instagram: @monroecountybocc



SBDC Small Business Guide to COVID-19: 
Tips to do Right Now to Stay Afloat!


SBDC Small Business Guide to COVID-19
 
 
Since the President signed the latest stimulus bill this past Friday we were expecting banks that are acting as Paycheck Protection Program lenders to resume processing those loans today. By the end of this week we expect to see the SBA EIDL (Disaster Loans) online application reopening as well, but the SBA will process those already having applied in the last round in the queue strictly first come first serve. No need to reapply if you have already applied for SBA EIDL which is an online application. If you applied you should have gotten an email with a loan number back from the SBA, and likely little communication since. Some businesses are even getting the loan advance up to $10,000 ($1000 per employee) in their bank accounts without additional communication. 
 
If your PPP application hasn't been funded yet try over the next few days to make sure you have your application for that completed with your lender. If your lender hasn't even sent you an application and started getting you processed you can find another lender that is making PPP loans at sba.gov/lendermatch
 
These funds will go quickly now that the PPP program is reopened after running out of funds from the last round of legislation, so if you have not applied at all for PPP loan at your bank and you are interested in this loan which includes forgiveness for up to 8 weeks of payroll costs see the Florida SBDC guidance document for eligibility then contact your lender or find a participating one through lendermatch.











ICYMI: ORC Food Truck Menu 

Please continue to encourage your employees to bring their own lunches or stop by the ORC food truck in the Reef Hut Parking lot.
 
Monroe County Roads Dept, Public Works, 
and Facilities Supplement Checkpoint



NEWS RELEASE
April 29, 2020
 
Kristen Livengood, Public Information Officer
305-680-8226, [email protected]
 
MONROE COUNTY ROADS DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, AND FACILITIES SUPPLEMENT CHECKPOINT
 
UPPER KEY LARGO - Monroe County Roads Department, Public Works, and Facilities Maintenance have been supplementing Monroe County Sheriff's Office at the two checkpoints on U.S. 1 and State Road 905 since March 29. The County staff has dealt with the heat and rain alongside the sheriff's department and other municipal partners who are reinforcing that the Florida Keys remain closed to visitors throughout at least May due to the threat of COVID-19.
 
Many of the County staff are also helping during the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly shifts and doing other support duties like operating and maintaining the generators that run the lights nightly, bring ice, drinks and meals, removing garbage, and other logistical needs.  
 
The County thanks these employees for their dedicated commitment to helping keep the residents of Monroe County safe.
 
Not pictured include Chris Palmer, Manny Collazo, Celso Hernandez, Eddy Fernandez, Francisco Palomars, Robert Biers, Scott Desquotte, David Arguez, Herbert Roundtree, and John Glista.
 
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1: Monroe County's Sean Bailey and Maikel Cabrera inform travelers of protective measures in the Florida Keys at the U.S. 1 checkpoint.
 
2. Ted Emmons and Troy Oliver supplement staffing at the checkpoint at State Road 905 coming into the Florida Keys.
 
 
Kristen Livengood
Public Information Officer, Monroe County
Phone/Text: 305-680-8226
 
Twitter: @monroecounty
Instagram: @monroecountybocc
 

 
Key Largo Pet Food Assistance 

Looking for a Cleaning Contractor to help after COVID-19?

 
Disaster Relief Team is offering a decontamination of public facilities that are either going to be open to the public and need a daily treatment or a once over prior to reopening services that can be performed during the day or over night. 


  
 

 
Space for Rent in the Plaza Building

Looking for a Job? ORCA is Hiring...

 


ORCA Administration
ORCA Administration covers the following functional areas:
  • Accounting/Finance: The Accounting/Finance Department processes accounts receivable and accounts payable, prepares account reconciliations and financial statements, calculates and records capital credits, and processes payroll. 
  • Communications: The Communications Department provides timely and appropriate information to ORCA stakeholders by communicating ORCA's values, regulations, activities, and accomplishments through a variety of channels, including TORN, ORCA's website and links, social media pages, ORC Member Handbook, ORCA Phone Directory, and The Ocean Reef Press.
  • Membership: The Membership Department reviews and evaluates all potential property owners at Ocean Reef for acceptance into the Association. The Department educates and integrates new members into the community.
  •  Human Resources: The Human Resources Department is responsible for recruitment, on boarding, compensation, employee benefits (including insurance and 401(K)), training and development, workers compensation, and separation of employment.
  •  
Ocean Reef Public Safety Department (ORPSD)
ORPSD is a staff of well qualified individuals organized under the guidance of the ORCA President and Vice President/Director of Public Safety to provide public safety services (EMS, Security, and Access Control) to the Ocean Reef community.  The focal point of ORPSD is a communications center located in the Public Safety building on Anchor Drive.  This center is the receiving station for 911 Emergency calls as well as HELP or assistance calls from members and guests of Ocean Reef.  Upon receipt of an emergency or HELP call, qualified personnel and equipment are dispatched in response to the call.
 
 
Ocean Reef Volunteer Fire Department (ORVFD)
The ORVFD is a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) Corporation created to provide Fire and EMS services to Monroe County District 7.  This Fire District includes all of Ocean Reef, the Angler's Club and the northern portion of CR 905 and Card Sound Road. 
ORVFD owns its building and most of the equipment utilized by the ORPSD.  ORVFD does not have paid employees, however a well-trained core of volunteers is available to work with the ORPSD to preserve life and property.
 
 
Public Works Department
The Public Works Department enhances and maintains the community common property to the highest level for the benefit of the entire Ocean Reef Community.  The Department is responsible for the maintenance of roads, bridges, landscape lighting, street lighting, land and waterway signage, and canal cleaning to assure the aesthetic appearance and character of the community.
 
 
North Key Largo Utility Corporation (NKLUC)
NKLUC was organized in 1995 to provide wastewater treatment and irrigation water production for ORC and the Ocean Reef Community.  This organization has a Board of Directors and conducts business as a separate organization.  ORCA manages its operations and assigns staff to provide necessary services as required.
 
 
ORCAT and The Grayvik Animal Care Center
ORCAT was first organized by community volunteers and leaders in 1985 to assist with managing Feral Cat populations in Ocean Reef.  This charitable organization, with assistance from ORCA starting in 1994, has a separate Board of Directors that assists with fundraising. ORCA manages its operations and assigns staff to provide necessary services as required.  ORCAT, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. 
In 2006, the Grayvik Animal Care Center (GACC) was established as a facility to provide private veterinary and grooming services to residents and guests of Ocean Reef.  The GACC also houses the ORCAT program and over 100 ORCATs.
 
Please contact the Human Resources Department at 305-367-6305 or [email protected] if you have any questions. 
 
Equal Opportunity Employer


Did you Know? 

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Let us help you promote your next event, post your job openings, or sh are your member member deals.  The Ocean Reef Chamber of Commerce is happy to:

Complimentary (on our website):
-Post job openings
-Share member to member specials
-Post current coupons being offered

Minimal fee:
-Send e-blast to our contact list on your behalf
-Feature your story on our newsletter
-Post flyers on our social networks 

Contact us at 305-367-3646 to find out more!