from the desk of:
Tom Barwin
Sarasota City Manager
March 20, 2020
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Thank you for reading this week's edition! If you have questions, comments or suggestions for topics, please contact us directly: 941-263-6402 or
CityNews@SarasotaFL.Gov
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On Friday, March 13, Sarasota was likely the first city in the state to declare a local public health emergency. At that time, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state public health advisers had “strongly recommended” social gatherings in Florida be limited to less than 250 persons.
The governor’s request and our quick local response helped facilitate the timely shutdown of the Farmers Market, the County Fair, all special events, and a dozen busy and popular performing arts operations in the city. By last Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, the state had shut down all bars and nightclubs, and restaurants were required to reduce their capacity by 50% and space tables at least six feet apart. The president also pivoted, and urged all social gatherings be restricted to less than 10 people, and suggested gatherings just be avoided all together. And now, a day most thought would or could never happen, happened, when City and County officials in south Florida and along much of the gulf coast announced, that most Gulf Coast beaches would be closed by this weekend. Wow!
What's next? Well, the first order of business is to get through this as healthy as we can, with the second order of business being making sure we have business to get back to when the threat passes. It does appear that for now, the vast majority of people are listening and social gatherings, which risk further transmission of COVID-19, have come to a screeching halt. Restaurants have been closed by the state, with some converting to a pick-up and delivery mode. Your loyalty can help them keep people working. Many businesses that do not feature group gatherings are also converting to virtual operations via online, phone and appointment-only operations. Office type businesses, like our local governments, remain accessible over the phone and through the internet. The new general rule, whether you need medical care, a pizza, or your car or watch fixed: call first.
As always during our emergencies, a tip of the hat goes out to all those people and their families who continue to support our basic needs, even in this time of a public health emergency. We can't thank our neighbors enough, who continue to go to work in our grocery stores, in our clinics and hospitals, our first responders in police, fire and EMS, and our utility workers who keep our water, sewer, electricity and streets functioning, and our sanitation workers who continue to remove our trash like clockwork. This challenge, more than most, should clearly remind us, once again, just how interconnected and interdependent we are here, and around the world. The air we share can transmit a life-threatening virus. The care we share minimizes our losses and will restore our health. As the twin towers fell, during 9/11, I recall commentators predicting how that event was going to change our lives, and it did. It's early, and we have a way to go, but COVID-19 is also going to change our lives. This time, once we get through this, as we will, let’s hope and strive to make this crisis an opportunity to learn and respond with changes for the good. In Sarasota, we are already working on our comeback. Once this is over, I will really, really, look forward to seeing you around town.
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All City of Sarasota public meetings have been suspended.
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As part of this declaration, we have issued several emergency orders aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus in our community. Notably, these include the prohibition of gatherings of 10 or more people on public property. In addition, we’ve announced the
closure of City Hall and all City buildings
beginning Monday, March 23.
Although these facilities will be closed to the public, our dedicated City employees will still be providing solid waste and recycling pickup, water and sewer service, public safety and all other vital services to our citizens. Though our doors may be closed, most City business can still be conducted via phone (941-263-6000) and online at
www.sarasotaFL.gov
, with our staff standing by to assist.
As of today (Friday, March 20), the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk will not be accepting development applications until further notice. Applicants are encouraged to call 941-263-6222 or email Development Applications Coordinator Sean Wilkins at
Sean.Wilkins@sarasotaFL.gov
if they have any questions about the current submittal process.
Sarasota County has ordered the closure of all county beaches, including Lido Beach. Though the outdoor recreational areas of our City parks will remain open, we urge citizens to comply with the orders of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the advice of health officials regarding social distancing and limits on public gatherings. Our Parks and Recreation District is maintaining a strong presence on social media in order to keep people active and engaged while practicing social distancing at home (read more below).
The governor has halted on-premises dining and alcohol consumption at restaurants statewide, and bars and pubs are closed for the next month. With so many Sarasota restaurants and other businesses focusing their operations on takeout and pickup orders, some businesses and our Parking Division are converting available on-street parking spaces into special free “pickup” zones in the busier areas of town to make things easier for customers and merchants.
We recognize these are challenging times for the local economy and workforce. Information and resources for businesses and employees, including Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans and other assistance programs, can be found on the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County’s webpage at
www.edcsarasotacounty.com/business-assistance/covid-19/
The closure of Sarasota County’s public libraries and Resurrection House has left a void for individuals who typically use those locations for restrooms and washing up. We’re working in coordination with the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County on a coordinated plan to address this need. Meanwhile, our Homeless Outreach Team is still engaging clients via telephone or in person when necessary, while utilizing the proper health precautions in order to connect the homeless population with needed services.
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during this public health emergency. Each of us has a personal responsibility to follow the regulations, guidance and best practices from government and health officials and do our part to keep Sarasota healthy and safe.
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COVID-19 - Parks & Recreation
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As a father of four now-grown men, I can only imagine the challenge working parents are faced with right now caring for their children as schools, daycare centers and organized recreational activities are halted.
While the City's Parks and Recreation facilities are closed, our creative staff are devising ways to engage families who are staying at home via the internet and social media.
Each day, they're announcing fun, interactive activities and competitions which require readily available household items. For example, children may be encouraged to stay fit using water bottles as weights or creating crafts with items they find around their home. There might even be outdoor nature scavenger hunts!
Those participating in the weekly contests will have a chance to win a Parks and Recreation Outdoor Fun Basket. The
inaugural contest
-- Chalk Drawing Challenge -- was posted yesterday, March 19. Follow the directions on the post to share a photo of your family's chalk drawing. The photo with the most likes chalks up a win! Hope you and the kids or grandkids can join the fun on the
Parks and Recreation District Facebook page.
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Laura Ericksen, Administrative Specialist, and Emily Randell, Supervisor of Recreation Facilities, displaying their efforts with the Chalk Drawing Challenge.
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Lido Beach Renourishment - Good news!
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In the midst of this global upheaval, we received some much-needed good news! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers informed us this week that it has awarded a contract for the long-awaited renourishment and restoration of Lido Beach.
We have limited details at this writing; however, we can share that the awarded contract is within the amount the City budgeted, so we will not have to tap into additional funds.
With the uncertain times, we do not have a schedule as to when the construction work may begin, but we can be hopeful it will be as soon as the contractor is ready to proceed and it is deemed safe from a health and environmental standpoint.
This long-term project with the USACE has been decades in the making to restore and protect the infrastructure, dunes and wildlife along our severely eroded beach. We certainly have much to look forward to on the other side of this virus.
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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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