Village of Palmetto Bay
COVID-19 Updates
April 17, 2020
NEWS UPDATES

Florida Governor DeSantis issued a new Executive Order suspending the "biweekly reporting requirement by claimants of "actively seeking work" requirement." This order applies to individuals applying for unemployment compensation who would otherwise be required to re-certify their unemployment status every two weeks. Remember that unemployment forms are available for pick-up and drop-off at 26 Miami-Dade County public libraries, 7 days a week, from 8 am to 7 pm. In addition, the FedEx location at 18755 S. Dixie Highway, Cutler Bay is also providing paper applications or you may download and print your own copy at home and bring the completed form to one of the library sites.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has extended the effective period of all driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, and identification cards which expire between March 16, 2020, and April 30, 2020. Driver's licenses and ID cards expiring between March 16, 2020, and April 15, 2020, have been extended by 60 days from their expiration date and those expiring between April 16, 2020, and April 30, 2020, have been extended by 30 days from their expiration date. Commercial licenses and commercial driver instructional permits with expiration dates on or after March 16, 2020, have been extended until June 30, 2020. Read the Emergency Order from DHSMV.

In case you missed it, Palmetto Bay has issued an Emergency Order which requires the use of facial coverings for "all employees AND customers of grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants, as well as those performing food delivery services." A similar county order also requires facial coverings when visiting construction sites, riding public transit or on-demand vehicle services.

  • How to Make Your Own Face Covering Video

We would like to remind all residents that our park facilities are closed . Please do not visit the parks at this time. The parking areas are locked as well as restroom facilities and there is no staff present to assist in the event of an emergency. For your own protection, refrain from visiting any public park at this time. County Mayor Gimenez recently announced his initiative to organize a group to start looking at a systematic process for the reopening of certain services and easing of restrictions.

Please scroll down for more information and resources.
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. Please refrain from visiting these facilities.
  • 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 Zoning Hearing - April 20, 2020, 7 pm. Meeting will be streamed live online, on WBAY and on Facebook. 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.
  • Committee of the Whole Meeting - April 21, 2020- CANCELED
  • Sunshine Meeting between Vice Mayor DuBois and Councilwoman Matson- April 21, 2020, 6:00 pm. This meeting will be conducted via conference call. The public is welcome to participate and provide public comments during the meeting when public comments are open.
  • Conference Call Call-in Number: 1-904-900-2303
  • Meeting Access Code Number: 621-713-069 (enter when prompted)
  • All other 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)


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 20-20: requires the use facial coverings when "working in or visiting grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible."
  • 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 Plans for Reopening of Services

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez recently announced that Miami-Dade County is organizing a working group to develop a plan to roll out the reopening of certain services and easing certain restrictions. The initiative is being dubbed as "Moving to a New Normal." The County Mayor also talked about a second group to come up with a plan to restore our local economy. The latter, represents a long-term plan to ensure the economic resiliency of the area. Watch the County Mayor's Announcement.

Unemployment Forms Available

Unemployment forms are available for pick-up and drop-off at 26 Miami-Dade County public libraries, 7 days a week, from 8 am to 7 pm. For more information and a list of locations, please click here. In addition, the FedEx location at 18755 S. Dixie Highway, Cutler Bay is also providing paper applications. You may also print a copy of the form at home by clicking the link below.

  • Download the Unemployment Application Form

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Physical Reopening Highly Unlikely

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho sent out the following message on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, giving notice of the unlikelihood of a return to school during this school year.

"Honesty is always the best policy, particularly during times of crisis. This year's last day of school for students is June 3rd. High school graduations begin on May 26th. Bottomline, there are between 26 and 33 days of schooling left this school year. A physical return to schools this year is not only unlikely but imprudent."


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 Continues to Extend Emergency Declaration

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, April 1 and April 8. A new extension was signed on April 15. The order ensures all necessary resources will be available if needed to respond to COVID-19 emergencies, including the purchase of necessary supplies.

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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