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REPORT:
County Mayor Carlos Gimenez came before the Board and gave a presentation about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19/COVID) pandemic and its effect on Miami-Dade County, along with measures taken to protect the County�s residents from the coronavirus and slow its spread.
Mayor Gimenez expressed his concern over the rising percentages of positive cases of residents afflicted with the coronavirus, which increased from 8 percent to 18 percent, and pointed out the number of infections could be higher. He also expressed alarm with the increased hospitalization and usage of ventilators related to the disease.
Mayor Gimenez indicated new executive orders had been issued cancelling Fourth of July parades, and closing parks at 8 p.m. and all beaches for the duration of the holiday weekend. Meanwhile, he stated all restaurants were mandated to close and alcohol sales banned after midnight. Mayor Gimenez stated this was a response to some restaurants being converted into nightclubs and bars after hours, which contributed to the spread the coronavirus.
Mayor Gimenez spoke regarding the increase of COVID-19 cases among younger residents, who were not using masks or maintaining social distances at parties, and did not take other precautions to prevent infection and transmission of the disease He pointed out many of the younger residents also participated in the recent protests related to the murder of George Floyd, which exposed them to the coronavirus.
Mayor Gimenez mandated that masks must be worn indoors and outdoors if it was not possible for persons to maintain six feet of distance from one another; and those persons who exercise must maintain a distance of ten feet from others.
Mayor Gimenez announced that newly created Strategic Unified Response to Guideline Education (SURGE) Outreach Teams were servicing neighborhoods throughout the County which had severe outbreaks of COVID-19, and was providing masks, hand sanitizers and information about COVID-19 in those areas.
Mayor Gimenez praised the healthcare workers of the County for their work during the pandemic and pointed out they needed protection from COVID-19. He alerted the Board that he spoke with Mr. Carlos Migoya, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jackson Health Systems (JHS), and was informed that hospital visitations were suspended. Mayor Gimenez announced we would meet with doctors and hospital CEOs across the County to ensure hospital capacity for handling the coming surge in infections.
Mayor Gimenez expressed his satisfaction that the Board passed the proposed ordinance on the first reading, which allowed for enforcement of the emergency order related to COVID-19 (See Special Item 2) if residents violated them. He stated he hoped the ordinance would be adopted on the second reading.
Discussion ensued after Mayor Gimenez� presentation concluded over the pandemic�s impact in the County. Chairwoman Edmonson pointed out the contradictory information from various healthcare officials, who advised against reopening the economy of the United States versus County healthcare experts, who approved reopening its economy. Mayor Gimenez affirmed the decision to reopen the County�s economy was done with the consult of medical experts and the measures would guarantee a level of safety, although he admitted residents would not be one hundred percent safe from COVID-19. He opined if everyone complied with the safety measures, the disease�s spread would be curtailed. Mayor Gimenez admitted he was hesitant to close the County because it would harm the economy, but he imposed new restrictions to halt the spread of COVID-19.
In response to Chairwoman Edmonson inquiry regarding hospital capacity, Mr. Migoya indicated that JHS was working with unions to add more shifts and pay for the extra shifts, and on the following:
� JHS needed nurses and patient care technicians; currently positions are open for 78 nurses and 50 technicians
� Several of the system�s 3,500 nurses were assigned to the hospitals� Intensive Care Units (ICU)
� Some outpatient surgeries would continue in select hospitals
� Elective surgeries were canceled and only urgent and emergency surgeries were being performed with the intent of reducing the needs of non-COVID-19 patients for ICU beds
� A new nursing home dedicated to COVID-19 patients has opened with 120 beds
Mr. Migoya updated the Board on statistics related to the pandemic including the fact that one third of patients who went to hospitals for other reasons turned out to be COVID-19 positive. He also stressed it was difficult to recruit nurses because other hospital systems faced the same challenges as JHS, although he declared JHS had enough nurses on hand and at the moment had room for about one hundred more patients. Mr. Migoya stated healthcare and hospital employees who worked in clinical environments tested positive at a higher rate and predicted the pandemic would be most severe in July 2020.
Commissioner Levine Cava brought up the fact although JHS could accommodate 100 more patients, there were over a thousand daily cases of COVID-19 which endangered the County�s healthcare system. She mentioned how overworked the nurses were and suggested other hospital staff be trained to support the nurses.
According to Commissioner Levine Cava, Mr. Alex Munoz, Director of the Animal Services Department, who supervised some of the SURGE teams, reported the teams instructed some households to wear masks at home because members of those homes often went outside and were potentially exposed to the coronavirus while at work or elsewhere. Commissioner Levine Cava commended the efforts of the SURGE teams who worked in conjunction with non-profits and community groups, but declared better coordination was needed between the teams and the other groups.
Commissioner Levine Cava suggested the County adopt a clear, mandatory mask-wearing policy because too many residents did not follow the safety measures. She blamed this on contradictory rules and information regarding wearing masks, and asked the County Attorney�s Office to draft legislation for mandatory mask wearing that would be clearly outlined.
Commissioner Levine Cava asked to distribute a letter she received from Dr. Ivey Marty, who advised Mayor Gimenez and the Administration on reopening the County. In the letter, Dr. Marty claimed contact tracing and testing was not being done adequately in the County. Commissioner Levine Cava stated although the Mayor coordinated with the state about contact tracing, there was not enough staff provided to the County.
Deputy Mayor Edward Marquez provided an update on the Re-Investing in our Small Business Economy (RISE) Miami-Dade Small Business Loan program, as requested by Commissioner Levine Cava. He reported that $25 million had been transferred to the Dade County Federal Credit Union, which administered the program. He also mentioned a $10 million mortgage program, which would be considered by the Board at its next meeting, and the Administration planned $5 million program for micro-individual loans to replace payday loans.
In response to Commissioner Levine Cava�s concern that RISE applications had not been received yet, Mr. Marquez responded that he expected a report about the RISE program from the credit union within two weeks, and may have an update for the July 8, 2020 Board meeting.
Commissioner Levine Cava opined the public needed clear communication because residents received piecemeal information, which led to confusion and non-compliance of safety measures. She stated that COVID-19 test results took too long to receive and that persons who took the tests were at risk of being infected later on while awaiting results. She inquired why testing was slow and what could be done to expedite the process. Commissioner Levine Cava emphasized the need for following up on contact tracing and urged the Mayor to do this even without oversight from the State of Florida.
Chairwoman Edmonson cautioned that the $474 million the County received from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was not a substantial amount of aid and that the Board they should be careful with their funding plans.
Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp informed the Board about the County�s contact tracing efforts and reported that the Administration coordinated with the State for some time to augment their contact tracing efforts. He also announced the Administration was working on a related program and would provide more detailed information soon. He deferred to Deputy Mayor Jennifer Moon who elaborated on the program.
Ms. Moon said the new program would be ready within a week and was undergoing final reviews. She indicated persons who tested positive for COVID-19 would be able to use an app to list their previous locations within the past fourteen days, noting a �heat map� would be created and enabled users to determine if they were exposed to COVID-19 or at risk of being exposed.
Ms. Moon pointed out the State had jurisdiction over contact tracing and strict laws over how information was to be shared, which made coordination a challenge. She added the State had consistently provided resources to their contact tracers working in the County and more options would be added, such as students from Florida International University, contractors from Maximus, and third-party workers from CareerSource Florida and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDPS) system. Ms. Moon indicated the contact tracers used by MDPS were trained and were employees of the Florida Department of Health, which she opined, was a long-term solution.
Ms. Moon informed the Board that contact testing guided the Administration with regards to targeted testing. In addition, mobile testing was available and the Administration was able to identify where cases occurred to send the SURGE teams. She affirmed that contact tracing was being done in the County and the County�s actions was based on information gathered by the State. Ms. Moon concluded the County worked with the State by providing resources and sharing information.
Mr. Migoya announced that the Pan American Hospital was reopened on July 1, 2020 to help with the COVID-19 cases in the County. The hospital had 120 available beds and would take in 90 patients over the following days.
Vice Chairwoman Sosa asked Mr. Migoya if the Miami Beach Convention Center was still to be used a temporary hospital. He replied that all JHS hospitals were scrutinizing their elective surgeries to reduce them and shift towards COVID-19 cases. He opined the convention center was not needed at the moment but it was important to have it in the event it was needed. He stated the challenge with the convention center was with the staffing because if the hospitals were completely full they would not be able to provide staff to the convention center.
Commissioner Bovo asked Mayor Gimenez if more testing sites for COVID-19 would be available and if they were needed. Mayor Gimenez responded that the County always sought new testing sites and would have Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp provide a report to the Board. He added that portable testing facilities serviced seniors at nursing homes and senior facilities.
Mr. Kemp reported the County worked on opening more test sites as quickly as possible with one opened with the assistance of the State at the West Perrine Health Center. Additionally, two mobile test sites opened, one in Homestead and one at the Joseph Caleb Center. He declared that mobile testing would increase and hot spots for COVID-19 were being targeted. He also mentioned that the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department (MDFR) provided testing for seniors at homes for the past two months and would expand the program. There has been an increased demand for testing and test sites went from less than 200 tests a day to over 400 daily. Mr. Kemp declared that the County had tremendous testing capacity which will continue to grow.
Commissioner Bovo mentioned that some labs administering COVID-19 tests were overwhelmed, which resulted in test results being available 48 hours after they were taken.
Mayor Gimenez answered Commissioner Bovo�s question about the duration of the County beach closures and confirmed they would reopen July 7, 2020.
Commissioner Bovo asked if first responders, fire, police and transit employees were being tested because they were at risk of contracting the coronavirus. Mr. Kemp answered that all County employees, including first responders, received first priority with tests, and that requests for County employees to be tested had increased in the past two weeks. He asserted more slots would open the next day throughout the County to give preference to first responders. He added that about 95 percent of the County�s firefighters received tests and very few of them tested positive. Mr. Kemp declared the Administration would meet during the week with the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) and the Transport Workers Union to provide test to their employees.
Commissioner Bovo asked Mr. Kemp why it was not mandatory for County employees to receive tests. Mr. Kemp revealed MDFR employees could not be mandated to take tests, but almost all employees wished to be tested. He told Commissioner Bovo most employees in all departments willingly informed the County they tested positive after they took tests not administered by the County and brought up the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) law prevented the County from learning whether or not its employees took COVID-19 tests.
Commissioner Bovo asked Mayor Gimenez how mask-wearing enforcement was possible for homes and offices. Mayor Gimenez noted the Miami-Dade Police Department conducted thousands of inspections daily at stores, restaurants, warehouses and other business locations. He affirmed masks must be worn indoors, though this did not include homes because enforcement would be difficult and probably unconstitutional. He stated that when outdoors, masks must be worn if it was not possible to maintain a distance from another person by six feet, which was consistent with County regulation., He opined that confusion occurred when other cities adopted different rules. He admitted cities had the right to adopt stricter rules for valid reasons, which depended on population density.
Commissioner Bovo stated different rules and mandates were frustrating and difficult to reconcile. He noted some cities followed County mandates strictly, while others did not which led to inconsistent rules and spread of the virus as residents traveled through cities and other locales in the County.
Commissioner Bovo raised the issue of food distribution for seniors who had to remain indoors. He said food delivery under the 311 Emergency Meal program for seniors was to be suspended, which alarmed him because of their vulnerability. He also inquired how it and other services and programs were affordable within the County�s budget.
Mayor Gimenez stated the County was decelerating the program, but other means were sought to continue providing food for senior residents who had not been able to leave their homes; if this was not possible, then the County would provide the food.
Mr. Kemp confirmed the County was transitioning away from its senior meals program but the Administration met with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, adult day care providers and community centers. According to Mr. Kemp, AHCA directed the community centers and adult day care centers to serve senior residents at home, and that the County reconciled their lists with AHCA and other organizations, including federal programs, to ensure all residents would continue to receive meals if needed. He also indicated the County would keep a scaled-down meal program for those who were unable to receive meals from other programs and agencies.
Commissioner Bovo mentioned a County rental assistance program and inquired about its sustainability. He cautioned about using property taxes to help pay for the program even though state and federal sources were available for it.
Commissioner Bovo then asked Mayor Gimenez if JMH was the only hospital suspending its elective surgeries. Mayor Gimenez responded that he planned to discuss the matter with the CEOs of other hospitals later in the day. Commissioner Bovo pointed out that some medical offices and clinics can be used for low-risk elective surgeries.
Mr. Migoya reported that in March 2020 when JHS suspended elective surgeries there was a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). He stated however, JHS at the moment had a sufficient supply of PPEs, but a shortage of ICU beds. He added although labs were able to perform COVID-19 tests, producing results quickly was a challenge. Mr. Migoya indicated that JHS� labs was hampered by limited quantities of reagents needed for the tests.
Vice Chairwoman Sosa asked Mayor Gimenez if there could be a mandate for masks to be worn outside at all times by all residents. He answered that medical advisors told him the current rules were satisfactory of maintaining social distance, and masks must be worn if social distancing was not possible. He added if the second reading of the civil citation legislation was passed by the Board then mask wearing outside would be enforceable with tickets issued for non-compliance. Vice Chairwoman Sosa responded that she did not wish for police officers to enforce mask wearing because this created negative feedback from the public.
Vice Chairwoman Sosa indicated she was surprised the meal program was being suspended even though she met previously with Deputy Mayors Moon and Kemp on the matter. She announced she was bringing forth legislation about the program and opined senior citizens would be at risk of contracting COVID-19 if they were forced to leave their homes to get food. She reminded the Board that federal and state aid was available to supplement funding for the program.
Mayor Gimenez indicated that state and federal programs would provide meals and the County would do so for residents who could not receive meals from the other programs. He assigned Ms. Moon and Mr. Kemp to discuss this further with Vice-Chairwoman Sosa.
Ms. Annika Holder, Assistant Director of the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHS), provided an overview of the transition plans for the food program. She explained CAHS was working with state partners and AHCA to deliver food for seniors and others who could not leave their homes and that the Department of Elder Affairs and the Alliance for Aging were also working with the County to identify and service persons attached to the County�s senior centers. She stated residents were also being helped with applying for food stamps and finding supplemental programs offered by other entities such as restaurants, charities, community organizations and the Independent Living Systems (ILS). Ms. Holder declared that ILS would continue providing food after the County program ended. She also mentioned that participants of the meals programs required other needs, such as employment services, and CareerSource South Florida would help in this regard.
Commissioner Jordan raised concerns over safety issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic during the United States presidential debate to be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center on October 15, 2020. She had questions about the audience and the debate�s arrangement and how much latitude the Board had with the debate.
Mr. Johann Zietsman, President and CEO of the Arsht Center, told the Board that during discussions with the Commission of Presidential Debates (CPD) the debate was subject to COVID-19, and local requirements and restrictions. He assured the Board that he and the CPD agreed if health requirements could not be met then the debate would be cancelled; if the debate was to take place there would be stringent safety measures related to COVID-19.
Mr. Zietsman described the debate being in a town-hall format and limited to 36 participants; there were negotiations over additional persons allowed to attend, which was limited to several hundred and subject to County approval. According to him, the event was geared for television, with limited media personnel, instead of a live audience, and no other events would take place in the time period at the Arsht Center. He also said mask wearing, social distancing, and hygiene protocols would be mandatory; personnel from the Cleveland Clinic would consult and monitor the event. In terms of crowds outside the Arsht Center during the debate, Mr. Zietsman noted the CPD would work with the police and local authorities and obtain necessary permits; he stressed everyone�s safety was a high priority.
Commissioner Jordan questioned Mr. Zietsman why the Cleveland Clinic was used instead of JMH. He answered that the CPD has worked with the Cleveland Clinic for decades, and so has the Arsht Center when it came to coordinating reopening protocols. He added he was willing to use the County�s local health services, as well.
Commissioner Jordan declared her major concern was over the audience size. She preferred if the debate did not have an audience because the pandemic would escalate by that time. She said such an event would attract a lot of demonstrators and others from outside the County, which would spread COVID-19 throughout the County.
Assistant County Attorney David Murray informed Commissioner Jordan the County had latitude from a public health standpoint, but had to study if the County had separate authority with the agreement for the debate, specifically to the Arsht Center.
Commissioner Jordan requested that a report from Mr. Zietsen about the debate�s guidelines be presented to the Board at the next regular meeting.
Chairwoman Edmonson stated her preference for the report to be presented at a special meeting and announced she would hold more meetings related to the pandemic.
Commissioner Jordan made a motion for the debate to not have an audience. Chairwoman Edmonson pointed out the debate would happen in October and the pandemic may be over by then. Commissioner Jordan responded she wanted the debate to occur upon guidelines set by the Board.
Mayor Gimenez reminded the Board the Arsht Center must comply with County rules, but it was premature to close the debate to an audience while there were venues such as stores and some theaters that opened under COVID-19-related conditions.
Commissioner Jordan agreed not to make the motion but expected the report later in the month.
Commissioner Jordan asked Mr. Migoya about how many shifts JHS had for its 1,350 COVID-19 patients. He replied the shifts varied, which ran from eight to twelve hours a day, and did not know the average amount of nurses who worked on the shifts for the COVID-19 patients. She expressed concern over nurses being overworked and getting sick. She reminded him of Commissioner Levine Cava�s suggestion of other medical personnel being retrained to work with COVID-19 patients.
Mr. Migoya said the process would take several weeks and reducing the elective surgeries would make more nurses available for COVID-19 patients. He added the nurses earned an extra $120 per overtime shift and stressed there were limits to how long nurses could work for safety reasons. Mr. Migoya disclosed that nurses were not required to take COVID-19 tests unless they exhibited symptoms. In that situation, the hospitals conducted its own internal contact tracing and tested asymptomatic persons who were in contact with the infected nurses. For June, he stated 1,200 employees were tested and 12 percent or about 145 tested positive; out of that group, 35 nurses tested positive.
Commissioner Jordan requested clarification from Mayor Gimenez on the mask-wearing policy in the County. He confirmed masks must be worn when inside stores and offices, with the only exception being when a person was ready to eat inside a restaurant and that outside, a person must wear a mask when it was not possible to maintain a distance of six feet away from another person. Commissioner Jordan opined legislation with an enforceable mandate on mask wearing was needed in the County.
Commissioner Higgins asked how laboratory capacity can be improved to speed up testing for COVID-19. Discussion ensued with Mr. Kemp noting the surge in COVID-19 cases burdened the labs, which struggled to keep up with the surge in cases. He declared the County would change vendors if it was unable to keep up with providing timely results. He also acknowledged it was not reasonable to expect test results within a day because of increased demands.
Mr. Kemp declared that initially the County faced a shortage of test kits but that was no longer a concern as suppliers have been able to meet demands. He stated the major issue was obtaining faster test results. He also informed Commissioner Higgins that County facilities received over 2,000 testing appointments daily.
Commissioner Higgins asked if there was any way to speed up capacity at County facilities like JMH or the University of Miami. Mr. Migoya reminded the Board the issue JHS faced was the lack of reagents needed for testing, which was the same situation with labs throughout the country. He reported JHS would not be able to be resupplied for months. Commissioner Higgins asked for a more formal update on lab capacity and if test results could be obtained sooner at the next COVID-19 special meeting.
Commissioner Higgins asked Mr. Kemp for more information about the mobile testing units and their increased deployment. He reported the Administration worked with a vendor for additional testing and where the units would be located. Also, a second vendor would be contracted if the need for testing increased. One challenge he cited was that the units were used by people who did not live in the severely infected areas or hot spots. In response, reserved appointments were made for residents who lived in these hot spots.
Commissioner Higgins informed the Board of a conversation she had with Department of Health officials who informed her of a hot spot in the zip code area 33125, however, she stated she was more concerned with a hot spot in the zip code area 33128. , which had proportionally more cases. She referred to census-tracking information from the Health Department that could be used to work with local community organizations in performing similar duties as the SURGE teams. Commissioner Higgins asked how such a systemize process of gathering information that would be beneficial to the Board, as well as written reports about census tracking for contact tracing and the senior meals program.
Mayor Gimenez agreed to provide the data, adding the SURGE teams would be more effective if they used the systemized information. Additionally, he would provide reports about contract tracing and the senior meals program which would explain its transitional status and how exactly seniors would be serviced.
Commissioner Higgins observed the County tried to add more buses for its transit service but there were not enough of them to meet demand. She asked if all of the County�s buses were deployed, if bus capacity was tracked to ensure all passengers could board the vehicles, and if the County had to obtain more buses from outside sources.
Ms. Moon commented the larger issue faced by the DTPW was with having enough bus drivers. She stated the department contracted for over-the-road coaches to be used for the County�s express routes so more regular buses would be available for excess capacity.
Ms. Alice Bravo, Director of the DTPW, claimed the department had enforced social distancing requirements throughout its bus and train service. She elaborated that passengers could only sit in every other seat and could not stand in the vehicles which reduced capacity by more than half. She stated as ridership increased, the DTPW began to monitor the buses with automatic counters, and if a bus reached social-distance capacity, it skipped a stop and another bus was deployed.
Ms. Bravo said the DTPW�s staff were returning to work and staffing levels were close to normal. She confirmed Commissioner Higgins� observation that as social distancing was strained under increased ridership, over-the-road coaches were brought into service. She stated in addition to low-rider routes, the coaches were deployed to Express and longer routes, which allowed the Department�s regular buses to supplement routes with higher ridership.
Commissioner Higgins asked if the non-County vehicles appeared in tracking apps for passengers, and Ms. Bravo answered the Department was still working on this. In response to Commissioner Higgins� comments about the demanding nature of the bus drivers� jobs, Ms. Bravo added that polycarbonate doors were installed in buses which enclosed the drivers as an added protective measure.
Ms. Bravo said the service frequency of trains increased from fourteen trains per cycle, which was up from nine She said the trains were being monitored to ensure social distancing compliance and that equipment upgrades were planned.
Mayor Gimenez responded to Commissioner Martinez� inquires regard herd immunity, stating that about fifty seven percent of infected people within a population were needed before herd immunity was reached. He stated emphasis was placed on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody testing being done a random basis, of which the results alerted the Administration as to how severely COVID-19 infected the County�s residents. He noted about twenty two percent of the tests came back positive and he believed more people have had the disease. Herd immunity, Mayor Gimenez opined, would eventually be reached, but stressed the need for more information about the coronavirus and more accurate testing.
Mayor Gimenez reported the hot spots in the County for COVID-19 cases were Little Havana, Brownsville, Liberty City and Homestead, but recent data indicated COVID-19 was spreading. However, the disease did not seem to be prevalent in more affluent locales in the County. He theorized the affluent areas probably had the disease first and achieved herd immunity, but more studies were needed.
Mayor Gimenez believed the George Floyd-related protests and graduation celebrations may have spread COVID-19, but there was not enough data to verify such correlations. He listed other reasons for the spread of the illness; these included restaurants, which operated as night clubs after hours, and home interactions. Mayor Gimenez stated people were visiting homes for social reasons then spread the coronavirus in their own homes.
Commissioner Martinez asked what authority fire inspectors had to enter a business. Mr. Murray replied that if a business wanted to remain opened, it must give consent for an inspection. Non-compliance would lead to criminal or administrative warrants issued to enter a business.
Regarding a County-wide state of emergency, Mr. Murray told Commissioner Martinez the Board had authority to issue its own ordinances and amend Chapter 8B in the Code of Ordinances, which granted certain authority to the Mayor.
Commissioner Martinez voiced his concerns over how little input the Board had with regards to setting policy for handling the pandemic, and with the Board�s lack of timely information. He suggested the Board meet more often about the crisis in order to become more involved in the decision making for the County.
Chairwoman Edmonson agreed with Commissioner Martinez� suggestion about meeting more often. She pointed out that as the legislative body of County government, the Board needed to take on a greater role in making decisions during the pandemic crisis. She announced more special meetings would be held in July and possibly August. Commissioner Diaz asked who worked with the temporary hospital at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Mr. Kemp responded he worked with the Florida Department of Emergency Management, which communicated to the Administration their directives with the Center and other test sites throughout the County.
Commissioner Diaz asked Mr. Kemp if he could ask the State to intensify their testing and how the County could enhance and better use the temporary hospital to allow the County�s hospitals to operate more efficiently. Mr. Kemp noted the Administration had discussions with the State about increasing the hospitals� surge capacity by using the Center and other locations.
Commissioner Diaz asked why some cities received funds directly from the federal government but others did not. According to Mayor Gimenez, only localities with over five hundred thousand residents received funds from the CARES Act, which happened to be the County. He stressed that the County acted as stewards of the $474 million provided by the CARES Act, and had to ensure the money was spent correctly throughout the cities.
Mr. Marquez elaborated on how funds from the CARES Act was distributed to the State and County, noting that discussions were held on how to distribute the funds with the Florida League of Cities and city managers.
Mayor Gimenez cautioned on how the money was to be distributed and spent by the cities. He suggested the funds be given to cities on a reimbursement basis instead of a block grant because the County was being held responsible for the money.
Commissioner Diaz raised the issue of increased parties held at homes in the County and inquired if they could be curtailed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Mayor Gimenez admitted such parties were difficult to control because they took place in private homes.
Mr. Murray informed the Board current rules did not preclude gatherings in private homes. Regarding the legality of household parties, he said this matter needed to be researched, but advised any new rules had to be enforceable and not overly-inclusive.
Commissioner Diaz did not want the rights of residents in their homes infringed upon. However, he targeted increased situations where people who attended household parties were charged for admission and services such as parking and security. According to Commissioner Diaz, some of the parties moved to different homes in order to avoid the police and he mentioned this situation would be pronounced in the upcoming Fourth of July weekend and asked whether or not there was proposed legislation to address the issue.
Mayor Gimenez replied that under such circumstances the parties became commercial activities, which were enforceable. Mr. Murray confirmed these parties could be regulated and subjected to zoning regulations. He reminded the Board there were normal regulations for noise, underage alcohol consumption, and more which could be applied to homeowners that hosted such parties.
Commissioner Monestime mentioned that test appointments were often full by mid-morning at testing locations, and asked Mr. Kemp if efforts were underway to increase testing capacity. Mr. Kemp countered that the County has increased testing at its sites with assistance from the State. He stated mobile testing had been implemented and would be increasing as soon as possible, with walk-up mobile test units targeted specific areas and serviced residents without transportation or who were unable to reach traditional testing sites.
Mr. Kemp acknowledged the aid provided by Commissioner Monestime and his office and noted the posibility of needing a second test site in Commissioner Monestime�s district. He noted that testing demands exceeded the County�s capacity and expected the demand would be met within a week or two.
Commissioner Monestime asked how the County could assist Community Based Organizations (CBOs) since demand for their services had increased. Ms. Moon remarked contracted CBOs were given an advance of their quarterly allocation in March 2020 in anticipation of the shutdown. She stated the CBOs were advised to continue paying their employees even if they did not provide services because of the shutdown. She also stated the County also accepted any scope changes the CBOs recommended to address pandemic-related issues with their clients and utilize their funds.
According to Ms. Moon, a second quarter allocation was issued six weeks later. She also noted the County had weekly communications with each CBO, and that a notice of award, pending Board approval, would be issued to the United Way to work with the CBOs to provide basic needs and help fund the CBOs� overhead.
Ms. Moon asked the Board if any CBOs contacted them for aid then they should contact the Administration, as well.
Commissioner Monestime noted during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic there was more clear information and asked about the infection rate then compared to the current rate. Ms. Moon said the data was not readily available. She informed him that only symptomatic people were tested in the early onset of the pandemic, which led to high percentages of positive test results; asymptomatic people were not tested until April 2020.
Commissioner Monestime raised concerns over residents� not complying with wearing masks and asked what could be done to better communicate with residents to comply.
Mayor Gimenez pointed out the measures he announced earlier in the meeting that included restaurants closing after midnight, beach closures during the Fourth of July weekend, enhanced enforcement, and increased messaging about social distancing and mask wearing will continue to be announced and disseminated to the community. He said too many residents did not believe those around them potentially had COVID-19, and referred to studies that indicated patients were the most infectious before they showed symptoms.
Mayor Gimenez opined the health-related mandates to stop the spread of COVID-19 needed to be enforced through fines and those who refused to obey should be subject to arrest.
Commissioner Monestime suggested religious organizations and CBOs could be used to help communicate the message to comply with the mandates.
Mayor Gimenez noted more masks were available, and reminded the Board the SURGE teams distributed masks. He said PPEs should be reserved for healthcare workers like doctors, nurses and first responders.
Mr. Kemp added that the County had an adequate supply of masks and more could be obtained. He indicated masks were also available through vendors in the County.
Vice Chairwoman Sosa requested a report from Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty for the next special meeting about the impact of the State�s decisions on funding for the County. She, along with Commissioner Levine Cava, voiced concerns about Airbnbs, which held loud and crowded parties at private residences. Finally, Vice Chairwoman Sosa requested a testing site be set up for senior residents at the A.D. (Doug) Barnes Park.
Chairwoman Edmonson stated that Vice Chairwoman�s request would be a discussion item at the next Board meeting instead of a special meeting.
Mayor Gimenez invited the Board members to provide him with the addresses of the nuisance homes hosting Airbnbs and the police would respond and enforce the law. He considered banning such short-term rentals, but opined this would negatively impact the hotel industry.
Mayor Gimenez expressed his gratitude to members of his Administration and singled out Deputy Mayors Kemp and Moon for their work during the pandemic crisis. He looked forward to more special meetings with the Board.
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