Fort Lauderdale District 2: June 2020 Newsletter

Details: Last Updated: 23 June 2020

Dear Neighbors,

During these past weeks and months, our community and nation have endured unparalleled struggle. We are adjusting to a “new normal” with the continuing threat of COVID-19, all while coping with the tragic events that have highlighted the continuing fight against racial injustice.

More than ever, the survival of our local businesses depends on support from neighbors like you and me. As we spend dollars to restart the local economy, we need to continue to diligently wear masks, maintain social distancing and follow the CDC's health and safety guidelines. Recently, the number of cases, percentage of positive cases, deaths, and hospitalization have been going in the wrong direction, as many people are totally disregarding best practices in the fight against the virus. If we are to continue to reopen our economy, everyone must do his/her part to ensure our City can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. To provide future prosperity, we cannot forget about the less fortunate among us, which is why our City is continuing efforts to help neighbors with weekly food-drives every Thursday morning at Mills Pond Park. At the same time, our City is putting Federal funds to work, recently allocating nearly $1M in CARES Act funding for the Public Service Homeless Initiative Program and the Fort Lauderdale Emergency Business Investment Program through the Central City and Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRAs.

The promise of our great City is not solely gauged by economic success -- recent events have made many of us pause for inward reflection about long-standing inequities, the need for dialogue and understanding, and the dire need to lift every voice in our City. The efforts of our District II neighborhoods to achieve a greater understanding have been nothing short of inspiring in these past few weeks and I have been fortunate to learn from the community as they have hosted and engaged in many thought-provoking discussions on racial equity. I have listened to and studied materials provided by Campaign Zero, 8 Can’t Wait, and the Center for Policing Equity, and I thank you for alerting me to different perspectives on police reform. There is much to digest and I undoubtedly will continue to research and analyze as we review our upcoming budget and hear from our Police Chief as it relates to funding and policy changes. The City has already engaged in face-to-face dialogue with Black Lives Matter and the Urban League, and these conversations must culminate in meaningful change, actions and policy to better Fort Lauderdale. We are only just beginning, and we still have miles to go to achieve a greater reconciliation, but I am confident that City management, staff, and our Police Chief are on the right path to rebuild an environment of trust and respect for all of our neighbors in every part of our City.

ACTION ITEMS!

Three important items to note:

1) Hurricane Season is here – please plan and complete your hurricane check list

2) August 18 is the Primary Election – Register to vote by July 20 to participate.

August 8 is the last day to request a Vote by Mail Ballot.

3) 2020 Census – Complete it NOW. Your participation is vital as our numbers are woefully low. Counting every neighbor in our City gives us an opportunity to receive our fair share of more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding for infrastructure, schools, housing, roads, healthcare, and public service programs. An accurate census count also provides critical funding for hospitals, disaster recovery, and emergency readiness for pandemics like COVID-19. Please complete the 2020 Census today!

Following is an update from the City of Fort Lauderdale on the COVID-19.

Department of Health Information

According to the Florida Department of Health, as of June 17, 2020, results from approximately 151,349 tests administered in Broward County indicated 141,466 negative results; 9,812 positive results; 13 inconclusive results; and 29 pending results. To see the latest data from the FDOH, visit bit.ly/2wb29D2.

Free COVID-19 Testing Continues at Holiday Park

Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing continues at Holiday Park, located at 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive in Fort Lauderdale. The site is open Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., by appointment only. Since its opening, the testing site has served 8,737 people. Testing is available to anyone over the age of 18 with or without COVID-19 symptoms. No doctor referral is needed. Photo ID is required. Appointments may be booked by calling 1-800-209-7919, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. First responders needing tests may make appointments and use the Sunrise Boulevard entrance to the park with proper identification. Tests are administered by healthcare professionals from AMR. Patients will be contacted when test results are available. Patients who do not receive a call after five business days, should contact CDR Maguire, Inc. at 850-583-2419 or emailcovid19results@cdrmhealth.com. For more details, visit bit.ly/ftlcovid19testing.

Next Virtual City Commission Meeting on July 7

The next virtual meeting of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 7 at 6:00 p.m. The public will be able to listen to and view the virtual meeting on FLTV, YouTube, Zoom, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. The meeting agenda will be posted in the days leading up to the meeting prior to the meeting at bit.ly/ftlccagendas. To learn more about virtual City Commission meetings, including how to sign up to speak, visit fortlauderdale.gov/vcmeetings.

Broward County FAQ on Reopening Guidelines

Broward County has issued a Frequently Asked Questions guide to assist residents, businesses, and visitors with answers to many of the most commonly asked questions related to the phased COVID-19 reopening. The document provides information about what businesses may currently operate, along with details regarding rules, regulations and requirements that must be followed by employees and customers to protect public health and safety. To view the Frequently Asked Questions guide, visit bit.ly/2UTo6zS.

Watch Broward County High School Graduation Ceremonies

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is broadcasting high school graduation ceremonies on BECON-TV and streaming them live on YouTube through June 28 so family and friends, local and across the country, may join in celebrating this milestone achievement. Upcoming Fort Lauderdale graduations include Dillard High School, Sunday, June 21 at 4 p.m.; Seagull School Center, Monday, June 22 at 10 a.m.; Sheridan Technical High School, Monday, June 22 at 1 p.m.; Fort Lauderdale High School, Monday, June 22 at 4 p.m.; and Whiddon Rogers Education Center, Thursday, June 25 at 4 p.m. To view the complete BCPS virtual graduation schedule, visit browardschools.com/graduationschedule.

Fit Fort Lauderdale Goes Virtual

The Parks and Recreation Department is striving to make Fort Lauderdale the healthiest city in the nation! To get there, Parks and Recreation has expanded its Virtual Recreation Center to include Fit Fort Lauderdale classes. Fit Fort Lauderdale is now virtual with FREE live classes on Sundays from 1 - 2 p.m. beginning June 28. Upcoming classes include: June 28 - Get Fit with Mr. Woods; July 5 - Steps and Squats with Ashley; July 12 - Total Body with Cole; July 19 - Nia Technique; July 26 - Cardio Boxing; and August 2 - Cardio Drum Fitness. For details and to register, visit bit.ly/ftlvirtrec.

Friday Night Sound Waves Presents Music Down the Waterways on June 19

Friday Night Sound Waves teams with the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi on Friday, June 19 from 6 - 8 p.m. for a one-of-a-kind cruise up and down the Intracoastal Waterway featuring live music by local artist Danny Garcia. The “Music Down the Waterways” cruise will depart at 6:00 p.m. from Water Taxi Stop #6, located at the end of Cortez Street on the Intracoastal Waterway and return at 8:00 p.m. Parking is available just steps away in the Las Olas Garage, located at 200 Las Olas Circle. Tickets are $25 per person and include one complimentary drink. For more information and to purchase tickets, visitwww.watertaxi.com/music.

FLIFF Drive-In Cinema at Pier 66 Features Kingsman: The Secret Service on June 19

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) Drive-In Cinema at Pier 66 will feature a screening of Kingsman: The Secret Service on Friday, June 19 at 8:30 p.m. A 40-foot screen will be set up in the open green space located at the corner of SE 17 Street and Harbour Inlet Drive across from the hotel. Admission is $30 per vehicle and tickets must be purchased in advance at FLIFF.com. Entry into the parking area will begin at 7 p.m. with all vehicles positioned in place by 8:15 p.m. Popcorn and beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Anyone exiting their vehicle must wear a facial covering. The series is sponsored by Ed Morse Automotive Group; hosted by Pier 66; presented by FLIFF and Twilight Features; and co-sponsored by Riverwalk; Film, Music, Fashion & Create; and the Broward Cultural Division. For details, visit FLIFF.com.

MODS Reopens to the Community on June 23

The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), located at 401 SW Second Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, is reopening to Museum members June 16 - 21 and, beginning June 23, to the general community. Families can expect to have an enjoyable and safe visit to MODS complete with exhibit Exploration, STEM discoveries, animal encounters, the IMAX experience and more. In accordance with CDC and Broward County health and safety protocols, the Museum will be operating at 25% capacity to allow for social distancing. Timed ticket reservations will be offered for all visitors, and face coverings and temperature checks will be required. For more details, visit bit.ly/2YJbyw1.

For Additional Information

For additional information regarding Coronavirus, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended protective measures, please visit:

· www.coronavirus.gov

· www.floridahealth.gov

· www.cdc.gov

Ways to Stay in Touch

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers numerous ways for neighbors to receive important information and updates:

· Monitor the City website at www.fortlauderdale.gov

· Register for Alert FTL at www.fortlauderdale.gov/alertftl

· If you live in Fort Lauderdale, join NextDoor

· Follow us on Twitter @FTLCityNews

· Like us on Facebook @CityofFortLauderdale

· Get E-news delivered to your inbox

· Download the Lauderserv App on your smartphone or tablet

· Contact our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000

Transportation Capital Projects

At our last three Annual Commission Goal Setting Workshops, transportation, traffic and mobility were designated Top Priorities. The City has been working diligently through the last few months on many transportation projects and below is a summary for District II. Click the image below for a complete summary of our Capital Transportation Projects.

One of the last live events I enjoyed was the 13th Street Craft Beer & Wine Festival and Car Show on March 7 so what a pleasure it was to attend 13/13 Food, Art and Flea Market on Saturday, June 13! Love the spirit of all the neighborhoods along 13th Street;congrats to the Central City Alliance for your perseverance and success!

Thank you, Equality Florida, for the LGBTQ Leaders Call. Your wisdom, your passion, and your energy are so greatly appreciated. There is a lot of work to do, and it is very reassuring to know that you are at the forefront of the effort. Great participants from across our State. Thank you.

Yet another terrific turnout at the Victoria Park Civic Association Zoom Meeting. Packed agenda and so much good work. Always pleased to join D2's great neighborhoods as they carry on virtually.

Met with seven District 2 neighborhood associations - calling Guinness Book of Records! First up was Sailboat Bend (thank you president Wanda Beachum) followed by a collaboration with Central City Alliance, Flagler Village, Lake Ridge, Poinsettia Heights, Middle River Terrace, and South Middle River. Thank you, Colleen Lockwood- quite an undertaking to pull all those neighborhoods together! I so appreciate the talent, passion, and energy of these community leaders and activists. Great meetings, great speakers, great night!

The Las Olas Mobility Working Group met for a virtual tour and discussion. Thank you to our TAM staff and the Corradino group, our consultant. Also, a big thank you to all of the stakeholders for their astute observations and invaluable feedback. A recording of the meeting is posted to the project webpage.

fortlauderdale.gov/lasolasproject

News Article

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& Informational Links

Broward School Coronavirus Updates

Broward Food Resources

Search COVID-19 In Your Area By Zip Code

The greatness of our community starts with passionate citizens like you.

Please do not hesitate to contact our District 2 Outreach Coordinator, Celia Gisleson, with any questions, comments or thoughtful suggestionscgisleson@fortlauderdale.gov or 954-828-5923.

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Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor, District 2

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