Dear Neighbor,
2020 was a challenging year for our community as we navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. While we still face uncertainty in the coming days, weeks and months, breakthroughs in a vaccine and treatment give us reason to hope and to know that we will overcome this once-in-a-generation test of our will and grit.
Taking steps to control and eradicate the virus in 2021 creates opportunities to move our City forward and build back a stronger economy than ever. As we plan to kick start local businesses and return to normalcy, we need to continue to diligently wear masks, wash hands often, maintain social distancing, and follow health and safety guidelines until the medical professionals let us know we are in the clear. Vigilance and proper planning will ensure that every neighborhood in the City can find a path forward towards a greater prosperity.
COVID-19 Assistance Roundup
Without question, every resident and business across our City was impacted by COVID-19 this past year. City staff and our partners acted swiftly to set up testing centers, provide food distributions, and housing and business assistance across Fort Lauderdale and our County. Thank you to our staff, partners and volunteers who have worked to help our neighbors and businesses. I would be remiss not to offer a special thanks to the first responders, doctors, nurses and technicians who have sacrificed so much this year, coming face-to-face with the virus on a day-to-day basis.
The efforts of the last year include*:
• 114,000+ COVID-19 tests administered at Holiday and Mills Pond Parks
• 33-plus weeks of Thursday Food Distributions at Mills Pond Park totaling more than 28,500 grocery kits
• Prevented 440-plus households from experiencing homelessness through ongoing housing assistance by providing more than 1,130 units of financial assistance which includes multiple months of rent, mortgage and utility payments
• Nearly $300,000 in COVID grants to businesses within the Central City and Northwest Progresso Flagler Heights Community Redevelopment Agency
• $13 million-plus in Cares Act Funding was allocated to Fort Lauderdale as a subrecipient from Broward County
*Numbers as of November/December 2020
If you or a business needs assistance, please visit FortLauderdale.gov and click the red banner on the homepage, Broward.org/coronavirus, or our office.
Planning for the Future – Commission Goals and Priorities
With the commencement of the new year, the Commission convenes for our annual Goal Setting and Prioritization Workshop on Friday, Jan. 29. The workshop allows for discussion regarding critical issues and outcome-based objectives that help facilitate the Commission’s goals and priorities for fiscal year 2021. I will continue to advocate for funding and policies that will build on last year’s progress, keep everyone healthy, and help relaunch Fort Lauderdale. Please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/LauderTrac to view our progress on the 2020 Commission Priorities and email me your suggestions for our priorities workshop — sglassman@fortlauderdale.gov. I congratulate my colleagues on our recent swearing-in for another term in office and look forward to working together in moving our City forward.
