Dear Friends,
I hope each of you are well during these difficult times and are practicing social distancing, washing hands and staying at home when possible as our COVID-19 statistics continue to be troubling. Miami-Dade recently had 3,212 new positive cases, and the daily positive ratio was 20.5%. The overall positive testing ratio for Miami-Dade County for the entire pandemic has increased to 17%. Recent numbers set records for COVID hospital census at 2,244 patients, COVID ICU census at 507 and COVID patients on ventilators at 286. One good note was that new COVID patients in hospitals fell to 153, the lowest level in two weeks.
County Mayor Gimenez recently announced, in partnership with the State of Florida, the addition of 400 hotel rooms to isolate those individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and protect at-risk family members from being infected. The County’s existing program pays for hotel rooms for individuals recommended by the State Department of Health who have received hospital care and are released to go home but still need to isolate for a few days. The expansion of the program will also help families with a member who has tested positive but does not necessarily have symptoms. Please call (305) 614-1716 for additional information.
I have received numerous complaints regarding Ocean Drive so I walked Ocean Drive with City of Miami Beach Police Chief Rick Clements and Captain Jovan Campbell to see the situation on Ocean Drive firsthand this past Saturday evening. It was the first weekend the City Manager issued a revised Emergency Order with an 8 p.m. closure and curfew in the Mixed Used Entertainment District (MXE) which consists of complete closure of Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue & Washington Ave. between 5th - 15th streets to vehicular traffic, and closure of parking on the 100 blocks from 5th Street to 15th Street from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. 
Here are my takeaway points:
- It was not that crowded but that may be because it had rained earlier. There were a lot of police officers on the street (hopefully not because they knew I was coming).
- I only saw 3 Miami Beach locals I recognized including Dana Turken. It mostly appeared to be non-Miami Beach residents, tourists and young revelers.
- The majority of people were wearing masks and we asked others to put theirs on. Code was also giving out free masks. We need everyone wearing their masks or facial coverings.
- Several businesses are voluntarily closed including Mangos & The Clevelander. I hear Havana 1957 may follow. The street looked much better without the barricades after the Commission voted to formally remove them.
- As it got closer to 8 p.m. closing time, Collins Avenue got jammed with traffic. I hear it dissipated shortly after I left. I’m not sure where the tourists went after 8 p.m. Since that time I have heard that they moved on to South of Fifth, Espanola Way and other areas still open until 10 p.m.
City of Miami Beach is working to keep Ocean Drive safe for everyone. I welcome any thoughts or input on what we can do better.
The Commission held its special commission meeting regarding COVID-19 last week. We deferred a decision on whether COVID-19 commission meetings would continue in August (when the Commission is usually in recess). Due to the current increases in COVID-19 numbers, there is a possibility of a shelter in place order again and it was stated that the majority of the Commission would like to hold an emergency commission meeting before the City Manager would issue such an order under his emergency powers.
The Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee was held on July 17th and the administration presented a balanced budget to address the $2.7 million non-COVID gap and $32 million COVID gap. The proposed reductions did not include the public facing cuts except for a lower service level for the trolley program. This week, the Land Use and Sustainability Meeting will be held virtually on July 21st at 8 a.m. One item that will be discussed that I wanted to bring to your attention is an increased height amendment sponsored by Mayor Gelber to allow building height increase in strategic commercial areas to incentivize office use which would allow for more height of buildings in various areas of South Beach. Please see link to the Land Use agenda below: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/agenda-archive-main-page-2/ and information to join the virtual meeting. Link to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86726174642 or by telephone: 312-626-6799 or 888-475-4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 867 2617 4642.
Also this week, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee-Budget Briefing will be held on July 24, 2020 at 9 a.m. followed by a Special Commission Meeting at 1 p.m. to discuss resiliency projects. Please see the link to join these virtual meetings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87343999500 or by telephone: US: +13017158592,87343999500# or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 873 4399 9500.
Finally, I would like to give a special shout out to UNIDAD, the North Beach Senior Center. The Center has been closed since March due to the pandemic but they are still delivering food to the seniors. One resident reached out and sent me a very kind thank you note to say how grateful she is to me personally for the meals she is receiving via UNIDAD since I sponsored the program 2 years ago. UNIDAD delivers over 1,000 meals a week and has delivered over 20,000 meals since March 16th. Keep up the good work UNIDAD! If you are interested in learning more about the various food programs taking place including those through Farm Share, South Florida Seniors In Action, UNIDAD, Miami-Dade County and/or the City of Miami Beach please don’t hesitate to reach out to Diana or me so we can connect you to the right food program for you.
Stay safe and healthy,
Michael
