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My Fellow Residents,
What a year 2020 has been! Seems like one minute we were going about our business as usual and then next we are faced with a deadly pandemic that has brought hardship to millions of hardworking individuals, families and businesses throughout the world. As Vice Mayor of Miramar, safeguarding your health and well-being is one of my highest priority.
Food Distribution:
As the weeks passed, families who were out of work and without a paycheck looked for help. As early as March of this year I began to hear from residents who were impacted by COVID-19 and I launched the first food distribution that led the way to what is now the largest distribution site in all South Florida. Pastor David Range was gracious enough to allow us to use the church premises as we began the first distribution at Miramar United Methodist Church where we served almost 500 families. It was evident that the need was greater than I imagined so we moved to a City owned facility at the Miramar Multi-Service Complex. We were able serve over 2,000 families that week. Again, obvious that we needed a much larger location it was soon moved to Miramar Regional Park, 18601 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, Fl 33025 where every Thursday from 8 am to 10 am available food items can be picked up utilizing a drive-thru method. Currently we are able to assist approximately 3,000 families per week from this location. To ease the pressure of those not able to make it to Miramar Regional Park, I also distribute from 2 other sites. Miramar United Methodist Church, 2507 Utopia Drive, Miramar, FL 33023, has a contactless, grab and go distribution where we service 200-250 families per week. Families are welcomed to pick up from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.
At Holiness Born Again Church, 6452 Pembroke Road, Miramar, FL 33023 we package and deliver from this location to the sick, shut-in, elderly and those without transportation. A few walk-ins can pick up also. We are able to assist another 200 families this way each week.
If you know someone who meets these criteria and need to have food delivered for either themselves, a friend, neighbor or family member, please call my office at 954-602-3154.
Mask Distribution:
As the pandemic progressed and we learnt more about COVID-19, I became concerned about our seniors. To protect them I began a mask distribution in April 2020. However, at that time masks were very hard to find, and we quickly ran out. To combat the shortage, I began an operation to sew cloth masks. Residents could pick up masks at locations throughout Miramar. In addition, residents who didn’t have transportation were asked to text to cellphone number 954-604-9912 and masks were either delivered or mailed to them. As your Vice Mayor, I implore you to protect yourselves and others. If you are a Miramar resident and in need of masks, please call my office at 954-602-3154 or text MASK and your address to 954-604-9912.
Drive-up COVID-19 Testing Site:
A few months ago, no one could have imagined how this entire globe would be thrown into turmoil by this new virus. As I reflected on the progress science had made and the lessons, we have had to learn to deal with it, I made a commitment to do all I can to help to save lives. Recently I partnered with Homesafe1st to offer anyone who wishes to get tested, a convenient and free supervised self-administered saliva test with a 48 hour turn around on results.
Homesafe1st mission is to save lives by isolating and eliminating the coronavirus pandemic.
They are an emergency management and awareness solution that specialize in connecting resources to underserved communities. As someone who experienced COVID-19, this partnership is very important to me. My goal is to keep our communities safe, especially the residents of Miramar.
Homesafe1st has created an efficient Covid-19 testing & public safety solution, handling everything from Awareness, to Pre-registration, Appointment Setting, Anti Body & PCR Testing, Delivery of Lab Results, Patient Follow Ups, and Contact Tracing.
We cannot let our guard down when it comes to this virus. Testing is essential to help control the spread. The Homesafe1st program works relentlessly to support and empower the communities it serves. Homesafe1st not only administers the test but follow you to recovery. Individuals understand that they are not helpless and alone after testing positive and those that are negative are given valuable information to continue to protect themselves and others. Homesafe1st recognizes that the single most important intervention for breaking chains of transmission is contact tracing and quarantining and so this is an integral part of the program.
Through partnership with Amazon, Homesafe1st utilizes a cloud-based call center for 24/7 operations with HIPAA and Johns Hopkins Contract Trace certified agents.
Registration is easy. For appointments, you can register at homesafe1st.com/covid or by calling 800-935-9505, or scan the QR code below for easy access to the registration portal.
The test is FREE. However, under the CARES Act if you have health insurance the government requires you to use it. There will be NO out of pocket cost to you, therefore NO co-payment and NO deductible. Persons without insurance will still be able to get the test done also at NO cost to them. Your social security number is not required.
If we are ever to eradicate this virus, it is essential that everyone has access to COVID-19 testing, so through a special arrangement with a nonprofit organization, persons out of immigration status can be tested at this site at no cost to them and no ID needed.
Country Club Ranches Water Distribution System Improvement Project:
I have been instrumental in providing potable drinking water to Country Club Ranches in order to improve public health, enhance fire protection and provide safe and reliable drinking water to the community. The original plan was for Phase 1 which is a public right-of-way, and was subsequently divided into three phases: Phase 1A, Phase 1B and Phase 1C.
• Phase 1A is bounded by Old Miramar Parkway to the north, SW 137th Ave to the west, SW 41st Street to the south and SW 136th Ave to the east;
• Phase 1B (Bid Alternate) bounded by Old Miramar Parkway to the north, SW 141st Ave to the west, SW 41st Street to the south and SW 139th Ave to the east;
• Phase 1C (Bid Alternate) is on Old Miramar Parkway, from SW 136th Ave to SW 124th Ave.
We are currently in the process of advertising for prospective bidders which should be out on Demand Star by October 28, 2020. The targeted start date is February/March 2021
Cost Estimates:
• Phase 1A – Approximately $1.3 M
• Phase 1B – Approximately $1.6 M
• Phase 1C – Approximately $800K
Budget for Project:
• Fiscal year 2021 – $2.50 million (this includes money from FY20)
• Fiscal year 2022 – $1.0 million
Goal for the next 3 years:
• Complete Construction of Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C
• Design Services only for Phases 2 and 3 which are for private roads. Easements will be required from residents to move forward with construction.
Traffic Calming Devices
Our roadways, especially within the inner communities have been plagued by cars speeding all hours of the day and even faster at nights. Residents sleeping are being disturbed by the overbearing noise of engines racing and the screeching sound the tires make when drivers maneuver hand brake turns, leaving circular tire marks as evidence of their activities. I have visited developments such as Huntington in West Miramar and 68th Avenue in the East where residents are concerned about their safety and the foreboding anticipation of accidents.
I am pleased to announce that I have worked with the City Manager and staff, and funds have been allocated to implement traffic calming devices in areas that need it the most.
MASH and EMAP programs: Financial Assistance for Electric, Water, Gas and Rent Payments
In the last issue of News Miramar, I mentioned the MASH and EMAP programs. When I first came into Office, The City of Miramar had a great program called MASH to assist seniors with their electric, water, gas and rent payments. However, persons under 60 also need a similar program to alleviate hardships as well, and so at my request EMAP was created to assist residents 59 and younger. Last year the programs were allotted $30,000 each (total of $60,000) with funds transferrable from one program to the other if the need arise. For fiscal year 2021, I requested increased funding for these programs and am pleased to announce that Miramar residents will be able to benefit from them even more.
MASH – Miramar Assisting Seniors in their Homes provides financial assistance to qualifying households with at least one person aged 60 or older, experiencing a crisis. MASH is able to assist clients with a maximum benefit of $550 during each fiscal year. This includes electric, water and gas bills, as well as, rent payments. Households will qualify for one benefit (EMAP or MASH). Benefits cannot be combined.
EMAP – Emergency Miramar Assistance Program provides financial assistance to qualifying households with occupants 59 years old and younger, experiencing a crisis. EMAP is able to assist clients with a maximum benefit of $550 during each fiscal year. This includes electric, water and gas bills, as well as, rent payments. Households will qualify for one benefit (EMAP or MASH). Benefits cannot be combined.
Miramar resident’s having trouble paying for rent, electric, water and gas please call my office at 954-602-3154 to find out if you qualify for assistance.
Upcoming Events:
Loving Till It Hurts, October 30th, 7 pm at Ansin Sports Complex – A movie focusing on Domestic Violence
Harvest Drive-Up for Miramar Schools, “Supporting Families Through COVID-19” – October 30th, City Hall from 2 pm – 5:30 pm and at Sunset Lakes Community Center. Also on October 30th, Miramar Multiservice Complex from 2 pm – 3:30 pm. Please contact your child’s school to be added to the list.
Max 1000 Turkey Drive-Thru Giveaway, November 21, City Hall, 9 am – 1 pm and Miramar Multiservice Complex, from 2 pm – 5 pm. Please sign up on max1000trukeygiveaway.eventbrite.com
Hispanics on the Move, November 22 – A drive thru parade in celebration of the lives and contribution of Hispanics to the City of Miramar and beyond. Please call my office at 954-602-3154 for further details.
