City of Hollywood COVID-19 Update

Friday, May 1, 2020

The City continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and is taking the necessary precautions for the safety and well-being of our community. We are working closely with local and state officials and remain vigilant in following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Florida Department of Health guidelines.

Broward County Recreational Facilities Reopen

As of Wednesday, April 29^th, Broward County reopened some recreational facilities including certain county parks, golf courses, boat ramps, marinas, and pools in multifamily developments. All of the openings come with specific restrictions including limited hours, usage guidelines, social distancing requirements and other regulations to limit interaction.

While County/City operated public pools remain closed, pools located in multi-family housing or condominium developments, condominium hotels, or housing developments that are used only by residents of the housing development may be utilized following CDC social distancing guidelines and the pool/pool deck occupancy must be limited to no greater than 50% of capacity. In addition, usage must be supervised for compliance with CDC guidelines and all equipment and furnishings must be sanitized regularly or removed from the pool deck.

All beaches in Broward County remain closed, as well as non-essential businesses. For additional information about which facilities have reopened, please visit the County's COVID-19 website.

City Planning for Reopening of Recreational Facilities Next Week

In monitoring the data related to COVID-19 cases in South Florida and the 14 day trend in new cases as documented by the Florida Department of Health each day, the City of Hollywood will not be reopening City parks, public or private golf courses, or boat ramps or marinas at this time. The City will continue to monitor the case data in preparation for the possible phased reopening of certain recreational amenities starting Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Information on closures and cancellations in the City of Hollywood is updated daily on the Emergency Orders and Cancellations page at www.hollywoodfl.org under City News.

Watch/Participate CRA BOard/COmmission Meeting

Virtual CRA Board and City Commission Meetings
Wednesday, May 6th

The virtual meetings will continue next week on Wednesday, May 6^th for the Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting at 9:00 a.m. and Regular City Commission Meeting at 1:00 p.m. In accordance with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order No. 20-69, and due to the current prohibition on public access to Hollywood City Hall, the City is offering a number of options for members of the public to view and participate in these May 6^th meetings from their home.

View Agendas

The Regular City Commission and CRA Board Meeting Agendas are available online. VIEW AGENDAS

Watch the May 6^th Meetings:

WATCH LIVE WEBSTREAM on the City’s website
Comcast Channel 78
ATT U-Verse Channel 99

Submit a Public Comment:

Any member of the public wishing to comment publicly on any matter, including specific agenda items and/or Citizens Comments may do so via the City’s website at the links below or via telephone.
Comments are limited to 400 words and/or 3 minute spoken maximum.
Staff will read the comments into the record during the meeting. All comments received during the submission period will become part of the public record.

CRA Meeting Online Public Comment Submission Form:

CLICK HERE to submit a comment for the CRA Board Meeting
Comments must be received by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5
Those without internet access or who may need additional assistance, may call the CRA Office Administrative Assistant at 954.924.2980 during normal business hours

City Commission Meeting Online Public Comment Submission Form:

CLICK HERE to submit a comment for the City Commission Meeting
Comments must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5
Those without internet access or who may need additional assistance, may call the City Clerk at 954.921.3211 during normal business hours

Please note: Comments left on voicemail machines, emailed, posted to the City or CRA social media accounts or submitted after stated deadlines will not be accepted.

Important Update on Reemployment Assistance

(formerly Unemployment Compensation)

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, if you were denied Reemployment Assistance benefits or if you applied on or before April 4, you should reapply online at www.FloridaJobs.org (regardless of whether you have received a response from the department). This includes gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, people who just moved to Florida, or almost anyone else who wouldn’t normally be eligible for state benefits.

If you applied on or after April 5 for Reemployment Assistance benefits, the state will be able to process your claim and you do not need to reapply.

For more information on Reemployment Assistance, including the City's step-by-step Application Guide, help resetting your PIN, and a list of locations where you can obtain a paper application, please visit: http://choosehollywoodfl.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=184

Take the Census Today

10 minutes is all it takes!

National Self-Response Rate: 55.6%
Florida's Self-Response Rate: 53.3%

Hollywood's Self-Response Rate: 48.9%

Have you completed the Census questionnaire? It’s important that you do so. Your response ensures Hollywood receives federal support for a wide range of important services including public safety, education, healthcare and workers benefits. There’s Strength in Numbers…Make Hollywood Strong! Fill out your Census questionnaire today: www.my2020census.go v.

Hurricane Season begins on June 1st. Is Your Business Ready?

If your answer is no, then mark your calendar and register now for a free disaster preparedness event for businesses hosted by the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development. Get the insights you need to develop and implement a business continuity strategy to weather a hurricane or any other natural or man-made disaster.

Have You Colored Your Turtle?

#StayStrongHollywoodFL

Looking for a way to show your Hollywood pride and send a positive message of hope, strength and unity? The City of Hollywood has created a downloadable coloring page for residents to decorate and display in their windows. Children are encouraged, with the help of a parent or guardian, to download and print out the City’s sea turtle logo coloring page from the City website. The coloring page can then be personalized and proudly displayed in a show of community spirit during our current “safer-at-home” emergency restrictions.

Annual Water Line Flushing
Program Set To Begin

The City's Department of Public Utilities' Annual Free Chlorine Line Flushing Program is set to begin on May 10th. The free chlorine portion of this program will end June 15th. If necessary, flushing may continue across the City through June 30th to achieve optimal system maintenance.

This annual flushing helps rid the water distribution pipelines of any accumulated sediments. The hydrant flushing may temporarily cause cloudy or discolored water, which should clear in a few hours. Residents may also notice a change in the taste of their water during this time as well.The cloudiness is due to sediment in the pipelines and is not harmful or hazardous. You can speed the clearing by opening your faucets and taps and letting them run until your water runs clear.

Typically, flushing will take place in the evening hours between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. when the demand for water is low.

Owners and managers of businesses with fish and shellfish holding tanks and users of kidney dialysis machines are advised that regular methods for testing and removing free chlorine will not be effective during the remainder of the flushing period. It will be necessary to test and adjust for chloramines after June 15th.

For more information on the discontinuance of Free Chlorination or additional quesitons, please call the City of Hollywood Water Treatment Plant at 954.967.4230. Ask for Carlos Aguilera, Public Utilities Manager, or Luis Montoya, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent.

Virtual Inspections

The City of Hollywood Building Department is now offering customers the option for Virtual Inspections for all inspections required during permitting. As of this week, inspectors have conducted more than 627 virtual inspections to keep construction moving forward.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Building Officials proactively sought a reliable alternative to in-person inspections. The Virtual Inspection method is quick and easy for customers, and allows City Inspectors to clearly see the work that has been performed to ensure all safety requirements and building codes are met.

Visit the Hollywood website for more information or to schedule your Virtual Inspection.

Food Assistance for Hollywood Residents

Several organizations are providing food assistance for Hollywood residents. Visit the City's website for participating organizations.

Recovered from COVID-19? Your plasma can help!

Memorial Healthcare System is in need of plasma donors!
Learn how to donate potentially lifesaving plasma to those in need.

Safer at Home Emergency Order in Effect in the City of Hollywood

The City of Hollywood is currently under a Shelter-in-Place: Safer at Home Policy for residents. All individuals are ordered to remain home other than to engage or patronize essential businesses or conduct essential activities. This order doesn’t mean you are required to stay inside, but it does mean your travel is limited to and from essential businesses and services.

All are encouraged to read this order to familiarize yourself with what this means for you and your family. It's vitally important that all in Hollywood follow this order.

State, county, and local officials have all issued orders on essential services and activities mandating the public stay at home as much as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 effective April 3, 2020 that mandates “all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.” This order for the state of Florida has been extended to May 4, 2020 when the state will begin a phased reopening, however Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties have been excluded from the order until further notice.