M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Honorable Mayor Tim Meerbott
Date: June 17, 2020
Re: Urging Miami-Dade County to Transfer Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Direct Federal Funds to the Town of Cutler Bay, and to Other Units of Local Government Within the County, Based on Populations and Rates of COVID-19 Cases
REQUEST
title
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR CARLOS A. GIMENEZ AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO TRANSFER CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT DIRECT FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY AND TO OTHER UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE COUNTY BASED ON POPULATION AND RATES OF COVID-19 CASES; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
By January 30, 2020, a new significant outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) had emerged throughout the World and the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency existed in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19 and confirmed eight (8) counties in Florida, including Miami-Dade County (“County”), to have tested positive for the disease. COVID-19 poses a health risk to the Town of Cutler Bay (“Town”) residents (particularly elderly residents) and responding to the threat may require extraordinary and immediate actions by the Town in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
On March 13, 2020, a National Emergency was declared by President Donald J. Trump of the United States via Proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 9, 2020, a State of Emergency was declared by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis via Executive Order No. 20-52. On March 13, 2020, a Declaration of Local State of Emergency was issued by County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. On March 13, 2020, a State of Emergency was declared by Town Manager Rafael G. Casals.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and appropriated $150 billion of direct federal funding for state and local governments to address unforeseen financial needs and risks created by the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency. States and units of local government with more than 500,000 residents received direct federal funding through the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Twelve (12) localities in the State of Florida (“State”) received direct federal funds and no city in Florida (except the combined city/county government of Jacksonville/Duval County) received direct funding.
The CARES Act appropriated nearly half a billion dollars ($474,085,078.50) to the County, making this the highest amount in direct federal funding to any eligible local government in the State as indicated in the attached and incorporated list of Payments to States and Eligible Units of Local Governments (Attachment “A”).
The Town has taken unprecedented steps in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our community to include assisting in the setup of COVID-19 testing and feeding sites that have served residents from the Town and neighboring cities within the County, increasing police patrols and enforcing State, County and Town Emergency Orders, and County curfews providing for the protection of public health, safety and welfare. The Town, and other local units of government, have experienced unforeseen financial needs and risks created by the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt this Resolution urging County Mayor Gimenez and the Board of County Commissioners to transfer CARES Act funds to the Town of Cutler Bay, and to other units of local government within the County, based on population and rates of COVID-19 cases, and direct the Town Clerk to provide a copy of this Resolution to the County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Ø Attachment “A” - List of Payments to States and Eligible Units of Local Governments