|
|
|
|
|
***There will be no Weekly Updates on 12/28/2020 + 1/04/2021.***
|
|
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the US and around the world, a massive multinational effort spanning both the private and public sectors is underway to quickly and safely develop a viable vaccine. According to the US Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vaccine stimulates your body’s immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to a disease. After getting vaccinated, you develop immunity to that specific disease, without having to get the disease first. This is what makes vaccines such a powerful medical tool. Unlike most medicines, which treat or cure diseases, vaccines prevent them.
Last week, U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Moderna applied to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine. This means there will be at least two vaccine candidates seeking FDA approval. In November U.S.-based company Pfizer and Germany-based company BioNTech submitted for emergency use authorization for their own jointly produced COVID-19 vaccine. Other companies are not far behind. Some important information to be aware of as distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine draws closer:
- When the first vaccine could be approved: The FDA plans to make a decision about authorizing Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine - the first to file for distribution - within a few weeks of a meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 10, that will peer review Pfizer’s vaccine application in order to ensure it meets safety requirements. This will be done by the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. Should approval be granted, the first shipments of a vaccine could begin just before the end of 2020. Grocery and pharmacy stores like CVS and Walgreens, shipping companies, and airlines are already preparing for vaccine distribution and deployment via the acquisition of necessary cold storage infrastructure and training in appropriate handling requirements. The FDA is scheduled to review Moderna’s application Thursday, December 17 via the same committee.
- Who might get a vaccine first: The CDC called an emergency meeting on Tuesday, December 1 in order to vote on who they recommend should be the first to get a COVID-19 vaccine once one is authorized. The CDC has already recommended that the first group should include frontline healthcare providers and support personnel. This first group will also likely include residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
- How many doses there could be: The federal government has stated that 40 million COVID-19 vaccine doses could be available by the end of December 2020; pending approval. Dr. Larry Corey of the University of Washington, who is heading up COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in the US, has said that if both Pfizer and Moderna get their vaccines authorized, they could supply up to 50 million doses in January and up to 60 million in February and March of 2021. The CDC estimates there are 21 million healthcare personnel, 87 million essential workers, 100 million adults with high-risk medical conditions and 53 million others 65 and older; all of which could be some of the first eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Lt. General Paul Ostrowski, director of supply, production and distribution for Operation Warp Speed - the federal government's COVID-19 vaccine development program - has stated that a COVID-19 vaccine will be readily available by June 2021 for all those who want to be vaccinated.
- What is the state of Florida doing to prepare: In order to be prepared for a future COVID-19 vaccine’s distribution, the governor’s office announced that the state has procured 5 million needles, 5 million syringes and 5 million alcohol swabs in anticipation for the first groups of people to receive the vaccine. The state has also identified locations with the necessary refrigeration infrastructure to properly store COVID-19 vaccines, specifically Pfizer’s, which requires refrigeration temperatures of -94°F (-70°C) to remain viable. Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine does not have special refrigeration requirements and can be stored within normal refrigerators, allowing it to be more accessible. Please consider watching Governor Ron DeSantis’s COVID-19 vaccine update video.
The City will continue to provide updates about the ongoing efforts to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine as more developments occur.
|
|
|
|
The Cape Canaveral Giving Tree is back!
This year, COVID-19 has certainly presented us with new challenges in discovering different ways of safely going about our normal activities. Our Giving Tree Program is no different…
With local families in need this holiday season (maybe this year more than ever), we will continue the Giving Tree Program but in a safer, and slightly different manner than in the past.
If you wish to purchase items for a child on the Giving Tree list, tags with the information and gift ideas will be safely on display behind glass in the City Hall lobby. When you make a tag selection, you may physically take the tag with you or take a photo of the information on the tag you have selected. If you elect to take a photo, please let us know which tag you have selected so we can remove the tag from the window to eliminate duplicates. You may also call 321-868-1220 (x208) to receive tag information and/or to arrange a curbside drop-off of the purchased gift(s).
Gifts should be unwrapped and dropped off at City Hall by December 17th with the child’s information/tag attached to the purchase.
|
|
|
|
Please note: The City of Cape Canaveral, in a proactive attempt to encourage social distancing, will continue to evaluate the cancellation or postponement of future events on a case-by-case basis. Please check our website or Facebook for cancellations.
|
|
- The Cape Canaveral Public Library is open for business!
- Curbside pick-up is available at all Brevard County Public Library locations. When you are ready to pick up a book hold, just give the Library a call and let them know you’re on the way!
- For more information on any Library activities, booking the activity space for private events and meetings, or to find out how you can get involved with your local Library, call (321) 868-1101.
|
|
|
Current Projects: Please visit www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/projects for information on current City projects.
- Major Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)/Collections System Improvement Projects
- Estuary Property Activities
West Central Boulevard Improvements Project
The contractor (Gibbs & Register) initiated work to include reducing the size of the medians to allow for wider traffic lanes. The initial phase of work includes closing the westbound lane to traffic; the eastbound lane will be two-way traffic for the foreseeable future. The work area includes West Central Boulevard from SR A1A to Thurm Boulevard and will include the construction of streetscape amenities similar to Ridgewood and North Atlantic Avenues.
|
|
|
|
West Central Boulevard: Preparation for pedway construction – looking west.
|
|
|
City Council
- Continued preparing and reviewing agenda and items for December 15, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting.
BID #2020-03 – HEADWORKS AND FILTER IMPROVEMENTS
- Continued distributing Bid/Project information and documents to interested parties.
- The due date/location for Bid packet submittals and the Bid Opening will be at City Hall on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. and 2:05 p.m., respectively.
RFP #2020‑01 – COMMERCIAL SURF SCHOOL FRANCHISE
- Continued distributing information packets/documents to interested parties.
- The due date/location for RFP packet submittals and the RFP Opening will be at City Hall on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. and 3:05 p.m., respectively.
- If interested, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@cityofcapecanaveral.org for more details.
COVID-19, Hybrid (in-person & remote), Staff Meetings and other items
- City Clerk’s Office Staff are staggering working remotely and on-site, in an effort to continue following federal, state and local social-distancing, stay-at-home, PPE and phased return‑to‑work guidelines.
- Coordinated/registered 13 individuals (1 Council Member, 9 Board Members and 3 Staff members) to attend the Florida State University - Florida Institute of Government online course, Parliamentary Procedures.
|
|
- Meetings along with Community + Economic Development Director:
- Local sign contractor/subject matter expert regarding proposed electronic sign code revisions.
- City Attorney to discuss current City Council agenda item regarding alternative parking regulations.
- General Contractor and property owner regarding a proposed non-conforming lot development.
- Mayor Pro Tem Raymond and resident regarding Short Term Rentals (STR) and proposed Granicus/Host Compliance STR monitoring service.
- City Attorney regarding the redevelopment of Poinsetta Lodge Property.
- To review status of the conceptual Presidential Streets Neighborhood Plan.
- Met with Council Member Kellum and Culture + Community Affairs Director to discuss status of the palm log cabin on Oak Lane known as the “Chandler House”.
- Communicated with Council Members and the Mayor regarding various items and initiatives.
- Attended conference calls with the Emergency Operations Team (EOT), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and City Manager/County Manager teams.
- Actively monitoring COVID-19 and communicating information as needed.
- Attended virtual EDC meeting.
|
|
|
Excellent information in the December issue of the Livable Communities Newsletter from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs!
|
|
|
Staff Activities
- Attended Brevard County Emergency Management meetings for COVID-19 and Public Information Network..
- Assisted with remote operations technologies for staff meetings.
- Continued work on the 2020 State of the City report.
- Compiled and sent the Monthly Top 5 Update. What's that? Register online to receive the Top 5 need-to-know City news stories for the month!
- Met with Community + Economic Development team on CRA initiatives for 2021.
- Upgraded the accessibility features on the City Website with the UserWay's free accessibility widget, increasing the functionality and readability of the City's website users. Give it a try! Visit the City website and click the accessibility icon in the lower left corner of the screen.
|
|
🎄Our City is getting a seasonal glow up! 🎄
A special THANK YOU to our Infrastructure Maintenance Team for dressing up our City for the holidays!
|
|
|
Come join our team! Current Vacancy:
|
|
|
|
The City of Cape Canaveral School Crossing Guards play an important role in the lives of children who walk or bicycle to school. Their primary role is to help children safely cross the street on their way to and from school, however our well-trained crossing guards are also present to:
- Discourage children from behaving unsafely near traffic, such as darting into the street without looking or crossing against a traffic signal. A guard can encourage safe behavior by all pedestrians at the school crossing.
- Use existing gaps in traffic to help students cross safely. When the natural traffic flow does not allow enough time for children to safely cross a street, a guard may need to create gaps by stopping traffic temporarily. The guard stops traffic with hand signals or a STOP paddle, then verbally directs children to cross the street. A guard is always the first person in the street and the last person out of the street.
- Alert motorists that pedestrians are in the process of using the school crossing.
- Observe and report any incidents or conditions that present a potential safety hazard to the school children or the guard.
Thank you to our wonderful Crossing Guards!
|
|
|
Special Events
- Reindeer Run
This is your last call to register for the 25th Annual Reindeer Run. The run will take place this Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 a.m. at Cherie Down Park. All proceeds benefit Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charities Inc. The first 500 registrants, will receive a commemorative tech shirt. This run is part of the Space Coast Runners race series which is the most coveted series in Brevard County. There will be a huge amount of prizes given away through random drawings and all registered participants are qualified to be in the drawings. Prizes to include tickets to Universal Studios, hotel stays and gift cards to many local restaurants. Whether you’re a competitive runner looking to break a world record or would like to get a little exercise walking with your family that morning, you’re welcomed to participate in this fun and unique experience. Register online now!
- Letters from Santa
Santa’s mailbox is now open through December 15! Register your child to receive a personalized letter from Santa Claus before Christmas Day. Registration is FREE! Register online to receive a letter from Santa!
|
|
|
Leagues
Access scores, schedules, standings and register for future leagues online.
- Kickball played two games on Wednesday night at Canaveral City Park. R.S.C. beat W.S. in the first matchup by a score of 12-7. B.O.A.F. battled it out against JT’s, winning by a final score of 6-4. B.O.A.F. is leading the league with an undefeated record.
- Racquetball returned to the Nancy Hanson Recreation Complex for the second round of the Playoff Tournament. Roger faced-off against Tony and Greg was to take on the winner between Tim and Kyle. The next season is currently registering players for a league to begin in January.
- Monday Night Tennis is nearing the end of its season with Gary proving that he is the player to beat in all of Cape Canaveral. He currently sits at 6-0 and looks to remain undefeated next week against Sholon.
- Wednesday Tennis is in full swing with 11 players battling to be the new Champion in Cape Canaveral. Chad and Thorpe both remain undefeated, but will soon face each other to determine who will get the first seed in the Playoff bracket.
- Mixed Doubles Pickleball returned to the courts on Monday afternoon in what was an extremely competitive day of matches. Three of the four matches went to a tie breaker game to determine the winner. All players are enjoying the friendly competition and look forward to playing Pickleball every Monday.
- Last Tuesday, the Ladies Pickleball League played make up matches from November 19. Six of the eight matches took place and the other two were scheduled to take place last Friday. The ladies gathered at the courts Thursday night for their regularly scheduled matches. Madeux/Contreras along with Kellogg/Kern are currently leading the 3.0 division with an early jump out to a 2-0 record. Three teams in the 3.0+ division remain undefeated and look to battle on the courts each week to be the Ladies Advanced Champions.
|
|
|
Water Reclamation Facility
On Monday, November 30, Staff conducted a tour of the City’s Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) with representatives from the University of Stetson, Brevard County, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in order to facilitate discussions involving shoreline protection against storm surge and sea level rise. The WRF (located at 601 Thurm Blvd.) treats all of the City’s sewage and also serves as the Cape Canaveral Public Works Services Department headquarters, vehicle fleet yard and supply depot. As such, the WRF is perhaps the most critical piece of infrastructure within the City.
The tour will help guide further research and development with local and state partners to identify shoreline stabilization solutions along the WRF’s immediate coastline using some combination of green and gray infrastructure, as well as possible funding opportunities. Staff is also attempting to determine solutions that do not adversely impact the health and well-being of the Banana River Lagoon’s ecosystem. In the past, the WRF has experienced flooding from tropical cyclones and erosion. Hurricane Irma in 2017 was one of the most recent and significant erosion events at the WRF, leading to several sections of shoreline erosion that had to be promptly stabilized.
Shoreline protection efforts fall in line with an overall multi-year strengthening of the WRF’s infrastructure that includes the installation of semi-permanent flood barriers, increased reclaim water holding capacity, remote monitoring, new methods of filtration, software upgrades, backup generators and off grid solar lighting.
Solar Co-op
The nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has created a new solar co-op to help individuals purchase solar for their homes at a discounted rate on the Space Coast. Check out the Space Coast Solar Co-op website to learn more about how you can go solar in Cape Canaveral.
Watch this informative video from SUN about how a solar co-op works.
Adopt-A-Mangrove Program
The City of Cape Canaveral has established the Adopt-A-Mangrove Program to provide interested property owners with the opportunity to “adopt” Mangroves. This is a voluntary program that will assist with the planting and care of these important plants, which serve a critical role in the health and well-being of the Indian and Banana River Lagoon systems. Rules and guidelines must be met and followed by interested Mangrove “Adopters” who wish to partake in this volunteer community outreach initiative before planting on one’s property can begin. These guidelines are meant to ensure resident safety, City Code and state compliance and local environmental. Not meeting any one of the following can result in the refusal of participation by City Staff. Please read the Adopt-A-Mangrove Program Guide for further information Only those with properties that directly border the lagoon or a waterway connected to the lagoon are eligible for this program. Registration to receive a Mangrove began, Monday, October 5 and ends Friday, December 18. There are currently four spots available for this registration period.
Mangroves are a critical aspect of Florida’s marine ecosystems. Sometimes called the “kidneys of the coast,” Mangroves filter water they are situated in and can maintain water quality that helps coral reefs and near shore seagrasses grow. Due to their dense root structures, Mangroves also help to stabilize coastlines by reducing shoreline erosion, decreasing incoming wave energy, minimizing storm surge heights and potentially providing a wind break. This program falls in line with the City’s goal of planting 300 new Mangroves on its lagoon shoreline within five years.
Sustainability Website Revamp
In an effort to provide a more comprehensive overview of the City’s sustainability and resilience-based initiatives, the City’s sustainability website has been significantly expanded. Sustainability is a multidisciplinary field that involves everything from forward thinking policy development and engineering to urban planning and waste reduction in an effort to fulfill the needs of the present without compromising future generations. The City’s updated sustainability website now includes new subpages discussing the topics of clean transportation, climate awareness, the wellbeing of the Indian River Lagoon system, energy and energy efficiency, sea level rise, and water conservation. Also included are embedded and updated versions of the City’s community gardening and trash/recycling services web pages.
To learn more, visit the Sustainability page on our website. Each subpage will be updated with new research, statistics, and City projects on a regular basis.
|
|
|
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
Canaveral Precinct
Here at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, we are very proud to be serving the residents, business owners and visitors of the City of Cape Canaveral. We all have a responsibility in keeping our City safe and we continue to need your partnership to ensure we continue to do the best job possible.
The following numbers will assist us all in our common goals:
To Report an Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency Dispatch: (321) 633-7162
Cape Canaveral Precinct: (321) 868-1113
Everyone has a different vantage point and please never assume we already know what you know. Also, it is very important that you report any suspicious behavior, as it is occurring – please do not delay.
Please refer to our website for the many additional services we offer to our community from fingerprinting, notary services, to arranging a house check www.brevardsheriff.com/home/how-do-i/request/
Thank you for your continued support of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office!
Below are samplings of the actions taken by Canaveral deputies during this reporting period.
Please note: All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
| Beach Patrol |
Several beach patrols and beach access patrols conducted throughout this reporting period. |
2020-00413044
Arrest |
Michael Earl Landrum, age 40, Cape Canaveral resident, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia/equipment. |
2020-00414383
Arrest |
Stephen Travis Pyle, age 26, Cape Canaveral resident, was arrested for DUI. |
2020-00415531
Arrest |
Jamie Lyn Waltz, age 41, Cape Canaveral resident, was arrested for DUI. |
2020-00417826
Arrest |
Cody John Horne, age 28, Brevard County resident, was arrested for battery. |
|
|
Need to Report-a-Concern?
|
|
|
|
Residents who wish to report anonymous concerns may do so:
|
|
|
As a member of the Cape Canaveral Community, you are our eyes and ears. You can easily report a concern by submitting the info via the City website portal Cape Connect. The message will be automatically routed to the appropriate department. We need as much information as possible to address your concern quickly and efficiently. Don’t hold back when it comes to details! Let us know the time, date, exact location and anything else you think is important.
|
|
|
|
Visit the Report a Concern page for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
