HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10415 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10415
May 22, 2020
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 1
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rrn SUBJECT: Weekly Update on COVID-19 Advisory Committees
This is the ninth weekly update on the work of four ad hoc advisory committees appointed by the City Council to
address urgent issues associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency.These advisory committees, each co-
chaired by two Council members, are dealing with reopening the economy, small business and economic recovery,
education and childcare, and community services.The following is a summary of their progress during the past
week.
Committee on Reopening the Economy(CORE), co-chaired by Brian Byrd and Dennis Shingleton
CORE met this week and received an updated briefing from Dr. Keith Argenbright.The Governor continues to
reopen businesses. CORE has sent a list of questions for clarification to the Governor's Task Force and has received
clarification on a few items. Visit Fort Worth is providing regular updates on data around tourism and reopening
efforts. CORE is discussing moving meetings to every other week.The latest handbook can be found here:
http://fortworthtexas.gov/files/82f46939-b85c-4cd5-8a3d-19le4e8b4b75.pdf
Small Business and Economic Recovery Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Cary Moon and Ann Zadeh
This committee held its final meeting on May 22, having completed its assigned work. As the COVID-19 curve
begins to flatten and we begin to reopen the local economy, our focus is shifting from addressing urgent issues
associated with the pandemic to serving our residents in new ways.
1. Financial assistance:The group was given more information about the microloan program. Loans under
$25,000 are credit-sensitive, while loans over$25,000 look at cash flow and PeopleFund tries to get an SBA
guarantee if possible. Approximately$300,000 has been loaned out at this time.The committee also
received a report on the proposed $10 million grant program that will be launched on May 26th to support
small businesses.The Chambers gave an overview of the "Protect the Fort" personal protective equipment
(PPE) and grant program made possible by Facebook and Hillwood. Over 600 companies were able to take
advantage of the PPE program and it was very well received. Other cities across the nation have been
looking at the program as a model to emulate.The grant program received over 600 applications in the first
few days with 500 of them indicating that they had not received any CARES Act funding.The Chambers will
also be working with the companies that have applied to provide ongoing assistance.
2. Restaurant/retail issues: We are starting to see restaurants that are permanently closing due to COVID-19.
The 25 percent occupancy is not economically feasible and there is no real timeline on when increased
capacity will occur. Bars are also concerned about the lack of specific guidance from the State and trying to
hold on until that happens. Many companies are concerned about keeping customers safe while also
dealing with customers that do not want to adhere to the guidelines. Restaurants have ramped up
production for curbside orders, but they will need to transition back to dine-in operations and cannot do
that until the occupancy levels can be higher.There are still ongoing concerns about being sued and
potential litigation from reopening. Employment remains an issue as people are not coming back to work
due to the increased unemployment benefit being provided by the CARES Act.
3. Marketing/communications:The City is preparing to do a push on the upcoming grant program. There will
be a second wave of promotion on the microloan program after the grant application period is over.The
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10415
May 22, 2020
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2
{i7 Y
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rrn SUBJECT: Weekly Update on COVID-19 Advisory Committees
committee discussed a public relations campaign to support our restaurants and adhering to the guidelines.
We also need to continue to expand Buy Local efforts across all industries.
4. Business recovery:This subcommittee is working to develop a plan that can be passed on to the Fort Worth
Now initiative.The subcommittee has developed a five-point plan that has several concepts they are
working to prioritize.They are attempting to boil down the twenty-page plan into a shorter document and
develop a timeframe to complete the objectives.There were comments that we need advocates for the
central city on the Fort Worth Now initiative to ensure business and jobs can grow in these areas.The Real
Estate Council held a market sector webinar and got some positive feedback from the real estate
community on future development opportunities.
Education and Childcare Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Carlos Flores and Kelly Allen Gray
This committee is nearing the completion of its assigned work and has scheduled three more meetings,to be held
on May 27,June 10, and June 24.
1. School scheduling:The Fort Worth Independent School District this week lunched a survey of students and
parents to assess their interest in various scheduling options for the 2020-21 academic year. These options
include hybrid schedules whereby students attend classes in person on certain days of the week and
remotely on the other days, or in person at limited hours of each day and remotely during the remainder of
the day. The school board should be discussing the results of this survey at its regular meeting on June 9.
2. Childcare services:The Governor's Executive Order No. GA-23, issued on May 18, allows childcare facilities
immediately to reopen services for all children,whereas they could previously serve only the children of
essential workers. Meanwhile,the Texas Workforce Commission this week began phasing out the
emergency program to subsidize childcare for the families of essential workers. Those essential workers
who already participate in this program will continue to receive free childcare services for the remainder of
their three-month enrollment period. With more than 1,100 participants,Tarrant County participation rate
is the highest among all urban counties in Texas. We now have almost 9,600 childcare slots available at 705
licensed facilities throughout Tarrant County, including 334 childcare centers and 371 family homes.The
website for the online search tool is http://find.bestplace4kids.com.
3. Summer programs:The Governor's most recent executive order allows youth camps and youth sports
programs to reopen on May 31. In compliance with this order, and in view of local data about the spread of
coronavirus,the City will reopen certain community centers and libraries for limited purposes starting on
June 1. Subject to appropriate public health precautions,we expect to provide a six-week summer day
camp and reading instruction program from June 29 through August 7.
Community Services Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Gyna Bivens and Jungus Jordan
This committee is now meeting every other week and will have a report next week for May 29. Information on
community resources can be found here: http://fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/community-resources/.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10415
May 22, 2020
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3
{i7 Y
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rrn SUBJECT: Weekly Update on COVID-19 Advisory Committees
If you have any questions about this information, please contact the following staff members as appropriate:
o Reopening the Economy: Chelsea Adler, Chief of Staff(817-392-6363);
o Small Business and Economic Recovery: Robert Sturns, Economic Development Director(817-392-2663);
o Education and Childcare: Fernando Costa, Assistant City Manager(817-392-6122); and
o Community Services: Dana Burghdoff, Assistant City Manager(817-392-8018).
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS