HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0002) IR 20-10416 - COVID-19 Advisory CommitteesINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 20-10416
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 2, 2020
Page 1 of 3
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE ON COVID-19 ADVISORY COMMITTEES
This is the tenth weekly update on the work of four ad hoc advisory committees appointed by the City Council on
March 19 to address urgent issues associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency. These committees, each
co-chaired by two Council members, have provided timely leadership during a period of difficulty and uncertainty
for our community. As the pandemic curve begins to flatten and we begin to reopen the local economy, however,
our focus has begun shifting from emergency response to the delivery of public services in new and better
ways. The small business and economic recovery committee has completed its assigned work, but its
subcommittee on entrepreneurship and recovery continues to meet for discussions about their recovery plan. The
other three committees — on reopening the economy, education and childcare, and community services — have
made enough progress to justify moving toward biweekly meeting schedules. 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 did not meet this week but will meet again during the week of June 1.
Small Business and Economic Recovery Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Cary Moon and Ann Zadeh
This committee, which was focused on the immediate and near -term impacts of the pandemic, has decided to
stand down as the City is shifting to long-term recovery guidance. The entrepreneurship and recovery
subcommittee, however, will continue meeting to finish their recovery plan, which they intend to present to Fort
Worth Now upon completion.
1. Financial Assistance: The group was provided an update on the launching of the CARES Act funded
"Preserve the Fort" grant program. The grant application period began on Tuesday, May 26th, and will run
until 11:59 p.m. on June 8. The City and Chamber partners will be processing the applications over the
following weeks with the intent of distributing the funds by the end of June. The Chambers updated the
committee on the Protect the Fort grant program, which will be closing on May 22nd, and they have
received over 1,000 applications. The goal is to fund those grants by mid -June. The City's Economic
Development Department had their GIS researcher plot the applicants on a map and the applicant pool was
well spread across the entirety of Fort Worth. Tarrant SBDC updated the committee on where they are
dedicating their efforts. They have found that small businesses are still undercapitalized, even with the
grants and loan that are being provided. This has led them to develop a program called "Plan B," which
methodically walks small businesses owners though an evaluation process on how they are currently doing
business, what is working and not working, and how they could pivot their business to give them the
greatest impact. This type of program aligns with the work of the recovery subcommittee and the partners
at the Guinn Campus will meet to see how these types of initiatives can be expanded.
2. Restaurant/Retail Issues: Near Southside, Inc. has expressed concern about increases in appraised value as
they affect business owners and has raised questions about whether the Tarrant Appraisal District in some
cases has assessed property above their actual value even before COVID hit. This issue is having a
significant impact upon both landlords and tenants. The committee recommended putting together an
online seminar to explain the protest process and how to pull together the information needed to complete
this activity. Near Southside, Inc. will look at developing this seminar for its members.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 20-10416
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 2, 2020
Page 2 of 3
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE ON COVID-19 ADVISORY COMMITTEES
3. Marketing/Communications: The City's communications team reported on the marketing plans and
materials for the Preserve the Fort grant program. A website was launched for the application and can be
found at: http://fortworthtexas.gov/preserve-the-fort/. A media kit has been shared with the committee
that includes social media images, fliers, FAQs, a press release, banner images for websites, and more. All
of these will be translated into Spanish and Vietnamese. Visit Fort Worth let the committee know that, in
partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and the City, they will launch a "re -open responsibly"
campaign to allow businesses to show that they are following best practices for wellness and safety.
4. Business Recovery: Workforce Solutions provided an update on current unemployment rates: Texas 12.8%,
Tarrant County 13.5%, Arlington 14.5%, Fort Worth 13.5%. Even though the volume of unemployment
benefit applications has decreased, it is still higher than they have experienced in years. Unemployment
reports can be found at the following link: https://workforcesolutions.net/#unemploVmentdata. East FW
Inc. advocated that we form a group, including the Chambers, SEFW Inc., Fort Worth Now, etc., that would
lead a concentrated effort on redeveloping the Central City, utilizing Cavile Place and Butler Place as
catalysts. City staff will explore this opportunity.
Education and Childcare Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Carlos Flores and Kelly Allen Gray
1. School scheduling: As of May 27, the Fort Worth Independent School District had received more than
23,000 responses to its survey of students, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders about their
interest in various scheduling options for the 2020-21 academic year. These options include hybrid
schedules whereby students would 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 district will complete the survey on May 31, after which the school board will be discussing the
survey results at its regular meeting on June 9. In the meantime, virtual summer school will begin on June 3
and run through June 30.
2. Childcare services: As residents have begun returning to work and the demand for childcare services has
increased proportionately, the number of available childcare slots in Tarrant County has declined
somewhat but still exceeds 9,600 at 722 licensed facilities. Some 1,259 children of essential workers have
received subsidized care through the Texas Workforce Commission's emergency program, bringing more
than $2.5 million of funding into Tarrant County. The website for the online search tool is
htto://find.bestolace4kids.com.
3. Summer programs: The City will reopen certain community centers and libraries for limited purposes
starting on June 1. Other community centers and libraries will reopen during the month of June as we are
able to make physical modifications and provide essential supplies to protect employees and residents from
the spread of coronavirus. 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
1. Rental/household assistance and evictions: Neighborhood Services (NSD) has received 1,090 applications
through the CARES Emergency Household Assistance Program since May 7. Over 300 have been processed
for applicants who have provided required documents. NSD is partnering with Tarrant County Justice of the
Peace courts to share information on funding and services available through the City to mitigate evictions.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 20-10416
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 2, 2020
Page 3 of 3
SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE ON COVID-19 ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Communications: Communications distributed 10,000 COVID-19 postcards to food pantries and food
distribution sites last week. The Community Engagement Bulletin and Faith -Based Bulletin are now being
distributed twice weekly, and both are translated into Spanish and include all COVID-19 resources, fliers,
etc. Community Engagement and Neighborhood Services have completed phone calls to two-thirds of
senior adults in zip code 76112. Six more Worth Sharing neighborhood stories have been completed for City
News. For more information on resources: http://fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19/community-resources/.
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