Village Updates

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 – YOUR TUESDAY UPDATE

Key News

April 28, 2020

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

An Update from the Village of Key Biscayne

Good Evening, VKB Residents,
Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2020 and we are in week seven of the Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Response.
Stay Connected!
We are pleased to be able to offer the Village Connect updates in Español. We created a separate email distribution list for the English and Spanish versions of these updates. If you have been receiving the Village Connect updates, then you are already signed up for the English version.
  • If you are not receiving Village Connect and would like to receive it in English sign up here.
  • If you wish to unsubscribe from the English version please select unsubscribe in the small text at the bottom of this update.
  • To sign up for Village Connect en Español click here.
UPDATE: NEW EMERGENCY ORDER
The County Mayor and your Village government agree that it is too soon to re-open everything, but some waterways and parks will be open again as of tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Our beaches (including Beach Park), swimming pools, fitness centers and gyms remain CLOSED for your safety and the safety of all residents to minimize everyone’s potential contact with the virus. The more everyone complies with Emergency Orders, the sooner we can get back to the activities and places we love.
Informed by recommendations from health experts, Miami-Dade County is moving to a “new normal” and easing restrictions on parks, recreation and open spaces with limited activities.
Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 21-20 will be effective as of 6:00 a.m. tomorrow Wednesday, April 29.
All parks, recreational facilities, golf courses, and marinas in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade county may be open, but only under limited circumstances.
  • Bill Baggs State park remains closed
  • Beaches are still closed, including Beach Park
  • Calusa Park is closed
  • Crandon Park is closed, but the Marina and Tennis Center will re-open
  • City of Miami Parks (Virginia Key, Hobie Beach, Virginia Key Beach Park) remain closed
What is allowed?
  • The Village Green will be open exclusively to Seniors from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
  • Parks within the Village will be open to the General Public from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Outdoor exercise
  • Walking
  • Jogging
  • Running
  • Skating
  • Cycling
  • Golf and boating have limited activities – for full details and guidelines visit County and Village website, or access the Order via Village Connect
  • The use of facial coverings will be based on Village Emergency Order 20-6, as a reminder this Order:
  • Mandates facial covering for employees and customers at all times while inside Essential Businesses, and
  • Encourages facial covering for all persons that are outside of their homes.
  • Please note that the Village’s Order requires facial coverings consistent with CDC guidelines. CDC guidelines advise against cloth facial coverings being placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • Social distancing
  • 6-feet between individuals
  • Limit of groups to 10 people or fewer
Here are the restrictions that Key Biscayne is keeping in place:
  • Park restrooms will not be open to the public
  • Playgrounds remain closed. School outdoor facilities, like playgrounds, ball fields and basketball courts, remain closed.
  • Use of outdoor exercise equipment is still prohibited
  • Bike racks cannot be occupied
  • Dog parks remain closed
  • Table games, like dominoes or chess, are not allowed
  • No gatherings, which include picnic parties, organized competitive play, and pick-up games are allowed
  • No individual sports practice allowed, meaning: no shooting basketball, no racquetball, no tennis, no dribbling a ball, no throwing a ball, no kicking a ball and no similar activities are allowed
  • Anywhere on the Key, including Condos
  • Gyms and swimming pools remain closed
  • Recreational buildings/indoor facilities remain closed
  • Beaches are still closed, including Beach Park.
Here’s what remains CLOSED (not applicable to single-family residences):
  • Pools
  • Hot Tubs
  • Fitness Centers
  • Gymnasiums
Current Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Status
The Chart above illustrates current number of positive cases on Key Biscayne, from the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Data Daily Report.
Village of Key Biscayne Cases as Percentage of the Population
The chart above compares Village of Key Biscayne’s COVID-19 Cases with other Florida communities.
Cases on the Key
The data found in the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) daily report may differ from data available on Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard. Data in these reports are provisional and subject to change. FDOH is now providing only one report each day, as opposed to an A.M. and a P.M. report. As of today, the FDOH report indicates 62 positive COVID-19 cases on the Key. We do not receive personal information about infected residents from FDOH.
Per data the Foundation provided to the Village, 392 residents have been tested since the launch of the pilot drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. To date, this has yielded 7 positive cases. The patients were notified by BioCollections Worldwide, Inc.
Per data from Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, 42 residents have been tested to date through the COVID-19 pilot mobile testing unit, resulting in the identification of 4 positive cases. The patients were notified by Firefighter Paramedics.
COVID-19 Testing
There is a global demand for COVID-19 testing, as a result testing is contingent on availability of testing resources. Testing is geared toward high-risk residents including 65-years-old and older experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are immunocompromised, have diabetes, heart or pulmonary conditions. Testing is made by appointment only. Appointments are made through the Village of Key Biscayne COVID-19 Response Call Center (305-365-8910), which operates Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pilot Drive-Thru Testing Site
The Village of Key Biscayne and Key Biscayne Community Foundation continue to work collaboratively to serve Key Biscayne residents through the drive-thru testing site. Testing is available on Thursday, April 30 contingent upon the availability of test kits and testing resources. The drive-thru testing site located at St. Agnes Catholic Church operates from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To make an appointment, residents can call the COVID-19 Response Call Center or go to KBCovidTesting.org.
Pilot Mobile Testing Unit (MTU)
The Village of Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, operating autonomously, supplements drive-thru testing through their mobile testing unit, as needed, subject to the availability of tests and a safe and healthy workforce. The mobile testing unit is geared toward homebound residents who meet the eligibility criteria. It will operate on Wednesday, April 29 and Friday, May 1.
Alternative Testing Options
To learn more about other existing testing locations in South Florida, please visit the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 webpage.
Latest Updates:
Virtual Village Council Meeting Tonight, Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
To view the meeting agenda visit www.keybiscayne.fl.gov. Elected officials and Village staff will participate through video conference. Members of the public may watch or call in to the virtual public meeting live by following these instructions: Click Here For Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your COVID-19-related frequently asked questions.
Upcoming Town Hall with Rep. Shalala
Congresswoman Rep. Donna Shalala will be hosting a Tele-Town Hall Meeting for Village of Key Biscayne Residents on Monday, May 4, 2020 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. through Zoom. This meeting will include special guests Village of Key Biscayne Mayor Michael Davey, State Representative Nick Duran, and State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez.
To participate use Zoom Webinar ID: 895 0791 4463 Password: 325611
Village of Key Biscayne Department Updates:
Key Biscayne Police Department:
Emergency Order 20-7 effective as of April 22, 2020
This Emergency Order prohibits discretionary (nonessential) travel by all non-residents arriving on non-motorized vehicles from entering the Village of Key Biscayne as of Wednesday, April 22, 2020. To date, KBPD has asked 2,795 cyclists to turn around at Calusa Circle, just before the entrance to the Village.
Emergency Order 20-6: The CDC Advises Who Should NOT Wear Facial Coverings
Please note that the Village’s Order requires facial coverings inside essential businesses consistent with CDC guidelines. CDC guidelines, as provided here, advise against cloth facial coverings being placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Guidelines for Living by the New Rules
We are providing guidance specifically for condominiums, apartments, and multi-family dwellings. These are the rules we are all living by at this time, but it may be harder to know how to apply them in a non-single-family-home setting. This guide aims to assist everyone in complying with the Emergency Orders.
See Something, Say Something
Public safety is one of the core pillars of our community. We encourage you to join the Village in our efforts to keep Key Biscayners home and safe #KBStayHome. If you see someone not practicing social distance, please report it to KBPD by calling (305) 365-5555. Failure to follow Emergency Orders puts us all at greater risk. #ItTakesAVillage
Key Biscayne Fire Rescue:
Your Health
Many people are scared to visit a hospital these days, but do not neglect your personal health out of fear over the coronavirus. Hospitals are handling non-COVID-19-related medical emergencies with caution and care. Please seek appropriate medical attention if needed. If you or a loved one are experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or other medical emergencies, Key Biscayne Fire Rescue is equipped to help. Our Firefighter Paramedics can provide immediate assistance and get you to the hospital.
Key Biscayne Community Center:
Art After Dark with Dr. Batia Cohen
The Key Biscayne Community Center and Active Seniors on the Key Club, in partnership with the University of Miami, is offering complimentary lectures through Zoom on specific Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Tomorrow, April 29 the lecture topic is Claude Monet. To participate visit https://zoom.us/j/8766725466. To view the full schedule and flyer click here.
Weekly Fitness Calendar
The Key Biscayne Community Center’s Adults and Seniors Programs Coordinator, Roxy Lohuis-Tejeda, creates a “50+ Corner Virtual Calendar” filled with activities for each week. Check out what there is to do this week.
General Fitness Calendar
The KBCC has worked hard to provide residents with at-home fitness options from their regularly scheduled trainers and instructors. The new Fitness Calendar (page 1) (page 2) has all the information you need to work out from home with KBCC fitness instructors and personal trainers.
Communications:
How can I receive notifications and updates?
Sign up at the links below:
  • Village Emergency Alert Notifications: (Everbridge) Opt to receive a text message notification on your mobile phone from the Village Information and Notification System, including public safety or traffic alerts and information of special interest to the community.
  • Village Connect: (Constant Contact) Receive Village Public Service Announcements (PSA) emails from the Manager’s Office with traffic/construction alerts, public notices, special events & meetings, and information of special interest to the community.
  • If you would like to share this update, a link is available upon request. Send an email to response@keybiscayne.fl.gov with the subject: Link.
Website Resources:
View all response updates and other information on the Village of Key Biscayne website:
Community Engagement:
Building, Planning and Zoning/Public Works Department:
Update: Connecting to Sanitary Sewer
The Department of Environmental Resources (DERM) has extended the deadline for compliance to abandon septic and connect to sanitary sewer by 90 days, until September 30, 2020. This extension will be revisited in approximately 60 days and the extension for compliance may be adjusted accordingly as deemed necessary.
Permit Applications Allowed
The Village of Key Biscayne’s Building, Zoning and Planning Department will be allowing new permit applications for emergency repairs. To learn how the Department is currently operating and to learn more about new permits being issued at this time click here. To open the Building Application Permit form click here.
  • Applications (with licenses/insurance) along with plan in .pdf form should be emailed to onlinepermits@keybiscayne.fl.gov.
  • Payments can be accepted over the phone. Permit Clerk will contact customer when ready to obtain credit card information.
Building Code Inspections
There are new procedures for Building Code inspections to be used during the COVID-19 Emergency Period. Inspections can now be requested at inspections@keybiscayne.fl.gov. Inspections may be performed by qualified professionals, or by the appropriate Village inspector virtually or on-site. Inspection requests must include a permit number, contact name and phone number.
Water Restrictions
Did you know that Miami-Dade County has permanent water restrictions? Click here to view the guidelines.
Have a great week!
-Your Village of Key Biscayne
The Hundred Million Dollar Question: Our Two Cents Franklin H. Caplan, Luis F. de la Cruz

July 30, 2020

Resiliency and Property Values Franklin H. Caplan, Barry S. Goldmeier

July 29, 2020

A Covid-19 Death on Key Biscayne. Many Knew Pepe Charles D. Sherman

June 24, 2020