City Provides Tip for Staying Safe During Heat Advisory - Update #129

Thursday, July 9, 2020

CLEVELAND - The City of Cleveland reminds residents to exercise extra caution during high temperature days. Today, the temperature will reach 82 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. It has also issued an air quality alert until midnight.

Tips for Staying Safe During Heat Advisory

  • Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine.
  • Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes during hot weather.
  • Cover your head with a hat and use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.
  • Keep cool in the shade. If you don’t have air conditioning, visit cool areas like a City Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center or library on high heat days.
  • Always check on friends and neighbors, especially those who are seniors or have young children. Click here to download the Department of Aging’s summer heat booklet for more senior tips.
  • Keep an eye on pets! Make sure pets have access to plenty of shade and have plenty of water. Be careful when walking pets on asphalt, as sensitive pet paws can burn on hot surfaces.
  • Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles.
  • Keep an eye out for air quality alerts during excessive heat. Populations with existing respiratory conditions – such as asthma, COPD or lung cancer, as well as vulnerable populations such as the elderly and youth – are at risk due to increased air pollution during excessive heat. Call the Air Quality Hotline at (216) 664-7442 or visit airnow.gov for daily updates.
  • Consider refraining from activities that contribute to poor air quality during excessive heat waves including mowing your lawn, refueling your vehicle, open burning of any kind and unnecessary driving trips.
  • Recognize the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
  • Do not open fire hydrants for any reason. An open hydrant can reduce the amount of water available at another hydrant during an emergency.

REMINDER: City Excise Tax Payment Extension

The City of Cleveland is extending payment deadlines for the following excise tax returns to alleviate administrative burden for businesses that are facing operational impacts from the coronavirus public health emergency:

  • Admissions tax due April 30, May 30 and June 30
  • Motor Vehicle Lessor (rental car) tax due April 30, May 31 and June 30
  • Parking tax due April 20, May 20 and June 20
  • Transient Occupancy (hotel or lodging) tax due April 30, May 31 and June 30

The Commissioner of the Division of Assessments and Licenses is authorized to extend excise tax (admissions, parking, motor vehicle lessor and transient occupancy) payment deadlines to July 20 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Federal, state and local governments use various strategies to propose due date relief to businesses through tax guidance and legislation. This proposal extends the April, May and June excise tax payment due dates to July 20 without incurring interest and penalties. The goal is to provide cash flow flexibility to taxpayers that cannot timely pay their excise tax obligation and provide guidance to individual taxpayer(s) through administrative rulings to address issues resulting from the national pandemic on a case by case request including statutory timing deadlines of administrative processes.

Federal, State and Local Tax Deadline Extension Reminder

The Ohio House voted to extend the state’s income tax return deadline to July 15. This is the same date for local and federal taxes. View the bill summary with additional provisions here.

Other Important Reminders

Mayor Jackson Announces Restart CLE

Mayor Frank G. Jackson has unveiled his strategic plan for the recovery of Cleveland’s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. As the city began this recovery planning process, it engaged experts from Cleveland State University and local medical institutions and made a deliberate choice to build from a health and medical perspective in order to protect those at risk from the coronavirus and then incorporate economic and social support to help the people and businesses who need assistance.

View Mayor Jackson’s full plan here. 

View Mayor Jackson’s Facebook Live announcement here.

List: Cleveland COVID-19 Testing Sites

Testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 is available at the local federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) below:

Neighborhood Family Practice

  • W. 117 Community Health Center – 11709 Lorain Ave.
  • By appointment only
  • Tests are available regardless of one’s ability to pay
  • Call (216) 281-0872 for information or to schedule an appointment
  • Results are back in one to three days

Care Alliance

  • Central Clinic – 2916 Central Ave.
  • Drive-thru and walk-up testing, by appointment only
  • Tests are free of charge to the patient
  • Call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at (216) 535-9100 and press 6
  • Testing done Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Results are back in 24 to 48 hours

The Centers

  • East Office – 4400 Euclid Ave.
  • Drive-thru and walk-up testing, by appointment only
  • Tests are free of charge to the patient
  • Call (216) 325-WELL (9355) to talk with an access specialist, be triaged by a nurse, and schedule your telehealth visit with one of our providers for screening for a test
  • Testing takes place on Wednesdays, following a Tuesday telehealth visit (required)

Check out ODH’s website for a map of testing sites: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/testing-ch-centers/

COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program Applications Now Available

CHN Housing Partners and EDEN, Inc. announced today the details of the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program funded by the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The program is designed to help residents of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County who are having difficulty making rental payments due to the economic impact of the pandemic and who meet income eligibility requirements. Those interested can apply at www.neorenthelp.org.

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s administration allocated $11.3 million as part of the Mayor’s Restart CLE plan aimed at helping the City’s residents and businesses recover from the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, County Executive Budish’s administration allocated $6.8 million. The funds are a mix of Community Development Block Grant dollars and dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund provided by the CARES Act. 

“The rental assistance program is intended to alleviate the burden on Clevelanders needing assistance as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “It is our intent that this assistance helps ease renters’ worries by providing resources during these stressful and uncertain times.”

CHN is the entry point to access rental assistance as well as a broad array of housing, financial counseling and referral resources. Depending on the nature of the financial hardship, Cleveland residents may be referred to EDEN for longer-term assistance.

Eligible households are those earning 120 percent of Area Median Income or less, which is up to $90,000 in annual income for a family of four.

Eligible applicants will receive up to three months of rental assistance which will be paid directly to the landlord. Priority is given based on criteria such as eviction status, accurate information and complete documentation.

Residents should go online to http://www.neorenthelp.org in order to apply. They must have specific documentation in order to quality.

Required documents include:

  • Verification of COVID-19 related hardship (loss of income, illness or increased expenses)
  • Photo identification for all adults in the home
  • Social Security cards for all household members
  • Proof of income (tax returns, paystubs or fixed income benefit award letter)
  • Lease agreement
  • Proof of citizenship
  • Copies of utility bills

CHN will also screen applicants for utility assistance programs that may help make their electric, gas and water/sewer bills more affordable. Those who qualify for rental assistance may be required to attend more in-depth financial counseling, provided by CHN, as a condition for rental assistance.

A hotline has been set up to answer questions. That number is 833-377-RENT (7368). No applications can be taken over the phone. Residents are encouraged to apply online at www.neorenthelp.org and can be completed with a mobile phone. A paper application can be printed out, completed and emailed to info@neorenthelp.org or left in the rental assistance drop box at CHN’s offices located on the first floor of 2999 Payne Ave.

Modified Bulk Pick-Up Schedule 

Bulk pick-up has been rescheduled for the weeks of July 6 and July 13. Residents should follow regular bulk pick-up guidelines. We appreciate residents’ patience as we adjust our plans to keep our workers safe through the coronavirus pandemic. As a reminder, residents are permitted to up to three bulk items on tree lawns. More info on proper disposal:

  • Residents may leave out for collection items such as appliances, tables, chairs, mattresses, box springs, couches and furniture.
  • All mattresses, box springs and cloth furniture must be wrapped in plastic.
  • In addition to the three items, residents may leave out up to four tires.
  • The city does not accept construction material.
  • Boxes and bags are not bulk items.

City of Cleveland Now Accepting Applications for Recovery Response Fund

On Thursday, June 11, Mayor Jackson announced a grant program available for businesses impacted by the civil unrest of May 30, 2020. The City of Cleveland has been engaged with Cuyahoga County, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) and the Cleveland Foundation to provide assistance to re-opening businesses and developed a one-stop application. Impacted businesses looking for financial assistance should apply through DCA at the following link: https://form.jotform.com/201656956665064. Impacted businesses throughout the City are encouraged to apply.

County, State & Federal Updates and Reminders

CodeRED

Sign up for CodeRED alerts to receive calls and emails from the administration with important info regarding Coronavirus. To sign up online, visit https://bit.ly/CLECodeRED, get mobile alerts by downloading the CodeRED app via the Apple or Google Play stores. Seniors who need assistance signing up are welcome to call the Department of Aging at 216-664-4383 for periodic phone call messaging.

Previous COVID-19 Updates from the City of Cleveland

Click here to view previous updates.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the following:

About the City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life of its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.clevelandohio.gov, Twitter at @cityofcleveland, Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland, or on our blog at clecityhall.com.

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07.09.2020COVID19Update.pdf