City of Cleveland Provides General Updates on Coronavirus & Safety – Update #150

Friday, July 31, 2020

CLEVELAND - The City of Cleveland continues to take numerous precautions across multiple departments and divisions amid increasing cases of coronavirus (COVID-19). Below are some important updates. Mayor Frank G. Jackson signed an order on July 29 extending the City’s Proclamation of Civil Emergency through August 31, 2020. The order was amended to include a mask mandate on July 3. Click here to view the order.

Essential services such as Police, Fire, EMS, waste collection and Utilities will remain operational.

57 New Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Reported in Cleveland

The Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been notified of 57 more confirmed cases coronavirus in city residents and no new fatalities. This brings the total to 4,235 confirmed cases in the City of Cleveland and 83 fatalities. The new confirmed cases include males and females whose ages range from under 10 to their 90s. CDPH is working to identify their close contacts who would require testing or monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.

As of today, there are 86,333 confirmed cases and 3,222 fatalities in the State of Ohio. There are more than 4.54 million confirmed cases and 152,922 deaths in the U.S.​​​​

Reminder: The City of Cleveland will disseminate Saturday and Sunday COVID-19 numbers on its Facebook and Twitter pages when they become available.

The City of Cleveland COVID-19 Dashboard displays the most recent preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Health about COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, deaths and recoveries in Cleveland by selected demographics. View the dashboard here. For individuals’ privacy, CDPH will not be releasing any additional demographic info related to COVID-19 cases aside from age range and gender. 

Update on Hotdog Vendors Permitting Process

On June 17, 2020, Cleveland City Council passed ordinance 25-2020 amending the vendor permit application process. The amendment authorized use of a random selection process for the assignment of vendor locations. At the time the ordinance was introduced by council, the intent was to implement a lottery system to allow interested vendors the ability to witness the selection process. Since passage of the ordinance, the City of Cleveland has explored ways to conduct the lottery under current COVID-19 restrictions while maintaining transparency. Many interested vendors are unable to participate in a virtual process, and there is no practical way to have vendors in attendance at an in-person lottery. 

Also, processing new vendor applications under the new sections is complicated by COVID-19 restrictions, including taking photos for identification badges and the random selection process for merchandise vendors.

More time is needed to establish a workable permitting process.

1.     That the implementation of a random selection process for assigning vendor locations be postponed until the vendor permit year beginning August 2021

2.     That existing vendor permits that are due to expire on July 31, 2020, be extended for one year until July 31, 2021;

3.     That no new permit applications under Ordinance Sections 508.04, 675.06, and 675.061 will be accepted for the August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021 permit year;

4.     That the following permit fees for the August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021 permit year be waived: 

Section 508.04 (hotdog carts) – $200;

Section 675.06 (merchandise vendors in permit zones) –   $125;

Section 675.061 (mobile vendors) – $100

Center Street Swing Bridge Rehabilitation

The City of Cleveland was awarded $7.5 million in federal funding and an additional $500K in Ohio Public Works Commission funding to rehabilitate the Center Street Swing Bridge. As part of the design phase we need to hold a public meeting to solicit feedback. During this time of social distancing, the Ohio Department of Transportation is allowing projects to mail a flyer and post the project on websites.

Click here for more information on how to provide input for this project.

Calls Regarding COVID-19 Complaints
With the passage by Cleveland City Council of an ordinance authorizing penalties for non-compliance with Mayor Jackson’s mask mandate, enforcement is now in effect.

There are two numbers Clevelanders should call regarding non-compliance:

  • Business complaints: CDPH hotline at (216) 857-7165
  • Individual or private residence complaints: Cleveland Police non-emergency line at (216) 621-1234

Cleveland City Council recently approved the mandatory use of masks in public spaces as well as certain penalties for individuals and businesses that do not comply. On July 3, Mayor Jackson signed an amended order mandating the use of masks in public in the City of Cleveland to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. This includes mandatory use in bars, restaurants, shared office settings, rideshares and other shared spaces.

Citations may be issued with fines for the following:

  • Any business or person violating the mask or safe-seating order (which maintains social distancing of at least six feet between patrons) is subject to civil penalties in accordance with Ordinance No. 556-2020, specifically chapters 602 and 236.
  • Any business in the City of Cleveland with an employee who becomes ill with the coronavirus is required to immediately disinfect and sanitize the premises. Following a warning, they may be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for the first offense and a civil penalty of $3,000 for each subsequent violation.

Bulk Pick-Up to Resume Regular Schedule Beginning in August

Beginning in the month of August 2020 bulk pick-up will operate on its regular schedule. Bulk pick-up will be conducted on the first full week of each month on residents’ regular collection day. Residents should follow regular bulk pick-up guidelines.

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 loose bags are not bulk items. ​
  • Carpet must be cut and rolled into 3-foot long pieces and must not exceed 40 pounds.

The Division of Waste also reminds residents of the following waste regulations:

Only waste in officially issued City carts will be accepted and loose trash or bags outside City roll carts will not be accepted

The following will be not be accepted in or outside of roll carts: construction materials, paints, hazardous waste, bricks, dirt, concrete, cinder blocks, auto parts, loose metal items, medical waste or fluorescent tubes

  • Do not place hot charcoal ashes in roll carts
  • Do not place ammunition or explosives in City cart. Contact the Division of Police for instructions
  • Roll cart lids must close
  • Do not place carts behind parked cars
  • Place black cart and blue three feet apart on tree lawn
  • No more than 20 bags of yard waste per collection

For more info about waste collection, please call Cleveland’s Division of Waste Collection at (216) 664-3711.

Department of Public Utilities Customer Reconnection Updates

While business is operating as normal, the Public Utilities Building is closed to the public. Cleveland Water and Cleveland Public Power have temporarily stopped disconnection of residential services for non-payment. Cleveland Water customers should call (216) 664-3130 and Cleveland Public Power customers should call (216) 664-4600 for service restoration.

Cleveland Water Pollution Control (WPC) Customer Service lobby remains open to the public to purchase permits and review maps. The WPC office at 12302 Kirby Ave. is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Report emergencies 24/7 by calling (216) 664-2513. To date:

  • CPP has reconnected 136 total customers
  • CWD has reconnected 1,738 total customers

Cleveland Water customers can make payments and manage their account at myclevelandwater.com or by calling (216) 664-3130. Questions can be submitted via the inquiry form at clevelandwater.com/ask-a-question. CPP customers can make payments and manage their account at cpp.org. Inquiries and questions can be submitted via www.cpp.org/Contact

Cleveland Water and CPP customers may also use the dropbox located at 1201 Lakeside Ave. Please include name and account number along with payment. Multiple accounts must be on separate checks.

Other Important Reminders

Mayor Jackson Announces Restart CLE

Mayor 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.

The City of Cleveland Rental Assistance Program

The Rental Assistance Program is aimed at helping Clevelanders in need who have been affected by COVID-19. The program is administered by CHN Housing Partners and EDEN, funded by the City of Cleveland with $11.3 million and $6.8 million by Cuyahoga County.

When the online application went live July 1, the program had 1,400 referrals. July 15 marked the date the program became operational by CHN, at which time 1,900 applications had been submitted. There are nearly 1,900 applications pending submission by tenants, from both the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The total number of applications received from the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County residents is 3,070.

As of July 27, 1,300 tenants have applied to the program from the City of Cleveland. To date, the top three zip codes with application submissions are in the following zip codes:

  • 44102 = 146 Applications
  • 44105 = 144 Applications
  • 44109 = 133 Applications

Ninety-one percent of applicants were from extremely low income households (30-50% area median income). Below is the racial backgrounds of applicants:

  • 68% Black or African American
  • 12% White
  • 4% Hispanic
  • 16% Other or Chose not to respond

The first set of checks to landlords was mailed last Friday, July 24. Applications are time-stamped, with priority given to those tenants with evictions in process. Tenants in need can apply online via www.neorenthelp.org and can also call 833-377-HELP with any questions.

Upcoming Cleveland Transformation Alliance Meetings

The Cleveland Transformation Alliance Committee (CTA) will be hosting their Cleveland Plan Progress Committee meeting and CTA Board meeting over the next 6 weeks. Meetings will be held via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. For more information on these meetings, please visit http://www.myCLEschool.org. The details for each meeting are as follows:

Cleveland Plan Progress Committee: Wednesday, August 5 at 3:30 p.m.

Meeting via Microsoft Teams

+1 216-815-0098 United States, Cleveland (Toll)

Conference ID: 685 369 975#

Cleveland Transformation Alliance Board Meeting: Monday, August 17 at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting via Zoom

Meeting ID: 957 6640 6178

Password: 690222

Join via phone +1-312-626-6799

The West Side Market Announces New Hours of Operation

Effective August 3, 2020, the West Side Market will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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/

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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