DURING CITY SUCCESSES
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC 21ANNUAL
REPORT
COVID PARTNERSHIPS
The city’s emergency manager formed
a cohesive partnership with Pinellas
County and Department of Health
officials. This partnership allowed
us to host COVID-19 testing sites
and multiple vaccination sites
for our community. While the
city does not manage the site,
this partnership also helped
staff to coordinate a monoclonal
antibody infusion site in the city
of Clearwater, for which the city
provided support from police and
fire and rescue staff.
EMPLOYEE SAFETY & SUPPORT
The city supported its employees during
the pandemic and worked hard to
keep them safe. Staff from many
city departments, including
the Human Resources
Department, continued
to remain agile and
responsive to support
staff issues and
needs, relating to the
COVID-19 crisis.
Managers and other
city leaders handled
personnel sickness
notifications,
quarantine,
self-isolation and
COVID-19 testing for
employees.
Express Library Services
The Clearwater Public Library System
offered curbside service and expanded its
drive-through service to accommodate
patrons to maintain access to library
resources while safely distancing. The
library also developed a rich offering of
virtual programs and free take-and-make
crafts.
Health Fair Week
The Human Resources Department
created and hosted Health Fair Week, a
safer version of the city employees’ health
fair, which was held in the midst of COVID
in lieu of a typical health fair event.
Resident Financial Support
Between October and December 2020,
the Economic Development & Housing
Department administered an Emergency
Rent, Mortgage & Utility Assistance
program with assistance from the library
and finance departments. The program
assisted 219 Clearwater households in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic
using CARES Act funds distributed by the
Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
In addition, the Utility Customer Service
Department teamed up with the Salvation
Army to help customers in need to pay
their utility bills. This assistance totaled
more than $16,000 through our We Care
Fund.
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