Happy Holidays from The Town of Bay Harbor Islands
We wish everyone the best that the holiday season can bring. May you have good health and enjoy peace and joy in your daily lives. Please stay safe during this holiday season and use good judgement when attending any social gathering. Wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and if you are sick, please stay home and if needed, get tested.
Holiday Closures
In celebration of the Christmas holiday, Town Hall, the Annex Building and the second floor Building department will close at noon on December 23rd, and remain closed until December 28th. For the New Years holiday, we will close at noon on December 31st and reopen January 4, 2021. The Community Center will close on December 24-25, and on Saturday the 26th will close at noon. They will also be closed on New Years Day. The Police Department HQ will remain open 24/7, as per normal.
We must remind you that Bay Harbor Islands Town government prohibits construction work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years in Section 12-27 of its ordinances. Town Hall, Building Department and all other governmental services, save for law enforcement, will not be available on the above dates.
No Garbage Pick-up on Christmas Day
There will be no garbage pickup on Christmas day. Regular pickups will resume on Thursday, December 26.
Post-holiday Testing at the 95th Street Park in Bay Harbor Islands
Miami-Dade County will be offering free COVID-19 Oral Testing, administered by Miami-Dade County vendor NOMI Health, January 4 - 5, 2020 at the Town of Bay Harbor Islands’ 95th Street Park. Click here to download the flyer.
- When:
- January 4th from 9 AM - 5 PM
- January 5th from 12 PM - 8 PM
- Where:
- BHI’s 95th Street Park
1185 95 Street
Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
To pre-register for testing appointments at the 95th Street Park, go to https://tinyurl.com/BHI-C19Test. Walk-up registration will also be available.
This free testing is open to residents of Miami-Dade County, ages 5 years and older. Masks covering one’s nose and mouth are required for all persons over the age of 2 years to enter the 95th Street Park and social distancing protocol must be observed by all.
For additional testing dates and locations, go to https://mdc.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/12/onsite, close the "Chat Bot" then, enter your zip code and zoom in by using the "+" button. Location options will be noted by the blue pointers or yellow circles on the map.
- Click on your desired location and available dates and times will appear below the map.
- Choose a date and time. Find the time that works best for you. To see more options, click on the arrows next to "more times."
- Click on a desired time to highlight it.
- Click on the "Schedule" button.
Holiday Closures
In celebration of the Christmas holiday, Town Hall, the Annex Building and the second floor Building department will close at noon on December 23rd, and remain closed until December 28th. For the New Years holiday, we will close at noon on December 31st and reopen January 4, 2021. The Community Center will close on December 24-25, and on Saturday the 26th will close at noon. They will also be closed on New Years Day. The Police Department HQ will remain open 24/7, as per normal.
We must remind you that Bay Harbor Islands Town government prohibits construction work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years in Section 12-27 of its ordinances. Town Hall, Building Department and all other governmental services, save for law enforcement, will not be available on the above dates.
No Garbage Pick-up on Christmas Day
There will be no garbage pickup on Christmas day. Regular pickups will resume on Thursday, December 26.
Business District Assessment
The Town of Bay Harbor Islands is conducting a Business District Assessment to help gather information needed to evaluate and access tools to help our local businesses during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
In order to better serve our community, we need your help. We ask that you please take a few minutes to complete the Business District survey by answering a few questions. To participate, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BusinessDistrict and complete the survey there. The deadline for response is December 31, 2020. Thank you in advance for your input. We look forward to hearing from you.
It's Not Too Late to Give - Toys for Tots Virtual Fundraiser
This year, instead of our traditional Toy Drive, we are conducting a virtual Toy Drive for the Toys for Tots Program. Our hope is that our residents might contribute, however much they are able, if they are able, and help bring joy into the lives of needy children.
All donations through Team and Personal pages are managed with the same 97% to 3% program to support ratio as any other form of dollar donation to the Program. With over 97% of your donations going to their mission of providing toys, books, and other gifts to less fortunate children.
To donate, go to tinyurl.com/BHI-Toys-4-Tots
Hurricane Relief for families in Honduras
Mayor Potencial is dedicated to serving those in need. Now, more than ever, we must help those who were impacted by hurricane Eta in the north coast of Honduras. Mayor Potencial will be collaborating with other local nonprofits and organizations, raising funds to provide food care packages, clothing and construction materials.
Long-term impact
There are not enough shelters to assist the 400,00 people affected, and cases of COVID are increasing as people are forced into close quarters. Initially, funds will help first responders supply food, clothing, and shelter to survivors. Funds will then be used to rebuild homes. Reconstruction efforts will work towards structurally secure and stormproof homes.
100% of donations go toward the project, less the processing fees from the means used to donate. Donate directly on the Mayor Potencial website https://www.mayorpotencial.org (3% Paypal fee, no fee for checks) or go to https://tinyurl.com/bhi-eta-relief to donate.
Bay Harbor Islands Police Chief Raul M. Diaz is Sworn-in
The Town of Bay Harbor Islands held the swearing in of our new Chief of Police, Raul M. Diaz, on December 14, 2020.
Chief Diaz has over 31 years of demonstrated law enforcement experience, at both the local and federal level, 18 of which were at the executive level of law enforcement. He rose through the ranks at the City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department to become Assistant Chief there, serving 26 years in total with that department. Most recently, he served as Chief of Police for the City of Lynchburg, VA. Our new chief holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy and serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF Reserves. Welcome Chief Diaz.
Town Hall, the Building Department and the Annex Building are open but by Appointment Only
For the safety of our Town employees and the greater public; our Town Hall offices and lobby, the Annex building offices and our Building Department are accessible by appointment only. Any person requiring in person access to any Town service or staff member must first request an appointment. Visitors are required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth and only one person may enter at a time. To schedule an appointment, click here to access our "Contact Us" form and indicate what it is you require and or with whom you wish to meet in the form's comments section. Be sure to include your name, email address. and phone number. You may also email staff directly. Click here to access the staff directory. Many services are also available online, for your convenience, making a visit to Town Hall unnecessary. Visit the "I Want to" page for more information.
This Month's Newswaves
Get more news, information, Community Center program schedules and times, upcoming meeting info and more in the Bay Harbor Islands Newswaves. Get this months copy at www.bayharborislands-fl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1423/December-2020-Newswaves