Vice Mayor Marlon Bolton Champions Motion to Assist Tamarac Residents During COVID-19 PANDEMIC
At the May 27 Tamarac City Commission Meeting, District 2 Commissioner Mike Gelin proposed that Tamarac create and fund a Resident Assistance Program to help city residents impacted by COVID-19. After a productive discussion, Vice Mayor Bolton seconded Commissioner Gelin’s motion and made a substitute motion (seconded by Commissioner Gelin) to have City staff move as quickly as possible, given the dire need of many residents.
Here is the Agenda item as originally proposed:
“Agenda Item 13C
Title: Resident Assistance Programs
Discussion requested by District 2 Commissioner Gelin regarding transferring $250,000 from the General Fund and repurposing those funds for Resident Assistance Programs as a result of COVID-19.”
Here is Vice Mayor Bolton’s substitute motion:
“Direct City staff to come up with a full package including a price tag and how the money will be distributed for the next Commission meeting.”
Vice Mayor Bolton’s substitute motion creates a real sense of urgency behind this potential program. Specifically, Vice Mayor Bolton moved to direct staff to do the following within a tight, two-week timeframe:
- Create draft program guidelines
- Stay within the proposed $250,000 budget
- Simultaneously create draft program requirements
- Present the entire package to the Commission at the very next Commission meeting, scheduled for June 10.
While this is a tall request, Vice Mayor Bolton noted that there are residents in our community who used to work very good jobs and have now lost those jobs or have been furloughed, and as a result, are unable to sustain themselves during this pandemic. He stressed the importance of having a vote-ready package available at the next Commission meeting, and that the package should ensure that the program is available for the benefit of residents across the city.
Vice Mayor Bolton’s substitute motion unanimously passed a roll call vote.
You can view the full Commission meeting video at https://tamaracfl.new.swagit.com/videos/62737. You can also jump right to this agenda item (Item 13C) to view just that portion of the video.
