FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020
Visitors, Residents Urged to Remain Vigilant Against COVID-19 This Weekend
With the upcoming Labor Day weekend, we understand that many Orange County residents and visitors alike will be visiting our beaches, parks and will be with their friends and loved ones.
Beach-goers, park enthusiasts and other celebrants this weekend are asked to maintain physical distancing and wear face coverings in the City of Laguna Beach.
This Weekend:
-Keep good hygiene
-Wear face coverings
-Keep physical distancing
City of Laguna Beach "Mask Advisors" will be handing out free masks again this weekend throughout the City to those who need them.
Excessive Heat Warning Issued for Weekend
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an “Excessive Heat Warning” for the Orange County Coastal Zone effective from 10 a.m. today until 8 p.m. Monday, September 7. Dangerously hot conditions are expected with high temperatures in Laguna Beach in the mid-90’s. Inland OC and the Inland Empire will see temperatures well over 100.
In addition, the California ISO has issued a Flex Alert for Saturday, September 5 - Monday, September 7, 2020. Energy experts are asking residents and businesses to use AC early in the day, pre-set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and avoid appliance use from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses:
- Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Stay out of the sun if possible; when in the sun wear a hat and use sunscreen.
- Avoid strenuous activities outside or in non-air-conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.
- Never leave children, elderly people, or pets unattended in cars or vehicles.
- Check on high-risk individuals to make sure they are staying cool.
Be sure to sign up for the City’s Nixle Emergency Notification System to stay informed during this heat event and future emergencies. To sign up, text 92651 to 888-777 or click HERE. Also, go to AlertOC.com to register your cell phone numbers, text numbers, and email addresses into the mass notification system. AlertOC is a critical link for residents and businesses to immediately learn of any required actions.
Listen to Today's Podcast with Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen
In today's podcast update, Mayor Whalen gives us a sneak peek at his State of the City Address scheduled for September 15th, and we also talk about the changes we might expect to in-person City Council meetings in the future.
Orange County Could Move to Red Tier 2 Reopening Next Tuesday
California has a new blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities.
The new color-coded State reopening guidelines lay out the measures that each county must meet, based on indicators that capture disease burden, testing, and health equity.
Orange County is currently assigned to the Widespread Purple Tier 1.
The first opportunity for Orange County to move out of Purple Tier 1 is when the status is updated next Tuesday, September 8. Thereafter, a county has to remain in a Tier for a minimum three weeks (21 days) before being considered to move to the next Tier.
Restaurants will be allowed to open for limited indoor operations if Orange County moves to the Red Tier 2 on Tuesday. If that happens, the following will apply:
- Indoor operations are restricted to 25% of the occupancy of the restaurant, or 100 persons, whichever is lower.
- Physical distancing and hygiene measures are still applicable, so patrons must be seated far enough apart to maintain physical distancing; this may mean a business is not able to accommodate 25% occupancy indoors.
- Bars within restaurants are still closed for dining. The bar can be used by employees for the preparation of beverages, but no patrons can sit at the bar and receive service. This includes seating at sushi bars.
- Bars/ Breweries/ Distilleries that do not serve meals remain closed.
- Wineries are allowed to be open for outdoor operations with modifications.
It is important that businesses, restaurants and the public pay attention to occupancy limits within each sector and corresponding color Tier.
First "Parklet" Created as Part of New City Program to Help Local Businesses
New Parklet Located at Harley Laguna Beach to Open This Weekend
As part of the City's Economic Recovery and Business Development Plan, the Laguna Beach City Council approved a Parklet Pilot Program in July for the installation of parklets for outdoor dining, retail displays and temporary signage. This weekend, the City's first Parklet installed at Harley Laguna Beach will open.
As part of the streamlined new Temporary Use Permit process, restaurants can use limited on-street parking and City parking lots for parklets.
The Laguna Beach City Council appropriated $50,000 from the City’s Parking Fund to help finance construction of parklets, with awards up to $5,000 at staff discretion.
Restaurant parklets are required to be compliant with Alcohol Beverage Control standards for alcohol consumption. Parklets are allowed for restaurants that currently operate from a fixed location within the City.
Governor Newsom Signs Tenant, Homeowner and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act
The Act will protect tenants from eviction and property owners from foreclosure due to the economic impacts of COVID-19
Under the Tenant, Homeowner and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act signed this week by Governor Newsom, no tenant can be evicted before February 1, 2021 as a result of rent owed due to a COVID-19 related hardship accrued between March 4 – August 31, 2020, if the tenant provides a declaration of hardship according to the legislation’s timelines.
For a COVID-19 related hardship that accrues between September 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021, tenants must also pay at least 25 percent of the rent due to avoid eviction.
The legislation also extends anti-foreclosure protections in the Homeowner Bill of Rights to small landlords; provides new accountability and transparency provisions to protect small landlord borrowers who request CARES-compliant forbearance; and provides the borrower who is harmed by a material violation with a cause of action.
Waste Management Labor Day Schedule Reminder
Waste Management of Orange County’s curbside residential trash and recycling pick-up schedule will be delayed by one day throughout the week of Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Laguna Beach customers should place their carts out for pick-up one day later than usual, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 12.
Construction Resumes on Laguna Canyon Channel Project
Construction of channel improvements at Beach Street will resume on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The project is designed to increase the conveyance of stormwater runoff through this portion of the channel by 25%, reducing the risk of flooding in the Downtown area.
The project is scheduled to be completed in November 2020.
For more information, click HERE to visit the project website or contact Project Manager, Matthew Oxford at (949) 497-0792 or moxford@lagunabeachcity.net
