WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2020
Laguna Beach City Council Passes Urgency Ordinance Protecting Residents and Businesses from Eviction
On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Laguna Beach City Council unanimously passed an Urgency Ordinance to help protect commercial and residential tenants by placing a temporary moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Effective immediately, the ordinance provides a rent deferment schedule to those affected by COVID-19 and places a temporary moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent by residential and commercial tenants. The ordinance is consistent with the Governor’s Executive Orders for residential tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen brought the Urgency Ordinance forward to the City Council as part of the City’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery efforts.
“This emergency order will help ensure that Laguna Beach renters do not lose their homes and that business owners are not evicted as a result of this crisis that is beyond their control,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen.
“These steps are necessary to protect our residents and local businesses from eviction for a temporary period when the inability to pay rent is due to the impacts of COVID-19. Laguna Beach has a long tradition of rallying together to support people in times of distress and I know that our landlords will work with their tenants to get through this unprecedented time," Whalen said.
The proposed ordinance allows landlords to seek the unpaid rent after the moratorium expires, and tenants must pay any unpaid rent as soon as possible, but no later than 120 days from the expiration of the moratorium.
The ordinance does not prevent landlords from negotiating a different arrangement with tenants related to unpaid rent which provides relief greater than what is provided in the ordinance.
The moratorium is to remain in effect until the expiration of the Governor’s executive orders N-28-20 and N-37-20, including any extensions.
Nothing in the ordinance shall relieve a tenant of the responsibility and liability for any unpaid rent. A letter is being sent to all local landlords from the City urging them not to pursue evictions and defer rent.
Laguna Beach Police Officers Help El Morro Students Celebrate Birthdays While Practicing Social Distancing
Story Courtesy of Stu News Laguna
On Saturday afternoon, the parking lot at Laguna Beach Unified School District was filled with Laguna Beach Police Officers, El Morro teachers and staff, parents, and students celebrating the birthdays of three El Morro kindergarteners.
While still observing social distancing, there was no shortage of festive music, fun, and birthday wishes at the drive-through pop-up birthday party for students.
El Morro staff created signs, made face coverings, brought noise makers, and wore yellow.
Add some balloons and a police escort and you’ve got yourself a pop-up birthday party!
Check out this creative video of Laguna Beach observing the 'Positive Side of Social Distancing':
"I walk my dog everywhere and wanted to show you what I've been seeing on my walks around town during this crazy quarantine time... Friends and families are staying connected and supporting each other in new and creative ways. Physical distancing but social solidarity."
- Laguna Beach resident Jan Schrieber via Facebook
Sally’s Fund Delivers 100 Bags of Groceries Per Week to Local Seniors
Story Courtesy of Stu News Laguna
Sally's Fund team members are shopping, running errands and providing transportation for seniors to doctor's appointments.
As the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Sally’s Fund wants to assure the senior community that it is still operating and will continue to transport seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and running necessary errands.
Sally’s Fund senior transportation service will continue to operate during the temporary closure of the Susi Q Senior Center and Age Well food service program.
For more information on Sally's Fund services, call (949) 499-4100.
As a reminder, SoCalGas has suspended service disconnections until further notice. This means no customer will have their natural gas turned off due to non-payment.
If your household income has recently changed, you may now qualify for 20% off your natural gas bill with CARE. Apply online at www.socalgas.com/CARE
SoCalGas is waiving late payment fees for their small business customers.
Property Tax Deadlines and Penalty Cancelation Requests
Many taxpayers have asked if the April 10 deadline is extended. State law governs when property taxes are due and payable.
Property taxes fund critical local government services, including those needed during this emergency, and we encourage taxpayers to pay by April 10, if they can.
The County has added a website for COVID-19 information at COVID19info.ocgov.com and a County phone number, (714) 480-6500, has been established to help local businesses navigate the current economic climate with loans that could help pay property taxes.
COVID-19 Scam Alert: Investment Scams
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has issued an alert about investment scams related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Investors should be wary of claims that companies have developed cures or vaccines for coronavirus or can supply medical equipment which is in short supply, like masks, gloves, or ventilators.
These are red flags that an investment could be a scam.
