To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOEFGEN, CITY MANAGER
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CITY’S LOCAL EMERGENCY PERTAINING TO COVID-19
RECEIVE AND FILE A DRAFT COVID-19 PLAN PREPARED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEACHES AND HARBORS FOR THE REOPENING OF BEACHES AND OTHER COUNTY RECREATION AMENITIES
RECEIVE AND FILE A SURVEY CIRCULATED BY THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES ON COVID-19 IMPACTS AND RECOVERY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides the City Council with an opportunity to discuss the status of the City’s Local Emergency pertaining to COVID-19 and to specifically review and provide input on Los Angeles County’s draft plan to reopen its beaches, recreation amenities and activities. Additionally, the item allows the Council to comment on possible actions the City may take in coordination with the County’s reopening of public spaces and the potential loosening of other COVID-19 related restrictions on businesses and services.
To help gather public sentiment on the COVID-19 crisis, the Beach Cities Health District, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, has circulated a survey among local businesses seeking input on the impacts of the virus and plans for reopening. The initial results of the survey will be provided by Health District personnel at the May 5th meeting.
BACKGROUND
As the Mayor and City Council are aware, on March 12, 2020 I declared a local emergency due to the imminent threat of COVID-19 in Redondo Beach and subsequently ordered a number of measures to help protect residents, visitors and City employees and to combat the spread of the virus in the community including: the closure of the City’s three Senior Centers; the cancellation or postponement of a number of citywide special events and activities at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center; the closure of the City’s Main Library, North Branch Library and Teen Center; the suspension of the City’s After School Care Program; the suspension of all City Advisory Commission Meetings; and the modification of core municipal services to enable proper social distancing.
On March 16, 2020, I issued a second proclamation, in conjunction with Los Angeles County Health Officer recommendations, ordering the closure of all restaurants, bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers in the City; issued a temporary moratorium on evictions due to the non-payment of rent or mortgage resulting from COVID-19 related financial distress; and prohibited the shutoff of any utilities due to late payment for 90 days. On March 17, 2020, the Mayor and City Council ratified the declaration of local emergency and confirmed all emergency orders implemented by the City as of that date.
On March 26, 2020, I issued an additional proclamation ordering the closure of a number of City spaces, parks and facilities. I later closed additional park ball fields and extended the effective date of several of the previous Orders. On March 31, 2020, the City Council confirmed all of the emergency orders executed as of that date.
On April 7, 2020, the City Council received a report on the status of the Local Emergency pertaining to COVID-19 and on April 9, 2020, the first meeting of the Redondo Beach Disaster Council was held. All members of the Disaster Council participated. Several topics were discussed including a referral from City Council regarding whether City emergency orders should focus on a safer at home message or a stay at home message. The three medical professionals on the Disaster Council expressed a preference for the City of Redondo Beach to continue promoting the Countywide safer at home message. Following the meeting, I issued another Emergency Order requiring workers and visitors of certain businesses and services to wear face coverings. Los Angeles County issued a similar order the next day. Additionally, we have updated the list of emergency orders and extended many of the effective dates of the City’s previous actions.
On April 21, 2020 the City Council had an opportunity to discuss the emergency actions implemented to date and confirmed the orders of the City Manager acting as the Director of Emergency Services with two modifications: 1) allowing the May meetings of the Budget and Finance and Harbor Commissions to proceed for budget review purposes and 2) allowing for the re-opening of the Farmers Market in Riviera Village as soon as a plan can be implemented that meets current Los Angeles County Farmers Market requirements (see attached). Additionally, the Council received a presentation and provided feedback on the draft COVID-19 Strategic Recovery Plan prepared by the Beach Cities Health District. Members of the City’s Disaster Council also had the opportunity to discuss and comment on the Plan, when they met for the second time on April 23, 2020.
Since then, no modifications to the City Emergency Orders have been made, but staff have participated, along with other South Bay Cities, in several meetings with County officials regarding the possibility of reopening beaches and other local recreation amenities. As a result, County Beaches and Harbors personnel have prepared a draft reopening plan (see attached).
LA County Beaches and Harbors Department Draft Reopening Plan
The draft plan illustrates a four-phase approach to reopening beaches, public amenities and recreation activities controlled by Los Angeles County. The initial phase is tentatively identified to begin on May 15, 2020 with social distancing and facemask requirements and periodic holiday weekend closures, but is subject to change based on input from County Health Officials. The Phase One reopening, as drafted, would allow the public to walk or run on the beach and swim, boat, paddle, and surf in the ocean with specific hours to be determined. It does not allow for any gathering or sunbathing on the sand. Other amenities like the beach bike path, parking lots and activities like volleyball and special events are identified in the plan as being made available to the public in future phases.
If the draft plan is approved by the County as proposed, the City would modify its existing emergency orders to reopen access points to the beach, with the exception of the stairs at Ave C, on May 15, 2020. If the plan is adjusted to include the opening of beach parking lots, staff would recommend opening some of the coastal parking lots controlled by the City. Additionally, if the beach bike path is opened, staff would recommend reopening the Esplanade and other City coastal bike and walking paths.
Expanded Outdoor Dining Possibilities
At the April 23, 2020 Disaster Council meeting, a suggestion was made to allow restaurants to utilize parking lots and other outdoor spaces for seating once the County relaxes take-out only restrictions and implements social distancing protocols that allow restaurants to resume onsite dining. This opportunity is possible through the issuance of Temporary Use Permits. If restaurants utilize their own property and the timeframe is limited to the pandemic recovery period only, the issuance of a TUP is allowed under the City’s Zoning Code via administrative approval in the Community Development Department and without a public hearing process. Applicants would be asked to present a layout/proposed use of the site to ensure the expanded activity would not negatively impact adjacent properties or jeopardize public health, safety, and general welfare. Additionally, to address the conditions of the recovery orders issued by the State and County, the Community Development Department would require applicants to submit a form on Social Distancing Protocols.
Staff in the Community Development and Public Works Departments and City Attorney’s Office are also working collaboratively to identify other businesses that may need to modify the use of their sites in order to reopen and meet proper social distancing requirements and determine what possible temporary approvals or local procedures could be utilized to enable the resumed activity. The departments are also coordinating with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to learn what regulatory relief efforts they are considering during the COVID-19 recovery period.
Restaurants Deliver “Home Meals for Seniors” Program
On April 24, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the “Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors” program. The program is designed to achieve two purposes:
1. Help older and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, and
2. Provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat during the COVID crisis.
Listed below are some of the general program guidelines:
• The statewide program allows the “local administrator” to be a City or County. In our region, Los Angeles County is expected to be the local administrator.
• Approximately 75% of the program cost is funded by FEMA. The State will fund 75% of the remaining 25% balance, with local governments expected to fund the rest (approximately 6.25% of the cost). FEMA funding will go directly to the counties.
• The program will be reserved for people 65 or older, who have been exposed or are at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus, or who have compromised immune systems. They must also earn less than 600% of the federal poverty level, which equates to $74,940 per year for an individual, and $154,500 for a family of four.
• There will be an application process for restaurants. Every meal will have strict nutritional guidelines: low sodium, no high-fructose items or sugary drinks, and fruit and vegetable requirements for lunch and dinner. Eateries will be reimbursed for each meal prepared and delivered: $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch, and $28 for dinner.
• 211 and 211.org will be the portal used to sign up.
On April 30, 2020, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department identified 23,182 cases and 1,111 COVID-19 deaths in the County. 106 cases of COVID-19 were cited in Redondo Beach (see attached).
ATTACHMENTS
1) Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors Department Draft Beach Reopening Plan
2) List of City Emergency Orders as of May 1, 2020
3) Beach Cities Health District COVID-19 Business Survey
4) Los Angeles County COVID-19 Farmers Market Requirements
5) Los Angeles County COVID-19 Case Statistics April 30, 2020 Update