WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
Revised City Order Requires All Customers of Essential Businesses and All Essential Workers Wear Face Coverings
Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig issued a revised Emergency Order today requiring all customers wear face coverings when entering or remaining in Essential Businesses to provide additional protection for workers and the general public from the spread of COVID-19. Individuals who work or provide services at Essential Businesses are already required to wear face coverings while performing their work following the first Emergency Order issued by the City Manager on April 9.
The revised Emergency Order takes effect on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 12:00 a.m., and states all Essential Businesses and Services within the City shall require their customers and workers wear cloth face coverings that shield their noses and mouths while at the Essential Business.
Essential Businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores, gas station convenience stores, restaurants providing take-out or delivery services, banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and construction sites. Face coverings, such as scarves (dense fabric, without holes), bandanas, neck gaiter, or other fabric face coverings are allowed.
Essential businesses must also continue to implement physical distancing measures for employees, customers, and maintain proper sanitation at all times or the facility shall be closed.
“The City of Laguna Beach is taking every measure we can to protect our residents, Essential Workers and businesses from the spread of COVID-19,” said Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig. “We appreciate the public’s efforts to help us flatten the curve together.”
All residents of the City of Laguna Beach are strongly urged to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth whenever they are in close proximity to others in public and private areas who are not members of their household.
Listen to Today's Podcast Update From Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen
Mayor Whalen makes the announcement of the revised Emergency Order that requires customers wear face coverings in to all Essential Businesses, which goes into effect on Thursday, April 16.
He also discusses $10 million in City budget cuts and a realistic date we’d have to revisit additional cuts if it becomes necessary.
Laguna Beach Mayor Advocates for CARES Act Funding
Laguna Beach Mayor Whalen has joined other Mayors in the County in advocating that the County pass through over $500 million of CARES Act funding that it is to receive to cities on a per-capita basis.
The Mayor is also advocating for cities to receive direct funding from the fourth CARES Act stimulus package being considered by the Federal government.
Community Members Organize Order of Protective Masks For Laguna Beach First Responders
We extend a huge thank you to a group of community members that helped organize the purchase of KN95 masks from China and had them shipped to Laguna Beach!
The City was able to purchase 5000 of these masks for use by our First Responders and Essential Workers. Those involved in organizing the purchase were Keller Kramer, Marcus Skenderian and Lisa Griffin. Lisa Griffin's husband, Eric Kramer and his company were instrumental in securing the masks for us. Thank you!!
Improvements Made to Coast Highway Downtown Intersections
The conversion of Ocean Avenue to one-way, new pedestrian scrambles at Forest Avenue and at Laguna Avenue, and lengthened left turn pockets at Broadway, Forest Avenue and Legion Street are expected to be completed by the end of May.
Construction of traffic and pedestrian improvements is ongoing with curb ramp retrofits continuing for the next several weeks.
One lane of Coast Highway will be closed from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., between Laguna Avenue and Ocean Avenue, in the southbound direction through 4/17/20 and in the northbound direction 4/20/20-4/24/20.
Modifications to traffic signals, signage and pavement striping are scheduled to occur in May.
All Laguna Beach City Offices Remain Closed to the Public.
Essential Services Are Provided.
For Questions Call (949) 497-3311 During Regular Business Hours.
Treasure Island View Park Grass Area & Divers Cove Parking Spaces Closed
Due to concerns from citizens about social distancing, the City has blocked off the grass area above the Treasure Island parking structure (view park) and Brown’s Park.
People were picnicking or gathering in these areas and not following social distancing standards.
For similar reasons, and due to complaints from last weekend, some of the head-in parking spaces near Divers Cove will be blocked off from Fridays through Sundays.
All Beaches, Adjacent Parks and Trailheads Remain Closed
A big THANK YOU goes out to the Laguna Beach community for your patience during this time and observing the closure orders in place to help us flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19!
Residents are encouraged to support local businesses and use curbside, takeout, and delivery food services from our local restaurants as part of the 'Think Laguna First' campaign.
Due to the closing of our restaurants to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce has compiled a useful list of restaurants throughout the City who offer takeout and delivery options, at the link below.
Get all updates, and follow 'Think Laguna First' on Facebook, by clicking HERE.
Respond to the 2020 Census
COVID-19 Updates Related to Trash and Recycling Services
Trash collection is an essential public service and will continue as normal. However, Waste Management has reported that Laguna Beach is among the Southern California cities whose recyclables will not be processed during the temporary closure of Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) to comply with Social Distancing requirements issued by Governor Newsom.
Waste Management will restart recyclable processing once the Social Distancing requirements are lifted for their industry and can be assured that the safety of their sort line employees is protected.
In the meantime, Waste Management will continue to collect recycling on dedicated routes to minimize disruptions. Residents are urged to continue to sort and separate recyclables as tracking of this tonnage will continue to be reported before it is taken to the landfill.
Green waste processing facilities have not been impacted during California’s stay-at-home order. Laguna Beach continues to process residential and commercial green waste.
Here are some service reminders:
Residential trash, recycling and green waste are collected weekly, Monday through Friday starting at 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Waste Management provides three (3) bulky item pickups per year on your regular service day (includes furniture, washers, dryers, toilets, sand bags and electronics). A pick up must be scheduled by contacting Waste Management at (949) 642-1191.
Waste Management provides one annual pick up of hazardous waste (includes, paint, used motor oil, household chemicals, sharps, electronics, fluorescent lamps, etc.). Call 1-800-449-7587 or visit www.wmatyourdoor.com to schedule your pick up.
How to Participate in the Upcoming April 21 City Council Meeting
As a result of the COVID-19 virus, the public will not be permitted to physically attend the Laguna Beach City Council meeting to which this agenda applies but you are invited to observe and participate from home by one of the following methods:
1. You may submit comments on any agenda item or on any item not on the agenda in writing via mail to the City Clerk at: 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA. 92651 or by email to cityclerk@lagunabeachcity.net (there is an interactive public communications form on the front page of the City’s website). Please complete the form and email the completed form to the City Clerk no later than 3 p.m. on April 20, 2020 (the day before the City Council meeting) in order for your comments to be submitted to the members of the City Council the day prior the meeting, which provides them sufficient time to review the comments. You may continue to provide written comments up to 12:00 p.m. on April 21, 2020 (the day of the meeting). Please note that while these comments will be provided to the City Council on 3 p.m. on April 21, 2020, the Council members may not have sufficient time to review them prior to the meeting.
2. You may view the meeting live on Cox cable channel 852 and online on the City of Laguna Beach website: www.lagunabeachcity.net.
3. You may listen and comment over the phone or computer during designated public comment periods by following the steps below:
• Call (669) 900-9128, and wait for instructions. The Webinar id is 91119733371#.
• Let us know you want to comment on an item that is being discussed by pressing *9 on your phone.
• When you hear "your phone is unmuted," please proceed with your comment. The time for comments may be limited, so prepare your remarks accordingly.
• You can also click on the link below from your computer or smart phone to participate via zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91119733371
If you are not able to use this Webinar system, you may submit comments via email during the meeting to cityclerk@lagunabeachcity.net. The City Clerk will attempt to briefly identify the author and the content of the email during the City Council meeting. Unless an email is brief and to the point, it will not likely be read into the record and a summary may be provided.
