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Memorial Service for Sgt. Gutzwiller
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This week of June 15th newsletter gives you the latest update on local issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to move through this pandemic, I will be sending less frequent updates. Should major news or changes be released I will make sure to notify everyone.
Remember to visit the County website about COVID-19 by clicking
here
which will be updated when anything NEW is announced.
UPDATES:
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County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel issued a new order removing local restrictions on lodging operators, allowing hotels, motels, and vacation rentals to resume business activities in accordance with State guidelines. The County was previously approved for a State variance and issued orders aligning the County with State guidance, which will allow movies theaters and family entertainment centers; museums, galleries and aquariums; gyms and fitness centers; swimming pools; campgrounds and RV parks; and tasting rooms, brewpubs and bars to reopen as well. The County will also allow expanded personal care services to resume Friday, June 19th. Expanded personal services include hair and nail salons, estheticians, skin care, cosmetology,
electrology, microblading, waxing, body art, tattoo parlors, body piercing shops and massage therapy.The new order also extends partial beach closures through July 6, 2020, at which time the County will reassess beach access. Furthermore, the County is aligned with new State guidance on schools, childcare facilities, and day camps. To read the full order click here.
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It is important to note that the single largest day of positive tests since the start of the pandemic in our county occurred last week. While there have been relaxations of restrictions for many businesses, the virus has not gone away. People still need to wear face coverings and keep a safe physical distance from others to prevent the spread of the virus. It is also critically important to wash your hands and not touch your face. Find a place to get a test if you think you may have been exposed by clicking here.
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The County is pleased to announce that the Great Plates Delivered program has been granted an extension by State and federal partners, allowing the continued delivery of fresh, nutritious meals to older residents while supporting local restaurateurs and caterers during COVID-19. Designed to address the food needs of vulnerable older adults through a federal economic stimulus package, the program currently utilizes five providers located throughout the county to deliver meals to more than 400 local residents. The program was previously scheduled to end June 10th. The extension allows the program to continue for another 30 days, through July 10th. Seventy-five percent of Great Plates Delivered is funded through the federal CARES Act, with the State providing 18.75 percent.
To find out more about how to sign up click
here
.
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County Health officials will be ending their weekly press conferences and switching them to an as-needed basis. I will share information about upcoming press conferences through my newsletter and on Facebook
You can review past press conferences on the County's Facebook site by clicking
here
.
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Last week I held an insightful conversation with
Rev. Deb Johnson, Inner Light Ministry; Brenda Griffin, NAACP; Joy Flynn, local Protest Organizer; and Fernando Geraldo, Probation Director, about the issues of race in our county's criminal justice system. There were good suggestions about strategies we need to follow and tools we can use to ensure accountability with the public. I encourage you to watch and listen by clicking
here.
At last week's meeting, we talked about how to use our County budget to advance a better justice system. This Wednesday I have invited County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios to participate in the weekly Town Hall. With the local economy hit hard by the pandemic response and its associated restrictions, the County is facing difficult challenges in securing the funds necessary to support operations at the level to which we are accustomed. Mr. Palacios can talk about what we might expect and what the triggers are that can help our community during these tough times.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Please use the link below to join the webinar:
Or Telephone:
Dial
: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or
+1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 989 6367 9658
On June 24, I am inviting back Dr. Farris Sabbah, County Superintendent of Schools, to talk about what the school year will look like next year. Dr. Sabbah has been meeting weekly with school superintendents and can share how schools are working to prevent the spread of disease in our school communities and how the county has responded to the challenges of distance learning.
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At tomorrow's Board meeting, which begins at 9:00 a.m., we will be tackling a number of important items.
Limiting vacation rentals - The Board will be voting on the issue of putting a moratorium on new vacation rentals in our community. We will also be considering new parking requirements to limit on-street parking impacts, as well as changes to how we calculate how many vacation rentals can be located on a block. Read more about it here and here.
Rent relief for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic - The Board is applying for Community Development Block Grant funding to provide nearly $500,000 in rent support to households in the unincorporated area that have been challenged by economic impacts related to the pandemic. Read about it here.
Appeal of cell facility in Soquel - The Board has taken jurisdiction to hear an appeal of a cell facility proposed in Soquel. Read more about it here.
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