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LETTER. Dear Half Moon Bay Community (Para ver esta carta en español, oprime aquí),
I hope you are all doing well, considering the circumstances. I know that staying home as much as we have all been doing is difficult and comes with a lot of impacts throughout the community. When I find myself getting frustrated at being homebound, I think of the healthcare workers and other essential services personnel who do not have the option to stay home. What the rest of us are being asked to do is really a small sacrifice in comparison to their efforts. But it’s a crucial way we can contribute to the overall health of our community. We can do this. Please, continue in your steadfast commitment to fighting the spread of COVID-19 – stay home, save lives. Try and stay positive, and spread that positivity in your socially-distanced circles, virtually.
Resources:
I want to be sure you are checking the City’s coronavirus daily updates webpage. There, you’ll get the latest information about the resources that are available to you and your family. Recent updates include free COVID-19 testing for those meeting certain conditions (and shuttle service for those with a testing appointment), food pantries and nutrition assistance, the Coastside Crisis Fund, and more.
April 16, 2020 City Council Finance Subcommittee Meeting:
The Finance Subcommittee (myself and Councilmember Ruddock) will be meeting Thursday morning at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the current year’s budget, next year’s projected budget, and financing options for the purchase of 880 Stone Pine Road.
You may participate via Zoom Webinar or view on Channel 27. Participants will be able to make live public comments during the public comment portion of each item if participating via Zoom Webinar. If you wish to comment on an item without participating via Zoom, please email your comment to [email protected] prior to the meeting, or prior to the close of the public comment period for that item. Comments received will be read aloud at the meeting. Please note that comments will be limited to three minutes.
Virtual office hours:
I’ll be holding more virtual office hours this Friday, April 17, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in ten-minute slots. I’m happy to talk about any issues, and answer your questions. If you’d like to participate, please contact Jessica Blair at [email protected] to get scheduled. Thank you to those of you who have already joined me in my virtual office!
Coastside Enforcement:
The Sheriff’s office just posted a news release, noting that the coastal areas of San Mateo County have seen an unusually high number of visitors during the weekends. Deputies are increasing enforcement and continue to encourage everyone to stay close to their homes and avoid unnecessary vehicle travel when they do go outside (the County Health order notes that “Outdoor recreation activity must take place within 5 miles of the individual’s residence.”).
It’s very important to observe the extensive number of “No Parking” signs that are in place on Cabrillo Highway and nearby surface streets from the Lantos Tunnel to the Santa Cruz County Line. In the last two weeks on the coastside, Sheriff’s deputies issued nearly 1,000 verbal and written warnings concerning the shelter-at-home order, along with several hundred parking citations. The violators are both local and visitors from out of town. The City, along with the Sheriff’s office, is prepared to take further action if we find the crowds on beaches becomes unmanageable, in violation of the County Health order.
Ambassador Program:
The City of Half Moon Bay has staff visiting parks and trails, contacting residents and visitors, and providing educational handouts to those who may not be in compliance with the social distancing or five-mile recreation restrictions along our trails and beaches and within our parks. We have put up A-frame signs on a number of City streets warning that beach parking is not allowed, and we’ll be placing additional signs throughout the community on other streets that are normally utilized for beach parking.
Virtual Easter Egg Hunt:
The virtual egg hunt over the weekend was a huge success! We heard from many that they counted up to 200 eggs during their walks. Thank you to everyone for participating, and I hope you all enjoyed it.
#WaveofStrength Youth Art Project:
Over the past few weeks, we have seen amazing demonstrations of what strength looks like in our community – our health care workers on the front lines, our essential workers making sure we have access to groceries and other services, or our family and friends who are providing support. Along the Coastside we have truly seen a Wave of Strength, and now we want to see what that strength looks like for the youth of our community.
Continuing with our #WaveofStrength campaign, the City is debuting a Youth Art Contest. Starting tomorrow, we welcome all youth age 18 and under to submit artistic designs around the theme, “What does strength look like to you?” We understand that submitting artwork is challenging during this time, so for any painted or hand drawn artwork, please take a high-resolution picture and email it to Colleen Lettire at [email protected]. The winners of the contest will have their artwork featured on the City’s social media and displayed on posters throughout the city. Depending on age, winners will have a chance to tour City Hall (once it is re-opened) and meet with me, Mayor Adam Eisen! Winners will be chosen in the following categories – ages 5 and under, ages 6-10, ages 11-14, and ages 15-18. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2020.
Governor’s Update on Reopening the State of California:
Governor Newsom provided a plan today for “reopening” the state. While it does not provide a timeline, it outlines elements to be considered prior to the start of any reopening. It’s important to note that aside from the State Order, the San Mateo County Public Health Officer would determine how best to implement the plan and any reopening within San Mateo County. The factors to be considered by the State include:
- The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed.
- The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19.
- The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges.
- The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand.
- The ability for businesses, schools, and childcare facilities to support physical distancing.
- The ability to determine when to re-institute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.
No timeline was provided as those discussions would begin once the six factors above are in place, and there is a steady decrease in the impacts to the health system. While there is light at the end of the tunnel, please stay vigilant in your practices of distancing and protection – this will take all of us working together.
Reminder on Face Coverings:
Please remember to utilize face coverings when out in public. We have received a lot of concern from residents that the majority of people out conducting essential business and errands have been doing so without face coverings. Let’s do our part for ourselves and our neighbors, please.
April 21, 2020 City Council Meeting Protocols:
Special remote protocols for Tuesday’s City Council meeting (7:00 p.m.) are in place. You may view the meeting on Channel 27, online via Zoom Webinar (link will be on the agenda), on Facebook in English and in Spanish. Participants will be able to make live public comments during the public comment portion of each item if participating via Zoom Webinar. If you wish to comment on an item without participating via Zoom, please email your comment to [email protected] prior to the meeting, or prior to the close of the public comment period for that item. Comments received will be read aloud at the meeting. Please note that comments will be limited to three minutes.
As always, feel free to email me with any comments or concerns. And, as a reminder, stay informed by visiting the City’s COVID-19 Daily Updates webpage, and our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Nextdoor feeds.
Author: Coastside Buzz
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