A Message To The Community From Calabasas Mayor (June 12)

Press release from the City of Calabasas:

Friday, June 12, 2020

A Note from Calabasas Mayor Alicia Weintraub

This week I wanted to provide you with an update on where Calabasas is in relationship to COVID-19. The Governor of California outlined a four-stage plan to reopen the state and today the County of Los Angeles, including Calabasas enters Stage 3 for re-opening. This means more businesses are allowed to open with restrictions in place for social distancing and once other safety precautions can be met. Masks are still required in LA County (Calabasas) when you cannot maintain six feet of physical distancing from a non-family member.

The following businesses will be allowed to open today in LA County and therefore if Calabasas has these businesses, they will be allowed to open here too. Please note that just because a business is allowed to open, it does not mean that they will automatically re-open today. They need to be able to meet all required safety precautions.

* Day camps
* gyms
* fitness facilities
* pro sports facilities without spectators
* day camps
* zoos
* aquariums
* campgrounds
* public swimming pools
* music production, film/TV production
* hotels for leisure travel

There are still some businesses not allowed to open within the State and that means these businesses cannot open in LA County and Calabasas. The State of California also still does not permit gatherings of any size outside the home unless it is for religious gatherings, cultural ceremonies or protests. These are the businesses that currently are unable to open.

* nail salons
* tattoo shops
* bars and wineries
* movie theaters
* live performance theaters
* entertainment centers
* concert halls and venues
* stadiums, arenas
* gaming facilities
* theme parks
* festivals

As an incorporated city, we can be stricter than the guidelines allow, but we cannot be more lenient. Calabasas has not been immune to COVID-19. We have had nearly 100 cases (47 alone from Silverado Memory Care Center), but our overall numbers have remained low and nearby hospitals were never overrun with patients, as feared.

As we slowly start to venture out again - still wearing face coverings and staying physically distant - we hold our breath hoping the dreaded second wave of virus does not strike with a vengeance.

Under the new Phase 3 opening, the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center is looking for a target re-opening date of July 1st for the swimming and fitness portion of the center. The safety of our members, staff and community is always our top priority, so we need additional time to ensure that all safety protocols are in place. Just like the private sector, the pandemic has affected every local government across the entire United States, and Calabasas has not been spared. This week the City Council had to address how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the City's finances. The City of Calabasas is still in good financial shape and has been for years. We have prudent reserves and a AAA credit rating.

In Calabasas, major sources of the City's revenue are sales taxes and hotel taxes. Whenever somebody stays in one of our hotels or buys anything from a new car to clothing in one of our stores, the city receives some sales tax and transient occupancy tax revenue. During this pandemic, with all the stores that have not been open, this greatly affected the City's income.

At Wednesday's City Council meeting, we were presented with a proposed FY 20-21 budget that originally showed a deficit of $3.1 million. It called for cuts in city staffing, plus a variety of other cuts. We will be adopting the final budget at our next City Council meeting on June 24th.

At this meeting, we also approved a Grant Program where Calabasas small business are eligible to apply and receive a grant to cover COVID-19 re-opening costs. This program will help small businesses cover expenses related to new COVID-19 safety requirements and other associated expenses. It is our hope that this grant program will help our businesses re-open which, in turn, will help our City budget which benefits the entire community.

As we focus on the positive things happening in our community, I want to say congratulations to all of our graduates! The Class of 2020 will always be remembered for showing their commitment to community for making sacrifices to protect others, and for adapting and finding new ways to celebrate achievements. They organized peaceful protests and delivered PPE to local hospitals. You have made your mark on Calabasas and now we know you will make your mark on the world. Congratulations!

Your Mayor
Alicia

City of Calabasas
100 Civic Center Way
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 224-1600
www.cityofcalabasas.com

This press release was produced by the City of Calabasas. The views expressed here are the author’s own.