Letter From Half Moon Bay Mayor Adam Eisen - April 29, 2020

Press release from the City of Half Moon Bay California:

April 29, 2020

Dear Half Moon Bay Community,

How have you and your family been coping with the pandemic situation during the last week?...

Dear Half Moon Bay Community (Para ver esta carta en español, oprime aquí),

How have you and your family been coping with the pandemic situation during the last week? With the beautiful weather we’ve been having, it’s been even more difficult for many people to practice proper social distancing protocols. We are all longing for a return to the days when we didn’t need to take such measures, but I know you understand the great need – we’re making a difference and I encourage you to stay the course, stay home as much as you can, and when you do go out, be sure to follow the rules.

Our first update for this week is a bit of a mixed bag – on the one hand, the shelter-in-place order is being extended; but on the other hand, because we have made progress in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, certain restrictions are being eased. So, there is cause for some optimism! Please read on.

San Mateo County Revised Shelter-In-Place Order:

Six Bay Area counties, including San Mateo County, have extended the shelter-in-place order through May 31. See the revised order here. The revised order includes a few modifications as outlined below, and becomes effective Monday, May 4. The other jurisdictions which were part of this joint announcement are the counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara, plus the City of Berkeley.

Under the new orders, all construction projects will be allowed to resume as long as the project complies with safety protocols included with the order. All real estate transactions will also now be able to resume, but with continued restrictions on open houses and limitations on in-person viewings. Any employee allowed to return to work at a facility can also access childcare programs that can operate.

Certain outdoor businesses can also begin operating again, and people can visit those businesses to perform work or obtain goods, services, or supplies. This includes wholesale and retail nurseries, landscapers, gardeners, and other businesses that primarily provide outdoor services as set forth in the order. Outdoor businesses do not include restaurants, cafes or bars, regardless of whether they have outdoor seating.

Other activities that can resume under the new order include residential moves and the use of certain shared outdoor recreational facilities that were previously ordered closed, but not others that involve shared equipment or physical contact. Facilities and amenities at Half Moon Bay’s parks remain closed, but passive use of the parks is permissible.

It is important to note that the stricter of the two orders (local and State) takes precedence over the other. If something is permitted in the State order, but not in the County, it is not permitted locally. If something is not permitted in the State order, but is in the County’s, it is not permitted locally.

State of California Re-Opening Plan:

Yesterday, Governor Newsom outlined a “phased reopening” plan for California, with reopening of some retail businesses and schools potentially "weeks away." His plan is based on an apparent stabilization in the numbers of confirmed cases of coronavirus, and deaths due to coronavirus, statewide. The Governor described four stages of our status:

• Stage 1 is safety and preparedness where the state is right now, staying home, and working on flattening the curve.
• Stage 2 involves lifting restrictions on some lower risk workplaces (retail with curbside pickup, childcare with adaptations, manufacturing, and offices where telework is not possible). In the Governor’s words, this may be “weeks, not months, away.” He also suggested the possibility of restarting schools in late July or early August.
• Stage 3 will encompass reducing restrictions on higher-risk workplaces (hair salons, gyms, movie theaters, sports without live audiences, churches. Stage 3, though, is potentially “months away.”)
• Stage 4 will see the end of the stay-at-home order with the reopening of the highest risk parts of our economy - things like concerts, convention centers, and sports with live crowds. Governor Newsom said that stage 4 would come only "once therapeutics have been developed."

Poplar Beach Access Project:

A news release went out Monday regarding an upcoming construction project at Poplar Beach that will close the main access point from May 4 through June 19. The project consists of replacing the access stairs and handrail, and erosion-control work. Access will remain available a half-mile to the north. You can view the news release here.

“Views from Home: Half Moon Bay:”

The City is offering a great way for you to share your story and stay connected with the community – our new “Views from Home: Half Moon Bay” photo project. Thanks to Councilmember Debbie Ruddock for bringing this idea forward. It’s part of the City’s ongoing #WaveofStrength campaign to provide community support during the pandemic.

We want you to share your photos (or maximum 15-second videos) of what you’re seeing and experiencing in your day-to-day lives – for example, nature and the coast; something you’re doing to cope with the many changes we’re experiencing; interesting or unusual wildlife that you come across; a fun home activity that you or your family are engaging in; or whatever you feel is a representative snapshot of our “new normal.”

Send that picture or video to Half Moon Bay at clettire@hmbcity.com – we’ll post selected photos on the City’s web page, where others can see them, share in your experience, and maybe pick up some ideas for their own daily activities (please note that by sending a photo to the City you are agreeing to allow the City’s public use of that photo). You can also tag us on social media, and tag your photos with #WaveofStrength and #ViewsFromHome.

Volunteers Needed:

Senior Coastsiders and the Coastside Hope Food Bank are in need of volunteers for meal delivery and food bank distribution. If you are healthy and able to assist, please contact them through the Coastside Collaborative webpage. I know that many of you are seeking ways to help others during this pandemic, so this is a great opportunity for you! For tips on how to volunteer safely, please see the State of California’s volunteer bulletin here.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:

The California Employment Development Department announced they will begin accepting claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) as of yesterday, April 28. As part of the CARES Act passed last month by the federal government, additional unemployment aid has been designated for business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, those with limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular unemployment benefits. This includes rideshare drivers, hairdressers, landscapers, and contractors working for themselves.

Benefits can be retroactive to weeks starting on or after February 2 and will be provided for up to 39 weeks or until December 26, when current funding for PUA ends. An additional $600 will be provided for each PUA weekly benefit for claims between March 29 and July 25.

For additional information and eligibility requirements, please visit the California Employment Development Department’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance page.

#WaveofStrength Youth Art Project:

Deadline extended! Submissions to this fun, community-based project can now be sent in by May 15, 2020. Youth up to age 18 can submit a photo of their artistic designs around the theme, “What does strength look like to you?” For painted or hand-drawn artwork, please take a high-resolution picture and email it to clettire@hmbcity.com. We’ve received some great submissions so far – we love how creative the youth on the Coastside are! Winners in each age group will have their artwork featured on the City’s social media and displayed on posters throughout the City, have a chance to tour City Hall after reopening, and meet with me.

Bulky Item Pickup:

Republic Services has reinstated the residential Bulky Collection Program, effective last Monday, April 27. They are reaching out to customers who had their appointments cancelled in April to reschedule, and are also scheduling others as they call in. To schedule a pickup, please call 650-592-2411 or email infohmb@republicservices.com.

Property Tax Payments:

Property taxes are due May 4, and due to the pandemic, San Mateo County encourages payment by mail (personal check, cashier’s check, or money order), automated phone system at 866-220-0308, or online at sanmateo-ca.county-taxes.com. If you must pay in-person, the County will accept cash-only property tax payments in Half Moon Bay at the Sheriff’s Substation, 537 Kelly Avenue, on April 30, May 1, and May 4 between 9 am and 5 pm. Face coverings will be required if pay your property taxes in person. For complete information visit tax.smcgov.org.

May 5, 2020 City Council Meeting:

On Tuesday, May 5, 2020 we’ll be holding a City Council COVID-19 Study Session at 6:00 p.m., followed by our regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. As “usual” there are special remote protocols for Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

• Agendas and Zoom link (online later this week)
• Facebook (English)
• Facebook (Spanish)
• Watch the meeting on Channel 27

Participants via Zoom can make live comments during the public comment portion of each agenda item. If you wish to comment on an item without participating via Zoom, please email your comment to jblair@hmbcity.com 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 public comments will be limited to three minutes.

As always, feel free to email me with any comments or concerns. And be sure to stay informed by visiting the City’s COVID-19 Daily Updates webpage, and our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Nextdoor feeds.

Together in partnership,

Adam EisenMayor

This press release was produced by the City of Half Moon Bay California. The views expressed here are the author’s own.