Mission Viejo Council And Committee Meetings Will Continue To Be Held Virtually

Press release from the City of Mission Viejo:

July 7, 2020

As a result of the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and resulting orders and direction from the Governor of the State of California and Orange County Health Care Agency, the City of Mission Viejo will continue to host City Council and Planning and Transportation meetings virtually.

On July 1, Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter urging all California cities to take every possible measure to help contain the deadly COVID-19 disease, which has continued to spike in the County. In fact, 1,028 new positive cases were reported in Orange County as of July 6. The California Department of Health reports 792 hospitalized patients in the last 14 days (suspected and positive) in 33 hospitals across the county as of Monday.

The City’s virtual meetings fall in line with several other cities like Irvine and Aliso Viejo, which do not permit physical public access due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, including a concerning increase in hospitalizations,” Governor Newsom said. “Everyone in the state must accept and continue to uphold their individual responsibility to help defeat this pandemic. When those responsibilities are disregarded, state and local governments must take action to protect their residents.”

The City continues to implement strict COVID-19 protocols, closures, social distancing and other measures pursuant to public health orders and directives to flatten the curve and keep residents safe. However, with the growing number of people not socially distancing or wearing face coverings as illustrated at recent rallies, beaches and public gatherings throughout the County and State – causing subsequent surges in COVID-19 cases – the City must take extraordinary precautions to protect residents. Residents should wear face coverings, practice social distancing, stay home when sick and wash hands and use sanitizer often.

“We are all anxious to return to the Council Chamber to conduct our City’s business, but it is prudent to wait a little longer until the spike in infections subsides to keep everyone safe,” said Mayor Brian Goodell.

Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett also said in a newsletter this week, “This virus is not going away anytime soon, so the best thing we can do is continue to exercise good judgment and take precautionary measures.”

People can still email their public comments for the Council’s July 14 meeting to cityclerk@cityofmissionviejo.org. To provide public comments for the Planning and Transportation Commission’s July 13 meeting, email cd@cityofmissionviejo.org.

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