Temecula Grows Restless Amid The Coronavirus Shutdown

TEMECULA, CA — How to reopen a city amid coronavirus is not an easy undertaking, just ask Temecula. It took about four hours of discussion Tuesday night for council members to hash out whether to reopen parking lots at city parks and how to get local businesses humming while restrictive state and county orders are in place.

As a resort destination that touts $1 billion in annual tourism revenues, Temecula has been hit hard by the shutdown. During Tuesday's night's virtual city council meeting, Temecula City Clerk Randi Johl read aloud 54 public comments from residents and business owners who weighed in on the closure.

More than half were in favor of some form of reopening the city: A dozen Calvary Baptist Church parishioners urged that if people can gather at Walmart, they can gather for in-person religious services. Several winery owners maintained that patrons can safely visit vineyards while adhering to social distancing orders. Wilson Creek Winery owner Bill Wilson called the shutdown, his "9/11" moment. More than 100 Wilson Creek employees have been furloughed, and the federal government's small business loan program has not delivered promised relief, Wilson said. A recreational tennis player begged the city to reopen courts at local high schools so he can keep his mind and body healthy.

Not all commenters were in favor of reopening before state and county health officials deem it safe. Many Harveston Lake residents complained that "visitors" are flocking to their neighborhood, flouting state and county orders about gatherings and face coverings. The residents implored the city to stop the alleged violators. A mother pleaded against a "premature" reopening.

After listening to all comments, the council members first took on the issue of parking lots at the 41 city-owned parks. In an unanimous vote, council members agreed to reopen all lots except those at "destination parks" that include Ronald Reagan, Patricia H. Birdsall, and Harveston Lake.

Parking at the city's two dog parks will reopen.

Frustration was apparent though. Council member Mike Naggar wanted all parks' parking lots reopened, arguing that most Temecula residents are adhering to state and county orders.

"The preponderance of people are practicing social distancing," he said. Naggar conceded there are a few "knuckleheads" who won't comply, but said closing one parking lot and not another was illogical.

"We've got the go-ahead," he said, referring to the county public health officer's April 20 announcement that parks and respective parking lots could reopen.

But concerns about overcrowding at the three destination parks, and how to enforce state and county orders at the facilities, prevailed.

"We do have a responsibility to maintain [the] public health," said council member Zak Schwank.

Depending on how reopenings at the smaller parks go, parking lots at Ronald Reagan, Birdsall, and Harveston Lake may be opened as well, council members said.

Playground equipment remains closed at all city parks under the county's current order, although tennis and pickleball are now allowed at Margarita Community Park and Pala Park.

Discussion on how to move forward with a citywide plan to reopen businesses ran into the early morning Wednesday. Council members were in agreement that the city and its business leaders "need a seat at the table" when it comes to crafting county guidelines.

The governor has been giving counties leeway during the shutdown. For example, Riverside County has worked with the state to determine what is an essential or non-essential business, and local officials were able to carve out modifications like reopening golf courses and drive-thru religious services. But the council members said the criteria has been fuzzy.

"It doesn't make any sense," Naggar said. Council member Matt Rahn said the city is not getting enough information about the decision-making process of what can open and what cannot.

In an effort to gain more control moving forward, council members unanimously voted to authorize City Manager Aaron Adams to draft a plan that includes input from local businesses on how they might reopen while still adhering to state and county orders. The document would then be brought to the county, including the two county task forces charged with reopening the economy. Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington is specifically working on a plan to revive District 3, which includes Temecula.

The council will review the city manager's document during its next meeting.

Mayor James "Stew" Stewart asked City Attorney Peter Thorson whether Temecula could just reopen despite state and county orders. "What would happen?" he asked. Thorson signaled that it would not be advisable, given the financial cost of fighting such a battle during a time when revenues are sharply down.

Council members said they were determined to come up with a viable plan to reopen while still adhering to orders.

Naggar said that if the shutdown lingers for another 30 days, "everything is going to collapse. I do not think we have the luxury of waiting."

Watch the full meeting here.