1 00:01:44,690 --> 00:01:48,230 Good evening and welcome to the joint meeting of the City Council of the City of 2 00:01:48,230 --> 00:01:51,750 Myrna Valley, Myrna Valley Community Services District, City as Successor 3 00:01:51,750 --> 00:01:54,830 Agency for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Myrna Valley, 4 00:01:55,230 --> 00:01:58,950 Myrna Valley Housing Authority, Myrna Valley Public Financing Authority, and the 5 00:01:58,950 --> 00:02:03,010 Board of Library Trustees. The City Council receives a separate stipend for CSD 6 00:02:03,010 --> 00:02:08,170 meetings. I now call this regular meeting to order on April 7, 2020 at 7 00:02:08,170 --> 00:02:13,830 six oh one p.m. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. And begin. 8 00:02:14,770 --> 00:02:20,170 Pledge of Allegiance to the President of the United States of America and to the Republic 9 00:02:20,170 --> 00:02:26,270 of which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. 10 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:32,100 Thank you. Madam Clerk, roll call please. 11 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:35,280 Yes, sir. Council Member Thornton. 12 00:02:39,190 --> 00:02:40,170 Council Member Thornton. 13 00:02:43,990 --> 00:02:46,190 She says that she can't hear us speaking. 14 00:02:47,530 --> 00:02:50,310 Okay, okay, but we do see her on the screen. So she's here 15 00:02:53,370 --> 00:02:56,830 Okay, councilmember Cabrera here mayor pro tembaca 16 00:02:57,890 --> 00:02:58,990 He's also here 17 00:02:59,930 --> 00:03:03,910 They are good to us present so Carla we we counted you present 18 00:03:04,850 --> 00:03:08,310 And yeah, now we can hear you and Victoria we counted you present 19 00:03:09,350 --> 00:03:12,230 Present okay great. All right 20 00:03:12,230 --> 00:03:13,870 Staff introductions, please 21 00:03:16,550 --> 00:03:21,390 Hey Bryant management assistant. Marshall Ironman assistant city manager chief 22 00:03:21,390 --> 00:03:26,570 financial officer. Mike Lee interim city manager. Steve Kintania hopefully your 23 00:03:26,570 --> 00:03:27,930 interim city attorney. 24 00:03:30,250 --> 00:03:33,750 Manuel Mancha community development director. Michael 25 00:03:33,750 --> 00:03:36,650 Wolf interim assistant city manager, public works director, city engineer. 26 00:03:39,750 --> 00:03:44,170 Patty Solano parks and community services director. Captain John Salisbury 27 00:03:44,170 --> 00:03:49,350 functions as chief of police. I'll do along with fire chief. All early assistant city attorney. 28 00:03:49,930 --> 00:03:54,890 Okay great. All right well thank you to the staff for being here. Before we hear public 29 00:03:54,890 --> 00:03:59,770 comments on items on non-agenda items and agenda items I just want to make it very very clear 30 00:03:59,770 --> 00:04:05,430 there's been some concern about item a8 which is the utility rates and so I just want to make 31 00:04:05,430 --> 00:04:11,510 it clear that there will be no action taken on the resolution on tonight's agenda item a8 32 00:04:11,510 --> 00:04:13,250 regarding marine value utility. 33 00:04:13,710 --> 00:04:16,050 And this is because the disaster council, 34 00:04:16,550 --> 00:04:20,210 which is convened by ordinance when we have an emergency 35 00:04:20,210 --> 00:04:22,750 and I'm actually the chair of the disaster council, 36 00:04:23,150 --> 00:04:25,370 we already took action a couple of weeks ago 37 00:04:25,370 --> 00:04:27,410 and that is to not raise any of the rates 38 00:04:28,090 --> 00:04:30,610 and also any of the shutoffs or anything like that. 39 00:04:30,930 --> 00:04:32,790 We're not doing shutoffs or anything like that. 40 00:04:33,470 --> 00:04:35,430 So this item, the reason why it's on here 41 00:04:35,430 --> 00:04:37,890 is because normally the resolution comes 42 00:04:37,890 --> 00:04:40,210 before council twice per year 43 00:04:40,210 --> 00:04:43,310 in accordance with MVU's founding agreement 44 00:04:43,310 --> 00:04:45,390 that MVU's rates keep pace with those 45 00:04:45,390 --> 00:04:46,750 of Southern California Edison. 46 00:04:47,450 --> 00:04:49,290 However, given the circumstances 47 00:04:49,290 --> 00:04:52,130 of what we're going through are the crisis, the COVID-19 48 00:04:52,750 --> 00:04:54,230 and also, you know, 49 00:04:54,450 --> 00:04:56,630 although the disaster council already talked about this 50 00:04:56,630 --> 00:04:59,550 already, there are gonna be no rates, 51 00:04:59,850 --> 00:05:02,610 rate increases, you know, for that matter. 52 00:05:02,770 --> 00:05:04,210 So I just wanna make that very clear. 53 00:05:05,010 --> 00:05:06,770 You know, I thought I made it pretty clear 54 00:05:06,770 --> 00:05:08,650 to specific people, but you know, 55 00:05:08,650 --> 00:05:10,930 and I just want to make it very clear to the public. 56 00:05:13,300 --> 00:05:15,740 So before we hear public comments this evening, 57 00:05:16,460 --> 00:05:20,300 I ask and encourage everyone that's participating 58 00:05:20,300 --> 00:05:22,580 to keep their comments respectful towards each other. 59 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,660 We can accomplish more if we're respectful to each other. 60 00:05:27,180 --> 00:05:29,320 I embrace and support the First Amendment right 61 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,840 to free speech, including everyone's right 62 00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:34,440 to speak at this meeting and share his or her views 63 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:37,180 about issues concerning our city. 64 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:44,020 Finally, I ask that speakers bear in mind that, if you would like to speak, that you 65 00:05:44,020 --> 00:05:52,340 press the raise hand icon, okay, so thank you, so like Kari, she pressed it right there. 66 00:05:52,940 --> 00:05:58,080 And if you don't know where that's at, if you kind of hover over your screen, there's 67 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:01,660 three little dots, there's an icon with three little dots, you click that and the 68 00:06:01,660 --> 00:06:02,440 hand should be there. 69 00:06:02,540 --> 00:06:03,640 So you're going to click that hand, 70 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:07,540 all right? 71 00:06:07,540 --> 00:06:12,960 And comments tonight will be on agenda items and non-agenda items, and there will be two minutes each. 72 00:06:13,580 --> 00:06:17,980 Any person wishing to address the mayor, which is myself and city council on any matter, 73 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:22,760 either under the public comment section of the agenda or scheduled items or public hearings, 74 00:06:23,060 --> 00:06:29,580 must follow the teleconference procedures, which is basically clicking on that icon to speak. 75 00:06:30,840 --> 00:06:33,680 You can also, if you can't find it, okay, don't worry. 76 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:39,160 You can also just put your hand, you know next to your screen like I'm doing right here and 77 00:06:40,060 --> 00:06:43,820 And if you do that then I'll know that you know, you're trying to speak as well 78 00:06:43,820 --> 00:06:45,420 But that means you have to actually take off 79 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:48,760 You have to put your video on your video camera on 80 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:52,540 If you can't find the raise hand I gun 81 00:06:55,560 --> 00:07:00,960 All right in order to preserve the meeting decorum council and staff will not respond during public comments 82 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:05,260 any council comments or questions to staff will be addressed during the 83 00:07:05,260 --> 00:07:10,260 council closing comments all right so we'll go ahead and begin and just keep 84 00:07:10,260 --> 00:07:15,960 in mind that there is a timer you know so the two-minute timer and so just keep 85 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:20,520 that in mind okay I'll put my hand up or you know something like that but just 86 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:25,580 keep in time keep in mind of the time all right so let me go ahead mute all 87 00:07:25,580 --> 00:07:27,320 Great, the first speaker we have is Carrie then. 88 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:30,680 Hello, Council. 89 00:07:31,420 --> 00:07:32,300 Can you hear me? 90 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:32,880 Yes. 91 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:34,180 Okay, great. 92 00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:38,000 Reference to now removed agenda item A8 regarding 93 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,800 the Moreno Valley utility rate increase. 94 00:07:40,620 --> 00:07:43,860 I'm a little concerned because the February 25th, 95 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,460 2020 Finance Subcommittee Special Meeting draft 96 00:07:46,460 --> 00:07:49,860 minutes state that MBU is still balanced within their 97 00:07:49,860 --> 00:07:51,540 budget and meeting their bottom line. 98 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,520 This finance subcommittee meeting was attended 99 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:59,860 by both the mayor and councilmember Cabrera. The information was presented by the city CFO. 100 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:06,140 The CFO stated MBU was balanced. Why then would the city staff recommend a rate increase? 101 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:12,180 What are the GAN limits for this utility? And how can the city request a rate increase when 102 00:08:12,180 --> 00:08:17,320 clearly the utility is performing on par and current rates are covering expenses? 103 00:08:18,300 --> 00:08:23,460 My next comment, the city must deploy the internal stockpile of face masks to our 104 00:08:23,460 --> 00:08:29,320 citizens. At the March 17th city council meeting I earned council to release the city's internal 105 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:35,900 stockpile of protective gear to residents. We had no known cases of COVID-19 at that time. 106 00:08:36,560 --> 00:08:43,240 Today however our city has 94 cases and unfortunately three deaths. You could at least 107 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:48,580 release a portion of your internal stockpile as the Marino Valley Unified School District has done 108 00:08:48,580 --> 00:08:50,720 as well as other governmental agencies. 109 00:08:51,340 --> 00:08:53,860 You could offer that stockpile to local hospitals 110 00:08:53,860 --> 00:08:56,340 if you don't feel compelled to release it 111 00:08:56,340 --> 00:08:57,080 to your own citizens. 112 00:08:57,840 --> 00:08:59,220 Your action could save lives. 113 00:08:59,660 --> 00:09:00,440 Don't wait, please. 114 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:03,140 Regarding another issue, 115 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,100 Marino Valley residents have been paying 116 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:07,660 a temporary tax on utilities since 1991. 117 00:09:08,580 --> 00:09:11,960 It's time to eliminate or refund this tax 118 00:09:12,370 --> 00:09:14,300 for the rest of the year 2020 119 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:15,800 to help residents and businesses 120 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:17,420 during this national emergency. 121 00:09:17,420 --> 00:09:28,520 We currently pay a 5.75% tax on water, electricity, natural gas, cable television, local and long-distance phone service, as well as cellular phone services. 122 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:40,580 With so many parents instructing children and working from home and the mass closure of businesses and or their accompanying reduction in sales, the elimination of the tax would save all of us money. 123 00:09:40,740 --> 00:09:41,920 Thank you. Thank you, Kerry. 124 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:43,240 Thank you. 125 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:48,860 Okay, next speaker we have is Mr. then Robert then go 126 00:10:06,340 --> 00:10:06,900 ahead, Mr. then. 127 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:46,760 Okay, go ahead. Yes. Yes. 128 00:10:48,260 --> 00:10:52,720 Sorry about that and the relocate that's a technical different difficulties here. That's okay. 129 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:54,900 Okay, here we go. 130 00:10:56,220 --> 00:11:05,260 As I have a tendency to go over my three minutes, let me say this up front to the city council to the city staff to all those who may be watching and listening tonight. 131 00:11:05,260 --> 00:11:13,000 stay well, be safe, and be smart in all you do. I urge everyone to heed the 132 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:19,360 Mayor's guidance and warning, stay home. And if it becomes essential for you to 133 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:25,320 leave your home, practice safe distancing and wear a mask. The mask has 134 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:31,820 become this season's fashion statement and no one was anyone should be caught 135 00:11:31,820 --> 00:11:33,520 out and about without one. 136 00:11:35,530 --> 00:11:39,490 In a time of crisis, everyone has a part to play, each of us as an 137 00:11:39,490 --> 00:11:45,690 individual, as a part of a community, and as a member of our city. Likewise, in a time of crisis, 138 00:11:45,870 --> 00:11:50,690 the community and the city has a responsibility to do their part. We will get through this, 139 00:11:50,870 --> 00:11:57,130 and when we do, it would be a shame not to have learned from our experience. With nothing else, 140 00:11:57,130 --> 00:12:03,390 we should have learned or relearn that this life of ours is fragile, so fragile that a 141 00:12:03,390 --> 00:12:08,650 microscopic protein module can spread from a city in China around the world causing 142 00:12:08,650 --> 00:12:17,210 havoc, death, and shutting down of economies. April 22nd is Earth Day, a day to raise awareness 143 00:12:17,210 --> 00:12:21,730 on the negative impact our actions have on our environment and the Earth as a whole. 144 00:12:22,410 --> 00:12:27,730 Obviously, our immediate attention is on the C-19 global crisis, but we must not forget 145 00:12:27,730 --> 00:12:32,330 that we are also in another global crisis, a global warming crisis. 146 00:12:33,150 --> 00:12:38,610 And as with the C-19 crisis, everyone in every community and every city has a role to play. 147 00:12:39,350 --> 00:12:42,110 That is why I have stated in the past and will continue to. 148 00:12:42,610 --> 00:12:48,210 That is environmentally irresponsible and morally indefensible for this city to continue 149 00:12:48,210 --> 00:12:50,290 to support the environmentally disastrous... 150 00:12:50,290 --> 00:12:56,550 Thank you, Mr. then. Okay, next speaker we have is Daryl Tarrell. 151 00:12:59,260 --> 00:13:06,320 Hi, this is Daryl Tarrell. Good evening. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we are all 152 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:11,820 interconnected. Our lives and our livelihoods depends on getting through this public health 153 00:13:11,820 --> 00:13:18,080 crisis together with dignity for everyone. We have moved away from in-person contact 154 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:23,720 And our governor has called upon us to stay home where it's safe. 155 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:29,420 However, this shutdown is causing tremendous hardship for you, our residents. 156 00:13:29,780 --> 00:13:35,940 Many of you are seeing reduced or eliminated paychecks while rent continues to come due. 157 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:44,840 Service workers, restaurant workers, retail workers, and small business workers are just some of the categories of working families 158 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:50,960 who will be unable to pay their rent due to COVID-19. 159 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:57,840 Many of these folks spend 30% of their income on rent and even more spend 50% of their income 160 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:02,200 on rent in our city where 40% of our residents are renters. 161 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:08,980 Mr. Mayor and City Council, you have a responsibility to act urgently to prevent thousands of families 162 00:14:08,980 --> 00:14:11,160 from facing eviction and homelessness. 163 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:24,660 That's why I'm submitting into the public record electronically a proposed ordinance that protects residential and commercial tenants from eviction because of financial impact of COVID-19. 164 00:14:25,340 --> 00:14:29,700 This proposed ordinance establish residential and commercial rental deferral program. 165 00:14:29,940 --> 00:14:32,700 It doesn't alleviate people from not paying their rent. 166 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:40,640 But what it does is under this proposed ordinance, landlords must not evict residents and commercial 167 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:44,320 tenants who are unable to pay rent because of loss of income. 168 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:52,140 And also, most importantly, it gives a year up to a year to pay your rent with a payment 169 00:14:52,140 --> 00:14:54,740 plan with your landlords. 170 00:14:54,740 --> 00:14:59,980 So, I will transmit this electro- 171 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,640 Okay. Thank you. All right. 172 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:10,880 Okay. Seeing no more public comments here, we're going to go ahead 173 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:19,460 and move to consent calendar. And the consent calendar is considered for routine and noncontroversial 174 00:15:19,460 --> 00:15:26,260 items, all items listed under ABC and D. Yes. It's a quick question. Do we have the 175 00:15:26,260 --> 00:15:30,320 opportunity to give our comments now instead of at the end of the meeting? Yeah, sure. 176 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:35,180 Yeah, if you'd like. Yes. Thank you. Sorry for interrupting. Okay, it'll be five minutes. Yes. Thank you 177 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:42,180 Yeah, so I just want to provide the community with a few updates, you know all pertaining to COVID-19 178 00:15:42,740 --> 00:15:47,780 The first one as you can see I'm wearing a face mask today. This is actually made at home. It took me 179 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:52,440 No more than 10 minutes. It's one bandana two rubber bands on the side 180 00:15:53,180 --> 00:15:58,860 It's very easy to make and as you've probably seen by now the county did issue an order and is 181 00:15:58,860 --> 00:16:06,700 requiring everyone to wear masks when outdoors, so even if you can't get a hold of an actual N95 mask, 182 00:16:07,220 --> 00:16:11,380 you know, there's a lot of different items that you can find at home, so you can make your own mask. 183 00:16:11,940 --> 00:16:13,480 So I would highly recommend that. 184 00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:22,340 Also, moving on to the topic of resources, there's a lot of food pantries and food banks here in the city of Moreno Valley. 185 00:16:22,340 --> 00:16:30,260 The city actually just created a website mobile.org backslash food where you can go 186 00:16:30,260 --> 00:16:34,920 and find more information on these pantries as well as grocery store hours. 187 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:40,380 So please feel free to visit that and get that information so if you know of 188 00:16:40,380 --> 00:16:43,800 anyone who's in need so you can send them that way and they can get the 189 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:50,880 resources they need. Next topic I want to talk about the census so you know 190 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,420 Now more than ever, because of the coronavirus, 191 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,840 we're going to need as many resources as we can possibly 192 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:58,820 get once the crisis is over. 193 00:16:59,620 --> 00:17:04,140 And the census actually determines 194 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,260 so many different programs and free and reduced 195 00:17:08,260 --> 00:17:15,960 lunches, MediCal, and a ton of other programs and funding 196 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,560 sources that come down here to our community. 197 00:17:18,560 --> 00:17:22,180 And so now is the time to fill out that census. 198 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:29,180 You probably got something in the mail that gives you a unique ID code, so you can fill that out on a website. 199 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:33,780 You can also call. So if you just look online, you can find the hotlines. 200 00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:41,040 There's also one in Spanish, so you can speak to someone, a personal assistant, and they'll help you fill out the census as well. 201 00:17:41,860 --> 00:17:47,860 For small businesses, you may have heard as well for a few programs, the Economic Injury 202 00:17:47,860 --> 00:17:54,380 Disaster Loan, the Paycheck Protection Program, you can actually go to the SBA.gov for more 203 00:17:54,380 --> 00:17:54,900 information. 204 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,700 I highly recommend looking into those if you're a small business. 205 00:17:58,700 --> 00:18:03,580 The stimulus checks, those according to the federal government, are supposed to start 206 00:18:03,580 --> 00:18:05,300 going out mid-April. 207 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:09,180 And you're going to get those faster if you do have direct deposits. 208 00:18:09,180 --> 00:18:14,900 So, the IRS has said that they're supposed to set up a tool to allow you to set up four 209 00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:15,580 direct deposits. 210 00:18:15,860 --> 00:18:18,960 So, if you haven't already done that, please look into that. 211 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:21,200 And forgive me for being a little out of breath. 212 00:18:21,420 --> 00:18:28,280 It's the mask messes with your mouth a little bit, but I'll try to take deep breaths here. 213 00:18:29,180 --> 00:18:32,560 So, also tax refunds. 214 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:38,560 If you have not submitted your taxes for this year, please do so by April 15th 215 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,660 so that you can get your tax refund as soon as possible. 216 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:48,560 On the topic of evictions, one of our public commenters spoke about that, 217 00:18:48,660 --> 00:18:55,540 but yesterday the California Judicial Council did publish rules. 218 00:18:57,580 --> 00:19:03,660 Basically, there will be no hearings for evictions until 90 days after the governor 219 00:19:03,660 --> 00:19:05,820 lifts the state of emergency here in California. 220 00:19:06,380 --> 00:19:12,420 So that's good news for a lot of tenants who are in situations where they may not be 221 00:19:12,420 --> 00:19:13,720 able to pay their rent right now. 222 00:19:13,940 --> 00:19:18,440 So that is for commercial residential tenants across the board. 223 00:19:18,580 --> 00:19:21,540 So if you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out to us. 224 00:19:21,620 --> 00:19:22,240 We're happy to help. 225 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:29,380 Lastly, just, you know, we are in the midst of a crisis. 226 00:19:29,740 --> 00:19:31,600 We're all in this at the same time. 227 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:32,620 We're all in this together. 228 00:19:33,540 --> 00:19:34,680 But it is temporary. 229 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:38,340 You know, it's important to remember that this is not going to go on forever, 230 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:42,420 if not just a few more weeks, maybe another month or two. 231 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:49,820 But the more we collaborate to stay at home, to wear a mask, to wash our hands, 232 00:19:49,820 --> 00:19:55,220 to stay healthy, eat good foods as well to keep our immune system strong the 233 00:19:55,220 --> 00:20:00,460 faster we're going to get out of this and recover from it. So you know this is 234 00:20:00,460 --> 00:20:04,280 the time where I've seen a lot of our community members showing the best of 235 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:07,680 what we have. I've seen leaders throughout the community standing up 236 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:11,940 and giving back and I'm so proud of that especially to our city staff and my 237 00:20:11,940 --> 00:20:16,690 colleagues here and the mayor as well. So you know we're all fighting the 238 00:20:16,690 --> 00:20:24,290 fight and we will overcome this brief moment in history so with that I want to 239 00:20:24,290 --> 00:20:30,750 wish everyone a good evening stay well and stay healthy thank you okay all right 240 00:20:30,750 --> 00:20:36,850 so there has been a request for a few little items here we have 813 council 241 00:20:36,850 --> 00:20:40,430 Marquez we'd like to say a few comments on that item go ahead that 242 00:20:40,430 --> 00:20:51,970 Councillor Marquez? Yeah thank you Mayor. To the public we're hiring a company 243 00:20:51,970 --> 00:20:56,090 association associates with our 244 00:20:58,140 --> 00:21:01,460 and from city attorney for services since we 245 00:21:01,460 --> 00:21:08,890 don't have our own our own city attorney right now I've been asked by 246 00:21:08,890 --> 00:21:14,890 several residents well what about what's the cost what are we paying this 247 00:21:14,890 --> 00:21:16,690 guy more than our regular attorney. 248 00:21:18,190 --> 00:21:19,510 That's all public record. 249 00:21:19,850 --> 00:21:21,990 I don't want to waste time right now going into that. 250 00:21:22,310 --> 00:21:25,210 But you can send in a request to get his salary. 251 00:21:26,970 --> 00:21:29,230 It's not more than what we would be paying 252 00:21:29,230 --> 00:21:31,370 our regular city attorney. 253 00:21:32,310 --> 00:21:37,770 But I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce Steve. 254 00:21:38,450 --> 00:21:39,330 Going away, Steve? 255 00:21:39,330 --> 00:21:39,490 Steve? 256 00:21:41,790 --> 00:21:49,130 Yeah. Steve is our new intern city attorney and he's worked with us before and he's come 257 00:21:49,130 --> 00:21:54,530 with good, good recommendations and I personally want to welcome him to the city. Thank you, 258 00:21:54,610 --> 00:21:55,770 Steve. That's all I have, man. 259 00:21:57,450 --> 00:22:05,470 Thank you. Okay, and then we also have some comments on items A-10 and A-11. A-10 is 260 00:22:05,470 --> 00:22:09,830 about potholes, A-11 bike lanes, and this comes from Council Member Thornton, and then 261 00:22:09,830 --> 00:22:10,930 and I think you also have a comment 262 00:22:10,930 --> 00:22:12,390 on the other two of the items. 263 00:22:12,930 --> 00:22:15,710 Yes, I wanted to get the comment on A10 and A11. 264 00:22:15,950 --> 00:22:17,730 So A10, I just wanted to give recognition 265 00:22:17,730 --> 00:22:21,870 that concerning construction and improvement around the city. 266 00:22:22,450 --> 00:22:23,630 So for A10 specifically, 267 00:22:24,210 --> 00:22:26,770 we'll be spending no more than 200,000 268 00:22:26,770 --> 00:22:29,450 on potholes and road infrastructure. 269 00:22:29,490 --> 00:22:33,090 So I want to commend the city staff 270 00:22:33,090 --> 00:22:35,910 and public works on continuing to make, 271 00:22:36,330 --> 00:22:38,230 to partner with the community 272 00:22:38,230 --> 00:22:40,710 and making this a priority for us. 273 00:22:41,210 --> 00:22:43,670 We all know with the rain that's happening now, 274 00:22:44,010 --> 00:22:46,510 our streets deteriorate at an even faster rate. 275 00:22:46,650 --> 00:22:48,610 So this is something that is ongoing for us. 276 00:22:48,710 --> 00:22:50,510 There is a five year infrastructure plan 277 00:22:50,510 --> 00:22:52,030 and so this is leading to that. 278 00:22:52,490 --> 00:22:56,550 And A11 also really feeds into our mission 279 00:22:57,030 --> 00:23:00,990 to make a Reno Valley bicycle friendly. 280 00:23:01,270 --> 00:23:04,930 So this is around improvements to bicycle enhancements. 281 00:23:05,350 --> 00:23:07,590 I also wanted to register a no vote 282 00:23:07,590 --> 00:23:14,350 for A6 and A7. Okay great all right thank you so much Council Member Dr. 283 00:23:14,450 --> 00:23:20,410 Thornton on item A14 I believe our city manager actually I'm asking our city 284 00:23:20,410 --> 00:23:26,830 manager to give just some brief just to give a brief summary of you know just 285 00:23:26,830 --> 00:23:31,470 what we kind of did at the disaster council and then what these entail 286 00:23:31,470 --> 00:23:33,930 these emergency resolutions. 287 00:23:35,190 --> 00:23:41,070 Arnold Mayor, Mayor City Council, this item before you for your consideration is our set 288 00:23:41,070 --> 00:23:46,990 of resolutions pertaining to the emergency order on the city's ability to deal with 289 00:23:46,990 --> 00:23:48,230 the COVID-19 pandemic. 290 00:23:48,890 --> 00:23:55,110 Under the municipal code, the city can convene a disaster council and the disaster council 291 00:23:55,110 --> 00:24:00,150 is made of, as the mayor alluded to, the mayor serving as the chair, the city manager 292 00:24:00,150 --> 00:24:04,090 serving as the director of the emergency services, and I have appointed the fire chief 293 00:24:04,090 --> 00:24:05,550 to serve as the assistant director. 294 00:24:06,330 --> 00:24:11,290 We recently convened the disaster council initially on March 11, and subsequently on 295 00:24:11,290 --> 00:24:15,970 March 17, they made the recommendation for the city council to declare a local state 296 00:24:15,970 --> 00:24:18,610 of emergency on March 17, which did occur. 297 00:24:19,370 --> 00:24:25,730 Subsequently on March 31, we convened the disaster council again to make further 298 00:24:25,730 --> 00:24:32,130 recommendations and these are a set of recommendations on various resolutions pertaining to how we 299 00:24:32,130 --> 00:24:35,270 could conduct business in dealing with the COVID-19. 300 00:24:35,970 --> 00:24:40,030 And just a quick summary of some of the resolution is of course we need to continue the local 301 00:24:40,030 --> 00:24:40,890 emergency ordinance. 302 00:24:41,090 --> 00:24:46,450 The initial ordinance would have lapsed on April 15th and this is now extended indefinitely 303 00:24:46,450 --> 00:24:49,750 until the governor lifts the emergency declaration for the state. 304 00:24:50,210 --> 00:24:54,950 Also there is a resolution pertaining to the pandemic preparation plan. 305 00:24:54,950 --> 00:25:00,470 plan. We made changes to that. And this actually plan was devised by our fire chief and emergency 306 00:25:00,470 --> 00:25:06,310 management with feedback from the city manager and also the mayor. And this is really our 307 00:25:06,310 --> 00:25:10,510 emergency operation plan. And it is now really a model for a lot of cities in which they're 308 00:25:10,510 --> 00:25:17,990 actually adopting our plan as the boilerplate, the template for their city as well. One 309 00:25:17,990 --> 00:25:23,650 important component of this is that now under the pandemic plan, all employees of 310 00:25:23,650 --> 00:25:29,050 city are considered disaster workers so that we are allocating different employees to different 311 00:25:29,050 --> 00:25:36,230 places to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. Also another resolution pertaining to the closure plan, 312 00:25:36,710 --> 00:25:42,150 we made recommendation amendment to the closure plan. Initially we had closed all public 313 00:25:44,550 --> 00:25:50,570 buildings to the public, access to the public, but we are maintaining city services 314 00:25:50,570 --> 00:25:54,710 And we are still dealing with a lot of the permits and everything that's coming in. 315 00:25:55,330 --> 00:26:01,610 We just recently also amended the closure plan to close all public parks and access to the public parks. 316 00:26:01,690 --> 00:26:03,650 So that is a part of your consideration. 317 00:26:04,390 --> 00:26:09,230 Also, there is a various of resolution pertaining to the City Manager's Authority for procurement 318 00:26:09,230 --> 00:26:18,450 and also public bidding in which it allows the City Manager's ability to move very quickly to purchase goods and services needed during this crisis. 319 00:26:18,450 --> 00:26:28,230 Also, there is additional resolutions in which we can collect and accept emergency from the 320 00:26:28,230 --> 00:26:29,070 state or federal government. 321 00:26:29,810 --> 00:26:35,090 And we are now documenting all the cost expenditures so that we can get reimbursed from FEMA. 322 00:26:35,550 --> 00:26:40,530 And finally, there is another resolution which grant immunity for medical personnel 323 00:26:40,530 --> 00:26:41,430 and veterinarians. 324 00:26:41,910 --> 00:26:46,310 The governor has declared that the need for medical personnel is under the state declaration. 325 00:26:46,870 --> 00:26:52,130 However, we do have a animal shelter in the event that we do need to call for veterinarians 326 00:26:52,130 --> 00:26:53,510 to help with our animal shelter. 327 00:26:54,290 --> 00:26:58,830 This will allow us to do so and also grant immunity in that capacity. 328 00:26:59,350 --> 00:27:01,970 This concludes my presentation on the various resolutions. 329 00:27:02,810 --> 00:27:03,410 Thank you. 330 00:27:03,530 --> 00:27:03,710 Great. 331 00:27:03,970 --> 00:27:04,250 Thank you. 332 00:27:06,870 --> 00:27:07,390 Okay. 333 00:27:07,870 --> 00:27:11,690 And I just wanted to say, yes. 334 00:27:12,430 --> 00:27:13,570 Council Member Cabrera? 335 00:27:13,710 --> 00:27:15,230 Was that from somewhere else? 336 00:27:15,390 --> 00:27:15,610 Okay. 337 00:27:16,750 --> 00:27:21,450 No, and I just wanted to say, again, a lot of these resolutions or ideas, you know, we 338 00:27:21,450 --> 00:27:26,950 discussed at the Disaster Council and we implement them already, but because of the ordinance, 339 00:27:27,150 --> 00:27:30,730 you know, no more than 30 days, we do have to bring it to council, you know, to get 340 00:27:30,730 --> 00:27:31,410 that extended. 341 00:27:31,970 --> 00:27:34,270 So that's the, you know, basically what you were saying. 342 00:27:34,790 --> 00:27:35,330 Okay, great. 343 00:27:37,010 --> 00:27:42,170 And all right, so I'll entertain a motion to approve excluding the items. 344 00:27:42,870 --> 00:27:48,290 For example, Karla, Dr. Thornton actually said A6 and A7, she's voting no on it. 345 00:27:48,450 --> 00:27:52,330 So just entertain a motion to approve the rest of the consent calendar. 346 00:27:52,530 --> 00:27:53,190 I make a motion. 347 00:27:53,730 --> 00:27:53,950 Okay. 348 00:27:54,710 --> 00:27:58,290 A motion by Councillor Marquez, a second by Councillor Cabrera. 349 00:27:59,010 --> 00:27:59,190 Okay. 350 00:27:59,290 --> 00:28:01,970 Please vote to approve the consent calendar. 351 00:28:02,790 --> 00:28:04,570 Can you register me as a yes vote? 352 00:28:05,310 --> 00:28:05,590 Okay. 353 00:28:05,670 --> 00:28:06,850 Yes, also for me. 354 00:28:07,350 --> 00:28:07,730 Okay. 355 00:28:07,810 --> 00:28:08,070 Great. 356 00:28:10,790 --> 00:28:11,270 Okay. 357 00:28:11,270 --> 00:28:15,650 and the Consent Calendar passes unanimously. 358 00:28:16,330 --> 00:28:18,890 And then we do have your item noted as well. 359 00:28:21,980 --> 00:28:27,560 So we're going to go straight to Item F, which is Public Hearing. 360 00:28:28,340 --> 00:28:32,260 And that goes to Public Hearing F1, Public Hearing 361 00:28:32,260 --> 00:28:37,500 to adopt Substantial Amendment Number 4 to the fiscal year 2019-20 Annual Action Plan. 362 00:28:37,820 --> 00:28:41,740 And we'll have a report from the Financial Management Services Department, 363 00:28:41,740 --> 00:28:44,060 our CFO and Assistant City Manager, Marshall Ironman. 364 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,700 Good evening, Honorable Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem City Council 365 00:28:47,700 --> 00:28:48,000 members. 366 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:52,100 This item is related to the Emergency Solutions Grant 367 00:28:52,100 --> 00:28:55,040 that we received in fiscal year 1920. 368 00:28:55,780 --> 00:28:58,620 Part of that grant was allocated to what's 369 00:28:58,620 --> 00:29:01,000 referenced as SWAG, or the Social Work Action Group. 370 00:29:01,220 --> 00:29:02,340 So the City Council at that time 371 00:29:02,340 --> 00:29:04,560 awarded $90,000 to that organization. 372 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:06,720 At this point in time, they have not 373 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:09,180 been able to execute a contract with the city. 374 00:29:09,180 --> 00:29:15,240 So, what we're recommending right now is we allocate $35,000 of that initial allocation 375 00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:20,700 to the Salvation Army, and this will supplement their work on the Homeless to Work Program 376 00:29:20,700 --> 00:29:23,140 and the additional homeless services that they're currently doing. 377 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:25,200 And with that, that concludes my report. 378 00:29:26,100 --> 00:29:26,700 Okay. 379 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:28,540 Great. 380 00:29:29,140 --> 00:29:30,980 Thank you so much, Mr. Ironman. 381 00:29:31,900 --> 00:29:34,200 Any Council questions of staff? 382 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:41,180 And then Council Member Dr. Thornton and Mayor Brittenbacher, you can just speak out if need be, okay? 383 00:29:41,900 --> 00:29:43,540 I have no questions on that item. 384 00:29:43,900 --> 00:29:44,140 Okay. 385 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:46,600 If you have any questions, you can just speak. 386 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:46,920 I will. 387 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:47,740 Okay. 388 00:29:48,100 --> 00:29:48,460 All right. 389 00:29:48,740 --> 00:29:50,320 So I'm going to go ahead and open the hearing, 390 00:29:52,780 --> 00:29:55,400 seeing no public testimony on the item. 391 00:29:55,820 --> 00:29:56,440 Hearing closed. 392 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:59,980 Please, entertain a motion by council to 393 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,760 Proofs to ask recommendations number two and three. 394 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:04,200 Take a motion. 395 00:30:04,500 --> 00:30:06,880 Okay, made a motion by councilmember Dr. Thornton. 396 00:30:07,260 --> 00:30:07,720 A second. 397 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:10,760 And a second by Mayor Pro Tembaka. 398 00:30:25,090 --> 00:30:29,610 And the item passes. All right, great. We're going to go 399 00:30:29,610 --> 00:30:34,730 straight to city council reports. We have one report, and this is for the Riverside 400 00:30:34,730 --> 00:30:36,910 Transit Agency. We have a council member Marquez. 401 00:30:36,910 --> 00:30:37,110 Yes. 402 00:30:37,950 --> 00:30:38,850 Thank you, Mayor. 403 00:30:40,430 --> 00:30:47,230 On April 5th, Riverside Transit Agency, RTA, reduced their bus service to Sunday services 404 00:30:47,230 --> 00:30:52,370 scheduling due to the 70% drop in service. 405 00:30:54,530 --> 00:31:02,690 You've got to remember they have to reduce their scheduling because it's just a waste 406 00:31:02,690 --> 00:31:04,830 of money to have empty buses driving up and down. 407 00:31:05,530 --> 00:31:08,850 I've had some comments made since we posted it on the website. 408 00:31:10,110 --> 00:31:12,830 What happens if I need to get to a certain place right away? 409 00:31:13,350 --> 00:31:15,090 Well, unfortunately, under these conditions, 410 00:31:17,730 --> 00:31:24,290 they have to conserve their funding for it. 411 00:31:24,370 --> 00:31:26,410 They just can't have an empty bus go down the street. 412 00:31:26,750 --> 00:31:32,950 So I just want the public to know that RTA is trying everything they can to stay on 413 00:31:32,950 --> 00:31:37,450 schedule and get where you want to go on time. 414 00:31:37,770 --> 00:31:41,890 So I just want to make sure that if you have any questions in the public, you can get on 415 00:31:41,890 --> 00:31:48,670 their website and on the website, you can communicate with them by answering questions, asking questions 416 00:31:48,670 --> 00:31:50,070 and they'll be answering them to you. 417 00:31:50,290 --> 00:31:52,290 If not, you can contact me or at City Hall. 418 00:31:52,850 --> 00:31:57,250 I am the representative for RTA, that represents Merida Valley. 419 00:31:57,550 --> 00:31:59,550 So with that, I conclude my report. 420 00:31:59,730 --> 00:32:00,030 Thank you. 421 00:32:01,730 --> 00:32:02,430 Okay, great. 422 00:32:03,330 --> 00:32:03,930 Thank you. 423 00:32:04,090 --> 00:32:04,930 City Manager's report. 424 00:32:05,730 --> 00:32:05,950 Sure. 425 00:32:06,750 --> 00:32:07,650 Mayor, thank you. 426 00:32:07,810 --> 00:32:09,310 I just want to report three items. 427 00:32:09,470 --> 00:32:13,270 First is I'm excited to report that the amphitheater is under construction. 428 00:32:14,130 --> 00:32:17,730 Now many of our residents are at home, reserving to stay at home order, and thank you for 429 00:32:17,730 --> 00:32:17,950 that. 430 00:32:18,270 --> 00:32:22,210 It had not been around the City Hall, but our amphitheater, which the Council approved 431 00:32:22,210 --> 00:32:26,510 earlier this year, has started construction, and we're very hopeful that by the end 432 00:32:26,510 --> 00:32:31,150 the summer we will celebrate the opening of a new amphitheater. Second is that 433 00:32:31,150 --> 00:32:35,330 tonight you have approved a new branch library to serve the citizens of this 434 00:32:35,330 --> 00:32:39,750 great city. This will be our third library and it's important to note that 435 00:32:39,750 --> 00:32:43,030 the improvements that was approved tonight is paid for from a library 436 00:32:43,030 --> 00:32:48,450 development impact fees and that is paid upon when development occurs and 437 00:32:48,450 --> 00:32:52,670 developer pay into this diff account and we're very excited that we will 438 00:32:52,670 --> 00:32:57,670 have our third library this year also and finally I just want to commend the 439 00:32:57,670 --> 00:33:01,210 leadership of the mayor and city council and the development of the mobile 440 00:33:01,210 --> 00:33:06,410 meals program and that we are now serving 500 seniors in need and people on 441 00:33:06,410 --> 00:33:10,490 disability and what councilmember Cabrera alluded to it is really showing 442 00:33:10,490 --> 00:33:14,830 the best of what we have is really bringing the community together in 443 00:33:14,830 --> 00:33:19,110 this really time of need we're seeing a lot of volunteers helping us deliver 444 00:33:19,110 --> 00:33:22,250 deliver some of the food to the people on disability. 445 00:33:22,890 --> 00:33:26,370 We're seeing large donations from a lot of our large companies, 446 00:33:26,690 --> 00:33:30,190 Procter & Gamble, Walgreens, Aldi Foods, UNF5, 447 00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:34,150 UN Solaris Paper have donated either monetarily 448 00:33:34,150 --> 00:33:36,810 or products into our program. 449 00:33:37,030 --> 00:33:39,090 So it is working very well. 450 00:33:39,510 --> 00:33:41,990 And I just want to commend once again the mayor 451 00:33:41,990 --> 00:33:43,650 and the city council for your leadership 452 00:33:44,190 --> 00:33:45,430 and development of that program. 453 00:33:45,710 --> 00:33:47,150 That concludes the city manager's report. 454 00:33:47,370 --> 00:33:47,670 Thank you. 455 00:33:49,110 --> 00:33:55,870 Thank you. City Attorney. City Attorney's report if you happen. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 456 00:33:56,670 --> 00:34:01,930 First of all, thank you for having faith in me second time around. But I just want to comment 457 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:08,030 about the COVID-19 crisis. And because I've been getting a lot of questions from various people, 458 00:34:08,350 --> 00:34:14,370 your constituents and some of you about, you know, which rules are mandatory versus which 459 00:34:14,370 --> 00:34:20,310 rules are simply guidance and a lot of that comes from these a lot of that 460 00:34:20,310 --> 00:34:23,770 uncertainty is built into the process we have set up because we have the 461 00:34:23,770 --> 00:34:28,370 president who can issue orders and issue guidance and we have the Centers for 462 00:34:28,370 --> 00:34:32,590 Disease Control and Prevention at the federal level who had issued some 463 00:34:32,590 --> 00:34:37,770 certain guidance and how to avoid contracting COVID-19 we have the 464 00:34:37,770 --> 00:34:41,450 governor's executive orders that are coming out some of the executive 465 00:34:41,450 --> 00:34:46,370 of orders are mandatory. Some of them are simply guidance. Some of them are suggestions as 466 00:34:46,370 --> 00:34:52,370 to what cities can do with respect to adopting certain emergency measures. We have the California 467 00:34:52,370 --> 00:34:58,250 Department of Public Health. They have been issuing a lot of guidance that the governor 468 00:34:58,250 --> 00:35:03,590 follows and suggests to cities and counties. We also have the Riverside County Public 469 00:35:03,590 --> 00:35:09,650 Health Officer who has been recently issuing a number of orders. And those particular 470 00:35:09,650 --> 00:35:14,970 orders are significant to primarily the cities and special districts because a lot of the 471 00:35:14,970 --> 00:35:19,050 orders that are coming from the county are mandatory orders that we have to follow. And 472 00:35:19,050 --> 00:35:23,210 then the city has the discretion to adopt certain emergency measures such as it did 473 00:35:23,210 --> 00:35:28,910 tonight. But what the common thread is amongst all these different agencies and these 474 00:35:28,910 --> 00:35:35,290 different executive orders is that there's a strong suggestion and in some cases there 475 00:35:35,290 --> 00:35:40,450 orders to shelter in place, which is some people characterize as stay-at-home, but there's 476 00:35:40,450 --> 00:35:45,290 also the social distancing requirement, which is to remain six feet apart, and that's something 477 00:35:45,290 --> 00:35:48,250 that we find that's the common thread through all of these orders. 478 00:35:48,830 --> 00:35:55,250 And also the gathering of two or more people outside of their household, there is – we 479 00:35:55,250 --> 00:35:59,710 should not be gathering more than one person outside of the household, and the only 480 00:35:59,710 --> 00:36:03,770 exemption that's been built into that is if the two people or two or more people 481 00:36:03,770 --> 00:36:08,410 are from the same household, not necessarily from the same family. 482 00:36:09,030 --> 00:36:16,450 So you can have two unrelated roommates who can meet outside of the house, that same household 483 00:36:16,450 --> 00:36:20,590 because they're from the same household, but that doesn't necessarily apply to family members 484 00:36:20,590 --> 00:36:22,290 and that's where there's a lot of confusion. 485 00:36:23,070 --> 00:36:27,150 So I just wanted to put that out there so the public has a general understanding 486 00:36:27,150 --> 00:36:31,030 of where all of this is coming from and a lot of it's flowing down, flowing for 487 00:36:31,030 --> 00:36:35,570 the president all the way down to the county, and it leaves the cities with the authority 488 00:36:35,570 --> 00:36:41,750 to adopt certain measures to fill in certain gaps that we feel are important here to service 489 00:36:41,750 --> 00:36:42,650 our constituents. 490 00:36:43,770 --> 00:36:44,830 Thank you. 491 00:36:45,030 --> 00:36:45,830 Very nicely said. 492 00:36:46,170 --> 00:36:47,030 Thank you, City Attorney. 493 00:36:47,930 --> 00:36:51,490 And we'll have comments from Council Member Dr. Thornton. 494 00:36:52,650 --> 00:36:53,810 Thank you so much, Mayor. 495 00:36:53,810 --> 00:37:03,330 I really want to recognize not only our first responders, the individuals still working in 496 00:37:03,330 --> 00:37:08,470 grocery stores, our delivery drivers, just all of these individuals, the healthcare workers 497 00:37:08,470 --> 00:37:15,830 who have really supported us during this crisis. The surge is still weeks out and so, you know, 498 00:37:15,910 --> 00:37:21,470 I know many of us are a third week into our stay-at-home order and we still have a bit to 499 00:37:21,470 --> 00:37:25,930 go, and I want to encourage our residents to, as stated before, cover their mouths and 500 00:37:25,930 --> 00:37:27,810 stay at home as much as possible. 501 00:37:28,550 --> 00:37:33,430 What I'm really concerned about is the mental health, social isolation and depression is 502 00:37:33,430 --> 00:37:34,810 something that is real. 503 00:37:35,550 --> 00:37:41,350 As humans, we are meant to be social creatures, and even those who are introverts really 504 00:37:41,350 --> 00:37:45,050 have a way of engaging with people, and this is restricting that. 505 00:37:45,210 --> 00:37:49,450 And so one thing that has been established at the state is there is a mental health 506 00:37:49,450 --> 00:37:50,350 hotline. 507 00:37:50,350 --> 00:37:57,850 It's 1-800-854-7771, and so if you're someone who's experiencing depression or suicidal ideation, 508 00:37:57,950 --> 00:37:59,490 I really want to encourage you to reach out for help. 509 00:37:59,850 --> 00:38:05,810 Additionally, the governor has expanded childcare assistance for essential workers. 510 00:38:06,430 --> 00:38:11,550 You can go to the state website to find out more information about that, and also 511 00:38:11,550 --> 00:38:17,610 Riverside County has made a call for retired medical volunteers to help, and I really 512 00:38:17,610 --> 00:38:22,590 want to encourage you if you're someone who has a medical background and is retired or 513 00:38:22,590 --> 00:38:29,730 would like to volunteer. There is opportunities for you in Riverside County. Lastly, the one 514 00:38:29,730 --> 00:38:33,710 thing I'm really, really concerned about is the economic health of our city and our state. 515 00:38:35,010 --> 00:38:41,770 We economically are going to experience a significant blow to our infrastructure and 516 00:38:41,770 --> 00:38:46,870 our budget over the next 12 months from COVID-19. I want to commend the mayor for 517 00:38:46,870 --> 00:38:55,370 sending a letter to Senator Pelosi and also Senator Medina and I'm assuming Senator Roth. 518 00:38:56,210 --> 00:39:02,130 The CARE Act is not going to support city governments who have a population less than 500,000. 519 00:39:02,470 --> 00:39:10,710 We are a really big city and due to the impact on our businesses. In addition, Governor Newsom 520 00:39:10,710 --> 00:39:17,550 approved a 12 month deferment of sales tax up to 50,000 for small businesses that 521 00:39:17,550 --> 00:39:21,790 is going to have a huge implications for our city. So when we talk about improving 522 00:39:22,260 --> 00:39:27,130 the infrastructure, providing programs to our residents, we're going to take a 523 00:39:27,130 --> 00:39:32,190 hit over the next couple years due to COVID-19 and I really want to 524 00:39:32,190 --> 00:39:36,150 encourage our residents to write Assemblymember Medina and Senator Roth 525 00:39:36,150 --> 00:39:41,370 and asked within the support legislation to get some money from the state. The 526 00:39:41,370 --> 00:39:47,310 ARC state has not yet used the rainy day fund that Governor Brown and Governor 527 00:39:47,310 --> 00:39:52,650 Newsom have talked about numerous times to directly support our residents, right? 528 00:39:52,790 --> 00:39:57,170 The residents of California. And so when you hear conversations about why is our 529 00:39:57,170 --> 00:40:02,630 city not giving the residents money? Why are we not directly impacting? The 530 00:40:02,630 --> 00:40:09,010 state has the capacity to do that, and I really want to encourage our residents to lobby our 531 00:40:09,650 --> 00:40:16,990 state legislators to support us. So the mayor wrote a letter on behalf of the city encouraging 532 00:40:16,990 --> 00:40:24,710 Assemblymember Medina and other representatives to work on some type of financial assistance for 533 00:40:24,710 --> 00:40:30,270 not only our small businesses but for our residents. In addition, our city, which as 534 00:40:30,270 --> 00:40:37,650 Ms. Finn mentioned earlier has a large count of COVID-19 cases and we currently have a shortage 535 00:40:37,650 --> 00:40:44,970 on our N95 masks. So our first responders are down to a less than seven day supply and we need 536 00:40:44,970 --> 00:40:51,550 assistance from the state concerning N95 masks, financial assistance for the city 537 00:40:52,310 --> 00:40:59,090 government and also for our businesses and I really think that this should be a priority of 538 00:40:59,090 --> 00:41:04,770 us as a city council. I'm happy that we have taken the initiative. We were the first city 539 00:41:04,770 --> 00:41:10,050 that had to deal with COVID-19 back at the end of January and I think that we have been leading 540 00:41:10,050 --> 00:41:14,090 from the front and serving as a role model for other cities in Riverside County and for the 541 00:41:14,090 --> 00:41:20,170 state on how to not only be direct about what we need as a city to continue to operate in 542 00:41:20,170 --> 00:41:25,110 a successful manner but to also provide the resources and the services to our residents. 543 00:41:25,110 --> 00:41:28,190 So that's all I had to say, sir. Thank you. 544 00:41:29,270 --> 00:41:32,030 Thank you so much, Council Member Dr. Thornton. Appreciate that. 545 00:41:32,970 --> 00:41:36,490 We have Council Member Marquez, if you'd like to see closing comments. 546 00:41:37,450 --> 00:41:43,130 First of all, I want to say Sherman paints. I understand they donated some 547 00:41:43,130 --> 00:41:48,710 95 masks to the fire department. I want to shout out to them for 548 00:41:49,630 --> 00:41:52,710 donating those face masks to the fire department. 549 00:41:53,250 --> 00:42:00,050 Secondly, I want to say, you know, without volunteers, where will we be today? 550 00:42:01,470 --> 00:42:06,850 I came over to the CRC yesterday, and it was the first time I've been in there since this 551 00:42:06,850 --> 00:42:13,390 happened, and I was just amazed how many volunteers were in that CRC. 552 00:42:14,050 --> 00:42:20,150 And I want to commend Patty for you and your crew out there and the donations we've 553 00:42:20,150 --> 00:42:20,550 been getting. 554 00:42:21,410 --> 00:42:27,210 It's just, you know, when you see these crises happen, everybody comes together, and I love 555 00:42:27,210 --> 00:42:27,770 to see that. 556 00:42:28,110 --> 00:42:36,170 But our volunteers, I just – I mean, they're beautiful people to come out and donate their 557 00:42:36,170 --> 00:42:41,770 time and these crises to help our city and our seniors. 558 00:42:42,730 --> 00:42:45,750 And I want Patty to pass that on to the volunteers. 559 00:42:46,010 --> 00:42:48,910 And I'm not only speaking for myself, I'm pretty sure my colleagues would agree 560 00:42:48,910 --> 00:42:54,250 with me that thank you very much and we won't forget them after this is over. 561 00:42:54,950 --> 00:42:59,910 We'll throw it, have a big old party somehow and celebrate. Next is the, 562 00:43:03,810 --> 00:43:05,390 you know, if you 563 00:43:05,390 --> 00:43:12,010 have bills to pay your debts, don't use this, an excuse not to pay, I got to get used 564 00:43:12,010 --> 00:43:18,150 to this. Don't pay your debts. If you can afford to pay your debts, there's companies 565 00:43:18,150 --> 00:43:24,330 out there, small businesses that give you credit and they need those funds as 566 00:43:24,330 --> 00:43:28,870 bad as anybody else. If you're able to pay your debts, don't use this 567 00:43:30,510 --> 00:43:35,710 coronavirus as an excuse not to pay the debts. Pay your debts, keep on them. 568 00:43:36,810 --> 00:43:40,770 Again, we have to all work together through this and if you don't can't pay 569 00:43:40,770 --> 00:43:42,910 them, that's understanding because you're laid off, 570 00:43:44,790 --> 00:43:49,110 cost your savings, just pay your debts, that's all I could say. 571 00:43:49,730 --> 00:43:53,330 On the good note, we're talking about face masks. 572 00:43:54,610 --> 00:44:01,210 On social media we had a person make a face mask out of a pamper, I don't know how many 573 00:44:01,210 --> 00:44:02,050 people have seen that. 574 00:44:03,330 --> 00:44:09,030 Go on to Facebook, I believe it's Merida Valley Matters it was on, and this girl 575 00:44:09,030 --> 00:44:17,330 had a pamper, baby pamper, and she made a face mask out of it. And, you know, if you 576 00:44:17,330 --> 00:44:21,650 have children at home or you use pampers at home, you know, just look at that. You'll 577 00:44:21,650 --> 00:44:26,810 probably make dozens of face masks and sell them if you want to. But it was 578 00:44:26,810 --> 00:44:30,950 amazing. I've never seen anything any type of creation like that. But it's 579 00:44:30,950 --> 00:44:36,810 out there. And the last I want to say is this, our staff has done a 580 00:44:36,810 --> 00:44:45,930 marvelous job through this. And I want to commend all of you, even my colleagues, for standing 581 00:44:45,930 --> 00:44:52,910 up and saying, hey, the city is going to continue functioning under these circumstances. And 582 00:44:52,910 --> 00:44:58,490 this goes with the police department, the fire department, all departments, especially 583 00:44:58,490 --> 00:44:59,970 Actually, you might, you're still... 584 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:08,020 It's been just awesome. And I want to congratulate all you guys for what you have done. I want to 585 00:45:08,020 --> 00:45:14,840 have a special shout out to Mike Wolf and his crew. I don't know what it is, but it never 586 00:45:14,840 --> 00:45:19,620 seems to fail towards the end of the month or first of the month. There's so much trash 587 00:45:19,620 --> 00:45:28,580 dumped out in our streets. I mean, last week, tap furniture, mattresses, sofas, you name 588 00:45:28,580 --> 00:45:30,960 even a refrigerator out in the middle of the street. 589 00:45:32,320 --> 00:45:35,100 You know, you can call Waste Management 590 00:45:36,340 --> 00:45:38,360 and they'll pick up those items at your home. 591 00:45:38,480 --> 00:45:40,420 You don't have to throw them out on our streets. 592 00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:43,900 That's more work for our crew, public works crew. 593 00:45:44,560 --> 00:45:47,360 And I think Mike gets tired of me calling him every five minutes 594 00:45:47,360 --> 00:45:50,540 and saying, hey, we have a refrigerator out in the middle of the street 595 00:45:50,540 --> 00:45:52,900 or dishwashers or sofas. 596 00:45:53,140 --> 00:45:56,000 But to the public, if you have a large item, 597 00:45:56,580 --> 00:46:00,340 waste management will pick them up just call them ahead of time and when it's 598 00:46:00,340 --> 00:46:03,940 your turn or your cycle to come by for your trash they will come by and pick it 599 00:46:03,940 --> 00:46:11,020 up and that's all I have to say thank you. Thank you Councilor Marquez we have 600 00:46:11,020 --> 00:46:17,380 closing comments from Mayor Pro Tembaco. Thank you can you hear me? Yes. Okay 601 00:46:17,380 --> 00:46:21,260 great thank you well first of all I just want to commend you mayor for 602 00:46:21,260 --> 00:46:29,600 your leadership and for the item A8, which was the item that you removed. I want to thank 603 00:46:29,600 --> 00:46:33,520 you for that ahead of time. I had a little speech written, but I didn't get to do it 604 00:46:33,520 --> 00:46:38,640 because you pulled it. So I just want to say that many people think that you put it 605 00:46:38,640 --> 00:46:43,160 on there or that I put it on there or that you and I put it on there. But the fact 606 00:46:43,160 --> 00:46:48,980 is that this is a consent calendar and this is where staff puts their routine and 607 00:46:49,740 --> 00:46:55,580 noncontroversial items there that are usually voted in simply by the city 608 00:46:55,580 --> 00:47:00,680 council so that the everyday process can continue. For example, paying the bills 609 00:47:00,680 --> 00:47:07,000 and so forth. So that's how the item got on the consent calendar. It doesn't take 610 00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:11,740 three people on the council to put the item on the agenda. This is, like I 611 00:47:11,740 --> 00:47:16,500 said, the consent calendar for staff to put items that are routine and 612 00:47:16,500 --> 00:47:22,580 non-controversial. So that's the end of A-8. Thank God. So I also want to say thank you Mayor 613 00:47:22,580 --> 00:47:29,820 for your leadership. Thank you City Council, the City Manager, because we're in uncharted territory. 614 00:47:30,380 --> 00:47:35,680 This has been unprecedented. No one alive, I believe, has ever gone through what we're going 615 00:47:35,680 --> 00:47:40,800 through. The nation, the state, our city, people are scared. They don't know what's happening. 616 00:47:41,480 --> 00:47:46,000 The children are scared. Even our pets are like, why is everyone home? You know, 617 00:47:46,000 --> 00:47:52,840 we want to do our thing. But I just want to say that we need to unite as a city. I'm glad that 618 00:47:52,840 --> 00:47:59,260 we've been fiscally conservative and that we have money in our reserves that where I know we're 619 00:47:59,260 --> 00:48:04,960 going to top into because we're not going to receive sales tax, the hotel tax, a lot of taxes 620 00:48:04,960 --> 00:48:09,840 we're not going to receive as a city. And we just assumed that they would be there 621 00:48:09,840 --> 00:48:18,280 in March and April and May. They're not. So we're going to be looking at other ways to make ends meet. 622 00:48:18,860 --> 00:48:24,080 So just beware and hold on and stay with us for the ride because Merino Valley is a great city. 623 00:48:24,420 --> 00:48:30,620 We have great leadership. We have an excellent e-team that's, you know, just doing everything. 624 00:48:30,800 --> 00:48:37,260 It's like the mobile meals when you have all the volunteers and some of our, and the mayor. 625 00:48:37,260 --> 00:48:39,680 I remember the mayor was the first one out there. 626 00:48:39,960 --> 00:48:45,780 In fact, he's the one that came up with the idea and I was just so proud of him and proud 627 00:48:45,780 --> 00:48:50,620 to live in Myrtle Valley where we are taking care of our seniors and our citizens with 628 00:48:50,620 --> 00:48:53,900 special needs or disabilities or different needs. 629 00:48:54,160 --> 00:48:58,920 But I'm glad that we have that program and that we are at capacity. 630 00:48:59,380 --> 00:49:03,400 People need to call in every week, but I didn't think that we would reach that 631 00:49:04,140 --> 00:49:06,540 capacity, but I'm glad that we're able to do that. 632 00:49:06,540 --> 00:49:11,640 And I just want to thank our partners and nonprofits, the big companies that are in Murna 633 00:49:11,640 --> 00:49:16,040 Valley for the donations, for everything that they've given the city so that we could survive 634 00:49:16,040 --> 00:49:18,480 and that we could support the less fortunate. 635 00:49:19,200 --> 00:49:21,700 And many people still have jobs. 636 00:49:22,020 --> 00:49:26,960 Many people are out there commuting, going to work, and they do have jobs, but it's 637 00:49:26,960 --> 00:49:27,740 not everybody. 638 00:49:28,180 --> 00:49:32,600 And you can't imagine, I don't think you can imagine if you still have a job 639 00:49:32,600 --> 00:49:35,560 and you still have a home and you're able to pay your bills, you can't imagine 640 00:49:35,560 --> 00:49:40,080 and what it is when both heads of household are unemployed, 641 00:49:40,660 --> 00:49:42,380 people with kids don't have food, 642 00:49:42,720 --> 00:49:44,860 and we have a lot of poverty. 643 00:49:45,520 --> 00:49:50,900 So please, if you can, unite instead of finding differences, 644 00:49:51,060 --> 00:49:53,820 we need to find our common ground 645 00:49:53,820 --> 00:49:55,300 and take care of each other. 646 00:49:55,940 --> 00:49:59,260 And when you're in church and you say, love my neighbor, 647 00:49:59,620 --> 00:50:01,220 keep that promise until you come back 648 00:50:01,220 --> 00:50:03,980 to the church the next day, the next week, 649 00:50:03,980 --> 00:50:11,240 And, you know, we commit to being a good Christian or good, whatever religion you are, it doesn't matter. 650 00:50:11,540 --> 00:50:14,720 I think we all have the same tenets of love thy neighbor. 651 00:50:15,180 --> 00:50:18,240 So love thy neighbor is not just the feeling, but it's an action. 652 00:50:18,800 --> 00:50:21,700 And if we can, let's help the less fortunate. 653 00:50:22,220 --> 00:50:22,620 Thank you. 654 00:50:23,240 --> 00:50:25,300 Thank you so much, Mayor Britambaka. 655 00:50:25,660 --> 00:50:31,120 And just in talking about, you know, the less fortunate, that's really what the Mobile Meals program is about. 656 00:50:31,120 --> 00:50:38,420 and really giving, you know, those 500 care packages to, you know, those 500 families that are out there. 657 00:50:38,760 --> 00:50:43,820 And these care packages, by the way, people are actually able to have food enough for almost about a week. 658 00:50:44,200 --> 00:50:47,960 So it is a great blessing, I believe, to them. 659 00:50:48,320 --> 00:50:54,280 And I do want to commend our city staff, especially our city manager and also our parks director as well 660 00:50:54,280 --> 00:51:00,600 and just everyone that has been involved in all of this, you know, and really organizing it from the staff level 661 00:51:00,600 --> 00:51:06,740 as well. You know, it's just gone really, really, really well. The way they have it organized, 662 00:51:07,000 --> 00:51:11,040 the two different lanes, you know, checking, you know, and just providing those meals, 663 00:51:11,240 --> 00:51:16,420 and then they even deliver it to your house as well. So we've just been doing things 664 00:51:16,420 --> 00:51:21,960 that are just above and beyond that, in fact, other cities have actually called us and 665 00:51:21,960 --> 00:51:26,400 called me, you know, about implementing that similar program, you know, mobile 666 00:51:26,400 --> 00:51:32,200 meals in their city. So I think we are doing something great, but you know what, there is 667 00:51:32,200 --> 00:51:37,360 going to be difficulty. I mean, no doubt about it. I mean, when you lose your job, that's 668 00:51:37,360 --> 00:51:40,880 something that's powerful right there, that's going to affect your life, that's going to 669 00:51:40,880 --> 00:51:47,040 affect your family. And just even the kids as well, their fear as well, like Mayor Pertambaca 670 00:51:47,040 --> 00:51:54,820 was mentioning, we see that, I see that in the community myself. And so I am concerned. 671 00:51:54,820 --> 00:51:59,360 But I think that, like she mentioned, we really need to unite. 672 00:51:59,580 --> 00:52:05,100 We really need to come together, you know, and really like she mentioned, you know, love 673 00:52:05,100 --> 00:52:05,540 thy neighbor. 674 00:52:05,700 --> 00:52:06,900 That's really what it's all about. 675 00:52:07,460 --> 00:52:09,200 You know, we should always do that, right? 676 00:52:09,660 --> 00:52:13,920 So I think that this is the time that we can continue to step up and I know we will 677 00:52:13,920 --> 00:52:16,560 step up as a city and we're going to do that. 678 00:52:18,160 --> 00:52:23,040 I am thrilled and excited about some of the programs that we are creating or 679 00:52:23,040 --> 00:52:27,900 actually that we passed, you know, as far as the third library opening and the 680 00:52:27,900 --> 00:52:34,660 amphitheater which will be under construction and open by August. Now 681 00:52:34,660 --> 00:52:38,460 again, these were items that were already money was already allocated for 682 00:52:38,460 --> 00:52:43,320 and that's why, you know, those items are going forward. But like my other 683 00:52:43,320 --> 00:52:45,960 colleagues have mentioned, you know, we're not going to be receiving the 684 00:52:45,960 --> 00:52:51,220 sales tax, you know, for about 12 months. Also, you know, other types of 685 00:52:51,220 --> 00:52:56,480 funds, like from the hotel tax as well, that's going to be a major hit to our budget. 686 00:52:57,260 --> 00:53:04,040 But I am proud to at least make sure that we're doing whatever it takes to save jobs as much 687 00:53:04,040 --> 00:53:07,960 as possible, and that we're doing whatever it takes, whether it's part-time jobs or 688 00:53:07,960 --> 00:53:12,620 any temp jobs, we're doing whatever it takes to save them, because I think it is important. 689 00:53:13,020 --> 00:53:19,600 People deserve that, but just keep in mind, it is going to be a bumpy road because 690 00:53:19,600 --> 00:53:25,480 because it's going to be a big hit to our budget, so keep that in mind. 691 00:53:26,060 --> 00:53:30,700 I also want to thank the residents just in general, the residents, the volunteers. 692 00:53:31,260 --> 00:53:36,000 I've had the opportunity in either doing some of the deliveries or even just in talking 693 00:53:36,000 --> 00:53:40,040 to some of the residents, and there's just a lot of compassion out there. 694 00:53:40,380 --> 00:53:45,400 So even though there might be some people that want to sometimes unfortunately spread 695 00:53:45,400 --> 00:53:47,080 had rumors and those kinds of things. 696 00:53:47,480 --> 00:53:50,560 There is a lot of compassion and love out there, 697 00:53:50,780 --> 00:53:53,460 and I have seen that, especially through the churches. 698 00:53:54,000 --> 00:53:56,000 I've been working with the church community. 699 00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:59,740 I actually established a list of faith-based communities, 700 00:54:00,280 --> 00:54:03,520 food pantries together, and working with the nonprofits. 701 00:54:04,580 --> 00:54:08,420 So it's just, it's really nice to see the positiveness 702 00:54:08,420 --> 00:54:09,920 that's out there in our community 703 00:54:09,920 --> 00:54:12,220 and how we all care about each other. 704 00:54:12,280 --> 00:54:14,080 So I really like that, and I wanna commend people 705 00:54:14,080 --> 00:54:19,900 for that. And without further ado, we will go ahead and adjourn the meeting 706 00:54:19,900 --> 00:54:27,460 tonight at 6.54 p.m. Thank you. And thank you to all for participating on Zoom 707 00:54:27,460 --> 00:54:28,520 too. Thank you.