Items of Interest - May 21, 2020
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
- City Hall will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th.
- For COVID-19 related information for residents and businesses, please visit the City microsite www.laquintaca.gov/covid19
- Residents who have questions regarding COVID-19 can reach out to the City by either emailing covid19@laquintaca.gov or by calling 760.777.7130 (Mon-Friday, 8 am – 4 pm).
- Riverside County Public Health is reporting 93,101 tests performed, 6,343 positive cases and 284 deaths countywide; 104 cases and 9 deaths in La Quinta as of Thursday, May 21.
- Executive Order #7 for Short-Term Rentals was amended as of May 20, 2020 (fourth amendment). Here is a summary of the changes:
- Short term rentals may open and operate as authorized by, and consistent with, California Governor Executive Order N-60-20 and the requirements of the California Department of Public Health set forth and available at the following Web sites, as may be updated from time to time:
- https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/
- https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/
- https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#top
- City of La Quinta no longer requires pre-approval of short-term rental use.
- Short-term rentals that are authorized to open and operate
- Any person who violates the order shall be subject to a fine of $5,000 per violation and an immediate suspension of the short-term rental permit for one year.
- The City App has been updated to include the COVID Microsite as well as additional information for Playing, Working and Living in LQ. The app contains links to Resident Resources as well as Business Resources for the La Quinta Community. The app is available currently on Apple iTunes and will be available soon on Google Play.
- Small Business Emergency Economic Relief Fund – Round 2: The City received 39 applications for Round 2. The Ad-hoc Committee reviewed and made recommendations to the City Council and at the May 19, 2020 City Council meeting, 18 more businesses were awarded loans. The City is pleased to announce that $550,000 has now been awarded to 47 different local businesses. We support our local businesses and encourage residents to also shop locally to support La Quinta businesses. Please contact ED@LaQuintaCA.Gov for any COVID-19 business related questions or call the City Manager’s Office.
- Great Plates Delivered: Home Meals for Seniors (“Great Plates”) program is for individuals at high risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Riverside County is currently accepting inquiries from the public and businesses interested in participating in the Great Plates program. For more information visit www.rcaging.org/covid-19/Great-plates-delivered-program Eligible restaurants are being matched for meal delivery based on availability of participating restaurants in their area.
The City of La Quinta is working with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce on banners for essential businesses that are currently open during COVID-19. These banners are valid for La Quinta businesses only with a current business license. It’s one per business and is first come, first serve. Businesses can register for a banner by visiting: https://lqbiz.eventbrite.com/- 211 Riverside County has been selected by the County of Riverside as the designated information line for COVID-19 public inquiries. Operators are available any time to answer your questions and to provide the most up to date public health information available. Additionally, operators will help provide referrals to services such as food, shelter, and other health related requests. To speak with an operator, dial 211 OR (800) 464-1123.
- To receive updates about COVID-19 information and resources straight to your phone through Nixel, text 92253 to 888-777.
- City employees were recognized by Destiny Church in Indio and treated to an Employee Appreciation lunch provided by Got Polish Kielbasa@ LLC – enjoyed by all! Thank you!!
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
- The La Quinta Wellness Center is your resource for food distribution and general information. Call (760) 564-0096 Monday Through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for service.
- In partnership with FIND Food Bank, the City participates in bi-weekly food site distribution at Washington Street Apartments, Hadley Villas, Coral Mountain Apartments and Wolff Waters Apartments. Staff is in communication with other sites and interested parties are encouraged to call (760) 564-0096 for more information.
- With the help from local partners, FIND Food Bank has food distribution locations at the following locations:
- La Quinta High School (79255 Blackhawk Way, La Quinta CA, 92253) 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 10:00am-12:00pm
- La Quinta Community Fitness Center Park (77865 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta CA, 92253) Seniors ages 65+ proof of age required, 1st and 3rd Friday, 8:30am-10:30am
- Desert Recreation District La Quinta (77865 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta CA, 92253) 4th Saturday, 7:00am-11:00am
- Contact FIND Food Bank at 760-775-3663 for more information.
- The YMCA of the Desert is providing childcare to essential workers at the La Quinta Museum. YMCA staff have received required COVID-19 health & safety trainings, necessary cleaning & sanitizing supplies, and will implement new program protocols to ensure all Local, County, State, and Federal guidelines are being met. The fee for childcare services is $165 per week, drop off is 7:30am-8:00am and pick up is 5:00pm-5:30pm. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis and space is limited. To reserve childcare contact Gail Solomon, Member Services: Family YMCA of the Desert office: (760) 341-9622 or gailsolomon@desertymca.org
- Riverside County Office of Education is available to provide childcare services to essential workers. To receive more information and an application for emergency childcare services contact the Riverside County Office of Education Early Care & Education at (800) 442-4927 or email cclupdates@rcoe.us
- Creation Station continues to produce face shields, mask bands, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders and local hospitals. They have produced 1172 PPE components.
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DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
- Issued 26 business licenses and collected $3,043 in license fees.
- Staff received 73 permit applications and issued 51 permits all of which were processed online through City’s eTRAKiT Web Portal, for a total construction valuation of $1,994,595 and collection of $14,807 in permit fees.
- Building Division staff performed 62 digital reviews and completed 133 onsite inspections last week; of those inspections, 55 were requested using eTRAKiT.
- The Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting on May 26, 2020 via teleconference. For more information or a copy of meeting agenda packet, please visit www.laquintaca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/13294/287.
- For Short-Term Vacation Rentals, the online services can be accessed at laquinta.munirevs.com, and City staff is available at (760) 777-7060 or via email at vacationlq@laquintaca.gov to answer any questions.
- Improvements to La Quinta City Hall are underway to prepare for reopening. Glass safety shields have been installed at the HUB permit services area, all public counters and at the front lobby concierge. Safety measures, physical distancing, and disinfecting protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of community members and staff at City Hall.
Staff has been working throughout this COVID-19 pandemic and have utilized our online services for continued service. HUB permit services are available through E-Trakit, and City staff is available at (760) 777-7125 or via email at customercenter@laquintaca.gov to answer any questions.
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PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING
- Complete Street Project Stage 3 Closure – see below for Stage 3 full schedule for June 1 through October 2020.
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