Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

School Waivers for TK-2 Opening Soon

This week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced it will open the school waiver program for in-person instruction for grades TK-2.

The program will begin accepting applications in early October for 30 schools per week and prioritize the issuance of waivers to schools with higher percentages of students qualified for free/reduced meals. According to the California Department of Education, 7.9% of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified students qualified for free or reduced-price meals in the 2019-2020 school year.

Superintendents must submit school district waiver requests to re-open for approval by the local Health Officer. The decision to grant a waiver will be based on ensuring that schools are able to open in full adherence with the L.A. County school re-opening protocols. The process requires consultation with the California Department of Public Health prior to accepting or rejecting waiver applications. The application process will be available online at publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Please note: TK is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. To learn more about TK visit the California Department of Education website.

PVPUSD Letter Urging Reopening of Schools

The county’s decision to open the waiver process came as Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss and Dr. Tomas Torices, Executive Director of the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors and Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer urging them to reopen schools. The letter, which was endorsed by city and school officials including RPV Mayor John Cruikshank, also called for the creation of an independent scientific oversight committee to ensure that the school-based decisions of the Department of Public Health are justifiable and grounded in data.

Read the letter in the City Manager’s Weekly Administrative Report.

Nail Salons, Indoor Malls, Breweries and Playgrounds to Reopen 

L.A. County's COVID-19 percent test positivity has fallen significantly from an average of about 8% in July to about 3% in September. Now that the county has seen stabilizing or declining numbers across metrics, the Board of Supervisors approved several Public Health recommendations for the staggered reopening of several sectors permitted by the state for counties in Tier 1 of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. (Although L.A. County met the state's metric thresholds for Tier 2 last week, the county remains in Tier 1 due to the current adjusted daily case rate of 7.3 cases per 100,000 residents. To move into Tier 2, the county's case rate needs to be 7 or fewer new cases a day per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks.)

Nail salons may reopen for limited indoor services at 25% occupancy.

Coming Soon 

Over the next nine days, the following sectors will be allowed to reopen once they implement the required protocols for infection control and distancing:

• Monday, October 5: Cardrooms (at 25% capacity for outdoor operations only); TK-2 Waiver Process
• Wednesday, October 7: Indoor malls (at 25% capacity)
• Breweries and wineries serving a meal are still pending a reopening date.

For more information and details on reopening guidelines, please visit the Department of Public Health website at publichealth.lacounty.gov.  

Per new state guidance, outdoor playgrounds may reopen at the approval and discretion of cities and the County Parks and Recreation Department. RPV City staff is working to inspect and prepare all City playgrounds, so they are in compliance with the guidelines. Playgrounds in the City will remain officially closed until that process is complete.  Please go to rpvca.gov/coronavirus to see when playgrounds are ready for use.

Parents and children age two years old and older must always wear a cloth face covering, avoid people not in their household, and sanitize hands before and after using playground equipment. There is no eating or drinking allowed at the playground. Indoor playgrounds remain closed.

Comprehensive protocols for all sectors that reopen will be posted online to ensure the continued health and safety of workers and the community. The Department of Public Health urges all operators of businesses that are currently closed to implement all the requirements in the protocols prior to reopening to ensure compliance and avoid citations, fines and possible closure. It is critical that directives and infection protocols are followed to minimize COVID-19 spread as much as possible.

L.A. County Eviction Moratorium Update

The L.A. County Temporary Eviction Moratorium, effective March 4, 2020, through October 31, 2020*, unless repealed or extended by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, places a countywide ban on evictions for residential and commercial tenants, including mobilehome space renters. Under the county’s moratorium — which applies to Rancho Palos Verdes — tenants may not be evicted for COVID-19 related nonpayment of rent, as well as no-fault reasons, nuisance, or unauthorized occupants or pets – if related to COVID-19.

*As of October 1, 2020, the county’s moratorium will no longer apply to residential tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 related financial hardship.

More information on the temporary eviction moratorium can be found at dcba.lacounty.gov/noevictions.

Top of the Hill Open Air Marketplace this Weekend

Support local small businesses and shop outdoors this weekend at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce’s Top of the Hill Open Air Marketplace October 3-4.

Join your friends and neighbors on the rooftop parking lot at the Promenade on the Peninsula to support local businesses, retailers, and nonprofit organizations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. If your business or organization would like to participate, sign up now on the Chamber’s website at palosverdeschamber.com.

All L.A. County health protocols will be adhered to; masks and physical distancing will be required. Learn more at https://www.palosverdeschamber.com/events/top-hill-open-air-marketplace-october-3rd-4th

Beach Cities Health District Virtual Active Aging Week October 5-9

The Beach Cities Health District is offering Virtual Active Aging Week October 5-9. Enjoy free virtual lectures from Dr. William Kim, BCHD's Chief Medical Advisor/ Dianne Staso, CHF's Registered Dietitian/ Tiana Rideout-Rosales, BCHD's Health Programs Coordinator of Blue Zones Project and local health experts.

View a full schedule of virtual activities and lectures offered for Active Aging Week:

• Monday, October 5 | 1 p.m.: Learn more about COVID-19 with Beach Cities Health District's Chief Medical Officer, William Kim, M.D.
• Tuesday, October 6 | 11 a.m.: Build a Healthy Immune System, presented by Dianne Staso, R.D.
• Wednesday, October 7 | 11 a.m.: Take AIM at Your Back! 5 Things you can do Today to Take Care of Your Lower Back, presented by Carina Escudero, DPT of AIM Sports Medicine, Hermosa Beach.
• Thursday, October 8 | 11 a.m.: Boost Your Well-Being Workshop, presentation by Tiana Rideout-Rosales, Community Health Programs Coordinator of Blue Zones Project. For more information about Mental Health & Happiness Series, visit www.bchd.org/series
• Friday, October 9 | 1 p.m.: Walking Tall: Restore Yourself Through Posture, presented by Annelise Tripp, Medical Exercise Specialist.

Register at https://beachcitiesgym.org/active-aging-week

PVLD Curbside Mobile Printing Now Available 

Mobile printing is now available for curbside pickup from the Palos Verdes Library District! Upload your documents and pick them up at the library. Fees will apply. Learn more at pvld.org/mobileprinting

PVLD Computer and Wifi Hotspot Checkout

Do you need a computer and Wifi hotspots? You can now check out a Chromebook or Wifi Hotspot from the Palos Verdes Library District through curbside pickup service!
Visit PVLD’s online catalog and search for Chromebooks or mobile hotspots at ow.ly/VOLI50BDJuq

Red Cross Blood Drive October 23 - Donate for a Chance to Win a $1,000 Amazon Gift Card!

Blood donations have decreased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy, eligible donors are urged to come out and give to ensure there’s lifesaving blood on the shelves for those who need it.

The City and the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula are holding a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, October 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Reserve a time online at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: PVPRotary. Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete the pre-donation paperwork.

Come to give for your chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card! (The Red Cross is giving away five in October. Restrictions, terms and conditions apply. Visit rcblood.org/unite for details.)

The Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Help save lives and get insight into whether you may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Julia Parton at jparton@malagabank.com or 310-613-4085.

Download event flyer at bit.ly/36fTcIq

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

SCE Tips on Staying Connected Online During a Power Outage

As more people work and learn from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to stay connected online is more important than ever. Unfortunately, sometimes power outages can happen because of weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances, public safety and critical work. Staying prepared for power outages and unexpected emergencies can help relieve some of the stress when it happens.

Here are tips from Southern California Edison (SCE) to stay connected online when the power goes out:

Make alternate plans before an outage. If you receive notification of an upcoming outage, try to make alternate plans, if possible. For students doing distance learning, check the websites of your school district or local libraries to see if they provide or loan hotspot equipment to connect to the internet or if they have temporary accommodations for students experiencing technical issues. Some districts offer local multipurpose rooms that practice safe distancing protocols so students can connect online.

Consider talking to instructors about sending lesson plans ahead of time so students can download and view them offline.

With safe distancing protocols in mind, you can also try to secure an alternate location with Wi-Fi, such as a relative or friend’s home or city Wi-Fi locations. Check your city or county website for a Wi-Fi hotspot locator.

Keep a backup charger or battery pack handy. Prepare for an outage by ensuring your laptops, cellphones, tablets and rechargeable battery packs are fully charged before power goes out.

Now is the time to revisit or create your outage preparedness kit, which should include an external rechargeable battery pack, solar charger or hand-cranked charger. A solar-powered charger can keep your devices charged if there’s sunlight, and while a hand-cranked charger requires a lot of manual effort to generate power, it can be useful during an emergency when sunlight is unavailable.

Portable power stations can also keep your devices charged, including your router. Southern California Edison is providing up to a $50 rebate toward qualifying portable power stations available on SCE Marketplace.

You can also use your car battery as a power source to charge your devices during an outage. Be sure to keep appropriate car adapters somewhere accessible. See more ways to keep your phone charged during a power outage.

Use your cellphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Find out if your cellphone can be used as a hotspot to connect to the internet. If so, you can connect your laptop or tablet to the Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone, a process called tethering. Keep in mind that when your phone is being used as a hotspot, it is sharing your monthly data allotment with other devices.

Tether only when you need it and turn off your hotspot when it is not in use to avoid running out of data and incurring extra charges. Contact your cellphone service provider to determine your data allotment and if any additional charges are applicable before tethering your devices. Learn more about how to connect to a hotspot on your iOS or Android device.

Connect online with your cellular data. If you cannot get access to Wi-Fi, many programs and online learning platforms, such as Zoom, Google Classroom, Chrome apps, etc., can be installed and accessed on a mobile device or tablet with a cellular subscription. Contact your phone service provider for information on monthly data allotment.

Sign up for outage alerts. Ensure that you stay up to date about power outages by signing up for alerts now at sce.com/outagealerts. You will be able to get notifications via text message, email or voicemail. Although it is best to always be prepared for a power outage, these alerts can provide you with time to charge devices and remind your family about your emergency plan.

Cruise Ship No Sail Order Extended through October 31

On September 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the extension of a No Sail Order for cruise ships through October 31. This order continues to suspend passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

Cumulative surveillance data reported to CDC from March 1 through September 29, 2020, shows at least 3,689 COVID-19 or COVID-like illness cases on cruise ships in U.S. waters, in addition to at least 41 reported deaths. CDC recognizes these numbers are likely incomplete and an underestimate.

Recent outbreaks on cruise ships overseas provide current evidence that cruise ship travel continues to transmit and amplify the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 — even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities — and would likely spread the infection  into U.S. communities if passenger operations were to resume prematurely in the United States.

Read more at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0930-no-sail-order.html

Having Trouble With Your Cox Communications Internet Connection?

In response to a flood of inquiries from residents who are experiencing problems with their internet connection and are concerned about staying connected for distance learning, a representative from Cox Communications will give a presentation during the October 6 City Council meeting.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park with safety protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, though virtual participation is highly encouraged. The meeting will be live-streamed on the City website and televised on RPVtv Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38.
 
A staff report and PowerPoint presentation for this topic are available on the City website at rpvca.gov/agendas. Please submit your questions and concerns to the City Council in advance of the meeting by emailing them to cc@rpvca.gov. If you would like to provide comments during the meeting or leave a pre-recorded voice message, please complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate.
 
Any Cox Communications customers who are having trouble with their internet connection are advised to contact Government Affairs Manager Michael Hadland directly at michael.hadland@cox.com. Please provide your address. Customers can also report problems to Customer Support at 1-800-234-3993. The following are links to Cox Communication's troubleshooting FAQs and videos, a Wifi Optimization Guide including a helpful Infographic and Internet Experience Customer Resources.

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

PVPUSD Fall Parent Education Series

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and South Bay Families Connected invite parents to attend a virtual Fall Parent Education Series with Dr. Moe Gelbart. The series will kick off October 7 at 9 a.m. with “Managing the Emotions of Distance Learning: Parenting in 2020.” All events will be live-streamed and recorded, and information will be posted on pvpusd.net prior to each event.

For additional online youth wellness resources, including resources to support youths during distance learning, please visit southbayfamiliesconnected.org/pvpusd

Space Open in After School Recreational Enrichment Program

Registration is currently open for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program offered by the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA and the City at Hesse Park! The after school program for grades K-5 takes place from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday from through December 18. This program is 100% outdoors and features activities covering science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), individual conditioning physical exercise, enrichment, and much more, all designed to maintain physical distancing and follow Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols. Fees are $100 per week, per child. Registration remains open.

**Due to lower than anticipated enrollment at Ryan Park and Eastview Park, these locations will be placed on hold until there is more interest.**

For more information and to register for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program, visit bit.ly/3jg58gA or ymcala.org. Download a program flyer at: bit.ly/3gunjxl

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

Time is Running Out! Complete Your Census Today.

Have you completed your 2020 census? Responses to the census shape decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next 10 years for critical services, including health care, emergency response, schools and education programs, and roads and bridges. The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of census data and census participation.

As of September 30, Rancho Palos Verdes had a self-response rate of 80.5%, above state and national averages, but behind our goal of 100% participation. The Secretary of Commerce has announced a new target deadline of October 5. If you haven't already done so, complete your census form now online at my2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by mail if you receive a paper form.

Cases

For a list of cases broken down by city, demographic characteristics, and settings, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

For an interactive dashboard with maps and graphs showing testing, cases and death data by community, poverty level, age, sex and race/ethnicity visit: http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/

An interactive dashboard of COVID-19 cases in the South Bay maintained by the City of Torrance is available at bit.ly/2XB1fv1. The dashboard reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
• Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
• Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/