Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

As of March 16, 2020, there are 94 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County. Fifteen cases are likely due to community transmission. One person has died. There are no confirmed cases in the City. For a list of cases broken down by city, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&ou=ph&prog=media&cur=cur&prid=2268&row=25&start=1 
 
Additionally, officials announced a countywide directive ordering all bars, clubs, theaters, entertainment centers, and fitness centers to be closed until further notice. Restaurants will be permitted to serve take-out or delivery food only and grocery stores may remain open. Gatherings of more than 50 people are strongly discouraged, in accordance with directions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new guidelines recommending that all persons age 65 and older and individuals with health conditions that put them at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 — such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease — practice home isolation. For further guidance, visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Self_Isolation_Guidance_03.16.20.pdf

Please note that there is no shortage of food and supplies and that the outbreak has no impact on the quality or supply of tap water and should not disrupt water or sewer service.
 
City Hall Closed
 
Following state recommendations regarding social distancing, and in the interest of the health and well-being of the public and City employees, City Hall will be closed to the public through at least the remainder of March. The City will remain open for business, however, by telephone, email, and online.
 
Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov. 

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43. 

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8. 
 
Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:
 
City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv
 
Overall Staff Directory

For updates, resources and information on local closures, visit rpvca.gov/coronavirus.
 
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
 
The City has activated its Emergency Operations Center at Level 3, the lowest level of activation, in order to maintain continuous communication with government agencies, the City Council, and the community.
 
Park Buildings
 
As a reminder, all City park buildings are closed and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled through at least the remainder of March.
 
March 17 City Council Meeting
 
Out of an abundance of caution to prevent the risk of community spread of COVID-19, the March 17 City Council meeting will be held via teleconference. McTaggart Hall will be open to members of the public, however, the City strongly encourages electronic public comment participation.
 
The meeting will be livestreamed on the City website at https://www.rpvca.gov/772/City-Meeting-Video-and-Agendas and televised on Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38.
To participate in public comment, please email cc@rpvca.gov. Staff will be monitoring emails during the meeting and will read them aloud during the respective agenda item.
Prior to the regular 7 p.m. meeting, there will be a special meeting at 6:45 p.m. for the City Council to consider proclaiming a local emergency in response to the spread of coronavirus. The proclamation will bolster the City’s ability to respond to the outbreak by providing:

• Expanded access to personnel, equipment, and facilities
• The ability to waive local provisions and regulations that could hinder response to the emergency
• Enhanced opportunities for mutual aid
• Access to state/federal funding/reimbursement related to disaster relief

Board, Committee and Commission meetings have been canceled for the remainder of March. This includes the following:

March 16       Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee Meeting - CANCELED
March 19       Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting - CANCELED
March 23       Traffic Safety Committee Meeting - CANCELED
March 24       Planning Commission Meeting - CANCELED
March 26       Civic Center Advisory Committee Meeting - CANCELED
 
PVPUSD Updates
 
Last week, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District confirmed that a parent of children at Silver Spur Elementary School and Valmonte Early Learning Academy reported testing positive for COVID-19, though the case had not been confirmed by public health officials. Today, PVPUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss shared the following update:
 
“Dear Silver Spur and VELA Communities:
 
The PVPUSD has been working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on the recent report of a parent testing positive for COVID-19. We have been informed that there were no identified exposures to illness at the school in relation to this incident.”
 
Superintendent Cherniss also shared the following message regarding a separate reported case:
 
“Dear PVPUSD School Community:
 The City has clarified with the school district that it was the student, not the parent, who reportedly tested positive.
 
The City has no more information about the identity or residence of these families than has already been reported by PVPUSD or the local media. For the latest information, visit pvpusd.net/virus
 
As a reminder, in partnership with the Torrance Unified School District, during the school closure, free breakfast and lunch will be available from March 17-27 at several TUSD schools. For locations and more information, visit pvpusd.net/meals.
 
How You Can Help
 
PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time. 
 
Neighborhood Watch block captains are available to assist any and all individuals who would like some form of assistance at this time. Those who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at 310-519-8648.
 
Mental Health

If the coronavirus outbreak is affecting your mental health, the World Health Organization recommends minimizing watching, reading or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed. Seek information only from trusted sources and mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones. Seek information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice.

Find more tips, visit https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8

Resources

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

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
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at https://www.rpvca.gov/list.aspx
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge
• 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/ 

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus. The immediate risk to the general public continues to be considered low at this time.