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

Parks and Nature Preserve

In recent days, City Staff and Park Rangers have observed a high volume of visitors to City parks and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.

While the City recognizes the need for residents to get outdoors under the current “Safer at Home” Order, we remind all visitors to practice social distancing, with 6 feet of separation between people, to use hand-sanitizing stations, and to park ONLY in designated parking spaces.  Parking laws are being enforced. Please respect the grounds of our open space areas and dispose of trash in receptacles.

Remember, all indoor and outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited under the “Safer at Home” Order.

Playgrounds

As a result of the order, playground areas at the following parks are closed to the public:

• Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park
• Robert E. Ryan Community Park
• Ladera Linda Park
• Eastview Park
• Deana Dana Friendship Park (County of Los Angeles)
• Martin J. Bogdanovich Park (City of Los Angeles)

Dog Parks

Both the Rancho Caninos Dog Park at Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center and the Eastview Dog Park at Eastview Park remain open during normal, posted hours. Please practice social distancing, with 6 feet of separation between people, use hand-sanitizing stations, and park ONLY in designated parking spaces.  Parking laws are being enforced.

Cases

As of March 20, there were 292 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. Two people have died.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm
 
It’s important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.

We’re Here

Although City Hall is closed for the weekend (and closed to the public in person through at least April 19), the City Council and City staff are monitoring communications from various government agencies and the public and will continue to share information with residents. A webpage with coronavirus updates, resources and information on local closures is continuously being updated at rpvca.gov/coronavirus

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“Safer at Home” Order FAQs

Are you unsure of what activities and services are essential under Los Angeles County’s "Safer at Home" Public Health Officer Order? Read frequently asked questions compiled by the County of Los Angeles at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/covid19/safer-at-home-faq/ and by the City of Los Angeles at https://corona-virus.la/faq
 
As a reminder, the "Safer at Home" Public Health Order is now in effect. It requires all "non-essential" businesses to close, such as non-essential retail and indoor shopping malls, as well as playgrounds. This is in addition to the closures of bars, clubs, and dine-in restaurants already in effect. Gatherings of 10 or more people will be strictly prohibited.

This does not mean that you cannot leave your home. You can take a walk, go to the pharmacy, and pick up groceries.

Examples of essential businesses that will NOT be closed under the “Safer At Home” order:

• grocery stores, markets
• restaurants that are doing take-out, delivery, or drive-thru service
• convenience stores
• pet supply stores
• hardware stores
• gas stations
• laundromats
• plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics
• airlines, taxis, transportation providers

For a comprehensive list of essential businesses, read the full order at bit.ly/396UnHT

Health care workers, government employees, transit workers, first responders, and other essential workers will remain on the job. The order is in effect until April 19, but may be extended at the discretion of public health officials. 

Tax Information

Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector Keith Knox has announced that property owners affected by the COVID-19 virus may have late penalties cancelled if they are unable to pay their property taxes by the April 10 deadline.

The County has no authority to extend the April 10 deadline, as outlined by state law. However, beginning on April 11, the day after property taxes are due, people unable to pay on time for reasons related to COVID-19 may submit a request for penalty cancellation online. The department has set up a special team to process these requests for those who demonstrate they were affected by the outbreak.

Property owners who can pay their taxes on time are encouraged to do so. This revenue helps keep the government running and providing vital services that the public relies on, especially in times like these.

Since County buildings are currently closed to the public during this emergency, there will be no in-person payments. Instead, taxpayers can pay online, via telephone or by mail.

Fore frequently asked questions, visit https://ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19%20Impact%20to%20Property%20Taxes%20FAQs.pdf

Please also note that the deadline for income tax filing has been extended nationwide from April 15 to July 15. For more information, visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/payment-deadline-extended-to-july-15-2020

Closure Information

For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Open for Business

Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business  tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Watch the latest episode of RPVtv’s “Around the Peninsula” featuring an interview with PVP Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Eileen Hupp to find out how you can support local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etJcYqikC9o  

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 rpvnw@ix.netcom.com
 
Blood Donations Needed
 
The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak. There is no clinical evidence that COVID-19 is transmissible through blood. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma.
 
The Red Cross also urges organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff.
 
This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer. Learn how to donate at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Senior Support

Please consider checking on your older neighbors or those with underlying health conditions. There are ways to let people know you care while keeping a safe distance (e.g., a phone call, a text, a note under their door to make sure they have everything they need). Self-isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness. Lomita Sheriff’s Station deputies are available to provide a “welfare check” for seniors. Residents are encouraged to call the station’s non-emergency number at 310-539-1661 if they are aware of seniors who are at risk or may need attention. We are all in this together.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least April 19, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. Advisory board meetings have been canceled through the end of March. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

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

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
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify
 
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/ 

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.