Elk Grove City Hall, Other Public Facilities Closed

In a comprehensive statement issued yesterday, effective today the Elk Grove City Hall is closed to the public. Below is the statement as well as information about other public services provided by the city and other agencies.

##

The City continues to work very closely with regional government agencies, the County Health Department, as well as the state and federal government to ensure we have the most up-to-date information to make decisions affecting the City during this unprecedented time.

Matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve. This note is intended to provide you with a brief update of where things stand as of March 18, 2020.

Impacted City Services

• In accordance with the directive released by Sacramento County Public Health Department, all City facilities will close to the public beginning tomorrow, March 19.
• Essential services including law enforcement, some animal services, public transit, trash service and recycling, limited public works functions, and essential administrative functions will remain operating. The County’s directive recommends a closure through April 7, but that could be changed.
• City staff have been asked to telework during this closure. The City intends to provide as many services as possible to our residents. Staff phones and emails will also be monitored remotely. Residents can also report many issues through our website at www.elkgrovecity.org.
• EGPD’s front lobby and service center counter is closed. Only limited services will be available by appointment on a case-by-case basis. All Livescan services and appointments with the Property and Evidence Bureau will be suspended until further notice.
• Elk Grove's Development Services Department encourages people to take advantage of recent improvements to their electronic permitting capabilities that make it easier to work with us online. Find out more.
• The Public Works Department encourages residents to submit applications for encroachment permits and transportation permits electronically. Download the forms. Applications may be submitted by email to epermitsline@elkgrovecity.org. PDF file, please.
• Service at the Elk Grove Animal Shelter will be limited to people in need of an essential service. Details available.
• The Center at District56 has closed. This includes the Veterans Hall and the Senior Center of Elk Grove. City staff will respond to online reservation inquiries for late spring and summer events. Contact facility staff.
• The Aquatics Center at District56 is closed.
• A special meeting of the Elk Grove City Council will be held tonight, Wednesday, March 18, to ratify the proclamation of local emergency. The meeting format has been adjusted to conform with social distancing guidelines for public gatherings. With the assistance of technology, some staff and officials will participate by phone. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to watch the meeting through the live broadcast available from the city’s website. Seating within the Chambers will be limited. Members of the public will have the opportunity to email their comments or questions before or during the meeting to the City Clerk at jlindgren@elkgrovecity.org.
• Future Council meetings are expected to continue as scheduled and be available only via teleconferencing. Members of the public are encouraged to participate remotely. Information about how to participate will be available on the City’s website.
• All other City committee and commission meetings are canceled until further notice. If meetings are determined to be necessary, they will be conducted via teleconference.

Local Business/Workplace

• Sacramento County Public Health officials issued updated directives on March 17, 2020 for workplaces.
  • Workplaces and businesses should implement telecommuting and teleconferencing for their employees, where appropriate and feasible.
  • Only those employees performing essential duties that cannot be performed by telecommuting should physically come to work.
• Businesses that have been deemed essential are included, but not limited to:
  • Health Care Facilities
  • Grocery stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Hardware stores/plumbers/electricians for emergency services
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
  • Newspapers, television, radio and other media services
  • Gas Stations and auto supply, auto repair and related facilities
  • Banks and related financial institutions
  • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators and others who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
  • Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers

Local Business and Employee Relief Efforts

• Impacted businesses and employees with questions and/or concerns are encouraged to call the City of Elk Grove’s Office of Economic Development at (916) 627-3338 or contact them via e-mail at econdev@elkgrovecity.org.
• The City has taken the following actions to provide businesses and employees relief and is currently evaluating additional measures and options:
  • On March 18, the City Council is considering a temporary moratorium on residential and commercial evictions and foreclosures and relief from the disconnection or late fees related to certain utilities. This temporary ordinance will limit eviction proceedings against any person or business within the City as a result of a substantial decrease in household or business income or substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses cause by COVID-19. Further, it will limit the City from discontinuing service or charging late fees for solid waste or drainage utility services. View the press release here.
  • On March 13, the City declared a Local State of Emergency. The Proclamation is a prerequisite for requesting and receiving any available federal or state funding and it could also assist some businesses and residents to quality for assistance through disaster relief programs.
  • The City is closely monitoring legislation and Executive Orders moving through the State and Federal Government which may provide critical relief to small businesses and employees affected by this emergency.
  • The City, along with other regional partners, is in the process of assembling a local business support website that will detail all available emergency assistance for local businesses and employees. This will be a comprehensive one-stop shop for businesses and employees detailing federal, state, and regional relief resources. The web site will be up and running by the end of this week and will be accessible via the City’s COVID-19 page of its web site.
  • The City, along with other regional partners, is in the process of launching a business assistance hotline staffed with business support specialists to assist impacted businesses and employees with accessing resources. The hotline should be up and running by the end of the week
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic impact as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.
• Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Events

• On Sunday, March 15, the Centers for Disease Control announced its recommendation to cancel or postpone in-person events with 50 or more people scheduled over the next 8 weeks. On Monday, March 16, President Trump changed that recommendation to events with 10 people or more. Late Monday night, March 16, Governor Newsom issued further guidance by prohibiting all gatherings of any size, effective immediately.
• Aligning with this recommendation, the City has coordinated with several local organizations to create a listing of local events canceled or postponed through early May. New dates for some postponed events have been included, when available. See list online.

Community Partners

• Elk Grove Unified School District has closed all schools until April 11.
• Elk Grove Unified School District is providing students with free breakfast and lunch during school closures. View Details
• Elk Grove Food Bank Services and the Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise are working together to provide food to shut-in seniors. Community volunteers and donations are being sought in this effort. If you can help, please call (916) 685-8453 or email the Food Bank’s volunteer coordinator at volunteer@egfbs.org. Donate to the Food Bank.

Copyright by Elk Grove News © 2020. All right reserved.