Mayor addresses ‘purple tier’ status, passing of measure J-20
Mayor Steve Martin
From the blog of Mayor Steve Martin
Mayor’s blog for Nov. 16
–Monday the State of California announced San Luis Obispo County is officially back in the “purple” tier. (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/).
This is a severe regression for efforts to open our local economy. Until recently we were in a lower tier of COVID-19 restrictions which meant our local businesses were allowed to operate at higher levels. Unfortunately, recent COVID-19 spikes have pushed us back up the more restrictive level. The 93446 area continues to lead COVID-19 infection numbers in the county by a wide margin.
The big changes to be aware of:
- Restaurants – Must move operations outdoors only
- Fitness Centers (gyms, dance studios, gymnastics studios, yoga, pilates, etc.) – Must move operations outdoors only
- Worship Services – Must move operations outdoors only
- Museums / Zoos – Must move operations outdoors only
- Movie Theatres – Must move operations outdoors only
- Retail locations – Maximum occupancy now only 25-percent (instead of 50-percent)
- Bars/breweries no changes – still closed unless they serve full sit down meals (and must close when food services end for the evening)
- No changes for personal care services and hair salons/barbershops
Both ReadySLO webpages (https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/currentrestrictions.aspx and https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/guidanceforsafeoperations.aspx) have been updated to reflect these changes if you are interested in more details.
Although this change is supposed to occur within 24 hours, the City of Paso Robles recognizes the challenge to business sectors to change their operations and there will be a soft compliance period for the next three days to allow businesses time to adjust.
Once again, I urge everyone to wear face-masks, practice aggressive hand-washing and maintain social distancing. The sooner we do, the faster we will recover from this pandemic. For more information please visit prcity.com or readyslo.org.
Stay informed, stay involved, stay strong Paso Robles.
Mayor’s blog for Nov. 14
–I wish to recognize our community’s perception of the true need for expanded resources to ensure our police and fire departments are adequately staffed and supplied, and to accelerate the repairs to our system of streets. It is never agreeable to increase taxes, but our friends and neighbors have determined to do just that. The passage of the J-20 sales tax override shows once again that Paso Robles is a “Can-Do” city. I and the entire city council say “thank you” for this vote of confidence in our future.
As always, there is more work to be done; work to accomplish the goals set forth as the basis for J-20, work to strengthen public safety and street repairs, and work to demonstrate, every day, that taxpayer funds are spent accountably, transparently, and effectively.
The city council has directed that a new citizens’ oversight committee be established. This committee will replace, but include, members of the existing sales tax oversight committee and add more community representatives, including representatives from each of our newly-formed election districts, to a maximum membership of 17. Representatives from our police department, fire department, and public works department, along with two council members will serve as liaisons to this committee. This new, expanded committee will review and report revenues from the J-20 measure (as well as the existing sales tax override) and city expenditures to assure funds are dispensed appropriately.
The council respects the will and priorities of the community. We will always dedicate ourselves to the highest level of public service, fostering confidence in our process and encouraging the greatest degree of citizen involvement.
Until next we blog, stay informed, stay involved and stay strong Paso Robles!
