City facilities and offices closed to the public

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UPDATE AS OF MARCH 27

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday, March 27, banning the enforcement of eviction orders for renters affected by COVID-19 through May 31, 2020. 
Under the terms of the resolution approved by the Redlands City Council on Thursday, the governor’s action suspends that resolution which established a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions.
The Governor’s executive order prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent and prohibits enforcement of evictions by law enforcement or courts. It also requires tenants to declare in writing, no more than seven days after the rent comes due, that the tenant cannot pay all or part of their rent due to COVID-19. For more information on the governor’s executive order, visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/27/governor-newsom-takes-executive-action-to-establish-a-statewide-moratorium-on-evictions/

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 26

The Redlands City Council voted unanimously Thursday, March 26, to approve an ordinance placing a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions for failure to pay rent. The moratorium will be in effect through May 31, 2020, in keeping with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order.

Under the ordinance, no landlord shall evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent if the tenant demonstrates that the tenant is unable to pay rent due to financial impacts related to COVID-19. Tenants must provide written notice to the landlord within 30 days after the rent is due.

Financial impacts include contracting COVID-19 or caring for a family member who has contracted the virus; lay-off, loss of hours or reduction of income from COVID-19; compliance with a recommendation from a government health authority to stay home, self-quarantine, or avoid congregating with others during the state of emergency; extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses due to COVID-19; or child care needs arising from school closures related to COVID-19.

The ordinance does not relieve the tenant from eventually paying rent. The landlord may not charge a late fee on the rent.

The full text of the ordinance is available on the City of Redlands website at https://destinyhosted.com/redladocs/2020/CC/20200326_215/2617_2908_Temporary_Moratorium_on_Evictions_COVID-19.pdf

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 23

Effective Friday, March 20, the City of Redlands has further reduced City services in response to the March 19 order from Gov. Gavin Newsom and public health recommendations to slow the spread of coronavirus.

“We want our residents and all visitors to the City of Redlands to know that we are doing all we can to protect your health and safety,” said Mayor Paul Foster. “Our Emergency Management staff within the Redlands Fire Department began planning last month for the potential spread of the novel coronavirus and to create emergency plans. The City’s department directors and executive staff are meeting regularly, consulting public health authorities and other stakeholders and examining all possible actions the City can take to contribute to slowing the spread of the virus and protect residents and visitors, especially the most vulnerable populations.

“With that in mind, and in keeping with public health orders and recommendations, we have closed public offices and facilities and curtailed service levels to maintain essential and critical City services,” Foster said.

Essential City services include:

  • Police and Fire
  • Water, sewer and trash
  • Maintenance of streets, trees and parks and infrastructure repairs
  • Senior nutrition program
  • Senior transportation
  • Limited administrative services

The City has enacted plans to move toward telecommuting for other staff to ensure the safety of the public and employees while continuing to further City projects and programs.

Residents are encouraged to continue to support local businesses by ordering takeout or delivery when available. Grocery stores and pharmacies will continue to operate. There is no shortage of food or interruption to local food supply. If we all work together, we can slow the spread of the virus. If you are sick, stay home and contact your doctor. Additionally, we ask that you please consider carefully what your actual need for food and sanitation supplies would be, for up to a two-week period, and purchase only the amount you would reasonably expect to use. Panic buying, hoarding and similar behaviors impact your fellow residents and complicate the current situation for others. 

The City will continue to assess the situation and may make additional changes as needed.

For updates on City services and the City’s response to the pandemic, visit the City’s website at https://www.cityofredlands.org/.

How to Contact the City to access essential City services

City Hall

City Manager’s Office – The City Manager’s Office will maintain minimal staffing during regular business hours. – (909) 798-7510

Infrastructure maintenance

Streets, street lights and traffic signals, sidewalks, storm drains and gutters, emergency tree service – (909) 798-7655

After hours, emergency requests can be submitted to Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681

Water/Wastewater/Solid Waste

Water is safe to drink and there is plenty of water available

During this time, there will be no water shutoffs and late fees will be delayed

Water/Wastewater issues – (909) 798-7698

Solid Waste Inquiries or Customer Service – (909) 798-7529

Water, sewer, solid waste or other utilities – Mudcustomerservice@cityofredlands.org

Utility Billing Customer Call Center – (909) 798-7516

Utility bill payments can be made online:

After hours emergency requests can be submitted to Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681

Business License

Business License Inquiries/Service – (909) 479-2111

Business Licenses – Support@HdLGov.com

All other Payment Inquiries – LicenseStaff@cityofredlands.org  

Public Safety

The Redlands Police Department is open during regular business hours, with no public access to the lobby. Please use the phone outside the building for service.

  • All police and fire services will continue
  • Redlands Police Department non-emergency phone number (909) 798-7681
  • Report crime online at https://www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime
  • Redlands Fire Department non-emergency phone number (909) 798-7660
  • For emergency assistance call 9-1-1

Senior Services

All senior and recreation center facilities will be closed through the end of April 2020.

Senior Nutrition

The Senior Nutrition Program has suspended dine-in services and is offering to-go meals for pickup at the Redlands Community Senior Center on Wednesdays starting March 25. Participants must call to order meals by Tuesday. Senior residents interested in a home meal delivery service may contact the Senior Helpline phone number at (909) 798-7579 or email recreationstaff@cityofredlands.org.

Senior transportation services

Transportation services are limited for medical needs (medical appointments and pharmacy)

Transportation is limited to two individuals per trip to minimize exposure

For more information call (909) 307-7316

Never Alone

The City of Redlands’ Never Alone Program addresses the isolation problems faced by many elderly people within the community and fosters a better connection with others. The program uses city staff and volunteers to routinely call and establish a connection with the senior citizens in the community. Callers check in on the seniors to verify their health and safety, but they also try to become a friend, someone that seniors can look forward to speaking with on a weekly basis. In situations where someone may be in need of help or they fail to answer the phone call, a police officer is dispatched to check on their status.

The Never Alone Project relies entirely on volunteer support, and they are always in need of anyone who may be interested in participating in the program.  If you’re interested in participating in the program or becoming a volunteer, call 909-798-7579 or email recreationstaff@cityofredlands.org.

The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority. 

The City recommends that seniors stay active, healthy and connected through eating well and exercising at home.

More information on COVID-19

 

UPDATE AS OF 5 PM, MARCH 19

The City Council and staff of the City of Redlands are concerned for the well-being of all our residents, visitors, businesses and employees. City staff continue to meet daily to determine how to continue to deliver services to the public while protecting residents and employees from spread of the novel coronavirus.

The City has been actively involved for several weeks in planning, prevention, preparation and response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • On Monday, March 16, City Manager Charlie Duggan declared a State of Emergency in Redlands and activated the Emergency Operations Center to a Level 3. The next day, Tuesday, March 17, the Redlands City Council voted to ratify the State of Emergency. Declaration of a local emergency provides additional tools to the City in responding to the public health emergency and allows the City to purchase supplies, materials and equipment without going through the normal bidding requirements.
  • On Tuesday, March 17, the City Council approved a resolution suspending the imposition of late charges and penalties and disconnection of water service to customers due to late payments. The resolution is in effect through April 30 and may be extended by the City Manager for up to 90 days.
  • All City offices are closed to walk-in service through April 30. Services are available in all departments during regular business hours by telephone or email. Residents should check individual department web pages for information on how to obtain available services, submit applications or payments and other details.
  • The Redlands Community Center, Redlands Community Senior Center and Joslyn Senior are closed through the end of April. Senior Center personnel are being redeployed to provide daily check-ins and other social interaction by telephone to senior citizens who would ordinarily participate in Senior Center activities. The City will continue to provide senior services through alternative means.
    • Senior meal dine-in programs have been suspended. Seniors may pick up meals, including five frozen dinners, fruit, bread and milk, weekly by contacting the Redlands Community Center at (909) 798-7572. Prepackaged meals are distributed on Wednesdays. Participants must contact the center by Tuesday.
    • Transportation services are available for medical needs (medical appointments and pharmacy); Transportation is limited to two individuals per trip to minimize exposure.
    • The Senior Services Division’s Never Alone program connects senior citizens with volunteers and City staff for daily phone calls.
    • Information on Senior Division programs is available at the Senior Services Division web page at https://www.cityofredlands.org/seniors
  • The Saturday morning Household Hazardous Waste program has been suspended through the end of April.
  • The Redlands Airport public lobby is closed through the end of April. Airport operations will continue.
  • Water audits conducted by City staff are suspended through the end of April.
  • Meetings of all City advisory boards, commissions and committees have been canceled through the end of April.
  • The City Council and Planning Commission will continue to meet. However, measures have been taken to limit the number of people in attendance and increase social distancing among residents, staff and elected officials in attendance. Chairs have been removed from the Council Chambers, including the dais, to maintain appropriate social distancing. We encourage residents who do not have business before the City Council or Planning Commission, to view the meetings live at home through Redlands TV on Channel 3 for Spectrum cable customers or Channel 35 for Frontier cable customers, or view the meeting online at https://www.cityofredlands.org/meeting-agendas-minutes.
  • All facility reservations for the City of Redlands, including all parks and sports fields, as well as the Redlands Community Center, Redlands Community Senior Center, Joslyn Senior Center, A.K. Smiley Public Library and the Contemporary Club have been canceled through the end of April.
  • All independent classes at Redlands facilities have been canceled through the end of April.
  • The Redlands Police Department has suspended LiveScan (fingerprinting) service to the general public until further notice.
  • The Redlands Animal Shelter will see visitors by appointment only. Potential adoptions and lost pets can be viewed online at Pet Harbor at http://petharbor.com/.
  • The City has discontinued Thursday night Market Night and Saturday Morning Farmers Market through the end of April. In addition, the Downtown Art Walk, scheduled for March 29, has been postponed to an indefinite date.
  • The Redlands Fire Department has reviewed and updated their protocols for use of Personal Protective Equipment for all firefighter/paramedics.
  • The Redlands Police Department has reviewed its protocols for in-person contact with individuals reporting crime. When appropriate, officers will contact individuals via telephone or practice social distancing for in-person contact. Those wishing to file police reports are also encouraged to make use of the department’s on-line reporting system, available on the department’s web page at https://www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime.  
  • The City is encouraging all residents and businesses to adhere to County, State and Federal Public Health Orders and recommendations for the safety and well-being of all residents.

“We want our residents and all visitors to the City of Redlands to know that we are doing all we can to protect your health and safety,” said Mayor Paul Foster. “Our Emergency Management staff within the Redlands Fire Department began planning last month for the potential spread of the Novel Coronavirus and to create emergency plans. The City’s department directors and executive staff are meeting regularly, consulting public health authorities and other stakeholders and examining all possible actions the City can take to contribute to slowing the spread of the Novel Coronavirus and protect residents and visitors, especially the most vulnerable populations.”

To date there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the City of Redlands. As of Thursday, March 19, there were five confirmed cases in San Bernardino County, according to the Department of Public Health.

“The health and well-being of all Redlands residents, employees and visitors to the City are of paramount importance to us,” said Mayor Foster. “In preparation for a potential local outbreak, over the past few weeks the City had already been in active communication with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health and we will continue to respond based on the best advice of public health authorities and medical experts.”

City staff are in proactive communication with local organizations with large public reach, including the Redlands Unified School District; Redlands Community Hospital; the University of Redlands; Esri, the City’s largest private employer; and skilled nursing facilities, to share information on the coronavirus and coordinate responses.

“All available City employees will be deployed to ensure that core City functions, including essential public health and safety, are maintained,” said Mayor Foster.

The most effective protection against the virus remains education, good health hygiene habits and social distancing.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • If someone does become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough, they should stay away from work, school or other people to avoid spreading illness and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms become severe.
  • N95 masks are not recommended outside a healthcare setting. Surgical masks can be worn by sick individuals to reduce the likelihood of spreading germs to others.

The County of San Bernardino has established a COVID-19 Public Information Line. The line is in operation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The phone number is (909) 387-3911. Please note that this line is for Public Information Only. Please contact your Health Care Provider for medical related questions.

In addition, the County has established a link for public complaints regarding businesses that may not be following public health orders. Complaints may be filed at http://bit.ly/CovidNotifSBC

.For more information, visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health website at http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus/ the California Department of Public Health website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx or  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.