Bike/Play Neighborhoods and a Temporary Pedestrian Mall

Last night the Council asked staff to look into a couple of ideas I’d gotten from residents and business owners1: Allow neighborhoods to close off their block at certain times to create impromptu biking and play areas2; and, Temporarily close off the north few blocks of Laurel Street to create

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Hands and Knees

Tonight the Council approved a six month delay in its previously-approved minimum wage increase that was to have taken effect on July 1, 2020. The reason? Because local businesses are under enormous financial strain as a result of the Covid-19 global pandemic. That’s certainly true. But there are a number

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Covid-19: County Update Call 4/17/2020

Highlights The supply of available hospital beds and ventilators appears to be in decent shape. The rate of infection (in terms of positive tests) appears highest in the 30 to 50 year old age group. Fatalities are concentrated in the over 80 age group. Face coverings while in public will

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Working thru a Crisis: 4/13/2020 Council Meeting

Our agenda this week had several items on it related to the Covid-19 crisis1: Receive an Update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Discuss and Direct Staff Concerning a Moratorium on Commercial Evictions Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Establishing a Tenant Assistance Program, Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement

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Covid-19: Assemblies on Private Property

This article was sparked by an issue someone reported on NextDoor. Here’s the gist: Last night, lots of people heard a very loud, large, social backyard birthday party that went for around 6 hours. I’m sure we all want to be partying during this time but it made people around

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Covid-19 and Real Estate

I’ve gotten a number of questions related to what the County emergency regulations focused on real estate transactions mean in practice. It’s very important that residents and businesses adhere to the shelter-in-place, safe distancing and essential business regulations issued by the County. Since we have no vaccine for Covid-19 the

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