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July 1, 2020

Moving Forward and Taking Care of our Community Last month we opened City Hall to the public on a part-time basis. This gave us the opportunity to assess a new screening processes, and fine tune our safety and social distancing modifications. With successful processes in place, we are ready to expand our public hours. Effective Monday, July 6, 2020, we will be open for our normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4 p.m. alternate Fridays. We will continue to conduct temperature screening and require face coverings for employees and visitors. These steps are in place to keep us healthy and based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health. I encourage you to review industry guidance documents on our website. Please support those businesses that implement best practices to help our community slow the spread of COVID-19 and re-open quickly. And speaking of mandates, there has been a lot of discussion about the State’s new face covering requirement. We address a few of the questions that have crossed my desk in the article below. I want to personally thank every member of this connected community for doing your part and protecting our friends and neighbors as we move through COVID-19 together. And as you honor this Independence Day, please be safe and enjoy time at home: Don't mix households and if you must go out, avoid crowds. In Good Health, Kim Summers, City Manager

Face Covering: Q & A on the State Requirements  How do face coverings help? Face coverings help to protect others more than the wearer. As we re-open and increase public contact, face coverings, hand washing, and distancing are important tools to address a growing percentage of positive cases. Why wear a mask if I am not sick? You can transmit COVID-19 without feeling ill. Many new cases are in younger people who may have few or no symptoms, but still pass germs to others. Is this a suggestion or law? It is a State Department of Public Health mandate. Can the City just ignore the mandate? Cities and Counties are required to follow State laws; not doing so can have financial and regulatory consequences. Most importantly, we want to do all we can to keep residents and visitors healthy while supporting the re-opening of our economy.   What if I do not want to wear one? A business can ask the client to leave or refuse service to a person who does not cover their face. This puts businesses, employees and customers in a very difficult place and we hope everyone can do their part.

Breaking News: State Announces New Closures The Governor has announced that due to a continued increase in positivity rates and hospitalizations, Riverside is one of 19 counties ordered to stop all indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, theaters, zoos, museums and family entertainment centers. Bars are fully closed unless they serve food. This order is effective immediately and in place for three weeks. In addition, the State has closed parking lots to all of its beaches. State parks remain open with distancing requirements. More at www.covid19.ca.gov

November Election Includes Two Council Seats. Nominations open this month for the general election on November 3, 2020. It will include two City Council seats and finalize the City's transition to a district-based Council. The open seats will represent Districts 3 and 4, both in the City's western region. You can view an interactive district map here. To be eligible to run for City Council you must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, and a qualified elector of the respective district of the City of Murrieta. Potential candidates can begin the process by pulling papers between July 13 and August 7, 2020 and must subsequently get at least 20 signatures from voters in their district for nomination. For additional information, please contact Stephanie Smith, City Clerk .

Thank You to Our Disc Golf Partners! We would like to thank the Murrieta Rattlers Disc Golf Club for volunteering their time to repair/paint baskets, tee pads and benches, and remove weeds. There are even social distancing stumps at the tee pads so players can queue up in waiting for their turn. The City is happy to once again hear those chains rattle. Send us Your Parks & Rec Photos Help celebrate Parks and Recreation Month and show us what recreation means to you. Our photo contest runs through July 25, 2020, and we invite you to share your favorite parks memory, activity or feature in one of the following categories: Sunset/Sunrise, Lifestyle, Outdoors/Architecture. Visit www.MurrietaCA.gov/virtual for all the details.

B-Street Station Brings Pickleball to Murrieta We look forward to the dedication of Murrieta’s 52 nd park, B Street Station later this month. Watch our Facebook pages for all the details and information on any public health modifications. Located at the corner of Adams Avenue and B Street, it includes two pickleball courts, a series of outdoor strength-training equipment, picnic area, and outdoor ping pong and activity tables.  As this grant-funded park is geared toward our mature population, those 50 years and older will have dedicated hours weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. It will be open to the public evenings and weekends.

Re-Opening News On July 13, 2020, the Library plans to begin its modified re-opening. We're starting at 25% capacity and allowing in-person check-outs. No seating or rooms available. With safety in mind, we will implement social distancing, face covering and temperature checks. Virtual and drive-through services will continue. Get more information online. Join the Summer Reading Challeng e Murrieta Public Library's Virtual Summer Reading Challenge runs through July 25, 2020, and has something for all ages. Grab your Library card and register on Beanstack or download the app. No Library card? You can sign up for a card online . Log books and activities to be entered into opportunity drawings. The more you read and participate the better your chances. Prizes will be chosen at random and are sponsored by the Friends of the Murrieta Library. In addition to building a love of reading, studies show that students who participate in Library summer reading programs scored higher on reading achievement tests than those who did not .

New E-Book Highlights Murrieta Police Policies Take a look at some of the policies and procedures that guide and support our community-based police department. This interactive e-book, based on a recent social media series, addresses topics such as use of force, communications, and hiring practices, linking the reader back to actual policies. View the Murrieta Police e-Book here

Visit our Re-Opening Web Pages for the Latest Information Our Economic Development Team continues to work with local businesses and a range of community partners as we work to safely re-open our community. Visit www.MurrietaCA.gov/reopening for the information on local and state guidelines, public health mandates and industry-specific re-opening information. You will also find links to business grants and loans, and COVID-19 data reports. We're here to help Murrieta business through these challenging times.