The City of Big Bear Lake is working hard to ensure that the residents, second home owners, investors, businesses, and visitors in our community have the correct information about the status of COVID-19 threats in Big Bear Lake and the City's response to these threats.

This email newsletter is the official guidance from the City of Big Bear Lake, and the City appreciates everyone's adherence to the restrictions and recommendations outlined herein. This email newsletter also serves as the City's official press release regarding the City's COVID-19 response, and press inquiries may be directed to Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager, at 909-866-5832 or via email.

 

To be sure you are receiving the latest and most accurate information, please sign up for this email newsletter by clicking here . PLEASE share this email newsletter with anyone and everyone, as we want to reach as many people as possible with this information. Thank you!

Thankfully, there is no change in the number of reported cases in the Big Bear Valley again today. There remain a total of 7 confirmed cases in Big Bear Valley, with 5 confirmed in the City of Big Bear Lake and 2 in unincorporated areas outside the City limits.

As of today, the County reports a total of 1,666 confirmed cases in San Bernardino County. A total of 15,368 tests have been administered thus far in the County, with 10.8% testing positive for COVID-19. Sadly, 3 more people passed away from COVID-19 in our county over the past day, and a total of 80 people have now died from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County. The County is now reporting the number of COVID-19 deaths by location of residence, and, thankfullly, there are 0 deaths reported for the Big Bear Valley.

The County provided the results from the Big Bear Lake testing event held on April 16 to the City, and, thankfully, there was only 1 positive test out of 229 specimens processed. Overall, we remain fortunate to enjoy a relatively low incidence of COVID-19 in our community, thanks to the diligent efforts of our residents and businesses over the past several weeks.

This data is updated daily at the County's COVID-19 dashboard, and the City encourages everyone to view this site for the most accurate information.

In accordance with Governor Newsom's and San Bernardino County public health orders, the City previously advised lodging facilities and vacation rentals that they could not operate and to block out all dates through at least April 30. With that deadline now a little more than a week away, and no expected adjustments to the Governor's or County orders in the short-term, the City is now advising lodging facilities and vacation rentals to continue to block out all dates and not welcome any guests through at least May 8. This date may be extended further depending on continually evolving circumstances, and lodging facilities and vacation rental managers / owners should advise scheduled guests accordingly.

The City continues to monitor the COVID-19 issue in Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County, and continues to monitor any adjustments in the Governor's or County orders. Any termination or adjustment of the Governor's or County orders regarding lodging facilities and vacation rentals, or any additional extension of the May 8 date will be included in future City COVID-19 updates as new information becomes available.

City Council will meet again on Monday, April 27 on the ZOOM platform, and the public is encouraged to view the meeting online at the City's website (click on the green button in the top right corner) or on Spectrum Channel 182 beginning at 6:30 pm. The public can also participate in the meeting via ZOOM or by phoning in, however, please note that the ZOOM meeting room is limited to 300 participants.

Due to technology limitations during the COVID-19 crisis, the best way to ensure your comments are received and read aloud to the City Council is to send an email ( [email protected] ) prior to 4 pm on Monday. The City Clerk will read the comments aloud during discussion of that particular agenda item, and will also read any general comments received. There is also an opportunity to comment using the chat feature on ZOOM or by phone, and every effort will be made to connect you to comment at the appropriate time (subject to technology limitations). Instructions and public comment options are included on the April 27 agenda .

City Council will review, discuss, and consider several important items on Monday, including current year budget reductions due to the COVID-19 crisis, a draft General Fund budget for FY 20-21 that reflects significant decreases in City revenues and expenditures due to COVID-19, and a proposed new organizational structure for the City that will result in reduced expenditures. City Council will also receive an update on the status of COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake, and the City's response, and also a potential framework for the gradual, incremental, thoughtful, and safe resumption of business activities in Big Bear Lake over the coming weeks. The full agenda packet, including all supporting information, is now available for public review.

Additiona l Federal funding has been appropriated for Small Business Administration loans, including $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program and $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Fund. Previous allocations for these programs were depleted last week, and Congress acted swiftly to provide additional funding.

The Small Business Administration will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 7:30 am Pacific time from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. SBA is suggesting businesses contact their lenders as soon as possible to submit an application. If your lender is not processing PPP loan applications, the business should contact any of the banks listed on the Orange County / Inland Empire SBA lender list . SBA has not yet announced a date for accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications.

To learn more, please visit the Orange County / Inland Empire SBA website. The Big Bear Chamber of Commerce is also happy to assist our local businesses. Christine Bennett, Senior Administrative Services Analyst for the City of Big Bear Lake is also happy to help, and she can be reached at (909) 866-5831.

San Bernardino County public health officials released an omnibus health order on April 23 that recaps the various restrictions in place. Notably, the County specifically recognized the value of recreational activity for our residents, and has clarified that boating activities and golf course activities are now permitted. It is important to note that the County's order permits these activities ONLY with effective social distancing measures.

The Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD) previously indicated that the lake is tentatively scheduled to open on May 1, and MWD officials continue to evaluate and refine their plans. An updated announcement is expected from MWD next week, and will be included in future City COVID-19 updates. Big Bear Mountain Golf Course had been awaiting clarification regarding golf course operations, and is expected to announce its plans very soon.

City parking areas at Boulder Bay Park, Veterans Park, Rotary Park, and in The Village are now open again. The City closed these parking facilities on April 5, prior to a significant snow event, in order to prevent unauthorized snow play. Now that the snow has melted, and in an effort to make it convenient for our residents to enjoy City parks and facilities, these parking facilities are now open again. Please enjoy these facilities by yourself or with your family group only, and avoid interacting with others. Public restrooms are now OPEN again.

In an effort to assist our valued lodging and vacation rental industry that is severely strained during the COVID-19 emergency, City Council has approved a 61-day waiver of penalties and interest for the remittance of transient occupancy tax (TOT) and tourism business improvement district (TBID) payments due on April 30. This action has the practical effect of preserving cash-flow for strained businesses until lodging and vacation rental operations resume in the coming weeks.

TOT and TBID payments are still due on April 30, and those businesses and vacation rental owners that are willing and able to remit these funds by April 30 should do so in the typical manner. For those experiencing temporary financial difficulty, a penalty and interest waiver may be secured through June 30, 2020 by a) filing the required remittance form by April 30, and b) executing a simple lien agreement (that will not be recorded if payment is ultimately made to the City). The penalty and interest waiver effectively delays the required payment to the City until June 30, 2020 for these businesses and vacation rentals.

The required forms and instructions are now available, and can be downloaded here. Please note that the required lien agreement must be notarized, and City notaries are available to assist if helpful to you - please simply call 909-866-5831 to make an appointment to come into the office. If you are not located in Big Bear Lake, and need to file remotely, the forms can be emailed to the City prior to the April 30 deadline and you will still qualify for the waiver (but hard copy forms must be mailed to the City after the April 30 email deadline).

The City is very pleased to provide this assistance to our valued lodging facilities and vacation rentals. Please contact City staff at 909-866-5831 if you need help completing the required forms, and we'll be happy to help!

It should be noted that other retail and food service businesses in Big Bear Lake are already eligible for delayed remittance of sales tax, and this action extends similar assistance to the lodging and vacation rental industry that only pay TOT and TBID assessments.

The City of Big Bear Lake has implemented various public health recommendations and restrictions for the past several weeks, and continues to do so.

The City encourages everyone to heed the following recommendations:

The following key restrictions remain in effect in Big Bear Lake:

 

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health operates a COVID-19 Hotline for residents with questions about COVID-19. Please call (909) 387-3911 for assistance.

The City of Big Bear Lake strives to keep our residents, property owners, investors, businesses, and visitors well-informed about the City's issues and initiatives - including the COVID-19 threat - with an emphasis on information specific to Big Bear Lake and the entire Big Bear Valley.

 

The easiest way to stay-informed is to sign up for the City's email newsletter and other updates. It's easy to sign up - simply visit the City's website and click on "Text & Email Notifications" in the top center of the homepage. Simply click on the link, enter your name and email address, and you're all set. Signing up will ensure that you receive periodic updates about COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake, the City's new monthly newsletter - Elevation 6752', and other special communications from the City of Big Bear Lake for emergency situations, special events, and more.

 

In addition to the City's email updates, you can also get the latest information from the City of Big Bear Lake via the following digital platforms:

 

 

 

 

 

Please help us spread the word, and share the City's digital communications platforms with your family, friends, other residents, property owners, frequent visitors, or anyone else who is interested in Big Bear Lake. Thank you!