Editor’s note: This excerpt from the mayor’s Wednesday, April 29 broadcast has been edited to fit available space and to correct minor errors. Headlines have been added for clarity.
Closer to a soft opening
Good afternoon and welcome to the fifth week of “Minutes with the Mayor.” Well,the City is getting closer to a soft opening however we are taking the lead from Los Angeles County Public Health to guide us as we work to reopen Avalon. This is no easy task as we balance the need for businesses to collect revenue, employees to get back to work at the same time minimizing the potential virus which if not monitored would cause closures once again. To date we have held the virus at bay. Thank you for your diligence in abiding by masking and social distancing regulations.
Our tourist economy once again needs to thrive. The City of Avalon’s budget is quickly diminishing even with a 50% furlough in staff, much needed capital improvements put on hold, and future funding in jeopardy. In an effort to assist, a gofundme campaign has been established to offset the city’s losses in order to stay afloat and maintain a minimal service level. Depending on the donated amount the funds will be used for such things as Meals On Wheels, COVID testing for those in need without insurance. Should there be extremely large donations we could finish the mole project. The campaign was started by the Mr. Tony’s (Woohoo) family.
Joe and Carolina Van Remortel began the campaign on Saturday evening and has amassed $11,940 as of 4 [p.m.] Please join the campaign: friendsofcatalinaisland.gofundme and share.
The City of Avalon will no longer be providing doggy trash bags as well as the orange recycling bags.
State news
The State has implemented a friendship line to support older Californians experiencing loneliness, isolation and anxiety. You are encouraged to call this tollfree number if needed. 1-888-670-1360. And remember you can call a friend or family member also.
The Department of Motor Vehicles has extended the expired licenses for 90 days. Vehicle registrations also, with no penalty.
Reminders
Just a reminder, landlords are not allowed to evict or raise rents until 90 days after the [Los Angeles County] executive order ends May 15.
If you haven’t completed the census form please do so by signing on to 2020census.gov.
It’s rattlesnake season. When walking, please use caution, walk around the animal and do not annoy them. They are enjoying the sun’s heat just as we are.
Contact the Sheriff’s Dept. at 310-510-0174 and they will contact Animal Control if you come close to a rattler.
Health news
Catalina Island Medical Center offers home help to those over 60 years of age. They can pick up medications, have your laundry done and grocery shop. This is a free service. In the future they may provide housecleaning services. For assistance and more information contact the Avalon Clinic at 310-510-0096.
Stay tuned, Dr. Davis from CIMC will be addressing the community at next week’s council meeting 5/5. He will be speaking on potential treatments and the status of vaccines for the virus. Will be extremely interesting and as always informative.
For the most accurate information and updated information go online to the city of Avalon,the Catalina Island Medical Center, the Chamber of Commerce and Los Angeles County Public health websites. Local television stations have updates from Governor Newsom, daily. I would like to thank the Catalina Islander for providing COVID/pandemic information through our local newspaper.
Travel
When traveling to the mainland, please remember to make your reservations 24 hours in advance. This is beneficial to you and the Catalina Express as we all work to “BE SAFE.”
Community services update
The food pantry served 199 families today· with groceries. Twenty-seven volunteers made this effort possible.
The pantry has received $92,000 to date.
The policy of the pantry is to provide commodities to one member per family. Please do not abuse this service. We want to insure we have adequate supplies to hold us through this time and as of now we have not placed a termination date on this program.
Monopoy
For those of you playing Monopoly, if you get ones with free items but you don’t use them, please give them to pantry personnel.
I am trying to discover the mystery donor who dropped off a very large, well organized, bag of Monopoly tickets. As I stated a week or so ago I would share the winnings. Please come forward so we can split a package of water crackers, a bottle of antacid tablets, a tube of lip balm, package of pasta, 16 oz. of macaroni salad from the deli, and a package of breadcrumbs. And just today we won $5.
So much for the low-carb, gluten-free diet. Thank you for your generosity.
School and city news
In a conversation with the principal it appears there are still a number of students who have not signed in, however much increased from a couple of weeks ago. Your teachers are there to assist.
May 5th, Cinco de Mayo, the City will have its Council meeting—5:00 p.m. This meeting is guaranteed to be an eyeopener as we discuss service levels, budget and more.
On behalf of the City Council we wish to commend you for your diligence in staying safe. We see you are either safe distancing and/or wearing your mask in appropriate situations.
All residents are required to clean their property of weeds. l notice that not many have begun. Please start now, most weeds can be pulled without much effort. The City crews have been slashed therefore the city needs a little sprucing up. Please get involved, volunteer and pick some weeds or pick up trash that you see laying on the sidewalks and streets. This is your town and right now, this is your trash.
Avalon Mutual Aid is taking appointments for those needing assistance with filing for unemployment. Call 310-780-0938 for an appointment—Yafet Mengasha is bilinqual. This is a free service.
In addition there are also some community volunteers, not affiliated with any specific organization, to assist you with unemployment and food stamps applications They are Evarardo Barriga Jr.,Ilia Carson,Tessa Hernandez, Yesenia de Ia Rosa, and Alejandra Barriga would maybe contacted at 310-601-0154. A shout out to Nathan Villagra for donating to families in need of financial assistance. He is in the 6th grade.
