City of Benicia Coronavirus UPDATES
March 23, 2020City Manager Lorie Tinfow signed an order staying evictions for non-payment of rent in the City of Benicia in response to the COVID-19 Emergency. A press release informing the public was issued.
Governor Newsom ordered a “soft closure” of state parks by closing parking lots but not limiting access to state parks.
The City of Benicia closed all playgrounds and the skate park at Community Park.
The City of Benicia issued the following press release ordering a stay of evictions during the coronavirus emergency. The order prohibits residential AND commercial evictions. See also the 4-page Emergency_Eviction_Moratorium_Order.pdf.
Monday, March 23, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow, City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us
Benicia, CA (March 23, 2020) — On Sunday, March 22, 2020, City Manager Lorie Tinfow, in her authority as Director of Emergency Services, signed an order staying evictions for non-payment of rent in the City of Benicia in accordance with California Emergency Services Act and Benicia Municipal Code in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
The order does not relieve tenants of liability for unpaid rent but puts a moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent due to the impact of COVID-19 and includes provisions for eviction notices and no-fault evictions. Under the order, tenants have a responsibility to let their landlord know that they are unable to pay some or all of their rent due to COVID-19. Payment is then due within 60 days of May 31, 2020, or when the order expires whichever is later.
The order staying evictions will remain in effect until May 31, 2020 or until superseded by a resolution of the Benicia City Council.
For up-to-date information about the City of Benicia’s response to COVID-19, please go to https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.
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Attachment: City of Benicia Order Staying Evictions
See March 23 update: COVID-19 in Solano County – sudden uptick in cases, now at 21
And on March 24:
And on March 25: Covid-19 in Solano – 7 more on Wed March 25
Original March 22 post: Business Resources & Support:
The City of Benicia issued the following press release on Business Resources and Support during the coronavirus emergency:
PRESS RELEASECITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow, City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us
Benicia, CA (March 22, 2020) — During the unprecedented and unexpected business closures and shelter-at-home orders, many Benicia business owners find themselves in dire need of help to weather the COVID-19 emergency. The City of Benicia’s Economic Development division is sharing business support information and resources.
“In the past week, our business community and their employees have grappled with changing guidelines and ever more stringent restrictions. We know that this has caused great uncertainty and anxiety,” said Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani. “The City’s Economic Development staff are focused to assist our businesses to learn about and apply for the programs developed by our State and Federal partners to support employers and employees during this emergency.”
Rapid Response Services for Businesses
Solano Small Business Development Center is standing by to help businesses facing potential layoffs or business closures. Start by filling out the client intake form at jotform.com/build/200757157479162 or reach out to Pamela Clemmons at 707.307.3986.
Aid with Loan Applications
The Northern CA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network produced multiple webinars last week to help small businesses weather the current storm and to specifically provide help with completing the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan application. The webinars are available at norcalsbdc.org/coping-covid-19-webinars-northern-california-sbdcnetwork. There is a place for businesses to enter their contact information so that they will be sent invitations and links to all upcoming webinars that will occur over the next few weeks.
SBDC and SBA Assistance Links
The SBDC and the SBA are there to help businesses with no-cost advising and assist with apply for SBA Economic Injury loans:
• One-on-One (no-cost) SBDC Advising at solanosbdc.org
• Download the COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide at norcalsbdc.org/sites/default/files/Covid-19-survivalguide_sbdc_updated32020.pdf
• SBA Disaster Loans at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
Additional Links
• Information on State and Federal support, financing and FAQs at
norcalsbdc.org/covid-19
• Small Business Resource List attached
• State Go-Biz resources and assistance at business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019
Essential Business Definition
A key question many have been asking is about the Governor’s stay-at-home order and what is an essential business. This link provides helpful information to determine what is deemed an essential business: covid19.ca.gov/stayhome-except-for-essential-needs
Moratorium on Disconnections/Deferral of Fees/Extended Deadlines
The City has implemented a moratorium on utility service disconnections and late fees for non-payment for water and sewer service due to the COVID-19 emergency and the current closure of City Hall offices. Details are available at ci.benicia.ca.us/utilitybilling. The deadlines for business license tax renewals and transient occupancy tax payments have also been extended to June 15, 2020. The City is developing an emergency ordinance to prevent commercial and residential evictions.
For business questions or assistance, contact Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani at mgiuliani@ci.benicia.ca.us or call 707.746.4289.
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Attachments:
PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow
City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us
Benicia, CA (March 20, 2020) — Effective March 17, 2020, the City of Benicia implemented a moratorium on utility service disconnections and late fees for nonpayment due to the COVID-19 emergency and the current closure of City Hall offices. The deadlines for business license tax and transient occupancy tax payments are also extended.
The utility-related changes will apply to both residential and commercial water and sewer customers and tax deadline extensions will apply to all businesses, until June 15, 2020.
“We know that the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 emergency and the current shelter-at-home order has created a financial strain on our residents and businesses,” said City Manager Lorie Tinfow. “We are extending due dates to relieve some of the stress in dealing with the current situation.”
To further support customers who may be impacted by the pandemic, the City will offer its most flexible payment plan to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. Simply fill out the Payment Arrangement Agreement found online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling and email it to utilitybilling@ci.benicia.ca.us.
Although the City’s offices are closed to the public, customers may still make payments in many ways:
If you have questions about starting or stopping water services or other servicerelated issues, please go to www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling and fill out the appropriate form, then email it to utilitybilling@ci.benicia.ca.us.
More information on the City of Benicia’s response to the COVID-19 emergency can be found at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.
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