HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2020 Special Meeting Agenda Packet
City Council/Disaster Council
Agenda
Friday, May 22, 2020
12:30 PM
CONTINUED
SPECIAL MEETING
TELECONFERENCE
Based on the threat of COVID-19 as reflected in the Proclamations of Emergency issued by both the
Governor of the State of California, the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Director and the City
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as well as the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March
17, 2020, relating to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of
San Luis Obispo will be holding all public meetings via teleconference. There will be no physical
location for the Public to view the meeting. Below are instructions on how to view the meeting
remotely and how to leave public comment.
Additionally, members of the City Council are allowed to attend the meeting via teleconference and to
participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they were present.
Using the most rapid means of communication available at this time, members of the public are
encouraged to participate in Council meetings in the following ways:
1. Remote Viewing - Members of the public who wish to watch the meeting can view:
• View the Webinar (recommended for the best viewing quality):
➢ Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3193125110590956046
➢ Webinar ID: 821-838-987
➢ Telephone Attendee: (415 ) 930 -5321 ; Audio Access Code: 785-066-978
• Televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20
• View a livestream of the meeting online at: https://www.slocity.org/channel20
2. Public Comment - The City Council will still be accepting public comment. Public comment can be
submitted in the following ways:
• Mail or Email Public Comment
➢ Received by 10:00 AM on the day of meeting - Can be submitted via email to
emailcouncil@slocity.org or U.S. Mail to City Clerk at 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo, CA
93401
➢ Emails sent after 10:00 AM and up until public comment is opened on the item – Limited
to one page emailed to cityclerk@slocity.org, which will then be read aloud during the public
comment period on the item specified.
• Verbal Public Comment
➢ Received by 10:00 AM on the day of the meeting - Call (805) 781-7164; state and spell your
name, the agenda item number you are calling about and leave your comment. The verbal
comments must be limited to 3 minutes. All voicemails will be forwarded to the Council
Members and saved as Agenda Correspondence.
➢ During the meeting – Comments can be submitted up until the Public Comment period is
opened for the item when joining via the webinar (instructions above). Once you have joined
the webinar, please put your name and Item # in the questions box. Your mic will be unmuted
once Public Comment is called for the Item.
All comments submitted will be placed into the administrative record of the meeting.
City of San Luis Obispo, Tit le, Subtit le
San Luis Obispo City Council/Disaster Council Agenda May 22, 2020 Page 2
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Heidi Harmon (Disaster Council Chair)
ROLL CALL: Council Members (and Disaster Council Members) Carlyn Christianson,
Andy Pease, Erica A. Stewart, Vice Mayor Aaron Gomez and Mayor
Heidi Harmon
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. OPEN SLO – TEMPORARY USE OF CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY TO FACILITATE
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SUPPORT COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECOVERY
(JOHNSON / SCHWARTZ – 20 MINUTES)
Recommendation:
1. Receive summary report and staff presentation on “Open SLO,” a proposed program to
support temporary use of City right-of-way to facilitate physical distancing and re-opening
of restaurants and other local businesses; and
2. Provide feedback and direction regarding implementation of the Open SLO program; and
3. Adopt a Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo,
California, approving the City of San Luis Obispo Outdoor Public Space Expansion
Temporary COVID-19 Business Support and Recovery Program to facilitate compliance with
Public Health Orders and to mitigate economic impacts by supporting local businesses and
restaurants,” authorizing the City Manager to implement the Open SLO program.
2. ROADMAP TO REOPENING FOR CITY OPERATIONS (JOHNSON / CODRON – 10
MINUTES)
Recommendation:
Receive and file the Roadmap to Reopening for City Operations.
3. GRANT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC
RESPONSES AND EFFORTS (CANTRELL / ELKE – 5 MINUTES)
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, authorizing staff to apply for and accept all grant and funding
opportunities related to the COVID-19 Pandemic” as opportunities arise without prior
Council approval as required by the City’s Grant Management Policy (Financial Management
Manual – Section 740); and
2. Authorize staff to accept a grant award in the amount of $41,431 from the FY 2020
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute necessary grant documents and direct the
appropriation of monies into the COVID-19 reimbursement account.
City of San Luis Obispo, Tit le, Subtit le
San Luis Obispo City Council/Disaster Council Agenda May 22, 2020 Page 3
ADJOURNMENT
LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES are available for the hearing impaired--please see City
Clerk.
The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the
public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to
persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or
accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s
Office at (805) 781-7100 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications
Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410.
City Council regular meetings are televised live on Charter Channel 20. Agenda related writings
or documents provided to the City Council are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s
Office located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California during normal business hours, and
on the City’s website www.slocity.org. Persons with questions concerning any agenda item may
call the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7100.
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City Council/Disaster Council
Agenda Report
Department Name: Public Works
Cost Center: 5010
For Agenda of: May 22, 2020
Placement: Business
Estimated Time: 20 Minutes
FROM: Derek Johnson, City Manager
Prepared By: Luke Schwartz, Transportation Manager
SUBJECT: OPEN SLO – TEMPORARY USE OF CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY TO
FACILITATE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SUPPORT COVID-19
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive summary report (Attachment A) and staff presentation on “Open SLO”, a proposed
program to support temporary use of City right-of-way to facilitate physical distancing and
re-opening of restaurants and other local businesses; and
2. Provide feedback and direction to staff regarding implementation of Open SLO program; and
3. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment B) authorizing the City Manager to implement the Open SLO
program, which shall include temporary strategies for use of City right-of-way to facilitate
social distancing and COVID-19 economic recovery.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Covid-19 pandemic has created two disasters: a public health crisis and unprecedented
economic impacts. This is clearly evident in the City of San Luis Obispo, as local businesses
have been devastated economically by this event, especially restaurants, hotels and retail
establishments within the City’s Downtown Core—the economic and cultural hub of the city.
The current situation creates both a significant challenge for the City with an urgent need support
the economic recovery of our local businesses, as well as a unique oppor tunity to re-imagine how
our public right-of-way can be utilized to improve short-term and long-term community
vibrancy, health and economic vitality. The City’s Incident Action Plan includes the following
specific objective on this topic:
Develop a plan to use the public right-of-way, sidewalks, and streets to help maintain social
distancing during the first phases (stages) of reopening for uses such as walking space, outdoor
dining, and pick-up/delivery areas.
This staff report presents the components of this plan—herein referred to as “Open SLO”—for
Council consideration and approval for implementation.
Item 1
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Over the past several weeks as the County and City have been looking ahead to a phased
reopening of local restaurant and retail commerce, several community stakeholders, including
Councilmembers, City staff, downtown business representatives and urban designers, have
worked collaboratively to develop creative solutions to help facilitate communitywide physical
distancing, while reestablishing the City’s once thriving downtown dining and retail
environment. The outcome of this collaborative effort is an action plan, which is provided as
Attachment A, and summarized in the following sections.
Open SLO Program – Summary of Key Goals, Considerations and Strategies
Goals
1. Support the health and safety of all residents, customers, and employees
2. Support economic recovery by expanding public space available for outdoor dining
capacity, retail curbside pickup and customer queuing to allow for physical distancing
during phased reopening
3. Ensure equitable access for all businesses
4. Deploy temporary and “quick-build” street improvements to activate streets and improve
community safety and access to active transportation
5. Provide for safe flow of all modes of transportation, including pedestrians, bicyclists and
drivers
6. Implement a well-crafted pilot program with potential for long-term expansion of outdoor
dining and activated streets
Key Considerations
1. Public safety access, including retaining clear width for fire response, coordinating
closely with law enforcement and emergency response providers
2. Parking capacity and loading zones, including ADA, drop-off/pick-up areas
3. Downtown circulation with Marsh Street Bridge Closure
4. Coordination with Farmer’s Market (when able resume)
5. Regulatory Compliance, including building code, ADA, State and County Health
requirements, ABC, encroachment permits
6. Equitable benefit to local businesses
7. Public communication and education
8. Physical distancing requirements and guidelines
9. Costs to City (installation, street cleaning, stormwater management, maintenance,
operations, staffing, etc.)
10. Alignment with other city goals and plans (Downtown Concept Plan, Multimodal
Transportation, Climate Action)
Strategies
The Open SLO program consists of six (6) primary strategies, which are briefly outlined below.
Item 1
Packet Page 2
1. Temporary Street Closures
a. Short-term (i.e. Friday afternoon thru Sunday) street closures downtown to create
temporary pedestrian plazas for walking, biking, outdoor dining and physical
distancing.
b. Proposed Pilot Locations
• Higuera Street (Osos to
Nipomo) – retaining
side-street traffic flows
during Marsh Street
Bridge Closure
• Monterey Street (Chorro
to Osos) – serves as
extension of Mission
Plaza, planned for
future pedestrianized
street per Downtown
Concept Plan
• Potential to expand to other downtown streets based on results of initial pilot
locations
c. Provides immediate opportunity for outdoor dining capacity while maintaining safe
physical distancing.
d. Businesses able to reserve dedicated space for outdoor dining through existing
sidewalk dining encroachment permit application.
e. With streets closed to car traffic, City to prioritize nearest side-street parking for
quick turnover parking needs (restaurant take-out, passenger loading, curbside retail
pickup, deliveries, ADA parking.)
2. Use of Mission Plaza and Parking Lots for Outdoor Dining
a. Utilize Mission Plaza and other City-owned surface parking lots at set times (i.e.
Weeknights, Friday afternoon thru Sunday) for broad public use, including tables and
chairs for “to-go” dining, space for retail booths, small arts and culture pop-ups.
b. Proposed Pilot Locations
• Mission Plaza
• Lot 10 (near Old SLO BBQ)
c. Provides immediate opportunity for outdoor dining capacity while maintaining safe
physical distancing.
d. Potential for use of selected parking areas within privately-owned parking lots for
outdoor dining use via previously approved temporary relaxation of City enforcement
of on-site parking requirements for private development.
3. Parklet Pilot Program
a. Convert selected on-street parking spaces downtown to “parklets”, which serve as
extensions of sidewalk for outdoor dining space, outdoor queueing for retail
shopping, or other pedestrian uses.
Item 1
Packet Page 3
b. Propose 4 to 5 locations
downtown for pilot installations.
Specific locations to be
determined based on local
business interest and community
feedback.
c. City to fund and install parklets;
allow private use/encroachment
for outdoor dining via existing
permitting process.
d. Designs to follow traffic safety
best practices and State/County
Health Department guidance for
physical distancing and
sanitation.
e. Potential for future expansion to areas outside of downtown core based on results of
initial pilot installations.
f. Allows “test” of parklets for future permanent parklet program.
4. Higuera Street Complete Street & Traffic Calming
a. Temporarily restripe Higuera (Santa Rosa to Nipomo) to two (2) traffic lanes,
converting the outside travel lane to a buffered bike lane.
b. Narrower street width reduces traffic speeds, shortens pedestrian crossing exposure,
buffers parklets on one side from traffic, and provides more space for active uses.
c. Pilot allows “test” of potential long-term configuration as identified in the Downtown
Concept Plan prior to summer 2021 downtown roadway resurfacing project.
5. Neighborhood “SLO Streets”
a. Temporary partial closure of
select neighborhood streets
to thru traffic using low-cost
temporary traffic control.
b. Retains access for local
residents, deliveries,
emergency response and
service vehicles.
c. Creates physical distancing
space for active
transportation uses while conveying reduced speeds and increased caution to motor
vehicle drivers.
d. Proposed locations – start with streets already identified as future neighborhood
greenway routes with potential to expand to other neighborhoods based on
community feedback. Suggested routes for initial pilot:
• Cerro Romauldo Avenue
• Flora Street
Item 1
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• Nipomo Street
• Islay Street
• Galleon Way & Atascadero Street
6. Pop-ups and Quick-Build Street Activation
a. Leverage low-cost opportunities to improve public safety and activate street space for
community benefit:
• Using sidewalks for merchandise, queueing, art and cultural pop-up exhibits
• Painted bulbouts, planter boxes & street murals
• Opportunities for quick-build protected bike lanes using low-cost temporary
materials while traffic levels and parking demand are low
b. Explore grant funding options and opportunities to work with community groups &
neighborhood volunteers.
The City of San Luis Obispo is not alone in exploring these strategies, as many cities throughout
the country have already implemented similar programs to expand the use of public right-of-way
for physical distancing and economic recovery. See Attachment D for a list of other communities
that have already initiated programs involving street closures, pop-up outdoor dining, and quick-
build active transportation improvements.
See Attachment A for a more detailed summary report describing the Open SLO program
strategies, as well as the staff presentation on the Open SLO program (Attachment C).
Process and Approach
1. Duration: The program would be in place up to one year, then would be re-evaluated for
extension and/or consideration for permanent installation of specific elements. In-street
features will need to be removed in conjunction with the summer 2021 downtown paving
project. Consideration for any permanent features would go through appropriate approval
processes consistent with applicable City policies, codes, and ordinances.
2. Encroachment: Use of public right-of-way for outdoor dining or other commercial
activities would be processed through the City’s existing encroachment permit processes.
Utilizing the existing City Ordinance 5.50 (Sidewalk Cafes), interested businesses would
enter into an agreement with the City to utilize public space for outdoor dining or retail
purposes. Fees would be waived for this one-year pilot. The City would provide traffic
control, parklet materials and installation (platform, rail and street improvements) at no
cost to the business. Businesses would be responsible for tables, chairs, décor, sanitation,
and maintenance of facilities.
3. Regulatory Compliance for Outdoor Dining: The City is working with the County Health
Department and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to help local business with a
streamlined understanding of the application and permitting process for expansion of
existing dining areas and extension of ABC permits held by individual businesses to
cover the outdoor seating and potential beverage sales on City property.
Item 1
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4. Communication: Marketing and communication will need to be thoughtful and strategic.
Values to communicate will include health and safety, economic recovery, community
connection and supporting personal choices. Prior to implementation of any program
elements, City staff will distribute surveys to invite the public and downtown business
owners to provide feedback and help guide how the program is executed.
5. Costs & Funding: City to fund temporary traffic control, parklet materials and
installation, tables, chairs and street furniture for public use, and quick-build
improvements. FY2020-21 Supplemental Budget, which is scheduled for Council
consideration in early June, will include a $200,000 capital improvement project request
to fund this program. Staff will explore opportunities for grant funding and partnerships
with community groups to fund improvements where feasible.
It is important to note that while this report and its accompanying materials outline specific plans
and strategies to be implemented as part of the Open SLO program, this will naturally be an
iterative process, with constant refinements and adjustments based on Council and community
feedback, emerging issues and modifications to public health regulations, and based on ongoing
monitoring and observations of elements that are working well and those that require further
adjustments.
Next Steps
If supported by the Council, staff will immediately proceed with targeted community outreach
and logistical planning to support rapid implementation based on public feedback and current
State and County guidance. The first-priority action will be planning for temporary street
closures to allow for immediate expansion of outdoor dining capacity and physical distance for
pedestrians within the downtown core. Other program strategies would be implemented
incrementally based on funding, staffing resources and community support.
Policy Context
As discussed above and as described in detail in the attached resolution (Attachment B), the
strategies proposed in the Open SLO program would be implemented as temporary installations
pursuant to applicable existing City policies, codes, and ordinances. Any installations or
improvements placed within the City right-of-way would require design review and approval by
the City Engineer, and follow existing encroachment permitting processes under the City’s
Sidewalk Dining Ordinance. The City retains the right to revoke or suspend any encroachment
permits and will continue enforcement of conditions or activities that pose a thread to public
health, safety, or welfare, including compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. As
described in Attachment B, during this temporary program, the City reserves the right for
flexible interpretation of Sections of Chapter 5.50 (Sidewalk Cafes) of the Municipal Code to
allow for streamlined processing of encroachment permit requests, waiving of fees associated
with administrative approval of sidewalk dining permits, waiving of additional parking
requirements associated with outdoor expansion of restaurant/retail uses, and streamlined review
of temporary architectural and aesthetic elements of sidewalk dining areas.
Item 1
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Public Engagement
In developing the Open SLO plan, Downtown SLO solicited preliminary feedback from several
downtown businesses to gauge general interest in parklets and other outdoor dining/retail
opportunities. Results of this preliminary survey are summarized in Attachment A. Prior to
proceeding with any of any of the temporary improvements proposed as part of the Open SLO
program, staff will be conducting additional online surveys to invite additional public feedback
and help guide and fine-tune implementation strategies. Two independent public engagement
surveys will be distributed—one focused on downtown businesses and one open to citywide
participation. Any program features that may be considered for permanent installation beyond
the one-year pilot program will include a public outreach and formal approval process consistent
with the City’s Public Engagement and Noticing (PEN) Manual and City Municipal Code.
CONCURRENCE
The City Attorney’s office, Public Works and Community Development Departments concur
with the recommendations contained within this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of San Luis Obispo proposes this
temporary program to use the right-of-way, sidewalks and streets to help maintain social
distancing during the first phases (stages) of reopening consistent with the State’s Resilience
Roadmap and to provide for residents to receive the health and wellness benefits of being
outdoors and support businesses with enough space to safely physically distance. The proposed
project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) as follows:
A. The project is statutorily exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15269
(Emergency Projects), because the temporary program includes specific actions that
would allow for safe physical distancing consistent with the State’s Resilience Roadmap
and County and State Guidelines in order to mitigate the COVID-19 public health
emergency.
B. The project is categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
(Existing Facilities) because the actions identified in the program are limited to the
permitting, leasing, and minor alteration of existing public facilities, including existing
streets, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian trails, which would not result in the creation of
additional automobile lanes. The program would result in a negligible expansion of
existing commercial uses and a negligible expansion of the public’s use of City right-of-
way, as the uses included in the temporary program would not vary from the current uses
of commercial businesses, residential areas, or public access within the City’s right -of-
way.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: N/A
Funding Identified: No
Item 1
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Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources Current FY Cost
Annualized
On-going Cost
Total Project
Cost
General Fund
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with approval of the Open SLO program at this time.
As mentioned above, funding for implementation of the Open SLO program will be included as a
new capital improvement project request for allocation of $200,000 as part of the FY2020-21
Supplemental Budget, which is scheduled for Council consideration on June 2, 2020. Indirect
fiscal impacts would include potential loss in encroachment permit fee revenues with the
temporary waiver of sidewalk dining permit fees during this pilot program and costs associated
with City staff resources committed to implementing the program. Existing staffing resources
already approved under the currently adopted financial plan are expected to be sufficient to
support implementation of this program.
ALTERNATIVES
Deny or continue this request. The Council could direct staff not to proceed with
implementation of the Open SLO program at this time. Council could direct staff to conduct
additional research and outreach and continue Council action on this item to a future meeting
date.
ATTACHMENTS
a – Summary Report: City of San Luis Obispo Outdoor Public Space Expansion
b – Draft Resolution
c – Staff Presentation
d – List of Other Cities with COVID-19 Open Street Programs
Item 1
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City of San Luis Obispo Outdoor Public Space Expansion DRAFT
A program to support re-opening of restaurants and other businesses
May 14, 2020
A.Overview
City Incident Action Plan includes the following objective: Develop a plan to use the right-of-way,
sidewalks and streets to help maintain social distancing during the first few phases (stages) of
reopening for uses such as walking space, outdoor dining and pick-up/delivery areas.
This report outlines six strategies that could be used to achieve the objective above. Strategies may
be used independently or in combination. Some strategies can be implemented in the near term
while implementation of others depends on outside factors including shifts in COVID-19 guidelines,
public interest, and available funding.
The six strategies are Changes to Traffic Flow; Short-Term Street Closures; Parklets; Use of Parking
Lots; Mission Plaza; and Pop-Ups
B.Goals
1.Support the health and safety of all residents, customers and employees
2.Expand seating capacity for restaurants to accommodate physical distancing
3.Provide expanded space for outdoor retail, queueing, public seating and other
pedestrian-oriented activity to support physical distancing.
4.Ensure equitable access for all businesses
5.Generate enthusiasm and confidence for customers and employees to return to restaurants and
retail
6.Provide for the safe flow of all modes of transportation, including cars, bikes and pedestrians
7.Implement a well-crafted pilot program for long-term expansion of outside dining opportunities
and activated streets.
C.Considerations
1.Public Safety access, including 20’ - 26’ wide access downtown for fire trucks
2.Parking capacity and loading zones, including ADA, drop-off/pick-up areas
3.Vehicular and bike traffic flow (including detour due to Marsh St. bridge); alignment with NACTO
and other engineering guidelines
4.Coordination with Farmer’s Market once opened
5.Regulatory Compliance including building code, ADA, health code, ABC, encroachment permits
6.Rainwater management; street cleaning; waste collection; maintenance etc.
7.Public communication and education
8.Physical distancing requirements and guidelines
9.Cost of implementation for barriers, street improvements, operations and maintenance
10.Alignment with sustainability and climate action goals
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ATTACHMENT A Item 1
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D.Strategies
1.Changes to Traffic Flow
Approach: ‘Quick-build’ improvements toward alignment with the Downtown Concept Plan. For
example, one lane of Higuera could be converted to a bike lane with buffer. See Appendix A for
possible sequence of improvements.
Cost: Traffic Control - $30,000-$50,000 total (depends on specific treatments and may be lower
if City Streets Maintenance staff can assist with installation)
Benefits and Opportunities: A ‘quick-build’ approach would slow traffic in the near term, reduce
crossing exposure for pedestrians, and support larger goals of supporting active transportation.
The Downtown Concept Plan was developed through a robust public process. A quick build
approach would also allow for testing of elements to be incorporated into the next roadway
sealing and striping project for Higuera Street, which is planned for summer of 2021.
Constraints: Depending on the extent of striping changes, costs could be prohibitive. Downtown
streets are already scheduled for repaving beginning June 2021, so major updates to striping
could be more cost-effective at that time.
2.Short-term Street Closures
Approach: Short-term road closures could be utilized downtown and in other areas of the city.
●For downtown, consider evenings and/or weekends, to provide additional opportunities for
retail expansion, cultural events and more space for pedestrian movement.
●Partial closures on low traffic/speed residential streets (local access allowed, closed to thru
traffic). Target streets planned for future Neighborhood Greenways (Cerro Romauldo,
Nipomo, Islay, Flora, etc.)
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ATTACHMENT A Item 1
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●Pop-up protected bike lanes on multilane collector/arterial streets for 6-12 months while
traffic levels remain low
Costs: Traffic Control - $30,000-$50,000
total (depends on specific treatments and
may be lower if City Streets Maintenance
staff can assist with installation)
Benefits and Opportunities: Street
closures provide the most opportunity for
creating significant space for physical
distancing. With fewer visitors to the
area, parking will not be in as high
demand, providing opportunity to ‘try
out’ different configurations. This would
be an ideal opportunity to test out temporary closures on streets like Monterey Street, which is
proposed as a future shared pedestrian street, or “woonerf” in the Downtown Concept Plan.
Constraints: Many businesses prefer more on-street parking compared to pedestrian traffic;
short-term parking and loading zones will be critical to support restaurant and retail and may
need to be shifted and/or expanded. Another challenge will be providing adequate staffing to
monitor street closure traffic control and allow access for emergency services and commercial
deliveries when required.
3.Parklets
Approach: Convert selected on-street parking spaces to outdoor dining space or other
pedestrian uses.
The parking space would be infilled with a platform flush with the
sidewalk (a ‘parklet’) in front of interested businesses. The platform
would be 6’- 8’ wide by 20’-40’ long on pedestals. A perimeter
would enclose the edges, with a rail, planters or other means and
appropriate openings along the sidewalk. The entire assembly
would be semi-permanent, anticipated to remain in place up to one
year but could be relocated, stored or disassembled when not in
use.
The parklet structure would be owned by the city. Use
of the parklet could be:
●Public sidewalk – no improvements other than
rail and aesthetic treatments, to create space
for pedestrian movement.
●Table and Chair – Utilized by one or more
businesses under the city’s “Table & Chair”
permit process and designated for exclusive
use of the business and appropriate signage.
●Sidewalk Café – Designated parklet controlled
by one business under the city’s Sidewalk Café
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ATTACHMENT A Item 1
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permit process. Alcohol could be served as approved by ABC.
Design could include a bike corral installed adjacent to the platform, parking stops at each end
set 3-4’ from parklet, flex posts installed along the boundary between parklet and auto traffic
lane and speed control. Parklets could be interspersed between parking or loading zones, but no
closer to an intersection than 20’. See the NACTO guidelines and Bison for additional details and
guidelines.
Cost: $20,000-$50,000 per installation (varies based on materials, design fees and labor).
Benefits and Opportunities: Parklets are a well-established urban device to activate streets and
create space for public use and are recommended for consideration in the Downtown Concept
Plan. Parklets could support businesses and activate streets for pedestrians and commerce
throughout the city.
Constraints: Current health department requirements require people to be seated at least 6’
apart, and for the seating area to be separated from the pedestrian thoroughfare by at least 6’
or a 6’-high physical barrier, such as plexiglass. With those constraints, it would be challenging to
fit more than 6 – 10 people on a parklet. While parklets could provide immediate value by
extending sidewalk space for physical distancing and queuing for curbside pickup customers,
they may not provide substantial potential for sidewalk dining in the short term unless health
department restrictions are refined.
See Appendix B for additional information on parklets and seating.
4.Use of Parking Lots
Approach: Enforcement of current off-street parking requirements would be temporarily waived
so that selected spaces in private parking lots could be converted to seating or expanded retail
space. The City could also permit use of spaces in public parking lots through the Sidewalk Cafes
ordinance. The City-owned Lot 10 at the corner of Higuera and Nipomo Street would be an
excellent location for an initial pilot project.
Costs: $5,000 each for rails and planters, or a grant of that amount to businesses selecting their
own improvements.
Benefits and Opportunities: Requires little city intervention, and the required resolution was
adopted by City Council May 8, 2020. Provides flexibility for any business operation to utilize
outdoor space for seating, retail display, queuing space, etc. Provides opportunity to expand
areas for outdoor commerce outside of the downtown.
Constraints: Could increase congestion of on-street parking in neighborhoods depending on
location. Parking modifications would need to retain required ADA parking and access pathways.
5.Activate Mission Plaza
Approach: Convert Mission Plaza at set times such as Friday afternoon through Sunday for broad
public use including tables and chairs for ‘to-go’ dining, space for outdoor retail booths, art and
culture pop-ups, and so on. Consider coordination with closure of Broad St. ‘dog-leg’ and/or
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ATTACHMENT A Item 1
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sections of Monterey. Continue work with ABC for potential alcohol sales and/or consumption
of to-go alcohol. Downtown SLO has applied for a grant
Cost: Street Furniture (tables, chairs, etc.) $10,000-20,000, depending on what existing
City-owned materials are available. Downtown SLO has applied for a grant to further support
this program.
Benefits and Opportunities: Mission Plaza is a treasured community space and activation would
draw residents downtown for times when concerts aren’t available. Businesses without their
own patio or outdoor space could benefit for shared use.
Constraints: Operational expenses of set-up and take-down, monitoring and clean-up. Unclear
what ABC process would be. Coordination with the Mission. “Too much” success could
encourage crowds. Requires wipe down after each individual use.
6.Pop-Ups
Approach: This is a catch-all to encourage and
support additional ideas for outdoor space such as:
●Develop guidelines and allow use of parts
of the sidewalk for signage, merchandise
and queueing, where adequate sidewalk
width exist
●Develop guidelines and allow for pavement
painting and planter box projects initiated
by neighborhoods to slow traffic, create
painted bulb-outs or other
pedestrian-friendly adaptations
●Support ‘traveling’ arts and culture events where exhibits or exhibitions are allowed on
public spaces for visitors to stroll by.
●Have designated staff available and a clear process to streamline review and approval
Cost: Potential staff time; potential grants for supplies.
Benefits and Opportunities: Able to respond deftly to innovations from the community
Constraints: Consuming staff time for a ‘one-off’; “too much” success could encourage crowds.
E.Process and Approach
1.Duration: The program would be in place up to one year, then would be re-evaluated May 2021.
2.Encroachment: Utilizing the existing City Ordinance 5.50 Sidewalk Cafes, interested businesses
would enter into an agreement with the city to utilize the public easement (parklet). Fees would
be waived for this one-year pilot. The City would provide traffic control, parklet materials
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(platform, rail and street improvements) at no cost to the business. Businesses would be
responsible for tables, chairs and decor.
3.ABC Permit: The City is working with Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to standardize and
streamline the application for expansion of existing ABC permits held by individual businesses,
to cover the outdoor seating on city property. City will cover the current application fee of $380.
It’s also possible that the State will develop new streamlined policies in response to COVID-19
and broad community interest.
4.Communication: Marketing and communication will need to be thoughtful and strategic. Values
to communicate will include health and safety, economic recovery, community connection and
supporting personal choices.
F.Next Steps
This report provides several strategies that can be pursued, including “All of the Above” at some
level and over time.
Initial outreach has indicated enthusiasm for the approach, with some specific concerns on
implementation. See Appendix C for a summary of feedback received to date. Due to the novelty
and temporary nature of the strategies, and the evolving situation due to COVID-19 and the gradual
reopening, there may be benefit to rolling out incremental pieces without developing a
comprehensive plan for the entire program.
Once allowed by State and County ordinance, an initial approach could be:
●Set a one-day closure of Higuera to cars, allowing cross streets to remain open and Higuera
to be pedestrian and bike only. Pickup zones for dining and commercial deliveries may need
to be established on nearby side streets in conjunction with road closure. Consider
expanding closure to weekends if successful.
●Set up tables and chairs in Mission Plaza for a weekend and partner with restaurants for
to-go reservations. Expand street closure to Monterey Street between Chorro and Osos to
serve as an expansion of Mission Plaza for outdoor dining and commerce. Consider the
possibility for full-time closure of this segment of Monterey Street for a 6-12 month period
to a pedestrianized street with street art and other placemaking features, if supported by
adjacent businesses.
●Set up seating areas or retail space in City-owned Parking Lot 10 downtown near the
Higuera/Nipomo intersection.
●Restripe Higuera Street between Santa Rosa and Nipomo to convert one vehicle travel lane
to a buffered bike lane. Explore additional traffic calming strategies including enhanced
signage and traffic enforcement.
●Set up partial closures on selected low-traffic/low-speed residential streets to allow more
space for pedestrians and cyclists to recreate at a safe distance. Target routes planned for
future neighborhood greenways. Start with 2-4 streets and expand to others if City
resources and neighborhood support allows.
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●Work with one restaurant and one retailer to establish seating areas or retail space in an
existing private parking lot. Use those as demonstrations for others.
●Establish 2 parklets downtown and a third elsewhere in the city, working with enthusiastic
businesses who would like to take the lead. Potential to expand to additional locations if
resources and community support allow.
●Evaluate downtown parking meters and determine if shifts should occur to support
long-term parking on the perimeter and quick pick-ups on the central streets.
●Evaluate potential to install temporary protected bike lanes on multi-lane arterial streets to
improve safety and connectivity for cyclists while traffic volumes remain low. Install using
lower-cost temporary materials as resources allow.
The exact combination of strategies is likely not so critical, as any implementation will be one point
of many where we demonstrate our strength, compassion and resilience as a community.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the many individuals who contributed to this report. Committee Members include:
Industry Volunteers:
Jim Duffy, Julia Oberhoff, Ten Over Studio
Greg Wynn, Greg Wynn Architecture
Rudy Bachmann, Specialty Construction
City staff: Luke Schwartz, Chris Read, Shelly Stanwyck, Derek Johnson, Christine Dietrick
City Council: Andy Pease
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Appendix A – Possible Street Closures and Configurations
Initial Rollout (in general order of priority/phasing)
1.Downtown Street Closures
o Higuera Street (Osos to Nipomo) -- Close Higuera Street to vehicle traffic, retaining side
street circulation. Start with one-day pilot, with potential to expand to Friday afternoon
through Sundays.
o Monterey Street (Chorro to Osos) -- Close Monterey Street to vehicle traffic, retaining
side street circulation. Start with one-day or weekend pilot, with potential to expand to
full-time closure for several months (if supported by adjacent businesses).
o Consider potential for rotating street closures, allowing use of other downtown streets
for outdoor dining and pedestrian circulation.
o With any closures, prioritize side street parking for quick turnover passenger drop-off,
take out/delivery pickup, and commercial loading.
2.Higuera Road Diet (Santa Rosa to Nipomo)
o Convert outside travel lane to provide width for buffered bicycle lane and potential
future parklet expansion
3.Use of Surface Parking Lots and Public Plazas for Outdoor Commerce
o Initiate pilot for use of Mission Plaza and surface parking lots for outdoor dining, retail
and commerce. Initial pilot to include Mission Plaza and City-owned Lot 10 near
Higuera/Nipomo intersection for outdoor dining and retail.
o Allow private businesses/property owners to request permission through a informal
consult process to temporarily close portions of privately-owned surface parking lots to
expand outdoor dining and retail.
4.SLO Healthy Street Closures
o Install temporary traffic control signage to partially close low speed/volume residential
streets to thru traffic. Initial pilot to identify 3-5 routes along planned neighborhood
greenways, such as Nipomo, Cerro Romauldo, Islay, Galleon/Atascadero, Flora. Program
may expand to additional residential streets over time depending on results of pilot
installation.
o Explore potential for permanents for neighborhood greenway routes using quick-build
strategies beyond one-year pilot program.
5.Parklet Program
o Initiate pilot, with potential for conversion of on-street parking stalls to parklets at 2-4
locations within the downtown core. Extend program to allow consideration for 1-2
parklets outside of the downtown core if approved by the Public Works Department.
o City and Downtown SLO to survey local businesses and citywide community to
determine specific locations for potential parklet installation.
o Depending on current County Health Department guidelines, parklets may be provided
as sidewalk extensions only initially, with potential for outdoor dining through existing
City Sidewalk Dining Permit Processes as health restrictions allow.
6.Quick-Build Protected Bike Lanes & Safety Projects
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o Temporarily convert one vehicle lane in each direction and/or street parking to
protected bike lanes along high-speed multi-lane arterial street segments while traffic
volumes remain low for next 6-12 months. Identify routes with highest priority in Draft
Active Transportation Plan with greatest potential to increase ridership and connect
residents with the downtown and other key destinations. Potential candidate streets
include South Higuera Street, Foothill Boulevard or south Broad Street. Improvements
to be installed via low-cost temporary materials that can be easily removed if needed as
travel levels increase over time.
o Consider other quick-build pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements that also
provide opportunity for public art, such as painted corner bulbouts.
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Appendix B – Parklets and Seating
Seating
The following is a sample seating arrangement utilizing tables that are 6’ apart. Under current COVID-19
restrictions, spacing would need to increase so that seated guests are 6’ apart.
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This is a diagram of a 44’-long parklet, showing seated guests 6’ apart, with tables 8’ apart. This
arrangement has railing only on the street side of the platform and planters along the sidewalk edge.
The locations of the tables and the depth of the planters provides 6’ of buffer between the walkway and
the seated guests.
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This is a diagram of a parking area, showing seated guests 6’ apart, with tables 8’ apart. This
arrangement would occupy 10 parking spaces.
Parklet Locations
In collaboration with Downtown SLO, the City will survey downtown businesses and the citywide
community to gauge interest and prioritize potential parking locations. Final locations for pilot
installation to be approved by the City based on business/community feedback, feasibility of installation,
and geographic distribution. Requests for a pilot parking installation outside of the downtown to be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Parklet Costs
Dero Parklet system
IPE Parklet System (Bison)
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Appendix C – Community Feedback
Surveys of the business community have revealed general support for the concepts, with some specific
concerns regarding implementation. The following is an amalgamation of responses.
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●Let's make this happen and make our permanent!
●Been dreaming of a parklet in front of Kreuzberg for years!!! Let’s do it! I’ll be first/guinea pig.
●The idea has merit. My biggest concern would be losing commercial parking spaces as this is
already a difficult situation for all of our commercial deliveries as we have many new businesses
open on Monterey all trying to get deliveries with very limited spots for the drivers. Very difficult
for all commercial deliveries. However I think the idea could be good
●Amazing idea love it
●Fantastic idea! Bars should be able to use them as well. Not just restaurants.
●It's hard to say whether or not this would be beneficial. Best case would be to open without
restrictions and let people decide whether or not they want to go out or not.
●Closing down Higuera and making it a promenade may be the easiest way to utilize the street in
front of businesses.
●I'm not sure the effort and expense would be worth it in the end. The idea of serving tables by
walking through pedestrian traffic is to say the least not ideal. How will this effect Farmer's
Market?
●I appreciate the thought, but I just don't think that it creates a very desirable experience unless
Higuera is completely shutdown and turned into a promenade.
●Another thought is put the tables on the sidewalk and do a bypass sidewalk in the street. This
seems like it would be a more functional model.
● I think those parklets look great. I think the public are going to feel great being outside in the
fresh air, we would use ours for additional seating. I imagine it would go where our commercial
spot and handicap spot are so I’m not sure how that would impact things.
●But at first glance, I would say it’s definitely worth pursuing!
●For Higuera—I’m concerned with the speed of traffic—Many streets in SF have these, including
Valencia St in the Mission—but I think Higuera with one way traffic is very dangerous unless
speed limit is drastically lowered. And that speed limit is enforced. Also: Because of bars and
restaurants on Higuera—there are a lot of delivery trucks. They often park in the far right or far
left hand lanes while unloading as there is not enough parking even in yellow zones.
●homeless —they have and use all of Mission Plaza and take over the benches on
Higuera—-there would need to be signage and law enforcement to prevent homeless people
from taking them over and hanging out.
●I think if it is to help restaurants—then they should be in front of restaurants without patios.
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●We expect for a continued period of time (likely at least 12 months) that many customers will
continue to utilize curbside pickup for takeout food. Where would these cars be able to
stop/park to take continue taking advantage of this service? This revenue will remain extremely
important to restaurants until the public returns to normal dining behavior.
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2020 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE EXPANSION TEMPORARY COVID-19
BUSINESS SUPPORT AND RECOVERY PROGRAM TO FACILITATE
COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS AND TO MITIGATE
ECONOMIC IMPACTS BY SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND
RESTAURANTS
WHEREAS, section 2.24.060 of the Municipal Code empowers the Emergency Services
Director to request that the City Council proclaim a local emergency when the City of San Luis
Obispo is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity and the City Council proclaimed a
local emergency at its regular meeting on March 17, 2020 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and
proclaimed the continuation of local emergency at its regular meetings of April 7, 2020 and May
8, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Director issued a Determination
that a Public Health Emergency exists and has existed of January 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has declared a State of National
Emergency; the Governor of the State of California has proclaimed a State of Emergency for the
State of California and issued Executive Orders and direction regarding measures to mitigate the
spread of cases of COVID-19 within the State of California; the San Luis Obispo County
Emergency Services Director has proclaimed a local emergency; and the San Luis Obispo County
Public Health Director has declared a public health emergency related the spread of cases of
COVID-19 within the State of California and all recitals set forth therein, are included as though
fully set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020 the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services
Director issued Local Emergency Order and Regulation No. 4 providing for mandatory shelter at
home regulations; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-33-20, including
the Order of the State Public Health Officer mandating all individuals living in the State of
California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of
operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-60-20, directing all
residents of California to continue to obey State public health directives, as made available at
http://covid19. Ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/ and elsewhere as the State Public
Health Officer may provide; and
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 2
R ______
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2020, San Luis Obispo County Local Emergency Order and
Regulation No. 4 expired by its own terms and both the County and the City of San Luis Obispo
remain subject to stay at home and business operations regulation under Executive Order N-60-
20, as well as County of San Luis Obispo Local Emergency Order and Regulation No. 6 COVID-
19 Restricting the Use of Short-Term Lodging Facilities; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo will be required to help enforce all restrictions
imposed by the State of California and by the County of San Luis Obispo acting as the health
agency; and
WHEREAS, the County Emergency Services Director and Public Health Officer have
evaluated the continuing public health threat and determined the need for continuing regulations
of personal and business activities at the state level and of local short term lodging and eviction
protections, as well as compliance with state orders, at the local level and to mitigate the continuing
spread of the COVID-19 pandemic within the County; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic COVID-19 continues to present an present and imminent threat
to public health worldwide and in the U.S., resulting in serious present illness or death or an
immediate risk thereof to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with underlying
health conditions; and
WHEREAS, heightened levels of public health and safety planning and preparedness have
been necessitated in preparation for and response to confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County
of San Luis Obispo, and rapid response not lending itself to otherwise applicable notice and
approval timelines has been and will be necessary to respond to the rapidly evolving pandemic and
its related, significant economic impacts, and to mitigate against the spread or resurgence of
COVID-19 and its resulting mental and physical health, social, and economic impacts,
compromising the public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of such actions, an escalation of the spread remains an
imminent threat; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic and necessary federal, state and local public health orders
requiring social distancing to prevent spread of COVID-19 have had and will continue to have
devastating economic impacts on the local community, including residents, businesses, employees
and City operations; and
WHEREAS, the City has instituted its Fiscal Health Contingency Plan in order to mitigate
against economic impacts of emergency response costs and significant revenue reductions and has
made drastic reductions to current and projected city costs through reductions in purchasing, limits
on hiring, and furloughs of temporary and supplemental staff; and
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 3
R ______
WHEREAS, due to the severe economic impacts of COVID-19 and its economic impacts
on the community and the City organization, the Council deems it necessary to suspend
enforcement of certain provisions of the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code specified below
to support social distancing requirements, effective public communication related to rapidly
transitioning business re-opening status, and economic viability of businesses in adhering to
permitted opening and social distancing requirements; and
WHEREAS, Article 14, Section 8630, of the California Emergency Services Act requires
that the City Council review the need for continuing the Local Emergency at least every sixty (60)
days until such Local Emergency is terminated; and
WHEREAS, the below measures are intended to provide economic relief to businesses
that are experiencing economic uncertainty while complying with State and County Orders.
Accordingly, the City will facilitate a temporary “pilot” program, which will include the
development and implementation of a plan to use the right-of-way, sidewalks and streets to help
maintain social distancing during the first few phases (stages) of reopening consistent with the
State’s Resilience Roadmap and continued economic support of businesses for uses such as
walking space, outdoor dining, and pick-up/delivery areas. The program would provide for
residents to receive the health and wellness benefits of being outdoors and support businesses with
enough space to safely physically distance.
WHEREAS, the program is established for the purpose of supporting and facilitating the
recovery of business and economic activity in the City by expanding the spaces available for the
safe conduct of such activities for City businesses and their customers and patrons to create more
physical distance for pedestrians and business patrons to maintain physical distancing; and nothing
herein is intended to nor shall be deemed to create open gathering places or public fora unrelated
to the intended business support and recovery purpose
WHEREAS, time is of the essence to quickly implement a program to allow for safe
physical distancing consistent with the State’s Resilience Roadmap and County Guidelines in
order to address both public health and economic impacts of COVID-19, as residents have been
primarily indoors since the initiation of the State and County Orders, this will be a dynamic
temporary program, receiving input from the City Council, and shall be subject to administrative
modification by the City, as authorized herein, as necessary in response to emerging issues or
concerns of public, health, safety or convenience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED AND RESOLVED by the City Council
of the City of San Luis Obispo that:
SECTION 1. All recitals set forth above, and all recitals included in support of Federal,
State and County actions referenced herein, are adopted as though fully set forth herein as findings
in support of this Resolution and, after considering all such findings and current local
circumstances the Council hereby declares the continuing existence of a local emergency related
to the continued threat of COVID-19 as it relates to public health and economic impacts; and
ATTACHMENT B Item 1
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 4
R ______
SECTION 2. City of San Luis Obispo Outdoor Public Space Program (OPEN SLO).
In order to support the re-opening of restaurants and other businesses in accordance with the State
Executive Order N-60-20, the City Council hereby directs and authorizes the City Manager to
implement the OPEN SLO program, which shall include the following six strategies that may be
used independently or in combination, along with continued implementation of the Sidewalk
Dining Ordinance, as outlined below:
A. Six Strategies Identified in the OPEN SLO Pilot Program:
1. Changes to traffic flow, including “Quick-build” improvements toward alignment
with the Downtown Concept Plan.
2. Short-term street closures, including short-term road closures in the Downtown and
in other areas of the City to facilitate safely distanced pedestrian circulation,
expanded outdoor dining, and customer queuing, pickup and waiting areas
associated with permitted business activities.
3. Conversion of selected on-street parking spaces to outdoor dining space or other
pedestrian uses (parklets); use of the parklet may include:
i. Public sidewalk. No improvements other than rail and aesthetic treatments, to
create space for safely distanced pedestrian movement and customer queuing,
pickup, and waiting areas associated with permitted business activities.
ii. Table and Chair. Utilized by one or more businesses under the City’s “Table &
Chair” permit process and designated for exclusive use of the business, which
may include appropriate signage.
1. Appropriate signage means no more than 15 square feet per outdoor area.
iii. Sidewalk Café. Designated parklet for exclusive use by one business under the
City’s Sidewalk Café permit process.
4. Use of private and public parking lots for expansion of commercial uses.
Enforcement of current off-street parking requirements would be temporarily
suspended so that selected spaces in private parking lots could be converted to
seating or expanded retail space. The City could also permit use of spaces in public
parking lots through the Sidewalk Cafes Ordinance.
5. Conversion of Mission Plaza at set days and times for community and economic
recovery support uses, including tables and chairs for ‘to-go’ dining, space for
outdoor retail booths, art and culture pop-ups, which may include the closure of the
Broad Street ‘dog-leg’ and/or sections of Monterey Street.
6. Pop-ups to encourage and support additional ideas for outdoor space such as:
i. Develop guidelines and allow use of parts of the sidewalk for signage,
merchandise and queueing, where adequate sidewalk width exists consistent
with disabled access requirements and public safety.
ii. Develop guidelines and allow for pavement painting and planter box projects
initiated by neighborhoods to slow traffic, create painted bulb-outs or other
pedestrian-friendly adaptations.
iii. Support ‘traveling’ arts and culture events where exhibits or exhibitions are
allowed on public spaces for visitors to stroll by.
iv. Have designated staff available and a clear process to streamline review and
approval of uses to ensure conformity with access and public health and safety
regulations.
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 5
R ______
B. Support Expansion of Sidewalk Dining in Support of Social Distancing through
application of the existing Sidewalk Dining Ordinance. For purposes of the temporary
program support and only for such period of time as such temporary program remains
in effect the following Sections of Chapter 5.50, Sidewalk Cafes, of the Municipal
Code shall be interpreted and applied as follows:
5.50.015: Permits Required.
The encroachment permit process shall be used for the purpose of evaluating,
establishing conditions applicable to, and approving all requests for revocable sidewalk
cafés permits, and tables and chairs permits, while the temporary program is in place.
5.50.020: Architectural review.
The Community Development Director shall use discretion conferred by this section to
process permit requests without a separate application for architectural review and
without public notice as may be otherwise specified by section 5.50.035 or other City
policy, unless required by state law.
5.50.030: Fees.
Fees associated with administrative approval of permits under this chapter for permits
shall be suspended while the temporary program is in place.
5.50.045.C: Required Operational Standards (Parking).
No additional parking will be required for permits approved under this chapter while
the temporary program is in place.
5.50.045.G: (Umbrellas, Awnings and street furniture)
Community Development Director may allow great flexibility with respect to the
design and appearance of outdoor furniture and barriers, consistent with standards for
the protection of public health and safety and subject to the approval of the City
Engineer.
5.50.050.A: Terms and expiration.
Sidewalk café permits approved while the temporary program is in place will not be
approved for an unlimited term and shall specify an automatic expiration date, unless
subsequently renewed.
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 6
R ______
5.50.060.A: Revocation or Suspension of Permit
The City retains the right to revoke or suspend the permit upon twenty-four hours’
notice to the sidewalk café operator for any cause, regardless of conformance with the
provisions of the Sidewalk Dining Ordinance.
17.70.100.F.1: Lighting and Night Sky Preservation Exemptions
Low-intensity outdoor lighting fixtures used for architectural decoration may be
installed without Architectural Review, provided it shall not otherwise create a
nuisance or hazard for passing motorists, pedestrians, cyclists or other modes of
transportation, subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
SECTION 3. No facility, structure or improvement may be erected, constructed or placed
in the City Right of Way without the express written approval of the City Engineer and nothing
herein is intended to or shall be interpreted to convey any vested right in or to the continued use
or occupation of public or private property permitted, allowed or suffered by the City pursuant to
the temporary program herein.
SECTION 4. Continuing Enforcement of Conditions or Activities Posing a Threat to
Public Health, Safety or Welfare; Continued Enforcement of Permit Requirements for
Electrical, Plumbing, or Structural Components or Appurtenances and Encroachments into
Public Right of Way. Nothing herein is intended to or shall be deemed to relieve any person from
the obligation to obtain, or prohibit code enforcement for failure to obtain, any permits that would
otherwise be required under state law, the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, or building and safety
codes adopted thereunder, including but not limited to:
A. Permits otherwise required for electrical, plumbing, or structural work performed
within the City.
B. Encroachment permits required for structures, uses and/or activities within the public
right of way, which may be issued at no cost by the City to facilitate physical distancing
and the reopening of businesses.
Further, nothing herein is intended to or shall permit or allow the erection or placement of any
permanent or temporary structure or improvement, on public or private property in violation of
any state or federal accessibility law, including the Americans With Disabilities Act, or to prohibit
or suspend code enforcement action deemed necessary by the Chief Building Official, the City
Engineer or any other authorized enforcement official of the City, to remedy or abate: a dangerous
condition or activity; any activity presenting an imminent threat of harm to the health, safety or
welfare of the community; any violation of state or federal accessibility law; or any unauthorized
activity on private property or in the public right of way.
ATTACHMENT B Item 1
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 7
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SECTION 5. Environmental Review. As a result of the COVID-19 public health
emergency, the City of San Luis Obispo proposes a temporary program to use the right-of-way,
sidewalks and streets to help maintain social distancing during the first few phases (stages) of
reopening consistent with the State’s Resilience Roadmap and provide for residents to receive the
health and wellness benefits of being outdoors and support businesses with enough space to safely
physically distance. The proposed project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as followed:
A. The project is statutorily exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15269
(Emergency Projects), because the temporary program includes specific actions that
would allow for safe physical distancing consistent with the State’s Resilience
Roadmap and County and State Guidelines in order to mitigate the COVID-19 public
health emergency.
B. The project is categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
(Existing Facilities) because the actions identified in the program are limited to the
permitting, leasing, and minor alteration of existing public facilities, including existing
streets, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian trails, which would not result in the creation
of additional automobile lanes. The program would result in a negligible expansion of
existing commercial uses and a negligible expansion of the public’s use of City right-
of-way, as the uses included in the temporary program would not vary from the current
uses of commercial businesses, residential areas, or public access within the City’s
right-of-way.
SECTION 6. Notwithstanding any other City policy or procedure, the City Engineer shall
be authorized to review and approve on behalf of the City any and all design and construction
necessary as part of the temporary program herein and the City Manager shall be authorized to
allow and accept on behalf of the City any and all donations of time, materials, labor, professional
services and/or funds in support of the temporary program herein without further action of the City
Council.
SECTION 7. All current and prior emergency and public health orders as currently enacted
and in effect, or as subsequently amended or modified, issued by the Governor, the State or County
Public Health Official or the City or County Emergency Services Director are expressly adopted
and shall be enforceable as if directly enacted by the City Council pursuant to Chapter 2.24 of the
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
ATTACHMENT B Item 1
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Resolution No. ______ (2020 Series) Page 8
R ______
SECTION 8. A copy of this Resolution shall be posted on all outside public access doors
of City Hall of the City of San Luis Obispo and in one public place within any area of the City
within which this Resolution applies and personnel of the City of San Luis Obispo shall endeavor
to make copies of this order and regulation available to the news media.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing Resolution was approved this _____ day of _____________________ 2020.
____________________________________
Heidi Harmon, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT B Item 1
Packet Page 33
5/20/2020
1
Use of City Right-of-Way to
Facilitate Social Distancing and
Support Re-Opening
Open SLO -A Program to Support Re-opening of Restaurants and
Retailers While Providing Community Space for Safe Social Distancing
May 2020
Objectives
1.Support the health and safety of all residents, customers and
employees
2.Support economic recovery by expanding public space
available for outdoor dining capacity, retail curbside pickup and
customer queuing to allow for physical distancing during phased
reopening
3.Ensure equitable access for all businesses
4.Deploy temporary and “quick-build” street improvements to
activate streets and improve community safety and access to
active transportation
5.Provide for safe flow of all modes of transportation, including
pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers
6.Implement a well-crafted pilot program with potential for long-
term expansion of outdoor dining and activated streets
1
2
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 34
5/20/2020
2
Strategies
1.Temporary Street Closures Downtown
2.Use of Mission Plaza and Parking Lots for Outdoor
Dining
3.Parklet Pilot Program
4.Higuera Street Complete Street & Traffic Calming
5.Neighborhood “SLO Streets”
6.Pop-up “Quick-Build” Street Activation
Strategies
Short-term Street Closures
Downtown evenings/weekends closure to car traffic
Higuera Street (Osos to Nipomo)
Monterey Street (Chorro to Osos)
Future consideration for other downtown streets
Retain north-south cross street traffic during Marsh Bridge Closure
Prioritize nearest cross street curb space for deliveries, quick turnover
parking, and ADA parking
Future Monterey Street
(Downtown Concept Plan)
3
4
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 35
5/20/2020
3
Strategies
Activate Mission Plaza & Parking Lots
Through City provided “staffed” tables, chairs, and umbrellas, for
socially distanced “dining” of takeaway food.
Potential for retail booths, local art pop-ups, etc.
Mission Plaza and City Lot 10 (near Old SLO BBQ) as City-initiated
pilot locations
Potential to allow use of selected spaces within private parking lots
for outdoor dining use
Strategies
Parklets
Convert selected on-street parking spaces to
outdoor dining space or other pedestrian uses
City to fund and construct; allow private
use/encroachment via existing sidewalk dining
permitting process
Current County Health restrictions may limit
utility for outdoor dining; City to continue to
monitor
5
6
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 36
5/20/2020
4
Higuera Street Complete Street &
Traffic Calming
Restripe Higuera (Santa Rosa
to Nipomo) to 2 auto travel
lanes
Narrower street reduces
speeds, reduces pedestrian
crossing exposure, provides
more space for active uses
Stripe temporary buffered bike
lane
Pilot allows “test” of long-term
elements from Downtown
Concept Plan before 2021
downtown paving project
Strategies
Neighborhood SLO Streets
Temporary closure of select neighborhood streets to thru traffic using low-
cost traffic control
Retains access for local residents, deliveries, emergency & service
vehicles
Creates space for active uses and safe social distancing
Start with a selected routes planned for future neighborhood greenways
7
8
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 37
5/20/2020
5
Strategies
Pop-Ups & “Quick-Build” Opportunities
Leverage other low-cost opportunities to
improve public safety and activate street
space for community benefit
Using sidewalks for merchandise, queueing,
art and cultural pop-up exhibits
Painted bulbouts, planter boxes & street
murals
Opportunities for quick-build protected bike
lanes using low-cost temporary materials
while traffic levels are down
Explore grant funding options and
opportunities to work with community groups
& neighborhood volunteers
Key Considerations
Public safety access, including retaining clear width for fire response,
coordinating closely with law enforcement and emergency response
providers
Parking capacity and loading zones, including ADA, drop-off/pick-up areas
Downtown circulation with Marsh Street Bridge Closure
Coordination with Farmer’s Market (when able resume)
Regulatory Compliance, including building code, ADA, State and County
Health requirements, ABC, encroachment permits
9
10
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 38
5/20/2020
6
Key Considerations (cont.)
Equitable Benefit to Local Businesses
Public communication and education
Physical distancing requirements and guidelines
Costs to City (installation, street cleaning, stormwater
management, maintenance, operations, staffing, etc.)
Alignment with other city goals and plans (Downtown Concept
Plan, Multimodal Transportation, Climate Action)
Process and Approach
Duration
Pilot program for one year
Potential to retain some elements as permanent installations
depending on results and community feedback.
Summer 2021 downtown paving project
Communication
Community outreach and marketing is critical, particularly
with local businesses
Next Step - survey of downtown businesses and greater
community
Compliance and Permitting
Facilitate program through existing City Ordinances and
permitting processes for encroachment and outdoor dining
Assist local businesses with working through applicable
State, County Health Department and ABC regulations
Will be iterative process
11
12
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 39
5/20/2020
7
Process and Approach
Implementation Priorities
Temporary Street Closures &
Use of Mission Plaza & Parking
Lots for Outdoor Commerce
Higuera Complete Street &
Residential “SLO Streets”
Parklet Pilot Program
Pop-Ups & Quick-Build
Projects
Costs & Funding
Anticipated Costs
Temporary Traffic Control & Road Striping: $50,000
Parklets (4 @ $25k per location) = $100,000
Tables, Chairs, Planters, Street Furniture = $20,000
Pop-Up/Quick-Build Elements = $15,000
Contingency = $15,000
TOTAL = $200,000
Funding
FY2020-21 Supplemental Budget will include $200K
CIP request to support Open SLO program
Leverage grants and community volunteer
resources where feasible
13
14
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 40
5/20/2020
8
Council Recommendations
1.Receive staff report and presentation
2.Provide feedback, questions, concerns on program
elements
3.If supportive of conceptual plans, Approve
Resolution and direct staff to proceed with detailed
planning and implementation, including any
requested plan modifications
4.Consider funding request as part of FY2020-21
Supplemental Budget (On Council Agenda
6/2/2020)
Alternatives: Direct staff not to proceed or continue
item to a future meeting date.
Suggestions? Questions? Concerns?
Contact lschwartz@slocity.org or (805) 781-7190
Thank you!
15
16
ATTACHMENT C Item 1
Packet Page 41
Other Cities Re-Prioritizing Public Right-of-Way to Enable Social
Distancing during Initial Stages of Reopening
Some cities have designated emails or portals for restaurants to request curbside pick-up zones
and receive City assistance to put up signage. Other cities, such as Santa Monica, are allowing
restaurants to self-convert up to two parking meters in front of their businesses into 10-minute
loading zones for pick-up and delivery orders. Santa Monica provides this sheet for restaurant
owners to print themselves, just needing to add their business name, operating hours, and
meter number.
Many cities are closing down quiet residential streets and/or streets surrounding parks and
trailheads to cars (still allowing for local resident car access). These streets are then open to
pedestrian behavior that is transitory in nature (walking, running, biking, roller blading).
Cities made sure not to close areas that would impact food pickup areas, parking around
hospitals, and bus routes. In addition to creating pop-up bike lanes, several cities, such
as Seattle, were already in the process of permanently replacing parking spots with bike lanes –
shown to have health, environmental, and economic benefits.
Action Locations
Close off streets with
temporary barricades to
allow for safely distanced
walking, running, biking,
and rolling
Alameda, CA, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Bend, OR, Boston, MA,
Brookline, MA, Burlington, VT, Calgary, Canada, Cleveland, OH,
Denver, CO, Des Moines, IA, Edmonton, Canada, Emeryville, CA,
Hoboken, NJ, Kampala, Uganda, Kansas City, KS, Madison, WI,
Minneapolis, MN, Montgomery County, MD, Montreal, Canada,
Nashville, TN, New Haven, CT, New York, NY, Oakland, CA, Pasadena,
CA, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, Saint Paul, MN, Salt Lake City, UT,
San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Toronto, Canada,
Vancouver, Canada, Washington, DC, Winnipeg, Canada
Convert parking spaces near
restaurants to designated
loading and food pick-ups
zones
Alexandria, VA, Anchorage, AK, Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Champaign, IL,
Los Angeles, CA, Melbourne, FL, Montgomery County, Maryland, San
Clemente, CA, Santa Monica, CA, Seattle, WA, Tacoma,
WA, Washington, DC,
Convert parking spaces into
pop-up bike lanes and
temporarily widened
sidewalks
Berlin, Germany (and 133 other German cities), Bogota, Colombia,
Mexico City, Mexico, New York, New York, New Zealand, Paris, France,
ATTACHMENT D Item 1
Packet Page 42
Example Photos
ATTACHMENT D Item 1
Packet Page 43
ATTACHMENT D Item 1
Packet Page 44
City Council/Disaster Council
Agenda Report
Department Name: Community Development
Cost Center: 4001
For Agenda of: May 22, 2020
Placement: Business
Estimated Time: 10 minutes
FROM: Derek Johnson, City Manager
Prepared By: Michael Codron, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: ROADMAP TO REOPENING FOR CITY OPERATIONS
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file the Roadmap to Reopening for City Operations (Roadmap).
DISCUSSION
Background
City staff from across the organization have completed the Roadmap to Reopening for City
Operations (see attached). The Roadmap includes guidance for various work settings (i.e. office,
shop, field) that are aligned with the State’s designated stages of reopening and County Health
recommendations to avoid Covid-19 infection.
The Roadmap has been designed as an adaptive toolkit that will assist staff across the entire
organization to prepare for reopening, regardless of the specific programs or services that may be
offered. Central to this effort are standard “guides” that will apply to most employees and work
settings, and the ability to create custom guides for programs and services with more unique
requirements.
The creation and implementation of the Roadmap is intended to meet the County requirement for
a Detailed Risk Assessment and Site-Specific Protection Plan in accordance with State guidance
documents. Having such an assessment and plan in place is a component of the County’s
requirement for businesses to self-certify that they are ready to reopen.
Overview
The Roadmap is an operational document to be implemented by City staff. It is intended to be a
living document and changes will be made as new information arises. The Roadmap is designed
to accommodate reopening, and to facilitate the implementation of tightening restrictions in case
there is an increase in Covid-19 infections in our community.
Policies for reopening related to expansion and contraction, lessons learned, communications,
public safety, budgetary considerations, and Roadmap administration are provided. In addition, a
feedback tool has been incorporated so that employees can share input about what is working and
what needs to be adjusted. The document includes a wide variety of links to external resources that
will be useful for reopening, including the City’s health screening policy for employees, cleaning
Item 2
Packet Page 45
and disinfecting protocols, and external documents such as the County’s reopening self-
certification form.
Employee Engagement
The development of the Roadmap was a collaborative process and included inputs from a wide
variety of City staff members. Section 3.0 of the Roadmap provides an overview of the employee
engagement process. External review of the document was provided by Resolute Associates
principal Robert Lewin, a former Cal Fire Chief for SLO County and Santa Barbara County
Emergency Services Director. Dozens of employees were consulted
Policy Context
The Roadmap is tied to and consistent with the State’s shelter order. The City has been working
closely with the County throughout the pandemic response process and will continue to stay in line
with the recommendations of County Public Health. Overall, the Roadmap draws on and facilitates
implementation of a wide variety of policies that provide for the health and safety of employees and
members of the public.
CONCURRENCES
The City’s leadership team has reviewed the Roadmap and concurs with the staff recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report
because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2020-21
Funding Identified: No
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund N/A
State
Federal
Total N/A
There were no costs associated with the development of the Roadmap, other than staff time. Going
forward, the reopening of City facilities will have a fiscal impact on the City’s general fund. As a
result, the Roadmap includes a number of budget policies to guide staff decision-making.
Item 2
Packet Page 46
ALTERNATIVES
Do not receive and file the Roadmap. This alternative is not recommended because the Roadmap is
an operational document intended to facilitate reopening of City programs and services to the
community once it is determined to be safe to do so.
ATTACHMENTS
a – City of SLO Operations Roadmap to Reopening Version 1.1
Item 2
Packet Page 47
City of San Luis Obispo
City Operations -
Roadmap to Reopening
05/20/2020
Version 1.1 0
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 48
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Background ............................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Employee Engagement ............................................................................................. 2
3.1 Focus Group Questions ......................................................................................... 2
4.0 Pandemic Phasing Policies for City Facilities and Services ...................................... 4
4.1 Expansion and Contraction .................................................................................... 4
4.2 Lessons Learned and New Ways of Doing Business ............................................ 4
4.3 Communications .................................................................................................... 5
4.4 Public Safety .......................................................................................................... 5
4.5 Budgetary Considerations ..................................................................................... 5
4.6 Roadmap Administration ....................................................................................... 6
5.0 Operational Guidelines .............................................................................................. 6
5.1 Standard Checklists ............................................................................................... 6
5.2 Custom Checklists ................................................................................................. 7
5.3 Feedback/Assessment .......................................................................................... 7
5.4 Special Considerations for Soft-Reopening During Stage 2 .................................. 7
5.5 Covid-19 Self-Evaluation and Certification ............................................................ 7
Additional Attachments: ................................................................................................. 14
Feedback Loop Template .......................................................................................... 14
Reopening Guides........... .......................................................................................... 15-27
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 49
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 1
1.0 Purpose
Accepted by the Disaster Council on May 22, 2020, the City of San Luis Obispo Operations
Roadmap to Reopening (Roadmap) outlines policies and operational steps for expanding and
contracting agency facilities, operations, and staffing as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and the
County of San Luis Obispo (“County”) makes decisions on loosening or retightening restrictions
based on the State’s Resilience Roadmap.1
The City’s Roadmap is intended for use by department
heads and program managers to guide decision
making and establish best practices when a new
COVID-19 pandemic stage is designated by the
County. Furthermore, the Roadmap includes Guides
that will support staff at all levels of the organization
when it comes time to operate programs and services
under each of the State-designated stages. The
Roadmap is a “living” document that will be regularly
updated and expanded as new best practices are
identified and lessons are learned.
The Roadmap has five main purposes:
a)Direct a safe, strategic, and intentional expansion or contraction of City operations
consistent with Federal and State strategies.
b)Provide clear objectives and strategies for reopening City services and facilities in
anticipation of modifications to the State and County shelter-at-home orders (See
Section 4.0 City Facilities and Services Reopening Policies).
c)Establish guidelines for the City organization that ensures coordinated, consistent, and
effective actions in phasing out restrictive measures, or if need be, restoring them if the
emergency warrants (See Section 5.0 Operational Guidelines).
d)Promote community and employee safety and wellness during the recovery process.
e)Maintain strong partnerships in support of the business community and residents during
recovery and reopening.
2.0 Background
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California and the County of San Luis Obispo
issued shelter-at-home orders effective March 19, 2020. The orders require most individuals to
“stay at home” and outlined permitted activities essential to critical government, business, and
personal services. The pandemic and subsequent “stay at home” orders have substantially affected
City operations, access to facilities, availability of services, and City finances.
Since the issuance of the stay at home order, the State of California has released and regularly
updated the California Resiliency Roadmap, which includes stages of recovery as illustrated in
1 The California Resilience Roadmap is available at: https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/
“This plan will only work if we as public
servants all do our part to make sure it
is implemented correctly. The citizens
are depending on us. I believe
together we will not let them down.”
–Derek Johnson, City Manager
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 50
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 2
Figure 1. As the community begins to prepare for how to reopen, the City organization must prepare
for supporting this reopening with various programs and services, while reopening its own facilities
and also remaining flexible to potential further expansions and contractions of pandemic impacts.
Figure 1. California Resilience Roadmap Recovery Phases
3.0 Employee Engagement
Employee input via focus groups informed this plan for the recovery stage of the COVID-19
pandemic. The feedback provided will help guide the development of the Roadmap to Reopening
and implementation of any new policies and procedures that support the health and safety of
employees while still providing service to the community.
3.1 Focus Group Questions
The focus group questions were developed to glean from employees their impressions on
communications and procedure adjustments leading up to and during the Shelter at Home order.
Five focus groups were held via Skype for Business with representatives from Parks and
Recreation, Utilities, Urban Forest, Facilities, Fleet, Streets Maintenance, and Parks Maintenance.
The following questions were posed to over 50 participants:
1. What do you think worked well?
a. Initial shutdown with Shelter at Home Order?
b. Communication throughout the phased closures?
2. What could be done better?
a. Communication?
b. Tools/resources/processes?
c. Safety?
3. What changes over the previous way of doing business used during the shutdown could your workgroup
maintain as the organization phases out of Shelter at Home? (Ex: online payments for services, Skype for
Business meetings, Personal Protection Equipment).
4. What do you need to feel safe doing your job? How does that impact your daily responsibilities moving forward?
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 51
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 3
Figure 2 COVID-19 Employee Feedback
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 52
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 4
4.0 Pandemic Phasing Policies for City Facilities and Services
The City intends to reopen its facilities to the public and resume the provision of City services as
soon as it is safe to do so. City operations will be reopening in a staged manner, in line with the
staged approach described in applicable state and county orders, consistent with the following set
of implementing policies. The policies are general in nature and will likely be adapted as we learn
more about safe practices for the public and City employees.
4.1 Expansion and Contraction
The City will be prepared to expand and contract City services and programs in anticipation of
modifications to the State and County of San Luis Obispo Shelter at Home orders. The City will
take the following actions during the process of expanding or contracting:
a) Respond to, and stay consistent with, State and County determinations regarding the
current reopening phase
b) Establish a process that gives City staff clear guidance on the steps involved with
expanding and contracting City services
c) Implement physical improvements to support successful physical distancing (best
practices include modifications to door handles, installation of partitions, increasing
distance between employees and the public, installing demarcations)
d) Develop staffing plans for shifts and remote work to support ongoing physical
distancing when required by reopening stage
e) During expansion and contraction efforts, continue to follow cleaning and disinfecting
protocols for use of shared workspaces, break rooms, meeting rooms, and pool
vehicles
f) Continue to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to employees to support
their work, depending on the requirements of each stage
4.2 Lessons Learned and New Ways of Doing Business
When the Shelter at Home order was put in place, the City quickly responded by modifying service
delivery methods to continue to serve the community and pausing some programs until it is safe
for them to resume. To ensure employees and the public are protected through the staged
reopening, the City will continue the following practices until the end of the pandemic emergency.
a) Continue to enable employees to work remotely when determined by the supervisor to
be appropriate for the type of work being performed
b) Provide additional support to employees and customers who are vulnerable to COVID-
19 infection by providing tools and services that help them stay remote and continue to
practice physical distancing
c) Standardize remote, electronic payments and applications of all types as the preferred
method for engagement with the City
d) Establish Skype for Business meetings as the preferred method for collaboration in
situations when in person meetings are not required by the situation
e) Continue existing programs to implement increased security at all City facilities
f) Continue to ensure the availability of PPE for employees
g) Ensure that the appropriate type and amount of equipment/technology exists to support
remote work during expansion and contraction of programs and services
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 53
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 5
4.3 Communications
One of the most important roles that the City has played during the pandemic emergency has been
to remain a source of reliable information for the public and its employees. This role will continue
throughout the process of expanding and contracting services and programs.
a) External Communications - The City will continue to engage and be an active voice for its
residents, ensuring clear communication regarding:
i. The current stage of the reopening plan
ii. Modified City services and programs
iii. Expectations for behavior to reduce exposure/transmission of COVID-19
iv. Steps that the City is taking to keep residents and employees safe
v. Hopeful messaging that supports resilience and pride in the community
b) Internal Communications – The City will support its employees by providing easy access to
important information, including:
i. The current stage of the reopening plan and the guides that have been
established to support employees in their work
ii. Modified procedures and expectations during the pandemic emergency
iii. Notifications about new tools or technology to support productivity
iv. Opportunities to stay Healthy and Smart
v. Safety policies and expectations for behavior to reduce exposure/transmission
of COVID-19: Communications will be provided to all City employees whenever
the Health Screening Policy, Health Screening Checklist, Return to Work Policy,
Voluntary Use of Cloth Facemasks and the Cleaning and Disinfecting Facilities
Policy are updated.
4.4 Public Safety
The Police Department and Fire Department have unique responsibilities during a pandemic
emergency. Day to day work of keeping the community safe will continue throughout the
emergency; however, new practices have been implemented to keep employees and the
community safe and to reduce the potential for infection and spread among first responders2.
During the reopening process, the following policies will apply to law enforcement, emergency
medical response and firefighting activities:
a) The City will continue to provide appropriate and sufficient PPE for first responders
b) Protective actions, policies and procedures will remain in place to reduce unnecessary
activities that subject first responders to elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19
c) Custom guides will be developed prior to staged reopening that are specific to the needs
and responsibilities associated with the Police Department and Fire Department
4.5 Budgetary Considerations
The City has identified a significant budget gap associated with reduced revenues during the
pandemic emergency response. As a result, the Fiscal Health Contingency Plan was activated on
March 23, 2020. The following budget policies will guide decision-making during implementation of
the Roadmap.
2 First responders are sworn Police and Fire Department personnel.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 54
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 6
a) Continue to follow initial direction until adoption of the 2019-21 Financial Plan Supplement,
expected in June 2020.
a. Stop any discretionary spending
b. Do not use credit cards (unless deemed an emergency by your supervisor)
c. Coordinate any purchases with your Fiscal Officer
d. Purchase locally whenever possible
b) Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the
Department Head is aware of the activity and any associated expenditures, and that they
have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies and purchasing guidelines with
budget appropriations in place. Reactivation of supplemental staff or hiring of staff requires
City Manager approval through the City Manager Report process.
4.6 Roadmap Administration
The City has established this Roadmap to Reopening City services and programs to ensure all City
employees understand the process of expanding and contracting City programs and services
during the pandemic emergency. The following features will be supported throughout
implementation of the Roadmap:
a) Guides that identify expectations and prerequisites for expanding and contracting services
and programs
b) A process to customize guides for specific jobs where determined to be necessary or helpful
by the employees conducting the work
c) Ongoing assessment of how implementation of the Roadmap is going
d) Ability to make rapid adjustments if feedback from employees or the public indicates that a
change in practice or service level is warranted
5.0 Operational Guidelines
This section provides an overview of operational guidelines for expanding or contracting services
and facilities based on County of San Luis Obispo epidemic stage declarations. The guidelines are
broken into common City services and work settings: Public Counter and Open Facility Settings,
Office and Meeting Settings, Field or Shop Settings, Public Meeting Setting and City Parks and
Recreation Facilities.
Directions are provided for employees to create custom guidelines for unique services and work
settings (e.g., fire, transit, parking, etc.), which must be approved by the responsible Department
Head.
5.1 Standard Guides
Table 1 provides an overview of operational guidelines by service/location type and epidemic stage
designation. There is a separate guide for each stage to facilitate use. When a new stage
designation is made, department heads will notify the management group, who in turn will direct
employees to use the appropriate stage guides to prepare for restarting the relevant services and
facilities.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 55
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopen ing
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 7
5.2 Custom Guides
Guides for each reopening stage will be distributed to City staff. Most people in the organization
will be able to use an existing guide; however, this is not a one-size-fits-all situation and some
programs or services may require more specialized and nuanced guidance. Here are the steps to
customize a guide for your operation:
a) Use one of the standard template guides as a starting point
b) Overcommunicate – ensure members of the team know a custom checklist is being worked
on
c) Complete edits to guide using track-changes
d) Use departmental chain of command to ensure approval by Department Head before the
guide is put into practice
e) Provide IT a copy of those who will begin to re-enter the workplace to assure that their work
areas are set up and that no equipment was removed to serve others
5.3 Feedback/Assessment
Each department will utilize a general template to assess feedback (Attachment 1) from employees
during the reopening stages on items such as health, PPE, physical distancing, etc.. Each
department should designate an individual to develop and report feedback to City management
each week on concerns or needs within their department. In addition, the City will continue to
support “You Asked We Answered” – an electronic tool where employees can see what questions
have been asked and what concerns have been addressed.
If you have questions or would like assistance developing custom checklists please reach out to
the contacts listed here.
5.4 Special Considerations for Soft-Reopening During Stage 2
According to the State’s Resilience Roadmap, Stage 2 expansion will be phased in gradually. Some
communities may move through Stage 2 faster if they are able to show greater progress. The City
of San Luis Obispo will follow the lead of the County of San Luis Obispo in determining when it is
appropriate to reopen additional programs and services during Stage 2, and when it is appropriate
to transition to Stage 3. During Stage 2, a “soft reopening” will be allowed to provide essential
services to customers. Once appropriate physical changes have occurred to support social
distancing, scheduled appointments with customers may occur within City facilities. Also during
Stage 2, departments may pursue reopening public counters on a limited basis to ensure customer
needs are being met while providing for the safety of the public and City employees.
5.5 Covid-19 Self-Evaluation and Certification
Prior to reopening, designated staff must complete the Business Readiness to Reopen self-
evaluation and checklist form. For the purposes of the form, this Roadmap shall serve as the City’s
detailed risk assessment and site-specific protection plan in accordance with State guidance
documents. Statewide guidance on reopening is specific to each type of activity and includes
important information to share will all employees. Checklists (see this example for offices) should
be posted at appropriate building entries and common areas.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 56
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 9
Table 1. Operational Guidelines for City Facilities and Services by Reopening Stage
All Stages Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four
Public Counter and
Open Facility
Settings
Links to Guides:
• Stage 1
• Stage 2
Prior to reopening,
complete Covid-19
Self-Evaluation and
Certification Form
Continue following
established City
policies for: Physical
distancing, PPE,
personal hygiene, and
disinfecting:
• Health Screening
Policy
• Health Screening
Checklist
• Return to Work
Policy
• Voluntary Use of
Cloth Facemasks
• Cleaning and
Disinfecting
Facilities Policy.
1. Service typically provided at the City’s public
counters will be provided remotely (phone, video,
web). Public counters and common public areas
such as City Hall and the 919 Palm lobby are closed
to the general public.
2. Encourage remote work to the maximum extent
feasible.
3. Utilize Skype for Business or other IT for virtual
meetings; suspend non-essential in person
meetings.
4. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office,
or other equipment of another staff member.
5. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer,
hand soap) is available.
6. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace,
common work areas such as copiers, break
areas, and City vehicles used during the shift,
following the existing disinfecting protocols.
Document the time the space was cleaned.
7. Practice proper hygiene.
8. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate
physical distancing in the workplace.
9. Provide special accommodations for personnel who
are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
1. Service typically provided at the City’s public counters will
be provided remotely (phone, video, web). Public
counters and common public areas such as City Hall and
the 919 Palm lobby are closed to the general public until a
soft reopening is initiated, starting with meetings by
appointment and transitioning to limited counter hours.
2. Encourage remote work if practical.
3. Encourage Skype for Business or other IT for virtual
meetings; suspend non-essential in person meetings.
4. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office, or
other equipment of another staff member.
5. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical
distancing requirements, (6‘or greater).
6. Implement as needed office staffing plan to support
physical distancing through staggered shifts.
7. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, hand
soap) is available.
8. Small group essential in person meetings with customers
may be scheduled with health screening procedures,
physical distancing, and decontamination procedures in
effect.
9. Essential in person meetings with City staff, including any
members of the public, limited to no more than ten
individuals total.
10. Limited open counter hours may be pursued as part of
a soft reopening provided all physical improvements to
support social distancing are in place and enough staff are
on site to support counter operations.
11. Following each in person meeting, disinfect meeting
spaces using existing disinfecting protocols. Following
each meeting, document the time the space was cleaned.
12. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common
work areas such as copiers, break areas, and City
vehicles used during the shift, following the existing
disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space was
cleaned.
13. Practice proper hygiene.
14. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are
vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
1. Ensure appropriate PPE is available to all employees at
the counter prior to opening to the public.
2. Ensure disinfectant is available at the counter prior to
opening to the public.
3. Ensure Public drinking fountain is shut off and posted as
“not in use” prior to opening to the public.
4. Post PPE requirements (e.g. masks) for the public
ahead of building entrances if required by City declaration.
5. Ensure that physical distancing requirements are
demarcated, and in place for the public prior to opening
counter.
6. Ensure that the public maintains physical distancing
while in line for the counter.
7. Remove lobby furniture or arrange in manner that
supports physical distancing requirements.
8. Implement all aspects of physical distancing plan for
facilities.
9. Ensure that City pencils, pens, clipboards utilized by the
public at the counter are properly disinfected prior to
making them available to the next citizen.
10. Ensure employees step away from the counter on a regular
basis to remove PPE, wash hands following best
practices, and replace old gloves with new gloves.
11. Ensure that the public counter, public door hardware,
elevator buttons and other observed items at the public
counter are properly disinfected prior to vacating the
building.
12. Recommend employees practice proper hygiene in
accordance with the County Health Dept guidelines prior to
returning home.
13. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
14. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical
distancing requirements, (6 ‘or greater).
15. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are
vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
1. Recommend employees
continue to follow County Health
Dept. protocols related to good
hygiene.
2. Maintain appropriate cleaning
protocol at public counter and
open facilities.
3. Ensure disinfectant is available
at the counter prior to opening
to the public.
4. Maintain signage encouraging
awareness of physical
distancing.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 57
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 10
All Stages Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four
Office and Meeting
Settings *
Links to Guides:
• Stage 1
• Stage 2
Prior to reopening,
complete Covid-19
Self-Evaluation and
Certification Form
Continue following
established City
policies for: Physical
distancing, PPE,
personal hygiene, and
disinfecting:
• Health Screening
Policy
• Health Screening
Checklist
• Return to Work
Policy
• Voluntary Use of
Cloth Facemasks
• Cleaning and
Disinfecting
Facilities Policy
1. Offices and common public areas such as City Hall
and the 919 Palm Street lobby are closed to the
general public.
2. Encourage remote work to the maximum extent
feasible.
3. Utilize Skype for Business or other IT for virtual
meetings; suspend non-essential in person
meetings.
4. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office,
or other equipment of another staff member.
5. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer,
hand soap) is available.
6. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
7. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace,
common work areas such as copiers, break
areas, and City vehicles used during the shift,
following the existing disinfecting protocols.
Document the time the space was cleaned.
8. Practice proper hygiene.
9. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate
physical distancing in the workplace.
10. Avoid ALL unnecessary travel between City
offices and facilities.
11. Provide special accommodations for personnel who
are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
1. Service typically provided at the City’s public counters
will be provided remotely (phone, video, web). Public
counters and common public areas such as City Hall and
the 919 Palm lobby are closed to the general public until
a soft reopening is initiated, starting with meetings by
appointment and transitioning to limited counter hours.
2. Limited open counter hours may be pursued provided
all physical improvements to support social distancing
are in place and enough staff are on site to support
counter operations.
3. Encourage remote work if practical.
4. Encourage Skype for Business or other IT for virtual
meetings; suspend non-essential in person meetings.
5. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical
distancing requirements, (6‘or greater).
6. Implement office staffing plan to support physical
distancing through staggered shifts.
7. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office, or
other equipment of another staff member.
8. Small group essential in person meetings with customers
may be scheduled with medical screening procedures,
physical distancing, and decontamination procedures in
effect.
9. Essential in person meetings with City staff, including any
members of the public, limited to no more than ten
individuals total.
10. Following each in person meeting, disinfect meeting
spaces using existing disinfecting protocols. Following
each meeting, document the time the space was cleaned.
11. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
12. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common
work areas such as copiers, break areas, and City
vehicles used during the shift, following the existing
disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space was
cleaned.
13. Practice proper hygiene.
14. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and
facilities.
15. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical
distancing requirements, (6 ‘or greater).
2. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, hand
soap) is available.
3. Schedule in person meetings and appointments with
customers with medical screening procedures, physical
distancing, and decontamination procedures in effect.
4. In person meetings with City staff or with the public must
continue to provide for physical distancing (6’).
5. Following in person meetings, disinfect meeting
spaces following current facility disinfecting protocols.
6. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common
work areas such as copiers, break areas, and City
vehicles used during the shift, following the existing
disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space was
cleaned
7. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Continue to support employee
remote work where practical, in
particular to support vulnerable
employees.
2. Ensure disinfectant is
available in office and meeting
settings.
3. Maintain signage encouraging
awareness of physical
distancing.
4. Recommend employees
continue to follow County
Health Dept. protocols related
to good hygiene.
5. Maintain appropriate cleaning
protocol at office and
meeting spaces.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 58
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 11
All Stages Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four
Public Meeting
Settings
Links to Guides:
• Stage 1
• Stage 2
Prior to reopening,
complete Covid-19
Self-Evaluation and
Certification Form
Continue following
established City
policies for: Physical
distancing, PPE,
personal hygiene, and
disinfecting:
• Health Screening
Policy
• Health Screening
Checklist
• Return to Work
Policy
• Voluntary Use of
Cloth Facemasks
• Cleaning and
Disinfecting
Facilities Policy
1. Offices are closed to the general public.
2. City Council and essential Advisory Body meetings
are only held virtually via remote.
teleconference/videoconference (GoToWebinar
format) in conformance with state law.
3. Ensure accommodations are in place for public
involvement and input via email, joining the virtual
meeting, and viewing on cable channel 20.
1. Offices are closed to the general public.
2. City Council and essential Advisory Body meetings are
only held virtually via remote.
teleconference/videoconference (GoToWebinar format)
in conformance with state law.
3. Ensure accommodations are in place for public
involvement and input via email, joining the virtual
meeting, and viewing on cable channel 20.
1. Physical participation in the meeting at a City meeting
room allowed by Council/Advisory Body members and
staff if physical distancing can be accommodated.
2. Physical public attendance allowed at public meetings in
conformance with state law.
3. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical
distancing requirements, (6 ‘or greater). Useable chairs or
space to be marked in advance for distancing, with the total
number physically allowed in the space to be posted outside
the space. Install microphone stand to accommodate the
use of wireless microphone at the podium and utilize
windscreen covers to increase cleanliness of microphone
between speakers during public comment.
4. Meetings to be held in the largest meeting room possible,
Council Chamber preferred, to allow for physical distancing.
5. Maintain signage encouraging awareness of physical
distancing.
6. Continue virtual meeting protocol listed in Stage One to
allow additional public participation.
7. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, hand
soap) is available.
8. Use existing medical screening procedures in place.
9. Following each in person meeting, disinfect meeting
spaces using existing disinfecting protocols. Following each
meeting, document the time the space was cleaned.
1. Physical public attendance
allowed at public meetings in
conformance with state law.
2. Meetings to be held in the
largest meeting room possible,
Council Chamber preferred, to
allow for physical distancing.
3. Maintain signage encouraging
awareness of physical
distancing.
4. Continue virtual meeting
protocol listed in Stage One to
support vulnerable persons who
may not be able to physically
attend.
5. Maintain signage requesting
/reminding all public to follow
County protocols related to
good hygiene prior to
entrance.
6. Ensure disinfectant is
available in office and meeting
settings.
7. Recommend employees
continue to follow County
Health Dept. protocols related
to good hygiene.
8. Following each in person
meeting, disinfect meeting
spaces using existing
disinfecting protocols. Following
each meeting, document the
time the space was cleaned.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 59
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 12
All Stages Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four
Field and Shop
Settings
Links to Guides:
• Stage 1
• Stage 2
• Stage 3
• Stage 4
Prior to reopening,
complete Covid-19
Self-Evaluation and
Certification Form
Continue following
established City
policies for: Physical
distancing, PPE,
personal hygiene, and
disinfecting:
• Health Screening
Policy
• Health Screening
Checklist
• Return to Work
Policy
• Voluntary Use of
Cloth Facemasks
• Cleaning and
Disinfecting
Facilities Policy
1. Staff meetings normally held in shop settings will
take place outside of shop areas when physical
distancing is not feasible.
2. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going
to their work assignment location.
3. Ensure that City vehicle door handles, seatbelts,
seats, and steering wheels are disinfected prior to
leaving the City facility.
4. Maintain supplies of hand sanitizer in the cab of
City vehicles prior to leaving the City facility.
5. Encourage physical distancing between
employees, contractors, and the public whenever
practical.
6. City employees at offsite locations wash hands
frequently.
7. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is
completed.
8. Employees practice physical distancing with each
other.
9. Ensure that at the end of work at the job site,
employees disinfect any tool, part, or item prior to
returning to the City facility.
10. Ensure that the same City vehicle seat, seatbelt,
steering wheel, inside door handle, keys, and any
other area appropriate, is disinfected using
existing protocols.
11. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace,
common work areas such as copiers, break
areas, and City vehicles used during the shift,
following the existing disinfecting protocols.
Document the time the space was cleaned.
12. Recommend that employees practice proper
hygiene in accordance with Health Dept guidelines
prior to returning home.
13. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Staff meetings normally held in shop settings will take
place outside of shop areas when physical distancing is
not feasible.
2. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their
work assignment location.
3. Maintain that City vehicle door handles, seatbelts, seats,
and steering wheels are disinfected prior to leaving the
City facility.
4. Maintain supplies of hand sanitizer in the cab of City
vehicles prior to leaving the City facility.
5. Encourage physical distancing between employees,
contractors, and the public whenever practical.
6. City employees at offsite locations wash hands frequently.
7. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is
completed.
8. Employees practice physical distancing with each other.
9. Ensure that at the end of work at the job site, employees
disinfect any tool, part, or item prior to returning to the
City facility.
10. Ensure that the same City vehicle seat, seatbelt, steering
wheel, inside door handle, keys, and any other area
appropriate, is disinfected using existing protocols.
11. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common
work areas such as copiers, break areas, and City
vehicles used during the shift, following the existing
disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space was
cleaned.
12. Recommend that employees practice proper hygiene in
accordance with Health Dept guidelines prior to returning
home.
13. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Encourage field and shop employees to continue to use
proper PPE as much as possible in the scope of their activities
as recommended by the County Health Dept.
2. Maintain that City vehicle door handles, seatbelts, seats, and
steering wheels are disinfected prior to leaving the City
facility.
3. Maintain supplies of hand sanitizer in the cab of City vehicles
prior to leaving the City facility.
4. Continue physical distancing between employees,
contactors, and the public whenever practical.
5. Recommend that if possible, at the job site or on breaks,
employees practice physical distancing with each other.
6. Recommend that at the end of work at the job site, employees
disinfect any tool, part, or item prior to returning to the City
facility.
7. Ensure that City facilities office areas used by the
employee are disinfected at the end of the day using existing
protocols.
8. Encourage employees to practice proper hygiene in
accordance with County Health protocols prior to returning
home.
9. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing
in the workplace.
1. Provide employees with the proper
PPE to have available at their
work site for their discretion to use.
2. Encourage field and shop
personnel to maintain City
vehicles, shops, and tools to be
as clean as possible for
themselves, and for the next
employee using the equipment.
3. Recommend employees continue
to follow County Health Dept.
protocols related to good
hygiene.
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 60
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 13
All Stages Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four
City Park and
Recreation
Facilities
Links to Guides:
• Stage 1
• Stage 2
Prior to reopening,
complete Covid-19
Self-Evaluation and
Certification Form
Continue following
established City
policies for: Physical
distancing, PPE,
personal hygiene, and
disinfecting:
• Health Screening
Policy
• Health Screening
Checklist
• Return to Work
Policy
• Voluntary Use of
Cloth Facemasks
• Cleaning and
Disinfecting
Facilities Policy
City Park and Recreation facilities, playground areas,
and equipment are closed including Laguna Lake Golf
Course, Damon Garcia Sports Complex, Senior Center,
Jack House, Ludwick Community Center, and SLO
Swim Center.
Public events, classes, and activities are suspended.
Parks and Open Space areas remain open.
1. Ensure accommodations are in place for physical
distancing requirements (6‘ or greater).
2. Provide directional signage for physical distancing
requirements (6‘ or greater).
3. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going
to their work assignment location.
4. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
5. Recommend employees practice proper hygiene
in accordance with the County Health Dept
guidelines prior to returning home.
6. Avoid ALL unnecessary travel between City
facilities.
7. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is
completed.
8. Employees practice physical distancing with each
other.
9. Request users to use personal pen, pencil, etc. or
disinfect in between uses.
10. Adhere to all safety industry protocol established
by State Licensing, American Red Cross, and
County Health.
11. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
12. Provide special accommodations for personnel who
are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
13. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and
facilities.
Parks and Open Space remain open under the following
guidance:
1. Ensure accommodations are in place for physical
distancing requirements (6‘ or greater).
2. Ensure Parks Maintenance is available to support any
reopened programs and services.
3. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their
work assignment location.
4. Group play, pick-up games, should continue to be monitored
and can include no more than 10 individuals.
5. Safety monitor will provide check-in services to facilities
for staff.
6. Bystanders or loitering will not be permitted within
facility.
7. Facility and equipment used will be cleaned hourly.
Sanitation buckets and wipes will be provided for equipment
(childcare equipment, golfing equipment, etc.)
8. Rental of equipment will not be allowed.
9. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
10. Recommend employees practice proper hygiene in
accordance with the County Health Dept guidelines prior to
returning home.
11. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and
facilities.
12. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is
completed.
13. Employees practice physical distancing with each other.
14. Request users to use personal pen, pencil, etc. or
disinfect in between uses.
15. Adhere to all safety industry protocol established by
State Licensing, American Red Cross, and County Health.
16. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
17. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are
vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
Facilities, playground areas, and equipment may reopen under
the following guidance:
1. Please see custom guides for facilities such as SLO Swim
Center and Laguna Lake Golf Course, which may reopen
following all State and County guidelines.
2. Ensure accommodations are in place for physical
distancing requirements (6‘ or greater).
3. Ensure Parks Maintenance is available to support any
reopened programs and services.
4. Bystanders or loitering will not be permitted within facility
unless capacity allows.
5. Facility and equipment used will be cleaned hourly.
Sanitation buckets and wipes will be provided for equipment
(childcare equipment, golfing equipment, etc.).
6. Rental of equipment will be sanitized upon return.
7. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
8. Recommend employees practice proper hygiene in
accordance with the County Health Dept guidelines prior to
returning home.
9. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and
facilities.
10. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their
work assignment location.
11. Recommend that if possible, at the job site or on breaks,
employees practice physical distancing with each other.
12. Adhere to all safety industry protocol established by State
Licensing, American Red Cross, and County Health.
13. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
14. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are
vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
Events in parks and facilities, such
as Mission Plaza, may be supported
under the following guidance:
1. Provide employees with the
proper PPE to have available at
their work site for their discretion
to use.
2. Ensure Parks Maintenance is
available to support any
reopened programs and
services.
3. Encourage staff to maintain
facilities to be as clean as
possible for themselves, and for
the next employee using the
equipment.
4. Encourage personnel that at the
end of work at the job site, to
clean all equipment and
materials.
5. Post signs for employees to
practice proper hygiene in
accordance with County Health
protocols prior to returning home.
6. Adhere to all safety industry
protocol established by State
Licensing, American Red Cross,
and County Health.
7. Hand washing stations are
available throughout venue.
Minimum
Requirements for a
Custom Checklist
Links to Guides:
• Stage 1
• Stage 2
Prior to reopening,
complete Covid-19
Self-Evaluation and
Certification Form
Continue following
established City policies
for: Physical distancing,
PPE, personal hygiene,
and disinfecting:
• Health Screening
Policy
• Health Screening
Checklist
• Return to Work
Policy
• Voluntary Use of
Cloth Facemasks
• Cleaning and
Disinfecting
Facilities Policy
1. No gatherings are permitted.
2. Eliminate all non-essential travel.
3. Encourage remote work to the maximum extent
feasible.
4. Close common or congregation areas at
workplaces.
5. Provide special accommodations for personnel who
are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
6. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Public gatherings of no more than 10 people.
2. Minimize non-essential travel.
3. Partial/staged/modified reopening under strict operating
standards for distancing, sanitation, hygiene.
4. Encourage remote work if practical.
5. Close common or congregation areas at workplaces
and/or enforce strict operating standards.
6. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are
vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
7. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Public gatherings of no more than 50 people.
2. Minimize non-essential travel.
3. Remain open under modified operating standards for
distancing, sanitation, hygiene.
4. Encourage remote work if practical.
5. Close common or congregation areas at workplaces and/or
enforce modified operating standards.
6. Continue to provide special accommodations for personnel
who are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
7. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical
distancing in the workplace.
1. Vulnerable populations can
resume public interactions, but
should practice physical
distancing and minimizing
exposure.
2. Physical distancing eased.
3. Gatherings with restrictions on
numbers of people TBD.
4. Low-risk populations should
consider minimizing time spent
in crowded environments.
5. Resume unrestricted staffing
and operations and fully reopen.
*Refer to SLO County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services operating protocols for businesses and venues
**If any Fire Department Field Personnel are diagnosed with COVID-19, all Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 procedures will cease, and the Fire Department will return to Isolation Protocol
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 61
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
V1.1 0 – May 20, 2020
Page 14
Additional Attachments:
Feedback Loop Template
Employees can use this template as a guide to email feedback to your designated department
representative.
▪ Department/Division:
▪ Do you have enough PPE and cleaning supplies in your department/division?
▪ Has your department/division been able to maintain physical distancing during work activities?
If no, please provide specifics.
▪ Are the policies and guidelines provided by the City clear to you and those in your
department/division? If no, please provide specifics.
▪ Do you or anyone in your division have concerns, if so what are those concerns?
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 62
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020 City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 1: Public Counter and Open Facility Settings
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 1, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Service typically provided at the City’s public counters will be provided remotely (phone, video,
web). Public counters and common public areas such as City Hall and the 919 Palm lobby are closed
to the general public.
2. Encourage remote work to the maximum extent feasible.
3. Utilize Skype for Business or other IT for virtual meetings; suspend non-essential in person
meetings.
4. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office, or other equipment of another staff member.
5. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, hand soap) is available.
6. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common work areas such as copiers, break areas,
and City vehicles used during the shift, following the existing disinfecting protocols. Document the
time the space was cleaned.
7. Practice proper hygiene.
8. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
9. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 63
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020 City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 2: Public Counter and Open Facility Settings
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 2, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Service typically provided at the City’s public counters will be provided remotely (phone, video, web). Public
counters and common public areas such as City Hall and the 919 Palm lobby are closed to the general public until a
soft reopening is initiated, starting with meetings by appointment and transitioning to limited counter hours.
2. Encourage remote work if practical.
3. Encourage Skype for Business or other IT for virtual meetings; suspend non‐essential in person meetings.
4. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office, or other equipment of another staff member.
5. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical distancing requirements, (6‘or greater).
6. Implement as needed office staffing plan to support physical distancing through staggered shifts.
7. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, hand soap) is available.
8. Small group essential in person meetings with customers may be scheduled with health screening procedures,
physical distancing, and decontamination procedures in effect.
9. Essential in person meetings with City staff, including any members of the public, limited to no more than ten
individuals total.
10. Limited open counter hours may be pursued as part of a soft reopening provided all physical improvements to
support social distancing are in place and enough staff are on site to support counter operations.
11. Following each in person meeting, disinfect meeting spaces using existing disinfecting protocols. Following each
meeting, document the time the space was cleaned.
12. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common work areas such as copiers, break areas, and City vehicles used
during the shift, following the existing disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space was cleaned.
13. Practice proper hygiene.
14. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 64
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 1: Office and Meeting
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 1, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Offices and common public areas such as City Hall and the 919 Palm
Street lobby are closed to the general public.
2. Encourage remote work to the maximum extent feasible.
3. Utilize Skype for Business or other IT for virtual meetings; suspend non-
essential in person meetings.
4. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office, or other equipment of
another staff member.
5. Ensure appropriate PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, hand soap) is available.
6. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
7. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common work areas such as
copiers, break areas, and City vehicles used during the shift, following
the existing disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space was
cleaned.
8. Practice proper hygiene.
9. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the
workplace.
10. Avoid ALL unnecessary travel between City offices and facilities.
11. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the
maximum extent feasible.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 65
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 2: Office and Meeting
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 2, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Service typically provided at the City’s public counters will be provided remotely (phone, video, web).
Public counters and common public areas such as City Hall and the 919 Palm lobby are closed to the general
public until a soft reopening is initiated, starting with meetings by appointment and transitioning to limited
counter hours.
2. Limited open counter hours may be pursued provided all physical improvements to support social
distancing are in place and enough staff are on site to support counter operations.
3. Encourage remote work if practical.
4. Encourage Skype for Business or other IT for virtual meetings; suspend non-essential in person meetings.
5. Ensure accommodations are in place to meet physical distancing requirements, (6‘or greater).
6. Implement office staffing plan to support physical distancing through staggered shifts.
7. Discourage staff from using the phone, desk, office, or other equipment of another staff member.
8. Small group essential in person meetings with customers may be scheduled with medical screening
procedures, physical distancing, and decontamination procedures in effect.
9. Essential in person meetings with City staff, including any members of the public, limited to no more than
ten individuals total.
10. Following each in person meeting, disinfect meeting spaces using existing disinfecting protocols. Following
each meeting, document the time the space was cleaned.
11. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
12. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common work areas such as copiers, break areas, and City
vehicles used during the shift, following the existing disinfecting protocols. Document the time the space
was cleaned.
13. Practice proper hygiene.
14. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and facilities.
15. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 66
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 1: Field and Shop Settings
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 1, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Staff meetings normally held in shop settings will take place outside of shop areas when
physical distancing is not feasible.
2. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their work assignment location.
3. Ensure that City vehicle door handles, seatbelts, seats, and steering wheels are disinfected
prior to leaving the City facility.
4. Maintain supplies of hand sanitizer in the cab of City vehicles prior to leaving the City facility.
5. Encourage physical distancing between employees, contractors, and the public whenever
practical.
6. City employees at offsite locations wash hands frequently.
7. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is completed.
8. Employees practice physical distancing with each other.
9. Ensure that at the end of work at the job site, employees disinfect any tool, part, or item
prior to returning to the City facility.
10. Ensure that the same City vehicle seat, seatbelt, steering wheel, inside door handle, keys,
and any other area appropriate, is disinfected using existing protocols.
11. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common work areas such as copiers, break
areas, and City vehicles used during the shift, following the existing disinfecting protocols.
Document the time the space was cleaned.
12. Recommend that employees practice proper hygiene in accordance with Health Dept
guidelines prior to returning home.
13. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 67
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 2: Field and Shop Settings
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 2, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Staff meetings normally held in shop settings will take place outside of shop areas when
physical distancing is not feasible.
2. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their work assignment location.
3. Maintain that City vehicle door handles, seatbelts, seats, and steering wheels are
disinfected prior to leaving the City facility.
4. Maintain supplies of hand sanitizer in the cab of City vehicles prior to leaving the City
facility.
5. Encourage physical distancing between employees, contractors, and the public
whenever practical.
6. City employees at offsite locations wash hands frequently.
7. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is completed.
8. Employees practice physical distancing with each other.
9. Ensure that at the end of work at the job site, employees disinfect any tool, part, or item
prior to returning to the City facility.
10. Ensure that the same City vehicle seat, seatbelt, steering wheel, inside door handle, keys,
and any other area appropriate, is disinfected using existing protocols.
11. At the end of the day, disinfect workspace, common work areas such as copiers, break
areas, and City vehicles used during the shift, following the existing disinfecting protocols.
Document the time the space was cleaned.
12. Recommend that employees practice proper hygiene in accordance with Health Dept
guidelines prior to returning home.
13. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 68
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 1: Public Meetings
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 1, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Offices are closed to the general public.
2. City Council and essential Advisory Body meetings are only held virtually via remote.
teleconference/videoconference (GoToWebinar format) in conformance with state law.
3. Ensure accommodations are in place for public involvement and input via email, joining the
virtual meeting, and viewing on cable channel 20.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 69
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 2: Public Meetings
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 2, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Offices are closed to the general public.
2. City Council and essential Advisory Body meetings are only held virtually via remote.
teleconference/videoconference (GoToWebinar format) in conformance with state law.
3. Ensure accommodations are in place for public involvement and input via email, joining the
virtual meeting, and viewing on cable channel 20.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 70
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 1: City Park and Recreation Facilities
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 1, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
City Park and Recreation facilities, playground areas, and equipment are closed including Laguna Lake Golf
Course, Damon Garcia Sports Complex, Senior Center, Jack House, Ludwick Community Center, and SLO Swim
Center.
Public events, classes, and activities are suspended.
Parks and Open Space areas remain open.
1. Ensure accommodations are in place for physical distancing requirements (6‘ or greater).
2. Provide directional signage for physical distancing requirements (6‘ or greater).
3. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their work assignment location.
4. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
5. Recommend employees practice proper hygiene in accordance with the County Health Dept guidelines prior
to returning home.
6. Avoid ALL unnecessary travel between City facilities.
7. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is completed.
8. Employees practice physical distancing with each other.
9. Request users to use personal pen, pencil, etc. or disinfect in between uses.
10. Adhere to all safety industry protocol established by State Licensing, American Red Cross, and County
Health.
11. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
12. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
13. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and facilities.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 71
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 2: City Park and Recreation Facilities
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 2, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
Parks and Open Space remain open under the following guidance:
1. Ensure accommodations are in place for physical distancing requirements (6‘ or greater).
2. Ensure Parks Maintenance is available to support any reopened programs and services.
3. Ensure employees have proper PPE prior to going to their work assignment location.
4. Group play, pick‐up games, should continue to be monitored and can include no more than 10
individuals.
5. Safety monitor will provide check‐in services to facilities for staff.
6. Bystanders or loitering will not be permitted within facility.
7. Facility and equipment used will be cleaned hourly. Sanitation buckets and wipes will be provided for
equipment (childcare equipment, golfing equipment, etc.)
8. Rental of equipment will not be allowed.
9. Wash hands at a minimum of once per hour.
10. Recommend employees practice proper hygiene in accordance with the County Health Dept guidelines
prior to returning home.
11. Avoid unnecessary travel between City offices and facilities.
12. City tool handles are disinfected after the job is completed.
13. Employees practice physical distancing with each other.
14. Request users to use personal pen, pencil, etc. or disinfect in between uses.
15. Adhere to all safety industry protocol established by State Licensing, American Red Cross, and County
Health.
16. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the maximum extent feasible.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 72
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 1: Min. Requirements for Custom Checklist
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 1, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. No gatherings are permitted.
2. Eliminate all non‐essential travel.
3. Encourage remote work to the maximum extent feasible.
4. Close common or congregation areas at workplaces.
5. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the maximum extent
feasible.
6. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 73
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.0 – 05.20.2020
City Operations - Roadmap to Reopening
Version 1.1 – 05.20.2020
STAGE 2: Min. Requirements for Custom Checklist
Department: Section/Program:
Facility/Location: # of Section/Program Staff:
During REOPENING STAGE 2, to coincide with direction from the State of California and the County of San Luis
Obispo, City staff will ensure the following:
1. Public gatherings of no more than 10 people.
2. Minimize non‐essential travel.
3. Partial/staged/modified reopening under strict operating standards for distancing,
sanitation, hygiene.
4. Encourage remote work if practical.
5. Close common or congregation areas at workplaces and/or enforce strict operating
standards.
6. Provide special accommodations for personnel who are vulnerable to the maximum extent
feasible.
7. Implement office staffing plans to facilitate physical distancing in the workplace.
Signatures:
Supervisor/Date Department Head/Date
Before restarting a program or service pursuant to the Roadmap, ensure that the Department Head is aware of the
activity and any associated expenditures, and that they have been authorized pursuant to the City’s fiscal policies
and purchasing guidelines with budget appropriations in place
ATTCHMENT A Item 2
Packet Page 74
City Council/Disaster Council
Agenda Report
Department Name: Police/Finance
Cost Center: 8001/2001
For Agenda of: May 22, 2020
Placement: Business
Estimated Time: 5 Minutes
FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Chief of Police
Brigitte Elke, Finance Director
SUBJECT: GRANT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC
RESPONSES AND EFFORTS.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing staff to apply and accept grants and funding related to COVID-
19 reimbursements as opportunities arise without prior Council approval as required by the
City’s Grant Management Policy (Financial Management Manual – Section 740). (Attachment
A); and
2. Authorize staff to accept a grant award in the amount of $41,431 from the FY 2020 Coronavirus
Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute necessary grant documents and direct the appropriation
of monies into the COVID-19 reimbursement account.
DISCUSSION
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal grants have been made available to assist state
and local governments with a multitude of unanticipated expenditures needed to continue to
provide essential services to the community while responding to the health emergency.
Staff is actively looking for all opportunities to assist the City recover some or all the cost related
to the current health crisis in addition to cost recovery from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA).
Given that some of these opportunities will come about rapidly and require a tight turn-around of
applications and related materials, staff is requesting authorization to apply to these opportunities
without seeking Council approval for each instance as required by the City’s Grant Management
Policy. This policy requires Council approval for each grant over $5,000 prior to applying for the
grant.
Item 3
Packet Page 75
One of these opportunities came through the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding
(CESF) Program that provides funding to assist eligible states, local units of government, and
tribes in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. This grant funding was
based on pre-determined allocations made for specific counties or cities. A total of nearly $850
million has been allocated for the FY 2020 CESF program. The City of San Luis Obispo has
been allocated $41,431.
Funds awarded under the CESF Program must be utilized to prevent, prepare for, and respond to
the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to, overtime,
equipment, hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses
(particularly related to the distribution of resources to the most impacted areas).
As a direct result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the City of San Luis Obispo implemented a “work
from home” policy (Attachment B) that authorizes City employees to work from home when the
following criteria are met:
1. An emergency has been declared by an agency or individual with authority to require
sheltering at home or to otherwise limit access to the usual workplace.
2. It is a viable work option consistent with the City’s operational needs while adhering to
emergency directives.
3. The benefits to the City as well as the employee are clearly defined and pre-approved by
the City’s Department Heads under the direction of the City Manager.
Employees designated to work from home were required to complete an “IT Work from Home
Request”. Since the City did not have enough laptops to outfit every employee that would be
working from home, the Information Technology staff purchased 38 laptops which totaled
$69,247. This was an unexpected and unbudgeted expenditure, directly related to the
Coronavirus pandemic. The City requested grant funding to partially reimburse the City for the
cost of the laptops in the amount of $41,431 (total grant amount allocated to the City of San Luis
Obispo).
On May 15, 2020, the City was notified by the office of Congressman Carbajal that the grant was
awarded and could be expected in the near term. This funding would greatly assist with
offsetting some of the unanticipated expenses occurred due to the pandemic.
Policy Context
The recommended actions are consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Financial Management
Manual, Section 740 - Grant Management Policy. The policy states that Council will approve all
grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and contract execution to the City
Manager.
CONCURRENCES
The Director of the Finance and Information Technology Department concurs with the staff
recommendation.
Item 3
Packet Page 76
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report
because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2020-21
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding Sources Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing Cost
General Fund
State
Federal (JAG grant) $41,431
Total $41,431
City matching funds are not required for this grant that was based on a pre-determined allocation.
Staff will report to the Council on all the applications that were submitted, and amounts awarded to
offset COVID-19 expenditures or assist in responding to the healthy emergency, as well as assist
with economic recovery.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Modify the staff recommendation. Council may direct staff to apply for the grant funds for a
different purpose, as long as the use is consistent with the purpose areas described in this report.
2. Do not approve the authorization of staff to apply for all grant opportunities. This is not
recommended as the situation brought on by COVID-19 is fluid and many opportunities come
about quickly without prior precedent. Deadlines can be tight and the volume of staff reports
seeking approval to apply could become burdensome.
ATTACHMENTS
a – Draft Resolution COVID Recovery Grant and Stimulus Authorization
b – Work From Home Policy
Item 3
Packet Page 77
R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2020 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF GRANT AND STIMULUS FUNDING
APPLICATIONS
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is experiencing unprecedented economic
impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has a long-standing organizational culture of
applying for external funding in order to leverage modest investments of City funds; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has identified numerous prospective grant
opportunities and anticipates substantial stimulus funding opportunities where it would be
advantageous to be able to take quick action in order to be eligible for various funding
accommodations that may be available; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that funding proposals that meet the following general
categories should be prioritized where funding opportunity would address:
1)Economic recovery and resilience,
2)Major City Goal work programs; and
3)Essential services and infrastructure.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
that the City Manager shall be authorized as follows:
1)Submit grant applications and stimulus funding proposals,
2)Enter into a grant agreement for projects and agree to accept the terms and
conditions of a grant agreement if the project is awarded funding,
3)Certify that no conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest exists for any
member of the City Council as relates to the project; and,
ATTACHMENT A Item 3
Packet Page 78
Resolution No. _____ (2020 Series) Page 2
R ______
4) Delegate authority to a designee to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit
all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments,
payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the
project, if the project is awarded funding.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2020.
____________________________________
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
ATTACHMENT A Item 3
Packet Page 79
1
Revised 4/9/20
COVID-19 Emergency Work from Home Policy
Purpose
With current technology it is now possible for staff to perform normal duties remotely as
a means of providing vital services, support, and essential communications during an
emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This Policy is intended to provide structure
and guidance to employees working at home during this time so they and their families
can stay safe and healthy and can continue to provide excellent service to the public in a
timely and professional manner.
Authorization to Work from Home
City employees will be allowed to work from home when:
•An emergency has been declared by an agency or individual with authority to
require sheltering at home or to otherwise limit access to the usual workplace.
•It is a viable work option consistent with the City’s operational needs.
•The benefits to the City as well as the employee are clearly defined and pre -
approved by the City’s Department Heads under the direction of the City Manager.
Responsibilities
When working from home City employees should plan to:
•Perform their usual job responsibilities. Employees should check with their
supervisors for direction if they are uncertain about which tasks are most important
as some duties may be re-prioritized based on current needs.
•Provide contact information to supervisors, coworkers, and other business contacts
so they can be easily reached by phone and email, respond promptly to inquiries
and perform normal business functions.
•Non work-related interruptions must be kept to minimum. Responsibilities and
tasks need to be completed with the same importance and attention as they would
be if they were tended to in the office. Work from home is not a substitute for
dependent child or elder care, nor is it intended to enable employees to conduct
personal or non-City business while on City time.
•Complete timecards and submit as usual. COVID-19 related work should be
submitted separately on an ICS 214 activity log for the purpose of keeping track of
possible reimbursable expenses from FEMA.
•Employees should reference the Work from Home Protocol and complete the
request form for equipment or access from IT.
•Employees should review the Electronic Device Use and Work Policy to ensure
compliance and accounting for time.
ATTACHMENT B Item 3
Packet Page 80
2
Revised 4/9/20
COVID-19 Emergency Work from Home Policy
•Avoid using personal email accounts to transfer City documents as any responsive
work documents stored on a personal computer or device could be subject to a
search in a Public Records Act request.
•Employees should notify their supervisor if they move to another residence and
should also update their address in Oracle.
•Comply with all City policies, procedures, agreements, organization rules, State
and federal laws, and Fair Labor Standards act (FLSA).
Creating a Safe and Productive Work Environment at Home
To set the stage for success when working at home employees can:
•Create a workspace that is free from distractions and hazards, is ergonomically
suitable and well-lit, and includes a professional-looking backdrop for face-to-face
communications if using a webcam.
•Manage time effectively by establishing routines mirroring a typical day in the
workplace and make sure others know normal work hours so the employee can be
easily reached.
•Take advantage of Skype and phone calls to connect with others and participate
in scheduled meetings. Do not hold in-person meetings at home.
•Make sure that all City property that has been permitted by supervisors for use is
safe and secure and not available to others. This can include City equipment,
information, networks, applications, systems, printers, laptops, phones,
calculators, ink cartridges, and documents, e.g. Confidential information and
passwords should not be disclosed to any unauthorized person and all s ystems
should be logged out when not in use.
•Whether at home or in your usual workspace, clean and disinfect your space
regularly. For more tips, see Clean and Safe Workplace.
•Report to supervisors any illness that takes an employee away from work whether
for personal care or to care for a family member and report as sick leave.
•Employees should notify their supervisor if injured while working at home;
supervisors should notify Elizabeth Turbow in Human Resources as soon as
practically possible. The employee and supervisor must then follow normal
Workers’ Compensation procedures and complete all necessary documentation.
•Employees should contact their supervisor or Human Resources if they require an
accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or ergonomic
adaptation in order to prevent an injury.
•Employees should step away from the home office space for lunch and breaks as
usual. Take a breath, take a walk, and most of all take care of themselves.
ATTACHMENT B Item 3
Packet Page 81
3
Revised 4/9/20
COVID-19 Emergency Work from Home Policy
Upon Return to Normal Work Setting
Once an order to shelter at home is lifted, City staff should:
• Await further instructions from Department Heads prior to returning to their
previous workplace.
• Return all City property that was authorized for use only during the emergency.
Documents containing confidential materials should be properly stored, disposed
of or shredded at work and not discarded in a household receptacle.
• Be aware that failure to meet operational needs, behave in an unprofessional
manner, or violate this or other City policies could result in disciplinary action.
ATTACHMENT B Item 3
Packet Page 82