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Dear Second District Resident,
The Riverside County Second District Supervisor’s office continues to work both remotely and with modified office hours to answer constituent questions and provide assistance regarding county-related matters such as property taxes, COVID-19 restrictions and mandates and more. The date for reopening County offices has not yet been determined however, District 2 Staff are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to assist you. You can reach our office by calling (951) 955-1020 or by emailing District2@rivco.org and someone will assist you promptly.
As a reminder, on May 12, 2020, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved the County of Riverside Readiness and Reopening Framework by a unanimous vote (5-0) to approve and submit to the Governor’s office seeking approval for a County variance so that we can reopen the County as soon as possible. The County’s framework provided a path to reopen our economy with the proper health and safety measures in place. The county has sent a letter and attestation to state officials requesting the county be allowed to take the next step in that direction. Read the entire letter here. The County has not yet received approval of our variance, but we remain optimistic. We will certainly share a status update as soon as we hear back from the Governor’s office.
Our office has received many inquiries about the state’s “Resilience Roadmap” and reopening the County. Riverside County is currently in early Stage 2 of the state’s 4-staged “Resilience Roadmap” plan. This means that certain retail establishments — such as bookstores, jewelry stores, toy stores, clothing and shoe stores, home and furnishing stores, sporting goods stores, antique stores, music stores and florists — can open for curbside pickup (with modifications). Riverside County has not yet been authorized by the state to move into the later part of Stage 2. Once the County’s variance is approved, we will be able to move more quickly through Stage 2 which would then allow for the reopening of dine-in restaurants and shopping centers (with modifications).
Dine-in restaurants or shopping centers can begin preparing to move through Stage 2 by using the state’s guidelines and checklists to help create a safer environment for everyone. For more details, please visit the state guidelines for a County Variance page. Click on the following links to view the dine-in checklist or the shopping center checklist.
Please note that there are no specific dates for when Riverside County will move into later stages. Therefore, our office cannot give specific dates for the reopening of your business or moving forward with your event. If you own a business and would like to see state recommendations for reopening your business safely, click here.
As of May 21, 2020, at roughly 3:00 p.m. in Riverside County there were:
- 6,343 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
- 4,016 confirmed recoveries
- 284 confirmed deaths
- 93,101 residents have been tested
We encourage everyone to get tested, even those residents that are asymptomatic. Governor Newsom has indicated that having a higher percentage of our population tested for COVID-19 tested, we help us move faster into the next stages of opening Riverside County. So far, more than 93,000 Riverside County residents have been tested at the county’s four sites, along with screenings at clinics, hospitals, private labs and other locations. There are also eight state-run, walk-in testing sites located throughout Riverside County. To view all Riverside County and State COVID-19 testing sites throughout the County, please view the flyer here or view the flyer below.
 Testing at county-run sites is open to anyone. There are no out-of-pocket costs. Participants will be asked to provide information about health insurance but will not be charged any share of costs or copay. Anyone may be tested even without insurance information. Two new testing locations have opened their doors in Moreno Valley and Cathedral City. To make an appointment at a county-operated site, call 800-945-6171. To make an online appointment at the state-run testing site, click https://lhi.care/covidtesting or those without internet access can call 888-634-1123. For additional COVID-19 news and resources, please visit our comprehensive District 2 resource page here.
We encourage you to stay connect by joining us on Facebook @SupervisorKarenSpiegel or Twitter @SupKarenSpiegel and Instagram @SupervisorKarenSpiegel
Lastly, as we maneuver through these difficult and uncertain times, let's not forget how far we have come as a country. And I want to wish everyone, especially the brave men and women who have fought to keep us safe this Memorial Day weekend.
Sincerely,
Karen Spiegel
Second District Supervisor
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RECAP - GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-58-20 - MARRIAGE LICENSES VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING
On April 30, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order allows adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing rather than in person amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the executive order, adults will be able to obtain a marriage license, at the discretion of their local county clerk, through videoconferencing, as long as both adults are located within the State of California, are present, and can present identification during the video conference. The license can then be issued via email.
Additionally, adults who wish to be married can conduct a ceremony to solemnize the marriage via videoconference, as long as both parties are present, and have at least one witness who can join the live video conference.
The provisions will be in place for 60 days for those who wish to be married during that time. A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found here.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-61-20 - PROPERTY TAXES PENALTY WAIVERS
On May 6, 2020 Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-61-20 that waives penalties for property taxes paid after April 10, 2020 for taxpayers who demonstrate they have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic through May 6, 2021. This will apply to residential properties and small businesses. Additionally, the executive order will extend the deadline for certain businesses to file Business Personal Property Statements to May 31, 2020 to avoid penalties.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at (951) 955-3900, email: rcttc@rivco.org or https://www.countytreasurer.org/
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-62-20 - WORKER'S COMPENSATION
On May 6, 2020 Governor Newsom announced that workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation. The Governor signed an Executive Order N-62-20 that creates a time-limited rebuttable presumption for accessing workers’ compensation benefits applicable to Californians who must work outside of their homes during the stay at home order. Those eligible will have the rebuttable presumption if they tested positive for COVID-19 or were diagnosed with COVID-19 and confirmed by a positive test within 14 days of performing a labor or service at a place of work after the stay at home order was issued on March 19, 2020. The presumption will stay in place for 60 days after issuance of the executive order. Click here for more information.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-63-20 - DEADLINES EXTENDED FOR CERTIFICATIONS, WORKER’S COMP FILING AND REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS
This executive order, signed on May 7, 2020, extends deadlines for certification requirements for public school project inspectors who previously passed an initial evaluation, as well as Certified Access Specialists who ensure compliance with disability access in properties and businesses. The order also gives the State Fire Marshal 60 days to publish lists of building materials requirements and registration renewals for flame-retardant fabrics and applications.
Additionally, the order extends for 60 days the expiration dates for notaries public whose commissions are set to expire. The order also makes it clear that notaries public can use an expired Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license or identification card to confirm identification, consistent with prior action that extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Also, the order enhances public safety by allowing retired peace officers to temporarily be reemployed for up to a year if they left the agency in good standing. It also authorizes remote reporting under the Sex Offender Registration Act consistent with state public health guidance. This will help facilitate reporting that otherwise may not be occurring or not occurring in a manner that protects law enforcement personnel and registrants.
Finally, the order extends by 60 days certain procedural deadlines of the Department of Industrial Relations, including the deadline for workers to file wage claims with the Labor Commissioner; the deadline for employers to appeal Cal/OSHA citations; and the deadline for Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judges to issue decisions. A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found here.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-64-20- VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS FOR NOVEMBER 3RD GENERAL ELECTION
On May 8, 2020 Governor Newsom signed an executive order to ensure that Californians can exercise their right to vote in a safe and accessible manner during the General Election this November. The order requires that each county’s elections officials send vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election to all registered voters. Californians who may need access to in-person voting opportunities – including individuals with disabilities, individuals who speak languages other than English, individuals experiencing homelessness, and others – will still be able to access in-person voting opportunities. For more information, click here.
RIVERSIDE SUPERIOR COURT EXTENDS CLOSURE DATE
Release Date: May 14, 2020
Amid continued concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to comply with federal, state and local guidelines, the court will be extending its temporary closures through Friday, May 29, 2020. The court will continue to handle emergency matters affecting public health and safety as outlined on the court’s COVID-19 Court Operations website.
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HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE 2020 CENSUS?
If not, it’s not too late! The 2020 Census is your opportunity to help secure crucial federal funding for our community. COVID-19 has shown us the importance of adequately funded public health and education systems, among others, so make sure you do your part to ensure that California is properly supported.
While you still have the option of filling out the nine-question survey online at my2020census.gov using a code provided to you through the mail, or to be counted over the phone in your preferred language, paper forms for the Census are also being mailed to those who have not yet participated. Be on the lookout so you can do your part today! https://my2020census.gov/
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INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) - ECONOMIC IMPACT STIMULUS PAYMENT INFORMATION
The IRS has started sending Economic Impact Stimulus Payments to taxpayers. They ask that citizens do not call. Most people won't need to take any action but you can check the status of your stimulus payment on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
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CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES - DMV
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is waiving late fees and penalties for vehicle registrations, and extending expiring ID cards, temporary operating permits, & motor carrier permits. For the latest information on how the DMV is providing relief during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/newsrel/2020/2020_17
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON RATE REDUCTION DURING COVID-19
Beginning June 1, Southern California Edison will launch a targeted rate reduction that can help residential customers whose households are using a large amount of energy during the COVID-19 emergency.
The High Usage Charge is being reduced through at least Oct. 31. Customers who incur this charge will see it decrease by 30%, and their total bill decreased by an average of 13%, or about $100 on an average High Usage Charge summer bill. The actual total bill reduction for each High Usage Charge customer will vary based on their household monthly usage.
The reduction can help households that are increasing their energy use because more members are at home due to COVID-19-related safety precautions or other impacts. Read on: https://energized.edison.com/stories/bill-help-for-customers-using-more-energy-at-home-during-covid-19#.Xr2AjGCxCzc.link
For more information on SCE’s COVID-19 response and customer programs, visit: sce.com/covid19- Opens in new window.
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