DEL MAR–The Del Mar City Council approved initiatives this week to support local businesses and extend the cancellation of most advisory committee meetings through June 30.
Council members also agreed to authorize City Manager CJ Johnson to cancel special events at public facilities and process refunds through July 31.
To help restaurants and retailers affected by COVID-19, the council approved:
- Forwarding $25,000 of assumed transient occupancy tax revenue to Del Mar Village Association to promote economic development;
- Posting placards in downtown Del Mar reminding the public of social distancing protocols;
- Posting temporary signs to convert a number of two-hour parking spaces to 20-minute spaces to facilitate businesses running curbside pickup operations; and
- Preparing an urgency ordinance to streamline permitting to allow placement of A-frame commercial signage in the public right-of-way.
On the topic of cancellations, citing continued risks to public health and limited staff capacity, the council agreed that with the exception of the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Finance Committee, and Housing Element Task Force – which are holding meetings remotely — advisory board meetings should remain cancelled through at least June 30.
In the absence of clarity on when public gatherings will again be permitted, the City Council authorized cancellations and refunds for events scheduled at Del Mar’s parks, beaches, civic center and Powerhouse Community Center through July 31.
