Today, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced sweeping legislation to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and provide relief to families and businesses impacted by the pandemic. The package will include a prohibition on street vending, financial assistance to families and businesses in the 7th Council District, economic relief for restaurants, and hand sanitizing stations at bus shelters. Introduced today, her motions are among many other pieces of legislation she has introduced to provide financial relief and address public safety concerns.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2020
Press Contact: Tran Le, tran.le@lacity.org
213-257-0475
COUNCILWOMAN MONICA RODRIGUEZ INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE MEASURES TO HELP FAMILIES & BUSINESSES AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Her legislative package includes a prohibition on street vending, emergency financial assistance for families & businesses, economic relief for restaurants, and the expansion of hand sanitizing stations at bus shelters
Los Angeles, CA — Today, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced sweeping legislation to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and provide relief to families and businesses impacted by the pandemic. The package will include a prohibition on street vending, financial assistance to families and businesses in the 7th Council District, economic relief for restaurants, and hand sanitizing stations at bus shelters. Introduced today, her motions are among many other pieces of legislation she has introduced to provide financial relief and address public safety concerns.
“COVID-19 is unlike any crisis our City has ever experienced and we must do everything we can to ensure the public’s health and safety.” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, Chair of the City’s Public Safety Committee. “Relief to individuals and families impacted by this global pandemic is our goal post the immediate priority of doing everything possible to mitigate any further exposure and spread of coronavirus.”
The motions introduced today calls on the City to implement the following measures:
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Prohibition on Street Vending: The motion directs City agencies to impose a temporary prohibition on street vending in the public right of way, directing LAPD to enforce the health code to reduce the risk of exposure and mitigate the spread of the virus during the Emergency Declaration.
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Emergency Financial Assistance to Families in the 7th Council District: The motion calls for the creation of a financial assistance program through December 31, 2020 for residents and businesses of the 7th Council District who are experiencing economic hardship due to impacts of COVID-19. The funds can be used to offset rental arrears, pay bills, food security, and other expenses as deemed appropriate.
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Economic Relief Program for Restaurants: The motion instructs the Chief Legislative Analyst and Chief Administrative Officer to report back on all economic relief programs made available to the restaurant industry at the Federal, State, and County levels and provide recommendations to fund a City program that can fill in the gaps.
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Hand Sanitizing Stations at Bus Shelters: The motion directs the City to install 300 hand sanitizing dispensers at City bus shelters with the highest ridership. This motion expands on the Councilwoman’s recent work which installed 250 hand wash stations at homeless encampments across Los Angeles to protect unhoused individuals.
In the motions, Councilwoman Rodriguez cites the stress and economic impacts many families and businesses face due to the sudden loss of income related to COVID-19. The Los Angeles City Council Districts Economic Report (2018), prepared by the Chamber of Commerce, estimates that the average annual wage for the constituents of 7th Council District is $46,500, which is $17,800 less than the City’s average. Further, nearly 50 percent of residents work in the sales and service industries, trades currently impacted by COVID-19. She continues to work closely with City, County, and State partners to keep families informed and prepared.
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Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez serves as the City’s Chair of Public Safety and represents the 7th Council District in the Northeast San Fernando Valley which include the neighborhoods of Sylmar, Mission Hills, Pacoima, Lake View Terrace, Sunland, Tujunga, North Hills, Shadow Hills, and La Tuna Canyon.