Malibu City Council meeting about COVID-19 emergency currently underway. Malibu Urgent Care's Dr. Katz confirms: "I haven’t even been able to get 10 [test] kits for the clinic; I’m still arm wrestling with Quest Diagnostic." Patients with mild symptoms asked to stay home.
City Manager Reva Feldman cleans the microphone between each public speaker (photo via malibucity.org) 
"I think if you have household help in Malibu, you need to ask them to stay home right now and if you can please keep paying them, I think that’s the right thing to do," says Mayor Pro Tem Mikke Pierson.
Council votes unanimously (5-0) to place City Manager Reva Feldman in charge of critical decision-making during the COVID-19 state of emergency, including her plan to mirror the City of LA's closures of non-essential businesses such as bars and gyms. More details to come.
Feldman requests temporary 5% pay increase for essential city workers during emergency: "We’ve had city staff working basically in emergency situations ... since Nov 2018 ... I’m asking people to go above and beyond to leave their families and risk their health at this time."
Pay increase most likely will be paid by FEMA funds.
Feldman also asks to place non-essential city staff on paid administrative leave—including staff involved in planning/rebuilding after Woolsey.
Feldman also asks to place non-essential city staff on paid administrative leave—including staff involved in planning/rebuilding after Woolsey.
[During meeting, LA County officials announce "the closure of all bars, fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only. The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county" according to @latimes]
Council votes unanimously: Staff assisting with Woolsey rebuild will continue working ("the priority, if we can have the bandwidth for it," Feldman states).
"We will pause all other regular city business for the time being." Permit fee extension will be considered.
"We will pause all other regular city business for the time being." Permit fee extension will be considered.
Council rolls directly into virtual press conference... council/staff appear to be standing around 12-18 inches apart, despite 6-foot spacing during meeting. Puzzling choice. (Via Youtube)
