City declares emergency to obtain funds

Chris Mann, City Manager

In an almost empty city council chambers, the city ratified and put into law a declaration of local emergency that had been urgently put into place by City Manager Chris Mann last week.

The declaration paves the way for the City of Canyon Lake to become eligible to request resources including financial support and reimbursement from the state  office of emergency services and FEMA for costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Also, with the ratified declaration, among other benefits, the city has wider range and authority for enforcement under its police powers to issue orders intended to protect the health, safety and property of members of the community.

Jordan Ehrenkranz, Mayor

Mayor Ehrenkranz conducted the emergency meeting without his council members physically present. Instead, the four were connected remotely and voted unanimously to ratify the declaration.

During the meeting and via videos on the city website, members of the city council repeatedly urged city residents to adhere to the mandates California Governor Gavin Newsom instituted of all residents to stay home and when necessarily out in public to practice social distancing of at least six feet.

Only businesses engaged in essential services are to be open to the public, including markets, gas stations and to go restaurants. City Manager Mann said city code enforcement officers are visiting local businesses to educate and enforce this executive order.