Vallejo News
April 7, 2020 | Issue 435
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In This Issue:
- VCAF and Three Tenors! The Next Generation
- City of Vallejo and Local Partners
- SolTrans and Local Partners Come Together for their Community
- A Helping Hand for Those at Risk
- Open for Business in Vallejo?
- Small Businesses Resources
- Resources to Help Self-Employed and Employees
VCAF and Three Tenors! The Next Generation
To help alleviate the isolation and loneliness of sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic, Vallejo Community Arts Foundation is pleased to share links to three highlights from Three Tenors! -The Next Generation from this past February.
Listen to Tenors Pene Pati, Christopher Oglesby and Alex Boyer with the Vallejo Festival Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Thomas Conlin.
https://share.getcloudapp.com/DOu8YNng
City of Vallejo and Local Partners
Savage and Cooke Distillery owner, Dave Phinney, has ceased whiskey production in order to contribute to the production for hand sanitizers. The goal for the distillery is to first distribute locally then to distribute elsewhere. The distillery was generous enough to donate some of their products to the City of Vallejo to distribute to Vallejo Police Department and Fire Department.
To view the interview with Dave Phinney, click here.
The City of Vallejo would also like to give thanks to another community partner, Gracious Life Foundation, for donating 250 surgical masks. Thank you!
SolTrans and Local Partners Come Together for their Community
Earlier this week Fairfield’s Heretic Brewing Company took their distilling expertise and created alcohol-based hand sanitizer to help with the huge demand for sanitizer. They not only sold the “Germ Juice” to the public but also were able to get 5 gallons to SolTrans for operators and staff. SolTrans then purchased individual bottles for each operator’s personal use.
“Our team is so grateful to Heretic Brewery for supplying this much needed hand sanitizer. Our drivers and other transit workers are on the front line and their safety and personal welfare is of upmost importance. We are asking everyone that can stay home please do but if you need transportation, we are here to take you to your destination safely.” Said Beth Kranda, SolTrans Executive Director.
Solano County Public Health also came to the rescue this week with medical face masks for the SolTrans staff. The SolTrans team is practicing social distancing and staying healthy to keep their essential community members moving. Please remember to only use public transit when necessary and adhere to the new travel policies:
- Stay six feet apart from the bus operators and fellow riders while boarding and riding the bus.
- Board at the rear doors on local buses. Those who need assistance from the ramp may board at the front doors, please signal the operator.
- Do not travel if you have a cough, fever or do not feel well.
- Drivers may enforce reduced capacity on the buses for the safety of other riders. Customers showing flu-like symptoms may be denied boarding, to safeguard the health of our operators and other riders.
A Helping Hand for Those at Risk
Solano Public Health has compiled a list of resources in Solano for those who are “at-risk” during the COVID-19 Emergency. Businesses encourage delivery and curbside pickups, but have adjusted their hours in order to assist those who are “at-risk”. This list is constantly updated with new resources available:
Groceries:
- Costco: For members 60 and older. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 am to 9 am.
- CVS: No special hours for seniors. Delivery fee is temporarily waived for pharmacy items. Sign up for free delivery at the website or call a pharmacy. Fairfield and Vallejo CVS have a drive-thru pharmacy.
- Dollar General: Seniors only. Every day for the first hour after opening. Fairfield and Vallejo.
- Food Maxx: Individuals 60 and older. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Safeway: Seniors only. Tuesdays and Thursdays from opening (6 am or 7 am depending on the store) to 9 am. Free delivery service available online.
- Smart & Final: Individuals 60 and older. Every day from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- Superstores and Neighborhood stores
- Target: Seniors only. Every Wednesday stores open 1-hour earlier (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.). Curbside pickup is available.
- Walmart: Individuals 60 and older. Opens 1 hour early every Tuesday (6 a.m. to 7 a.m.), delivery service available (800) 273-3455.
- 99 Cent Store: Special hours for seniors 65 and older, and vulnerable populations (+1 adult companion) on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7 a.m. to 8 a.m.)
This list is composed of food distribution, volunteer opportunities and many more resources. For the full list, click here.
Open for Business in Vallejo?
The City has compiled a list of businesses open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Submissions are live, in real time, and are shared out through City communication channels. If you would like to participate, submit your responses here: https://cityofvallejo.formstack.com/forms/vallejobusinesses.
Small Businesses Resources
The City has launched a survey to collect data from business; to participate in the survey click here. The Economic Development team will direct affected parties to the appropriate resources. Some resources are listed below:
The Federal Small Business Association (SBA) is working directly with the governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Additional information is also available here.
- The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
- The SBA's Disaster Assistance Loan provides small businesses with up to $2 million to help cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid due to the disaster's impact.
During the State of Emergency, California employers directly affected by the emergency or disaster may request an extension of up to 60 days to file their state payroll reports and to deposit state payroll taxes with the Employment Development Department (EDD), without incurring penalty or interest charges. State payroll taxes include Unemployment Insurance (UI), Employment Training Tax (ETT), State Disability Insurance* (SDI), and Personal Income Tax (PIT). Click here for more information.
Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs. The Work Sharing Program helps both employers and employees minimize or eliminate layoffs, keep trained employees, allows employees whose hours and wages have been reduced receive UI benefits, keep their current job, and avoid financial hardships.
Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) helps businesses create and retain jobs, and encourages investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) partners with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers. Programs that the SBFC have for small businesses are:
- Jump Start Loan Program
- Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
- Farm Loan Program
Resources to Help Self-Employed and Employees
Governor Newsom's Executive Order on March 12, 2020, waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19 to seek unemployment and disability benefits. Affected workers can visit the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency's website to review what benefits are available to them including other benefits related to sick leave, paid family leave and workers' compensation benefits as well. Additional information and resources can be found at Ca.Gov/Coronavirus2019.
Elective coverage for employers and self-employed individuals under the provisions of the California Unemployment Insurance Code (CUIC), employers may elect Unemployment Insurance (UI) and State Disability Insurance* (SDI) or only Disability Insurance (DI) coverage for themselves. Self-employed individuals, who are not employers, may only elect SDI coverage for themselves.
In this rapidly evolving situation, the City is committed to providing up-to-date information and online resources to support local businesses and workers as they become available.
For more information regarding these programs, or for additional business assistance and resources, please visit cityofvallejo.net/ncov or click here.
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