GARDEN GROVE CITY HALL (City of Garden Grove image).
The unprecedented continues to happen. When the Garden Grove City Council met Tuesday night, it was by teleconference instead of in-person in the council chambers.
While there have been instances when one council member “joined” the meeting from a remote location by telephone, this is the first time the whole council used that process.
It was a light agenda, with the most prominent item being a resolution ratifying an earlier proclamation from the city manager/director of emergency services declaring the existence of a local emergency due to the spread of the COVID-19.
The resolution was approved on a 7-0 vote but not without some discussion.
“I think we need to prepare for the worst,” said Councilman Phat Bui, who spoke in favor of relief for renters, mortgage-holders and others placed in a financial distress because of the effects of the virus. He also suggested that payments for property taxes be deferred.
The resolution included an item referring to a temporary moratorium – through May 31 – on residential and commercial evictions and foreclosures because of the impact of “stay-at-home” rules.
Councilman George Brietigam criticized that part on the grounds that Garden Grove had no jurisdiction or role in the eviction process, calling it “meaningless.”
Also approved – on a 7-0 vote – was the introduction of an ordinance for an expedited review of electric vehicle charging systems.
The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Center.