Clovis city leaders plan on looking at ways to simplify their coronavirus emergency orders as part of an agenda at the city council meeting tonight.
But that is just one of the items that will be discussed related to the pandemic.
The council also plans to assess the financial impacts of the pandemic. It also may approve sending two letters to Gov. Gavin Newsom urging him to reopen businesses and provide state funding to them due to lack of revenue.
There are two emergency orders that are up for repeal, both set in place March 21. The council intends to clarify the city’s enforcement responsibilities. These orders are forcing businesses such as gyms, bars, restaurants and places of amusement such as movie theaters to be closed.
Repealing the orders would not allow the businesses to reopen as the state’s stay at home order is still in place.
In the first letter that has been drafted, Mayor Drew Bessinger calls for a process that would allow businesses to reopen in phases in accordance to safety guidelines.
“We are requesting that you adopt a strategy similar to that of the White House Coronavirus Task Force plan allowing regions within the state to do the same,” the letter reads.
The city’s second letter requests state funding, including a percentage of the state’s $8.4 billion it received from the CARES Act. Clovis is not a large enough city to qualify for its own share of the funds.
Clovis’ city council meeting begins at 6 p.m.