HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.03.02 Agenda Report 3.5Agenda #: 3.5
Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: CONSIDERATION TO EXTEND A LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
STRATEGIC
GOAL:
Safe, Sustainable & Healthy Community
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 2021-06 extending the Declared Local Emergency regarding
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Potentially significant. The continuation of the declared local emergency is necessary to
ensure access to reimbursement for related costs in response to COVID-19. The City
has submitted a Request for Public Assistance with California Office of Emergency
Services (CalOES) to seek reimbursement for all eligible COVID-19 related expenses.
BACKGROUND:
The rapid global spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in
unprecedented actions by Federal, State, County and local agencies, as well as private
individuals and businesses, to help combat the community spread of the virus. On
March 4, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a State of
Emergency and the Los Angeles County Public Health Officials declared a Local Health
Emergency. Since that time, numerous actions have been, and continue to be taken, at
the Federal, State and County levels to implement far reaching measures that include
Stay at Home Orders, prohibit gatherings of any size, require closure of a wide range of
businesses, schools, colleges, public facilities, cancellation of large community and
sporting events, and other limitations all aimed at slowing the community spread of the
virus. Conditions continue to change on a daily basis.
At the time the City Council declared a local emergency on March 19, 2020, LA County
Public Health Officials reported (as of March 18, 2020) 190 confirmed cases (including 2
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in Diamond Bar), with one death in the County. As of February 24, 2021, there were
1,185,457 confirmed cases and 20,987 deaths in Los Angeles County (including 3,077
cases and 63 deaths in Diamond Bar). Updated numbers will be provided for the
Resolution at the meeting.
On January 25, 2021, Governor Newsom canceled the Regional Stay Home Order that
tied restrictions to available ICU capacity state-wide. All Counties have gone back to
the Tier System under the Blue Print for Safer Econo my. While conditions are
improving, Los Angeles County remains in Tier 1 (widespread) under the State’s
Blueprint for a Safer Economy which is the worst tier. Governor Newsom recently
launched “Vaccinate All 58”, California’s campaign for a safe, fair and equitable vaccine
for all 58 counties in the state now that vaccinations are being distributed nationwide .
Additionally, Los Angeles County Public Health issued an updated Public Health Order
on February 10, 2021 to clarify indoor services for Places o f Worship, which is now
limited to 25% of indoor capacity and must continue to comply with social physical
distancing requirements.
The Council is being asked to continue the Local State of Emergency (Attachment 1)
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which was last adopted by Council on January 5,
2021, as is required every 60 days during the existence of the local emergency. The
City Manager, as the Emergency Services Director for the City, also intends to
continue the activation of the Emergency Operations Center at the lowest level (Level
3) to be able to provide enhanced communications with LA County Emergency
Operations Center (already activated), and with LA County Sheriff and Fire personnel
to monitor and respond to essential service requests that may be needed throughout
the City.
ANALYSIS:
The City has taken extraordinary actions and precautions to help protect residents,
businesses and our workforce from community spread of COVID-19. While significant
closures are in effect, the City has transitioned to online service delivery and recreation
programming to better serve the public. The current status of city services is noted
below and may change based on the latest guidance and orders from State and County
Public Health Officials.
City Operations:
• City Hall, Diamond Bar Center and Heritage Park Facilities remain closed to the
public. City services are available electronically, including website, email, and by
telephone.
• City playgrounds, skate park, ball fields, tennis/pickleball courts, trails, and dog
park are open under required guidelines issued by Los Angeles County Public
Health. Basketball/volleyball courts and picnic shelters remain closed.
• City Staff continue to work remotely, with plans underway for future modifications
in accordance with City policies and required guidelines issued by Los Angeles
County Public Health.
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• Street sweeping activities continue, with the resumption of parking enforcement
in January 2021.
Recreation & Special Events Update:
• Virtual recreation programs are being expanded, with in-person and virtual
recreation programming available for residents – with information on the City
website. Recreation staff continues to sell Rec-to-go bags for community youth.
• The Diamond Bar Center held a virtual Showcase on February 17, with plans to
conduct virtual tours for upcoming reservation through 2021.
• Recreation staff and Council conducted a senior bag giveaway, and will evaluate
future opportunities should resources become available.
• Community in-person special events remain cancelled or postponed.
• Field allocations for youth sports organizations are following City policies and in
accordance with LA County Public Health.
Starting early 2021, vaccinations of Phase 1A healthcare workers and long -term care
residents and portions of Phase 1B for individuals 65 and older commenced. Eligibility
to receive vaccinations in the remaining Sectors in Tier 1B, which include Education and
Childcare, Emergency Services, and Food and Agriculture, is anticipated to begin i n
March 1, 2021. Individuals falling into the priority groups can register for their
vaccinations at the State of California vaccination portal https://myturn.ca.gov/. Mega
PODS for vaccinations have been expanded to include the nearby locations at the
Pomona Fairplex and Cal Poly Pomona. Based on current information, the target
vaccination availability for the general public is summer 2021.
The City continues to encourage residents and businesses to adhere to the most recent
guidance and health orders issued by our Federal, State, County and local agencies to
help prevent and slow community spread of COVID-19. The City is also undertaking
planning efforts for the eventual lifting or relaxing of the Stay at Home Order at the State
and County levels, and will implement operational procedures to be compliant with
Public Health Orders.
LEGAL REVIEW:
City Attorney has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
PREPARED BY:
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REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 3.5.a Resolution No. 2021-06, Declaration of Emergency Extension
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RESOLUTION NO. 2021-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND
BAR, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL
EMERGENCY REGARDING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
WHEREAS, the Emergency Services Act (Government Code sections 8550 et
seq.), and in particular California Government Code sections 8630, et seq. thereof, and
Chapter 8.00 of Title 8 of the Diamond Bar Municipal Code, provide that the City Council
may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the City of Diamond Bar is affected
or likely to be affected by public calamity; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been requested by the City Manager as the
Director of Emergency Services to proclaim the existence of a local emergency in the City
of Diamond Bar; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has spread globally to over 192 countries, infecting more
than ___________ persons and killing nearly _________ individuals worldwide. As of
March 1, 2021 there were nearly ____________ cases in the United States with more
than __________ deaths, including _________ cases and _______ deaths in Los
Angeles County (________ cases and ____deaths in Diamond Bar) related to COVID-
19. Due to the expanding list of countries with widespread transmission of COVID-19,
increasing travel alerts and warnings for countries experiencing sustained or uncontrolled
community transmission issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(“CDC”), the escalation of United States domestic cases of and deaths from COVID-19,
and the identification of COVID-19 cases in California, including Los Angeles County,
COVID-19 has created conditions that are likely to be beyond the control of local
resources and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2020, the CDC confirmed the first possible case of
community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States. On March 4, 2020, the Health
Officer of Los Angeles County determined that there is an imminent and proximate threat
to the public health from the introduction of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and
declared a Local Health Emergency and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
concurrently proclaimed the existence of a local emergency for the County of Los
Angeles; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom of the State of California
declared a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 19);
and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly
characterized COVID-19 as a global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020 Governor Newsom of the State of California issued
Executive Order N-25-20 in a further effort to confront and contain COVID-19 that among
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other things, required residents of California to follow orders and guidance of local public
health officials, including following social distancing requirements and suspended certain
provision of the Ralph M. Brown Act providing local agencies with greater flexibility to hold
meetings via teleconferencing; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a
National Emergency due to the continue spread and the effects of COVID -19; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-
20 mandating that residents stay at home while carving out exceptions for workers in
specified federal critical infrastructure sectors; and
WHEREAS, the State of California and numerous other public and private
organizations have announced the cancellation or postponement of all events where
social distancing cannot be reasonably achieved; and
WHEREAS, the City's ability to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency
response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid, and seek future
reimbursement by the State and Federal governments will be critical to successfully
responding to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution 2020-04 on March
19, 2020, proclamation the existence of a local emergency in response to the COVID -19
public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution 2020-12 on May 5,
2020, extending the local emergency due to the continued existen ce of a local
emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-22 on
July 7, 2020, extending the local emergency due to the continued existence of a local
emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-38 on
September 1, 2020, extending the local emergency due to the continued existence of a
local emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-41 on
November 3, 2020, extending the local emergency due to the continued existence of a
local emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-01 on
January 5, 2021, extending the local emergency due to the continued existence of a local
emergency; and
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WHEREAS, the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy has Los
Angeles County in the highest category denoted as Purple or Tier 1, indicating that COVID
is widespread in the county — with more than seven cases per 100,000 residents or more
than 8% of tests results reported positive over seven days; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles County Public Health issued a Revised Temporary
Targeted Safer at Home Order on December 19, 2020 due to the sustained and
substantial rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. This Revised
Temporary Order has been revised to align and comply with the State’s December 3,
2020 Regional Stay At Home Order; with an updated Order issued February 10, 2021 to
allow for Places of Worship to allow indoor services with no more than 25% of capacity
and following social/physical distancing requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council must review the local emergency at
least once every 60 days to determine the need for continuing the local emergency until
its termination by the Diamond Bar City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that as authorized by
Government Code section 8630 and Diamond Bar Municipal Code section 8.00.050, the
City Council proclaims that as defined in Government Code section 8558 and Section
8.00.020 of the Diamond Bar Municipal Code, a “local emergency” continues to exist
throughout the City of Diamond Bar, which proclamation is based on the following findings
by the City Council:
1. That the above recitals are true and correct and based thereon, hereby finds
that the spread and potential further spread of COVID -19 constitutes a
situation that severely impairs the public health and safety, and constitutes
conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the
City of Diamond Bar;
2. That these conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services,
personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City of Diamond Bar; and
3. That the conditions of extreme peril warrant and necessitate the extension of
the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the
threatened existence and actual existence of the local emergency, the powers, functions
and duties of the Director of Emergency Services and the emergency organization of the
City shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances and resolutions of the City and
approved by the City Council.
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED to ensure that City vendors are
paid in a timely manner, the City Manager and the City Treasurer or their designees are
authorized and directed to approve the claims and demands, make payments thereon,
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and finally to bring those claims and demands to the City Council at future meetings for
ratification of the payments made.
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that the City Council will utilize,
to the extent reasonably feasible and appropriate, the ability to conduct its council
meetings via teleconferencing and other electronic means to permit council members and
members of the public to implement recommended social distancing while still proceeding
with the efficient handling of the City’s business, in compliance with California Executive
Orders N-25-20 and N-33-20, and such other orders issued by the Governor of the State
of California and President of the United States.
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that a copy of this proclamation
be forwarded to the Director of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
requesting that the Director find it acceptable in accordance with State law that the
Governor of California, pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, issue a proclamation
declaring an emergency in the City of Diamond Bar; that the Governor waive regulations
that may hinder response and recovery efforts; that response and recovery assistance be
made available under the California Disaster Assistance Act and the Stafford Act; and
that the State expedite access to State and Federal resources and any other appropriate
federal disaster relief programs.
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that the proclamation of a local
emergency shall be reviewed at least once every 60 days until its termination is
proclaimed by the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar, State of California.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of March, 2021.
___________________________
Nancy Lyons, Mayor
ATTEST:
I, Kristina Santana, City Clerk for the City of Diamond Bar, hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 2021-06, was duly passed, approved and adopted by
the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar at a regular meeting held on the 2nd day of
March, 2021, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
___________________________
Kristina Santana, City Clerk
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