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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.05.04 Agenda Report 3.4Agenda #: 3.4 Meeting Date: May 4, 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. 2021-14 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 3.4 Packet Pg. 49 in Diamond Bar), with one death in the County. As of April 27, 2021, there were 1,232,079 confirmed cases and 23,801 deaths in Los Angeles County (including 3,221 cases and 81 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 Economy. Conditions continue to improve and as for April 27, 2021, Los Angeles County became eligible to move to the Yellow Tier (Minimal) under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The Governor recently announced that the California Economy would fully reopen June 15 under the following criteria: 1. If Vaccine Supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and 2. If hospitalization rates are stable and low. While case counts and testing positivity rate are lower, the variety of COVID variants requires that social distancing and mask wearing continue to be a high priority. The State of California’s vaccination portal https://myturn.ca.gov/ includes updated information on eligibility tiers and vaccination locations. Starting in May, vaccinations will be expanded to every individual 16 years and older. 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 March 2, 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 lo west 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 through out the City. Should the Governor move forward with fully reopening the economy in June, staff will bring an item to Council for consideration discontinuing the local emergency at that time. ANALYSIS: The City has taken extraordinary actions and precautions to help protect residents, businesses and our workforce from community spread of COVID-19. The City has transitioned to online service delivery and recreation programming to better serve the public, and recently began a limited reopening by appoint ment only for certain in-person services. 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 began limited reopening by appointment only starting April 12 for in- person building, planning, public works/engineering, as well as transit passes, Diamond Ride identifications, and environmental services. Appointments are 3.4 Packet Pg. 50 available Monday through Thursday from 8am to 12pm. Prior to entering the City Hall lobby, residents and patrons must go through a temperature screening process. Appointments may be scheduled online through the City website. • Diamond Bar Center staff is preparing for a limited reopening by appointment only starting May 1 for tours and Recreation registration. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8am to 12pm, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30pm, and Saturday’s from 8am to 12:30pm. Heritage Park will remain closed. • City playgrounds, skate park, ball fields, tennis/pickleball courts, Basketball/volleyball courts, picnic shelters, trails, and dog park are open under required guidelines issued by Los Angeles County Public Health. • 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. • City Staff is preparing to return to in-person Council/Commission meetings with appropriate safety protocols and limited public attendance based on room capacity and spacing requirements. • 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. • 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, with plans underway for Summer and Fall pending State and County reopening plans. • Field allocations for youth sports organizations are following City policies and in accordance with LA County Public Health. 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: 3.4 Packet Pg. 51 City Attorney has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form. PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY: Attachments: 1. 3.4.a Resolution No. 2021-14, Declaration of Emergency Extension 3.4 Packet Pg. 52 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-14 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 3.4.a Packet Pg. 53 Resolution No. 2021-14 2 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 3.4.a Packet Pg. 54 Resolution No. 2021-14 3 WHEREAS, the Diamond Bar City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-06 on March 2, 2021, extending the local emergency due to the continued existence of a local emergency; and WHEREAS, the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy has Los Angeles County in the moderate category as Orange Tier, indicating that COVID is moderate in the county; and WHEREAS, Los Angeles County Public Health issued a series of Revised Temporary Order’s over the past several months, including the most recent on April 14, 2021. The April 14th Revised Temporary Order added new reopening protocols for indoor seated live entertainment, private events including meetings and conferences, guidance for informal social gatherings, and added Fairs to the protocol for Amusement and Theme Parks; and WHEREAS, the California Governor has indicated that pending further reductions in case counts and hospitalizations, it may be possible for the State to fully reopen starting June 15, 2021. If, at that time the Governor issues such directive, an additional Resolution will be brought before the Council for consideration regarding discontinuing the emergency declaration pending those criteria be met; 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 3.4.a Packet Pg. 55 Resolution No. 2021-14 4 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, 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 4th day of May, 2021. ___________________________ Nancy Lyons, Mayor 3.4.a Packet Pg. 56 Resolution No. 2021-14 5 ATTEST: I, Kristina Santana, City Clerk for the City of Diamond Bar, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 2021-14, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar at a regular meeting held on the 4th day of May, 2021, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ___________________________ Kristina Santana, City Clerk 3.4.a Packet Pg. 57