Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) PANDEMIC (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The novel coronavirus currently designated COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China in December 2019. Since then, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern. On January 31, 2020, The United States Health and Human Services Secretary declared this global outbreak a public health emergency for the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on February 25, 2020 that community spread of COVID-19 was likely to occur in the United States.
The State of California proclaimed a State of Emergency on March 4, 2020, and Los Angeles County declared a Local Health Emergency as well that same day. On March 12, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20, declaring that state and local public health officials may, as they deem necessary in the interest of public health, issue guidance limiting or recommending limitations upon attendance at public assemblies, conferences, or other mass events, which could cause the cancellation of such gatherings through no fault or responsibility of the parties involved, thereby constituting a force majeure. On March 13, 2020, President Trump Declared a National State of Emergency.
On March 15, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported that, to date, California has almost 500 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 of which have resulted in death. CDPH also reported that approximately 11,100 Californians who returned to the United States after travel are self-monitoring. March 16, 2020, the World Health Organization reported that, to date, there were more than 180,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, over 7,000 of which resulted in death, across 148 countries.
Due to the rapid spread of the disease and the lack of knowledge regarding its transmission rate, modes of transmission, and lack of a vaccine, the City declared a local state of emergency on March 17, 2020. Under Government Code Section 8630, the City Council can proclaim the existence of a local emergency.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. DISCUSS and PROVIDE direction
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III. ALTERNATIVES
None
IV. BACKGROUND
On March 17, 2020, the City of Carson City Council unanimously voted (5-0) to declare a local emergency in response to COVID-19. The declaration of a local emergency enables the City to be more efficient and effective in its response to the outbreak, puts in place a framework that supports the continuity of essential public safety services, seeks and utilizes mutual aid, and ensures the City has all available tools at its disposal to keep the community safe. The declaration will also allow the City to seek reimbursement of funds from the State and Federal governments. The City Council also determined that each Tuesday until April 21st, or further notice, it will conduct a Special City Council Meeting to receive an update and discuss the current status of COVID-19 in the City of Carson.
On March 19, 2020, as a result of the City Council declaring a local emergency, the Carson Disaster Council (CMC Section 3702) held its first meeting staffed as follows:
Mayor, Albert Robles - Chairman;
City Manager, Sharon Landers - Director of Emergency Preparedness & Vice Chairman;
Assistant City Manager, John Raymond - Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness; and
LA Sheriff’s Captain, Jason Skeen - Disaster Council Representative.
City employees have been directed to either not report to work or will remain in a capacity based on roles and functions to best support the City’s Emergency Plan.
As of the preparation of this report, Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported at least 1 confirmed case of COVID-19 within the City of Carson, with 231 cases within Los Angeles County (Including cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments)
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The primary costs that would be incurred by the City are for administrative support staff in the coordination, surveillance, communication and management of the COVID-19 local emergency, as well as related services and supplies. Current City costs are being covered by existing department appropriations but will be tracked separately in the City’s Disaster Fund. Staff will pursue any available Federal and State reimbursement for all City costs incurred.
VI. EXHIBITS
N/A
Prepared by: David C. Roberts, Jr., Assistant City Manager