Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
COVID-19 UPDATE (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
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 had 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 were self-monitoring. On 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
1. DISCUSS and PROVIDE Direction.
Body
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 use its Regular Meetings or conduct Special City Council Meetings to receive an update and discuss the current status of COVID-19 in the City of Carson.
As a result of the City Council declaring a local emergency, the Carson Disaster Council (CMC Section 3702) has held five (5) meetings to date: March 19, March 23, March 26, March 31 and April 2, 2020.
The members of the Carson Disaster Council are 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 either been directed not to report to work or to remain in a capacity based on roles and functions that best supports the City’s Emergency Plan.
On March 24, 2020, the City Council held an Adjourned Regular Meeting regarding COVID-19 Update. At this meeting a report was provided by the City Manager and staff that included reports on the current closure of all public buildings and facilities; the continuation of public safety, infrastructure maintenance, public services, and internal support; the creation of a senior task force; an update on electronic submittals for building and planning services; start-up of the Disaster Council; and Captain Skeen’s regular update report. Council made requests for an Ordinance or Resolution addressing price gouging and evictions, and requested that Staff send a letter to appropriate agencies offering city locations for drive by testing and temporary hospitals.
On March 31, 2020, the City Council held an Adjourned Regular Meeting regarding COVID-19 Update. At this meeting a report was provided by the City Manager and staff that included reports on the continuation of public safety, infrastructure maintenance and internal support; the continuation of the Senior Task Force and Captain Skeen’s regular update report. Council made requests for staff to provide a report on funding opportunities for small businesses, non-profits and churches.
On April 2, 2020, the Disaster Council met regarding the mandating of wearing facemasks and issued the order which the City Council was asked to ratify by resolution. A unanimous vote by the City Council was made (5-0) on April 7, 2020.
The City Council takes the current climate seriously and wants to ensure precautions are in place to protect the health and safety of its residents. In response to the City’s mandate, a campaign and slogan to wear facemasks through social media has been initiated #CoverCarson. Please note that in no way should this new practice be misconstrued to mean that safer at home measures aren’t still in effect.
This is a mandate that adds a new layer of protection to current safety protocols based upon updated reports that facemasks provide a crucial layer of protection to the healthy and may help reduce the possibility that infected individuals would unwittingly spread of the virus into the air.
As of the preparation of this report on April 16, 2020, Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported 135 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the City of Carson, with 10,854 cases within Los Angeles County (which includes cases reported by the Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments). One should assume that this underreports the actual spread of the virus since those who are do not display symptoms or are otherwise mildly impacted are not being tested.
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
None
Prepared by: David C. Roberts, Jr., Assistant City Manager