Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 02, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER DIRECTION TO STAFF TO PREPARE A REOPENING PLAN TO SUBMIT TO THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR CONSIDERATION TO ALLOW THE CITY TO REOPEN FASTER THAN THE COUNTY (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
Governor Newsom's phased plan for reopening allows for counties to apply for a variance to reopen at an accelerated rate. A number of cities in Los Angeles County are seeking permission from the County to reopen at a rate faster than the County's by submitting detailed reopening plans. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council relating to the preparation of an accelerated reopening plan for the City of Carson.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. DISCUSS the preparation of a reopening plan to submit to the County of Los Angeles that would provide for an accelerated schedule.
2. AUTHORIZE the Disaster Council to prepare a plan for reopening and submit the plan to the County of Los Angeles Health Department and Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Emergency Services Act, Gov't Code ? 8550 et seq. confers broad powers on the governor of California to enact such orders as may be necessary, in situation of great peril, to protect life and property.
Issues of public health are of statewide importance, and a State's declaration of emergency, and its concomitant power to enact executive orders to protect the public health during a pandemic, is afforded great deference by the courts, even where constitutional rights are being affected. It is therefore unlikely then, that even a charter city can adopt guidelines that are in conflict with the State's orders.
The Governor has issued guidelines for a phased plan to reopen the State, which includes the option for Counties to submit a plan to reopen at an accelerated rate. The counties that wish to do so must meet cert...
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