Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER DISASTER COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The Disaster Council met on June 17, 2021, and discussed policies addressing various aspects of reopening the City in light of the recently lifted COVID-19 restrictions at the State and County level.
This item introduces the recommendation topics, as listed below, from the Disaster Council and asks the City Council for discussion and concurrence.
Events in the City of Carson
On June 14, 2021 the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health issued a “Reopening Safer at Work and in the Community Revised Order” attached (Exhibit 1). The order rescinds most Los Angeles County Department of Public Health sector-specific protocols and aligns with the State’s “Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors” and the accompanying memoranda and orders of the State Public Health Officer. In addition, the order encourages the public to exercise caution and good judgement as a physician distancing requirements and capacity limitations are removed.
The order also outlines new protocols for the operation of indoor and outdoor mega events (+5,000 attendees) as follows:
Indoor mega events
Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result will be required of all attendees. If you do not meet these requirements, you will not be admitted to the event or venue.
Outdoor mega events
Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result will be strongly recommended for all attendees per state guidance, but not required.
For outdoor events with anticipated attendance under 5,000 people: face masks are not required, vaccination and/or negative test results are not required, and social distancing is not mandated.
For indoor events with anticipated attendance under 5,000 people: face masks requirements are at the discretion of the facility operator, vaccination and/or negative test results are not required, and social distancing is not mandated.
These changes present a unique opportunity for staff to reconvene programming at various City facilities. Notably, the Carson Events Center is now able to commence indoor private bookings without any capacity limits, no vaccination/testing verification requirements, no social distancing, modified food service, but with masks still required. As discussed with the Disaster Council, food service is allowed although catering by buffet must be staffed and not self-served, with attendees permitted to remove masks only when seated to eat and drink.
The order also retired most of the previously issued health protocols including but not limited to Live Events (outdoor/indoor), Playgrounds, Private Events, Swimming, Social Distancing, Youth and Adult Sports Leagues, and Gym and Fitness Establishments.
In response to these revisions, the Disaster Council and staff have reviewed the lineup of events traditionally offered in the City (pre-pandemic) and has made recommendations on how to facilitate these events in the coming year, pending additional loosening of protocols by the State and County health offices. Attached is an abridged list of events (Exhibit 2) that includes city-wide special events as well as park and program specific events with recommendations on how to deliver them in the coming year. Staff has made recommendations to proceed with the events as in-person or virtual, or to postpone events that are quickly approaching in the summer or early fall, due to limited time available for planning and preparation.
City of Carson COVID-19 Policies
The Disaster Council discussed recommending the continued mandatory regular testing of staff; for Human Resources to confirm who is vaccinated and who is not; Summer Youth Workers to take Covid-19 Test, (parental consent forms on file for minors) contingent upon employment; and to discontinue telecommuting related to COVID-19.
Commissions, Committees, and Boards (“the CCBs”)
The CCBs currently authorized to meet including Planning; Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts; Economic Development; Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board; and Women’s Issues. The Disaster Council discussed recommending that the remaining CCBs will be reactivated on a rolling as-needed basis starting in September with meetings conducted digitally or in-person based on preference of CCB members; CCBs once activated should make monthly presentations to the City Council; activate the Youth Commission beginning in September 2021; staff shall provide orientation to CCB’s regular and alternate members, along with support staff; and staff should provide CCB member name cards.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
DISCUSS and APPROVE the recommendations of the Disaster Council.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action deemed appropriate by the City Council and consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Disaster Council periodically meets to develop recommendations to provide City Council for concurrence and approval. This item transmits information related to events, City COVID policies, and CCB’s.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of this item depends on the particular recommendations adopted by City Council and is not available at the time of this writing however; digital events are typically less expensive than in-person events.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. 6/15/2021 - LA County DPH, Health Order (pg. 4-15)
2. City of Carson List of Events (abridged) (pg. 16)
Prepared by: John Carroll, Chief Deputy City Clerk and Robert Lennox, Director of Community Services