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RESOLUTION RATIFYING LOCAL EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION DUE TO THE COVID-19
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Stockton City Council 1) Adopt a Resolution ratifying the Proclamation released by the Chairperson of the Disaster Council declaring a local emergency; 2) authorizing the City Manager to execute contracts as needed to run operations and temporarily suspending the City Managers spending limit; 3) incorporating recommendations from the San Joaquin County Department of Public Health, California Department of Public Health and Executive Orders Published by Governor Gavin Newsom as released in real time; 4) disallowing local vendors to increase costs of essential grocery and hygiene items during this period of local emergency; 5) and giving direction to the City Manager and City Attorney to implement said actions.
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Summary
The City has an emergency organization function that is activated in the event of emergency to coordinate functions of the City with all other public agencies, organizations and those people affected by the disaster. Title 2, Chapter 2.82 of the Stockton Municipal Code empowers the Chairperson of the Disaster Council to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the City is affected by a public calamity and the City Council is not in session. The Director’s declaration is subject to City Council ratification within seven days.
An emergency exists when conditions are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this City. The declaration is an acknowledgement of the need for the combined forces of other political subdivisions.
DISCUSSION
Background
At this time of local emergency, the future of public meetings is unpredictable. In efforts to ensure that there is no lapse in services, the City is seeking authorization by council to suspend the restrictions relating to the City Manager’s spending limit in the Municipal Code section 3.68.040 which caps at $75,000 and to be authorized to execute contracts with the understanding that these expenditures and agreements will be reported to Council as soon as administratively possible for ratification.
Additionally, in this state of emergency, the City Manager is requesting authorization to incorporate recommendations and protocols that are suggested by the San Joaquin County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health, recommendations prescribed by the Offices of Governor Newsom, President Trump, Unites States Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and World Health Organization (WHO) and work towards incorporating those recommendations as allowable by local resources in real time.
The City is also exploring options to cite local merchants for participating in practices that increase the costs of essential grocery and basic hygiene materials during throughout the duration of our city’s local emergency status.
The City Manager is seeking the authority take actions as necessary in response to COVID-19.
Present Situation
A severe acute respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has spread globally and rapidly, resulting in severe illness and death around the world. The World Health Organization has described COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in response to the increased spread of COVID-19. The President of the United States has declared a federal emergency as a result of the spread of the COVID-19. In response, the City of Stockton initiated its Disaster Council as prescribed in Stockton Municipal Code Section 2.82.
On March 6, 2020 the City activated its Emergency Operations Center at level 3, which is the lowest level. This was an action taken to monitor the COVID-19 situation and inform the Disaster Council on progress.
On March 12, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered cancellation of gatherings over 250 statewide and further called for canceling or postponing even smaller gatherings where those attending cannot keep six feet apart from each other, and limiting groups of older or unhealthier people more vulnerable to the disease to no more than 10.
On March 16, 2020, The San Joaquin County Department of Public Health Services released a statement confirming the total of residents to test positive for COVID-19 had increased to nine (9).
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Stockton City Hall closed to the public and assistance is only being provided by telephone and electronic means. The City has cancelled or postponed all non-essential City-hosted and sponsored programs and events until March 30, 2020 to help prevent further spread of COVID -19 and protect its vulnerable populations, such as seniors and people with compromised immune systems, from infection.
Due to the increase of reported cases associated with COVID-19, there is an imminent and proximate threat of increased introduction of COVID-19 in the City that threatens the safety and health of City residents and warrants a declaration of local emergency.
On March 12, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. the City Manager issued a Proclamation of a Local Emergency in response to COVID-19.
Before the City Council today is a resolution ratifying the proclamation of local emergency. If adopted, the City Council will review, and as needed renew, this action at least every 30 days. The declaration will enable City staff to take actions to respond to the conditions created by COVID-19 and will assist residents and the City in obtaining aid and other assistance.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
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