Title
Chief Administrative Office, Health and Human Services Agency, and Sheriff's Office recommending the Board of Supervisors consider the following:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 051-2020 ratifying the Declaration of a Local Health Emergency by the Public Health Officer due to an imminent and proximate threat to public health from the introduction of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the County of El Dorado, dated March 12, 2020; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 052-2020 ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency by the Director of the Office of Emergency Services (Sheriff) due to conditions of extreme peril from an imminent and proximate threat to public health from the introduction of COVID-19 in the County of El Dorado, dated March 12, 2020;
3) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 053-2020 authorizing Sheriff’s Office designees, as required by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), to execute applications with Cal OES for the purposes of obtaining federal and/or state financial assistance; and
4) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 054-2020 approving temporary modification to specified rules regarding leave accruals to accommodate hardships that may be created by the current emergency, and authorizing the CAO or designee to make operational decisions, in consultation with the Public Health Officer, Sheriff as appropriate, and/or the Human Resources Director, which may be in conflict with Board policy, as necessary in order to fulfill the Board’s responsibility to preserve and protect the public health, noting that any such exceptions to policy will be reported to the Board within 30 days. (Est. Time: 15 Min.)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In December of 2019, an outbreak of respiratory illness due to a novel coronavirus (a disease now known as COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19 has spread outside of China, impacting more than 75 countries, including the United States and residents within the Sacramento and Sierra Nevada foothill regions. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Close collaboration has taken place with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), other local health departments and emergency services agencies, the County Office of Education, and fire agencies. Recent events have increased the need for staff support, resource procurement, and evaluation of community health needs.
In light of the continued threat of COVID-19 and the Governor’s Executive Order N-25-20, the Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency pursuant to California Health & Safety Code 101080 on March 12, 2020. Also in response to the COVID-19 threat, the Sheriff proclaimed a Local Emergency pursuant to Government Code Section 8630 on March 12, 2020. These actions enable the County to more effectively respond to COVID-19, to seek and utilize mutual aid, to obtain state and federal funds (if available), and to ensure that the County’s resources and public health professionals, as well as the community at large, have all the necessary tools at their disposal to keep the community safe.
Ratification of Declaration of Local Health Emergency
Health and Safety Code section 101080 allows a local health officer to declare a local health emergency in the health officer’s jurisdiction, or any part thereof, whenever the health officer reasonably determines there is an imminent and proximate threat of the introduction of any contagious, infectious or communicable disease. This action must be reviewed and ratified by the Board of Supervisors within 7 days.
Ratification of Proclamation of Local Emergency
Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630, the Board of Supervisors, or an official designated by the Board by ordinance may declare a Local Emergency. Government Code 8558 defines a Local Emergency as “the proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by conditions such as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, cyberterrorism, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or animal infestation or disease, the Governor’s warning of an earthquake or volcanic prediction, or an earthquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat.” Chapter 2.21 of the County Ordinance Code designates the Sheriff as the Director of the Office of Emergency Services and delegates to the Director the authority to declare a Local Emergency when the Board is not in session. This action must be reviewed and ratified by the Board within 7 days.
Authorized Agent Resolution
As required by Cal OES, every three (3) years authorized agents must be designated by the Board through a Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies in order to apply and/or receive funding. These designees are able to apply for federal financial assistance under Public Law 93-288 as amended by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988, and/or state financial assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
This funding is used to reimburse costs incurred by the County for staff time, goods, services, and contracts as needed to remedy any issues that arise as a result of a declared disaster. This authorization must be executed and filed with Cal OES at the onset of a declaration.
Policy Exceptions
The COVID-19 situation changes hourly, as new information and direction is received. In order to protect public health and safety, including the health and safety of County employees, and to ensure the continuity of governmental operations, the Chief Administrative Officer must be able to make County operational decisions that may conflict with Board of Supervisors policy. The attached resolution authorizes the CAO to make exceptions to County policy in accordance with the following:
1. Such exceptions shall only be made as necessary to support the County’s mitigation of, and response to the local emergency and local health emergency or to provide for the continued operation of the County government;
2. Such exceptions shall be made in consultation with the County Health Officer, Sheriff, and/or Human Resources Director;
3. All exceptions shall be reported to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days;
4. This authority shall continue in effect until terminated by the Board of Supervisors.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Board chooses not to ratify the local and public health emergencies, they will end on March 18, 2020.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Sheriff, Health and Human Services Agency, Human Resources
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no immediate or direct financial impact related to the adoption of these resolutions.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Provide signed copies of all resolutions to the Chief Administrative Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Ashton, Chief Administrative Officer