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Agenda Item 2 - CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2022-14 DETERMINING THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE THE LOCAL EMERGENCYAGENDA ITEM NO.2 AGENDA STAFF REPORT City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager DATE: February 1, 2022 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: David Carmany City Manager SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO.2022-14 DETERMINING THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO.2022-14 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING THE NEED TO FURTHER CONTINUE THE LOCAL EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED ON MARCH 16, 2020, AND PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED ON APRIL 7, 2020, MAY 5, 2020, JUNE 2, 2020, JUNE 23, 2020, JULY 21, 2020, AUGUST 18, 2020, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020, OCTOBER 6, 2020, OCTOBER 20, 2020, NOVEMBER 17, 2020, DECEMBER 1, 2020, JANUARY 19, 2021, FEBRUARY 16, 2021, MARCH 16, 2021, APRIL 6, 2021, MAY 4, 2021, JUNE 1, 2021, JUNE 15, 2021, JULY 6, 2021, JULY 20, 2021, AUGUST 17, 2021, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021, OCTOBER 5, 2021, NOVEMBER 2, 2021, DECEMBER 7, 2021 AND JANUARY 4. 2022 BACKGROUND: On March 17, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-19, ratifying Proclamation 2020-01 declaring the existence of a local emergency, which was issued by the City Manager acting in the capacity of Director of Emergency Services. The local emergency is due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Following adoption of the resolution, the City Council needs to review and reevaluate the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every thirty (30) days in accordance with Section 8-7(a)(2) of the West Covina Municipal Code (WCMC). The City Council previously continued the local emergency on April 7, 2020, May 5, 2020, June 2, 2020, June 23, 2020, July 21, 2020, August 18, 2020, September 15, 2020, October 6, 2020, October 20, 2020, November 17, 2020, December 1, 2020, January 19, 2021, February 16, 2021, March 16, 2021, April 6, 2021, May 4, 2021, June 1, 2021, June 15, 2021, July 6, 2021, July 20, 2021, August 17, 2021, September 7, 2021, October 5, 2021, November 2, 2021, December 7, 2021 and January 4, 2022. DISCUSSION: On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in California. The emergency status allows the State (and cities) to access needed supplies, resources, and funding. For example, the City has received Coronavirus Relief monies to help offset City costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, West Covina is seeking reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. To remain eligible for COVID-19 reimbursement, the City would have to continue to be under a declared state of emergency. The State of California continues to be under the State's declared state of emergency. Los Angeles County's local emergency also remains in effect. As of January 24, 2022, there were a total of 349,641,119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally. On January 24, 2022, California reported that, as of January 23, 2022, there were a total of 7,419,643 confirmed cases in California. As of January 22, 2022, there were a total of 2,494,097 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County, including 25,785 confirmed cases in the City of West Covina, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In mid -December 2020, the State began administering the COVID-19 vaccine under "Vaccinate All 58," the State's campaign for a safe, fair and equitable vaccine for all 58 counties in the State. As of January 23, 2022, the State reported that LA County had administered 17,706,542 doses of the vaccine. Despite the distribution of the vaccine, health officials have indicated that transmission of the virus remains widespread especially with the coronavirus variants that are considered highly transmissible, such as the Delta and Omicron variants. On December 13, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued new mask guidance, requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccination status, from December 15, 2021-January 15, 2022. On January 5, 2022, CDPH reported that over the prior two weeks, the statewide seven-day average case rate had increased by more than sixfold and hospitalizations had doubled. On the same date, CDPH extended the requirement for masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccination status, through February 15, 2022. The Los Angeles County Department of Health has reported that community transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County remains high, and is currently requiring that all persons wear face masks on public transit, in transportation hubs, indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings, health care settings, correctional facilities and detention centers, homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers, indoor public and business settings, and outdoor mega events, regardless of vaccination status. It is essential that the City continue to provide basic services and provide for continuity of services over the long-term. Staff is requesting that the City Council determine there is a need to continue the local emergency. LEGAL REVIEW: The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form. OPTIONS: The options available to the City Council are as follows: 1. Adopt the resolution as submitted; or 2. Terminate the local emergency; or 3. Provide alternative direction. Prepared by: David Carmany, City Manager Attachments Attachment No. 1 - Resolution No. 2022-14 CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Protect Public Safety ATTACHMENT NO.1 RESOLUTION NO.2022-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING THE NEED TO FURTHER CONTINUE THE LOCAL EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED ON MARCH 16, 2020 AND PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED ON APRIL 7, 2020, MAY 5, 2020, JUNE 2, 2020, JUNE 23, 2020, JULY 21, 2020, AUGUST 18, 2020, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020, OCTOBER 6, 2020, OCTOBER 20, 2020, NOVEMBER 17, 2020, DECEMBER 1, 2020, JANUARY 19, 2021, FEBRUARY 16, 2021, MARCH 16, 2021, APRIL 6, 2021, MAY 4, 2021, JUNE 1, 2021, JUNE 15, 2021, JULY 6, 2021, JULY 20, 2021, AUGUST 17, 2021, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021, OCTOBER 5, 2021, NOVEMBER 2, 2021, DECEMBER 7, 2021 AND JANUARY 4, 2022 WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code Section 8550 et seq.) authorizes the City Council, or an official designated by ordinance adopted by the City Council, to proclaim a local emergency when the City is threatened by conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City that are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City; and WHEREAS, West Covina Municipal Code section 8-7(a)(1) empowers the City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services, to declare the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the City is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the City Manager declared a local emergency as authorized by Government Code section 8630(a) and West Covina Municipal Code section 8- 7(a)(1) through Proclamation No. 2020-01 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-19, ratifying the City Manager's proclamation as required by Government Code section 8630(b) and West Covina Municipal Code section 8-7(a)(1); and WHEREAS, Section 8-7(a)(2) of the West Covina Municipal Code empowers the City Manager to request that the City Council review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 30 days until the City Council terminates the local emergency; and WHEREAS, at the time the City Council ratified the proclamation, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported, as of March 15, 2020, 153,517 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, 5,735 of which resulted in death. On January 24, 2022, the WHO reported a total of 349,641,119 confirmed cases globally, 5,592,266 of which resulted in death; and WHEREAS, at the time the City Council ratified the proclamation, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported that, as of March 15, 2020, there were 335 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California, six (6) of which resulted in death. On January 24, 2022, CDPH reported that, as of January 23, 2022, there were a total of 7,419,643 confirmed cases in California, 78,101 of which resulted in death; and WHEREAS, at the time the City Council ratified the proclamation, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ("LA County Health Department") reported that, as of March 15, 2020, Los Angeles County had 69 confirmed cases, including one (1) death and one (1) confirmed case at West Covina High School. On January 23, 2022, the LA County Health Department reported that, as of January 22, 2022, Los Angeles County had a total of 2,494,097 confirmed cases, 28,480 of which resulted in death; and WHEREAS, as of January 22, 2022, the LA County Health Department reported a total of 25,785 confirmed cases in the City of West Covina, 317 of which resulted in death; and WHEREAS, on April 7, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-22, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency and confirming the written orders and regulations promulgated by the City Manager; and WHEREAS, on May 5, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-41, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency and confirming the written orders and regulations promulgated by the City Manager; and WHEREAS, on June 2, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-45, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on June 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-68, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on July 21, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-85, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on August 18, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-91, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency and confirming a written order promulgated by the City Manager; and WHEREAS, on September 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-96, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on October 6, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-101, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on October 20, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-105, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency and clarifying the City Manager's emergency powers; and WHEREAS, on November 17, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-116, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on December 1, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-118, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency and providing that, notwithstanding the requirements of West Covina Municipal Code section 8-7(a)(2), due to the City Council's meeting schedule, the next regular meeting at which the City Council would consider the need to continue the local emergency would be January 19, 2021; and WHEREAS, on January 19, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-01, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on February 16, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-12, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on March 16, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-17, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on April 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-25, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on May 4, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-49, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on June 1, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-65, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on June 15, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-72, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on July 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-76, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on July 20, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-86, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on August 17, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-91, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on September 7, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-92, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on October 5, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-99, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on November 2, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-101, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on December 7, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-116, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, on January 4, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-07, determining there was a need to continue the local emergency; and WHEREAS, in mid -December 2020, the State began administering the COVID-19 vaccine under "Vaccinate All 58," the State's campaign for a safe, fair and equitable vaccine for all 58 counties in the State; and WHEREAS, as of June 15, 2021, the Governor terminated the executive orders that put into place the Stay at Home Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy; and WHEREAS, notwithstanding widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and the reopening of the State's economy, the LA County Health Department has reported that community transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County remains high, and is currently requiring that all persons wear face masks on public transit, in transportation hubs, indoors in K- 12 schools, childcare and other youth settings, healthcare settings, correctional facilities and detention centers, homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers, indoor public and business settings, and outdoor mega events, regardless of vaccination status; and WHEREAS, on November 26, 2021, the WHO designated a new variant of concern, Omicron; and WHEREAS, on December 13, 2021, CDPH issued new mask guidance, requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccination status, from December 15, 2021-January 15, 2022; and WHEREAS, on January 5, 2022, CDPH reported that over the prior two weeks, the statewide seven-day average case rate had increased by more than sixfold and hospitalizations had doubled; and WHEREAS, on January 5, 2022, CDPH extended the requirement for masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccination status, through February 15, 2022; and WHEREAS, the City Manager has requested that the City Council review the need for continuing the local emergency in accordance with Section 8-7(a)(2) of the West Covina Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the need for continuing the local emergency as required by West Covina Municipal Code section 8-7(a)(2); and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the conditions resulting from the COVID-19 emergency are still beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council has reviewed the need for continuing the local emergency as required by West Covina Municipal Code section 8-7(a)(2), and determines, based on the foregoing recitals, that there is a need to continue the local emergency. SECTION 2. This local emergency shall continue to exist until the City Council proclaims the termination of the local emergency. The City Council shall review the need for continuing the local emergency in the manner required by law. SECTION 3. Pursuant to Resolution No. 2020-105, while the local emergency remains in effect, the City Manager shall limit the exercise of the powers granted to the City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services, during a proclaimed local emergency pursuant to Section 8- 7 of the West Covina Municipal Code, to actions directly related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of February, 2022. APPROVED AS TO FORM Thomas P. Duarte City Attorney Dario Castellanos Mayor ATTEST Lisa Sherrick Assistant City Clerk I, LISA SHERRICK, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK of the City of West Covina, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2022-14 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 1 st day of February, 2022, by the following vote of the City Council: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Lisa Sherrick Assistant City Clerk