1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: February 8, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Betsy McClinton, Management Services Director
SUBJECT: Review of Board, Commission, and Committee Member COVID -19 Employee Vaccination Policy Compliance
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the removal of Paul Herman from the Burbank Water and Power Board for non-compliance with the City’s COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Policy.
BACKGROUND
At the October 12, 2021 , City Council meeting, the City Council adopted the City of Burbank COVID -19 Employee Vaccination Policy. The policy requires that employees provide proof of vaccination as a term and condition of employment or request a medical or religious exemption. The policy also includes members of Council -appointed boards, commissions, and committees in the definition of employee, subjecting them to the same requirement to provide either proof of vaccination or request an exemption to serve on any board, commission, or committee.
Board, commission, and committee members received information regarding the City’s vaccination policy on Friday, January 7, 2022, and were provided a deadline of January 21, 2022, to comply by providing either proof of vaccination or a completed request for exemption. Staff provided a reminder to all members on Friday, January 21, 2022. During the week of January 23, 2022, the department lia isons for each board, commission, and committee followed up individually with members who had not responded by the deadline.
On January 26, 2022, staff sent a final notice to non-compliant members, which provided one additional week to submit either proof of vaccination or an exemption request and set a final deadline of February 2, 2022.
To ease the process for members, staff accepted proofs of vaccination and exemption request via email, US Mail, and hand delivery to Management Services staff in the Administrative Services Building.
2 DISCUSSION
Pursuant to the City’s vaccination policy, board, commission, and committee members who are not in compliance with the policy cannot continue to serve and must be removed.
The Council has the sole authority to appoint and remove members to the City’s boards, commissions, and committees. The purpose of this report is to provide the appropriate forum for the Council to enforce the City’s vaccination policy by taking action to remove non-compliant board, commission, and committee members.
Paul Herman from the Burbank Water and Power Board is the onl y member not in compliance with the policy.
The City Clerk will initiate the process to receive applications for any vacancies created because of the Council’s action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
To fully implement the City’s COVID -19 Employee Vaccination Policy, board, commission, and committee members who have not provided either proof of vaccination or an exemption request must be removed. Therefore, staff recommends the Council approve the removal of Paul Herman from the Burbank Water and Power Board.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 –– City of Burbank COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Policy