STAFF REPORT
CITY OF BURBANE
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE
DATE: September 13, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Sudie WiKe, Assistant City Manage pete lend
SUBJECT: Confirmation of Proclamation Issued by the Director of Emergency Services Rescinding the Wearing of Face Coverings at Public Meetings
RECOMMENDATION
Confirm a proclamation by the Director of Emergency Services rescinding the Order to wear face coverings at public meetings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND
At the July 19, 2022, City Council meeting, the City Council ratified a proclamation by the Director of Emergency Services requiring face coverings to be worn at all public meetings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Order was issued and ratified to address the fact that the County of Los Angeles had seen a significant increase in infection rates and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and its highly infections subvariants, Omicron and BA.4. It was in an abundance of precaution for the safety of the public, the City Council, Board, Commission and Committee members and staff members that the face covering requirement was reinstituted.
DISCUSSION
On July 15, 2022, the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, signed a local emergency proclamation instituting a rule requiring face coverings at all local public meetings, pursuant to Burbank Municipal Code Section 5-2-106.A.6. On July 19, 2022, the City Council confirmed the local face covering rule when it approved "A Proclamation by the Director of emergency services Ordering the Wearing of Face Covering at Public Meetings to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19." (Attachment 2).
Since the issuance of the July 15, 2022; mask mandate at public meetings, the number of COVID-19 cases has declined and the County of Los Angeles is once again in the low tier. Thus, it is no longer necessary for Burbank to require face coverings at public meetings. The Director of Emergency Services issued the Order rescinding the wearing of face coverings at public meetings on September 8, 2022, and it is now before the City Council for confirmation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends Council confirm the proclamation issued by the City Manager acting as Director of Emergency Services.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 - A PROCLAMATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
RESCINDING THE ORDER TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS AT PUBLIC
MEETINGS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
Attachment 2 - A PROCLAMATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
ORDERING THE WEARING OF FACE COVERING AT PUBLIC
MEETINGS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
2