EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 17, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Initial City Reopening Plan
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Accept the staff report and provide direction regarding the City’s initial approach to reopening as a stage of recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
2. Direct staff to return to the City Council in June 2022 with a detailed re-opening strategy.
Background
At the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVID), all City facilities were closed to protect public and employee health.
In an effort to provide much-needed services to the community, the City quickly shifted to offering key services in a virtual format. For example, the Community and Economic Development and Public Works Departments established a process in which the community and other stakeholders could submit electronic applications to advance small and large projects, alike.
To date, most Bay Area jurisdictions have opened their facilities to both employees and the public in a limited capacity. In East Palo Alto, a majority of staff members have been working in a hybrid format, typically part-time in the office and part-time remotely from home.
This staff report provides the City Council with initial targets for the City’s COVID re-opening strategy.
Analysis
The City’s reopening strategy will focus on the following areas:
• Staff returning safely to the office;
• The community accessing City Hall and other public facilities; and • The City’s ability to host public meetings in a safe manner, such as City Council or Planning Commission.
Prior to identifying a specific timeline for when residents may enter City facilities, staff seeks City Council input and hopes to establish a hierarchy of recovery priorities, such as:
• Safety for all;
• Community access to services; and
• Ability to provide a relevant service virtually.
Lessons Learned
The City and community response to the COVID pandemic demonstrated the resilience of the City’s residents and employees. Prior to COVID, the City’s ability to provide flexible remote work options and virtual or hybrid services to the community was limited. The City’s IT Manager, Jimmie Tulabing, secured the necessary technology and provided the essential training to support the City’s workforce during an extremely challenging transition. Ultimately, staff were capable of efficiently providing essential services, either in the office or remotely.
Moving forward, the City may consider building upon these successes during an emergency period to provide more ongoing service options for the community and staff alike.
Staff’s Initial Recommendations
Table 1
Item Target Date
Open City facilities for public use July 1, 2022
Staff returning to the office more regularly July 1, 2022 First in person public meetings in Council Chambers September 1, 2022 The County of San Mateo plans to advance a major HVAC upgrade at the 2415 University Avenue building. This project had been planned for years, but was delayed as a result of COVID. Staff is coordinating with the County to better understand the timeline, which may require specific staff to work remotely when office space is impacted by the HVAC project.
Staff will ensure that the City Council in updated as project progresses.
Key Questions for the City Council
1. Does City Council support the target dates identified in Table 1?
2. Does City Council support the overall methodology and the plan for the City Manager to establish a working group of City employees, who would develop recommendations for a staff telecommuting policy?
3. Is the City Council interested in pursuing hybrid meeting formats for future City Council and Commission meetings?
Next Steps
Staff will return to the City Council in June 2022 with a revised plan that incorporates City Council feedback.