Agenda Item A.3
CPMS PRESENTATION
Meeting Date: May 17, 2022
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Jaime Valdez, Neighborhood Services Director
CONTACT: Michael Baris, Emergency Services Coordinator
SUBJECT: Recognition of CERT Business Am bassadors During the COVID-19 Pandemic
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a report on the achievements made by the CERT Business Ambassadors during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND:
One of the greatest early challe nges of the early COVID-19 pand emic was keeping up- to-date with the constantly changi ng guidance provided by the C enters for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Navigating the week- by-week changes and understanding the California color tier sys tem was overwhelming for local business owners trying to keep their doors safely open. To assist the community with this issue, the Goleta Community Emergency Management Team (CERT) began a new mission as CERT Business Ambassadors.
DISCUSSION:
The CERT Business Ambassadors’ mission was to bring knowledge a nd guidance directly to the Goleta businesses who needed assistance. The Am bassadors worked in three teams and walked door-to-door to have conversations with owners and managers on the ever-changing guidelines released by the CDC and CDPH. T hey worked with the businesses to provide ideas and solutions on how to operate safely and approached each individual situation with kindness and empathy.
The Ambassadors began training in July of 2020 and met weekly t o remain knowledgeable of safe COVID-19 practices. The CERT volunteers t ook to the streets in August 2020 and completed their last visit in May 2021. Over ni ne months, the nine volunteers visited 128 individual businesses and logged over 300 combined work hours.
Meeting Date: May 17, 2022
The City Council, City Manager, Ne ighborhood Services staff, an d the City as a whole, would like to acknowledge our CER T Business Ambassadors for the ir tireless efforts to assist our community and in particular our businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVES:
There is no alternative associated with this item.
Reviewed By: Legal Review By: Approved By:
___________________ ______ _____________ ______ ___________ Kristine Schmidt Megan Garibaldi Michelle Greene
Assistant City Manager City A ttorney City Manager