DATE: July 13, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of Local Emergency Due to Cybersecurity Incident
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) ratifying the Proclamation of Local Emergency made on July 9, 2023 by the City Manager in her capacity as Director of Emergency Services.
SUMMARY
On July 9, 2023, the City Manager, in her capacity as Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed a local emergency due to a cybersecurity attack, including attempts to disrupt and hold hostage aspects and components of City computer systems and network. This report requests that the City Council approve a resolution ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency (Attachment III), which empowers the Director of Emergency Services to make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of persons and property as affected by such local emergency.
DISCUSSION
On July, 9, 2023, the City became aware of a cybersecurity attack into its computer networks. City staff has taken steps to prevent any further attempts to disrupt City computer systems and networks such as turning off access to the public website, online municipal portals and email communications into the City. Staff is taking steps to restore computer systems and investigate the severity of the incident.
The City Manager is empowered to proclaim a local emergency pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630 and Hayward Municipal Code Section 3-2.12. When a local emergency is proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services, the Council must ratify the proclamation within seven (7) days or the proclamation has no further effect. This item requests that the City Council ratify the resolution for the Proclamation of Local Emergency due to the cybersecurity incident.
A Proclamation of Local Emergency allows the Director of Emergency Services to make rules and regulations related to the protection of persons and property, obtain vital services, supplies and equipment needed for the to provide ongoing services to City residents, and to assure the safety and welfare of City employees, residents and property.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution enables the City Manager and assigned staff to efficiently allocate resources due to the ongoing and imminent threat. As part of this declaration, the City will document the costs of responding to the emergency and will seek reimbursement from any available sources.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not directly relate to one of the Council’s Strategic Initiatives.
Prepared by: Irene Perez, Management Analyst
Emily Hwang, Management Fellow
Approved by:
Kelly McAdoo, City Manager