PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code section 8630, et. seq.) establishes procedures for proclaiming emergencies and for responding promptly to the needs that arise during emergencies; and WHEREAS, Section 8630 of the Government Code empowers the City Council, or an official designated by local ordinance; to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the City is affected by or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and
WHEREAS, Section 8.20.070A of the Merced Municipal Code empowers the Director of Emergency Services (City Manager) to proclaim a local emergency if the City Council is not in session and requires that the City Council shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven (7) days thereafter; and WHEREAS, a novel coronavirus (referred to as COVID-19), causes infectious disease and was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019; and
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2020, the CDC activated its Emergency Response System to provide ongoing support for the response to COVID-19 across the country; and
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2020, the California Department of Public Health activated its Medical and Health Coordination Center and on March 2, 2020, the Office of Emergency Services activated the State Operations Center to support and guide state and local actions to preserve public health; and WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Health and Human Services Secretary declared a publie health emergency in response to COVID- 19; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, the California Governor declared a state of emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency; and
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1 WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Merced County Interim Health Officer declared that the imminent introduction of COVID-19 to Merced County is a threat to public health within the meaning of Health & Safety Code § 101080 and declared a local health emergency in Merced County; and WHEREAS, the City of Merced will require access to services; personnel, equipment, facilities and other resources from the federal government, state, local and other agencies, including resources that may not be currently available, to prepare for and respond to cases and control the spread of the virus within Merced's population and communities; and
WHEREAS, the health and welfare ofthe citizens ofthe City as well as that of City employees is of paramount importance to the Mayor, City Council and City Administration; and
WHEREAS, this proclamation enables the City to more effectively respond to an imminent outbreak, seek and utilize mutual aid, ensure that the City's employees, public health professionals, and providers have all necessary personal protective equipment to provide quality care in keeping the City safe, and desire to accommodate critical staffing needs to ensure the continuity of essential government services and maintain the access of these services at all City locations; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid conditions warrant and necessitate the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency and immediate action is necessary to mitigate potential interruption of public services.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS PROCLAIMED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A local emergency, as defined in Government Section 8558 and Merced Municipal Code Chapter 8.20, now exists throughout the City of Merced.
2. During the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of the City of Merced shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances, and resolutions of the City of Merced; and that this emergency proclamation shall expire seven (7) days after issuance unless confirmed and ratified by the City Council of Merced, California, County of Merced.
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EMERGENCY 1.8:2022v2.docx
3. All City departments and agencies take those actions, measures and steps deemed necessary to provide ongoing services to the City's citizens, and to assure the safety and welfare of City employees, residents and property, including requesting mutual aid to the extent such aid is reasonably necessary; and
4. Stephanie R. Dietz, or her designee, is hereby designated as the authorized representative for public and individual assistance of the City of Merced for the purpose of receipt, processing, and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain available state and federal assistance.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT:
1. All City officers and employees take all steps requested by the City Manager, Stephanie R. Dietz, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent or alleviate illness or death due to the virus; and,
2. All City officers and employees take all steps requested to ensure the continuity of essential government services at all City locations, including but not limited to the potential implementation of tiered service responses and modification of work schedules and assignments as required to retain public access to services, mitigating the potential impact of COVID-19 to the community.
The local emergency shall remain in effect for thirty days or until rescinded by the City Council.
Date and Time Director of Emergency Services
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
KunbeaMadar 13/22
City Attorney
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