CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: February 27, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-23 PROCLAIMING THE END OF THE
LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
SYNOPSIS
On March 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 22-20 ratifying the City Manager’s (acting as Director of Emergency Services), March 18, 2020 proclaimed local state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 17, 2022, Governor Newsom’s office issued a press release stating that the State’s COVID-19 State of Emergency will terminate on February 28, 2023, and on February 7, 2023, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted an order terminating the County’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution proclaiming the end of the COVID-19 local emergency in Pleasant Hill effective 11:59 pm on February 28, 2023.
DISCUSSION
Background
On March 4, 2020, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19; the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County adopted Resolution No. 2020/92 proclaiming that a local emergency exists throughout the County shortly thereafter; and the Contra Costa County Health Officer (and the health officers of five other Bay Area Counties) issued orders directing all individuals living in the counties to shelter at their place of residence with exceptions for essential services, activities, work and exemptions for people experiencing homelessness.
Section 3.45.040 of the City of Pleasant Hill Municipal Code establishes that the City Manager serves as the City’s Director of Emergency Services (“the Director”) and empowers the Director to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the City Council is not in session. Taking into account the above facts, the City Manager, acting in her role of Director of Emergency Services, found that the efforts required to prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from the increasing spread of COVID-19 imposed, and would continue to impose, extraordinary requirements and expenses on the City, requiring diversion of resources from day-to-day operations. In addition, she found that the conditions associated with the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak were, or were likely to be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City.
As the City Council was not in session and could not immediately be called into session, on March 18, 2020, the City Manager determined that it was in the best interests of the City to proclaim the existence of a local emergency. The City Council adopted Resolution 22-20 ratifying the proclamation on March 23, 2020.
Analysis
On October 17, 2022, Governor Newsom’s office issued a press release (attached) stating that the State’s COVID-19 State of Emergency will terminate on February 28, 2023, and on February 7, 2023, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted an order terminating the County’s COVID-19 State of Emergency (attached). Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution proclaiming the end of the COVID-19 local emergency in Pleasant Hill effective 11:59 pm on February 28, 2023. This action would ensure that the City of Pleasant Hill remains aligned with the State of California and Contra Costa County on COVID-19 emergency response.
The termination of the local state of emergency does not mean that the State will discontinue assistance to the City for cost recovery claims by CalOES for the period covered during the state of emergency. It is anticipated that the recovery process, as in most disasters, will continue for several years following conclusion of the state of emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact. The local emergency was declared to recognize the impact of COVID-19 on the City of Pleasant Hill, provide flexibility to the City in its response efforts, and to maintain eligibility for the City to pursue disaster relief funds to help cover costs related to the emergency response.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt the proposed resolution to terminating the local emergency.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
The City Council could choose not to adopt the proposed resolution and provide direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Resolution 22-20
Proclamation of Local Emergency 2020-01
Governor's Press Release Ending the COVID-19 State of Emergency Contra Costa County COVID-19 Emergency Termination Board Order Prepared by: Danielle K. Navarro, Principal Management Analyst/City Clerk Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager