CITY OF SAN PABLO
City Manager
1000 Gateway Avenue ● San Pablo, CA 94806
Main: 510-215-3000 ● Direct: 510-215-3001 ● Fax: 510-215-3011 www.SanPabloCA.gov
POST-COVID-19 CITY OPERATIONS PLAN (AMENDED)
Effective January 9, 2024
TO: ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, CITY OFFICIALS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
FROM: Matt Rodriguez, City Manager
DATE: January 22, 2024
On October 17, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California COVID-19 State of Emergenc y will end on February 28, 2023, explaining that “California has the tools needed to continue fighting COVID -19 when the State of Emergency terminates at the end of February, including vaccines and boosters, testing, treatments and other mitigation measures like masking and indoor ventilation.”
Citing similar reasons, a month earlier, the Contra Costa County Health Official outlined an anticipated plan to end the countywide public health emergency related to COVID -19 in early 2023. On January 26, 2023, the Contra Costa Health Department issued the Contra Costa COVID -19 Transition Plan and indicating that the County Health Department will continue to provide public recommendations and guidance regarding COVID-19 once the national public health emergency ends.
On January 30, 2023, the White House announced plans to end the COVID -19 national emergency and COVID -19 national public health emergency on May 11, 2023.
On February 1, 2023, the County Health Official once again issued recommended holding public meetings remotely, and recommended masking and social distancing for all in-person public meetings.
On February 7, 2023, to maintain alignment with the State of California on its COVID- 19 emergency response posture, the County Board of Supervisors issued an order terminating, effective February 28, 2023, the local emergency throughout Contra TO: ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, CITY OFFICIALS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Re: POST-COVID-19 CITY OPERATIONS PLAN, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 9, 2024
Costa County proclaimed by the Board of Supervisors due to the COVID -19 pandemic.
In similar fashion, on February 21, 2023, the City Council of the City of San Pablo adopted Resolution No. # 2023-025 ending, as of March 1, 2023, the City’s local COVID-19 emergency.
As approved by the City Council on February 21, 2023, to coincide with decisions by the City, State and the County’ to end the COVID-19 emergencies, the City Manager issues this Post-COVID 19 Operations Plan (Plan) to guide the City’s safe transition back to pre-pandemic operations in a way that is consistent with the County Health Officer’s ongoing public health recommendations , ongoing workplace sa fety guidance from the State, and all applicable laws.
I. Terminating Versions 1 to 25 of the Coronavirus COVID -19 Modified Operations Plans
Effective March 1, 2023, all operative provisions of versions 1 to 25 of the Coronavirus COVID -19 Modified Operations Plan s previously issued by the City Manager as Director of Emergency Services are no longer in effect. The following new operations policies take effect on March 1, 2023:
1. No Masking or D istancing Required: E xcept as provided below for City employees returning to work after testing positive or being exposed to COVID- 19, all mandatory masking and mandatory distancing requirements for City employees, City contractors/instructors, City volunteers, and those at any City facilities or attending City public meetings , City-run programs or City events have been eliminated. The City continues to strongly encourage masking and distancing.
2. No COVID-19 Vaccines Required: All COVID-19 vaccine requirements for City employees, City contractors/instructors, City volunteers and members of the public participating in City programs are no longer in effect . The City continues to strongly encourage those who are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
II. Format for City Public Meetings:
Starting March 1, 2023, the City will use the following format for City public meetings:
1. City Council, Local Successor Agency, Joint Powers Financing Authority and Planning Commission Meetings: All meetings of the City Council, Local Successor Agency, Joint Powers Financing Authority and Planning Commission will be held using the following new in-person format:
TO: ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, CITY OFFICIALS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Re: POST-COVID-19 CITY OPERATIONS PLAN, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 9, 2024
a. Each member of these Brown Act bodies participating in the meeting must attend in- person unless the member satisfies all Brown Act requirements for participating by videoconference or teleconference.
Any member wishing to participate remotely must consult with the City Attorney in advance to determine whether remote participation is permitted by the Brown Act under the particular circumstances. b. The City Manager or designee will determine which City staff and City consultants/contractors will be in- person and which will be remote based on operational needs.
c. Members of the public will have the opportunity to participate in meetings in -person or remotely through an online platform or telephone.
2. City Council Standing Committees, and Youth Commission and Safety Commission Meetings: All meetings of City Council Standing Committees, Youth Commission and Safety Commission will be held using the following traditional in-person format:
a. Each member of these Brown Act bodies participating in the meeting must attend in-person unless the member satisfies the Brown Act’s longstanding teleconference/videoconference participation requirements which require, among other things, the remote location to be listed on the meeting agenda and accessible for in -person public participation. The City Attorney or Deputy City Clerk must be consulted in advance about compliance with these requirements. b. The City Manager or designee will determine which City staff and City consultants/contractors will be in- person and which will be remote based on operational needs.
c. Members of the public may participate in meetings in- person. Due to staffing constraints, there will be no opportunity for remote participation by the public.
All individuals attending City public meetings in- person are encouraged, but not required, to mask and distance where feasible. Those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are strongly encouraged not to attend in-person public meetings.
III. City Employee Quarantine Requirements
The City will continue to follow current State of California’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards recommended guidelines for City employees returning to work after getting sick or being exposed to COVID-19.
Although the City anticipates that the State’s recommended guidelines will change over time, as of the date of this Plan, the guidelines are as follows:
TO: ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, CITY OFFICIALS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Re: POST-COVID-19 CITY OPERATIONS PLAN, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 9, 2024
If you test positive for COVID-19 with symptoms, you may return to work when all of these are true:
• You have isolated at home until 24 hours have passed from the onset of symptom(s) with no fever (and without the use of fever-reducing medications),
• Your symptoms are mild and improving, and
• You wear a well-fitting mask for a total of 10 days from the onset of your symptom(s), regardless of the City’s general masking policy.
If you test positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms:
• There is no isolation/exclusion from work period required. • You wear a well-fitting mask for a total of 10 days from the onset of your symptom(s), regardless of the City’s general masking policy. • If symptoms develop, the above criteria for COVID -19 cases with symptoms apply.
If you have symptoms and test negative for COVID-19, you may return to work when all of these are true:
• 24 hours have passed with no fever (and without the use of fever- reducing medications), and
• Your symptoms are mild and improving.
The City remains committed to the health and safety of its employees and the San Pablo community as we transition beyond the COVID-19 emergency in alignment with the State and County . The City continues to STRONGLY encourage masking, distancing and for all of those who are eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Should you have any concerns or questions regarding this information, please contact Assistant City Mana ger Charles Ching at (510) 215- 3031, or via email at:
This Plan will become effective on March 1, 2023 as directed by City Council on February 21, 2023.
__________________________________ Date: 01/22/24 ____ Matt Rodriguez, City Manager
cc: San Pablo City Council
Executive Leadership Group