REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Extending the City’s Declaration of Local Emergency for COVID-19
Report
DISCUSSION
On March 12, City Manager Kent Steffens declared a local health emergency pursuant to the authority granted to him as the Emergency Services Director in Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 2.16 (Emergency Organization and Functions) and applicable state law. On March 17, 2020, the City Council adopted a resolution ratifying that declaration and committing to review it within thirty days (Resolution No. 979-20; RTC No. 20-0405).
The emergency conditions related to COVID-19 continue. Shortly after the City Council confirmed the City’s emergency declaration, on March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued a “stay-at-home” order for the State of California. On March 31, 2020, the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health revised its March 16, 2020 “shelter-in-place” order, extending it through May 3, 2020 and adding enhanced social distancing requirements. Staff therefore recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution extending the City’s declaration of local emergency. Pursuant to Government Code section 8630 (California Emergency Services Act), the City Council will review the continuing need for the emergency declaration again within 60 days. Extending the local health emergency empowers the City to continue to effectively respond to COVID-19, including staffing the EOC, coordinating with partner agencies, seeking and utilizing mutual aid, and pursuing potential federal and state reimbursement for costs related to response efforts.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, Sunnyvale Public Library and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Office of the City Manager and on the City's website.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15320,15378 and 15061(b)(3) as it is an organizational structure change and does not have the potential to result in either a direct or reasonable foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt a Resolution Extending the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services’ Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency (COVID-19).
2. Do not extend the declaration of a local emergency.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution Extending the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services’ Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency (COVID-19).
Staff
Prepared by: Jaqui Guzmán, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution Extending Emergency Proclamation
2. Resolution No. 979-20