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Recommendation to receive and file a report on the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and provide input and policy direction to staff on next-step strategies for the City’s emergency response to COVID-19. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On the same day, the City Manager issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency and the Local Health Officer issued a Declaration of Local Health Emergency, which were both ratified by the City Council on March 10, 2020, and began a series of measures to protect Long Beach residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health and local economic emergency that affects residents, businesses, and workers in the City. The situation with the pandemic is constantly changing. Our hope today is to provide the City Council with a thorough report on efforts taken to date to maintain essential City functions and services, keep our community safe, and mitigate the spread and impacts of COVID-19. In addition, the report will outline current efforts to support economic resiliency, including State, County, and local steps to restart the City’s economy in a safe manner.
City staff will present a report covering the following areas, among others:
• An overview of the City’s emergency response and structure;
• An overview of the State, County, and Local Health Orders;
• Data on the City’s COVID-19 infection rate, including demographic data;
• Status of the City’s hospital network and emergency response system;
• Status of the City’s testing capabilities;
• Information on the City’s response to Long Term Care Facilities;
• Isolation and quarantine plans for Long Beach residents;
• Update on support for residents experiencing impacts from COVID-19 and the programs in place to support them;
• Information on the Governor’s six-part strategy for opening the economy; and,
• Review of the City’s various groups working on Economic Resiliency and status of efforts to reopen the economy.
Staff request the City Council (1) provide input and policy direction on the City’s response to the emergency, (2) identify any critical needs that require additional focus, and (3) provide input on next step strategies to reopen the Long Beach economy when safe to do so, in accordance with State orders and in consultation with City’s Health Officer.
Ultimately, how the City is able to reopen the economy is limited by Governor Newsom’s statewide Executive Orders and by what is necessary to protect the public health to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19 and the occurrence of additional cases of COVID-19 in the City.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on April 27, 2020 and by Budget Manager Grace Yoon on April 27, 2020.
EQUITY LENS
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit into the City’s Emergency Operations Center, as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. The presentation will include information regarding the City’s equity approach.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 5, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT
Depending on City Council’s input and policy direction, staff will return with the fiscal impact and cost estimates of any proposed strategy, along with the staffing impact, which could range from low to significant depending on the item. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER