TITLE
Recommendation to confirm City Manager’s promulgation of the revised Safer at Home Quarantine Order issued on September 15, 2021 and revised Public Health Emergency Order for the Control of COVID-19, issued on September 17, 2021, by the City of Long Beach Health Officer as a regulation. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On March 19, 2020, the City’s Health Officer issued a Public Health Emergency Order (Health Order) to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 within Long Beach. The City’s Health Officer has revised the Health Order from time to time, as necessary, to protect public health and safety during this ongoing emergency. On September 15 and 17, 2021, the City’s Health Officer issued revisions to the Quarantine and Health Orders. The revised Quarantine Order (attached) was issued to align with Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance. A revised Health Order (attached) was issued to require vaccination or testing verification at certain Outdoor Mega Events and vaccination verification of patrons and employees for indoor service at bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs, and lounges. The Health Order strongly recommends that restaurants and similar food facilities reserve and prioritize any indoor seating/service for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
On May 12, 2020, the City Council adopted Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Chapter 8.120, “Temporary Enforcement of Long Beach Health Orders Related to COVID-19,” which became effective immediately as an urgency Ordinance. Chapter 8.120 requires, where practicable, the City Council to confirm COVID-19 Health Orders for the sole purpose of authorizing the City Manager’s promulgation of such Health Orders. In the event it is not feasible to do this, Chapter 8.120, as amended on January 19, 2021, requires the City Manager to, within 14 days of promulgation of said Health Orders or at the next duly noticed public meeting of the City Council, request the City Council to confirm the City Manager’s promulgation of the Health Order. The City Manager’s promulgation of the Health Order, and City Council’s confirmation of such orders, authorizes enforcement authority of the Health Orders under the Proclamation of Local Emergency and provisions of Chapter 8.120.
This process recognizes the potential need for the City's Health Officer to quickly amend or update, and the City Manager to promulgate as a regulation under the LBMC, City Health Orders that protect life and property as affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The process allows for the City to respond to the rapid development of COVID-19, while ensuring the City Council maintains oversight of the COVID-19 local emergency and the City Manager's promulgation of related orders.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson and by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on September 20, 2021.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY
LBMC Chapter 8.120 requires the City Manager to, within 14 days of promulgation of said Health Orders or at the next duly noticed public meeting of the City Council, request the City Council to confirm the City Manager’s promulgation of the Health Order. The Safer at Home Quarantine and Public Health Emergency Orders were revised and promulgated on September 15, 2021 and September 17, 2021, respectively.
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 revised Health Order takes the City’s equity approach into consideration when the Health Order is drafted and implemented. The City’s enforcement model for compliance with the Health Order prioritizes education with the community first.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 5, 2021. Confirmation by the City Council of the revised Health and Quarantine Orders is a requirement of LBMC Chapter 8.120.
FISCAL IMPACT
The full fiscal impact of the implementation and enforcement of the revised Health Order is unknown at this time, due to the unprecedented and quickly changing nature of the response to the pandemic. The Health Order and its amendments have an inherent impact on the health of the community and economic activity of Long Beach. There is substantial evidence provided through various public City reporting that the Health Order and its amendments are positively impacting the health and safety of Long Beach residents; and, there is substantial evidence, also provided through other public documents issued by the City, that the Health Order and its amendments are negatively impacting the economy and the City’s financial status. As the Health Order is modified from time to time, the modifications are intended to ensure compliance with State directives and to strike a balance, appropriate at the time of modification, between the safety and well-being of residents and other important considerations such as economic impacts. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER