For City Council Meeting [January 12, 2021]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Sean Grayson, Acting City Manager
Title
Request City Council to 1) Receive an Update on and Confirm the Continued Existence of a Local Emergency Throughout the City of Rialto in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 7695 Accepting the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant and Appropriate Funding for FY2020/2021 in the Amount of $96,072.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
On March 12, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 7600 declaring a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In the action staff indicated that the item would be brought back to the City Council for updates at each City Council meeting for the duration of the local emergency. The City Council received an update on and approved continuation of the local emergency on March 24, 2020; April 14, 2020; May 12, 2020; May 26, 2020; June 9, 2020; June 23, 2020; July 14, 2020; July 28, 2020; August 11, 2020; September 8, 2020; September 22, 2020; November 10, 2020; and December 8, 2020.
The City of Rialto Police Department has been offered a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program award of $96,072, by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for a time period running through January 31, 2022. These funds reimburse the police department for costs incurred to "prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus."
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On March 16, 2020, the City of Rialto cancelled all City events and activities and closed all City facilities to the public. City facilities remained open to provide services via phone, email, fax and scheduled meetings through means other than face-to-face.
Since the City’s declaration of a local emergency and actions on March 16, 2020 there have been significant directives from the State of California and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. The County of San Bernardino Health Officer ordered the cancellation of gatherings and closing of most businesses. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a Stay-At-Home order for all of California. This order limited the continued operations of businesses and entities to those that are critical infrastructure as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. After the order the City made modifications to the work environment, has provided work from home assignments and moved to a platoon staffing model rotating personnel weekly outside of police, fire and public works fields which maintain normal staffing and operations.
The County Order has been rescinded in favor of the State of California Roadmap to Modify the Stay At Home Order. Many business sectors have reopened but with significant restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some sectors including youth sports outside of day camp settings, indoor playgrounds, live theater, saunas and steam rooms, nightclubs, concert venues, festivals, and theme parks remain completely closed.
The Rialto City Council approved the phased reopening of City facilities beginning June 29, 2020, consistent with state and county guidance. Although all departments opened for in-person customer service, some services remained unavailable including many Community Services offerings which were scheduled to reopen at future dates if allowed.
On July 1, 2020 Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health directed counties, including all of San Bernardino County, that have been on the County Monitoring List for three consecutive days or more to close indoor operations for certain sectors which promote the mixing of populations beyond households and make adherence to physical distancing and wearing face coverings difficult. The guidance applies for a minimum of three weeks and is subject to an extension based on epidemiologic indicators. In addition, all brewpubs, breweries, bars, and pubs in San Bernardino County were ordered closed immediately, both indoor and outdoor.
Based upon this continued assessment the City took a tactical pause in its reopening plans on July 1, 2020. City facilities open at that time remain open while all other reopenings or future events have been postponed. This tactical pause impacts all Community Services facilities and programs. In order to ensure protection of employees and the community consistent with guidance the City continues to provide in-place protections for employees and customers as well as provide online, telephone and other than in-person services to the community.
On July 13, 2020 Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health directed counties, including all of San Bernardino County, that have been on the County Monitoring List for three consecutive days or more to close indoor operations for additional sectors beyond those identified on July 1, 2020 including: fitness centers, places of worship, offices of non-critical sectors, personal care services, hair salons and barbers, and malls. On August 27, 2020 Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health announced a change from the State’s County Monitoring List to a four-tiered color-coded blueprint for reopening. Under the new plan San Bernardino County is in the highest or worst tier, purple. Although the new plan will slow the process for transitioning to another tier and the allowance for reopening of additional sectors, the state did allow for the reopening of two additional sectors beginning August 31, 2020. Hair Salons and Barbers may reopen for indoor operations with additional precautions. Malls and all retail may reopen for indoor operations with additional precautions and maximum capacity limited to 25%.
Under guidance released from the California Department of Public Health, City of Rialto Parks were reopened with COVID-19 precautions as of October 2, 2020. The reopening of additional facilities, programs, amenities, and traditional City events will be deferred indefinitely with an amended reopening plan brought to the City Council for consideration after San Bernardino County has transitioned to a lower tier on the State’s blueprint for reopening plan.
Under the State's Blueprint, all of San Bernardino County will remain in the most restrictive tier (Purple / Widespread) for 21 days after reducing case rates and positivity rates at the next tier (Red / Substantial). Within the purple / widespread tier there is no additional reopenings allowed beyond existing limits.
On November 19, 2020 the California Department of Public Health issued a Limited Stay At Home Order for certain nighttime hours and limiting gatherings. In response to updated state guidance and the City’s established contingency plans, on November 25, 2020 all City office and facilities were closed to the public with provisions for appointments using COVID-19 precautions available for some services.
On December 3, 2021 the State of California announced a Regional Stay-At-Home Order that prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking (with certain exceptions as indicated within guidance for use of face coverings) and physical distancing in all others. The order was identified to go into effect anytime a region’s ICU bed availability fell below 15% and to remain in effect for at least 21 days. The order went into effect on December 7, 2020 for the Southern California, and was continued indefinitely on December 28, 2020 with regional ICU bed availability remaining 0%.
COVID-19 vaccinations began in San Bernardino County on December 16, 2020 following the County and State Health Departments’ phases and stages for vaccine allocation. The county remains in the “jumpstart phase” vaccinating high-risk healthcare workers and first responders.
The City Emergency Management Team evaluates the spread and impact of COVID-19 on a continual basis. Initial adjustments were implemented based upon trigger points established in relations to case numbers in the County and City. With ongoing community transmission actual case rates continue to be assessed with additional assessment of the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on City operations used to refine adjustments. Operational impacts largely focus on the available workforce, the closure status of various sectors, the ability to protect the workforce, the ability to protect the community while in City facilities, and the ability to provide essential and routine services to the community.
Continue the Local Emergency
The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths has continued to increase throughout the world, California and San Bernardino County specifically with cases reported in Rialto. The increased number of cases and compliance with state and county orders have generated citywide impacts including: the modified reopening of City facilities, the closure of specific City facilities and their related programs and services, the reopening of various businesses with restrictions, the closure of a variety of businesses, and limitations on access to county and state resources. As such, a local emergency still exists in Rialto in response to COVID-19. The recommended action will continue the local emergency through the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Accept the Bureau of Justice Assistance Coronavirus Supplemental Funding
The BJA FY 20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program allows States, U.S. Territories, the District of Columbia, units of local government, and federally recognized tribal governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.
The City of Rialto Police Department was awarded $96,072 to be used for, but not limited to equipment, staffing, hiring, supplies, and training. The coronavirus pandemic continues to put a strain on staffing levels and available resources. This funding is much needed and will assist the police department in maintaining a quality level of service for the citizens of Rialto as we continue to navigate the obstacles of this pandemic.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The requested action is consistent with General Plan goals 5.7 “Maintain a high level of emergency response capability” and 5.8 “Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact of the local emergency remains unknown at this time. Expenditures related to the event to date have been accomplished within existing purchase orders and the City Manager’s authority and have been attributed as an event expenditure.
Any additional expenditures using the Director of Emergency Services authority under the local emergency will be presented in subsequent reports to the City Council for the duration of the local emergency.
Operating Budget Impact
The City of Rialto Police Department is estimated to receive $96,072 from the BJA FY 20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program. Staff recommends an increase in estimated revenues of $96,072 to the Rialto BJA Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Fund Account No. 247-500-6901-7551; and appropriation of $96,072 in Account No. 247-500-6901-2021 for qualified expenditures of this grant. This grant requires no cash match.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not trigger a requirement for a business license.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
● Receive the update on and confirm the continued existence of a local emergency throughout the City of Rialto in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
● Adopt the resolution accepting the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program Grant and appropriate funding for FY2020/2021 in the Amount of $96,072.