Title
Approval of an Ordinance Declaring a Public Health Emergency Relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19) - First and Final Reading
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Ordinance declaring a state of public health emergency relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) and authorizing actions as are reasonable and necessary to mitigate conditions caused by such public health emergency on first and final reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Ordinance declaring a state of public health emergency relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) and authorizing actions as are reasonable and necessary to mitigate conditions caused by such public health emergency.
Staff Contact:
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
On January 21, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States of America in Snohomish County, Washington, and local health departments and the Washington State Department of Health have since worked to identify, contact, and test persons in Washington State who may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19 in coordination with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On January 31, 2020, the Secretary of the United States Department of Public Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, declared a public health emergency effective January 27, 2020 for the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
On February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed Proclamation 20-05 declaring that a State of Emergency exists in all counties in the State of Washington due to the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, and that the risk of person-to-person transmission throughout Washington State and the United States of America would significantly impact the life and health of people, as well as the economy of Washington State, and is a public disaster that affects life, health, property or the public peace. The Governor directed State agencies and departments to utilize State resources to do everything reasonably possible to assist political subdivisions of the State in an effort to respond and recover from the outbreak.
On March 10, 2020, Governor Inslee signed Proclamation 20-06, addressing risks to persons living in congregate care settings, such as long-term care facilities, and imposing certain restrictions in all counties of the State of Washington.
On March 11, 2020, Governor Inslee signed Proclamation 20-07, imposing restrictions on large gatherings of people of 250 or more for social, spiritual, and recreational activities, including but not limited to community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events, parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers and similar activities.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. WHO acknowledged that as of March 11, 2020, there were more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 had lost their lives to COVID-19. WHO stated it had never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus and that this is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. WHO called for nations to take urgent and aggressive action.
On March 12, 2020, the Thurston County Board of Health adopted Resolution No. H-03-2020, finding that as of March 12, 2020, there were 366 positive results and 29 deaths due to COVID-19 in Washington State, with twelve (12) counties reporting cases, evidencing the growing nature of the epidemic.
On March 12, 2020, the Board of Thurston County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 15880, finding that Thurston County’s declaration of a local emergency will allow the County to undertake emergency purchases pursuant to RCW 36.32.270 and RCW 39.04.280 when such purchases require immediate action in the event of an emergency, among other emergency actions.
On March 12, 2020, Governor Inslee adopted Proclamation 20-08, amending his prior proclamations to prohibit public school districts, charter schools, and private schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties from conducting in-person educational, recreational, and other K-12 school programs in their school facilities. Subsequently, on March 13, 2020, the Governor, as reported in The Seattle Times, expanded K-12 school closures of all Washington schools from March 17 through at least April 24, 2020; and
On March 13, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health issued new statistics that 568 persons have tested positive for novel COVID-19, with 37 confirmed deaths statewide; and
Declaring a state of public health emergency provides a factual basis for the public health emergency and references statutory authority that allows the City more flexibility to act quickly in response to COVID-19. Under the Ordinance, the City may, for example, obligate funds for emergency expenditures as directed by the City Council and enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat such emergency situations to protect the health and safety of persons and property.
The Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by a vote of a majority plus one, and the emergency will be in effect through June 18, 2020, at which point the City Council will review the conditions that gave rise to this public health emergency to determine if keeping it in place is warranted.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
COVID-19 is a significant concern to the Olympia public.
Options:
1. Move to approve the Ordinance declaring a state of public health emergency relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) and authorizing actions as are reasonable and necessary to mitigate conditions caused by such public health emergency.
2. Direct staff to modify the Ordinance.
3. Move to take no action.
Financial Impact:
Unknown.
Attachments:
Ordinance