Coalinga City Council unanimously voted to approve Resolution 3959 which declares a local emergency. Ultimately, this proclamation gives City Manager the ability to actually manage the city without permission from the city council during this health crisis. It also makes available federal funds for small business loans and other necessities.
RESOLUTION NO. 3959
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COALINGA
PROCLAIMING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code section 8630, et. Seq.) establishes procedures for proclaiming emergencies and for responding promptly to the needs that arise during emergencies; and,
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 410 of the City of Coalinga empowers the City Council to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when said City is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and,
WHEREAS, the United States has confirmed cases of individuals who have a severe acute respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (“COVID-19” or “the virus”) first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Provence, People’s Republic of China in December of 2019; and,
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO) officials now report that sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus is occurring and transmission from an asymptomatic individual has been documented. Although most individuals infected with COVID-19 recover from the illness without special treatment, some may become seriously ill, particularly those with compromised immune systems or underlying health issues; and,
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, and on January 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for the United States; and,
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has determined that the virus presents a serious public health threat, requiring coordination among state and local health departments to ensure readiness for potential health threats associated with the virus; and,
WHEREAS, the CDC has issued guidance to local and State health departments, including Fresno County’s Department of Public Health (FCDPH), concerning risk assessment and public health management of persons with potential exposure to COVID-19; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Coalinga (“the City” or “City”), FCDPH, the Office of
Emergency Services and other City and County partners have been working successfully and diligently to implement CDC guidelines, but now require additional tools and resources to protect the public health given the current state of the pandemic and need for a sustained response; and,
WHEREAS, the recent closure of public schools will require City employees who provide essential services to be away from work to care for their children or to be away from work to self-isolate due to COVID-19 exposures; and,
WHEREAS, the City has been requested by the City Manager of the City of Coalinga to proclaim the existence of a local emergency therein; and
WHEREAS, said City Council does hereby find:
That conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within said City, caused by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) commencing on or about the 19 day of March 2020; and
That the aforesaid conditions of extreme peril warrant and necessitate the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED by the City Council of the City of Coalinga that a local emergency, as defined by Government Code Section 8558c now exists throughout the City of Coalinga; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the
existence of said local emergency, the powers, functions and duties of the City Manager or her designee, Fire Chief, and Police Chief shall be those prescribed by State law and the Ordinances, Resolutions, and approved plans of the City of Coalinga in order to contain and mitigate the effects of the local emergency.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that pursuant to Public Contract Code Sections 20134, 22050, and 20395, the City Manager or her designee, Assistant City Manager or Financial Services Director is hereby authorized to engage independent contractors to complete all necessary work to contain or mitigate the effects of said local emergency. Contracts for this work may be executed without prior Council approval of the plans, specifications, and working details, without giving notice for bids or contracts.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that Marissa Trejo, or
her designee, is hereby designated at the authorized representative for public and individual assistance of the City of Coalinga for the purpose of receipt, processing, and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain available state and federal assistance.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that all City officers and employees take all steps requested by the City Manager or her designee to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent or alleviate illness or death due to the virus; and, all City officers and employees take all steps requested by the City Manager or her designee to qualify the City for reimbursement from the State (CalOES) or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and for other state and federal relief as may be available to reimburse the City for the expenses it incurs in addressing this emergency.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that said local emergency shall be deemed to continue to exist until its termination is proclaimed by the City Council of the City of Coalinga, State of California,
PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Coalinga at a regular meeting on this 19th day of March, 2020, by the following vote:
Council Member Ray Singleton: Aye
Council Member Tanya Stolz: Aye
Council Member Adam Adkisson: Aye
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Ramsey: Aye
Mayor Ron Lander: Aye