Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
4/5ths Vote (ATR Only)
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Activation of funding to address Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) local emergency response
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution temporarily suspending certain County ordinances, rules, regulations, or policies relating to the procurement of goods and services during the period of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) local emergency; and
B) Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request receiving a contribution in the amount of $15,000,000 from Non-Departmental Reserves to be allocated towards operating costs for the County of San Mateo’s Emergency Operations Center
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BACKGROUND:
In January 2020, the United States confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in Washington State. As of March 19, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 10,442 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the US resulting in 150 deaths. Currently, there are 89 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within San Mateo County resulting in one death.
On March 2, 2020, the County of San Mateo’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was engaged to assist in coordinating and disseminating public information. On March 3, 2020, the County’s Health Officer issued a “Declaration of Local Health Emergency Regarding Novel Coronavirus 2019” and the County Manager, as the County’s Director of Emergency Services (the “Director”), issued a proclamation of local emergency pursuant to Government Code section 8630 and Chapter 2.46 of the County’s Ordinance Code, which proclamation was ratified by the Board of Supervisors on March 10, 2020, pursuant to Government Code section 8630 (the “COVID-19 Local Emergency”).
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the COVID-19 is now characterized as a pandemic.
DISCUSSION:
For the immediate preservation of order and of public health, the Director and the Director’s designee, the Incident Commander at the EOC, have made many requests for services, supplies, and equipment. Currently, these expenses are being made through County Department appropriations. So that Departments do not continue to divert funds necessary for their regular business functions towards EOC costs, we are requesting that cost allocations come from Non-Departmental Reserves instead. This Appropriation Transfer Request allows for the cost burden to be moved away from Departments and to Non-Departmental Reserves and also streamlines funds to a single budget unit that can be clearly traced for reimbursement purposes at the Federal level.
Pursuant to Government Code section 25502.7, the attached resolution authorizes the County Manager, as the County’s purchasing agent and Director of Emergency Services, or the County Manager’s designee, to engage independent contractors to perform services related to the COVID-19 Local Emergency for the County up to and including $500,000.
The resolution also temporarily suspends the enforcement of any County ordinance, rule, regulation, or policy, including those relating to the procurement of goods or services and any associated competitive bidding requirements and/or administrative processes if the Director of Emergency Services, or the Director’s designee, determines and declares that strict compliance with that ordinance, rule, regulation, or policy during the period of the COVID-19 Local Emergency would prevent, hinder, or delay the response to the local emergency provided that any such agreements must be approved as to form and legality by the Office of the County Counsel.
Finally, the resolution authorizes and directs payment in connection with any agreements executed by the Director, or the Director’s designee from the issuance of the proclamation of local emergency (March 3, 2020) prior to the date of the resolution provided that this Board ratifies such agreements within thirty days of the agreements’ execution.
The County Controller has approved the accounting for the ATR request.
The resolutions have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action appropriates monies associated with the current operation at the Emergency Operations Center and will lower the Non-Departmental Reserves by $15,000,000.