REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 6, 2020
FROM
CURT HAGMAN, Chairman and Fourth District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Address Governor Gavin Newsom’s Reopening Guidelines
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Adopt Resolution requesting Governor Gavin Newsom establish a more stable and predictable process to reopen businesses and direct that communities in San Bernardino County that have experienced historically low rates of infection be permitted to reopen.
2. Direct the County Administrative Office to transmit the resolution to the Governor’s office.
(Presenter: Chairman and Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman, 387-4866)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Improve County Government Operations.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net
County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 19, 2020, due to COVID-19, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20, ordering all individuals in California to stay in their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of federal critical infrastructure sectors, thereby reducing and stopping non-essential businesses from continuing operations.
On August 28, 2020 Governor Newsom issued a new framework entitled "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" (Blueprint). The Blueprint originally and specifically, requires California's counties to meet stated benchmarks in overall case rates and testing positivity rates in order to move into less restrictive tiers that would allow for a measured reopening of businesses, schools and other activities. On Monday, September 7, 2020, Governor Newsom announced an adjustment to his Blueprint, now including a benchmark on overall testing rates as an added criteria California counties must meet for the reopening of businesses, churches, schools and other activities.
Governor Newsom's adjustments and changes to stated goals and objectives in dealing with COVID-19 complicate county government’s ability to manage this crisis, forcing San Bernardino County to change course, re-prioritize, reposition and re-adapt, at great time and expense, straining local personnel and resources.
The recommended resolution states the County of San Bernardino requests Governor Gavin Newsom make the process counties must follow to reopen businesses more stable and predictable, for example by having the testing metric be attached to a fixed number rather than the median testing number of 58 counties. The resolution also asks the Governor to determine that communities in San Bernardino County that have experienced historically low rates of infection be permitted to reopen.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Penny Alexander-Kelley, Chief Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 2, 2020, County Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on October 2, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on October 2, 2020.