REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 16, 2021
FROM
LEONARD X. HERNANDEZ, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Continuation of Local Emergency Related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Continue the Emergency Proclamation, originally proclaimed by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors on March 10, 2020, resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting San Bernardino County, as the virus still exists and continues to be a local emergency, for an additional period in accordance with Government Code section 8630(c).
(Presenter: Brent Martin, Emergency Services Manager, 356-3998)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Focus on Recovery and Resiliency Following Major Emergency Responses such as the December 2, 2015 Terrorist Attack (SB Strong) and the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The action to continue this local emergency will not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 10, 2020, in accordance with Government Code section 8630(a), the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors (Board) proclaimed the existence of a local emergency for COVID-19 affecting all cities/communities in San Bernardino County. The impacts from COVID-19 resulted in the need for the County to implement emergency protective measures.
In order to promote a coordinated and efficient response to needs that may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic, the County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is recommending continuation of the emergency proclamation. Continuation of the emergency proclamation enables OES to maintain an operational ready environment, allowing flexibility for OES to coordinate and respond to any surge in COVID-19 cases that may occur, especially through the upcoming winter months. This action will also allow for expedited procurement of any goods and equipment necessary to support the emergency response in relation to COVID-19 where time is of the essence. Additionally, OES must continue tracking related costs, as these costs may be eligible for recovery through federal/state cost recovery programs. While COVID-19 infection rates are currently in decline, continuation of the emergency proclamation allows OES to complete required administrative and fiscal actions, such as any closeout activities for COVID-19 related funding.
Board approval of this recommendation would continue the local emergency for an additional period in accordance with Government Code section 8630(c). A local emergency, as defined by Government Code section 8558(c), continues to exist as there exists conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of the County, caused by COVID-19, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat. Continuation of the local emergency proclamation will allow the County to access state and federal funding to support the pandemic related emergency needs of the County.
Pursuant to Government Code section 8630(c), the Board shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the Board terminates the local emergency. The Board last took action to continue this local emergency on October 5, 2021 (Item No. 27).
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Miles Kowalski, Deputy County Counsel, 387-
5455) on October 20, 2021; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on November 2, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on November 2, 2021.