BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Continuation of Declaration of State of Emergency Regarding COVID-19.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Receive Information Regarding Ongoing Threat Posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic Since March 18, 2020; and
B. By four-fifths vote, adopt a RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT CONTINUING EMERGENCY DECLARATION AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
Body
SUMMARY:
On March 13, 2020, CEO Norma Camacho declared an emergency for the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) as a result of the threat to public services posed by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 (Attachment 1). This declaration of emergency was intended to expire in seven (7) days of its issuance unless ratified by the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Board of Directors. At its regular meeting of March 18, 2020, the Board ratified the CEO’s declaration of emergency and continued the emergency.
Since the Board’s action on March 18, 2020, the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has become more severe. On March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order 33-20 ordering all residents to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of critical sectors. On March 31, 2020, the County of Santa Clara updated its Shelter Order of March 16, 2020, by strengthening the social distancing requirements and extending the terms through May 3, 2020. As of April 16, 2020, there have been approximately 632,548 reported COVID-19 cases nationwide and approximately 31,071 deaths.
Given the challenges facing the nation, the state, and the region, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that Valley Water fulfill its mission in providing water supply and flood control to Santa Clara County. Given the speed of the local spread of COVID-19 and the fast-paced nature of recommendations and restrictions by the national, state, and county governments, Valley Water also needs to be able to implement changes in its workplace and personnel practices upon short notice, and will meet and confer over negotiable subjects with its bargaining units as soon as is practicable. Continuing the declaration of emergency will allow Valley Water to continue to fulfill its critical mission with speed and efficiency.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The efforts required to prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from the increasing spread of COVID-19 have and will continue to impose extraordinary requirements and expenses on Valley Water, requiring potential diversion of resources from day-to-day operations.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Declaration of Emergency
Attachment 2: Resolution
*Handout 9.1-A, Update
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Tina Yoke, 408-630-2385.