HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 Direction Regarding Reopening GuidanceSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE DEPARTMENT
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2021
PREPARED BY: Lori Carney, Director of Administrative Services
REQUEST: Provide staff with direction regarding the reopening of the City facilities
to walk-in, in-person services and meetings, including the resumption of
in-person Committee, Commission, and Council meetings.
_________________________________________________________________ ___
Recommendation
By minute motion, provide staff with direction regarding the reopening of City
facilities to walk-in, in-person services and meetings, including the
resumption of in-person Committee, Commission, and Council meetings.
Background Analysis
The City of Palm Desert closed City facilities to in-person services on March 17, 2020, in
accordance with State and County public health orders related to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Since that time, many staff have worked remotely, and public services have been provided
virtually.
Now, with case rates dropping and vaccination increasing, many of the restrictions put in place
by the State and County are being lifted and staff is planning for the reopening of City facilities.
A committee of employees and managers have met to develop the following plan for your
feedback. This plan relies on the State’s colored Tier system and the planned lifting of
restrictions on June 15. Because this guidance is changing rapidly the most recent information
on mask mandates, public health orders and state guidance will be provided at the meeting.
Phase Target
Date
Action
One Immediately • In person services provided by appointment.
• Signage, plexiglass barriers and PPE use in effect.
• Masks and hand sanitizer available for customers, vendors and
employees.
• Employees may continue to work remotely provided service metrics
are met.
Two Yellow Tier
for
• Development Services and Public Works lobby and counters open to
walk-in services for the public. All City departments provide in-
person services by appointment.
May 27, 2021 - Staff Report
Reopening of City Facilities
Page 2 of 3
Riverside
County
• Public is screened and checked in at Development Services
Entrance.
• Council and Commission meetings remain virtual.
• Employees return to majority on-site work, with social distance, and
“a & b” teams to reduce potential COVID exposures. When
advisable, and provided service metrics are met, moderate remote
work schedules continue.
• Palm Desert Aquatic Center summer hour begin (June 7) with limited
hours due to limited number of lifeguards:
• Mon – Thurs.: 5:30am -12:00pm and 5:00pm - 8:00pm
• Friday: 5:30am -3:00pm
• Saturday: 7:00am – 5:00pm
• Sunday: closed
Three June 15,
2021 • Administration (Council and CM) Lobby open to the public
• Employees work primarily on-site.
• Committee meetings may be held in person.
• Council and Planning Commission may resume.
• North Wing lobby remains closed pending visitor services policy
direction.
• Recommendation is dependent on State target date for lifting all
restrictions
The proclamation of local emergency enacted by the City in 2020 does not inhibit reopening.
Staff recommends reviewing the declaration following a reopening to the public in Phase 3
without restrictions.
Staff recommends continuing with virtual Council and Planning Commission meetings until
August 26, 2021, at the earliest. The pending Council Chamber modifications will impact the
ability to conduct meetings in the Council Chamber as soon as Q3. This would enable staff to
more fully develop a timeline for the Council Chamber modifications, including a construction
timeline, and to evaluate additional IT upgrades in the way of meeting management and AV to
further enable a hybrid in-person and remote participation model. It will also enable staff to
identify alternate locations for Council to conduct meetings for the duration of the project,
including the possibility of conducting those with a similar hybrid approach.
Staff is requesting feedback on the draft plan and any other direction the Council would like to
provide on this issue.
Fiscal Analysis
PPE, signage, plexiglass barriers for the lobbies and staff work areas were purchased and
put in place over the last year. Additional signs and minor modifications in these areas will
have de minimis fiscal impact. Modifications to the Council Chambers for in-person and/or
hybrid meetings are being considered and presented separately.
May 27, 2021 - Staff Report
Reopening of City Facilities
Page 3 of 3
LEGAL REVIEW DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW
N/� Lori Carney ��, � �r. �aau
Robert W. Hargreaves Lori Carney Janet M. Moore
City Attorney Director of Admin. Services Director of Finance
City Manager, L. Todd Hileman: L. Todd I-t�levu.avi.
*By Minute Motion, approve the re-
opening plan as presented and directed
staff to continue to refine the plan as more
information is available from the County
and State. 5_0
ASSISTANT
CITY MANAGER
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Andy Firestine
Assistant City Manager
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