HomeMy WebLinkAboutDirection - Resumption of In-Person City Council-Cmte-Cmsn Mtgs and Reopen City HallSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
MEETING DATE: 10 September, 2020
PREPARED BY: Lauri Aylaian, City Manager
REQUEST: Provide direction to staff regarding the resumption of in -
person City Council and Committee/Commission meetings,
and to reopen City Hall to the general public on a walk-in
basis.
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, provide direction to staff regarding: the resumption of in -
person City Council and Committee/Commission meetings; and reopening
of City Hall to the general public on a walk-in basis.
Background Analysis
The Governor of California issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency on March 4,
2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a declaration of local health
emergency by the Riverside County Public Health Officer on March 8. The chronology of
public health orders in Riverside County thereafter led to the cancellation of public
gatherings of more than 250 people on March 12, the closure of schools on March 13,
and later to the prohibition of gatherings in the County with an expected presence of more
than 10 people. While this excluded critical city operations, Governor Newsom's order on
March 19, directing all individuals living in the State to stay home except for certain
essential services, placed increased emphasis on conducting city business differently for
municipalities across the state, including the City of Palm Desert.
Citv Council, Committee, and Commission Meetings: For the March 26 meeting of the
City Council, some Councilmembers participated in the meeting via teleconference, under
Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-25-20. The public was strongly encouraged to
participate remotely in the meeting by sending an email or leaving a voicemail prior to the
meeting. The April 16 meeting was the first conducted entirely outside of the Council
Chambers by way of a video conference that was simultaneously streamed over the City's
website.
Committee and commission meetings were largely suspended in March after the
issuance of the County and State public health orders, and on June 25th, the City Council
directed that all committees and commissions hold their meetings virtually until at least
September, at which time the issue would be revisited. The purpose of this staff report is
to solicit direction from the City Council regarding the resumption of in -person meetings.
10 September 2020 - Staff Report
Resumption of In -Person Meetings and City Hall Services
Page 2 of 2
The Council may elect to continue the current practice of conducting meetings using
videoconferencing technologies, or may elect to resume some or all public meetings in
person. Whatever approach is selected, public participation will continue to be made
available through a wide range of methodologies, including letters, email and voicemail
messages, live telephone calls, and Zoom webinars and meetings.
City Hall Operations: Since the 17 March 2020 declaration of a local emergency in Palm
Desert, City Hall has been closed to the public. After a brief interlude to equip staff
members for working remotely, all essential services have been delivered to the public in
a variety of methods, but with a limited number of staff members at City Hall and the Corp
Yard. Strict protocols have been instituted, and facility modifications have been made to
protect the health and safety of those reporting to City Hall. Although the planned
modifications are substantially complete, the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet abated,
and Riverside County is in the purple (widespread) tier of the State's new framework for
reopening of business. Similarly, ramping up staffing at City Hall, or inviting the public to
return, would be contrary to the guidance offered by the State and County public health
officials. Therefore, staff recommends that City Hall remain closed to the public until such
time as Riverside County moves into the red (substantial) or orange (moderate) tiers of
the State's framework for reopening of business.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the General Fund by virtue of the options
discussed in this staff report.
LEGAL REVIEW
N/A
DEPT. REVIEW
N/A
Lori Carney
Robert W. Hargreaves Lori Carney
City Attorney Director of
Administrative Services
City Manager Lauri Aylaian:
FINANCIAL REVIEW
N/A
Janet M. Moore
Director of Finance
ASSISTANT
CITY MANAGER
N/A
Andy Firestine
Assistant City Manager