30 - Extending the Mayor's Declaration of Local Disaster for an additional 60 days

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Item No. 30 TO: City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney SUBJECT: Ordinance to extend COVID-19 disaster declaration to September 26, 2020 DATE: July 22, 2020 BACKGROUND: On March 19`x', Mayor Clifford issued a disaster declaration and order related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council has extended the disaster declaration each month since then by periods of 30 days. STATUS OF ISSUE: It is advisable that the city extend the declaration of disaster throughout the duration of this pandemic because it has implications for the receipt of state and federal disaster - related funding and reimbursements. As of this time, none of the disaster aid available to the city including funding under the CARES Act has required a disaster declaration; however, as a belt and suspenders approach, it is advisable to extend the declaration, and there are no negative consequences for doing so. All previous mandates contained in the Mayor's disaster orders and the Council's resolution and ordinances adopting same have expired, and the city is now deferring to Governor Abbott's executive orders regarding COVID-19. Previous extensions of the city's disaster declaration have been for 30 days. I am recommending extending the declaration for 60 days because given current infection rates, it doesn't appear that we will be out of the woods within 30 days. The declaration can always be reconsidered and terminated should conditions change before the end of the 60 day period. BUDGET: No direct impact. Extending the disaster declaration may enable us to disaster funding the city might not otherwise be entitled to. RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve an ordinance extending the declaration of disaster for COVID-19 related public health emergency for 60 days, or until September 26, 2020.