12 - Ordinance Extending COVID-19 Disaster Declaration to 1-24-2021

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Item No. 12 s TO: City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney SUBJECT: Ordinance to extend COVID-19 disaster declaration to January 24, 2021 DATE: September 14, 2021 BACKGROUND: On March 19th, Mayor Clifford issued a disaster declaration and order related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council extended the disaster declaration each by periods of 30 days, and in July, Council extended the disaster declaration by 60 days. The current extension expires on September 261H 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 120 days because given current infection rates, it doesn't appear that we will be out of the woods within 60 days, and in fact, as the weather turns cooler, we may well have an uptick in confirmed cases. An extension of 120 days, or until January 24, 2021, will get us through the holidays, and we can better assess where we are with the pandemic. The declaration can always be reconsidered and terminated should conditions change before the end of the 120 day period. BUDGET: No direct impact. Extending the disaster declaration may enable us to secure 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 120 days, or until January 24, 2021.