10 - Extending the Mayor's Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency to 1-23-2022

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Item No. 10 TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney SUBJECT: Ordinance to extend COVID-19 disaster declaration to January 23, 2022 DATE: October 11, 2021 BACKGROUND: On March 19th, former Mayor Clifford issued a disaster declaration and order related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council has extended the disaster declaration by periods of 30, 60, 90, and 120 days since that time. On July 26, 2021 Council extended the declaration an additional 90 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 will expire on October 23, 2021, 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 to 120 days. I am recommending extending the declaration for 90 days because that gets us through the Fall and January will be a good time to re-evaluate whether the declaration is still necessary. The declaration can always be reconsidered and terminated should conditions change before the end of the 90 day period. It is worth noting that the Governor's disaster declaration has been extended monthly and is still in full force and effect. 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 90 days, or until January 23, 2022.