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Home My WebLink About2020-05-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - DISCUSSION OF RECENT LETTER TO LACO AND MTG WITH S (2)0 Agenda Item: 11 P CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:1 DATE: May 26, 2020 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF RECENT LETTER TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR BARGER RELATED TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE OR EXEMPTION DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office PRESENTER: Kenneth W. Striplin RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Review and discuss the written responses from Supervisor Barger received on Friday, May 15, and the details of the meeting with Supervisor Barger on Thursday, May 21, related to the City's request for a variance within the Los Angeles County order to be more in alignment with the State's order or potentially request an exemption from the State. 2. Discuss ongoing impacts to both short and long-term planning for City programming and events. 3. Provide any necessary direction to staff. BACKGROUND On April 28, 2020, Governor Newsom announced a four -phase plan to reopen local economies and on May 4, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-60-20 directing the State Public Health Officer to establish criteria and procedures to allow regional variations to public health measures that may depart from the statewide directives. The Governor established new criteria on May 18, 2020, and as of May 21, 2020, the State has approved 39 county exemptions, including Ventura and Kern counties, to expedite the reopening of their economies through Stage 2. This includes the ability to open (with modifications) schools, shopping centers, and dine -in restaurants. The County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on April 28, 2020, to develop a plan to Page 1 Packet Pg. 92 0 engage the business community and labor partners in plans to relax restrictions of the Safer at Home Order. On May 6, 2020, the Department of Public Health released the "Roadmap to Recovery" plan, which initiates a phased re -opening of the economy, which began on May 8, 2020. The County allowed additional businesses in Stage 2 of the plan to re -open on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. However, in the past week, the County has also issued conflicting end dates for the order ranging from July 4, 2020, to indefinitely, providing limited information on the justification related to either date. COVID-19 Cases According to data published on May 19, 2020, by the County Department of Public Health, the City of Santa Clarita (City) had 583 confirmed cases. Factoring in the population of Santa Clarita, the third most populous community in the County with 225,000 residents, this equates to .26 percent of the City's population having been infected, most of which have recovered within the last two months of reporting. The number of cases in the City represents 1.5 percent of total cases in the County (38,451). Furthermore, over the past two weeks (May 5, 2020 — May 19, 2020), the City has continued to experience a downward trend in the number of daily cases, reaching a near low of four cases on May 18, 2020. Economic Impact Even with the County recently relaxing some orders, most businesses are still closed, and for those businesses that have been allowed to re -open it is only in a limited capacity. The local economy in Santa Clarita experienced a sharp decline with the abrupt closures and continues to be impacted, resulting in thousands of businesses closing and significant job loss. A study published by Wallethub on April 29, 2020, ranked Santa Clarita as the 17th city in the nation (third in California) with the biggest growth in unemployment due to COVID-19. The economy in Santa Clarita relies heavily on entertainment, travel, film, aerospace production, retail, and food services —sectors that have been shut down under current the Safer at Home Order. The primary funding source of General Fund Revenue for the City is Sales Tax. The result of the Safer at Home Order is estimated to result in a $10 million loss in total revenue for the City in the current fiscal year, with these impacts continuing into Fiscal Year 2020-21. City Council Action At the City Council meeting on May 12, 2020, the City Council directed staff to disseminate a letter from the Mayor to Supervisor Barger opposing any further extensions to the Safer at Home Order and requesting a variance for cities in the North County region who have substantially low case numbers. The letter (attached) from the Mayor was distributed to Supervisor Barger on Thursday, May 14, and a response (attached) from Supervisor Barger was received on Friday, May 15, 2020, in addition to a letter (attached) sent by Supervisor Barger to County Counsel and the Department of Public Health. Further, at the May 12, 2020, City Council meeting, the Council also requested a committee of the Council (Mayor Pro Tem Miranda and Councilmember Kellar) meet with the City Manager Page 2 Packet Pg. 93 0 and Supervisor Barger to discuss the request. The meeting took place on Thursday, May 21, 2020. It is recommended the City Council discuss the status of the City's request for a variance within the current County order, planning for future City programming and provide any necessary direction to staff. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT None by this action. ATTACHMENTS Letter -Supervisor K. Barger re -Safer at Home Order Barger Letter on Variance COVID-19 City Variance -Barger Letter to Public Health Page 3 Packet Pg. 94 City of SANTA CLARITA 23920 Valencia Boulevard o Santa Clarita, California 91355-2196 Phone: (661) 259-2489 • FAX: (661) 259-8125 www.santa-clarita. com May 14, 2020 Cameron Smyth Kathryn Barger Mayor Supervisor, 5th District Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 W. Temple Street Bill Miranda Los Angeles, CA 90012 Mayor Pro Tern Dear Supervisor Barger: Bob Kellar Subject: Opposition to Extension of Safer at Home Order Councilmember On behalf of the 225,000 residents of the City of Santa Clarita (City), we want to thank you for the leadership you have displayed throughout the Marsha McLean COVID-19 Pandemic. Your daily updates and accessibility have provided Councilmember the residents of Los Angeles County (County) with both timely and accurate information that has been invaluable. Laurene Weste The purpose of this correspondence is to formally oppose any extension to Councilmember the current Safer and Home Order and petition the Board of Supervisors to allow flexibility for the City of Santa Clarita in complying with guidelines provided by the State or County —whichever is most appropriate for our community —to prevent the further degradation of our local economy. In addition, the City Council is requesting a more fragmented, regional re- opening plan for the North County region —all cities within which have very low rates of infection. As you are aware, recently, the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale have requested similar actions by the County. After two months of adhering to the guidelines and directives issued by both State and County Public Health officials, the City of Santa Clarita can continue the progress against the virus, while allowing our local economy to slowly and responsibly initiate the recovery process. We are proud of the efforts (and results) of our residents; however, it is not without cost. Santa Clarita was recently named the 17th hardest hit US City (3rd in California) for COVID-19 unemployment growth by WalletHub. The City of Santa Clarita economy relies heavily on entertainment, film, aerospace Packet Pg. 95 Opposition to Extension of Safer at Home Order May 14, 2020 Page 2 production, retail and food services —sectors that have been completely shut down under the current orders. The economic impact to this community has been and will be devastating, yet the rate of infection remains very low. In the last 12 hours, the City has received more than 800 correspondences from concerned residents and businesses in jeopardy of closing their doors permanently. As of May 13, 2020, Santa Clarita accounted for only 529 cases of the County's 34,428 COVID-19 cases, or just 1.5%. In fact, hospital visits have been so low that our local hospital, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial (HMNMH) announced the beginning of staff reductions last week. Looking at the data available for the three cities in the North County region, total cases have reached 1,494 or only 4.3% of the County's total. The North County is also geographically larger and separated from the other areas of the County with a combined population of just over 525,000 residents. This combined population is greater than 74% of the 58 counties in the entire State of California. With this information provided and the active efforts to "slow the spread" and "flatten the curve," the City Council believes this request for flexibility is justified for the cities in the North County region to begin the economic recovery process. A committee of the City Council eagerly awaits a meeting with you to discuss these requests and develop a more immediate and clear path forward. Again, we want to thank you for your leadership and support of our community, not only during this nationwide crisis, but on a day-to-day basis. We greatly appreciate your consideration of our request. Sincerest Regards, „ Cameron Smyth Mayor Packet Pg. 96 Opposition to Extension of Safer at Home Order May 14, 2020 Page 3 CS:JM:as S:\MSVerrid\Letters-Emails-Memos-Speaking Notes\City Council -LA County Reopen Letter 5.13.2020.docx cc: Members of the Santa Clarita City Council State Senator Scott Wilk State Senator Henry Stern Assembly Member Christy Smith Assembly Member Tom Lackey Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District Supervisor Mark Ridley -Thomas, Second. District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Third District Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District Stephanie English, Senior Field Deputy, Santa Clarita Valley Barbara Ferrer, County of Los Angeles Public Health Director Jennifer Quan, League of California Cities Joe A. Gonsalves & Son Kenneth W. Striplin, City Manager Frank Oviedo, Assistant City Manager Masis Hagobian, Intergovernmental Relations Analyst Packet Pg. 97 BOARD 01, SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869 KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 TEL: 213-974-5555 FAX: 213-974-1010 fay 0 KATHRYN BARGER SUPERVISOR, FIFTH DISTRICT CHAIR OF THE BOARD May 15, 2020 Honorable Mayor Cameron Smyth City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Boulevard Santa Clarita, Ca. 91355 Dear M OfX*01 I am in receipt of your thoughtful letter stating your opposition to the Safer at Home Order and want to thank you for your ongoing communication with our shared constituents during this very difficult time. Your leadership and support of the Public Health Orders to date have no doubt contributed to the City's mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Santa Clarita. In addition, I applaud your efforts to support and recognize our essential workers with your Hearts fear Hero's campaign which I know is deeply appreciated throughout the community. I recognize that Santa Clarita is the third largest City in Los Angeles County and there are many large corporations and industries who employ large numbers of our residents. Equally important are the many small businesses who are the fabric of communities throughout the County and who collectively stimulate our economy providing employment to thousands of people. I am keenly aware of the adverse effects the pandemic has had on our economy and the hardships the State and County health orders have had on those sectors you enumerated in your letter. I agree that given the size, topography and diversity of our County, it is reasonable to explore how we may legally provide a variance to certain regions or cities who meet the established public health guidelines. Accordingly, I have directed County Counsel, along with our Public Health Director, to report back to me within a week providing an analysis of the feasibility of crafting a variance. This would allow certain jurisdictions and cities to reopen earlier than other parts of the county while adhering to appropriate public health guidelines. I Packet Pg. 98 1 Honorable Mayor Cameron Smyth May 15, 2020 Page 2 I deeply appreciate your support and ongoing collaboration to work in unison to save lives while revitalizing our economy. Together, we have managed many challenging issues over the years, but we have certainly not managed a global crisis of this magnitude. It is now more vital than ever to maintain our alliance as we work to achieve our common goals. Sincerely, KATHRYN BARGER Supervisor, Fifth District Chair, Board of Supervisors KB:sec c: Members of the Santa Clarita City Council State Senator Scott Wilk State Senator Henry Stern Assembly Member Christy Smith Assembly Member Tom Lackey Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District Supervisor Mark Ridley -Thomas, Second District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Third District Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District Mary Wickham, County Counsel Stephanie English, Senior Field Deputy, Santa Clarita Valley Dr. Barbara Ferrer, County of Los Angeles Public Health Director Jennifer Quan, League of California Cities Joe A. Gonsalves & Son Kenneth W. Striplin, City Manager Frank Oviedo, Assistant City Manager Masis Hagoblan, Intergovernmental Relations Analyst I Packet Pg. 99 1 �,w cis BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 869 KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012 TEL: 213-974-5555 FAX: 213-974-1010 KATHRYN BARGM SUPERVISOR, FIFTH DISTRICT CHAIR OF THE BOARD May 14, 2020 Ms. Mary Wickham County Counsel County of Los Angeles 500 West Temple Street 648 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration Los Angeles, CA 90012 Dr. Barbara Ferrer Director Department of Public Health 313 North Figueroa Street, Suite 806 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Dear Ms. Wickham and Dr. Ferrer: On May 7, Governor Newsom introduced his Variance to Stage 2 of California's Roadmap to Modify the Stay -at -Home Order Guidance to County Governments. This allows counties that have met certain benchmarks to move to the next stage of reopening businesses and to avoid devasting delays by waiting for the readiness of the entire state. At least 18 counties have submitted their attestation forms demonstrating preparedness to open businesses. After showing their ability to protect public health, the guidance allows dine -in restaurants and shopping centers to reopen in counties with state approval. This action by the Governor acknowledges and appreciates the urban and rural diversity of California and distinct impacts of the spread of COVID-19. Similarly, Los Angeles County, covering over 4,000 square miles, is made up of vast urban and rural communities. The 88 cities in Los Angeles County also range in density from less than 1,000 citizens per square mile to more than 40,000 citizens per square mile. Less dense areas of the county, state, and country have shown lower degrees of transmission. By way of example, the northern area of Los Angeles County, comprised of the cities of Santa Clarita, Lancaster, and Palmdale, along with the surrounding unincorporated areas, make up only 4% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in L.A. County. While the health impact has been low, the economic impact has been significant. Conversely, the City of Los Angeles makes up less than 40% of the county's overall population but hosts nearly 50% of the county's reported cases. Packet Pg. 100 Ms. Mary Wickham Dr. Barbara Ferrer May 14, 2020 Page 2 With this information in mind, I am requesting that you provide a legal analysis of the feasibility of crafting a variance for cities and/or regions within Los Angeles County in one week. This grants them the same ability to move to the next stage and reopen businesses with criteria that ensures protection of public health. By allowing communities to safely reopen, the entire county benefits by not exacerbating serious health, mental health, and financial impacts. We need to think outside the box as we continue to transition from Safer at Home to Safer at Work and Safer in our Communities. Sincerely, &4p-- KATHYRN BARGER Supervisor, Fifth District Chair, Board of Supervisors c: Honorable Hilda Solis, Supervisor, First District Honorable Mark Ridley -Thomas, Supervisor, Second District Honorable Sheila Kuehl, Supervisor, Third District Honorable Janice Hahn, Supervisor, Fourth District Sachi Hamai, Chief Executive Officer for County of Los Angeles Dr. Christian Ghaly, Director County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services Packet Pg. 101