ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the Mayor and Corporation Counsel with a Request to APPROVE the DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.
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BACKGROUND: In late 2019 a new and significant outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred. COVID-19 is a novel virus that can cause severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among people and present symptoms similar to influenza. Despite efforts to contain the disease, as of January 11, 2022 Peoria County has a 28.68% positivity rate and is classified as a "High" level of transmission per the CDC. The Governor has issued a Declaration of Emergency that is currently in place through February 6, 2022 given the transmission of the Omicron variant throughout Illinois.
The Mayor's Declaration of Emergency must be renewed after each regularly or special scheduled council meeting. The Mayor intends to renew the Declaration of Emergency to include the following:
1. Implement COVID protocols for City facilities.
2. Evaluate and create temporary procedures for public board and commission meetings to be conducted remotely in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
3. Evaluate and implement staffing adjustments, work schedules and alternate working arrangements, where necessary.
4. Authorize any emergency purchases to assist in the mitigation of COVID-19, where necessary.
5. Activate the City's Emergency Operations Plan, where necessary.
6. Enter into contracts for the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, the purchase of supplies and materials and the appropriate expenditures and disposition of public funds and property, as necessary.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: To be determined. Any and all FEMA reimbursable costs are being tracked and will be submitted with a request for reimbursement. Any funds available under the stimulus bill(s) will be pursued for all emergency costs incurred.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Mayor's Declaration of Emergen...
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