REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency by the Director of Emergency Services
Report
BACKGROUND
Section 2.140.060 of the Code of the City of Santa Clara, California ("SCCC") empowers the Director of Emergency Services to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a "local emergency" when the City of Santa Clara is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity. Any proclamation of a local emergency is subject to ratification by the City Council within seven days.
Ratification of the Director of Emergency Services' (City Manager) proclamation of a local emergency allows the City to exercise extraordinary police powers, such as evacuation; immunity for emergency actions; authorization of issuance of orders and regulations; activation of pre-established emergency provisions; and is a prerequisite for requesting state or federal assistance. Termination of the proclamation of local emergency when conditions warrant is required by law.
The following is a summary of key events related to the spread of COVID-19:
1. A novel coronavirus (named "COVID-19") was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019.
2. On January 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed reports from Washington state of the first U.S. resident with COVID-19 infection.
3. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
4. On January 31, 2020, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency.
5. On January 31, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the County of Santa Clara ("County").
6. By March 4, 2020, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County had increased to eleven (11) with confirmed community spread, the California Department of Health Services reported its first death related to COVID-19, an...
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