Agenda Item: 13(d)
Prepared By: Mike McNees
Business: City Council Item
Department: City Manager
Subject:
Title
Review of Proclamation of October 16, 2020 Declaring a State of Emergency Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Body
BACKGROUND:
During the early stages of the developing COVID-19 pandemic, Chairman Brechnitz executed a proclamation (attached) enacting provisions of Chapter 10 of the City Code of the City of Marco Island, which establishes procedures for the City's response to civil emergencies.
One of the fundamental effects of the Declaration of Emergency is to create eligibility for the City for reimbursement from state and federal agencies for certain costs incurred by the City in preparation for, in responding to, and in the aftermath of the emergency event.
Section 10-6 of City Code, which was thereby enacted, also allows for certain emergency measures to be enacted by the Chairman without further action of the City Council. Given the nature and duration of the COVID-19 event, which is significantly different from more typical emergency events, a question has been raised by the Council as to whether unilateral action by the Chairman related to emergency response protocols remains necessary or appropriate. Further discussion raises the question of whether remaining in a declared state of emergency is appropriately justified for purposes of preserving federal and state funding eligibility.
City incurred expenditures on preventive and response measures related to COVID-19 through the end of October 23, 2020 are $435,000. Under the state of emergency, we have received $70,000 in reimbursement from the Justice Department, through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, through the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) program. Application has also been made to Collier County, who administers Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (Cares) funding as provided by Congress and passed down through the State of Florid...
Click here for full text