HomeMy Public PortalAbout09) 10A- Staff Report-COVID-21-July 29 2020AGENDA
ITEM 10.A.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 21, 2020
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Bryan Cook, City Manager
Via: Susan Paragas, Administrative Services Director
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW OF TEMPORARY EMERGENCY ACTION RELATED TO
CONTINUITY OF CITY SERVICES AND PERSONNEL AND REQUEST
FOR DIRECTION
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council is recommended to provide direction as to how the City Manager, as
the Director of Emergency Services, is to proceed regarding certain personnel status for
City staff and the budgetary considerations associated with such status in the time
period after his emergency authority expires on August 10, 2020.
BACKGROUND:
1. On January 21, 2020, the first case of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
was reported.
2. On March 4, 2020, the Health Officer of Los Angeles County declared a local
health emergency regarding COVID-19 and the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors concurrently proclaimed the existence of a local emergency for the
County of Los Angeles.
3. On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom of the State of California declared a State of
Emergency in response to the COVID-19.
4. On March 13, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20-5457, declaring a
local state of emergency which gave authority to the City Manager in his role as
Director of Emergency Services to implement measures in line with state and
county health officials’ recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 while not
impacting critical services.
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5. On March 18, 2020, in an abundance of caution for the health and safety of City
staff and patrons, the City indefinitely closed City buildings to the public and
modified services. On the same day, the United States Senate passed the
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“Act”) with President Trump signing the
bill into law shortly thereafter.
6. On March 19, 2020, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, state and county officials
ordered residents to stay home or at their place of residence. On the same day,
with the authorization granted by the declaration of local emergency, the City
Manager ordered some staff to work from home, though essential office workers
are to come to the office if needed and if sufficient distancing is maintainable, and
essential field staff are to practice all safety and social distancing related to such
work in the field.
7. On March 31, 2020, City Council directed the City Manager to continue the
implementation of paid administrative leave for employees not working or working
from home from April 3, 2020 to May 1, 2020.
8. On April 10, 2020, the County of Los Angeles extended its order requiring
residents to stay home or at their place of residence through the date of May 15,
2020.
9. On April 21, 2020, City Council directed the City Manager to continue the
implementation of paid administrative leave for employees not working or working
from home from May 2, 2020 to May 15, 2020.
10. On May 5, 2020, City Council directed the City Manager to continue the
implementation of paid administrative leave for employees not working or working
from home from May 16, 2020 to May 31, 2020.
11. On May 26, 2020, City Council directed the City Manager to continue the
implementation of paid administrative leave for employees not working or working
from home from June 1, 2020 to June 19, 2020. Then, extended paid
administrative leave from June 20, 2020 to June 30, 2020 for all employees
excluding Senior Recreation Leaders and Recreation Leaders (to be paid for time
worked only after June 19, 2020.
12. On June 29, 2020, City Council directed the City Manager to continue the
implementation of paid administrative leave for employees (excluding Senior
Recreation Leaders and Recreation Leaders) through August 10, 2020.
ANALYSIS:
Before the expiration date of August 10, 2020, the City Manager is seeking direction
from the Council regarding those members of staff who fall into the category of receiving
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paid administrative leave excluding Senior Recreation Leaders and Recreation Leaders.
Paid administrative leave is a tool that permits the City to temporarily compensate an
employee who is ready and able to work but whom the City has directed to remain away
from the workplace in the City’s interest. The program has allowed for the continuity of
service to the community and allowed for the City to create a work environment that
allows for proper protocols and operations consistent with CDC and LA County Health
Guidelines. Without this tool of Administrative Leave, it would be very difficult to
appropriately schedule work through this event and hence provide service to the public.
At this time, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (CLADPH) is
currently in stage three (3) of the five-stage Roadmap to Recovery and until the final
stage five (5) is reached, Health Officer Orders and directives will continue to ensure
that spread of COVID-19 is slowed down to prevent an overwhelming surge of COVID-
19 cases. Stage 3 and Stage 4 instruct offices to continue teleworking for as many
employees as possible, but offices can open at 50% and 75% occupancy, respectively.
The roadmap allows for offices to open 100% at Stage 5.
Therefore, until CLADPH allows offices to resume 100% operations, many City
employees continue to work away from City Hall and other City facilities, or have
significantly limited their hours of work at City Hall and other City facilities since March
18, 2020 which include temporary closure of City buildings to the public and cancellation
of recreation programs. City employees have been receiving paid administrative leave
for non-worked hours and is set to expire on August 10, 2020.
Below are the estimated costs for continued paid administrative leave after August 10,
2020:
Period: Assumptions Est. Cost:
August 11, 2020 to
September 30, 2020
All employees excluding Senior
Recreation Leaders and Recreation
Leader (to be paid for time worked only
after June 19th)
$ 24, 193
These costs are budgeted in the adopted Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget in the form of
regular employee compensation. Hence, no additional appropriation is required.
Please note that the City continues to be legally obligated to provide at least a partially-
compensated leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Act) to eligible
employees for qualifying reasons. The Act went into effect on April 1, 2020, and, where
applicable, will require the City to provide leave upon an employee’s request. The
availability of emergency paid sick leave and extended FMLA leave to all employees,
regardless of administrative leave program, would continue.
The City will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and implementing
recommendations of State and County health officials. Staff continues to respond
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quickly with the safety and well-being of the community and City employees as its
priority while closely monitoring the effect to the City’s long-term financial health.
To address the impact of City employees not working or working from home, the
Council is asked to consider directing the City Manager to implement the following:
Paid administrative leave for the period August 11, 2020 to
September 30, 2020 for all employees except for Senior Recreation
Leaders and Recreation Leaders who will be paid for time worked
only; or
An alternative approach such as:
a. Use of Accrued Leave; or
b. Reduction in Hours; or
c. Furloughs
Regardless of the direction, the City will be bound by the Act and the financial
implications thereof.
CITY STRATEGIC GOALS:
Actions contained in this report align with the City’s strategic goal of good governance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no additional appropriations recommended at this time.