City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 13, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Resolution Consenting to a Local Emergency Declaration for COVID-19.[ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Resolution consenting to a Declaration of Local Emergency for COVID-19.
RECOMMENDATION: (1) Consent to the City Manager signing the attached Declaration of Local Emergency; and (2) Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to enter into contracts, incur obligations and exercise powers as enumerated in Section 44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia.
DISCUSSION: As a result of COVID-19, on March 14, 2020, I propose to sign and issue a Declaration of Local Emergency (Attachment 1) so that the City is positioned to exercise emergency powers as enumerated in Section 44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, the Governor’s Executive Order Declaring a State of Emergency (Attachment 2) issued on March 12, 2020, the President’s Declaration of National Emergency of March 13, 2020, as well as to take advantage of any State or federal assistance that might become available. It is customary for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the federal government to require that a Declaration of Local Emergency be issued prior to either of these levels of government reimbursing a local government for emergency related expenses. At this point it is not known what aid may become available to localities, but having a Declaration put in place is in the City’s interest for financial as well as emergency management reasons. It is customary for City Council to approve such declarations, however declarations are usually for weather and not public health related reasons.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Declaration of Local Emergency, City of Alexandria
2. Governor Northam’s Executive Order (March 12, 2020)
STAFF:
Corey A. Smedley, Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Chief
Ray Whatley, Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator/EMS Captain