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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 18, 2020 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020 The Special City Council meeting of March 18, 2020, was called to order by Mayor Kuehne at 7:06 p.m. Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Absent: None Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and Assistant City Clerk Farris NOTE: Council Member Mounce participated in the meeting via teleconference. NOTE: Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi arrived at 7:17 p.m. NOTE: Rosa Trevezo, a State of California Certified Court Spanish Interpreter/Translator, was present and translated the presentation and comments into Spanish. City Manager Schwabauer provided a presentation regarding the City Manager’s proclamation of the existence of a local emergency. He stated that earlier this week he declared a local emergency to secure federal and State aid to assist the City in its response to the coronavirus; Council is asked to authorize that order. He emphasized that the declaration was for financial purposes and not intended to imply that significant lives are in danger in Lodi. He further stated that in addition to the authorization of the order, Council is being asked to increase the City Manager’s purchasing authority to $250,000 and suspend the normal purchasing requirements and procedures for supplies to meet the response to the coronavirus. In response to Council Member Mounce, City Manager Schwabauer stated that the order is written to self-terminate at the end of the pandemic, the declaration must be reaffirmed every 30 days, and reporting requirements will follow the City’s existing policy on purchases over $10,000. In response to Council Member Mounce, City Manager Schwabauer explained that his current authority is $20,000 but all purchases over $10,000 are reported quarterly, the City Attorney’s recommendation is to report every 30 days when returning to Council to reauthorize the declaration, and this would need to be added to the resolution. In response to Council Member Chandler, City Attorney Magdich clarified that the proclamation declared the local emergency effective on Monday, March 16, 2020, at 8 a.m., when the Council was not in session. In response to Council Member Chandler, City Manager Schwabauer stated that at this time staff does not know all of the instances that might require an expenditure, however, anticipated needs A.Call to Order / Roll Call B. Regular Calendar B-1 Adopt a Resolution Ratifying the City Manager’s Proclamation Finding the Existence of a Local Emergency and Rendering Certain Emergency Orders, Including an Increase in the City Manager’s Contracting Authority for Services and Goods to a Maximum Amount of $250,000 for the Duration of the Local Emergency (CA) 1 include such things as acquisition of cleaning and disinfection services in facilities that may be impacted by the coronavirus and possibly the need to secure additional supplies of food and other essentials. In response to Council Member Chandler, City Attorney Magdich explained that the Government Code requires that the City Manager’s proclamation of a local emergency be ratified by the Council within seven days of issuance; should the Council ratify the proclamation, the Council will need to affirm the proclamation every 30 days thereafter. City Manager Schwabauer stated that if Council does not authorize the proclamation, the City would not be eligible for FEMA and State reimbursement. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi expressed support for the item. Natalie Bowman, member of the public, stated that she is the founder of a local nonprofit organization and has questions regarding (1) how needs are to be determined and (2) whether the $250,000 is solely for City services and staff. City Manager Schwabauer stated that it is staff’s expectation that the City will be working with nonprofits going forward. He clarified that the funding is not limited to $250,000; the resolution would authorize multiple purchases up to $250,000; staff cannot anticipate every need but purchases would be to provide direct services for citizens of Lodi. Council Member Mounce expressed concern regarding State and federal reimbursement for public/private uses as proposed by Ms. Bowman; in response, City Manager Schwabauer stated staff will be evaluating expenditures to ensure that they are reimbursable. City Manager Schwabauer clarified that the primary purpose of this authorization is to be able to respond to unanticipated emergencies without having to wait two weeks for a Council meeting and that any major expenditure that can be planned will be brought to Council for approval. Council Member Chandler inquired as to the process should the City decide to engage with and fund nonprofits. In response, City Manager Schwabauer stated that it would depend upon the emergency; for example, if the City were to experience a demand for staples, staff might work directly with a nonprofit to ensure supplies were immediately available. Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi expressed support and stated the City needs someone with authority to get things done quickly. City Manager Schwabauer stated that this resolution will assist in taking continued actions to address the needs of the City and is consistent with resolutions adopted by cities throughout the State in the last week. Council Member Chandler made a motion, second by Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-49 ratifying the City Manager’s proclamation finding the existence of a local emergency and rendering certain emergency orders, including an increase in the City Manager’s contracting authority for services and goods to a maximum amount of $250,000 for the duration of the local emergency. VOTE: The above motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Kuehne Noes: None 2 Absent: None There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. C.Adjournment ATTEST: Pamela M. Farris Assistant City Clerk 3