AGENDA DATE: 5/20/2020
TITLE:
Title
Emergency Ordinance to Amend Ordinance No. 20-A(6), An Ordinance to Ensure Continuity of Government During the COVID-19 Disaster
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Emergency Ordinance to Amend Ordinance No. 20-A(6), An Ordinance to Ensure Continuity of Government During the COVID-19 Disaster
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Choose an item.
BACKGROUND: On March 12, 2020, the County Executive, acting as the Director of Emergency Management, declared a local emergency, and Governor Ralph S. Northam declared a state of emergency, both as a result of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic.
On March 27, 2020, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 20-E(3), an emergency ordinance to ensure the continuity of County government. Following a public hearing on April 15, 2020, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 20-A(6), An Ordinance to Ensure Continuity of Government During the COVID-19 Disaster. Section 4 of Ordinance No. 20-A(6) identified the essential governmental functions of the County’s various boards, commissions, and other public bodies, as well as its offices and departments. Section 4 also identified several Board-created public bodies and authorities, as well as entities created by joint exercise of power agreements between the County and other localities.
The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (“JMRL”), a regional library system created by an agreement among the County and other nearby localities, has requested to be added to Section 4. The proposed emergency ordinance would add JMRL to Section 4 and make some other minor amendments to Section 4. Virginia Code § 15.2-1427(F) limits the duration of an emergency ordinance to not more than 60 days.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: JMRL requested that it be added to Section 4 to allow its board to hold public meetings during the COVID-19 disaster without physically assembling. If the emergency ordinance is adopted, staff will return with a non-emergency version of the ordinance for public hearing and consideration for adoption at its June 17, 2020 meeting. The minor amendments proposed in this emergency ordinance are intended to standardize some of the language throughout Section 4.
BUDGET IMPACT: Any increased workload could be managed by existing staff.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached proposed Ordinance (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Proposed Ordinance