AGENDA DATE: 9/16/2020
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance to Amend Ordinance No. 20-A(8), An Ordinance to Ensure Continuity of Government During the COVID-19 Disaster
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Ordinance No. 20-A(8), An Ordinance to Ensure Continuity of Government During the COVID-19 Disaster
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner
PRESENTER (S): Greg Kamptner
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Doug Walker
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 because of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes, commonly referred to as COVID-19 (“COVID-19”), and the resulting 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. On May 20, 2020, the Board adopted an emergency amendment to Ordinance No. 20-A(6) to add the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library as one of the entities providing essential governmental functions. This version of the ordinance was adopted as a non-emergency ordinance following a public hearing on June 17, 2020 as Ordinance No. 20-A(8).
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: The proposed amendments would: (1) update the Ordinance’s recitals; (2) amend Section 4 to reflect organizational changes in the County; (3) amend Section 6 to align its terminology with the State Budget legislation pertaining to meetings by electronic communication means and with the Board’s Rules of Procedure for Virtual and Hybrid Meetings adopted September 2, 2020; (4) amend Section 7 to specifically identify the circumstances under which certain deadlines established by law may be extended; and (5) amend Section 13 to delete a reference to a superseded ordinance.
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