Submitted By
Cara Pavlicek, Village Manager
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Declaring and Emergency Affecting Public Health Due to the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Disease in the State of Illinois
End
Overview
Overview
The Village Board is asked to declare a local public health emergency, a procedural step under state law to respond to rapidly changing challenges of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Both the State of Illinois and Cook County have already taken such action, and staff is recommending the Village do the same.
Body
Staff Recommendation
The Coordinator of the Oak Park Emergency Service Disaster Agency (ESCA), who is Police Chief Reynolds has recommended this action, in accordance with Section 2-27-9 of the Village Code.
Fiscal Impact
Adoption of the Resolution authorizes any purchase or contracts necessary to place the Village in a position to protect the public health and safety and protect property. Section 2-6-10 of the Oak Park Village Code further provides that urgently needed material or urgent repairs involving labor and material may be obtained through negotiated contract without formal advertising with the approval of the Village Manager, when it is in the best interest of the Village and when it is impractical to convene a meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Background
The Village Board is being asked to approve a procedural step under state law that would empower municipal administrators to respond more quickly to the rapidly changing challenges of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
Although no confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Oak Park, declaring a local public health emergency now will establish the legal authority for rapid mobilization of resources as needed and create the mechanisms necessary for any future reimbursements by the state and federal governments.
The declaration coincides with similar actions taken earlier this week by the state and Cook County to allow for more effective response to the evolving COVID-19 public health crisis.
Oak Park has a certified Public Health Department, one of six others that exist in Cook County along with Cook County, the City of Chicago, City of Evanston, Village of Skokie, and the Stickney Public Health District.
The local emergency declaration by Oak Park would temporarily suspend purchasing rules such as bidding requirements and Board contract approvals when quick action is deemed necessary to protect public health and it is impractical to convene a board meeting.
Administrative rules also could be authorized by the Village Manager without board approval to ensure public employees retain their wages and benefits for up to 14 days should they or a family member be asked to self-quarantine in the event of an exposures to COVID-19. Fourteen days is the quarantine time established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Further the Public Health Director will have the authority to recommend and implement if necessary, reasonable rules, regulations and orders such as cancelling of public events per Section 20-1-6 (z) of the Village Code.
Alternatives
The Village Board could delay action or seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
N/A.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The Village Board will need to reconsider this action as early as April 6, 2020.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The Village is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as a certified public health department.