HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-3 Staff Report - City COVID Update and Fireworks SalesSCHEDULED ITEM
D-3
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
DATE: May 18, 2020
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CITY COVID RESPONSE, IMPACTS TO CITY OPERATIONS AND
DIRECTION REGARDING ALLOWING FIREWORKS SALES
BACKGROUND:
As of May 14, 2020, the number of confirmed COVID cases in Azusa were 114. The State and County
have begun to implement a phased approach to reopening more businesses and recreational amenities.
Staff continues to work to make that information available to residents and the business community as
quickly as possible by utilizing all platforms available. As more people return to work, the same can be
said about city employees. However, employees that can continue to effectively work from home, will
be allowed to do so. In anticipation of bringing employees back, the city made testing available and 229
employees were tested. The results revealed the following: no current positive COVID cases, 16 (7%)
tested positive for antibodies and 2 (1%) tested positive for antigens. The next stage for the City
includes plans to allow safe access to city facilities, park amenities and modifying programs in
accordance with County guidelines.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1)Receive and File this status report, and
2) Provide direction in regards to allowing fireworks sales this year.
ANALYSIS:
The majority of City em ployees on flexible work schedules for the past two months, are returning to
work with appropriate precautions and guidelines in place. Employees that can effectively telecommute,
will be allowed to continue to do so. Plans for safe access to city facilities, park amenities and
modifying programs are underway. However, programs and services offered by the Community
Services Department and City Library will either be extensively modified or postponed. This includes
sports programs, aquatics, day camps and special events. However, most pressing at this moment, is
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
5/18/2020
Direction Provided
COVID Update
May 18, 2020
Page 2
whether to allow the sale of fireworks. Traditionally, the city issues permits to local nonprofit
organizations, allowing them to sell Safe and Sane fireworks as a fundraiser to fund their activities.
However, a tremendous amount of city resources are exhausted on the Fourth of July. A large amount
of police personnel are brought in to patrol the city to ensure only approved fireworks are being enjoyed
by residents, while issuing citations to those who are lighting illegal, dangerous fireworks. Given the
current situation and the fact that Fourth of July lands on a Saturday this year, we anticipate that those
challenges will be even greater and tax our emergency personnel even more. Furthermore, it is not
certain that restrictions will be relaxed to allow for group gatherings or how sales can be done safely.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City charges a permit fee in the amount of $1,306.48 to nonprofits for fireworks sales. Revenues
generated from the permit fee help fund scholarships awarded to local youth. The current fund balance
in the scholarship account is $24,911.
Prepared by:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager