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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion Regarding Masking Requirements at Indoor City Council and City Commission, Board and Committee Meetings; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: May 23, 2022
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council; Coronavirus Gov Delivery topic list (05/18/2022)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (05/18/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss the City’s masking requirements at indoor City Council and City Commission, Board and Committee meetings; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
On March 14, 2022, at a regular public meeting, the City Council determined that it would resume in-person City Council meetings beginning at its April 11, 2022 regular meeting, and that all City Commissions, Boards and Committees (CBC) would resume in person meetings in April. In an abundance of caution, due to the indoor setting, indoor ventilation issues, and to protect persons who are most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19, including those who are immunocompromised or unable to be vaccinated, the City Council voted to require all persons who attend the in-person City Council and CBC meetings to wear a well-fitted mask while indoors. (Fortieth Supplement to Public Order, issued on March 16, 2022)
At the April 25, 2022 City Council Meeting, Council Member Eriksson received City Council consensus to agendize monthly consideration of mask requirements.
DISCUSSION
Current Public Health Masking Guidance
As of May 14, 2022, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) website provides the following guidance regarding the wearing of masks regarding the spread of COVID-19:
Masks are still required in some settings and strongly recommended in others. County, state, and federal rules require masks for everyone 2 years of age and older in some locations. It is strongly recommended that people continue to wear mask that fit and filter well in all indoor public spaces.
LACDPH requires masks on all forms of public transportation in LA County, including trains, buses, taxis and rideshares. The website also states that masks are strongly recommended in crowded outdoor settings for people at high risk of severe illness, or who live with someone who is at high risk. LACDPH recommends that masks that provide the best protection against COVID-19 should be worn. Masks are strongly recommended by LACDPH for people who are gathering indoors with people who are at high risk of severe illness.
Current State of Regional COVID-19 Transmission
The May 13, 2022 LACDPH press release states that the County is again in the High Transmission category due to the recent highly contagious subvariants circulating in the County, state and across the nation. On May 13th, 4,025 new positive COVID-19 cases were reported by LACDPH. Further, the County seven-day Daily Average Testing Positivity Rate is again rising and doesn’t necessarily capture positive tests on at-home tests, which have become abundant and widely available. Hospitalizations are slowly rising, and the number of persons hospitalized County-wide due to COVID-19 is nearing 300 daily.
The City Council is requested to discuss the masking requirement for all persons who attend the in-person indoor City Council and CBC meetings. If the City Council gives direction to remove the masking requirement, the City Manager would issue a Supplement to Public Order, rescinding the indoor mask requirement in the Fortieth Supplement. Staff would subsequently return to the City Council with a Resolution confirming the City Manager’s Public Order, as required by the Culver City Municipal Code.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact for the City Council to discuss this matter.
ATTACHMENTS
None
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Discuss masking requirements at indoor City Council, Commission, Board and Committee meetings; and
2. If desired, direct the City Manager to issue a new Supplement to Public Order, rescinding the masking requirement in the Fortieth Supplement for indoor City Council, Commission, Board and Committee meetings;
OR
3. Uphold the masking requirement for indoor City Council, Commission, Board and Committee meetings, in accordance with the Fortieth Supplement to Public Order, issued on March 16, 2022;
AND/OR
4. Provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.