On March 17, 2020, the City Manager acting as the Director of Emergency Services pursuant to section 6.08.070 of the Garden Grove Municipal Code proclaimed the existence of a local emergency within the City in response to the crisis created by the spread of the novel coronavirus decease, COVID-19.  This local emergency followed the declaration of a local health emergency on February 26, 2020 by the County of Orange, the declaration of a State emergency by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020 and the declaration of a national emergency by President Trump on March 13, 2020.

Pursuant to the Municipal Code, the City Council adopted Resolution 9613-20 ratifying the proclamation of the local emergency on March 24, 2020.  The California Emergency Services Act, Government Code section 8630(c) requires the City Council to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the City Council terminates the local emergency.

Following the City Council's adoption of Resolution No. 9613-20, ratifying the existence of the local emergency, the City Manager acting as the Director of Emergency Services adopted two separate executive orders in relation to the local emergency:

• On March 26, 2020, the Director of Emergency Services adopted an order extending the local emergency and the orders issued pursuant to the initial proclamation that were set to expire on March 31, 2020 to April 17, 2020.

• On April 15, 2020, the Director of Emergency Services issued Executive Order No. 2 further extending the orders set to expire on April 17, 2020 indefinitely to run concurrently with the executive orders of the Governor of the State of California.

Copies of the Director's executive orders are attached to this report for the City Council's review.

The City Council should note that the eviction moratorium will expire on May 31, 2020, per the terms of the moratorium and the Governor's Executive Order No. EO-N-28-20.  On the other hand, the following orders will continue unless the Director or the City Council determine otherwise:

1. Activation of the Emergency Operation Center.

2.  Within the boundaries of the City of Garden Grove, the Public Health Experts' recommendations shall be deemed mandatory.

3.  Closing the following City facilities, and canceling all programs and classes thereon:

 (a)  H. Louis Lake Senior Center; Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center; Atlantis Play Center; Buena Clinton Youth and Family Center; Garden Grove Community Meeting Center; Garden Grove Courtyard Center.  Limited services at the Magnolia Park and Family Resource Center.

(b)  The Tiny Tot program will be cancelled in accordance with the Garden Grove Unified School District's suspension of classes.

 (c)  Garden Grove City Hall services will be provided by phone or email only.  Water bill payments can be made over the phone, online, by mail, or left in the drop box located in front of City Hall (non-cash payments only).

(d) Garden Grove Housing Authority will suspend all face-to-face office visits, and will be open for paperwork drop-off only.  All services will be provided by phone or email.  Annual inspections will be postponed and rescheduled.  New lease inspections will be performed if units are vacant, and all communication with the owner or tenant will be via email or phone.  Failed inspection repairs will be verified via email with pictures provided by tenant/owner.  Special inspections will be delayed unless essential to the health and safety of the tenant.

(e) The Garden Grove Police Department headquarters front lobby is closed.  For non-emergency services, the public may use the red phone located outside of police headquarters or call the non-emergency number.  Officers will continue to respond to emergency calls, but will be limiting public contact.  All registrant, fingerprinting, property release and Juvenile Justice Center programs are suspended.  Vehicle releases will be done by appointment only.

(f) The Garden Grove Municipal Service Center is closed.  Services will be provided by phone and email only.

(g)  Council meetings and Housing Authority meetings will be held in the Garden Grove Community Meeting Center Council Chamber; however, public seating will be moved to the adjoining Constitution Room.  Council Members may attend by teleconferencing.  Public comments may be emailed in advance to the City Clerk's Office.  Meetings will be livestreamed via the City's GGTV3 YouTube Channel, and also accessible on Spectrum Cable Channel 3.

4.  Suspension of street sweeping citations.

5.  Suspension of water shut-offs for non-payment.  Late payments will be accepted without penalty.

6.  Suspension of the limitations in the Garden Grove Municipal Code on the hours of operation of, and deliveries to, businesses and establishments engaged in essential activities.

The City council may leave the foregoing orders to continue to run concurrently with the Governor’s executive orders, or as determined by the Director based on changed circumstances, or the Council may give further direction to the Director.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Review and confirm the necessity for continuing the local emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

• Confirm the Director of Emergency Services's Executive Orders related thereto issued on March 26 and April 15, 2020.