COVID-19 is a world-wide pandemic resulting in significant health and economic impacts across the globe.  On February 25, 2020, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that community spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was likely.  On February 26, 2020, the Orange County Health Officer declared a Health Emergency.  On February 26, 2020, the Chair of the Emergency Management Council issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency pursuant to the requirements of the California Emergency Services Act, which was ratified by the Board of Supervisors on March 2, 2020.  On March 17, 2020 the City of Garden Grove issued a proclamation of a Local Emergency, which was ratified by the City Council on March 24, 2020.

On March 4, 2020, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act.

On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States issued a Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4482-DR-CA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to section 501 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”).  This action made the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations eligible to apply for reimbursement from (Federal Emergency Management Agency) FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program.

On December 31, 2020, Orange County launched Operation Independence with the goal of facilitating the vaccination of all willing community members by July 2, 2021.  To accomplish this, an Incident Management Team was assigned to lead the organization of mass vaccination sites, known as Points of Dispensing (PODs).  Because the PODs provide mutual benefit to all community members across the County, regardless of the City they live or work in, staffing support of the PODs is requested of local jurisdictions.  Staffing goals for each jurisdiction are set based upon the proportion of community members living in their jurisdiction.

To reimburse cities, mutual aid agreements are required between the County and each requesting jurisdiction. The County Board of Supervisors approved the standard Mutual Aid Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 9, 2021.  A revised MOA was approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 27, 2021 (Attachment A).

The City of Garden Grove Council is requested to approve the MOA and authorize by Resolution the City Manager, Finance Director and EOC Operation Coordinator to execute any documents and actions necessary for the purposes of obtaining federal financial assistance related to this MOA.

As a Mutual Aid responding agency, the City of Garden Grove incurred expenses in staffing COVID-19 Vaccination Points of Dispensing (POD) sites. Staff recommends approval of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to potentially recover these expenses. 

Executing this MOA and approving the resolution will allow the City to potentially recover the total expenses incurred. The balance will be supported with the City’s existing operating budget. 

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve a Mutual Aid Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the County of Orange to reimburse the City of Garden Grove for establishing and operating POD sites for COVID-19 vaccinations; 

• Adopt a Resolution to authorize the City Manager, the Finance Director, and the Emergency Management Coordinator to execute the agreement on behalf of the City, and to execute any actions necessary for the purposes of obtaining federal financial assistance related to this MOA if those actions do not materially change the terms or amount of the City’s commitment; and

• Authorize the adjustment of revenue and expense budgets in City’s operating budget to match the mutual aid expenditures reimbursed through the County to anticipated revenues.

By:  Linda Morin, Emergency Management Coordinator