Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Dale V.C. Holness
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to take any appropriate and necessary action to protect the health and safety of Broward County residents and visitors in connection with COVID-19, including exercising any emergency powers permitted under the Broward County Charter or Broward County Administrative Code, the local or state emergency management plan, state or federal law, or any emergency declaration or executive order of applicable state or federal authorities, subject to advance written notice to the Board and ratification by the Board at the next official public meeting of the County Commission for any action not otherwise within the current authority of the County Administrator.
(Item Numbers 61 and 62 were heard concurrently.)
(The Board requested being cosponsors to this item.)
ACTION: (T-10:50 AM) Following discussion, the Board approved as amended directing the County Administrator to immediately develop and place Public Service Announcements, (PSA's) on local television and cable stations, and other media outlets during the next 30 days emphasizing "Do Not Touch" messaging and other protective messaging as discussed during this day's meeting. In addition, the Board directed the County Administrator to have each department head, within the next five days, bring forth written protocols for daily sanitation. Further, the Board requested that the County develop protocols as to cleaning "high touch" areas, and reach out to the business community for assistance, as well as to educate people as to "social distancing, and to provide conferences to the public on a regular basis. Moreover, the Board requested that a report from Broward Sheriff's Office be provided to the Board as to what steps are being taken to protect First Responders. (See Yellow-Sheeted Additional Material, 61 & 62, dated March 10, 2020, submitted at the request of County Administration.)
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to take any appropriate and necessary action to maintain the day-to-day business and operations of Broward County if isolation or containment measures regarding COVID-19 preclude regular meetings of the County Commission, including approving and executing agreements, approving solicitations, rankings, and bid awards, approving public hearing notices, and taking any other action necessary to act in the best interest of Broward County, subject to advance written notice to the Board and ratification by the Board at the next official public meeting of the County Commission for any action not otherwise within the current authority of the County Administrator. (Mayor Holness)
(Item Numbers 61 and 62 were heard concurrently.)
(The Board requested being cosponsors to this item.)
ACTION: (T-10:50 AM) Following discussion, the Board approved as amended directing the County Administrator to immediately develop and place Public Service Announcements, (PSA's) on local television and cable stations, and other media outlets during the next 30 days emphasizing "Do Not Touch" messaging and other protective messaging as discussed during this day's meeting. In addition, the Board directed the County Administrator to have each department head, within the next five days, bring forth written protocols for daily sanitation. Further, the Board requested that the County develop protocols as to cleaning "high touch" areas, and reach out to the business community for assistance, as well as to educate people as to "social distancing, and to provide conferences to the public on a regular basis. Moreover, the Board requested that a report from Broward Sheriff's Office be provided to the Board as to what steps are being taken to protect First Responders. (See Yellow-Sheeted Additional Material, 61 & 62, dated March 10, 2020, submitted at the request of County Administration.)
VOTE: 9-0.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Provides certain authorization for the County Administrator to act on behalf of the County, including under circumstances where a physical quorum of the County Commission cannot be obtained.
What Action Accomplishes
Same.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item is presented in an abundance of caution given the uncertainty regarding the potential spread and impact of COVID-19. It would empower the County Administrator to take certain prudent and required actions in the event public meetings of the County Commission are determined to be unwise or inconsistent with any applicable isolation or containment measures.
Under the Broward County Charter and the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”), the County Administrator is authorized to take certain emergency action, including to declare an emergency and implement emergency plans and procedures to save lives and protect County residents.
This item is submitted as a supplemental item outside the regular time limitations of Section 18.5 of the Administrative Code in light of the emergency nature of the item.
Source of Additional Information
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.