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Staff Report
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Report To: Council
Date of Meeting: March 13, 2020 Report Number: CAO-010-20
Submitted By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO
Resolution#:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Recommendations:
1. That Report CAO-010-20 be received; and
2. That Council consider the draft resolution granting authority to the Mayor to cancel
or reschedule meetings.
Attachment 1 to Report CAO-010-20
1. Background
Agency Response
1.1 On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. A
pandemic is declared when there is increased and sustained transmission of a disease
in the general population.
1.2 The Region of Durham’s Health Department, Public Health Ontario, and the Public
Health Agency of Canada are monitoring the COVID-19 situation.
1.3 The Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the current risk associated with the
virus to be low for the general population but has warned that this could change rapidly.
1.4 Municipality of Clarington staff are reviewing Clarington’s Continuity Plan.
1.5 Staff has been in consultation with the Region’s Health Department and other area
municipalities regarding their response to the situation.
1.6 If a COVID-19 outbreak occurs, municipal services may be impacted due to increased
staff absenteeism. Further, municipal services may be impacted if there are directives
from health agencies or an otherwise identified need to temporarily suspend programs
and/or restrict large public gatherings and events.
1.7 Department Heads have been in meetings most of the day and continue to assess the
situation and will take any necessary actions, under the direction of the CAO.
2. Discussion
Risk
2.1 According to public health officials, the risk from COVID-19 to the general population in
Canada remains low. However, in the event of an outbreak, the virus could spread
quickly. If this occurs, the Municipality requires the ability to rapidly respond to the
situation to help control the spread of the disease.
Report Overview
This report provides an update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, information about
potential impacts to Municipality of Clarington’s programs and services, and a status update
about the Municipality’s ongoing pandemic response.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report CAO-010-20
Preventative Measures
2.2 Preventative measures that Staff plan to undertake to slow the spread of the disease
include:
• Closing municipal recreation facilities;
• Cancelling or suspending events, services and programs;
• Providing for alternative service delivery methods; and
• Modification of work arrangements and proactive steps to address other human
response issues.
2.3 Should Members of Council become ill from the virus or are quarantined due to
exposure to persons with the virus, Council meetings may not b e possible due to a loss
of quorum.
2.4 Currently Section 4.1.1 of the Procedural By-law 2015-029 states:
Unless otherwise directed by Council, the regular Meetings of Council, GG
Committee and PD Committee shall be held in the Council Chambers, Municipal
Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON and at the dates
and times as determined by Council resolution.
2.5 Attachment 1 is a draft resolution granting the Mayor the authority to cancel or
reschedule Council or Standing Committee meetings should the need arise related to
Section 4.1.1.
3. Communication and Public Engagement
3.1 The Communications Division will continue to actively communicate information about
the COVID-19 situation to members of the public and staff using all methods of
communication including website (www.clarington.net ), social media, (and email and
intranet for staff) etc.
4. Concurrence
All Department Heads.
Municipality of Clarington Page 4
Report CAO-010-20
5. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that Council receive this report for information.
Staff Contact: Andrew Allison, CAO, 905-623-3379 ext. 2002 or aallison@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft resolution granting the Mayor the authority to cancel meetings.
Interested Parties:
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
Attachment 1 to Report CAO-010-20
Attachment 1
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
Special Council Meeting
RESOLUTION #_________________
DATE March 13, 2020
MOVED BY .
SECONDED BY
That Section 4.1.1 of the Rules of Procedure be suspended to grant the Mayor the authority to
cancel or reschedule Council or Standing Committee meetings (General Government
Committee or Planning and Development Committee) during this period of time.