Agenda

Return

C.1

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	March 24, 2020

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

RATIFY the Order of the County Administrator Closing All Branches of the County Library Until Further Notice

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/24/2020

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Lisa Driscoll (925) 335-1035
cc:	Melinda Cervantes, County Librarian

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 24, 2020
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

RATIFY the order of the County Administrator closing all County libraries until further notice, effective March 16, 2020, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and preserve critical health care capacity across the region.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

BACKGROUND:

The County Administrator (CAO) is the administrator of emergency services and is in charge of the County’s emergency organization. Under the emergency powers granted to the CAO under Article 42-2.8 of County Ordinance Code, on March 15, 2020, the CAO ordered the closure of all County libraries until further notice, effective March 16, 2020. This action was taken in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and preserve critical health care capacity across the region.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

On March 16, 2020, the County Health Officer issued a shelter in place order to all residents, subject to specified exceptions. On March 17, 2020, the American Library Association released its statement containing a strong recommendation that leaders and governing bodies evaluate the closure of libraries and only reopen when guidance from public health officials indicate the risk from COVID-19 has significantly subsided.

This ratification supports the County Administrator’s decision and order to close all County libraries due to COVID-19 until further notice and action.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Allowing the County libraries to remain open during this emergency situation would present health risks to library staff and patrons.