TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Carrie Tai, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:Title
Proposed Review and Notification Protocol for COVID-19 Testing Events (Community Development Director Tai).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss a review and notification protocol for COVID-19-related medical testing at non-residential, privately-owned facilities.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with this proposed protocol. Staff can integrate this into the regular course of staff coordination as well as notification.
BACKGROUND:
At the April 17, 2020 City Council meeting, Councilmember Montgomery requested protocols for any temporary COVID-19-reated medical testing event at non-medical facilities to ensure that the City was notified in advance and that the event would not negatively impact the City. Councilmember Hadley concurred with this request.
DISCUSSION:
Since the declaration of a State public health emergency on March 4, 2020 and local emergency on March 13, 2020, there have been a few COVID-19-related medical testing events proposed or held in the City on private properties that did not house existing medical facilities. The shortage of testing in the region initially created the potential for these temporary events to attract high demand in such a manner that would create conditions such as traffic and circulation issues, impacts on existing uses or neighborhoods.
To respond to potential concerns with testing facilities, staff proposes a review and notification protocol for temporary medical testing facilities on private property that is not currently operating as a medical facility.
The COVID-19-Related Medical Testing Review and Notification Protocol is as follows:
1) Email request to COVID-19Questions@citymb.info <mailto:COVID-19Questions@citymb.info>:
a. Property owner approval (only privately-owned properties in non-residential zones with non-residential uses are eligible);
b. An operational plan containing:
i. Maximum number of clients
ii. Proof of mandatory online appointment and registration (no unscheduled drive-ups or walk-ins)
iii. Number of personnel
iv. Social distancing protocols
v. Time and date
vi. Duration of event
vii. Hours of operation; and
viii. Site plan that demonstrates vehicular queueing and circulation.
2) Community Development Department will coordinate review with City Departments. Scope of review will assess impacts the public right-of-way, adjacent uses, or other uses that may be occurring simultaneously on the same site (such as multi-tenant center). If no objections are found, notification will be provided informing the City Council, Code Enforcement Division, and Public Safety, of an upcoming event.
3) During operations, if any impacts to the public right-of-way, adjacent uses, or other uses on the same site are observed, the operation will be required to cease operations immediately.
Note that the presence of this review process and notification, and any testing event themselves, does not and will not signify the approval of a new or changed land use, business, or operation at the location. The City acknowledges that testing events are part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, and that the primary focus is to ensure that the City is notified and that no negative impacts will occur.