TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Lisa Jenkins, Human Resources Director
Briza Morales, Risk Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Update on the City's Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Discontinuation of Mandated Testing for Unvaccinated Employees (Human Resources Director Jenkins).
A) RECEIVE UPDATE
B) APPROVE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive an update on the City's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy and approve the discontinuation of the mandated weekly testing for unvaccinated employees.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Should the City Council direct the mandatory weekly testing for unvaccinated employees to continue in lieu of the staff recommendation, the monthly cost of testing is estimated at up to $12,000 per month ($144,000 per year), which would require staff to return to the City Council with a proposed agreement and a request for an appropriation of funds. Expended funds will be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible reimbursement as COVID-19 expenses. Through July 1, 2022, FEMA has indicated it will extend 100% federal reimbursement through its Public Assistance Program for eligible costs associated with ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts and vaccine initiatives. Following July 1, the federal cost share will shift to 90% rather than the statutory minimum 75% federal cost share. The City has spent approximately $157,450 in COVID-19 testing services from August 10, 2021 through June 1, 2022, the majority of which has been submitted to FEMA for reimbursement, but not yet reimbursed.
BACKGROUND:
The City is committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees and the community we serve. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the City has implemented various safety measures to reduce exposure to COVID-19 at City facilities, programs, and events. The...
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