Dear Neighbors:
Thanks to all the residents who have commented on and asked questions about the resolution the Council considered last night to clarify the City Manager’s authorities in the context of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. After extended debate and adoption of several amendments, the Council approved the resolution on a 6 - 0 vote. You can see the text of the approved version through this link: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/ordinances/2020/ordinance-2020-4.pdf
My overall view on the City Manager’s authority is that, because we’re in a rapidly changing situation which has the potential to create serious health and safety problems for the entire population, it’s prudent to take steps to ensure we have the flexibility to maintain an appropriately functioning municipal government if conditions significantly worsen. The City Manager has some immediate and ongoing actions to take on staffing and personnel concerns. In addition, there may be other steps it makes sense for the City to take -- in consultation with County, State and regional health officials -- to help control spread of the virus. So I think we should make sure we have the necessary structure in place prior to any significant worsening of the Covid-19 situation.
If for example we have in this country the kind of broad lock-down Italy is current going through, we’ll want to be ready. Of course my hope is that won’t be necessary, and the Council will be able to continue meeting normally, and to be part of key local decisions responding to the virus. But given the uncertainty, it made sense to me to move ahead with a resolution.
There were some aspects of the initial draft I thought should be modified. And while I’m pleased that as part of our Council debate last night we were able to address some of those concerns, there were a few points on which I would have preferred including some have additional clarifying language. Even without those additions, though, given the challenging and uncertain situation that we’re in, I felt on balance that approving the resolution was the right move.
Among the key changes we made last night are the following:
In Section 1, clarifying that the City Manager can only take actions within her authority as defined in the City Charter.
In Section 4, requiring the City Manager to notify the Council of any action taken under the resolution within two days or as soon as practicable (but within no more than two weeks), and with a rationale for each action. The original language simply called for reports every two weeks, without a requirement for giving the rationale.
In Section 7, requiring the City Manager to submit a written document designating who on City staff would fill her responsibilities if she is incapacitated.
Several of us suggested some clarifying language in Section 3 to make more clear the kinds of actions the City Manager would be able to take beyond staffing and personnel, but there wasn’t clear support on the Council for that. In any case, with the addition of the Charter language in Section 1, it’s my sense that the actions she can take are reasonably circumscribed. This is especially the case since the resolution also states that the actions have to be “rationally related to the impact of the public health emergency created by the virus” and also “within the authority of the City as a municipal corporation in the State of Maryland.” Further, much of the City response to the virus will be in coordination with health experts at other levels of government.
I also suggested in Section 5 shortening the length of time the provisions of the resolution would apply. A majority of the Council disagreed on that point, in part because of concerns about not wanting to have to potentially find a way to extend the resolution’s authorities -- should that be necessary -- if for example the Council isn’t able to meet because of the virus’s impact.
So while I don’t think the resolution is perfect, it’s my view that it reasonably clarifies the City Manager’s authorities, given what we’re facing. My hope is that we’ll be able to continue more or less with normal operations and the usual close coordination between the City Manager and the Council. But if that becomes impossible, I believe this resolution will help ensure that the City can respond effectively and appropriately. I’d be glad to talk with any residents who have questions or concerns that aren’t covered in this message.
Going forward, I would recommend that residents sign up to receive Takoma Alert notifications: https://takomaparkmd.gov/services/takoma-park-alert/. In addition, the websites of the Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) and the Montgomery County Health Department (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/RightNav/Coronavirus.html) provide a wide range of useful information. I’ve also attended several informative briefings through my recent participation in the National League of Cities conference in Washington, DC and also at a Greater Washington Council of Governments board meeting this week. I’ll periodically pass along relevant details from similar meetings and conference calls in which I participate.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council. Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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