Memorandum
Date: January 5, 2021
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
Subject: (a) Consideration of amendment to the COUNTY OF LAKE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY Worksite Protection Protocol; and (b) Consideration of request to form a Board ad hoc committee to work with Department Heads regarding this protocol
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
As your Board recalls, when you first approved the COVID-19 Worksite Protocol on May 19, 2020, you directed that it be reviewed every 30 days. Review has occurred on June 16, 2020, July 14, 2020, July 21, 2020, August 11, 2020, September 15, 2020, October 20, 2020, November 17, 2020 and on December 1, 2020.
Based on evolving guidance and the increasing number of cases occurring in County offices, I recommend your Board approve amendment to the protocol, with thirty day reviews to continue. In addition, I am recommending your Board appoint an ad hoc committee comprised of two district supervisors to work with Department Heads and myself on workplace safety and protocol compliance.
The changes to the protocol itself are somewhat minor this date, as illustrated in the version with track changes. Per the guidance, quarantine periods are adjusted from 14 days to 10. Perhaps the most significant changes to this proposed amendment are the two addendums. First, we have added an FAQ section for managers and supervisors, intended to address the many questions coming from departments. Next, to comply with CalOSHA requirements, we have added an investigative form, which must be used when there is an employee positive and, depending on the outcome of an investigation, an exposure notification form for co-workers who may have had close contact.
While most recent amendments to the policy have been approved on your Board’s consent agenda, on January 5, we request the opportunity to review and discuss with your Board. One concern that is not presently included in the protocol is limiting employee movement in our facilities. Given the increasing number of cases, your Board may wish to add a directive to staff to remain only in their own work and break areas and not to have in-person contact with other offices or employees outside those areas. Admittedly, this protocol is a constantly evolving form of guidance for County employees and we look forward to further refinement from discussion with your Board.
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(a) Approve amendment to the COUNTY OF LAKE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY Worksite Protection Protocol, subject to ongoing thirty day reviews.
(b) Appoint an ad hoc committee comprised of two district supervisors to work with Department Heads and the CAO on workplace safety and protocol compliance.