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Minutes of the Disaster Council Meeting of Feb. 17, 2022
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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
DISASTER COUNCIL MEETING
Feb. 17, 2022
2:00 PM -3:30 PM
The Disaster Council conducted this meeting in accordance with the State Emergency Services Act, the Governor’s Emergency Declaration related to COVID-19, and the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020.
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.
1.A. Attendance
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter
Vice Mayor Victor Aguilar, Jr.,
Councilmember Pete Ballew
Alameda County Fire Department - Deputy Chief E. Moore
SLUSD - R. Medeiros
Alameda County OES - K. Duenas
American Red Cross - R. Fateman
Kaiser Hospital - A. Apodaca
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Fran Robustelli - City Manager
Janelle Cameron - Assistant City Manager
Leticia I. Miguel - City Clerk
Shandyn Pierce - City Attorney
Brian Simons - Library Director
Sheila Marquises - Interim E&T Director
Tim McVicker - IT
Police Chief Pridgen
Catrina Christian - Emergency Services Specialist
FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS and OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:
Davis Street Family Resource Center- R. Johnson
Alameda County Superior Courts - J. Koci Tamayo, M. Jackson
1.B. Announcements
Members of the Disaster Council introduced themselves and the agencies they represent.
2. DISCUSSION ITEMS
2.A. City of San Leandro response to COVID-19
• San Leandro City Council
Mayor Cutter opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
2.B. Alameda County
• Office of Emergency Services
• Alameda County Fire Department
Alameda County OES reported on the number of COVID cases in the county, most of which are of the Omicron variant, and the peak was in January. 190,000 cases, with 2567 deaths. 444 in hospitals, 72 in the ICU. Test positivity is 20% overall and 25% in census lowest percentile, case rate is 5% out of 100,000, 81% of the population is fully vaccinated, with 53% receiving boosters. Research has found that people are being admitted to the hospital for multiple reasons and then testing positive for COVID. On February 9, there was a press release to lift the indoor mask mandates for those who are vaccinated on February 16. Those who are unvaccinated should wear a mask in indoor settings.
Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) reported that the Omicron surge in January caused the department to struggle to keep employees safe, after a significant number of employees tested positive around December 27, with approximately 20% (65) of employees being out. This meant that the Department could not staff 2 different apparatus, one in San Leandro, though responses were not impacted. The Department is now back to normal staffing and have ended critical stoppage staffing.
2.C. San Leandro City
• San Leandro City Manager
• San Leandro Police
Other City Departments
City Manager Robustelli reported that the City is trying to keep up with changing masks mandates and is back to Phase 3 and looking to move into phase 4 within 30 days - which will mean returning to pre-pandemic operations.
San Leandro Emergency Services reported that within the city, there have been 15,041 cases, 79,594 are partially vaccinated (89.4%), 74,733 are fully vaccinated (84%), and 60.2% have received a booster. These numbers are for 5 and older.
San Leandro Police reported that in the Department had significant number of employees that were exposed or tested positive, which put the Department into a critical staffing pattern. Due to multiple issues and the Department is operating with four instead of five shifts, though while operations are impacted, officers will still provide services to the public.
2.D. Healthcare Services
• Hospitals
• Davis Street Family Resource Center
• Red Cross
Kaiser Hospital reported that they saw a big boost in boosters in December with over 1000 per day, but now the numbers are dropping, though they are working to get the message out about the need to be boosted. Members and non-members can get a booster at a Kaiser facility. The hospital is seeing a decrease in the number of patients and the call center is receiving few calls, which is positive. The visitor’s policy remains the same for now, though it is being looked at.
San Leandro Hospital was not available for a report.
Davis Street Family Resource Center reported that they have also been impacted. With people using home test kits, with the clinic doing about 26 per week. The main activity is providing boosters, with 324 in just the last week. The clinic received a large supply of home test kits which will be provided to the public and those in vulnerable populations and anyone who wishes to distribute them, just needs to have it documented to where they went. The kits are also available for distribution during the homeless count. They are providing food bags to 100 families per day, and that number has been consistent. Clothing distribution is not set up right now because of Omicron. At Jefferson and Garfield were affected by Omicron, first in the children and then the staff, but now they are opening back up.
Red Cross reported they are adhering to CDC guidelines for shelter operations. Shelter staff will need to be vaccinated. All people in the shelter will need to wear masks. If a jurisdiction is requesting a shelter, they can also dictate whether shelter staff must be vaccinated or not. The Red Cross is looking forward to COVID decreasing so they can start doing shelter surveying. The Disaster Assistance Team (DAT) has been busy with fires locally. The Red Cross also needs blood donations, partially due to the fact that there are not enough sites to have a blood drive. People can go to Redcross.org to find a site to give blood and to get answers to questions on blood donation, in particular, those in the LGBTQ community. March is Red Cross Month and asking cities to make a proclamation in support.
2.E. School Districts
• San Leandro
• San Lorenzo
San Leandro Unified reported that the District experienced an Omicron surge, affecting both students and staff. It did not impact the ability to provide educational services. The surge lasted about three weeks and cases continue to drop and are now better than before Christmas. The District’s two test sites, the Barbara Lee Center and San Leandro Adult School, are offering testing 5 days a week. The District is providing over 10,000 home tests to students and staff, prior to the Presidents Day break and will do the same before Spring Break. Students and staff are being asked to test the Friday and Sunday prior to returning from the breaks. The Governor’s announcement of loosening the mask mandate did not affect masking in schools though more information on Feb 28 will be available.
San Lorenzo Unified was not available for a report.
2.F. Utilities
No Utilities were available for a report
2.G. Other Agencies within the City
• Chamber of Commerce
• Faith Based Organizations
• Building Futures with Women and Children
ARES and Chamber of Commerce were not available for a report.
Alameda County Superior Court attended for the first time. They have 2 courthouses in San Leandro, at the Juvenile Hall and John George Pavilion. They work with state and county partners. The emergency services unit makes sure that all 10 courthouses are secure and are available for any emergency. Their headquarters is in Oakland and are available to assist if need be. The Courts are aligned with state and local mandates on masking. Employees are vaccinated unless they have an exemption.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment was received
4. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 2:34 p.m.