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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 21, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-g <br /> SUBJECT: Amendment to the Code of Ordinances — Emergency Proclamations <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Attorney <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Draft Ordinance John Roberts, County Attorney, 245- <br /> Resolution 2318 <br /> PURPOSE: To present changes to Chapter 14 (Emergency Management and Emergency <br /> Services) of the Code of Ordinances for second reading and adopt the attached resolution <br /> approving the revisions. <br /> BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chair of the Board of Commissioners <br /> issued an emergency proclamation in order to give greater authority to address the pandemic to <br /> the County Manager and county departments. Pursuant to Section 14-39 of the Code of <br /> Ordinances, which authorizes the Chair to issue "superseding proclamations" and includes the <br /> authority to extend a state of emergency, the state of emergency was extended multiple times to <br /> address the ongoing pandemic. Ultimately the emergency proclamation, through those <br /> amendments, was continued for more than two years. The attached amendment to Section 14- <br /> 40 clarifies that the Chair has the authority to extend states of emergency through "superseding <br /> proclamations." <br /> This chapter of the Code of Ordinances provides for misdemeanor penalties for violations. For <br /> that reason the ordinance is subject to a first and second reading prior to adoption. The first <br /> reading occurred at the Board's February 7, 2023 Business meeting. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated <br /> with this item. <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal <br /> impact associated with this item. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt and authorize the Chair <br /> to sign the attached resolution approving on second reading the recommended changes to <br /> Chapter 14 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances. <br />