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COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
State of Washington
In the Matter of Adopting a Seventh }
Temporary County Policy Based on } RESOLUTION NO. 36-21
Emergency Response to the COVID-19 }
Pandemic }
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee declared a State of
Emergency in all Counties in Washington State to due to the public health emergency caused by
the COVID-19 virus; and
WHEREAS,on March 10,2020,the Jefferson County Health Officer issued a Public
Health Order to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the
outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Declaration of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed Proclamation 20-25
declaring that a State of Emergency continues to exist in all Counties in Washington State due to
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Resolution Temporarily Limiting Access to County Buildings and Offices through
April 24, 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Resolution Adopting a Temporary Policy for a Limited Period of Time to Grant
"Emergency Paid Administrative Leave"; Authorize Telecommuting; and Authorize Sick Leave
Advancement for employees due to the COVID-19 Pandemic through April 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on April 13, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Resolution Extending the Order Temporarily Limiting Access to County Buildings and
Offices due to the COVID-19 Pandemic through May 4, 2020 or for as long as the Governor's
Stay Home—Stay Healthy Order is in effect; and
WHEREAS,on June 24,2020,the Secretary of Health issued Order 20-03,effective
June 26, 2020, requiring all individuals in Washington State to wear a face covering that covers
their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting, except under certain
circumstances, which provides a minimum level of protection for Washingtonians when they are
not at work where the Department of Labor& Industries' face covering requirements apply; and
WHEREAS, on July 24, 2020, the Secretary of Health issued Order 20-03.1,
effective July 25, 2020, which expands the Secretary's prior face covering mandate to require all
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people in Washington State to wear a face covering when they are outside of their house, mobile
home, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, bedroom in a congregate living setting, or
other dwelling unit; and
WHEREAS, as of March 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines became available for the
general public and employees according to each individual's Washington State mandated priority
order and Jefferson County, in order to promote public health during this pandemic, deems it in its
interests to encourage employees to become vaccinated; and
WHEREAS, Proclamation 20-25 has been amended several times, with the most
recent amendment occurring on May 21, 2021 in Proclamation 20-25.13; and,
WHEREAS,on June 11,2021 Governor Inslee announced that industries may return
to usual operations on June 30, 2021, except the May 21, 2021 masking guidance from the
Washington Department of Labor& Industries in Publication F414-179-000 [05-2021] continues
to apply; and
WHEREAS, as of June 13, 2021, 63% Jefferson County residents have been fully
vaccinated; and
WHEREAS, RCW 38.52.070(2) vests emergency powers in the Board to take
extraordinary measures for the preservation of public health and to relieve loss, hardship, and
suffering; and
WHEREAS, the severity of the situation demands that the Board take measures to
protect the public and County employees from further transmission of COVID-19 in Jefferson
County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Jefferson County
Commissioners that:
1. APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic as
amended(attached) is adopted as set forth below.
2. Policies 1, 2, 3, and 4 (as described in the Sixth Temporary County Policy Based on
Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic) are sunset.
3. Policy 5, as detailed in APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies to Address the
COVID-19 Pandemic as amended (attached) remains in effect, as amended.
4. Policy 6, DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO
ISSUE INTERPRETATIONS, remains in effect until the end of the temporary period of
the public health emergency, as amended.
5. Policy 7, TEMPORARY PAID ADMINISRATIVE LEAVE ENHANCEMENT, shall
remain in effect, but shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2021. This temporary
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policy allows regular Jefferson County employees to be vaccinated on paid work time,with
limitations.
6. Each policy in this resolution is adopted as a temporary measure to slow and help prevent
the spread of the COVID-19 virus, APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies to
Address the COVID-19 Pandemic as amended (attached) continues to be added to the
Jefferson County Personnel Administration Manual and contains standards for public
service and accountability and is necessary to maintain the efficiency of governmental
operations. Employees who fail to follow the requirements of APPENDIX `I' are subject
to disciplinary action and termination for just cause.
7. This Resolution shall repeal and replace Resolution 14-21 of Jefferson County.
.1 CO P1(OVED AND ADOPTED this jG I&,� day of JUN(, , 2021.
t, . ♦'�•, • • �J', ',
't JEFFERSON COUNTY
"0- ' ' BO F COMMISSIONERS
~- - Kat Dan Chair
V � • ; . 1`j ro e n, Member
A • 'so
ft< <ti , i� 1c 'a t,� i i isenh ur, Member
Carolyn►Gallaway, CMC
Clerk of the Board
Page 3 of 3
APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies
to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
5. HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS: To help prevent the
spread of COVID-19 employees must follow these workplace requirements:
C. Sick Employees Must Stay Home: Please help keep co-workers safe. This includes
temporary/seasonal employees.
1. If you are sick, please contact your supervisor immediately and stay at home.
2. Medical certification from your health care provider may be required.
3. If you need to stay home to care for a sick family member, please do so. During this
time, more workers may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick
family members than is normal.
4. Employees may use applicable Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave as well as their
individual leave accruals per policy (e.g., sick leave, vacation, floating holidays, and
comp time).
D. COVID-19-Sick Employees or Family Members:
1. Employees who have been sick with or without COVID-19 may be required to provide
medical certification. Medical certification for FMLA requests will be required if the
FMLA is for a COVID-19-sick employee or family member.
2. If an employee has COVID-19,the employee must:
a. Notify their supervisor immediately. The supervisor and any other employee who
knows must keep it confidential.This is required by the Americans with Disabilities
Act(ADA);
b. Contact the Public Health Department. The Public Health Department will conduct
contact tracing and inform close contacts of the sick employee that they may have
been exposed to COVID-19; and,
c. Follow guidance from the CDC regarding symptoms and testing and what to do if
you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
3. Employees who have a family member at home with COVID-19 must:
a. Notify their supervisor immediately.
b. Contact the Public Health Department. The Public Health Department will conduct
contact tracing and inform close contacts of the sick employee that they may have
been exposed to COVID-19; and,
c. Follow guidance from the CDC regarding symptoms and testing and what to do if
you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.Working
remotely may be authorized if approved by the employee's department director.
Page 1 of 4
Adopted: June 30,2021 Appendix I
Temporary Personnel Policies
to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
E. Required Face Coverings: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 employees must
follow these workplace requirements (updated on June 30, 2021):
1. Employees May Wear a Mask or Other Protective Equipment. Employees may wear a
mask or other protective equipment if they choose to, regardless of their vaccination
status.
2. Rules for Fully Vaccinated Employees.
a. Fully vaccinated employees for COVID-19 do not have to wear a mask or socially
distance at work.
b. In order to qualify as a "fully vaccinated employee," an employee must confirm
they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by providing proof of vaccination or by
signing a document under penalty of perjury that they are fully vaccinated to the
Human Resources Manager or designee.
c. "Fully vaccinated" means that a person has received all the required doses of a
vaccine for COVID19 (e.g., two doses of the Modema or Pfizer vaccines, or one
dose of the Johnson&Johnson vaccine) and two weeks have passed since the final
dose.
3. Required Log of Fully Vaccinated Employees. The Human Resources Manager shall
keep a log of the employees who have verified they have been fully vaccinated and the
date of full vaccination. The Human Resource Manager shall make the log available
to the Washington Department of Labor& Industries upon request.
4. Applicable Rules When Unvaccinated Employees or Other Persons Who Are Not Fully
Vaccinated Are Present.
a. If an employee chooses not to provide proof they have been fully vaccinated, it
shall be assumed that they are not fully vaccinated for purposes of this policy and
all the masking requirements of this policy applicable to unvaccinated employees
apply.
b. Unvaccinated employees should keep at least six feet of physical distance between
coworkers and the public at all times, unless not feasible. Elected Officials and
Department Directors or the Human Resources Manager may determine the
locations where the recommended physical distancing is not feasible.
c. Unvaccinated Employees, including those who have not provided the required
proof that they are fully vaccinated, should use a face covering to cover the nose
and mouth when they are: (i) in a location where the required physical distancing
in Section 5.D.4.b., is not feasible or they are unable to keep at least six feet of
physical distancing between them and other individuals; (ii) at their desk which is
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Adopted: June 30,2021 Appendix I
Temporary Personnel Policies
to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
not situated six feet from other individuals (unless other transmission-mitigation
alternatives to face coverings approved by Public Health have been implemented);
or, (iii) leaving their personal work space and entering common work areas,
hallways, stairways, meeting rooms, breakrooms, restrooms, or any public area
where they might encounter other individuals and may not be able to keep at least
six feet of physical distance between them and another individual.
d. Unvaccinated employees should avoid touching mouth, nose, eyes or nearby
surfaces when putting on, using, and removing a face covering.
e. When wearing face coverings is required, unvaccinated employees may wear
County-provided face coverings or coverings made or purchased by the employee.
f. Unvaccinated employees required to wear a mask shall keep cloth face coverings
clean, consistent with washing standards set by the CDC.
g. Unvaccinated employees should meet in person only for as short a time as possible.
h. If work duties require driving, unvaccinated employees who do not live together
should take separate vehicles when the passenger space does not allow for sufficient
physical distancing.
i. Employees should limit in-person meetings that include unvaccinated persons, and
instead use phone conferences or video meetings when feasible.
5. Exception for Courts. The judges of the District and Superior Courts have authority to
modify the requirements in this Section 5.D. as necessary to meet statutory or
constitutional requirements for their courtrooms.
6. Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance. Pursuant to the Americans With
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213) or the Washington State Law
Against Discrimination (ch. 49.60 RCW), an unvaccinated employee may request an
accommodation to the face covering requirements in this section.
F. Frequent and Adequate Hand Washing: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19
employees must follow these workplace requirements:
1. Wash hands frequently and regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as
needed and including: when arriving at work, coming and going from different
worksites, taking breaks, using the restroom, before and after eating, drinking or using
tobacco products, after sneezing and/or coughing, and after touching surfaces or
handling objects touched by others or suspected of being contaminated.
2. Use hand sanitizer(between handwashing) after touching surfaces or handling objects
touched by others or suspected of being contaminated.
3. Do not touch mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
Page 3 of 4
Adopted: June 30,2021 Appendix I
Temporary Personnel Policies
to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
H. Education: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 employees are provided the
following information about these workplace requirements:
1. Education and information about COVID-19 is provided to employees through adopted
policies, established guidelines and protocols, signs, posters, informational bulletins
and meetings.
2. Resources for current information and additional guidance include:
a. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
b. Washington State Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/coronavirus.
c. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: www.lni.wa.gov.
d. Jefferson County Public Health: www.cojefferson.wa.us/1429/COVID-19 or by
telephone at(360)385-9400.
6. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE
INTERPRETATIONS AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO HEALTH AND
WORKPLACE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: During the temporary period of the public
health emergency, the County Administrator is hereby delegated authority to issue
interpretations as needed of how these Policies and the leave policies of the Jefferson County
Personnel Administration Manual shall be administered by the County, including Elected
Officials and Department Directors, during the temporary period of the public health
emergency to ensure efficient use of resources and compliance with federal and state law.
In addition, and as necessary, the County Administrator may adjust in writing the Health and
Workplace Safety Requirement (#5) outlined in this Policy to be consistent with Federal or
State law, and report those changes to the Board of Commissioners.
7. TEMPORARY PAID ADMINISRATIVE LEAVE ENHANCEMENT: As of March 1,
2021, COVID-19 vaccines will soon become available for the general public and Jefferson
County employees according to each individual's Washington State mandated priority order.
Jefferson County, in order to promote public health during this pandemic, deems it in its
interests to encourage employees to become vaccinated.Therefore,each regular employee may
temporarily use Paid Administrative Leave(pay code 223,reason code COVAX)when absent
in order to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This code may be used twice by each regular
employee, for up to 2 hours each usage.
Policy 7 shall remain in effect, but shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2021.
If federal, state, or local health officer requirements are more stringent than the above policies, the
more stringent federal, state, or local health officer requirements shall apply.
Page 4 of 4
Adopted: June 30,2021 Appendix I
Temporary Personnel Policies
to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
Regular Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Mark McCauley, Interim County Administrator
Andy Rowlson, Human Resources Manager
DATE: June 30, 2021
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. re: In the Matter of Adopting a Seventh Temporary
County Policy Based on Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
As a temporary measure to protect public health and County employees under the declared State of
Emergency for COVID-19, the proposed resolution adopts a seventh temporary County policy based on
emergency response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This seventh temporary policy:
1. Sunsets Policy 1, Telecommuting,which has been replaced by a permanent County
Telecommuting policy.
2. Sunsets Policies 2, 3, and 4.
3. Policy 5 is revised as detailed in APPENDIX`I'—Temporary Personnel Policies to Address
the COVID-19 Pandemic as amended(attached)and shall be effective at 12:00 a.m.on July
1, 2021.
4. Policy 6,DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE
INTERPRETATIONS is revised as detailed in APPENIX`I',and shall remain in effect until
the end of the temporary period of the public health emergency.
5. Policy 7,TEMPORARY PAID ADMINISRATIVE LEAVE ENHANCEMENT,shall remain
in effect,but shall expire at 11:59 p.m.on September 30,2021.This temporary policy allows
regular Jefferson County employees to be vaccinated on paid work time, with limitations.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed resolution adopts a seventh temporary County policy authorizing the following:
1. Ends the temporary telecommuting policy, which is replaced by a permanent Telecommuting
Policy;
2. Ends the temporary expanded use of employer provided sick leave;
3. Ends temporary sick leave advancement for employees who have no sick leave available to
them and who have exhausted all other accrued paid leave;
Regular Agenda
4. Ends leave options provided for in the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act
(FFCRA) depending upon authorization by Congress; and
5. Ends current Health and Safety Workplace Requirements, and substitutes new Health and
Safety Workplace Requirements; and
6. Continues delegation of authority to the County Administrator to issue interpretations of how
these policies and the leave policies of the County's Personnel Administration Manual shall be
administered by the County, including Elected Officials and Department Directors, and as
necessary, authorizes the County Administrator to adjust in writing the Health and Workplace
Safety Requirement (#5) outlined in this Policy to be consistent with Federal or State law, and
report those changes to the Board of Commissioners, and
7. On September 30, 2021, ends Temporary Paid Administrative Leave Enhancement benefit to
help assure regular employees are able to become COVID-19 vaccinated as soon as practicable.
This policy shall be in effect through September 30, 2021 or the end of the declared pandemic emergency.
The County is prepared to negotiate the impacts of this policy with our employee unions as may be requested.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the proposed resolution adopting a Seventh Temporary County policy based on Emergency
Response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
REVIEWED BY:
Mark McCaule Interim County Admi 's for D e