GMA & ACCG Summarize Gov.’s Statewide Shelter in Place Executive Order

Executive Order Issuing a Statewide Shelter in Place to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 (Executive Order No. 04.02.20.01) was signed by Governor Kemp yesterday afternoon (April 2).  From 6:00 p.m. Today (Friday, April 3, 2020) until 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020 (or later, if the Public Health State of Emergency and this Executive Order are extended), all local government powers contained in Titles 36 and 38 are suspended as they relate to the enforcement of any local government ordinance or order adopted or issued since March 1, 2020 with the stated purpose or effect of: (1) responding to the public health emergency; (2) ordering residents to shelter in place; (3) ordering a quarantine; or (4) combating the spread of COVID-19, if that ordinance or order is different in any way from the Governor’s Order. 

Read the full summary, including its impact on local governments on GMA’s website. In addition, GMA is updating its COVID-19 Frequently Asked Question document in accordance with Governor Kemp’s latest executive orders. Access these FAQs and more information at www.gacities.com. 

Holtz Municipal Training Institute COVID-19-Related Update  

GMA has postponed the Robert E. Knox Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute, originally scheduled for April 1-4, and the Spring Training Event, originally scheduled for April 3-4. GMA hopes to reschedule these training events in the months ahead. In the meantime, the training staff at GMA and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government are exploring ways to offer some of the classes scheduled for the Spring Training Event as live, interactive online training. Please stay tuned for an announcement regarding live, online training in the coming weeks.
 
As a reminder, the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute has online, on-demand classes currently available, which include Capital Improvement Program, Local Government Debt Methods, Open Meetings/Open Records and Human Resources. Register on the Carl Vinson Institute of Government website.

Gov. Kemp, University of Georgia's SBDC Provide Overview of CARES Act Funding

The CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus package, and SBA programs are designed to lead the way in small business recovery. Yesterday, Governor Kemp announced the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Small Business Development Centers are partnering to make sure that every small business in Georgia is aware of these programs. Read the full press release.
 
Beginning next week, these entities will conduct a series of webinars to help explain the small business assistance in the CARES Act. Visit this website to find more information about these webinars and other tools to assist Georgia’s small businesses.

Jurisdictions Urged to Implement Municipal Water System Backup Plans 

City officials continue to provide critical services to residents and businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Water is one of the most basic and essential public services, yet small cities that provide water service often have a limited number of water department employees. For jurisdictions that operate municipal water systems, GMA recommends implementing a backup plan as soon as possible in the event that water personnel need support. View the full list of resources and suggestions.

Reminder to Complete DCA Surveys

The 2020 Government Management Indicators (GOMI) Survey and the 2020 Local Government Wage and Salary Survey have gone live and are available for annual submissions. Both surveys will require the DCA-issued CICOID/Password. If a local official needs this information, they can email a request to DCA.Research@dca.ga.gov and DCA will get it back to them the same business day.  As of now, the deadline for submission is June 30, 2020. DCA is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and may adjust as needed.

Local Govs Lead with Providing Emergency Leave to Employees

As the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) went into effect, two things changed:
  1. Certain employees will be entitled to two weeks (80 hours) of paid sick leave over and above any time already taken off.
  2. Certain employees who have been on the job for at least 30 days are entitled to 12 weeks of job-protected leave if they cannot work or telework due to a quarantine or isolation order, either they or their family members are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or they are caring for a child whose school or place of care has temporarily closed.
Review the Department of Labor’s FAQ on the FFCRA here. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Compensation Survey, over 90 percent of local government workers have access to paid sick leave. In addition to this regular paid sick leave, some employers also offer ad hoc, temporary sick leave or, when feasible, allow or require people to work remotely. Read NLC’s complete resource article.  

ARC WEBINAR: Helping Local Governments Analyze COVID Data

On next Monday, April 6, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. EDT ARC will host a webinar that details several interactive data tools to help local governments and other officials better understand what’s happening in the region and in their own communities. Register for the webinar.

UPDATED: GMA's Coronavirus Resource Center

As GMA receives pertinent resources surrounding COVID-19, we will update the Coronavirus Resource Center for Municipal Officials. 

Additional Resource:
Visit GMA's COVID-19 Resource Page

Coronavirus Hotline
1-844-442-2681 
 

Contact GMA

GMA is here to help you! Please send all of your emails to gacities@gacities.com. We are regularly checking this email box. 


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City managers, finance directors and clerks, remember to stay connected with each other through GMA’s convenient listservs. To join, email Becky Taylor at: btaylor@gacities.com. 
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