Public invited to telephonic Maricopa County supervisors' meeting
Board eyes measures to help employees, pets during COVID-19 crisis
Maricopa County leaders will hold a telephonic public meeting today, inviting residents to attend remotely while safely maintaining social distance.
Included on the docket are plans to help county employees and pets hurt by the coronavirus outbreak, and an agreement for how to distribute a future COVID-19 vaccine with help from the Air National Guard.
With an agenda comprised of dozens of action items, the regularly scheduled formal meeting will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. in the Supervisors’ Auditorium, 205 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix — though due to concerns over the ongoing public health crisis, the meeting room will be closed to the public.
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Maricopa County leaders will hold a telephonic public meeting today, inviting residents to attend remotely while safely maintaining social distance.
Included on the docket are plans to help county employees and pets hurt by the coronavirus outbreak, and an agreement for how to distribute a future COVID-19 vaccine with help from the Air National Guard.
With an agenda comprised of dozens of action items, the regularly scheduled formal meeting will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. in the Supervisors’ Auditorium, 205 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix — though due to concerns over the ongoing public health crisis, the meeting room will be closed to the public.
Telephonic participation in government meetings is one of a variety of tactics officials employ as area residents continue to shelter in place.
District 3 Supervisor Bill Gates said in a recent statement that such efforts are showing results, but residents should continue to observe social distancing and other precautions to combat the pandemic.
“I am happy to report that the curve is beginning to plateau,” Mr. Gates stated. “However, we are not out of the woods yet and must continue to be diligent in our efforts by practicing social distancing, washing your hands and avoiding contact with your face.”
Supervisor Steve Chucri, who represents District 2, last month explained how county residents can still participate in the meetings.
“Following CDC guidelines and Governor Ducey’s Executive Order … regarding the recommendation to limit social gatherings, the Board of Supervisors’ Auditorium will be closed,” Mr. Chucri stated.
According to the release, several options are available for those who wish to attend the meeting from home, including:
Visit Maricopa.gov or maricopa.gov/324 to access the live feed at the start of the meeting.
For residents without a computer, dial 1-213-929-4212 on your phone, and enter the Audio Access code 127-285-799 (Long distance charges may apply and no PIN is needed.)
Online meetings will not be active until just prior to the meeting; future webinar meeting IDs and access codes will change with each subsequent meeting. Additional information or instructions — including up-to-date access codes — will be provided at the Clerk of the Board’s website, www.Maricopa.Gov/324.
Videos are typically archived at the site up to five days following each meeting.
Help for employees
The supervisors will consider adopting a measure to clarify and expand language in policies to comply with a county program aimed at helping employees affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
County policy HR2426, called Employees Assisting and Supporting Employees or E.A.S.E., provides a framework for intra-employee charitable assistance.
“This fund was established to assist eligible employees with basic needs due to health or human services-related emergencies when all other known sources of financial aid have been exhausted or are unavailable.
Basic needs are defined as housing, utilities, and food,” the county’s E.A.S.E. application states.
The program is currently limited to full-time permanent and full-time contract employees who have worked for the county for at least 12 months and applicants must meet needs-based requirements to qualify.
The proposed personnel policy changes, retroactive to April 1 and only until the end of 2020, would include:
Add COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic as a crisis reason for loss of income, including due to furlough or reduced hours, through December 31, 2020.
Add unexpected expenses arising from the coronavirus pandemic as qualifying expenses.
Expand eligibility to all current employees; eligibility now is only for full-time employees with at least 12 months of service.
Help for pets
The panel will consider a measure to accept $20,000 in grand funds from the Humane Society of the United States, which is targeted at bolstering care for sheltered animals.
“The grant award does provide funding for a mandated service, which is to provide adequate care of animals that are sheltered with the Animal Care and Control Department,” the meeting agenda states.
The one-time competitive grant requires no matching funds and is good for services delivered over the next six months.
The funds can be used for pet food, animal care supplies and veterinary care for urgent medical concerns and to improve quality of life for county-owned and community animals. The special grant from HSUS was a response to the COVID-19 crisis, according to the grant description.
“Grantee has agreed to use the grant funds solely for the purpose of responding to community and sheltering needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the HSUS grant agreement states.
Help for the future
The supervisors will consider approving a partnership between the county and an Air National Guard unit, which would create a plan to distribute a future COVID-19 vaccination, when one is eventually developed and available for distribution.
“… this agreement will be a critical piece of the vaccination program whenever that may be initiated. The 161 ARW possesses their own internal medical group and logistical support to set up mass vaccination PODs on site to handle their own population,” the agenda report states.
When the time comes, personal protective equipment currently not readily available to medical personnel and first responders will be needed, the report states.
“The main complication to any future POD operations is that the PPE that is typically part of the SNS, has now been depleted nationally because of the recent distribution for COVID-19. With or without the PPE, this agreement is still critical in dispensing vaccine,” according to the report.
Matt Roy Opinions Editor | Daily Independent @AzNewsmedia
Matt Roy is an ASU West graduate, who studied English literature and journalism before embarking on a career as a news reporter, editor, photojournalist, advocate and marketing communications professional, including more than six years with Independent Newsmedia. As a 30-year Valley resident, he remains passionate about journalism in service to local communities. Matt is the recipient of various awards, including First Place for Investigative Journalism from the Arizona Newspaper Association in 2019.
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