The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPR 24292: THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOLL TO BE UTILIZE WHEN A NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER OCCURS 1V!rir/// City of urt rtltu ^ Texas www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: (April 24, 2025) To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager From: (Judith Smith, Director of Health Services) RE: (P. R#24292) Introduction: It is recommended that the City Council approve P.R. No.24292, approving an Interlocal Agreement with the Port Arthur Independent School District for the use of facilities during a public health emergency which may result from natural or man-made causes. Background: The City of Port Arthur receives public health preparedness grant funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services to plan and prepare for public health emergencies caused by natural or man-made events. In such emergencies,the City may need to immunize or treat large numbers of people within its service area, including the Port Arthur Independent School District(PAISD). The Port Arthur Independent School District has facilities that are well-suited to serve as sites for mass vaccination or treatment if needed during a public health emergency. Budget Impact: None Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve P.R. No.24292, approving an Interlocal Agreement for the use of PAISD facilities during the public health emergency which may result from natural and man-made causes. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743 P.R. No. 24292 04/24/2025 JS/TNR RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE PORT ARTHUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES DURING A NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER AND THE DESIGNATION OF THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, LOCATED AT 2200 JEFFERSON DRIVE, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS 77642 FOR THE STORAGE OF A POINT OF DISTRIBUTION (POD) BOX AND THE USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES DURING A NATURAL OR MAN- MADE DISASTER. WHEREAS, the Port Arthur Independent School District("PAISD")has authorized the Port Arthur Health Department("Health Department")to utilize a designated school facility for the storage of a Point of Distribution("POD") Box, which is to be deployed in the event mass vaccinations are required in response to a public health emergency; and, WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, located at 2200 Jefferson Drive, Port Arthur, Texas 77642,has been identified as the appropriate site for the secure storage of the POD Box; and, WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the public interest and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the community to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the Port Arthur Independent School District to formalize the use of school facilities during a declared public health emergency, whether arising from natural disasters, pandemics, or other man-made events; and, WHEREAS, the City Council hereby authorizes the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the Port Arthur Independent School District for the purposes described herein and directs the City Manager and the City's Health Director to take all necessary actions to effectuate the intent of this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That the City Manager and City's Health Director are hereby authorized to execute the Interlocal Agreement in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit"A". P.R.No. 24292 04/24/2025 JS NOES: Thurman Bartie, Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard, City Secretary APPROVED S TO ORM: Roxann Pais Cotroneo, City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: 4udebC3 it Jud• Smith, RN, :y, Director of Health • Ron Burton, CPM, City .` ager P.R. No. 24292 04/24/2025 JS EXHIBIT "A" Interlocal Agreement Between The City of Port Arthur and The Port Arthur Independent School District This Interlocal Agreement ("Agreement:) is entered into between the City of Port Arthur Health Department ("City") and the Port Arthur Independent School District("District"). The City's Health Department is a local health department under Chapter 121 of the Health and Safety Code. The Interlocal Cooperation Act, Government Code Chapter 791, governs this Agreement. The District is an Independent School District organized under Education Code Chapter 11. I. Purpose The City of Port Arthur receives public health preparedness grant funds from the Texas Department of State Health Services to plan and prepare for a public health emergency which may result from natural or man made causes. During such an emergency, it may be necessary to immunize or treat all or large numbers of people in the area served by the City and the District. Prior public health experience with mass immunizations has shown that schools are well suited to this activity because: 1)their location is known to large numbers of individuals within the community; 2) they have large assembly areas; and 3) they have other necessary facilities such as refrigeration and restrooms. The City has concluded that the District possesses facilities that are qualified to serve if mass immunization or treatment is necessary. The District desires to be helpful as possible in the event of a public health emergency, and agrees to make its facilities available for purposes of mass immunization or treatment, under the terms set out below. The City and the District have concluded that this use of the facilities is a "governmental function" as defined in the Interlocal Agreement Act. II. Public Health Emergency This agreement will go into effect only if: 1) The Commissioner of Health or the local health authority declare that large scale immunization or treatment is necessary as a control measure for an outbreak of communicable disease; and, 2) Classes at the facility are either not scheduled. or are canceled. III. Obligations of the Cite 1) The City will supply or arrange for all equipment, vaccine, medicine and personnel necessary to administer the vaccine or medication. 2) The City will supply or arrange for all equipment and personnel necessary for staffing, security, crowd control and other tasks, except as described in Section IV below. 3) The City will be responsible for disposal of medical waste and disinfection at the facility following its use for the emergency. The health authority will provide written assurance of its safety for use as a school facility following its use. 4) The City will be responsible for any damage to property belonging to the District as a result of its use during the public health emergency. 5) The City is responsible for the acts and negligence of its employees or volunteers, under state and federal law. IV. Obligations of the District 1) The District is responsible for allowing the use of the facility and all utilities (gas, electric, water, and telecommunications) normally associated with its use as a school facility. 2) The District is responsible for providing use of all rooms, fixtures, and equipment existing at the facility that the City regards as necessary for on site use during the period of the emergency. 3) The District will provide at least one person on-site during the period of emergency use with access to the rooms, fixtures and equipment described above. 4) The District is responsible for the acts and negligence of its employees or volunteers, under state and federal law. V. Term This agreement becomes effective when approved by the governing body of the City and District. It may be canceled by either party by giving thirty days notice to the other party, otherwise it remains in effect for five years and may be renewed by mutual agreement. VI. Execution THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager Date UdA(kit Jith Smith, RN, BSN Date Director of Health Services THE DISTRICT (PAISD) Mark Porterie, Superintendent Date PAISD Board President Date PAISD Attorney Date