City Council Supports State Framework to Allow Less Restrictive Local Public Health Measures in Letter to Governor

The following letter was sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom on May 6, 2020.

Dear Governor Newsom:

On behalf of the Roseville City Council, I am writing to thank you for your leadership and efforts to protect and support Californians during this extended public health crisis. I also want to commend your efforts for developing partnerships and working collaboratively with regional and local governments to develop an effective roadmap for reopening the state.

We believe your provisions allowing regions and counties to implement public health measures that are less restrictive than the statewide public health directives, once they have complied with the process defined by the state, is the proper approach and provides a fitting framework for moving the state forward.

Since the very beginning of the health crisis, our community has understood the seriousness of the issue and has risen to the task of complying stridently with the Stage 1 requirements. Similarly, our city has remained on the front line helping our residents stay safe and in their homes and continuing to deliver emergency and essential services as needed.

Based on these efforts, Placer County’s coronavirus data proves that the County Health Officer’s decisions and the community’s adherence to them have slowed the spread of the virus. We are thankful that Placer County has flattened the curve.

In a state as diverse and geographically distinctive as California, a uniform approach to address an issue can be problematic. We therefore appreciate your willingness to engage local governments to hear their ideas for allowing modifications to Stage 2 that will allow regions and counties to be effective at moving more quickly through the Stage.

Based on the collaboration and leadership at every level of government in Placer County, we know that we’ll continue the momentum we have accomplished to date, which will allow us to carefully reopen our community, preserve our health, and stave off further economic damage.
We fully support your plan to allow counties to implement public health measures that are less restrictive than the statewide public health directives—if they attest that they meet the state’s readiness criteria and if they create and submit a readiness plan that the state will make publicly available.

Our community believes this is the proper approach and provides a fitting framework for moving the state forward.

Best Regards,
John B. Allard II,
Mayor