CATHEDRAL CITY – The City Council on Wednesday will be the latest in Coachella Valley to consider a resolution to designate Riverside County’s public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, as the city’s health officer as well, during the coronavirus pandemic.

The La Quinta City Council earlier this month designated Kaiser as the city’s health officer.

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The designation gives Kaiser authority to enforce public health statutes, regulations and orders, within the corporate boundaries of the city. His authority would be in addition to – not instead of – and authority city leaders, officers and managers already have.

The City Council, by appointing the Riverside County Health Officer as the Health Officer of Cathedral City, gives him or her the general power necessary to enforce all health and sanitation laws and the rules and regulations of the state. The Health Officer may also issue appropriate citations or summons regarding violations of law that occur within the city pertaining to health violations, including quarantine regulations. It adds another layer of enforcement muscle during the COVID-19 crisis.

If approved, the county would be able to provide the city, if necessary, any resources needed to enforce mandates, such as wearing face masks when out in public.

There is no cost to the city.

If approved, the resolution becomes effective immediately.

In order to conduct City Council meetings under the parameters ordered/directed by the Riverside County Health and Emergency Management departments and the California Health and Emergency Management departments, members of the City Council are able to participate in City Council Meetings by teleconference.

In order to comply with social distancing to the greatest extent possible, the public is encouraged to view the Council meetings via livestream or on the Government Access Channel, your local Channel 17.

For those who would like to comment on Agenda items, we ask that you submit your correspondence electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@cathedralcity.gov by 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Staff will monitor emails to the extent possible during the meeting and provide comments as possible.

All comments will be made part of the record. Telephonic comments can also be submitted to the City Clerk at 760 770-0322 prior to 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments whether verbal or written will be limited to 3 minutes. Once the three minutes have expired the comments will end.

The city is adhering to no more than 10 individuals in one location at a time and maintaining the 6 feet of distance from others.

 

Image Sources

  • Dr. Cameron Kaiser: Riverside County Health Department
  • Covid-19: Image by fernando zhiminaicela from Pixabay