2020-29ORDINANCE NO.2020-29
AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF ONE-TIME BONUSES TO
ELIGIBLE CITY EMPLOYEES IN RECOGNITION OF CONTINUED SERVICE
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DISASTER
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, Governor Ralph S. Northam issued Executive Order
Fifty -One declaring a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia arising from the
novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order Fifty -One acknowledged the existence of a public health
emergency which constitutes a disaster as defined by Virginia Code § 44-146.16 arising from the
public health threat presented by a communicable disease anticipated to spread; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order Fifty -One ordered implementation of the Commonwealth
of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan, activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center
to provide assistance to local governments, and authorization for executive branch agencies to
waive "any state requirement or regulation" as appropriate; and
WHEREAS, Governor Northam has issued several subsequent Executive Orders
addressing the many challenges posed by the COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has previously found, and continues to find, that COVID-
19 constitutes a real and substantial threat to public health and safety and constitutes a "disaster"
as defined by Virginia Code §44-146.16 being a "communicable disease of public health threat;"
and
WHEREAS, the City remains under a Declaration of Local Emergency (as declared by
the City Manager and affirmed by the City Council on various occasions); and
WHEREAS, City employees of all classes have provided, and continue to provide,
essential City services to residents, businesses and visitors to the City during the local emergency
and the COVID-19 pandemic, often at increased risk to their own health and safety; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 15.2-1508 provides that governing bodies of localities may
provide for the payment of monetary bonuses to their officers and employees, and the City
Council desires to authorize the grant of certain bonuses to City employees, as provided herein.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRFAX,
VIRGINIA, HEREBY ORDAINS:
1. That the efforts and actions of City officers and employees during the COVID-19
pandemic, often at risk to their health and safety, are hereby acknowledged, and the City
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Council expresses its appreciation and respect to all those who work on the City's behalf
for the benefit of its residents, businesses and visitors.
2. That eligible full-time and part-time employees (to include temporary employees) of the
City are hereby awarded a one-time bonus, to be paid no later than December 30, 2020,
as follows:
a. Front Line — Direct Ex sure employees shall receive $1,000.00 (for full time
employees) and $500.00 (for part time employees).
b. Support -Direct Exposure employees shall receive $750.00 (for full time
employees) and $375.00 (for part time employees).
c. Support -Significant Impact emplo +� shall receive $500.00 (for full time
employees) and $250.00 (for part time employees).
d. Support -Low Risk employees shall receive $250.00 (for full time employees) and
$125.00 (for part time employees).
e. Office of Elections employees and election workers shall receive $1,000.00 (for
full time employees) and $100.00 (for election workers).
£ Temporary employees, performing the duties and tasks as regular, full-time
employees, shall receive an amount up to the payment for full-time employees
under the appropriate category in a-e, above, as determined by the City Manager.
g. Classification of employees for bonus eligibility shall be in the sole and absolute
discretion of the City Manager, and the City Manager's determination shall be
final and unappealable.
h. Any employee not strictly meeting one of the categories in a-e, above, may be
awarded a bonus, in an amount up to the maximum of $1,000.00, in the sole and
absolute discretion of the City Manager.
i. The City Manager may prorate bonuses in his sole and absolute discretion for any
reason (i.e. employees that have not been employed throughout the period since
the commencement of the Declaration of Local Emergency or employees that
have more recently been hired)
IT IS FURTHER ORDAINED, that this ordinance is enacted under emergency
ordinance procedures authorized by the City Charter and, absent further action, shall expire
without the need for further action on the ninety-first day following its enactment.
P'
This Ordinance shall become effective as provided by law.
INTRODUCED: December 8, 2020
PUBLIC HEARING: December 8, 2020
ENACTED: December 8, 2020
ATTEST:
f+" ,t%City Clerk
►Z011 OF
Mayor Meyer
Aye
Councilmember Harmon
Aye
Councilmember Lim
Aye
Councilmember Miller
Aye
Councilmember Ross
Aye
Councilmember Stehle
Aye
Councilmember Yi
Absent
Mayor
T«m bcr
Date
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