MOTION-- The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has committed sworn resources to COVID response since March 2020, having opened several COVID testing sites as part of the City's front-line response help curb community spread. Since January 2021, vaccination efforts have significantly ramped up at many of these locations, increasing the LAFD member resources required for effective operation. Presently, there are 21 sites and teams as listed below, most operating seven days a week through extended daily hours, and with the numbers likely to increase. These ongoing operations have burdened the Departments sworn overtime accounts. Payroll shortfalls are imminent with expenditures currently trending in the $1.8 million range per pay period.
- 8 fixed testing/vaccination sites
- 8 mobile teams
- 3 Dependent Homebound Population teams
- 2 Persons Experiencing Homelessness teams
Council approval is urgently needed to expedite the necessary transfer of funds to balance salary accounts. A funding transfer was requested in the FY 20-21 Midyear FSR; however, that report will not be released for some time yet. This transfer is in addition to the Midyear request. Funding for the requested transfer is available from prior years uncommitted Inter-governmental Transfer Program funds and will cover two pay periods under the current staffing deployment. Some of this funding will offset a shortfall in the Operating Supplies account which has been a source of funding for field expenses. Because this transaction involves one-time special fund savings, there is no General Fund impact. COVID related expenses are tracked by the Department and reported accordingly for full FEMA reimbursement.
I THEREFORE MOVE that City Council, subject to approval of the Mayor, authorize the Controller to transfer a total of $4.2 million to Fund 100/38, as follows: (Chart in Official Motion)