The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly met Tuesday night to consider a consent agenda resolution that would extend the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Declaration for the Kenai Peninsula Borough due to the current and expected impacts of the pandemic to June 30, 2021.
Assemblyman Jesse Bjorkman, “Resolution 2021-019 Extending the Disaster Emergency Declaration for the Kenai Peninsula Borough issued due to the current and expected imminent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to June 30th of 2021. During committees, we heard from the OEM Director, Dan Nelson about the need for this disaster declaration to remain in place if the Borough were to continue to operate vaccination clinics as well as utilize funding that was in place for those purposes. We also heard by way of assemblyman Cox that he spoke with Tim Dillon from the Economic Development District that it was his advice that the Disaster Declaration continue as well to make sure that the Borough utilizes all of its tools and ensuring that local businesses and folks have all the aid that they might be able to receive through other federal funds that may be extended.”
According to Director Nelson, efforts have been devoted towards the planning and coordination of vaccination acquisition, training, storage, distribution, and the administration of shots. Those activities have required additional temporary personnel and expenses to be incurred. As the remaining CARES funding is spent, the borough may transition to FEMA reimbursement of expenses or any other funding streams that may be available for all of those expenses related to the response.
The consent agenda item was passed, which means that the Disaster Emergency Declaration issued by the borough mayor is extended to June 30, 2021.