Emergency Declaration

Title 61§ 130 states that:Title 61§ 130 states that:

The provisions of the Public Competitive The provisions of the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974 with reference to Bidding Act of 1974 with reference to notice and bids shall not apply to an notice and bids shall not apply to an emergency if:emergency if:

1.1. The governing body of a public agency The governing body of a public agency declares by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote declares by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all of the members of the governing body of all of the members of the governing body that an emergency exists;that an emergency exists;

1

2

Emergency DeclarationEmergency as used in this section shall be Emergency as used in this section shall be limited to:limited to:Conditions resulting from a sudden unexpected Conditions resulting from a sudden unexpected happening or unforeseen occurrence or condition happening or unforeseen occurrence or condition whereby the public health or safety is endangeredwhereby the public health or safety is endangered

On October 7On October 7thth, the Executive Director of OJA , the Executive Director of OJA declared an Emergency as a result of instability declared an Emergency as a result of instability at the COJC facility. Even though it was at the COJC facility. Even though it was probable that the necessary corrections would probable that the necessary corrections would cost more than the Director’s threshold of cost more than the Director’s threshold of $35,000, DCS needed the declaration to begin $35,000, DCS needed the declaration to begin the process of seeking permanent solutions to the process of seeking permanent solutions to the problems at COJC. the problems at COJC.

3

Emergency DeclarationMany of the corrective actions initially taken cannot be Many of the corrective actions initially taken cannot be sustained over the long term. These actions include; sustained over the long term. These actions include; extensive overtime, temporarily assigning additional extensive overtime, temporarily assigning additional staff from other areas of the agency, private security to staff from other areas of the agency, private security to patrol COJC’s perimeter. These actions are beginning patrol COJC’s perimeter. These actions are beginning to produce diminishing returns. A permanent solution to produce diminishing returns. A permanent solution is still needed. The emergency that was declared on is still needed. The emergency that was declared on October 7October 7thth has not been resolved. has not been resolved.OJA asserts that this is an emergency situation by OJA asserts that this is an emergency situation by presenting the following:presenting the following:The residents, employees and surrounding population The residents, employees and surrounding population of COJC are at risk due to the inability to manage and of COJC are at risk due to the inability to manage and intervene with youth during a crisis situation.intervene with youth during a crisis situation.

4

Emergency DeclarationThe situation has unexpectedly escalated due to the The situation has unexpectedly escalated due to the culmination of the following occurrences:culmination of the following occurrences:

1.1. COJC has no suitable unit for handling crisis management. COJC has no suitable unit for handling crisis management. Currently crisis management is handled by assigning staff one-on-Currently crisis management is handled by assigning staff one-on-one with the youth.one with the youth.

2.2. The resent loss of key personnel has impacted the overall The resent loss of key personnel has impacted the overall experience and knowledge of COJC’s management and treatment experience and knowledge of COJC’s management and treatment teams.teams.

3.3. Due to noncompetitive wages, COJC has a significant turnover rate Due to noncompetitive wages, COJC has a significant turnover rate and it is difficult to recruit new workersand it is difficult to recruit new workers

4.4. Because of the high turnover, the agency has difficulty keeping Because of the high turnover, the agency has difficulty keeping staff trained and there are very few “experienced” workers to help staff trained and there are very few “experienced” workers to help train and mentor staff.train and mentor staff.

5.5. COJC has several employees on extended medical leave primarily COJC has several employees on extended medical leave primarily due to injuries sustained on the job.due to injuries sustained on the job.