Item 4CITEM 4C
ICITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
September 14, 2021
TO: Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager
FROM: Stacey Black, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Approve Resolution No. 21-042, Approving the City of Southlake Paid
Quarantine Leave for Firefighters and Peace Officers Policy
Action
Requested: City Council approval of Resolution No. 21-042, to approve the Paid
Quarantine Leave for Firefighters and Peace Officers Policy and to
provide an effective date.
Background
Information: Texas House Bill 2073 amends Section 180.008 of the Texas Local
Government Code and requires the governing body of a political
subdivision to develop and implement a paid quarantine leave policy for
peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. The
leave applies if a covered employee is ordered to isolate or quarantine
because of a possible or known exposure to a communicable disease
while on duty.
The proposed policy is attached and includes the following provisions:
• The policy applies to all sworn Firefighters and Peace Officers
employed by the City of Southlake.
• Quarantine leave will be granted to a Firefighter or Peace Officer
who is ordered by the City's health authority or City Management
to quarantine or isolate due to a possible or known exposure to a
communicable disease while on duty.
• While on quarantine leave, the employee shall remain eligible for
all employment benefits and compensation, and their sick,
vacation, holiday, or other paid leave balances shall not be
reduced.
The policy meets the requirements outlined in Section 180.008 of the
Texas Local Government Code and, with City Council approval, will be
effective October 1, 2021.
Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager ITEM 4C
September 14, 2021
Page 2
Financial
Considerations: There is no direct budgetary impact of this policy.
Strategic Link:
• Focus Area: Performance Management and Service Delivery
• Corporate Objective: L3 Attract, develop and retain a skilled
workforce
Citizen Input/
Board Review: N/A
Legal Review: The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed policy.
Alternatives: Changes as may be desired by the City Council.
Deny the proposed policy.
Supporting
Documents: Resolution No. 21-042
Staff
Recommendation: City Council approval of Resolution No. 21-042, to approve the Paid
Quarantine Leave for Firefighters and Peace Officers Policy and to
provide an effective date.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-042
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, APPROVING THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE PAID QUARANTINE LEAVE FOR
FIREFIGHTERS AND PEACE OFFICERS POLICY AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Southlake (the "City") previously adopted personnel
policies; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to adopt the Paid Quarantine Leave for Fire Fighters
and Peace Officers Policy; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Southlake hereby approves and adopts the following personnel
policy that has financial implications, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit "A":
Paid Quarantine Leave for Firefighters and Peace Officers Policy
Section2. That this resolution is in effect upon passage and adoption by the City
Council effective October 1, 2021.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE
, 2021.
John Huffman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy Shelley, City Secretary
DAY OF
Page 1
CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
PAID QUARANTINE LEAVE FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND PEACE OFFICERS
Purpose. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in accordance with Section
180.008 of the Texas Local Government Code regarding paid quarantine leave for
Firefighters, Peace Officers, Detention Officers, and Emergency Medical Technicians.
The City of Southlake recognizes that employee health and safety is essential, and the
City supports establishing a comfortable, healthy, safe, and supportive workplace.
This policy runs concurrently with Personnel Policy No. 709, Workers' Compensation and
Personnel Policy No. 710, Wage Continuation, as this leave is granted only for on -duty
exposures.
Eligibility. This policy applies to all sworn Firefighters and Peace Officers employed by
the City of Southlake.
Definitions. The following definitions apply to this policy:
Communicable Disease. A disease as identified by the City's health authority for
which quarantine or isolation is necessary.
Firefighter. A paid employee of the fire department who A) holds a position that
requires substantial knowledge of firefighting; B) has met the requirements for
certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection under Chapter 419,
Government Code; and C) performs a function listed in Section 143.003(4)(A) of
the Texas Local Government Code.
Health Authority. As defined by Section 121.021, Health and Safety Code.
Peace Officer. An individual described by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure,
who is elected for, employed by, or appointed by the City.
Quarantine Leave. Paid leave provided to quarantine or isolate Firefighters or
Peace Officer who have a possible or known exposure to a communicable disease
while on duty.
Policy. The use of quarantine leave shall be granted to a Firefighter or Peace Officer who
is ordered by the City's health authority or City Management to quarantine or isolate due
to a possible or known exposure to a communicable disease while on duty.
Paid Quarantine Leave for Firefighters and Peace Officers Page 1
CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
Employees are required to file all necessary workers' compensation paperwork, as this
leave shall run concurrently with the workers' compensation process.
Employees on paid quarantine leave shall continue to be eligible for all employment
benefits and compensation, including leave accrual, pension benefits, and health benefit
plan benefits for the duration of the leave. While on quarantine leave, the City shall not
reduce a Firefighter's or peace officer's sick leave balance, vacation leave balance,
holiday leave balance, or other paid leave balances in connection with paid quarantine
leave taken in accordance with this policy.
When applicable, employees who must be quarantined under this policy may be eligible
for reimbursement for reasonable costs related to the quarantine, including lodging,
medical, and transportation. Employees seeking reimbursement shall follow the policies
and procedures within the City of Southlake Travel Policy.
Approval and Effective Date. This policy was approved by City Council on September
21, 2021 by Resolution No. 21-042 and is effective October 1, 2021.
Paid Quarantine Leave for Firefighters and Peace Officers Page 2