AGENDA CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL August 27, 2012

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1 AGENDA CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL August 27, 2012 After determining that a quorum is present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas will convene in a Special Called Meeting on Monday, August 27, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney Street, Denton, Texas at which the following items will be considered: WORK SESSION 1. Hold a discussion regarding the Disaster Declaration by the Denton County Judge concerning a West Nile Virus Health Emergency, which calls for State assistance for response and mitigation support to combat West Nile Virus, including aerial spraying to minimize and control mosquito populations. SPECIAL CALLED SESSION 1. Consider approval of a resolution of the City of Denton expressing its desire to participate with and be included in aerial spraying to control mosquitoes that spread West Nile Virus as a result of a Disaster Declaration by the Denton County Judge concerning a West Nile Virus Health Emergency, which Declaration calls for State assistance for response and mitigation support to combat West Nile Virus, including aerial spraying to minimize and control populations of mosquitoes; and providing an effective date. NOTE: The City Council reserves the right to adjourn into a Closed Meeting on any item on its Open Meeting agenda consistent with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, as amended, or as otherwise allowed by law. C E R T I F I C A T E I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the City of Denton, Texas, on the day of, 2012 at o'clock (a.m.) (p.m.) CITY SECRETARY NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON COUNCIL WORK SESSION ROOM IS ACCESSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE CITY WILL PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED IF REQUESTED AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED MEETING. PLEASE CALL THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT OR USE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF (TDD) BY CALLING RELAY- TX SO THAT A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER CAN BE SCHEDULED THROUGH THE CITY SECRETARY S OFFICE.

2 AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET AGENDA DATE: August 27, 2012 DEPARTMENT: Utility Administration ACM: Howard Martin, SUBJECT Hold a discussion regarding the Disaster Declaration by the Denton County Judge concerning a West Nile Virus Health Emergency, which calls for State assistance for response and mitigation support to combat West Nile Virus, including aerial spraying to minimize and control mosquito populations. BACKGROUND On August 23, 2012, the City of Denton received a letter from Denton County Judge Mary Horn stating that the Judge had issued a Disaster Declaration and Executive Order to request State Assistance for support to combat West Nile Virus (WNV). As you are aware, WNV has reached unprecedented levels in Denton County, and the County currently has the highest WNV incidence rate in the State of Texas. In response the Denton County Health Department is recommending more aggressive strategies of mosquito control, in the form of aerial spraying, for the unincorporated areas of the County. The County has stated that municipalities can participate in the aerial spraying effort, but requires the municipalities to make a formal request to be included. It is worth noting that Risk Level 5 of the Denton Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan addresses this issue. Specifically, the plan states if public health emergencies are declared at the County or State level, the recommended responses associated with the declaration will take precedence over the control plan of the City of Denton. This information is being provided to facilitate a discussion of aerial spraying and to respond to Judge Horn s request for the City of Denton to express its desire to be included or to not be included in the aerial spraying efforts in Denton County. EXHIBITS 1. Denton County Health Department Recommendation for Aerial Spraying for West Nile Virus. 2. Executive Order of the Denton County Judge Respectfully prepared and submitted by, Kenneth Banks. Director, Environmental Services and Sustainability

3 Denton County Health Department Contact: Bob Martinez (940) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Health Department Recommends Aerial Spraying for West Nile Virus August 22, 2012 Denton County Health Department has recommended that Denton County Judge, Mary Horn, declare a West Nile Virus Health Emergency and request that the Department of State Health Services make additional resources available to Denton County in the form of aerial spraying. Denton County has recorded 105 cases of West Nile Virus, and the number of cases continues to increase daily. More importantly, Denton County has the highest WNV incidence rate in the State. We are very concerned at the number, rate, and severity of cases of West Nile Virus among Denton County residents, stated Bing Burton, Ph.D., director of Denton County Health Department. Ground spraying and the use of larvacide in ponds and standing water has not been successful in containing this disease outbreak. Although these strategies, coupled with education and the importance of personal protective measures will remain an important part of Denton County s disease response, the geographic advantages of aerial spraying may be the most effective means of combating WNV. It is believed that the ability of aerial spraying to cover very large areas of the county at one time may provide the needed boost in preventive measures to reduce the growing number of cases occurring. The pesticide used in aerial spraying is very similar to the one employed in ground spraying. It is not a more concentrated dose, and it has been declared safe for humans and pets by the Centers for Disease Control. The persistence of this disease outbreak has led health officials to recommend that the county expand measures to protect County residents. The declaration of a Health Emergency will allow the County to request State and Federal resources. However, as in Dallas County, the municipalities in Denton County will determine whether they wish to be included in the spraying. Prompt response from the municipalities will be encouraged to enable optimal use of the aerial spray resource. Please visit the DCHD West Nile virus website ( for more details about symptoms, prevention tips, county-wide contacts, reducing mosquitoes around your home, and disease statistics.

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5 AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET AGENDA DATE: August 27, 2012 DEPARTMENT: Utility Administration ACM: Howard Martin, SUBJECT Consider adoption of a resolution of the City of Denton expressing its desire to participate with and be included in aerial spraying to control mosquitoes that spread West Nile Virus as a result of a Disaster Declaration by the Denton County Judge concerning a West Nile Virus Health Emergency, which Declaration calls for State assistance for response and mitigation support to combat West Nile Virus, including aerial spraying to minimize and control populations of mosquitoes; and providing an effective date. BACKGROUND On August 23, 2012, the City of Denton received a letter from Denton County Judge Mary Horn stating that the Judge had issued a Disaster Declaration and Executive Order to request State Assistance for support to combat West Nile Virus (WNV). As you are aware, WNV has reached unprecedented levels in Denton County, and the County currently has the highest WNV incidence rate in the State of Texas. In response the Denton County Health Department is recommending more aggressive strategies of mosquito control, in the form of aerial spraying, for the unincorporated areas of the County. The County has stated that municipalities can participate in the aerial spraying effort, but requires the municipalities to make a formal request to be included. OPTIONS 1. Adopt the resolution expressing a desire to participate with and be included in aerial spraying 2. Do not adopt the Resolution EXHIBITS 1. Resolution Respectfully prepared and submitted by, Kenneth Banks. Director, Environmental Services and Sustainability

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