* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmembers Costello, Bullock, Torrence, McCray, Schleifer, Burnett, Porter
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
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Informational Hearing - 2022 Labor Day Weekend E. Coli Positive Tests and Baltimore City Government’s Response
For the purpose of inviting the City Administrator, the Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, the Mayor’s Senior Director of Communications, and representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to appear before the City Council to discuss the E. coli discovered in the City’s water system on or before Labor Day weekend 2022 and to detail a complete time line of events that have transpired up to the date of this informational hearing regarding testing results, notifications to the City Administration, and notifications to City residents.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can cause illness to people and animals. Some types of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others can cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.
On or around September 03, 2022, during a routine test, the Department of Public Works discovered positive results for E. coli in the water distribution system at Baltimore City Fire Department Engine #8, located at 1503 West Lafayette Avenue.
A boil water advisory (BWA) was issued to affected residents subsequent to the positive test results.
Public-facing communications via press release and social media were overly vague and were released at inconsistent intervals over the following 2 days. These communications included a low-resolution map that residents were not able to use accurately to determine if they were located in the BWA area.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the City Council invites the City Administrator, the Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, the Mayor’s Senior Director of Communications, and representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to appear before the City Council to discuss the E. coli discovered in the City’s water system on or before Labor Day weekend 2022 and to detail a complete time line of events that have transpired up to the date of this informational hearing regarding testing results, notifications to the City Administration, and notifications to City residents.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the City Administrator, the Director of the Department of Public works, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, the Mayor’s Senior Director of Communications, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.