HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-016 Authorizing Temporary Policy Changes in Response to Public Health Emergency Resolution 20-016
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RESOLUTION NO. 20-016
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING TEMPORARY CITY POLICY CHANGES IN
RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND CONFIRMING THE
PROCLAMATION MADE BY THE CITY MANAGER AND MAYOR ON MARCH 25,
2020
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend (City) is a non-charter code city organized under
Title 35A RCW; and
WHEREAS, RCW 38.52.070 has authorized the creation of local organizations for
emergency management and authorizes the use of emergency powers to combat disasters and
protect health and safety of persons and property; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Public Health and
Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public emergency for the novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) beginning on January 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed a Proclamation declaring
a State of Emergency exists in all counties in the State of Washington due to the number of
confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the State and directed that the plans and procedures of the
Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Port Townsend Municipal Code 9.40.030, the Port
Townsend Police Chief(or Emergency Manager as designee) is designated to administer the
Emergency Management Organization; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager and City Emergency Manager have reported to the
Mayor of the City of Port Townsend that a state of emergency exists within the City of Port
Townsend based upon the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Washington State;
and
WHEREAS, the Port Townsend City Manager and Mayor jointly signed a proclamation
declaring an emergency on March 13, 2020, which was ratified by the Port Townsend City
Council on March 16, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies the
potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 as high and has advised that person-to-person
spread of COVID-19 will continue to occur; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Health has confirmed localized
person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in Washington State, significantly increasing the risk of
exposure and infection to the general public and creating an extreme public health risk that may
spread quickly; and
Resolution 20-016
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WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation by the
Governor 20-25 "Stay Home— Stay Healthy"that ordered residents to remain home unless
engaging in essential services or working in essential businesses or services; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the City Manager and the Mayor jointly signed a
proclamation to implement temporary City policy changes in order to comply with Governor
Inslee's "Stay Home— Stay Safe" Proclamation; and
WHEREAS, in the judgment of the undersigned, extraordinary measures are required to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare of Port Townsend's residents and may go beyond
the capability of local resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend:
1. City Hall is closed to the public during the public health emergency.
2. The City Library and the Mountain View Pool are closed concurrently with the
Governor's Proclamation 20-25 "Stay Home— Stay Safe" and Governor's Proclamation
20-25.1 "Stay Home— Stay Safe Extension." This may be extended by the City Manager
if required by the public health emergency. Mountain View Pool will credit any
payments for programs canceled due to the public health emergency.
3. All City facility rentals are canceled during the public health emergency. The City
will refund any deposits or rental fees for rentals canceled by the City due to the public
health emergency.
4. Using authority found in the City of Port Townsend Personnel Policy Manual 8.6, the
City implemented a temporary administrative leave policy and a temporary
telecommuting policy to allow City staff to implement Governor Inslee's orders to "stay
home - stay safe" while also ensuring the continuation of essential City services such as
utilities and public safety.
5. The Proclamation by the City Manager and Mayor of March 25, 2020 on the same
topic is confirmed and ratified.
Resolution 20-016
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ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting
thereof, held this 6"' day of April 2020.
- -----------------------
Michelle Sandoval
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
Joanna Sanders, MMC 1- e4
I c It"ii r C e,
City Clerk City Attorney
Attachment 2
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Proclamation of the City of Port Townsend,
Washington
Describing Temporary City Policy Changes in Response
to the Public Health Emergency
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend (City) is a non -charter code city organized under Title 35A
RCW; and
WHEREAS, RCW 38.52.070 has authorized the creation of local organizations for emergency
management and authorizes the use of emergency powers to combat disasters and protect
health and safety of persons and property; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Public Health and Human
Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public emergency for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
beginning on January 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed a Proclamation declaring a State of
Emergency exists in all counties in the State of Washington due to the numberof confirmed cases
of COVID-19 in the state and directed that the plans and procedures of the Washington State
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Port Townsend Municipal Code 9.40.030, the Port Townsend Police
Chief (or Emergency Manager as designee) is designated to administer the Emergency
Management Organization; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager and City Emergency Manager have reported to the Mayor of the City
of Port Townsend that a state of emergency exists within the City of Port Townsend based upon
the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the Port Townsend City Manager and Mayor jointly signed a proclamation declaring
an emergency on March 13, 2020 that was ratified by the Port Townsend City Council on March
16, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies the potential
public health threat posed by COVID-19 as high, and has advised that person-to-person spread of
COVID-19 will continue to occur; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Health has confirmed localized person-to-person
spread of COVID-19 in Washington State, significantly increasing the risk of exposure and
infection to the general public, and creating an extreme public health risk that may spread quickly;
and
Attachment 2
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WHEREAS, on March 22, 2020, Governor Inslee ordered all non-essential employees to "stay
home; stay safe" and all non-essential businesses to close; and
WHEREAS, the Port Townsend City Council is scheduled to meet on April 6, 2020 in order to ratify
actions taken to combat the public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, in the judgment of the undersigned, extraordinary measures are required to protect
the public health, safety, and welfare of Port Townsend's residents and may go beyond the
capability of local resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED AS FOLLOWS:
1. City Hall is closed to the public during the public health emergency.
2. The City Library and the Mountain View Pool are closed until April 24, 2020. This may be
extended by the City Manager if required by the public health emergency. Mountain View Pool
will credit any payments for programs canceled due to the public health emergency.
3. All City facility rentals are canceled the public health emergency. The City will refund any
deposits or rental fees for rentals canceled by the City due to the public health emergency.
4. Using authority found in the City of Port Townsend Personnel Policy Manual 8.6, the City
Manager implemented a temporary administrative leave policy and a temporary telecommuting
policy to allow City staff to implement Governor Inslee's orders to "stay home; stay safe" while
also ensuring the continuation of essential City services such as utilities and public safety.
Dated this °1-67 day of March 2020
m,
John Mauro, City Manager
Michelle Sandoval, Mayor