HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-013 Declaring Public Health Emergency Resolution 20-013
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RESOLUTION NO. 20-013
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, DECLARING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND
CONFIRMING THE DECLARATION MADE BY THE CITY MANAGER AND
MAYOR ON MARCH 13, 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 within the City; 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 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 President of the United States declared a national emergency regarding
the novel coronavirus on March 13, 2020; 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
WHEREAS, the City Manager and Mayor jointly signed a statement declaring a public
health emergency on March 13, 2020; and
Resolution 20-013
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend agrees that 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. A state of emergency as declared by the Mayor and City Manager on March 13, 2020 and
specifically covered under Chapter 38.52 RCW, exists within the City of Port Townsend,
Washington, as a result of the spread of COVID-19 in Washington. The outbreak of
COVID-19 and the effects of its extreme risk of person-to-person transmission throughout
Washington State significantly impact the life and health of those living and working in
Port Townsend, as well as continuity of operations and government at the City, and is a
public emergency that affects life, health, property, or the public peace.
2. Emergency Powers. All emergency powers and authority set forth in RCW 38.52.070 are
hereby invoked, including without limitation to the right to enter into contracts, employ
temporary workers and incur obligations without regard to time-consuming procedures and
formalities prescribed by law(except mandatory constitutional requirements).
3. The City Manager is authorized to assign personnel,modify employee work schedules, and
close City Buildings to the public if needed.
4. State and Federal Assistance. The City Manager is authorized to request all available state
and federal assistance necessary to respond to this emergency.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting
thereof, held this 16th day of March 2020.
U,&cL_ �Wh
Michelle Sandoval
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Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
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Joanna Sanders, MMC lwle idi O eel (loci
City Clerk City Atlorne
City of Port Townsend, Washington
DECLARING A LOCAL 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 within the City; 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 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
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. Emergency Declaration. A state of emergency, specifically covered under Chapter 38.52
RCW, exists within the City of Port Townsend, Washington, as a result of the spread of
COVID-19 in Washington. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the effects of its extreme risk of
person-to-person transmission throughout Washington State significantly impacts the life
and health of those living and working at Port Townsend, as well as continuity of
operations and government at the City, and is a public emergency that affects life, health,
property or the public peace.
2. Emergency Powers. All emergency powers and authority set forth in RCW 38.52.070 are
hereby invoked, including without limitation to the right to enter into contracts, employ
temporary workers and incur obligations without regard to time-consuming procedures
and formalities prescribed by law (except mandatory constitutional requirements).
3. State and Federal Assistance. The City Manager is authorized to request all available state
and federal assistance necessary to respond to this emergency.
4. Limitation. This proclamation is not intended as a finding of "public danger" under RCW
35A.13.030.
Dated this I'5 day of March 2020
John Mauro, City Manager
A
Michelle Sandoval, Mayor