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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2020-014 RESOLUTION NO. 2020-014 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, CONTINUING AND AMENDING THE DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 22, ARTICLE II, SECTION 22-32 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 418.108 DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WHEREAS, In December 2019, Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ,2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China; and WHEREAS, Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and outcomes have ranged from mild to severe illness and in some cases death; and WHEREAS, On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization Director General declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and advised countries to prepare for the containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing, and prevention of onward spread of the disease; and WHEREAS, COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and WHEREAS, On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic; and WHEREAS, Continuous spread of the disease presents an imminent threat of widespread illness or loss of life resulting from a global pandemic and other public calamity resulting therefrom, which requires emergency,action; and WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott issued a State of Disaster for all Texas counties for COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, and on March 19, 2020, Governor Abbott subsequently issued an Executive Order imposing restrictions on citizens and businesses in the State of Texas to prevent further spread of COVID- 19; and WHEREAS, County Judge Glen Whitley issued a Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency for Tarrant County for COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, and issued a First Amended Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency on March 18, 2020; and Resolution No.2020-014 Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, President Donald Trump declared a State of National Emergency for the United States of America on March 13, 2020; and WHEREAS, The Mayor of the City of North Richland Hills (the "City") determined that due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, extraordinary measures must be taken to prevent and to alleviate the suffering of the citizens of North Richland Hills and to protect the public health and safety, and WHEREAS, On March 13, 2020, pursuant to the City Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, Article II, Section 22-32, and Texas Government Code Section 418.108(a), the Mayor of the City of North Richland Hills declared a local state of disaster due to public health emergency to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 (the "Declaration") for a period of seven (7) days; and WHEREAS, State law allows the Declaration to be continued beyond the seven day period upon consent of the City Council; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the current situation with COVID-19 requires continued efforts beyond seven days to prevent the spread of the pandemic and to protect the public health and safety; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION 1. The City Council hereby finds that the recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution as if written herein. SECTION 2. The City Council of North Richland Hills hereby continues the Declaration for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of this Resolution until May 20, 2020; however, the City Council may take further action to terminate, continue or further amend the Declaration as it deems necessary. SECTION 3. The City's Emergency Management Plan, and any interjurisdictional plan in which the City participates, shall continue to be implemented for the duration of the Declaration. SECTION 4. The City Council finds that a public necessity exists during the duration of the disaster Declaration for the City Council, or other decision making boards or commissions of the City, to conduct their public meetings via telephone or video conference pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code as authorized by the Governor of the State of Texas on March 16, 2020, to advance the public health and safety goal of limiting face-to-face meetings (also called "social distancing) to slow the spread of COVID-19. SECTION 5. The City is authorized to enforce this Declaration, and any amendments hereto, under its home-rule authority as authorized by law, and the general police powers of the City. Resolution No.2020-014 Page2of3 SECTION 6. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and after the date of its adoption, and it is so resolved; and all Resolutions of the City Council of the City in conflict herewith are hereby amended or repealed to the extent of such conflict. PASSED AND APPROVED on this 20th day of March, 2020. CITY F ORT HL ND HILLS By: Oscar re n , ayor ATTEST: 11(14 Alicia Richardson, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: LA Maleshia B. McGinnis, City Attorney APPROVED AS TO CON NT: 'm P ue, Public Safety Director Resolution No.2020-014 Page 3 of 3