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
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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.
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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
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