HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd2020-004 - Emergency Ord Sponsored by: Meszaros
Introduction Date: March 23, 2020
Enactment Date: March 23, 2020
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 2020-004
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, TEMPORARILY AUTHORIZING THE
SUSPENSION AND/OR MODIFICATION OF VARIOUS SECTIONS OF
THE SEWARD CITY CODE AND CITY COUNCIL RULES OF
PROCEDURES MANUAL REGARDING PUBLIC MEETINGS AND
PARTICIPATION IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY,
AND WELFARE OF THE SEWARD COMMUNITY DURING A STATE-
DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY CAUSED BY COVID-19
WHEREAS, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has
identified Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COV ID-19) as a significant public risk; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, Governor Dunleavy issued a declaration of public
health disaster emergency in response to the anticipated outbreak of COVID-19 within Alaska's
communities; and
WHEREAS, on March I I, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the
COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, various organizations, agencies, and local governments throughout the
State of Alaska and within the City of Seward are cancelling or restricting public gatherings,
temporarily closing schools and childcare facilities, and restricting non-essential travel in efforts
to contain the virus; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations of global, federal, state, and local organizations and
government entities are changing almost daily in response to new information regarding COVID-
19, which requires the City to be able to act swiftly to comply with these recommendations in its
operations; and
WHEREAS, in order to protect public health, welfare, and safety, the City needs
flexibility in its meeting and notice protocols; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has authority to implement temporary rules and
procedures regarding City government organization and operations during an emergency under
the City's Emergency Operation Plan; and
WHEREAS,the City of Seward has declared an emergency as a result of the outbreak of
COVID-19 and the City Manager needs authority to modify and amend meeting procedures
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 2020-004
immediately, and not after introduction and a public hearing as required for non-emergency
ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA HEREBY ORDAINS that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby grants the City Manager authority to
temporarily waive and/or modify provisions pertaining to scheduling, publication, notice,
cancellation, teleconferencing, video conferencing, and other related meeting procedures for all
City commission, committee, and council meetings, so long as:
1) The City Manager's actions comply with State law and the Seward Charter; and
2) The City Manager posts notice of all modifications and/or waivers, and the reasons for
such modifications and/or waivers, on the City's website no more than ten (10) business days
after implementation.
Section 2. The Seward City Council may, by resolution, repeal any modification and/or
waiver made by the City Manager under this ordinance.
Section 3. This is an Emergency Ordinance and is not permanent in nature, and shall not
be codified.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect on the day it is enacted and shall expire sixty
(60)days after its passage, in accordance with Seward City Code 2.15.040.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
this 23"day of March, 2020.
THE CT OF SEWARD,ALASKA
7 /
Christy Terry, Mayor '
AYES: Crites, Seese, McClure, Osenga, Baclaan, Butts,Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 2020-004
ATTEST:
'Brenda J. Aleut MMC
City Clerk
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