Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3963 Resolution - EO 2020-002.1RESOLUTION NO. 3963 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PASCO RATIFYING THE EMERGENCY ORDER RELATING TO NO. 2020-002.1 RELATED TO EXTENDING TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SERVICES SHUT -OFFS AND LATE FEES FOR CITY OF PASCO CUSTOMERS. WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, Mayor Saul Martinez proclaimed the existence of a civil emergency pursuant to PMC 2.55.010 due to the COVID-19 emergency, which has caused a world-wide pandemic; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the emergency order allows the City, including its businesses and community members, to continue to conduct business, ensuring that the safety of everyone is secured, while maintaining the needed services for all; and WHEREAS, the Pasco Municipal Code Section 2.55.020 (2) states that any such (emergency) orders shall, at the next regular or special meeting of the City Council, following the date the orders are issued, be presented to the City Council for ratification and confirmation by resolution of the City Council and if not so ratified and confirmed, shall be of no further effect. and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON: Be It Resolved, that the City Council confirms and ratifies Emergency Order 2020-002.1 related to the Temporary Moratorium on Utility Services Shut -Offs and Late Fees for City of Pasco Customers as presented in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto, and Be It Further Resolved, that this Resolution takes effect the date Emergency Order 2020- 002.1 was signed by the Mayor of Pasco, Washington. PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington this 1" day of June, 2020. Saul Martinez Mayor ATTEST: Debra Barham, CMC City Clerk Resolution — Ratifying EO 2020-002.1 — 1 APPROVED AS TO FORM: Kerr F uson Law, PLLC Ci ttorney Exhibit A GtyOf lys co OFFICE OF THE MAYOR • (509) 545-3404 • FAX (509) 545-3403 P.O. Box 293 •525 North 3'd Ave. • Pasco, WA 99301 www.pasco-wa.gov Emergency Order No. 2020-002.1 Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Utility Services Shut -Offs and Late Fees for City of Pasco 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 plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented; and WHEREAS, beginning on March 11, 2020, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, directed the Federal Government to take numerous emergency measures to address the unprecedented nature of this public health crisis, including restrictions on all foreign travel outside United States of America due to the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States; and WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, Mayor Saul Martinez proclaimed the existence of a civil emergency pursuant to PMC 2.55.010; and WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, the Department of Public Health of Benton and Franklin County announced the first local case of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, as the COVID-19 emergency worsens, there is an increasing likelihood that City residents will be exposed to the virus; and WHEREAS, during a time of civil emergency pursuant to PMC 2.55.010, PMC 2.55.020(h) permits the Mayor to authorize, "in cooperation with utility management and appropriate state and federal agencies, the shutting off, restoration, and operation of utility services in accordance with priorities established for combating such civil emergency"; and WHEREAS, Governor's Proclamation 20-23.3, Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services, prohibits municipalities from (1) disconnecting any residential customers from energy, telecommunications, or water service due to nonpayment, except at the request of the customer; (2) refusing to reconnect any residential customer who has been disconnected due to nonpayment; and (3) charging fees for late payment or reconnection of energy, telecommunications, or water service; and Emergency Order No. 2020-002.1 WHEREAS, Emergency Order 2020-002, Temporary Moratorium on Utility Services Shut -Offs and Late Fees for City of Pasco, expired on May 22, 2020; and WHEREAS, a civil emergency pursuant to PMC 2.55.010 continues to exist; and WHEREAS, to prevent excessive economic harm to local citizens and businesses, in particularly vulnerable populations, it is necessary to maintain citizens' utility services through this civil emergency. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Saul Martinez, Mayor of the City of Pasco, ORDER under the emergency powers granted to me under the Proclamation of Emergency that: 1. The above recitals are true and correct in all respects. 2. The code provisions of PMC 2.55.020(h) and any other provisions of the Pasco Municipal Code as they relate to the shutting off, restoration, and operation of utility services, continue to be suspended. 3. City Manager continues to be charged with establishing administrative processes and standards in tandem with local utility providers to execute this Order. 4. This Order shall be in effect retroactively from May 22, 2020 for the duration of the Proclamation requiring the aforementioned temporary prohibition of water utility disconnection and late payment and reconnection fees ordered by the Governor, as amended, unless extended or terminated by separate written order. DATED this (o day of May, 2020. �59� - Sau artinez, Mayor Attest: j�CJ ILG ,�- Debra Barham, CMC City Clerk Emergency Order No. 2020-002.1