HomeMy WebLinkAbout3953 Resolution - Ratifying EO 2020-006RESOLUTION NO. 3953
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PASCO RATIFYING
EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 2020-006 RELATED TO TEMPORARY CHANGE
IN CONDUCTING PUBLIC MEETINGS.
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.
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 2020-006
related to temporary change in conducting public meetings as presented in EXHIBIT A, attached
hereto, and
Be It Further Resolved, that this Resolution takes effect the date Emergency Order 2020-
006 was signed by the Mayor of Pasco, Washington.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington this 6th day of March, 2020.
Saul Martinez
Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Debra Barham, C Kerr Fson Law, PLLC
City Clerk Ci ttorney
Resolution: Ratifying EO 2020-006 - 1
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR • (509) 545-3404 • FAX (509) 545-3403
P.O. Box 293 •525 North 3rd Ave. • Pasco, WA 99301 www.pasco-wa.gov
Emergency Order No. 2020-006
Conducting Public Meetings
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 Proclamation No. 20-05,
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, on March 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed Proclamation No. 20-25,
imposing a "Stay Home — Stay Healthy" Order throughout Washington State, prohibiting all
people in Washington State from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual, and
recreational gatherings of any kind, regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential
businesses from conducting business until midnight on May 4, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed a Proclamation No. 20-28,
waving and suspending the portions of RCW 42.30 and RCW 42.56 that require in-person
meetings or contact during this time of social distancing; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2020, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump,
extended the social distancing guidelines for another 30 days or through April 30, 2020.
Emergency Order No. 2020-006
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:
The above recitals are true and correct in all respects.
2. The City Council and its boards and commissions meetings will temporarily hold
their meetings remotely and not in-person. The public may still attend the meetings
with meeting/webinar software that allows them to sign into the meeting by
computer, tablet, smart phone or, at a minimum, attend through a conference call-
in process through their telephone.
3. The City Council and its boards and commissions meetings will only take "action"
on matters that are (1) necessary and routine, or (2) are necessary to respond to the
outbreak and current public health emergency.
4. The City Council and its boards and commissions meetings will suspend the general
public comments section of their meetings and will allow public comment only
when it is addressing a specific item on the agenda when final action is pending or
during a published public hearing.
5. This Order shall be in effect for the duration of the Proclamation requiring the
aforementioned temporary waiver and/or suspension of the portions of RCW 42.30
that require in-person meetings ordered by the Governor, as amended, unless
extended or terminated by separate written order.
DATED this 03 day of April, 2020.
Saul Martinez, Mayor
Attest:
Debra Barham, CMC
City Clerk
Emergency Order No. 2020-006