769-20 Declare Local State of Emergency for COVID-19 (03-18-2020

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RESOLUTION NO. 769-20 EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY RELATING TO CORONAVIRUS DISEASE COVID-19 WHEREAS, the World Health Organization previously declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; and WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020 the Governor of the State of Florida issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020 the Governor of the State of Florida issued Executive Order number 20-52 declaring that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners declared a local state of emergency for Pasco County on March 12, 2020; and WHEREAS,the incorporated area of the City of Zephyrhills is included in the emergency areas as declared by the Pasco BOCC and the Governor of the State of Florida; and, WHEREAS, COVID-19 constitutes a clear and present threat to the health and welfare of the People of the City of Zephyrhills; and WHEREAS,the City of Zephyrhills is threatened by COVID-19 because of the apparent ability of the virus to spread rapidly among humans through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and WHEREAS, City of Zephyrhills residents should follow the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention("CDC"); and WHEREAS, Section 252.38(3)(a)(5), Florida Statutes, provides authority for a municipal corporation such as the City of Zephyrhills to declare a state of local emergency for a period of time up to seven (7) days, which may be extended as necessary in seven (7) day increments, and to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of a municipal corporation by law pertaining to: a. Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community. b. Entering into contracts. c. Incurring obligations. d. Employment of permanent and temporary workers. e. Utilization of volunteer workers. f. Rental of equipment. g. Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies, materials and facilities. h. Appropriation and expenditure of public funds. NOW,THEREFORE,IT IS RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Zephyrhills this 17th day of March,2020,that the above described COVID-19 situation poses a serious threat to the life, health,property,welfare or public peace of the people of the City of Zephyrhills and that a state of local emergency shall be,and is hereby declared effective March 18,2020 at 12:01 a.m.for a period of time up to seven (7) days, which may be extended as necessary in seven (7) day increments by subsequent resolution, and all territory within the legal incorporated boundaries of the City of Zephyrhills, Pasco