COVID-19 Response Plan – 3/19/20

19 Mar

COVID-19 Response Plan – 3/19/20

PROCLAMATION OF THE MAYOR REGARDING THE INITIAL COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF CREOLA, ALABAMA

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 11-47-130 of the Code of Alabama (1975), “All cities and towns in this state shall have the power to maintain the health and cleanliness of the city or town within its limits and within the police jurisdiction thereof;”

WHEREAS: ALA CODE §31-9-10(1975) provides the power and authority for a political subdivision such as the City of Creola to declare a state of local emergency and, to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of political subdivision by law, including but not limited to:

  1. Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action in necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
  2. Entering into contracts.
  3. Incurring obligations.
  4. Employment of temporary workers.
  5. Utilization of volunteer workers.
  6. Rental of Equipment.
  7. Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies, materials, and facilities.
  8. Appropriation of expenditure of public funds.

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Director of the World Health Organization described the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic;

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States issued a “Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak;”

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor of the State of Alabama issued a proclamation of a state of public health emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak;

WHEREAS, the goal of this response plan is to institute a protocol to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Creola, Alabama, particularly through the use of its public facilities;

WHEREAS, this plan is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the CDC has announced that containment of the virus is no longer possible, and that community spread is occurring;

WHEREAS, this plan may be updated as new information is disseminated;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, William R. Criswell, Mayor of the City of Creola, Alabama (“City”), proclaim and direct the following:

    1. Effective March 16, 2020, the following persons shall not enter or remain upon any City of Creola-owned facility or property, including Creola City Hall, Creola Public Works, Creola Public Safety, Creola Senior Center, and the City’s public parks:
      • Persons who have been in any of the following countries within the last fourteen (14)  days: China, Iran, United Kingdom and Ireland, South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco,  San Marino, Vatican City, or any other country identified by the CDC as subject to a Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice or as a place of “Widespread sustained spread and restrictions on travel to the United States,” see https://www.cdc.govicoronavirus/20 I 9-ncov/travelers/index.html (This list may be updated);
      • Persons who reside or have had close contact with someone who has been in one of the countries listed above within the last fourteen (14) days;
      • Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health  agency;
      • Persons who have been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; and
      • Persons who have a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, have trouble breathing, or are obviously unwell.

Anyone attempting entry in violation of these protocols will be denied entry. Any person who has business to conduct at Creola City Hall but is unable to appear because of the restrictions above should contact the appropriate department by telephone at (251) 675-8142. Citizens   should also refer to the City of Creola’s website at http://www.cityofCreola.org/.

    1. Effective immediately, the Creola Senior Center, and all City of Creola ball fields are closed to the public, pending further notice. Senior meals will continue with delivery and to-go options. For assistance with senior meals, please call (251) 675-7661.
    2. The City Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. will be rescheduled and potentially resume on April 9, 2020. Except for the City Clerk, City Attorney, and a representative of the Creola Police Department, all City of Creola employees and Department Heads are excused from attending the Council meeting.   A short and abbreviated order of business is anticipated. Although the meeting is open to the public, instead of appearing in person, citizens are encouraged to participate via Facebook Live from the City of Creola’s Facebook page at hnos://ww.facebook.com/citvofCreola/ where the meeting will be broadcast live.

DONE this the 16th day of March 2020.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED this  16th day of March, 2020, that the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) poses a serious threat to the lives of residents of the City of Creola, Alabama and that a State of Local Emergency has be declared, effective 7 p.m., on this date for the City of Creola.