HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaterloo EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION-02.26.2021PROCLAMATION DECLARING
A CIVIL EMERGENCY
ISSUED BY MAYOR QUENTIN HART
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has reported an outbreak of thousands of
cases of COVID-19 in multiple countries, causing illness and deaths, and has declared the
outbreak a global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, The Governor of Iowa issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency
on March 17, 2020, and since that date has continued to implement measures to limit community
spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, over time, the City of Waterloo has taken several steps to slow the spread of
the virus by closing and limiting access to public facilities, closing city parks, and adopting a
resolution urging the Governor of Iowa to order residents to stay “Safe at Home”, and instituting
a mask mandate; and
WHEREAS, Black Hawk County cases of COVID-19 remain at a moderate level,
meaning community spread of the virus continues to occur within the county; and
WHEREAS, Iowa Code Section 372.14(2) and Waterloo City Code Article 5-2B grants
the mayor power in emergency circumstances when public danger exists to take extraordinary
steps to protect the public health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FORGOING AND OTHER
VALID EMERGENT CONCERNS, I, QUENTIN HART, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
WATERLOO, HEREBY PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING:
Section 1. That a state of civil emergency continues to exist in the City of Waterloo due
to the presence of COVID-19 in Black Hawk County and the risks it imposes on the public
health and safety of all citizens.
Section 2. That the Police Chief and Fire Chief of the City of Waterloo shall enforce this
Proclamation, subsequent proclamations, and any proclamation issued by the Governor of the
State of Iowa.
Section 3. That all emergency powers extended to the Mayor of the City of Waterloo,
pursuant to Iowa Code Section 372.14(2) and Waterloo City Code Article 5-2B, may be
exercised in accordance with this Proclamation.
Section 4. All public meetings held by the city shall continue in an electronic format in
accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 21 and Iowa Governor’s proclamation dated July 24, 2020
and subsequent proclamations. Council members may continue to participate in council
meetings by phone or video conferencing. Ph ysical presence of the public at such meetings shall
be pursuant to capacity limits and social distancing outlined in the Iowa Governor’s
proclamation dated December 16, 2020. However, commencing on December 7, 2020, and
continuing with this proclamation, all meetings shall be electronic, as meeting in public is
impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Council members, staff,
and the public presented by COVID-19. The City Clerk shall publish instructions consistent
with the law for public participation.
Section 5. That this Proclamation Declaring a Civil Emergency is part of an ongoing
response by the City of Waterloo to protect the health and safety of the citizens, and may be
modified or superseded with more restrictive proclamations at any time as circumstances
warrant.
Section 6. That pursuant to Section 5-2B-4 of the Waterloo City Code, the violation of
this Proclamation of Civil Emergency or of any subsidiary proclamation thereto, shall be
punishable as a misdemeanor as provided by Section 1-3-1 of the Waterloo City Code of
Ordinances.
Section 7. That this Proclamation Declaring a Civil Emergency shall be in effect until
March 28, 2021.
PROCLAIMED THIS 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2021 BY THE AUTHORITY
VESTED IN ME BY THE CODE OF IOWA AND THE CITY OF WATERLOO CITY CODE.
______________________________
Quentin Hart, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk
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