HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-14 Declaration of Local EmergencyDECLARATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
March 14, 2020
WHEREAS, Palm Springs Municipal Code section 2.20.050(a)(1) empowers the
City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence or
threatened existence of a local emergency when the City is exposed to an actual or
threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons
and property within the City and the City Council is not in session; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager, as Director of Emergency Services of the City of
Palm Springs, does hereby find that:
Threatened existence of conditions of extreme peril to the health and safety of
persons in Palm Springs are present as a result of the increasing spread of novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state; and
2. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed multiple
cases of individuals who have severe respiratory illness caused by a novel
coronavirus, called COVID-19, as well as deaths caused by this illness; and
3. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic; and
4. On March 4, 2020 California Governor Newsome declared a State of Emergency
to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already
underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state
prepare for broader spread of COVID-19; and
5. The increase of reported cases and deaths associated with COVID-19 has also
prompted the County of Riverside on March 10, 2020 to proclaim a local and public
health emergency; and
6. A proclamation of a local emergency will assist in a coordinated public health
response to reduce transmission and illness severity, provide assistance to health
care providers, coordinate and mitigate public services that may be disrupted from
this emergency, and mitigate any other effects of this emergency on the citizens
of the City; and
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7. Under California Government Code section 8630(b) and Palm Springs Municipal
Code section 2.20.050(a)(1), a proclamation of local emergency must be ratified
by the City Council within seven (7) days to remain in effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DECLARED, that a local emergency now
exists throughout the City; and
IT IS FURTHER DECLARED AND ORDERED that during the existence of said
local emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of this
City shall be those prescribed by state law, ordinances, and resolutions of the City of
Palm Springs.; and
IT IS FURTHER DECLARED AND ORDERED that, without limiting the nature of
the foregoing, the City Manager, as Director of Emergency Services, is empowered:
(A) To make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to
the protection of life and property as affected by such emergency,
(B) To obtain vital supplies, equipment, and such other properties found lacking
and needed for the protection of life and property, and to bind the City for the fair value
thereof and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;
(C) To require emergency services of any City officer or employee and, in the
event of the proclamation of a state of emergency in Riverside County, to command the
aid of as many citizens of this community as he deems necessary in the execution of his
duties; such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities as are
provided by state law for registered disaster service workers;
(D) To requisition necessary personnel or material to any City department or
agency; and
(E) To execute all of his ordinary power as City Manager, all of the special powers
conferred upon him by Chapter 2.20 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code or by resolution
or emergency plan pursuant thereto adopted by the City Council, all powers conferred
upon him by any statute, by any agreement approved by the City Council, and by any
other lawful authority.
March 14, 2020
David H. Ready,
City Manager/Director of Emergency
Services
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
Jeffrey S. Ballinger, City Attorney
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