COVID-19 Update: Camas Mayor Issues Proclamation of Civil Emergency

Mayor Barry McDonnell returned early from his vacation in Spain, arriving late Tuesday night. According to Mayor Pro Tem, Greg Anderson, he will be under self-quarantine for at least two weeks, but he was able to issue this proclamation using a digital signature:

Whereas, Camas Municipal Code Section 2.48.020 provides that in the event an emergency occurs which causes or is tending to cause danger or injury to persons or damage to property to such an extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare then the Mayor may proclaim a civil emergency to exist; and

Whereas, in the interest of public safety and welfare, Washington state law under Chapter 38.52 RCW sets forth certain powers exercisable by municipalities in the event of emergencies; and

Whereas, Camas Municipal Code Chapter 8.56 sets forth additional procedures and powers related to Emergency Management; and

Whereas, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency due to the public health emergency posed by the coronavirus 2019 (hereafter COVID-19); and

Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the Clark County Council announced a state of emergency resolution for Clark County regarding COVID-19. Similar emergency declarations have been issued in Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas counties in the Portland metropolitan area; and

Whereas, on March 13, 2020, Governor Inslee ordered all K-12 public and private schools in Washington State to close by no later than March 17, 2020 and remained closed through April24, 2020, further ordering on March 16, 2020 a statewide emergency proclamation to temporarily shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities and ban all gatherings with over 50 participants, with all gatherings under 50 participants to be prohibited unless previously announced criteria for public health and social distancing are met; and

Whereas, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in the United States ofAmerica related to the COVID-19 outbreak; and

Whereas, as of March 14, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health reported a total of 642 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 40 resulting deaths. As of March 14, 2020, at least 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Clark County; and

Whereas, as reported by the Washington State Department of Health:

Public health experts agree that the true number of people who have been infected with COVID-19 in Washington greatly exceeds the number ofCOVID-19 infections that have been laboratory-confirmed. It is very difficult to know exactly how many people in Washington have been infected to date since most people with COVID-19 experience mild illness and the ability to get tested is still not widely available; and

Whereas, as Mayor ofthe City ofCamas I have determined that it is necessary to proclaim the existence ofa civil emergency and to take such actions as may be required to effectively utilize city resources in the protection ofthe public health, safety and welfare;

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barry McDonnell, Mayor of the City of Camas, Proclaim as follows:

1. I declare there is a civil emergency caused by COVID-19 in the City o f Camas.
2. The civil emergency requires the implementation of those powers delineated in Chapter 2. 48
   and 8.56 of the Camas Municipal Code and Chapter 38.52 RCW.
3. To the extent of such powers as granted by law, the City may enter into contracts and incur
   obligations, and take any other appropriate action necessary to address and respond to the emergency to protect the health and safety of persons and properties and to provide emergency assistance to persons affected by this emergency.
4. These powers will be exercised in light of the exigencies of the situation without regard to the formalities prescribed by State statutes and rules, or by City ordinance (except for mandatory constitutional requirements). These include but are not limited to budget law limitations, requirements for competitive bidding, publication of notices related to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring of obligations, employment of temporary workers, rental of equipment, purchase of supplies and equipment, and the appropriation and expenditure of funds.
5. I delegate to the Department heads and their designees the authority to solicit quotes and estimates for contracts necessary to combat the emergency. Department heads may enter into contracts in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000). Contracts over this amount will be signed by the Mayor.
6. Department heads are further authorized to reassign staff from their ordinary duties to work deemed necessary to address the emergency outside their normal job duties and to require work beyond normal working hours in the performance of duties deemed necessary to respond to the emergency.
7. Pursuant to Camas Municipal Code sections 2.48.020 and 8.56.080 a copy of this Proclamation shall be filed with the City Clerk, a copy delivered to the Director of Emergency Management, State Emergency Management, and the Governor and the news media within the City shall be advised, with copies of this Proclamation posted at public places as may heretofore be designated.
8. This Proclamation will take effect upon my signature and will remain in effect until modified or terminated pursuant to Camas Municipal Code Section 2.48.040.
   DATED AND SIGNED THIS 18th DAY OF MARCH, 2020. City of Camas — Mayor Barry McDonnell.