RESOLUTION NO. R20-006
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAFFORD, GRAHAM COUNTY, ARIZONA, TO SUPPORT THE 2020 CENSUS,
TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC.
WHEREAS, A.R.S. 26-311 authorizes the Mayor of the City of Safford, Arizona and his/her designee to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the City of Safford is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and
WHEREAS, the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, was first detected in China in December 2019, and the centers for disease control (CDC) considers this virus to be a significant public health threat that has, and continues to spread globally; and
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 illness a public health emergency of international concern and on January 31, 2020 the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 illness; and
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2020 the COVID-19 Incident Command Team expanded as resource needs increased in reference to COVID-19; to include enhanced communications to the public through press relase, public meetings, cooperator meetings and development of an informational website; and
WHEREAS, the City continues to plan and prepare for event and facility closures, modified staffing plans, work from home programs, and enhanced communications to employees to ensure effective continuity of Operations of City Government through the activation of the City Emergency Operations Plan; and
WHEREAS, prudence requires that precautionary measures be taken proactively due to the widespread nature of COVID-19 and its threat to public health, safety, and welfare as referenced in the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency, and that impacts from the same threaten public health and safety and the economic recovery of Safford; and
WHEREAS, the widespread nature of COVID-19 constitutes an immediate threat to life, public health, safety, and welfare, and to the economic recovery of Safford; and
WHEREAS, the above facts give credence to the conditions of extreme peril and public health emergency; and the declaration of a local emergency will enable the City of Safford to provide emergency resources, request additional resources and receive mutual aid from other political sub-divisions and entities.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a local emergency now exists in the City of Safford, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED 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, by ordinances, and resolutions of the City of Safford. Citizens are urged to cooperate with this emergency declaration and, to every degree possible, abide by the safety announcements, advisories, and restrictions established by the Graham County Health Department and to cooperate with the City ’s public safety agencies and emergency services personnel.
City services will continue to be provided, however, walk in customer service will be limited to appointments. Services such as utility bill pay will be available through the drop boxes available at City Hall or online services.
PURSUANT TO A.R.S. 38-431.02 as amended, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the general public that during the declared State of Emergency a possible quorum of the City of Safford City Council may be in attendance during meetings and times of need and given the nature and urgency of this emergency, the public is hereby put on notice of such possible attendance.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Safford, Graham County, Arizona, this 17th day of March 2020.