Proclamation of Emergency COVID-19Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency
WHEREAS, the virus named COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously
been identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of Emergency to
authorize all necessary resources to be used in support of the COVID-19 response; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has been identified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic,
and the United States Centers for Disease Control has provided guidance for individuals, healthcare
professionals, and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, Governor Timothy J. Walz issued a stay at home order requiring
non -essential employees and public officials to limit interaction with the public; and
WHEREAS, the current pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the City of Elk River (the
"City"); and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2020, the City Administrator issued a declaration calling for City
meetings to be held by electronic means; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 12.29 authorizes the mayor of a municipality to declare a
local emergency for a period of up to three days; and
WHEREAS, the Elk River City Council may consent to an extension of a declaration of local
emergency beyond three days; and.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 12.37 an emergency declaration authorizes the City
to enter into contracts and perform other duties without following many of the time-consuming
legal procedures normally required, including:
■ Arranging for the performance of public work
■ Contracting
■ Incurring obligations
■ Employing temporary workers
■ Renting equipment
■ Purchasing supplies and materials
■ Complying with limitation on tax levies
■ Appropriating and expending public funds, including publication of ordinance and
resolutions, advertisement for bids, provisions of civil service laws and rules, competitive
bidding, and budget requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor finds that the emergency is sudden and could not have been anticipated;
and
WHEREAS, the Mayor finds that this situation threatens the health, safety, and welfare of the
residents of the community and threatens the provision and delivery of city services as a result of the
Emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor finds that the emergency poses the risk of and may cause catastrophic
loss of public health, safety, and welfare if not immediately addressed; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor finds that traditional sources of relief are not able to repair or prevent
the injury and loss.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, John J. Dietz, Mayor of Elk River, do
hereby proclaim:
1. A local state of emergency is declared for the City of Elk River pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 12.
2. The City staff is directed to review ordinance and regulatory requirements, operations,
civil and legal proceedings, events, and resources to determine whether the foregoing
should be adjusted or suspended, and to make recommendations regarding additional
emergency regulations to support the employees and residents of the City.
3. All City departments and offices are directed to operate and support the response to
this incident, under the direction and coordination of the Emergency Management
Director and Emergency Management Team, including implementing new employee
protocols, strategies, and processes to ensure that public services are maintained.
4. The City Administrator and other appropriate City staff shall request and coordinate
appropriate aid and resources from surrounding jurisdictions, Sherburne County, the
State of Minnesota, and the Federal government, as needed.
Public meetings shall be held consistent with the prior declaration of the City
Administrator pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.021.
6. This declaration shall continue for not more than a period of three days from the date
of execution unless extended by the City Council.
7. A meeting of the City Council shall be held on April 6, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss
this declaration and consider extending the declaration.
8. The City Clerk is directed to give this declaration pro t and general publicity and file
consistent with.
hn J. ietz ayor
ATTES
Tina Allard, City Clerk