City of Walters Proclamation Declaring State Of Emergency

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WHEREAS, the World Health organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to be a global pandemic: and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States has declared an infectious disease national emergency declaration to combat COVID-19: and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Oklahoma has declared an emergency by the impending threat of COVID-19 for all 77 Oklahoma Counties; and

WHEREAS, health professionals and researchers have determined that COVID-19 is spread by human interaction; and

WHEREAS, avoidance of human contact through methods such as social distancing is believed to stop the spread of COVID-19: and

WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19 is a disaster affecting life, health and safety of Walters residents and nonresidents alike; and

WHEREAS, the City of Walters Code of Ordinances along with State Law permit the Mayor of the City of Walters to proclaim that a state of emergency exists within any area of the City;

NOW, THEREFORE, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHOR-ITY VESTED IN ME BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, I ROBERTA ELLIS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WALTERS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AND DECLARE:

SECTION ONE: A state of emergency exists with-in the corporate limits of the City of Walters, Cotton County, Oklahoma.

SECTION TWO: This proclamation shall become effective 12:01 AM March 24, 2020.

SECTON THREE: All of the City of Walters facilities shall be closed to the public and all programming and events shall be postponed and or canceled until the expiration of this emergency declaration: All non-essential departments will also be closed.

SECTION FOUR: The City Manager shall revoke any pending permit and not issue any new permit for any public or private event on any City street, sidewalk, facility, park, or property until the expiration of this emergency declaration.

SECTION FIVE: Meetings of all City of Walters authorities, boards, commissions, committees, and trusts are postponed and/or canceled until the expiration of the emergency declaration. All meetings of the City Council and Municipal Authority are exempt from this cancellation requirement. These meetings will remain open to the public but steps will be taken to ensure no close contact between attendees.

SECTION SIX: All Walters Municipal Court dockets are canceled, Cases scheduled for arraignment, hearing, and trial will be rescheduled. This includes all juvenile dockets. The Municipal Judge shall issue an order rescheduling cases and the Municipal Court Clerk shall issue written notification of new court dates.

SECTION SEVEN: All inperson gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes, including but not limited to community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or spading events: parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers and similar activities are strongly discouraged until the expiration of this emergency declaration.

SECTION EIGHT: Restaurants, bars, and other privately owned gathering places are highly encouraged to limit the number of patrons such that at least six (6) feet of space is available to each patron. Such facilities are further encouraged to transition to “take-out” or “delivery” options.

SECTION NINE: Local gyms and exercise facilities are encouraged to discontinue all group activities and to significantly increase and enhance facility cleaning and disinfecting activity.

SECTION TEN: City Hall will be restricted to employees only. All citizens are encouraged to use the drop box, on-line payments http:// direct.paystation.com/walters-authority and credit card payments over the phone. No visitors will be permitted at the City Hall unless on official city business. This includes police and fire departments. City Hall will close at 5:00 during this time to allow for adequate daily cleaning.

SECTION ELEVEN: This state of emergency shall continue until 12:01 A.M. on April 16,2020 or until terminated earlier by further proclamation.

PROCLAIMED THIS 23 DAY OF MARCH, 2020 /s/Roberta Ellis, Mayor /s/ Sheri Davis, City Clerk