City of Rockwall Mayor issues revised Declaration of Local State of Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency

The City of Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt has issued the following revised disaster declaration in public health for the City of Rockwall, extending the declaration until April 30th:

WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-CoV2 which causes the disease COVID-19, has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, the symptoms of COVID-19 can cause a severe illness, including coughing, fever, shortness of breath and cause further complications including death; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 virus mainly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor of the State of Texas issued a proclamation certifying that COVID-19 poses an imminent threat of disaster in the state and declaring a state of disaster for all counties in Texas and setting certain restrictions, certifying under Section 418.0 14 of the Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID- 19) poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Dr. John Hellerstedt, has determined that COVID-19 represents a public health disaster within the meaning of Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has issued numerous executive orders and suspensions of Texas laws in response to the COVID-19 disaster, aimed at protecting the health and safety of Texans and ensuring an effective response to this disaster; and

WHEREAS, the Governor issued Executive Order GA-08 on March 19, 2020, mandating certain obligations for Texans in accordance with the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, as promulgated by President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 16, 2020, which called upon Americans to take actions to slow the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 31, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order GAl 4 which mandated, every person in Texas shall, except where necessary to provide or obtain essential services, minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household; and

WHEREAS, the City of Rockwall, Texas, is taking extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the spread throughout the City of Rockwall by adopting the provisions set out by the Governor; and

WHEREAS, said state of disaster requires that certain emergency protective measures be taken pursuant to the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 relating to Emergency Management and Public Health, and pursuant to Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROCKWALL, TEXAS:

SECTION 1. That a local state of disaster for public health emergency is hereby declared for the City of Rockwall Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.

SECTION 2. That pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code the state of disaster for public health emergency shall continue until April 30, 2020.

SECTION 3. That pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code this declaration of a local state of disaster for public health emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the City Secretary.

SECTION 4. That pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the City of Rockwall, Texas, emergency management plan.

SECTION 5. That pursuant to Section 122.006 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, this declaration authorizes the City to take any action necessary to promote health.

SECTION 6. That this declaration hereby prohibits the issuance of any permits for activities that are known to attract gatherings.

SECTION 7. That businesses are responsible for ensuring that no more than 10 customers, who are appropriately physically distanced from each other, line up outside their buildings at any one time.

SECTION 8. That the City Manager is directed to take appropriate measures to facilitate online payments and authorize the waiver of online collection fees.

SECTION 9. That this declaration directs that all applications for permits and developments must be submitted online or through the U.S. Mail.

SECTION 10. That this declaration directs that any “in person” meeting of any City of Rockwall Board or Commission is cancelled. This does not apply to the City Council in taking up essential matters dealing with health and safety, or functions necessary to ensure the continued operation of essential city services during this crisis.

SECTION 11. In accordance with Texas Government Code §418.173, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this declaration commits an offense, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days.

SECTION 12. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster for public health emergency shall continue until April 30, 2020. That this declaration shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance and be effective until April 30, 2020.

DECLARED this 6th day of April, 2020

Jim Pruitt, Mayor
City of Rockwall

Submitted press release.

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