21-11RESOLUTION NO. 21-11
CONFIRMATION OF COVID-19 EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION - Mar. 4, 2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, CONFIRMING DECLARATIONS OF A STATE OF
EMERGENCY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, a state of emergency in the City of Clearwater was proclaimed by Mayor
George N. Cretekos, upon recommendation by the Emergency Management Director (City
Manager William B. Horne), after certification of emergency conditions by the Emergency
Management Coordinator (Fire Division Chief of Emergency Management Jevon Graham),
on March 18, 2020 due to the unmitigated spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, the March 18, 2020 state of emergency was confirmed by City Council
in Resolution 20-11 Tater that day, extended 7 days by Mayor George N. Cretekos on March
25, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on April 1, confirmed by City Council in
Resolution 20-14 on April 2, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on April 8 and 15,
confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-16 on April 16, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank
Hibbard on April 22, 29, and May 6, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-19 on May
7, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on May 13 and 20, confirmed by City Council
in Resolution 20-22 on May 21, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on May 27 and
June 3, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-28 on June 4, extended 7 days by Mayor
Frank Hibbard on June 10 and 17, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-30 on June
18, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on June 24, July 1, 8, and 15, confirmed by
City Council in Resolution 20-32 on July 16, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on
July 22, 29, and August 5, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-36 on August 6, and
extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on August 12 and 19, confirmed by City Council
in Resolution 20-44 on August 20, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on August 26
and September 2, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-47 on September 3, extended
7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on September 9 and 16, confirmed by City Council in
Resolution 20-51 on September 17, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on
September 23 and 30, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-53 on October 14,
extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on October 21, 28, and November 4, confirmed
by City Council in Resolution 20-56 on November 5, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank
Hibbard on November 11 and 18, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-60 on
November 19, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on November 25 and December
2, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-62 on December 3, extended 7 days by
Mayor Frank Hibbard on December 9 and 16, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 20-
63 on December 17, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on December 23, 30, 2020,
January 6, 13, and 20, 2021, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 21-01 on January
21, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on January 27 and February 3, confirmed
by City Council in Resolution 21-05 on February 4, extended 7 days by Mayor Frank
Hibbard on February 10 and 17, confirmed by City Council in Resolution 21-07 on February
18, and extended 7 days by Mayor Frank Hibbard on February 24 and March 3, 2021;
and
Resolution No. 21-11
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among
humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of
influenza, with no widely -available vaccine or cure; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020 the United States Department of Health and
Human Services declared that a public health emergency exists nationwide as a result of
confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
51, declaring that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the State of
Florida are necessary, and therefore directed that a Public Health Emergency be declared
in the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
52 declaring a State of Emergency for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on
March 11, 2020, which is defined as "worldwide spread of a new disease," and is the first
declared pandemic since the H1N1 "swine flu" in 2009; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020 President Donald J. Trump declared a national state
of emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 President Trump and CDC issued the "15 Days to
Slow the Spread" guidance advising individuals to adopt far-reaching social distancing
measures. such as working from home and avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people;
and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
68 closing bars, pubs and nightclubs for 30 days, recommending that public beachgoers
follow CDC guidelines limiting group sizes and social distancing, and ordering that
restaurants limit occupancy to 50% of current building capacities and begin employee
screening; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020 the City of Clearwater passed Resolution 20-11,
cancelling most City meetings and groups, prohibiting all in-person gatherings of 10 people
or more, closed all beaches, closed all libraries, closed all recreation centers, required
businesses open to the public to provide hand sanitizer, gave the Emergency Management
Director authority to close parking as necessary, prohibited price gouging, and enabled
emergency procurement procedures; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020 Pinellas County passed Resolution 20-17, closing
all public beaches within the county; and
Resolution No. 21-11
WHEREAS, on March 20, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
71, suspending all sales of food and alcohol in the State by establishments for on-site
consumption and allowing for take-out or delivery service, and closing all gyms and fitness
centers; and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
72, prohibiting elective and unnecessary medical procedures; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
83, recommending an advisory to all persons over 65 and those with underlying serious
medical conditions to stay home and limit risk of exposure; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020 Pinellas County passed Resolution 20-20, "COVID-
19 Safer at Home Order," directing individuals to limit non-essential activity and/or
transportation, closing places of public assembly, and ordering the closure of non-essential
businesses if they can not comply with current CDC social distancing guidelines; and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
86, retroactively ordering any person entering the State of Florida from "an area with
substantial community spread" to self -quarantine for 14 days and inform anyone they have
had direct physical contact with of their status; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Orders 20-
91 and 20-92, ordering all persons in Florida to limit their movements and personal
interactions outside of their homes to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential
services or conduct essential activities; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2020 the City Council extended for 30 days and modified
those emergency measures enacted by Resolution 20-11; and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2020 Pinellas County passed Resolution 20-34, "Order
Relaxing Beach Restrictions With Conditions," allowing public beaches to reopen
consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines effective May 4, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
112, ordering all persons in Florida to continue to limit their movements and personal
interactions outside of their homes, and allowing restaurants to resume on -premises
service with restrictions; and
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2020 Pinellas County passed Resolution 20-39 "Order
Clarifying Local Restrictions," which gives support to Governor DeSantis' EO 20-112,
terminates Pinellas County Res. 20-20 and 20-23, but continues to restrict public
playgrounds and pools, and requires social distancing; and
Resolution No. 21-11
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2020 City of Clearwater Emergency Management Director
William B. Horne announced that Clearwater beaches would reopen May 4 in conjunction
with Pinellas County's Res. 20-34; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
123, initiating the full Phase 1 of his "Safe. Smart. Step -by -Step. Plan for Florida's
Recovery" relaxing social distancing requirements and allowed limited reopening of
businesses, including gyms and fitness centers; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2020 the City Council adopted Resolution 20-22 terminating
the emergency measures portions of Resolutions 20-11, 20-16, and 20-19, and granting
the Emergency Management Director authority and flexibility to manage City facilities in
response to Covid-19; and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
139, initiating Phase 2 of his "Safe. Smart. Step -by -Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery" which
further relaxes social distancing guidelines, including avoiding congregating in groups
larger than 50 persons, allows for restaurants, bars, and entertainment businesses to
operate at 50% indoor capacity; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2020 Pinellas County passed Ordinance 20-14 mandating,
with some exceptions, that individuals wear a face covering in public indoor places, and
encouraged exempt government entities to enact their own similar procedures to protect
employees and members of the public; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2020 City of Clearwater Emergency Management Director
William B. Horne ordered that all persons, with some exceptions, wear a face covering in
public indoor places within City of Clearwater buildings, facilities, and properties in
conjunction with Pinellas County's Ord. 20-14; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2020 the Florida Department of Business and Professional
Regulation issued Executive Order 2020-09 suspending on -premises consumption of
alcoholic beverages by vendors who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from sales of
alcoholic beverages; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2020 the City Council adopted Resolution 20-32 confirming
extensions of the state of emergency and confirming the Emergency Management
Director's face covering order; and
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
179 extending prior executive orders allowing local governments to hold virtual meetings
without a physical quorum, and Executive Order 20-180 extending prior executive orders
suspending mortgage foreclosure and eviction final actions; and
Resolution No. 21-11
WHEREAS, on August 7, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-
193 extending prior executive orders allowing local governments to hold virtual meetings
without a physical quorum until October 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on August 31, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order
20-211 extending a prior executive order suspending final executions of mortgage
foreclosure and eviction actions until October 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on September 4, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order
20-213 extending the statewide state of emergency an additional 60 days; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2020 the Florida Department of Business and
Professional Regulation issued Emergency Order 2020-10 rescinding Emergency Order
2020-09, effective 12:01 a.m. Monday September 14, allowing bars to reopen at 50%
capacity pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order 20-39; and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive
Order 20-244, titled "Phase 3; Right to Work; Business Certainty; Suspension of Fines."
The order rescinds prior restrictions on business, prohibits emergency ordinances
preventing individuals from working or from operating a business, and suspends the
collections of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 against individuals; and
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive
Order 20-246 extending prior executive orders allowing local governments to hold virtual
meetings without a physical quorum; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order
20-276 extending the statewide state of emergency an additional 60 days; and
WHEREAS, on November 24, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive
Order 20-297 extending Executive Order 20-244 (Phase 3; Right to Work; Business
Certainty; Suspension of Fines) for the duration of the state of emergency due to COVID-
19, set to expire January 2, 2021 unless ratified and reaffirmed before then; and
WHEREAS, on December 29, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive
Order 20-316 extending the statewide state of emergency an additional 60 days; and
WHEREAS, on January 21, 2021, Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton
issued Emergency Order 21-3 regulating Outdoor Large -Scale Special Events by
developing safety standards for those events with 1,000 or more attendees and requiring
organizers to create a safety plan that outlines steps to protect patrons from COVID-19;
and
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2021 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order
21-46 (Vaccine Administration/Protecting Florida's Seniors) restricting the administration of
Resolution No. 21-11
any COVID-19 vaccine to long-term care facility residents and staff, persons 65 years of
age and older, and health care personnel with direct patient contact; and
WHEREAS, as of March 4, 2021 1,888,725 Florida residents (1,924,114 total cases
in Florida including non-residents), including 112,267 in Hillsborough County (including
1,521 deaths), 32,176 in Manatee County (including 607 deaths), 33,658 in Pasco County
(including 661 deaths), and 67,061 in Pinellas County (including 1,463 deaths) have tested
positive for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the City of Clearwater continues to be threatened by COVID-19
because of the apparent ability of the virus to spread rapidly among humans, and COVID-
19 thereby constitutes a clear and present threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the
citizens and visitors of the City of Clearwater, and
WHEREAS, Section 252.38, Florida Statutes authorizes the establishment and
amendment of emergency measures during a state of emergency; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 15, Code of Ordinances requires City Council to confirm any
declaration of a state of emergency and all emergency regulations activated under the
provisions of this chapter at their next regularly scheduled meeting; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA;
Section 1. The February 24, 2021 state of emergency proclamation is hereby
confirmed.
Section 2. The March 3, 2021 state of emergency proclamation is hereby
confirmed.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. The state of emergency
must be renewed in seven-day increments pursuant to § 15.07(5), Code of Ordinances.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of March, 2021.
Attest:
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
Approved alto form:
amela K. Akin
City Attorney
Resolution No. 21-11
Frank Hibbard
Mayor
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