Covid-19 Update from the Mayor 4-07-20

**CURRENT UPDATE**

 To: The Residents of the City of Cameron

As the Mayor, the last thing I would ever want to do is intrude on the lives of Cameron citizens. The current pandemic situation, however, makes restrictions and guidelines necessary for the safety of the entire community. The restrictions that have been set in place are still guidelines. The hope is that everyone will exercise the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the State of Missouri and now the City of Cameron. By following the guidelines set forth and exercising common sense, the spread and effect of the COVID-19 virus can be lessened.

At last night’s Council Meeting, Ordinance 6133 was passed which declared an emergency for the City of Cameron due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ordinance 6133 set guidelines for our citizens to follow which mirrored the guidelines set forth by the Clinton County Health Department on March 26th. The Ordinance also allows the Mayor to issue additional orders for the purpose of protecting the public health and safety. To that end, City of Cameron Order 20-01 will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8 and will continue until rescinded, superseded, preempted or amended in writing. Please find attached to this update a copy of Ordinance 6133 and City of Cameron Order 20-01.

Please do not hesitate to contact City Hall at (816) 632-2177, if you have any question or concerns. There is also a wealth of information available on the City’s website (www.cameronmo.com) including contact information for various departments within the City. I would also remind you that City Hall’s lobby remains closed but the drive-thru window is open for business during normal business hours.

Sincerely,

Darlene Breckenridge, Mayor

Ordinance 6133 - AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF CAMERON MISSOURI DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

WHEREAS, the City of Cameron, Missouri (the “City”) is a body corporate, a third class city and political subdivision of the State of Missouri, duly created, organized and validly existing under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States of America issued a Proclamation finding and proclaiming that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor of Missouri issued Executive Order No. 20-02 declaring that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Missouri arising out of a highly contagious disease known as COVID-19 and directing the activation of the Missouri State Emergency Operation Plan; and

WHEREAS, On March 26, 2020, the Clinton County Public Health Administrator issued Order 20-01 declaring a public health emergency.

WHEREAS, the power to protect the health of the inhabitants of a municipality is wider in range than other police powers granted to a municipality by the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of §77.260 of the Missouri Revised Statutes the Mayor and City Council “shall have the care, management and control of the city and its finances, and shall have power to enact and ordain any and all ordinances not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state, and such as they shall deem expedient for the good government of the city, the preservation of peace and good order, and the health of the inhabitants thereof, and such other ordinances, rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to carry such powers into effect, and to alter, modify or repeal the same”; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of §77.530 of the Missouri Revised Statutes the City Council may make regulations and pass ordinances for the prevention of the introduction of contagious diseases into the City, and for the abatement of the same, and may make quarantine laws and enforce the same, and may make regulations to secure the general health of the City; and

WHEREAS, for any purpose or purposes set forth in Chapter 77 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, §77.590 of the Missouri Revised Statues provides that the City Council may enact and make all necessary ordinances, rules and regulations; and they may enact and make all such ordinances and rules, not inconsistent with the laws of the state, as may be expedient for maintaining the peace and good government and welfare of the City; and

WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control (the “CDC”), in addressing COVID-19 has stated that spread of the virus from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts; and

WHEREAS, there does exist a state of emergency in the City of Cameron which has been created by COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to more fully protect the health of the public by establishing certain rules and policies to be followed and applied during a health emergency such as the one the City is presently experiencing involving the prevention of the introduction of COVID-19, a highly contagious disease, into the City.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAMERON, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS: 

Section 1. The City Council of the City of Cameron, Missouri, does hereby find and determine that the City should be prepared to address the emergency created by COVID-19 in order to (a) insure that preparations are being made and will continue to be made which will address this declared emergency, (b) generally protect the public health, safety, and welfare, (c) preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the City, (d) maintain essential government operations, and (e) support the overall health care system.

Section 2. To accomplish the goals and objectives set forth in Section 1, the City Council finds and declares the following necessary:

 All Persons Shall:

1. To the maximum extent possible, shelter in place by remaining in their respective residences or regular places of abode, avoiding contact with people with whom they do not reside and avoiding public places except as necessary to obtain food, supplies and medical treatment.

2. Remain home if sick or ill, except to seek medical treatment from a licensed medical provider.

3. Avoid all social gatherings in groups of 10 or more people.

4. Implement personal protective measures, such as staying home when sick, frequent handwashing and routine cleaning of surfaces.

5. Avoid individual travel except for attending work, obtaining food supplies, medicine, medical treatment and participating in outdoor recreational activities.

6. Engage in social distancing by taking responsible efforts to be separated from other individuals by at least six (6) feet.

    All Businesses Shall:

7. Close any community seating areas. Food establishments may continue to provide services via carry-out, drive-thru, curbside or delivery to customers.

8. Permit all employees, who are capable, to work from their residences or regular places of abode.

9. Provide for the implementation of appropriate personal protective and social distancing measures as defined by current guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for businesses and workplaces. (Such guidance can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html)

10. Require ill employees to exclude themselves from work while sick or ill until such time as employee’s symptoms have resolved or they have been cleared to return to work from a licensed healthcare provider.

    Section 3. Violation of this Ordinance shall be considered a violation of the Code of the City of Cameron, Missouri.

    Section 4. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be interpreted or applied so as to create any power, duty or obligation in conflict with, or preempted by, any Federal or State law.

    Section 5. The Mayor, City Manager, and other appropriate officials of the City are hereby authorized and directed to take such further action, issue necessary administrative orders and directives to protect the public health and safety of the citizens of Cameron, and execute such other documents, certificates and instruments as may be necessary or desirable to carry out and comply with the intent of this Ordinance and to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the City of Cameron.

    Section 6. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately after its passage by the City Council. This Ordinance will automatically expire when the stated health emergency has ended.

    Section 7. The Mayor is authorized to sign this Ordinance approving it on behalf of the City of Cameron, Missouri.

    Section 8. The City Clerk is directed to attest to the Mayor’s signature.

    READ TWO TIMES, PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Cameron, Missouri this 6thday of April 2020.

11. 1. Mayor Darlene Breckenridge                      ATTEST:    City Cle

    CITY OF CAMERON ORDER 20-01

    WHEREAS, on April 6, 2020, the City Council of the City of Cameron, Missouri adopted Ordinance No. 6133 (the “Ordinance”), which, among other things, required individuals and businesses to take certain actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and authorized the Mayor to issue and promulgate certain administrative orders and regulations in addition to those set forth in the Ordinance to protect the public health and safety of the citizens of the City of Cameron, Missouri (the “City”); and

    WHEREAS, on March 26, 2020, the Clinton County Public Health Administrator issued Order 20-01 declaring a public health emergency; and

    WHEREAS, on April 3, 2020 the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services; finding it necessary to protect the public health and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, issued a certain order that, among other things, restricted the occupancy of buildings where individuals are employed to perform essential workers functions; and

    WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus spreads between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes; and

    WHEREAS, a gathering of individuals without necessary mitigation for the spread of infection may pose a risk of the spread of infectious disease; and

    WHEREAS, the City wishes to employ all means available under the law to protect public life, health, safety and property to limit the development, contraction and spread of COVID-19 creating this emergency; and

    WHEREAS, the Ordinance, the Code of the City, and applicable Missouri law authorize the Mayor and City Council of the City to take all necessary action to protect Cameron residents.

    NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS SO ORDERED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAMERON, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS: 

    Section 1. General. Individuals currently residing within the City of Cameron (the “City”) shall avoid leaving their homes or place of residence. When individuals need to leave their homes or places of residence to work, to access food, prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, or to engage in outdoor activity, they shall at all times follow the social distancing and social gathering guidelines promulgated and set forth by the President of the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Governor of the State of Missouri, and Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services (“Guidelines”)

    Section 2. Businesses and Retail Entities. All businesses or retail entities that cannot conduct business in accordance with the Guidelines, including but not limited to, barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, massage parlors, fitness centers and gyms shall cease operations. All businesses or retail entities that can conduct business in accordance with the Guidelines or employ individuals to perform essential worker functions as set forth in guidance provision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency may continue operation. All businesses and retail entities that may continue operation under this Order shall do so subject to the following:

    1. Any business or retail entity that may conduct business in accordance with the social distancing guideline shall limit the number of individuals in any particular location as follows:

            a. Twenty-five (25) percent or less of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy, as determined by the City’s Community Development Director or Chief of the City’s Fire Department for a retail location with square footage of less than ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft2)

           b. Ten (10) percent or less of the business or entity’s authorized fire or building code, as determined by City’s Community Development Director or Chief of the City’s Fire Department for a retail location with square footage of ten thousand square feet (10,000 ft2) or more.

      2.  To the extent possible, all employees of a business or retail entity continuing operation shall be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment.