HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/20 - Declaration of EmergencyA DECLARATION OF THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY
PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR DECLARING A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
(COVID-19 Public Health Emergency)
WHEREAS, the St. Lucie County Public Safety Director has made the following
determinations:
1. Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVI❑-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness
that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms
similar to those of influenza; and
2. In late 2019, a new and significant outbreak of COVID-19 emerged in China; and
3. The World Health Organization previously declared COVID-19 a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern; and
4. In response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China, Iran, Italy, Japan and
South Korea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") has deemed it necessary
to prohibit or restrict non -essential travel to or from those countries; and
5. On March 1, 2020, the Governor of the State of Florida issued Executive Order
Number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency;
and
6. On March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a
Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
7. On March 7, 2020, the Governor of the State of Florida directed the Director of
the Division of Emergency Management to activate the State of Emergency operations Center
to Level 2 to provide coordination and response to the COVID-19 emergency; and
S. As of March 13, 2020, seventeen counties in Florida have positive cases for
JOSEPH E. SMITH, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
SAINT LUCIE COUNTY
FILE 0 4691301 03125I2020 1021:42 AM
OR BOOK 4400 PAGE 1551 -1556 Doc Tvpe: MS
RECORDING: $52.50
COVID-19, and COVID-19 poses a risk to the entire state of Florida; and
9. The CDC currently recommends community preparedness and everyday
prevention measures will be taken by all individuals and families in the United States, including
voluntary home isolation when individuals are sick with respiratory symptoms, covering coughs
and sneezes with a tissue and disposal of the tissue immediately thereafter, washing hands
often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using alcohol -based hand sanitizers with
60%-95% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available and routinely cleaning frequently
touched surfaces and objects to increase community resilience and readiness for responding to
an outbreak; and
10. The CDC currently recommends mitigation measures for communities
experiencing an outbreak including staying at home when sick, keeping away from others who
are sick, limiting face-to-face contact with others as much as possible, consulting with your
healthcare provider if individuals or members of a household are at high risk for COVID-19
complications, wearing a facemask if advised to do so by a healthcare provider or by a public
health official, staying home when a household member is sick with respiratory disease
symptoms if instructed to do so by public health officials or a health care provider; and
11. On March 9, 2020, the Governor of the State of Florida issued Executive Order
Number 20-52 declaring that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida; and
12. On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States issued a proclamation of a
declaration of national emergency.
13. On March 13, 2020, the Coordinating Officer for the State of Florida Division of
Emergency Management issued Emergency Order No. 20-004, authorizing the Department of
Education to delay school assessments and to adjust school calendars including rescheduling,
extending or cancelling spring breaks.
14. The Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County has adopted Resolution
No. 00-277 authorizing the County Administrator and the Public Safety Director to exercise
certain emergency powers and authority during a local emergency.
15. A state of local emergency proclamation is allowed for seven (7) days with
appropriate extensions pursuant to law.
16. Executive Order 20-52, in accordance with Section 252.38, Florida Statutes,
authorizes political subdivisions to take whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the
health, safety and welfare of the community; and
17. The outbreak of COVID-19 has placed St. Lucie County in a state of emergency,
exposing the citizens thereof to danger to life and property.
18. St. Lucie County should take timely precautions to protect public and private
property and members of the public from the potential effects of COVID-19.
19. It is the recommendation of the County Administrator and the Public Safety
Director that a state of local emergency be declared for St. Lucie County and that this
Declaration declaring a state of local emergency be adopted.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED AS FOLLOWS:
1. I, Ron Parrish, as Public Safety Director for St. Lucie County, in accordance with
the powers vested in me pursuant to Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and Resolution No. 00-277,
do hereby proclaim the existence of a state of local emergency in St. Lucie County, Florida, as
identified above. This Declaration shall commence at � 00 0 .m. on I" V
2020 and shall terminate automatically seven (7) days from this date unless terminated
earlier or extended.
2. This Declaration authorizes the County Administrator or designee, to take all
actions necessary and appropriate to protect human life and property, including the
promulgation of rules and orders as may be necessary subject to the limitations of Section
252.33, Florida Statutes. All rules and orders promulgated hereunder shall be filed with the
Clerk of the Court. This declaration further authorizes the County Administrator or designee, to
utilize all lawful authority granted to St. Lucie County by the St. Lucie County Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan and by Federal, State or County Emergency Management Laws,
Rules, Regulations, Orders and, including, but not limited to, Section 252.46 and Section
252.38(3)(a), Florida Statutes. Any such actions taken shall be ratified by the Board of County
Commissioners as soon as practical under the circumstances.
3. All existing laws, ordinances, and rules inconsistent with the provisions of
Section 252.31 to Section 252.905, Florida Statues, inclusive, or inconsistent with any rule or
specifically promulgated under this declaration shall be suspended during the period of time
and to the extent that such conflicts exists.
4. The County Administrator may suspend, toll or extend the time requirements,
notice requirements and deadlines for final action on applications for permits, licenses, rates
and other approvals under the St. Lucie County Code, to the extent necessary to accommodate
the emergency.
5. Pursuant to Section 252.38(3)(a), Florida Statutes, the County hereby exercises
its authority and waives the procedures and formalities otherwise required of a political
subdivision by law, pertaining to:
• Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is
necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community;
• Entering into contracts;
• Incurring obligations;
• Employment of permanent and temporary workers;
• Utilization of volunteer workers;
• Rental of equipment;
• Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies,
materials, and facilities; and
• Appropriation and expenditure of public funds
6. Any person violating any rule or order issued pursuant to this Declaration or any
person who willfully fails or refuses to comply with the order or orders of any duly authorized
law enforcement officer or personnel charged with the responsibility for the enforcement of
such orders shall, upon conviction therefore, be punished as provided by Section 252.50,
Florida Statutes, and by such other laws as may be applicable to the offense.
7. The state of emergency declared by this Declaration may be modified in whole
or in part or may be terminated upon the joint recommendation of the County Administrator
and the Public Safety Director, with ratification by the Board of County Commissioners as soon
as is practicable at a regular or special meeting. This Declaration shall remain in effect for no
longer that seven (7) days unless terminated or modified earlier, or extended in accordance
with law.
8. If any provisions of this Declaration is invalidated by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Declaration, which
shall have the full force and effect of the law.
i lr
DONE AND ORDERED in St. Lucie County, Florida, the / 7 day of rR A c 7q
2020, at �'00 -.m.
Ron arrish
Public Safety Director
CONCURRENCE:
Pr,,..nA
. Tip n
ydministra or
APPROVED AS TO FORM &
CORRI&NESS: . n
Daniel S. Mcln
County Attorn