Title
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE POLICE OF THE CITY OF FOLEY TO DISBURSE CROWDS GREATER THAN THE RECOMMENDATONS OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AS A RESULT OF COVID-19
Summary
DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC: (who, what, when, where, why, and how much)
Council may choose to suspend the rules for the immediate adoption of this ordinance.
Body
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a National State of Emergency with respect to spread of COVID-19, which has been designated a pandemic by the World Health Organization; and
WHEREAS, in order to stem the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control (hereinafter “CDC”) has made recommendations regarding the maximum number of people that should be permitted to gather in any one location; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the City of Foley (hereinafter the “City”) declared a city-wide state of emergency with respect to the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to adhere to the recommendations of the CDC and prevent any gatherings larger than the CDC recommendation until such time as the local state of emergency expires; and
WHEREAS, the City has already cancelled any permitted events that are likely to exceed the CDC recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the public if the City Police are authorized to disburse any gathering of people, whether on public or private property, that are greater than the CDC recommendation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Foley as follows:
Sec. 1. That the City Police are given the authority to disburse any gathering, whether on public or private property, that is in excess of the CDC recommendations for the maximum number of people that should be permitted to gather in any one spot.
Sec. 2. That any individual that fails to disburse from a location after being ordered to do so by the City Police under the authority granted them by this Ordinance, shall be subject to punishment by fine and/or confinement to the City jail up to the maximum amount authorized by Section 1.8 of the Code of Ordinances.
Sec. 3. That the authorization contained within this Ordinance shall expire automatically upon the termination of the city-wide state of emergency related to the spread of COVID-19.