City ratifies Emergency Declaration, announces changes in services

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Kerrville City Council met on Friday morning to discuss ongoing responses to COVID-19. Council unanimously approved the emergency declaration signed by Mayor Bill Blackburn on Monday. A copy of the declaration is available online.

The full meeting is available to view below.

What’s in the document?

Within the declaration, the city takes the following actions:

  • Official declaration of disaster under Section 418.108a of the Texas Government Code for a duration of not more than seven days from this date unless continued or renewed by council.
  • Activation of the City Emergency Management Plan.
  • Cease all events greater than 10 persons at all city facilities, and authorize city manager to close these facilities.
  • Recommendation that any gatherings of 10 persons or more be canceled.
  • Recommendation to limit visitation at nursing homes and care facilities.
  • Authorization to adopt rules to protect health, including quarantine rules, establishment of quarantine stations, and emergency hospitals under Health and Safety Code Sec. 122.006.
  • City Council meetings will be closed to the public, but the public will be able to participate remotely, either telephonically or via email.
  • All non-essential court proceedings at municipal court are postponed.
  • All city boards and commissions are canceled except for Planning & Zoning Commission meetings to comply with state law deadlines.
  • City manager is authorized to take various actions on his own, with notice to council, such as accepting donations of supplies, terminating events, approve purchases up to $500,000, and suspend any utility disconnections.
  • The declaration does not apply to law enforcement, emergency response, court operations, or school districts.

Changes in services

To comply with the order, the city announced the following changes:

Press Release – City Announces Temporary Changes in Operations by Aaron Yates on Scribd

Notes

City Manager Mark McDaniel stated that there is consensus among council members that the May elections should be moved to November, but that action would be officially taken at a later date.

References & Further Reading