Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 Relating to the Department of Emergency Management - First and Final Reading
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 Relating to the Department of Emergency Management - first and final reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to amend the Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 relating to the Department of Emergency Management.
Staff Contact:
Annaliese Harksen, Deputy City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
On March 17, 2020, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 7233 declaring a state of emergency relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and authorizing actions as are reasonable and necessary to mitigate conditions caused by such public health emergency. One such action is amending Chapter 2.24 of the Olympia Municipal Code to incorporate necessary State statues into the City code that make it a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor to violate a Governor’s emergency proclamation, or an emergency order of the City Manager, or a mayoral proclamation or order to fully address public health emergencies or disasters consistent with State law. As the Code is presently written, specific enforcement authority for local law enforcement is vague and subject to legal challenge. This Code amendment addresses that issue to clarify powers of local law enforcement.
The Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by a vote of a majority plus one.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None known.
Options:
1. Approve the Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 Relating to the Department of Emergency Management on first and final reading.
2. Direct staff to modify the Ordinance.
3. Move to take no action.
Financial Impact:
None.
Attachments:
Ordinance