HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-009 Directing a Moratorium on the Processing of Special Events Permits RESOLUTION NO. 2020-009
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON DIRECTING A MORATORIUM ON THE
PROCESSING OF SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITS
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, the Governor of the State of Washington
proclaimed that a State of Emergency existed in all counties in the State of Washington
due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2020, Mayor Barb Tolbert, issued a Declaration of
Emergency as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a
national emergency to allow the federal government to marshal additional resources to
combat the virus;
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor issued an emergency proclamation
requiring all K-12 schools to close from March 17, 2020 through April 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 23 2020, the Governor issued a "Stay-Home—Stay Healthy"
emergency proclamation placing prohibiting all people in the State of Washington from
leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any
kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in
Washington from conducting business through April 6, 2020, and recommended the
public practice "social distancing"; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has extended the "Stay-Home—Stay Healthy"
proclamation through at least July 1, 2020, and the Governor's "Safe Start—Stay Healthy"
extension of the original Proclamation is effective through at least July 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from
person to person and may result in serious illness or death, continues throughout the
State, without any expectation of ending in the immediate future; and
WHEREAS, public health experts, including, but not limited to, epidemiologists at
the University of Washington', Harvard University2 and Johns Hopkins University3 are
1 https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/a-second-wave-of-coronavirus-infections-
could-begin-in-septem ber-uw-model-suggests/
Z https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/harvard-epidemiologist-beware-
covid-19-s-second-wave-fall
3 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.htmi
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-009
concerned about a "second wave" of COVID-19 infections which could occur as
Washington and other states consider re-opening; and
WHEREAS, these concerns are validated by "second waves" of infection occurring
in locations around the globe where the infection has occurred, including, but not limited
to "second waves" in Beijing4 and Toky05 ; and
WHEREAS, the City has acted to cancel City-sponsored events during the summer
of 2020, and most sponsors of large events have also canceled historic and unique
Arlington events, including, but not limited to, the W1 of July parade, the Rotary Duck
Dash,the annual professional fireworks display, among others; and
WHEREAS, implementation of restrictions on social, spiritual and recreational
gatherings is one necessary piece of a successful strategy for limiting the transmission and
spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a threat to life and public health and demands ongoing and
further emergency action to avoid the damage to public and private health, finances and
well-being if a second shutdown were to be necessitated by a "second wave" of COVID-
19 infections; and
WHEREAS, state Health Districts indicate that while positive effect of the efforts
to contain the COVID-19 virus have been observed, in large part due to the social
distancing measures previously put into place,and while some simulation models indicate
that Washington state may have passed the peak infection period, the impact of easing
restrictions could create a second wave or peak if implemented too quickly; and
WHEREAS, simulations predict that negative effects of easing mitigation efforts
too quickly would extend well into fall, including simulations conducted at Massachusetts
General Hospita16, and the University College London' and studies conducted by the
World Health Organization$; and
WHEREAS, public events attract large numbers of people to the City of Arlington,
and under the Governor's"Safe Start—Stay Healthy" plan, large gatherings are prohibited
until the County reaches "Stage 4" status; and
4 https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/asia/coronavirus-beijing-outbreak-intl-hnk/index.html
5 https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/06/a786d3495372-urgent-tokyo-confirms-48-new-
coronavirus-infections-source.html
6 https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2020/04/26/mass-general-hospital-covid-19-simulator
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200603100517.htm
8 https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/06/new-world-covid-19-hot-spots-eye-
upcoming-flu-hurricane-seasons
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-009
WHEREAS, these recommendations and restrictions are intended to protect the
health and safety of the citizens of Washington and the citizens of Arlington; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to limit social gatherings which would be allowed by
the issuance of special events permits within the City; and
WHEREAS, special events create staffing challenges for the City staff, which is
already stretched thin by virtue of the stay at home order;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON,
WASHINGTON AS FOLLOWS:
1. The City shall not accept applications for, or approve, any special events
permits nor allow City facility reservations for activities in City parks, facilities,
or other City-owned or controlled property so long as such an application
would be contrary to the Washington "Safe Start—Stay Healthy" proclamation
or any subsequent proclamations of the Governor or federal officials; and
2. This Resolution shall be immediately effective and staff is directed to
implement it immediately for the protection of the public.
ADOPTED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 151h day of June,
2020.
CITY OF ARLINGTON
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
ATTEST:
J4&
Wendy Vkh Der Meersche, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stev e , City ttorney
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-009