HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-19\' Sponsored by: Council Member Peterkin
KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESSFUL
EFFORTS OF THE STATE LEADERSHIP AND ALASKAN RESIDENTS TO SLOW THE
SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND ENCOURAGE THE GOVERNOR, AS SOON AS REASONABLY
PRACTICAL, TO RESCIND OR MODIFY COVID-19 HEALTH MANDATES 003: STATE WIDE
CLOSURE RESTAURANTS, BARS, ENTERTAINMENT, 009: PERSONAL CARE SERVICES
AND GATHERINGS AND 012: INTRASTATE TRAVEL, TO ALLOW ALASKAN BUSINESSES
TO RESUME OPERATIONS, EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK AND RESIDENTS TO
RECEIVE SERVICES IN A SAFE MANNER OBSERVING SOCIAL DISTANCING
REQUIREMENTS.
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus originated in Hubei province in China, with the first confirmed
case occurring on November 17, 2019; and,
WHEREAS, on January 21, 2020, the United States of America had its first confirmed case of
COVID-19; and,
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020 the World Health Organization declared a public health
emergency of international concern due the COVID-19 virus; and,
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, with 2,700 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States,
President Donald Trump declared a U.S. national emergency and,
WHEREAS, as of April 7, 2020, the United States had 400,335 confirmed cases of COVID-19;
and,
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2020, the State of Alaska had its first confirmed case of COVID -19; and,
WHEREAS, in response to the confirmed presence of COVID-19 in the State of Alaska and to
prevent or slow the spread of the Disease Governor Mike Dunleavy issued his first public health
mandate on March 13, 2020; and,
WHEREAS, between March 16, 2020 and March 27, 2020, Governor Dunleavy issued 11
additional health mandates, all in an effort to "flatten the curve" and reduce the number of
confirmed COVID-19 cases to a level that would not overwhelm the health care infrastructure of
the State; and
WHEREAS, because of the early and aggressive action by the Governor and the cooperation of
Alaskan residents, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the State has remained low with
226 cases confirmed as of April 7, 2020, only 0.03% (3 cases per 10,000 residents) of the State's
population; and,
Resolution No. 2020-19
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WHEREAS, the health mandates issued by the Governor are some of the most aggressive
measures limiting virus exposure amongst the states: and,
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that Governor Dunleavy must make unprecedented,
difficult decisions to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus statewide while protecting Alaskans' health
and safety and Alaska's economy, and that changes to the restrictions in health mandates may
be implemented in phases to meet the goal of flattening the infection curve and disrupting the
spread of this virus; and
WHEREAS, 14,253 Alaskans filed for unemployment benefits during the week ended March 28,
2020, many due to the closure of businesses as a result of the Governors mandates; and,
WHEREAS, the continued closure of businesses is impacting all Alaskans, resulting in a
significant loss of jobs, business failures, and the loss of important sales tax revenues to
municipalities jeopardizing essential services; and,
WHEREAS, reducing intrastate travel limitations and mandatory closure of certain businesses as
soon as reasonably practical will allow many businesses to reopen, employees to return to work
and residents to receive services; and,
WHEREAS, reduction of these limitations can be paired with continued implementation of other
health mandates as necessary to continue protecting public health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA
Section 1. That the City Council respectfully encourages the Governor to rescind or modify
COVID-19 health mandates 003: State wide closure restaurants, bars, entertainment, 009:
personal care services and gatherings and 012: intrastate travel, as soon as reasonably practical
to allow Alaskan businesses to resume operations, employees to return to work and residents to
receive services in a safe manner observing social distancing requirements.
Section 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
Section 3. That upon passage, a copy of this legislation shall be forwarded to Governor
Mike Dunleavy and Kenai Peninsula Legislators Senator Peter Micciche, Senator Gary Stevens,
Representative Gary Knopp, Representative Ben Carpenter, and Representative Sarah Vance.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 15"' day of April, 2020
C
BRIAN GABRIEL, SR., MAYOR