HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 20-026-CCBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
A RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER RESOLUTION No. 20- ` -CC
OF THE DECLARATION OF AN
EMERGENCY FOR THE COVED -19
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health confirmed the first
case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Grant County, Washington, and the Grant County Health
District and the Washington State Department of Health have since worked to identify, contact, monitor
and test others in Grant County potentially exposed to COVID-19 in coordination with the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and
WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused
by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in
humans and can easily spread from person to person; and
WHEREAS, the CDC identifies the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 both
globally and in the United States as "very high," and has advised that person-to-person spread of COVID-
19 will continue to occur globally, including within the United States and Grant County; and
WHEREAS, the CDC currently indicates there are over 366 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in
Washington State and 29 fatalities, and the Washington State Department of Health confirmed localized
person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in Washington State, significantly increasing the risk of exposure
and infection to Washington State's general public creating an extreme public health risk that may spread
quickly; and
WHEREAS, one confirmed case, and several persons under investigation (PUI) cases of
COVID-19 already exist in Grant County, COVID-19 already caused the death of one Grant County
resident, and the effects of its extreme risk of person-to-person transmission throughout Grant County
may significantly impact the life and health of our people, as well as our economy, and is a public health
disaster that affects life, health, property or the public peace; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency for COVID-19, beginning January 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed a public
health emergency for COVID-19, beginning February 29, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2020, the Grant County Health District activated its District Operations
Center to manage their response to the COVID-19 cases; and
WHEREAS, on March 12th, 2020, the Grant County Health Officer proclaimed a countywide
public health emergency (Per RCW 70.05.070) for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, there is an emergency present which necessitates activation of the Grant County
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and utilization of emergency powers granted pursuant to
chapter 38.52 RCW and Grant County Code (GCC) 2.32
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED BY THE GRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS:
Section 1
It is hereby declared under GCC 2.32 and RCW 38.52 that a State of Emergency exists in Grant County,
as a result of the aforementioned conditions, which significantly impact the life and health of our
residents, the economy of Grant County, and is a disaster that affects life, health, property, or the public
peace.
Section 2•
We hereby designate county departments under this proclamation and those designated within the Grant
County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to take actions deemed necessary to otherwise
mitigate and prevent impacts and potential impacts upon private property and publicly owned
infrastructure, including any necessary actions needed to obtain emergency permitting through municipal,
county, state or federal agencies.
Section 3•
In order to prepare for, prevent and respond to this emergency, pursuant to GCC 2.32, RCW 36.40, RCW
38.52, RCW 39.04, the requirements of competitive bidding and public notice are hereby waived with
reference to any contract relating to the county's lease or purchase of supplies, equipment, personal
services or public works as deemed by RCW 39.04, or to any contract for the selection and award of
professional and/or technical consultant contracts. Each designated department is hereby authorized to
exercise the powers vested in this proclamation in light of the demands of a dangerous and escalating
emergency situation without regard to time consuming procedures and formalities otherwise normally
prescribed by law (excepting mandatory constitutional requirement).
DATED this /3 day of 2020.
ATTEST:
Barbara J
Clerk of t
Yea Nay
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BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Abstain(,a
OU TY, WASHINGTON
G f, -4 k,
E3 Cindy Neer, C air
Tom Taylor, Vice -hair
Richard Stevens, Member