City passes emergency ordinance due to coronavirus outbreak

Posted on April 3, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Perry has passed an emergency ordinance declaring a local state of emergency and issued an emergency order closing all city parks and playgrounds effective March 27.

Under Emergency Order No. 2020-1, City Mayor Alan Hall, acting as the City of Perry’s designated Emergency Director, orders all City of Perry parks and playgrounds to be closed starting at 9 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2020, “with the exception of the paved walking trails located at Loughridge and Rosehead Parks, which will remain open for individuals and small groups of less than 10 people who are actively walking/exercising, and maintaining a distance of six feet of space between individuals.”

“Any person violating any executive order issued pursuant to this order or any person who willfully fails or refuses to comply with the order or orders of any duly authorized law enforcement officer charged with the responsibility of the enforcement of such order or orders shall, upon conviction therefore, be punished as provided by law,” the order states.

“Violation of an order or rule imposed in an emergency situation is a second-degree misdemeanor….and any violation of a provision…or of any emergency measure established pursuant thereto shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree…” the order continues.

The ordinance spells out emergency powers given to Hall as the city’s “Emergency Director” pursuant to the city charter and code of ordinances, including the ability to impose certain restrictions and a curfew if deemed necessary.

During the declared emergency, all procedural and notice time periods affecting the normal functions of the city, shall be temporarily suspended, the ordinance states.

“Such functions include, but are not limited to, permitting, development applications, code enforcement matter and other municipal review and approval procedures,” the ordinance states.

For the complete emergency ordinance and order, see legal advertisement on page 5 of the April 3 edition.

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