HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0045) COUNCIL PROPOSAL - Resolution for Mask and Public SafetyCITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
COUNCIL PROPOSAL
Date: File Number: Subject:
August 13, 2021 Adopt the Attached Resolution Requiring Individuals to Wear Face Coverings
While Indoors in City Facilities and Strongly Encourage Individuals to
Wear Face Coverings in Commercial or Other Buildings Open to the Public
Where Social Distancing of at Least Six Feet Is Not Feasible from Another
Person Not in the Same Household
Proposed By: City Manager's Review:
Councilwoman Elizabeth M. Beck
Councilman Chris Nettles
City Attorney's Review:
It is proposed that City Council:
PAGE 1 OF 2
Adopt the Attached Resolution Requiring Individuals to Wear Face Coverings While Indoors in City Facilities
and Strongly Encourage Individuals to Wear Face Coverings in Commercial or Other Buildings Open to the
Public Where Social Distancing of at Least Six Feet Is Not Feasible from Another Person not in the Same
Household
DISCUSSION:
The transmission of COVID-19 has not significantly dissipated and remains a significant threat to the health and safety
of the Fort Worth community and additional action is necessary to decrease rates of infection and the number of people
admitted to hospitals, ICU, or on ventilators.
Tarrant County is currently under a community spread level of "high." The City if Fort Worth is located in Trauma Service
Area E (TSA-E), which is currently over the fifteen percent capacity threshold that has been a standard measure throughout
the COVID-19 pandemic as trigger for local officials to implement mitigation strategies. As of August 13, 2021, the percent
of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in TSA-E is 15.62%; on July 13, 2021 the percentage of COVID-19 patients was
3.94%.
Total bed capacity in Tarrant County is at 88%, total adult ICU beds are at 95% capacity and the DFW Hospital
Council announced that there were no pediatric ICU beds as of August 12, 2021. In the last thirty -days there have
been over 24,300 confirmed cases, up from approximately 3,260 in the immediately preceding thirty -day period.
The last reported 7-day average on July 31, 2021 was 4485 up from 757 on June 26, 2021.
For the protection of the members of our community and to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Fort Worth
must implement best practices in preventing spread of the virus. Best practices include: vaccinations, the use of
face coverings indoors, and social distancing. To this end, a requirement that face coverings be worn indoors at
city facilities and strongly encouraged in Commercial or other buildings open to the public is necessary to protect
the health of our community until the spread of COVID-19 diminishes and TSA-E is under the fifteen percent
threshold.
There would be no civil or criminal penalties for failure to comply.
❑ LEGALITY
❑ FISCAL NOTE
❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
COUNCIL PROPOSAL
Date: File Number: Subject:
August 13, 2021 Adopt the Attached Resolution Requiring Individuals to Wear Face Coverings
While Indoors in City Facilities and Strongly Encourage Individuals to
Wear Face Coverings in Commercial or Other Buildings Open to the Public
Where Social Distancing of at Least Six Feet Is Not Feasible from Another
Person Not in the Same Household
Proposed By:
Councilwoman Elizabeth M. Beck
Councilman Chris Nettles
LEGALITY:
City Manager's Review:
City Attorney's Review:
Page:
PAGE 2 OF 2
There are good faith legal arguments and current pending litigation on the legality of the Governor's order
FISCAL NOTE:
The Director of Finance certifies that approval of this recommendation will have no material effect on City Funds.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENT:
The City Manager has no objection to this proposal.
PROPOSED BY:
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Elizabeth M. Beck
Councilmember
❑ LEGALITY
❑ FISCAL NOTE
❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL
Chris Nettles
Councilmember