HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/12/01-Attachments-RESOLUTION - Continuing Executive Order - MasksRESOLUTION
RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE THE MAYOR'S AUGUST 2, 2020
EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING FACE COVERINGS TO MARCH 2, 2021
WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 418.108, Mayor Betsy Price issued a
Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency on March 13, 2020 in response to
the imminent threat of widespread illness from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Local Disaster declared on March 13, 2020 has remained in
place continuously since such date; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on April 17, 2020, suspended Section 418.1015(b) and
418.108 of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter E of the Texas Health and Safety
Code, and any other relevant statutes to the extent necessary to ensure that local officials do not
impose restrictions in response to the COVID-19 disaster that were inconsistent with the
Governor's executive orders; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on or about April 27, 2020, expressed that local
officials cannot require individuals to wear face masks to ensure that individual liberty is not
infringed upon by government; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on June 17, 2020, stated that local governments can
require stores and businesses to require masks; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Price, on June 25, 2020, issued and executive order requiring businesses
in the City of Fort Worth to implement a Health and Safety Policy to help stop the spread of
COVID-19, which was subsequently extended by the Fort Worth City Council until 6:00 am on
August 3, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott, on July 2, 2020, issued Executive Order GA-29 which
requires individuals to wear face coverings in certain circumstances in order to stop the spread of
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of this Resolution to remain consistent with and to harmonize,
to the extent possible, the executive orders of Governor Greg Abbott (as extended or modified);
and
WHEREAS, there currently still exists a declaration of public health disaster in and for the
State of Texas as declared by Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health
Services (DSHS) and locally by the approval of Resolution 5216-04-2020, Resolution of Public
Health Emergency, approved by the Fort Worth City Council on April 29, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor is authorized to take such actions as are necessary in order to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Fort Worth so long as such action is consistent with
Governor Abbott's executive orders; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor issued an Executive Order on August 2, 2020, regarding face
coverings (the "Executive Order") for the purpose of continuing to protect the health and safety of
the community and address developing and rapidly changing circumstances; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 418 and the Texas Disaster Act
of 1975, the City Council must renew or continue the Executive Order for the Executive Order to
remain in effect beyond seven (7) days; and
WHEREAS, on August 4, 2020, the City Council passed a resolution to continue the
Executive Order regarding face coverings to be effective through August 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on August 25, 2020, the City Council passed a resolution to continue the
Executive Order regarding face coverings to be effective through December 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to further extend the Executive Order for the
protection of the health and safety of the residents of the City of Fort Worth.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
I.
1. That the Executive Order, a copy of which is attached, is hereby continued through 11:59
pm on March 2, 2021, unless extended, modified or terminated early by the Mayor or the
City Council.
2. That all of the regulations provided in the Executive Order and this resolution are hereby
declared to be governmental and for the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
II.
That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.
ADOPTED THIS lst day of December, 2020.
Betsy Price
Mayor
Sarah J. Fullenwider
City Attorney
Mary Kayser
City Secretary