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Home My WebLink About21-1624 - 2021-08-13 - Council ProposalCITY �F �ORT W()RTH, TEXAS �.� �� ,-,� �� , �� -�, r- � �� ,� �- ,l- �,�.�._�. �� , � 6 I CfJLTNCII, PR.�PQ'S,�.L Date: File Number: August 13, 2021 Proposed By: Councilwoman Elizabeth M. Beck Councilman Chris Nettles lt is proposed that City Council: Subject: Adopt the Attached Resolution Requiring Individuals to Wear Face Coverings While lndoors in City Facilities and Sti•ongly Encow�age Individuals to Wear Face Coverings in Commercial or Othei• Buildings Open to the Public Whei•e Social Distancing of at Least Six Feet Is Not Feasible fi�oin Another Person Not in the Same Household ,� , City Manager's Review: t��l ' i� Page: U City Attorney's Review: - �'f?/�- / s2�_, 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 i•emains a significantthreat to tlle 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. Tai��ant County is cun�ently under a community spread level of "high." The City if Fort Worth is located in Trauma Service Area E(TSA-E), which is cuil�ently over the fifteen percent capacity tlu�eshold 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 wei•e no pediatric ICU beds as of August 12, 2021. In the last thii-ty-days there have been over 24,300 confirmed cases, up fi•om approximately 3,260 in the immediately preceding thirty-day period. The last reported 7-day average on Jtily 31, 2021 was 4485 up fi�om 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 cove�•ings 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 necessaiy 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 WQR�H, TEXAS f �'��.I4"4'�-4.-+' � (�jr�-�y'� 1 �� ..l�_ _r� �L�� f.-�f �' 1 ll e __r�-`�'JvI i ~ I § C4I�TC��. �R�P��,AL Date: File Number: Subject: August 13, 2021 �� Adopt the Attached Resolution Requiring Individuals to Weac Face Coverings While Indoors in City Facilities and Strongly Encourage Individuals to Wear Face Coverings in Commercial or Other Buildings Open to the Public Whei•e Social Distancing of at Least Six Feet Is Not Feasible fi�om Another Person Not in the Same Household Proposed By: Councilwoman Elizabeth M. Beck Councilman Chris Nettles L�GALITY: City Manager's Review City Attorney's Review , , �; `r7��; �; / l �/�C%��"�d�; V ' 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. PROPOS�D BY: �� V�. �� Elizabeth M. Beck Councilmember / , /� r '� � Chi•is Nettles Councilmember ❑ LEGALITY ❑ FISCAL NOTE ❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS ❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL A Resolution NO. REQUIRING INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS WHILE INDOORS IN CITY FACILITIES AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGING 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 WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code§ 418.108, a Declaration of Local Disaster Due to Public Health Emergency was issued 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, 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 Governar 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 and Council of the City of Fort Worth desire to continue to protect the health and safety of the community and address developing and rapidly changing circumstances when presented by the current public health emergency; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT: L From the date of this resolution, all employees, contractors, and visitors are required to wear face coverings while indoors at any City of Fort Worth facility where social distancing of at least six feet is not feasible from another person not in the same household. 2. Individuals in a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, where social distancing of at least six feet is not feasible from another person not in the same household, are strongly urged to wear a mask. 3. The requirement of a face covering does not apply if covering the nose and mouth poses a significant mental or physical health risk to the individual. The requirement of a face covering also does not apply when an individual is consuming a food or beverage or receiving a service where the wearing of a face covering would impair the performance of the service. 4. There is no criminal or civil penalty will be imposed for an individual's failure to wear a mask. Adopted this ______day of _________________ 2021. ATTEST: : Ron Gonzales, Interim City Secretary