Resolution 20-16, April 17, 2020
Emergency Order No. 20-5 of the Official Authority of the County of Pinellas Pursuant to Resolution No. 20-16, as Extended
Whereas, in response to the emergence of a novel coronavirus and the respiratory disease it causes (“COVID-19”), the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic that constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; and
Whereas, on March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-51, declaring that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Florida are necessary, and accordingly the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared that a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida; and
Whereas, on March 9, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-52 declaring a State of Emergency for the state of Florida in furtherance of efforts to respond to and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 throughout the state; and
Whereas, in addition to other subsequent Executive Orders issued by the Governor, the Governor found it necessary and appropriate to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19, and accordingly issued Executive Order 20-91 (EO 20-91) on April 1, 2020, restricting the movements and activities of people throughout the State of Florida as provided therein; and
Whereas, in order to fully and effectively respond to the developing threats posed by the novel coronavirus and its associated disease (COVID-19), and in coordination with ongoing emergency actions by the state and federal governments, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners (Board) passed Resolution 20-16 declaring a local state of emergency (LSE) in Pinellas County (Resolution), and subsequently such extensions and orders as have been deemed necessary have been issued pursuant thereto; and
Whereas, the LSE is intended to enable the County to effectively respond to the ongoing and evolving public health threat posed by COVID-19, including by taking measures to mitigate and slow the spread of the virus; and
Whereas, under current circumstances, certain people will have an increased risk of infection because of frequent or close contacts of persons with COVID-19 in the course of their duties; and
Whereas, it is the duty of Pinellas County to take proactive measures to support the public health and safety of the community, and
Whereas, municipal solid waste (MSW) processing and disposal is the County’s responsibility and is identified as an Essential Service for public safety and health purposes, and the Pinellas County Solid Waste Department continues to operate the Waste to Energy Facility and Landfill for MSW processing and disposal, respectively; and
Whereas, scale house operations are critical to the continued functioning of MSW operations, staff is limited and requires specialized training, and the high volume of public contact and transactions conducted by scale house operators poses a threat of exposure to COVID-19 and accordingly a risk that the critical functions of MSW processing may be impaired; and
Whereas, other measures have already been taken to minimize the risk of exposure to critical staff, including the enactment of Emergency Order No. 2 on April 3, 2020 (EO-2), but despite efforts to modify business practices and minimize health risks by providing protective equipment and barriers, and thus eliminating the need to waive certain transactions as provided in EO-2, the remainder of EO-2 remains necessary to adequately protect against transmission; and
Whereas, Section 252.38(3)(a)5, Florida Statutes, provides authority for a political subdivision such as Pinellas County to exercise emergency powers; and
Whereas, Pursuant to §252.38(1), Florida Statutes, and Pinellas County Charter section 2.04 (k), the County has jurisdictional authority over the entire county for emergency management purposes;
Now, therefore, in accordance with Resolution No. 20-16, as extended and supplemented by other emergency actions, this 17th day of April, 2020, I now order, effective at 6:00 a.m. on April 20, 2020 and continuing until altered by subsequent order or the expiration of the LSE, whichever is earlier:
- That Provision 1. of EO-2, providing that payment of fees must be made through electronic means made available by the Pinellas County Solid Waste Department in their discretion, including by payment card transactions, will remain in effect; and
- That Provision 2. of EO-2, waiving certain fees, is hereby rescinded.
Ordered this 17th day of April, 2020 at 1:40 p.m.
Barry Burton
County Administrator, or successor, as Official Authority pursuant to Resolution 20-16
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