Public Notices

City of Oviedo 
Seminole County, Florida

Proclamation Declaring Local State of Emergency

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its assessment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat from high to very high and declared a public health emergency of international concern related to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 as “high” both in the United States and throughout the world; and 

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-51, declaring that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Florida are necessary, and therefore directed that a Public Health Emergency be declared in the State of Florida; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, Florida Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, M.D. issued a Declaration of Public Health Emergency by virtue of Executive Order No. 20-51 issued by Governor Ron DeSantis and the authority vested by Florida Statutes §381.00315, Florida Statutes, declaring that a public health emergency exists in the State of Florida; and

WHEREAS, on March 2, 2020, the Honorable Jay Zembower, Chairman Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, pursuant to authority of Florida Statutes §252.38(3)(a)(5), executed an Executive Order No. 2020-001 Declaring a Local State of Emergency declaring that the Corona Disease 2019 (“COVIS-19”) poses a serious threat to the health of the residents and guests of Seminole County, Florida; and 

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Honorable Jay Zembower, Chairman, Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, extended the Seminole County Declaration of Local State of Emergency for an additional seven (7) days; and

WHEREAS, the City of Oviedo is a legally constituted municipality within the political subdivision of Seminole County, Florida; and 

WHEREAS, Florida Statutes §381.00315(1)(c), provides that: a “Public Health Emergency” means any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural or man-made, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the public health from infectious disease, chemical agents, nuclear agents, biological toxins, or situations involving mass casualties or natural disasters. Before declaring a public health emergency, the State Health Officer shall, to the extent possible, consult with the Governor or shall notify the Chief of Domestic Security. The declaration of a public health emergency shall continue until the State Health Officer finds that the threat or danger has been dealt with to the extent that the emergency conditions no longer exist and he or she terminates the declaration. However, a declaration of a public health emergency may not continue for longer than 60 days unless the Governor concurs in the renewal of the declaration.; and

WHEREAS, under current circumstances, certain people will have an increased risk of infection, for example healthcare providers, first responders, and emergency medical services workers caring for patients with COVID-19 and other close contacts of persons with COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, it is the duty of the City of Oviedo to take protective measures – including development of incident action response plans, procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), pandemic preventative training, and other similar activities to support public health and safety of community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Oviedo finds that in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the City of Oviedo and its residents, it is necessary to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the City of Oviedo to take prudent action; and 

WHEREAS, Chapter 20, §20-4(1) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Oviedo provides that the city manager, when acting as the director of emergency management, shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities:  (1) to declare or recommend a declaration of emergency and to inform the mayor and city council of the reasons for and status of events requiring the declaration,; and 

WHEREAS, the City Manager has determined that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Oviedo are necessary and has recommended to the Mayor and City Council that a local state of emergency be declared; and

WHEREAS, §3.05(a)(4) of the City of Oviedo Charter empowers the Mayor, or in the Mayor’s absence the Deputy Mayor, to declare that a state of emergency exists within the City of Oviedo, pursuant to Florida Statutes, §252.38; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OVIEDO, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Local Emergency.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to the health of the residents and guests of the City of Oviedo. A Local State of Emergency shall be declared, effective immediately. The Local State of Emergency shall remain in effect within the legal boundaries of the City of Oviedo, Florida, as long as the State Declaration of Public Health Emergency is in effect in accordance with Section 381.00315, Florida Statutes.  

SECTION 2. Waiver of Procedures, Formalities Otherwise Required.  

Due to the Local State of Emergency, effective immediately, the procedures and formalities required of the City of Oviedo by law and/or ordinance are hereby waived as they pertain to:

1. Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the City of Oviedo;

2. Entering into contracts;

3. Incurring obligations;

4. Employment of permanent and temporary workers;

5. Utilization of volunteer workers;

6. Rental of equipment;

7. Appropriation of expenditure of public funds;

8. Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies, materials, and facilities; and

9. Other such actions as authorized under The Code of Ordinances of the City of Oviedo Chapter 20- Emergencies.

SECTION 3. Alteration or Rescission.

This Declaration of Local State of Emergency may be altered or rescinded by the issuance of a subsequent Proclamation or Order or by an appropriate Resolution of the City Council of the City of Oviedo.   

MEGAN SLADEK, Mayor, City of Oviedo