Title
ADDENDUM #2: MOTION TO PASS AND ADOPT PROPOSED EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2020-19.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2020-19 IS AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY COMMISSION TO ARRANGE FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS BY USE OF COMMUNICATION MEDIA TECHNOLOGY AND FOR ATTENDANCE BY USE OF SUCH TECHNOLOGY BY ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS DURING A DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. The Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease that has the apparent ability to spread rapidly among humans and may result in serious illness or death, constitutes a clear and present threat to the lives, health, welfare, and safety of the people of Pembroke Pines.
2. On March 1, 2020, the Governor Ron Desantis issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency.
3. On March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of
COVID-19.
4. Governor DeSantis' Executive Order No. 20-69, as amended, which provided for virtual meetings utilizing communication media technology ("CMT"), expired on November 1, 2020.
5. On November 3, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 20-276, thereby extending the state of emergency in the State of Florida related to COVID-19 through January 3, 2021. However, this EO did not extend EO 20-69, pertaining to virtual meetings.
6. Notwithstanding the expiration of EO 20-69, a number of municipalities in Broward County, and throughout the state, have considered emergency ordinances and/or procedures authorizing local government bodies, including the city commission and advisory boards, to continue to meet virtually and without the need for a physical quorum present.
7. In response to the various inquires received by the City Attorney's Office, our office has prepared the enclosed emergency ordinance for your review and consideration. As drafted, the proposed ordinance authorizes the City Commission, during a declared public health emergency, to arrange for City Commission meetings and meetings of City advisory boards to be conducted through the use of CMT.
8. Section 166.041(3)(b), F.S., expressly authorizes the City Commission, by a two- thirds majority vote, to enact the proposed ordinance with one reading. This item will be presented to the City Commission for consideration on November 18, 2020.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL: None.