Emergency city council meeting called for Monday

The Guthrie city council will convene for the second time to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the council will consider tighter restrictions in the city limits much like Oklahoma City did on March 28.

The meeting is set for 2 p.m. and can be viewed live on Guthrie News Page Facebook Live.

The council will consider amending a Guthrie ordinance by adding emergency measures related to COVID-19. In addition, they will take possible action on “Declaring an Emergency.”

An emergency ordinance is an ordinance, which in the judgment of the council is necessary for the immediate preservation of peace, health or safety, and which should become effective prior to the time an ordinary ordinance would become effective.

The council will take into consideration the Governor’s current “Safer at Home” and Oklahoma City’s “Shelter in Place.”

“Safer at Home” only applies to adults over 65 and individuals with serious underlying medical conditions. The “Shelter in Place” makes the stay at home order universal to all age groups.

The allowed essential personal and business activities that an individual may leave their residence to engage in are essentially the same for both type of orders.

The Safer at Home by the governor is in effect for all 77 counties.

Oklahoma City Mayor David issued a Shelter in Place until April 30. Holt’s suggestion is to simply stay at home, however there are exceptions for residents of Oklahoma City.

  • You can shop for groceries, medicine, gas, repairs, and other essential goods and services.
  • You can go to a restaurant for takeout or drive-thru service.
  • You can go to the doctor and take care of other essential needs.
  • You can exercise outside, including on sidewalks, trails and in public parks. You can enjoy outdoor activities like long walks, bike rides and fishing. Green spaces in parks are open. But all playgrounds are closed, both public and private. City-owned golf courses, fitness courts, dog parks, disc golf courses, skate parks, recreation centers and sport courts (basketball, tennis, volleyball, etc.) are also closed.
  • You can go to work in an essential job. You can also do business with someone working in an essential job. Those jobs are defined by the State of Oklahoma, using a federal list and one provided by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Find out more at okcommerce.gov/covid19.
  • You can drive, bike, walk and take transit. You don’t need special ID or a permit. Police aren’t asking people to prove why they’re outside their home.
  • You can work from home if you work in a job defined by the State as non-essential. You can also do business with someone doing a non-essential job from home, but do it virtually or by phone. Even if it’s an essential job, employers are encouraged to allow employees to work from home if possible.
  • Staff are allowed on site even at closed non-essential businesses for basic tasks like maintenance and security.
  • You can check on someone in need.
  • You can donate at blood drives, volunteer at food banks and participate in other disaster response activities.
  • Staff can be at faith-based sites to record or broadcast services.
  • Stay 6 feet away from others, for your safety and theirs.
  • Wash your hands before you leave your house, and as soon as you get home.
  • You can call 911 if you have specific information about someone violating the order. Police may investigate. Officers will ask for voluntary compliance, but may use discretion to issue citations if necessary.

Guthrie City Council Agenda:

1. Call to Order.

2. Discussion and possible action on Ordinance No. 3330, amending the City of Guthrie Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11: Health and Safety by adding Article 7: Emergency Measures Related to the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic; repealing all conflicting ordinances; providing for severability; and declaring an emergency     

3. Discussion and possible action on the “Declaring an Emergency” clause contained within Ordinance No. 3330               

Editor’s Note: Guthrie City Charter; Article VII: Ordinances, Resolutions and Motions; Section 8-6.  Ordinances; Emergency. – An emergency ordinance is an ordinance, which in the judgment of the Council is necessary for the immediate preservation of peace, health or safety, and which should become effective prior to the time an ordinary ordinance would become effective.  Every such ordinance shall contain, as a part of its title the words, “DECLARING AN EMERGENCY” and in a separate section, herein called the emergency section, shall declare the emergency.  The Council shall vote on the emergency section separately, and must adopt the section by a vote of at least five-sevenths (5/7ths) of all members of the Council.

4. Discussion and possible action on Ordinance No. 3331, amending the City of Guthrie Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14: Offenses; Article 2- Offenses Against Decency; Morality and Public Policy; § 14-25 Curfew; repealing all conflicting ordinances; providing for severability; and declaring an emergency    

5. Discussion and possible action on the “Declaring an Emergency” clause contained within Ordinance No. 3331               

6. Adjournment.

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