HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-833RESOLUTION NO. 20-833
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON EXPRESSING
APPRECIATION TO GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT AND THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT
FOR ACTIONS TAKEN TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF
TEXAS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; RESPECTFULLY
REQUESTING ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO BENEFIT CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF
TEXAS; REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE TEXAS
LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER SUSPENDING EVICTION PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER
REMEDIES IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS; URGING LANDLORDS AND LENDERS TO
IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, unemployment is widespread during the coronavirus pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Governor Greg Abbott has issued seven executive orders to date to address
the safety of the citizens of the State of Texas and to deter the spread ofSARS-CoV2 which causes
the disease COVID-19, most recently GA-14 issued March 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its Ninth Emergency Order Regarding the
COVID-19 State of Disaster on April 6, 2020, providing that no trial, hearing, or other proceeding
may be conducted until after April 30, 2020, in any action for eviction to recover possession of
residential property under Chapter 24 of the Texas Property Code and Rule 510 of the Texas Rules
of Civil Procedure; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Denton (the Council) expresses appreciation to
Governor Abbott and to the Texas Supreme Court for their efforts to protect the health, safety, and
security of the citizens of the State of Texas during this public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Council has heard from its citizens that some Denton residents have lost,
and more may soon lose, income or employment through no fault of their own due to the
coronavirus response, and cannot reasonably be expected to pay their rent on time without first
receiving unemployment benefits; and
WHEREAS, unemployment benefit requests are overwhelming the State's ability to take
them at this time; and
WHEREAS, landlords in Texas have the right not to accept late rent payments and will be
able to use nonpayment of rent as grounds for eviction once the moratorium on evictions expires;
and
WHEREAS, the Council appreciates the efforts of landlords and lenders to accommodate
and collaborate with one another, homeowners, and tenants during the duration of this public
health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the council of the City of Denton asserts that further action is necessary to
protect the health, safety, and security of the citizens of Denton and the State of Texas;
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NOW THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. The findings and recitations contained in the preamble of this Resolution are
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The Council respectfully requests Governor Abbott call a special session of
the Texas Legislature, to be held electronically if necessary, to consider additional measures to
address the public health emergency, including but not limited to the following:
• allowing renters the opportunity to cure the default of required rent payment, if
caused by delay of unemployment benefits, by making late rent payments.
• disallowing any eviction or foreclosure proceedings against a person who is
qualified for unemployment benefits but has not yet received them and had five
business days to bring their account current after receipt.
SECTION 3. The Council respectfully requests that the State of Texas and its agencies
take whatever measures necessary and appropriate to increase the efficiency accepting and
processing applications and remitting benefits for individuals experiencing job loss or other
financi al hardship due to the existing public health emergency.
SECTION 4. The Council requests that landlords and lenders continue to collaborate with
one another, homeowners, and tenants to identify and provide solutions for continued housing
through the duration of the emergency.
SECTION 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
The motion to approve this resolution was made by ~.$'Sd' ~✓1:.S and
seconded by .... &u/ ~u,/Z.¢,c,., , the resoltion was passed and approved by
the following vote LZ -QJ:
Aye Nay Abstain Absent
Mayor Chris Watts: ✓
Gerard Hudspeth, District 1: ✓
Keely G. Briggs, District 2: ✓
Jesse Davis, District 3: v
John Ryan, District 4: V
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5: ✓
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6: ✓
PASSEDANDAPPROVEDthisthe /& dayof ~/ , 2020.
·~
CHRIS lx rrs, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
AARON LEAL, CITY ATTORNEY
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