20-792ORDINANCE NO. 2�-%92
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON CONFIRMING THE SUSPENSION OF CITY
OF DENTON CODE OF ORDINANCES (CODE) SECTIONS 2-29(b)(14) AND 2-29(c)(6) IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CITY OF DENTON CODE OF ORDINANCES 2-29(b)(13);
TEMPORARILY AMENDING CODE SECTION 2-29 (CITY COUNCIL RULES OF
PROCEDURE) BECAUSE OF A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-
CoV2 which causes the disease COVID-19, has spread throughout the world and has now been
declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath,
and in some cases the virus has caused death; and
WHEREAS, the known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the State of Texas are currently
increasing daily; and
WHEREAS, extraordinary measures must be taken to contain COVID-19 and prevent its
spread throughout the City of Denton and Denton County, including the limitation of community
gatherings and potentially requiring individuals, groups of individuals, or property to be subject
to additional measures that prevent or control the spread of disease; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Denton has determined that extraordinary measures
must be taken by temporarily limiting the number of persons allowed to convene in a single
location; temporarily closing City buildings, facilities, and limiting certain uses thereof;
temporarily postponing all non-essential municipal court proceedings; providing resources to
prevent eviction due to COVID-19 impact; and temporarily suspending all City utility shut-offs
to residential customers; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Mayor executed a"Declaration of Local Disaster for
Public Health Emergency," a copy of which is attached hereto as E�iibit "A," and an"Order of
the Mayor of the City of Denton" pursuant to the Declaration, a copy of which is attached hereto
as E�ibit `B;" and
WHEREAS, finding it in the best interest of the citizens of Denton, on March 17, 2020,
the City Council, through Ordinance No. 20-721, extended the Declaration of Emergency
through April 30, 2020 and issued an Order of the Council of the City of Denton, attached
thereto as E�ibit "C;" and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 2020, following updated information on the spread of
COVID-19, the City Council found it was in the public interest to amend the Order of Council
passed March 17, 2020 and did so through Ordinance No. 20-740; and
WHEREAS, information about COVID-19 continues to evolve and measures must be
taken to respond to the latest information available; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, the Mayor issued a Second Declaration of Local
Disaster, amending and superseding the restrictions in place in an attempt to slow the spread of
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Attorney General has suspended certain statutes related to the Texas
Open Meetings Act so that governmental entities can continue governmental business during the
term of the state of emergency using alternative measures for meetings; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the Attorney General, the City Council of the City of Denton
desires to suspend Sections 2-29(b)(14) (Amendment of Rule) and 2-29(c)(6)
(Videoconferencing) of the City of Denton Code of Ordinances to provide for flexibility in
conducting City business and to specify alternative means for both Councilmembers and the
public to attend and participate in open meetings; NOW THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The recitals contained in the preamble of this ordinance are true and correct,
and are hereby incorporated as if set out fully herein.
SECTION 2. Sections 2-29(b)(14) and 2-29(c)(6) have been suspended pursuant to Section
2-29(b)(13).
SECTION 3. Section 2-29 is hereby temporarily amended as shown in Exhibit A, attached,
until the expiration or termination of either 1) the City of Denton's declared state of local disaster
for COVID-19, as extended or amended, or 2) the Governor's suspension of Open Meetings
Laws, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
The motion to approve this ordinance was made by �FE"LY �,�/(�(�s
and seconded by J'�'�SE ��9 ✓lS , the ordinance was passed and
approved by the following vote �-�:
Chris Watts, Mayor:
Gerard Hudspeth, District 1:
Keely Briggs, District 2:
Jesse Davis, District 3:
John Ryan, District 4:
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5:
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6:
Aye
✓
d
✓
✓
✓
✓
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Nay Abstain Absent
PASSED AND APPROVED this the �st day of __���� �� y�, 2020.
ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY
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BY: r
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL
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