NEW: May 15, 2020 – City of Osceola Emergency Proclamation – 2020-6

From Mayor Kedley:

I am sincerely proud of how our community has stepped up to battle this invisible enemy! It’s not over yet and we must continue pushing forward for a safer tomorrow! I ask everyone to continue doing their part and leading where their strengths are.

As the state/Governor loosens restrictions I ask that you to consider how your actions can impact everyone in the community.

Please continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing. Be a part of the process not a part of the problem.

Sincerely,

Mayor Thomas J. Kedley

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See full proclamation below.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE, AS NORMAL.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation. Stay safe!

You can click the image to the side to open, view, and Print a PDF of the City of Osceola’s Emergency Proclamation.

EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION 2020-6

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has reported an outbreak of thousands of cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in multiple countries, causing illness and deaths; and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared a national public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency was issued to coordinate the State of Iowa’s response to this outbreak and such disaster continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation declaring that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, a Proclamation of Public Health Disaster Emergency was issued to provide additional needed resources and measures to respond to this disaster, and such public health disaster continues to exist; and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, the Mayor issued Emergency Proclamation 2020-1 declaring that That a state of emergency or public danger exists within the City of Osceola because of the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and,

WHEREAS, Governor Reynolds extended the State Public Health Emergency to May 27, 2020; and,

WHEREAS, Governor Reynolds has amended the State Public Health Emergency effective May 13, 2020; and,

WHEREAS, Section 15.02(2) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Osceola and Section 372.14(2) of the Code of Iowa (2019) grant the Mayor powers to declare an emergency and govern through proclamation to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Osceola.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Thomas J. Kedley, the duly elected Mayor of the City of Osceola, Iowa, do hereby proclaim until further notice the following:

1. That a state of emergency for the City of Osceola because of the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 virus is henceforth extended through May 27, 2020.
2. I hereby declare that all non-essential operations of the City of Osceola shall operate in a modified fashion effective through May 27, 2020. Essential operations shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the guidelines provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC.  Official meetings of the Osceola City Council shall be exclusively viewable through the City’s online live-stream service.   Agendas shall be viewable in the vestibule of City Hall, which shall remain open as normal.  All City Board and Commission meetings shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines set forth by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
3. Osceola City Hall shall be open to the public by appointment only.
4. The Osceola Public Library may reopen provided that it limits the number of patrons present to 50% of its maximum legal occupancy capacity and implements reasonable measures under the circumstances to ensure social distancing of employees and patrons, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the IDPH.
5. All adult and youth recreation programming shall remain suspended until further notice.
6. All City owned trails, water access facilities, and the municipal golf course shall be open to the public; however, strict social distancing of at least 6 ft between individuals shall be observed at all times.
7. All city owned park spaces, city-owned athletic fields, skate park, and outdoor workout areas shall remain closed.
8. Gatherings of ten (10) or more people are prohibited until further notice. Loitering in any City parking facility is prohibited.  All citizens are asked to practice safe social distancing, maintaining a distance of six (6) from one another at all times possible.
9. That this Proclamation of Emergency may be modified and/or superseded by future proclamation of the Office of the Mayor of Osceola, Iowa as future events warrant.
10. That this proclamation of the Office of the Mayor of the City of Osceola, Iowa, shall be enforceable by the Osceola Police Department and any violation of the same shall be a violation of Section 15.02(2) of the Code of Ordinances and punishable as a simple misdemeanor.
11. That Governor Reynold’s proclamation dated March 17, 2020, and all subsequent proclamations, shall be enforceable by the Osceola Police Department, in its entirety.
12. More information will be shared with the public as it becomes available.

Dated this 15th day of May, 2020.