EXECUTIVE ORDER AND PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE CITY OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) have declared COVID-19 a “public health emergency of international concern,” and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Secretary has declared that COVID-19 creates a public health emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency stating, in part, that it is critical to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed cases in the Commonwealth and to implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared a National Emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, Governor Wolf declared a State of Emergency and closed all schools and non-essential businesses in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper declared a Disaster Emergency for Erie County, Pennsylvania in anticipation of a COVID-19 outbreak; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has created a situation which has the potential to seriously endanger the health, safety and welfare of persons residing in the City of Erie;

WHEREAS, emergency management measures are required to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Erie;

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has created problems greater in scope than problems the City of Erie may be able to resolve alone; and

WHEREAS, the City of Erie will need the help of both Federal and Commonwealth Agencies to assist in its emergency response. These Agencies include but are not limited to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HHS, and the CDC.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph V. Schember, Mayor of the City of Erie, pursuant to my powers under the provisions of the Third Class City Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (11 Pa.C.S.A. §11203) and the provisions of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S.A. Section 7101 et seq.) hereby declare a STATE OF EMERGENCY for the City of Erie.

I direct the City of Erie Emergency Management Coordinator to coordinate the activities of the emergency response, to take all appropriate action needed to alleviate the effects of this disaster, to aid in the coordination of essential public services, and to take any other emergency response action deemed necessary to respond to this emergency.

I direct officials of the City of Erie to work with the proper County officials and seek assistance from all appropriate Federal and Commonwealth Agencies to assist in the emergency response. I authorize officials of the City of Erie to act as necessary to meet the current exigencies of this emergency, namely: by the employment of temporary workers, by the rental of equipment, by the purchase of supplies and materials, and by entering into such contracts and agreements for the performance of public work as may be required to meet the emergency, all without regard to those time-consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law, mandatory constitutional requirements excepted.

This EXECUTIVE ORDER and PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY

shall take effect immediately, shall be continuously renewed, and shall remain in effect unless and until it is terminated by act of Erie City Council.