HomeMy WebLinkAbout15517 1 RESOLUTION NO. 15,517
2
3 A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE THE ARKANSAS GENERAL
4 ASSEMBLY TO RECONSIDER THE PROVISIONS OF ACT 1002 OF 2021
5 TO PERMIT APPROPRIATE HEALTH GUIDELINES TO BE
6 FOLLOWED BY CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROTECT THEIR
7 CITIZENS FROM POTENTIALLY FATAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES;
8 AND FOR OTHER REASONS.
9
10 WHEREAS,in 2020,the world experienced a devastating pandemic from COVID-19 that to-date has
11 already caused the deaths of over 600,000 American citizens,and has taken more than 700 lives of residents
12 of Pulaski County,Arkansas; and,
13 WHEREAS, although heroic efforts to develop vaccines for COVID-19 have been beneficial, the
14 world is now experiencing variants of the virus that prove to be much more easily transmitted, and can
15 cause illness even for persons who have received the initial vaccine for COVID-19; and,
16 WHEREAS, currently the Delta variation is rampant in Arkansas, but according to the Centers for
17 Disease Control the State of Arkansas is in a region that has identified cases of the Alpha,Beta,and Gamma
18 variants,and the United States has confirmed the presence of cases with the Lambda variant; and,
19 WHEREAS,the Centers for Disease Control has identified Pulaski County,Arkansas,and the State of
20 Arkansas in general, as an area of High Risk for infection of the Delta variant; and,
21 WHEREAS,the Arkansas Department of Health has stated that in areas of High Risk for transmission
22 of the disease individuals should wear a mask, or face covering, even inside, particularly if a person has a
23 weakened immune system, an underlying medical condition, or because of age; and,
24 WHEREAS, the Arkansas Department of Health has also posted on its website that one of the best
25 things a person can do in an area of High Risk of transmission of disease,such as Pulaski County,and Little
26 Rock, Arkansas, wearing a mask or face covering is important even if the individual is inside a building;
27 and,
28 WHEREAS, in 2021 the Arkansas General Assembly enacted Act 1002 of 2021 which sought to limit
29 the imposition of face coverings, or mask, requirements by local governments; and,
30 WHEREAS, the elected governing bodies in a local area should have the discretion under the police
31 power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, as appropriate based upon identified risks such as
32 the presence and high transmission rates the Delta variant currently imposes.
33 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
34 OF LITTLE ROCK,ARKANSAS:
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1 Section 1. The Mayor and Members of the Board of Directors encourages the Governor and the
2 Arkansas General Assembly carefully to review and amend Act 1002 of 2021 so that if the Arkansas
3 Department of Health,either alone or in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control or other Federal
4 Health Agencies,determines that any local government, including County Government, is in an area where
5 there is high transmission of an infectious disease may impose reasonable requirements as to the wearing
6 of face coverings or masks in public places until it is determined that the risk of infection has abated.
7 Section 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are authorized forthwith to send a copy of this resolution of
8 encouragement to deal with unforeseen infectious viral surge by appropriate amendments to State Law to
9 the Governor, the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tern of the
10 Arkansas State Senate,and any other appropriate persons.
11 Section 3. Severability. In the event any title,paragraph, item, sentence,clause,phrase,or word of this
12 resolution is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall
13 not affect the remaining portions of the resolution which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion
14 so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part of the resolution.
15 Section 4. Repealer. All laws,ordinances,resolutions,or parts of the same,which are inconsistent with
16 the provisions of this resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
17 ADOPTED: August 3,2021
18 ATTES APPROVED:
19
20 grAm1,1+_ >
21 usan ig , 4.Clerk Frank Scott,Jr.,Mayor c
22 APPRO : AS S LEGAL FORM:
23
24
25 Alexander J.B on,Chief Deputy
26 City Attorney
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