2020-05 Request for the Expedited Reopening of "Nonessential" BusinessesRESOLUTION NO. 2020-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
FLORIDA DIRECTED 1'0 STATE OF FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS
REQUESTING THE EXPEDITED REOPENING OF "NONESSENTIAL"
BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY.
WHEREAS, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-71, in response to the COVID
19 pandemic, ordered, inter alia, that all persons in the State of Florida limit their
movements and personal interactions outside the home to only those necessary to
obtain or provide "essential services" or conduct "essential activities," as defined in the
Order; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee has unique insight into their individual businesses,
residents and circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Executive Order had the effect of adversely and profoundly
impacting the economic viability of thousands of small businesses throughout the State
of Florida, which businesses form the backbone of the economy of the State, and of the
City of Okeechobee; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-112,
initiating a plan of phased and limited reopening for a limited set of businesses in 64 of
Florida's 67 counties; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Re -Open Florida Task Force, comprised of over 100 highly
qualified policy and industry leaders, which issued a Final Report that recognized the
unique importance of local government input in reopening businesses closed by
Executive Order 20-71; and
WHEREAS, the Re -Open Florida Task Force appointed by Governor DeSantis was comprised
of over 100 highly qualified policy and industry leaders, who leveraged their vast
collective insight and experience to prepare a Final Report that set forth a detailed,
evidence -based, and multi -phased plan for the reopening of the State; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the recommendation of the Governor's Re -Open Florida Task
Force Final Report, the Phase I reopening of businesses permitted under Executive
Order 20-112 is much more limited and constrained, and leaves many more small
businesses closed, than was recommended by the Task Force Final Report in Phase I;
and
WHEREAS, the Task Force Final Report calls for the Phase I reopening of hair salons, nail
salons, and barber shops at 50 -percent building capacity, Executive Order 20-112
leaves such businesses closed; and
WHEREAS, further, while the Task Force Final Report calls for the Phase I reopening of
restaurants and retail stores at 50 -percent building capacity, Executive Order 20-112
limits restaurants and retail stores to 25 -percent building capacity; and
WHEREAS, small businesses, such as restaurants, retail stores, hair salons, nail salons, and
barber shops, are an essential component of the economy and community of the City of
Okeechobee -land
WHEREAS, the owners and employees of such small businesses are hardworking individuals
with families, mortgages, and other necessary expenses that do not stop when their
businesses are shut down; and
WHEREAS, small businesses within the City of Okeechobee and throughout the State face the
serious threat of permanent closure as a result of a continued shutdown; and
WHEREAS, Okeechobee County has only had 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the
beginning of the pandemic, and the residents, businesses, and government of
Okeechobee County have all worked hard to adhere to all of the state and federal
mandates, guidelines, and best practices for prevention of the spread of COVID-19; and
RESOLUTION No. 2020-05 PAGE 1 OF 2
WHEREAS, the Governor has the authority to custom tailor the re -opening of the businesses
of the State to the individual circumstances of each community.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved before the City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida;
presented at a duly advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote of the City
Council; and properly executed by the Mayor or designee, as Chief Presiding Officer for
the City:
Section 1: The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated in this Resolution
Section 2: The City Council for the City of Okeechobee, on behalf of the residents and
businesses of the City of Okeechobee, given the unique circumstances of this
community, formally request that Governor Ron DeSantis expedite reopening of
businesses within the City of Okeechobee.
Section 3: That Governor Ron DeSantis fully and immediately implement all of the
recommendations of the Governor's Re -Open Florida Task Force Final Report
for Phase I, and thereafter proceed on an expedited basis to further reopening in
Phases II and III of the Final Report, consistent with the evidence -based
benchmarks contained therein.
Section 4: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida, on this
5th day of May, 2020.
ATTEST:
f
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John J. Fumero
John J. Fumero, City Attorney
RESOLUTION N0.2020-05 PAGE 2 OF 2
Dowling R. Wafflfor•, •