1-Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency 01-11-22CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY PROCLAMATION
DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the virus named "SARS-CoV-2," is a new strain of coronavirus that has not
previously been identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person and which
causes a disease named "coronavirus disease 2019," commonly known as "COVID-19," which
is a respiratory disease that can result in serious injury or death; and
WHEREAS, as of January 15, 2021, the level of community transmission of COVID-19 in
Minnesota is classified as high by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
Minnesota had 110.8 new cases per 10,000 people over the past seven days; and
WHEREAS, according to the Minnesota Department of health, as of January 6, 2022,
there have been 1,056,236 cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota resulting in 51,557 hospitalizations
and 10,810 deaths; and
WHEREAS, in Hennepin County, there have been 220,433 cases, 11,065
hospitalizations and 2,239 deaths; and
WHEREAS, as of December 30, 2021, there were 3,228 reported COVID-19 cases in
Golden Valley and 87 deaths; and
WHEREAS, since June 2021, the CDC identified new variants of the COVID-19 virus
which are present in the United States and medical experts determined that some of these
variants are significantly more contagious than previously known variants; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Delta variant has been determined by the CDC to be a
"variant of concern" due to its high transmissibility and continues to account for a large number
of new cases reported in Minnesota, thereby substantially increasing the potential risk of
infection and the spread of the virus through the community; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which has been identified in Minnesota, has
been determined by the CDC to be a "variant of concern," appears to be easily transmitted, and
accounts for 68% of the cases in Minnesota; furthermore, as of December 5, 2021, 4.8% of fully
vaccinated Minnesotans had experienced a breakthrough case of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley's Emergency Management Team has been
working diligently with local, state, and federal partners to maintain situational awareness and
respond to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, additional local cases will trigger a more aggressive public health response
and are predicted to impact residents of Golden Valley and those who work in or travel through
the City, including City employees; and
WHEREAS, the need for social distancing, school closings, and quarantine methods to
stop the spread of COVID-19 continues to cause significant challenges; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager and Emergency Management Director find that this
situation threatens the health, safety, and welfare of the members of the Golden Valley
community and will cause a significant impact on the ability of public safety personnel to
address any immediate dangers to the public as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 12.29 authorizes the Mayor to declare the
existence of a local emergency, invoke necessary portions of the City's Emergency Operations
Plans and authorize aid and services in accordance with interjurisdictional agreements, such as
mutual aid agreements; and
WHEREAS, under Minnesota Statutes, section 12.37 this emergency declaration
authorizes the City to enter into contracts and perform other duties without following many of the
time-consuming legal procedures normally required, including:
• Arranging for the performance of public work
• Contracting
• Incurring obligations
• Employing temporary workers
• Renting equipment
• Purchasing supplies and materials
• Complying with limitations on tax levies
• Appropriating and expending public funds, including publication of ordinances and
resolutions, advertisement for bids, provisions of civil service laws and rules, competitive
bidding, and budget requirements
NOW, THEREFORE, MAYOR SHEPARD HARRIS OF THE CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
PROCLAIMS, DECLARES, REQUESTS, AND DIRECTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Under the authority given by Minnesota Statutes, Section 12.29, declares that a local
emergency exists within the City of Golden Valley, effective January 11, 2022, with all
the powers and responsibilities attending thereto as provided by Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 12.
2. This emergency declaration shall continue for a period of three (3) days from its effective
date of January 11, 2022, unless further extended by or with the consent of the City
Council pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 12.29, subd. 1.
3. Orders that this declaration be given prompt and general publicity and that it be filed
promptly by the City Clerk.
Adopted by the Mayor of the City of Golden Valley, Minnesota this 11th day of January 2022.
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor