Knoxville Mayor Brian Hatch has signed a proclamation regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic. In the proclamation Mayor Hatch proclaims an emergency in the City of Knoxville, and does hereby direct the continued changes of city operations until which time Governor Kim Reynolds declares an end to this crisis.
According to the proclamation, the city will follow all restrictions as outlined in the Governor’s Proclamation of the State of Public Health Emergency as issued on March 17, 2020. All subsequent proclamations by Governor Reynolds shall be adopted and enforced in the City of Knoxville as well. To read the complete Proclamation of Emergency by Mayor Brian Hatch scroll down.
KNIA/KRLS will continue to provide up to date and accurate information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to broadcast every Knoxville City Council meeting live to keep our listeners and the residents of Knoxville informed throughout the crisis.
City of Knoxville
Proclamation of Emergency
WHEREAS, COVID-19 poses a serious threat to the public health and safety of the City of Knoxville, Iowa as outlined by the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”); and
WHEREAS, the Iowa Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) has now determined that community spread of COVID-19 has occurred in the State of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, the Hon. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency outlining specific steps and requirements to combat the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Section 372.14(2) of the Code of Iowa grants the Mayor powers to declare an emergency and govern through proclamation to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Knoxville
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Brian Hatch, Mayor of the City of Knoxville, Iowa, do hereby proclaim an emergency in the City of Knoxville, and do hereby direct the continued changes of city operations until which time the Governor declares an end to this crisis:
- All restrictions as outlined in Governor Kim Reynolds’ Proclamation of the State of Public Health Emergency as issued on March 17, 2020. All subsequent proclamations by Governor Reynolds shall be adopted and enforced in the City of Knoxville.
- The Public Library will remain closed to the public.
- The Recreation Center will remain closed to the public.
- All public park green space will remain open to the public; however, all playground equipment, play areas, and restroom facilities will be closed to the public.
- City Hall will be closed to the public. Please call or email for any necessary business.
- Police and Fire Stations will remain open, but public access will be limited to the front lobby.
We encourage you to call or email with any inquiries before stopping by to help ensure the health and safety of our first responders.
- The Wastewater Treatment Plant will continue to operate as normal, but will be closed to the public.
- Street Department operations will continue as normal, but the street shop will be closed to the public.
- Airport will remain closed to the public.
- All committee, board, and commission meetings will be done electronically if necessary.
- City Council meetings will be conducted via web conferencing and closed to the public, but will be streamed live to allow for public access.
- This Proclamation of Emergency may be modified and/or superseded by future proclamations of the Office of the Mayor of the City of Knoxville as future events warrant.
- Any violation of any proclamation of the Office of the Mayor of the City of Knoxville, Iowa shall be enforceable by the Knoxville Police Department and any violation of the same shall be a violation of State law and criminally prosecuted as such and further subject to a court action seeking immediate relief to enjoin the behavior.
Signed this 3rd day of April, 2020 by the authority vested in me by the Code of Iowa and the City of Knoxville.