Wikimedia Commons/Drug Addiction Clinic Vita
Wikimedia Commons/Drug Addiction Clinic Vita
Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has declared a civil emergency due to the spread of the coronavirus in the state and Johnson County.
Under the declaration, the police department has the authority to penalize individuals who aren’t following public health orders issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds through means of criminal citations and arrest.
“The city hopes and expects that all persons will voluntarily comply with the governor’s orders, but if voluntary compliance cannot be achieved the Iowa City Police Department will enforce the orders,” Teague wrote in the civil emergency proclamation.
The declaration also enables City Manager Geoff Fruin to purchase or lease goods and services without having to go through a competitive procurement process.
“There is not an immediate or known need for the greater purchasing flexibility that the emergency declaration provides to the City Manager,” Fruin said an email to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. “However, with the rapidly changing nature of this crisis, we feel it is imperative that we can address any future public safety concerns in a timely manner.”
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