Document Code No.: ACO-8-26-EO
Department/Issuing Agency: Office of Emergency Management
Effective Date: July 30, 2020
Approved: /s/ Dow Constantine, King County Executive
Type of Action: New

Signed document (PDF, 171KB)     

PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, the King County Office of Emergency Management has reported on May 30, 2020 that King County has activated the King County Emergency Operations Center for a significant civil emergency caused by public demonstrations; and,

WHEREAS, beginning on May 29, 2020, these public demonstrations in various communities of King County, including the Cities of Seattle and Bellevue, have turned violent in some instances, and have been accompanied by property damage and destruction; they have created hazardous conditions for persons assembled for peaceful protests; pose a risk to public property and facilities; and, further threaten public safety, property destruction, injury, and travel conditions; and

WHEREAS, on July 25, 2020 civil unrest included arson and damage to county buildings and employee vehicles; and

WHEREAS, additional protests are expected that may impact county operations; and

WHEREAS, as described in SECTION 2 of this Proclamation, the situation is sufficiently serious that it is necessary that I proclaim an emergency within King County and exercise the Executive’s emergency powers; and

WHEREAS, I have reviewed the situation, consulted with King County agencies and personnel, as well as officials from local cities and towns, and verified the emergency cited below and the necessity for me to take immediate, extraordinary action as outlined in this Proclamation.

NOW THEREFORE, I, DOW CONSTANTINE, AS KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE, DO PROCLAIM AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1:   EMERGENCY POWERS

            A.         As described in SECTION 2, an emergency exists requiring and authorizing me to exercise the emergency powers vested in me as King County Executive by RCW chapter 38.52, and King County Code chapters 2.56 and 12.52, as described in this Proclamation; and

            B.         Effective upon my signing this Proclamation, I will exercise that authority through the use and direction of County personnel, services, and equipment, and additional acts necessary to the management of this emergency.

SECTION 2:  PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY

            A.         Based on my review of the present circumstances, the report of the King County Office of Emergency Management, and my consultations with King County agencies and personnel, as well as officials from local cities and towns, I find and proclaim that an emergency exists, as defined in K.C.C. 12.52.010.A, due to demonstrations that have caused injuries to the public and first responders, public and private property damage, and other situations hazardous to public safety, and that these conditions demand that I exercise the authority assumed in SECTION 1 and take the extraordinary measures stated in SECTION 3, for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, and order, and the prevention damage to public property (and restoration of such property as may have been damaged to a condition of usefulness), and to relieve loss, hardship, and suffering.

SECTION 3:  ORDER

            A.         Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030.C.2, I hereby order that the public advertising and competitive procurement requirements of state law and K.C.C. chapter 2.93, and all applicable Executive policies and procedures, and the requirements of K.C.C. chapter 12.19, are waived relating to County contracts for the following purchases or leases:

                        1.  Tangible personal property;

                        2.  Public works as defined by RCW 39.04.010; and

                        3.  Services, including professional or technical services.

            B.         Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030.C.1, I hereby order that King County Staff may authorize overtime for personnel in positions requiring overtime to adequately respond to the emergency.

            C.        I further the reserve the right to issue such further orders as authorized by K.C.C. chapter 12.52 as may be necessary to respond to the emergency proclaimed in SECTION 2.

SECTION 4:   NOTICE

            A.         A copy of this Proclamation and any order(s) issued hereunder shall be delivered to the Clerk of the Council and each King County Councilmember by email before the execution of any contract or lease authorized under SECTION 3.  A copy of this Proclamation and any order(s) issued hereunder shall also be filed with the Clerk of the Council by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the next business day after issuance.  To the extent practicable, a copy of this Proclamation and all emergency orders issued hereunder shall be delivered to all news media within King County and made available to the general public. 

SECTION 5:  EXPIRATION AND TERMINATON

            A.         This Proclamation shall continue in force and effect until terminated by order of the Executive or action by the County Council by ordinance.  However, the order in SECTION 3 shall expire twenty-one (21) calendar days after issuance, unless terminated sooner by order of the Executive or action by the County Council by motion or extended by the County Council by motion.

DATED this 30th day of July, 2020.

/s/ Dow Constantine
King County Executive

Attest:
/s/ Norm Alberg
Director, Records and Licensing Services Division, Department of Executive Services