DAYTON–The City of Dayton held an emergency telephonic meeting Tuesday evening to approve a resolution "proclaiming a state of emergency and providing emergency temporary procedures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic."

The resolution recognizes the "extreme risk of person-to-person transmission" of COVID-19, and its potential impact to "the life and health of those living and working in Dayton, as well as the continuity of operations and government at the City."

Mayor Zac Weatherford and the City Council, under the statutes, may "waive any necessary competitive bidding requirements related to the COVID-19 emergency." The City will be able to "enter into contracts, employ temporary workers and incur obligations without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law, except mandatory constitutional requirements," the resolution indicated.

The City, the resolution stated, will protect the public by "social distancing" and by minimizing gatherings, per County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. To that end, City Hall will close March 18, 2020, until further notice.

Citizens may pay their utility bills, submit permit applications, contract staff, and transact other City business via telephone, email, online or by depositing such transactions in the City of Dayton's payment drop box located along the alleyway adjacent to City Hall, 111 S. 1st Street. Late fees accrued to citizen water and sewer utility accounts will be waived, if as a result of late or non-payment. Water and/or sewer disconnection processes related to late or non-payment shall be waived until May 1, 2020.

Municipal employees will receive their normal salaries or wages, and benefits. If employees are willing and able to work, but for health or safety reasons would be precluded from working to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the pay policy would apply.

Information regarding the City's functions and actions will be posted on the City's website. Unnecessary gatherings of community members and/or city staff will be canceled or discouraged.

The resolution will expire on May 1, 2020, unless extended by formal action by the City Council.