Lyon County Board of Commissioners unanimously agree to emergency declaration

The Lyon County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a Declaration of Emergency through Resolution 20-05 and a meeting Monday afternoon, according to County Manager Jeff Page.

There was one person who poke against the resolution. Lyon County staff will now begin implementing procedures to address the declaration.

The declaration will provide Lyon County with the ability to:

— Temporarily close Senior Centers and provide senior meals via delivery or drive by meal pick up.

— Temporarily close Lyon County Libraries

— Reduce non-mandated services

— To freeze hiring and non-essential expenses

— Address Paid Administrative Leave for employees that are displaced

— Processes and procedures to address gatherings, Board Meetings, etc.

Lyon County participates with Carson, Douglas and Storey Counties as a Quad County Health Care, Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Management Coalition. The Quad County has worked diligently to disseminate the most current information, monitor and respond to potential coronavirus cases and address concerns from the citizens of the Quad County region. Residents with questions about the Coronavirus are being directed to look for information on the following websites:

Quad County Region: https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/novel-coronavirus-2019/

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Or calling (775)283-4789 (Quad County Corona Virus Hotline)

Here's the resolution:

RESOLUTION 20-05, DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 414 and Lyon County Code 3.03.03 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to declare a state of emergency within Lyon County; and

Whereas, Nevada Revised Statute 241.020 authorizes the Board of Commissioners to meet for emergency situations without the a three day public notice; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease has been named coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Governor Steve Sisolak has declared a state of emergency for the State of Nevada to respond to the Coronavirus

NOW THEREFORE, that the Lyon County Board of Commissioners hereby declares that a State of Emergency exists in Lyon County due to Coronavirus that threatens the health, safety, welfare and property of Lyon County residents.

The Board of Commissioners further directs:

That the all Citizen Advisory Board Meetings be cancelled until April 30, 2020.

That the County owned Community Centers in Dayton, Stagecoach, Silver Springs, Silver City and Smith Valley be closed for public functions until April 6, 2020.

That any events at the Lyon County Fairgrounds and Dayton Valley Event Center be suspended until April 6, 2020.

That any public meetings held at the Greg Hunewill Commission Chambers be limited to no more than 30 persons at a time occupying the chambers.

The County Manager, in coordination with the Comptroller, develops a process to limit the hiring of replacement positions with exception to essential positions.

That the County Manager or his designee may, until April 6, 2020, approve paid administrative leave for employees who miss normally-scheduled work time for reasons relating directly to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

That all departments and offices suspend purchases and expenditures other than those necessary for operations.

That Senior Centers be closed and that Human Services develop a process to feed senior citizens through Meals on Wheels and/or drive up meal pick up until April 6, 2020

That all Lyon County Libraries be closed to the public until April 6, 2020.

That the County Manager, Public Health Officer, Risk Management, Quad County Public Health Preparedness and Human Resources Director develop and implement procedures and processes to enact CDC and State guidelines for access to public buildings, information sharing, employee training and other COVID-19 guidelines.

The County Manager is authorized to suspend operations of any non-mandated services and/or departments.

This Declaration of Emergency is adopted this 16th day of March, 2020.