Sparks City Council Meeting 6/8/2020 2:00:00 PM

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/92925183633
Meeting Dial-in #: 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 929-2518-3633

General Business: 9.8

Title: Consideration and possible ratification of the City Manager's declaration of a state of emergency in the City of Sparks due to a state of civil unrest in the Truckee Meadows on May 30, 2020.
Petitioner/Presenter: Neil C. Krutz, ICMA-CM, City Manager/Neil C. Krutz, ICMA-CM, City Manager
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the declaration of emergency.
Financial Impact: N/A
Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
    
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.
Agenda Item Brief:

On May 30, 2020, the City Manager declared a state of emergency in the City of Sparks based on rapidly deteriorating conditions in downtown Reno where peaceful protests ealier in the day gave way to riots involving violence and significant property damage. The declaration served as the legal foundation for a city-wide curfew made necessary by both mutual-aid obligations of the City's police force and the dynamic nature of the event. 



Background:

On May 30, 2020, a peaceful protest regarding national events involving police forces and minority groups was held in downtown Reno. In the late afternoon, after the event concluded, a large contingent of people defaced the Reno Police Station with graffiti, threw rocks at windows of the building and vehicles parked outside and moved to Reno City Hall where many windows were broken, a fire was set, and the inside of the building was badly vandalized. Sparks Police responded to assist; the condition of civil unrest persisted until past midnight.



Analysis:

Sections 1.30.010 and 2.0.025 of the Sparks municipal Code empower the City Manager to proclaim the existence of a local state of emergency when the City of Sparks is affected by, or in imminent danger of, a public calamity and the City Council is not in session. In cocordination with the City of Reno and Washoe County, both cities and the county imposed a curfew on May 30, 2020, lasting until May 31, 2020, for the purpose of protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Declaration of a local emergency is required before emergency regulations like a curfew may be implemented. 



Alternatives:

1. The City Council may ratify the declaration of local emergency as recommended.

2. The City Council may reject the declaration of local emergency and provide further direction to the City Manager.



Recommended Motion:

I move to ratify the City Manager's declaration of a state of emergency in the City of Sparks on May 30, 2020, based on civil unrest in the Truckee Meadows.



Attached Files:
     Declaration of Emergency 30may20 v2[1].pdf
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