Waterloo Mayor Hart Extends State of Civil Emergency

Immediate Release: April 10, 2020
Contact: Wendy Bowman, Communications Director 319-830-9362

Waterloo Mayor Hart Extends State of Civil Emergency

Waterloo, IA - Mayor Hart is extending the state of Civil Emergency originally issued on March 19 to April 30, 2020. This comes in response to the anticipated spike in Covid -19 cases in Black Hawk County over the upcoming weekend. Iowa law and city code grants Mayor Hart this power when he determines a threat to the health and safety of the residents of the city exists.  It gives the mayor freedom to issue directives to protect the public and continue city operations that would ordinarily require tedious checks and balances to carryout.  The March 19th proclamation extended to April 19th as the end date.  Any order or directive issued to the public under the proclamation is punishable as a misdemeanor. 

“Today, I am extending that order additional 3 weeks or until April 30,” says Mayor Hart.  “According to experts, the next couple of weeks will be the most challenging. In addition, recording the highest number of 1 day cases in Black Hawk County moving our numbers from 21 to 35 infected people countywide.

This is no time for pride to dominate our logic and decision-making. This is also not a time for panic. It’s a time to come together and be safe. Please continue practicing social distancing and taking every precaution to wash hands and remain Safe at home.”

Iowa Code Section 372.14 (2): “The mayor may take command of the police and govern the city by proclamation, upon making a determination that a time of emergency or public danger exists. Within the city limits, the mayor has all the powers conferred upon the sheriff to suppress disorders”.

The proclamation does the following:

  1. Declares that a civil emergency exists due to the presence of COVID-19 in Black Hawk County
  2. Directs the police and fire departments to enforce the proclamation and the proclamation issued by the governor.
  3. Reserves the right to issue subsequent proclamations and take all action granted by Iowa law and Waterloo City Code. 

For more information about the proclamation, contact Kelley Felchle, City Clerk by calling 319-291-4323 or Kelley.Felchle@Waterloo-IA.org.