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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Chris Heineman, City Administrator <br /> DATE: March 25, 2020 <br /> RE: Resolution Proclaiming a Local Declaration of Emergency <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED <br />Approval of Resolution Proclaiming a Local Declaration of Emergency for the City of Little Canada. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />According to guidance provided by the League of Minnesota Cities, it is considered a best practice for <br />local municipalities to declare a local emergency. Whether a city needs to declare a local emergency <br />depends on what actions the city wants to take. When a city declares an emergency under Minnesota <br />Statute, section 12.29, it grants itself specific authorities that it would not otherwise have. Pursuant to <br />Minnesota Statutes, section 12.37, during an emergency, cities have the authority to enter into contracts <br />and take additional actions to deal with the emergency without complying with time-consuming <br />procedures and formalities typically prescribed by law pertaining to: <br />• Performance of public work <br />• Entering into contracts <br />• Incurring obligations <br />• Employment of temporary workers <br />• Rental of equipment <br />• Purchase of supplies and materials <br />• Limitation upon tax levies <br />• Appropriation and expenditure of public funds <br /> <br />As Governor Walz has already declared a state of emergency, cities are already authorized to hold <br />meetings via telephone or other electronic means pursuant to Minnesota Statue, section 13D.021, if the <br />mayor, chief legal counsel, or chief administrative officer determines it is not practical or prudent to hold <br />the meeting in person. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.