- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Supervisors reschedule discussion on urgency ordinance to enforce health orders
Supervisor EJ Crandell, who had asked that the ordinance be placed on the agenda originally, requested early on in Tuesday’s meeting that the discussion item be pulled, noting there was confusion on the matter.
Last week, the county had initially posted the draft urgency ordinance – which includes fines for failing to comply with health orders, including masking requirements in public – but not a second, nonurgency draft ordinance without fines and penalties that was being proposed by the Blue Collar Committee, a group of local business owners assembled by Supervisor Rob Brown. The Blue Collar Committee’s version was later posted.
Crandell said Tuesday that there was confusion about the ordinances and that it had been his intention for the board to consider both, not just the urgency version. He was concerned that people hadn’t had enough time to read both documents.
Board members agreed to hold off on the item but Supervisor Tina Scott said she considered the matter urgent and wanted it to be brought back at next week’s meeting.
Several community members showed up online and in-person to discuss the item, with their comments noting they were disappointed to have the matter delayed.
Haji Warf told the board that freedom is not just about rights but also responsibilities and that masking helps protect the community’s high-risk residents.
Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton asked for clarification as to whether the board would eventually consider one or both ordinances. Crandell said it would be both.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he had no issue with moving forward and having the conversation as scheduled since the documents had been posted with enough time to meet the meeting requirements.
Crandell, however, said he believed people hadn’t had enough time to look at the documents.
County Counsel Anita Grant added that, since at the start of the meeting it was announced that the item was going to be pulled, going forward with the discussion would add to the confusion.
In June the board had considered another urgency ordinance that would have enforced health orders with fines and penalties. That ordinance failed as it required at least four supervisors to vote in its favor.
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