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WHEREAS, it is therefore necessary to continue the Local Declaration through the substantial re- adoption of the provisions of Ordinance 2020 -21 by this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance also makes minor modifications to the text of Ordinance 2020 -21 to reflect current practices regarding public hearings that have been developed during the course of the emergency; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia: 1. That it finds that COVID-19 continues to constitute a real and substantial threat to Public health and safety and continues to constitute a "disaster" as defined by Virginia Code Section 44- 146.16, being a "communicable disease of public health threat ". 2. That it finds that the Governor has declared a state of emergency and that the catastrophic nature, of the declared emergency makes it impracticable or unsafe to assemble a quorum of City Council in a single location. 3. That the term of the Local Declaration (as defined above), as modified by this Ordinance, shall extend indefinitely, until modified or cancelled by City Council or the Director of Emergency Management, either of whom may act. 4. That, notwithstanding Section 3 above, City Council shall review the status of the Local Declaration (if not sooner terminated) within 90 days of the date of adoption of this Ordinance (and every 90 days thereafter) and take formal action to modify, continue or cancel the Local Declaration. 5. That City Council hereby confirms to the general public that, when in the judgment of either City Council or the Director of . Emergency Management all needed emergency actions have been taken, appropriate action to cancel the Local Declaration will be taken as soon as practicable. 6. That it finds that during the term of the Local Declaration the infectious nature of COVID -19 makes it unsafe to assemble a quorum of City Council or other public boards or commissions in a single location, or to assemble members of the public in a single location, making it difficult or impossible for this Council and the city's boards and commissions to conduct meetings in accordance with normal practices and procedures. 7. That, in accordance with Section 15.2 -1413 of the Code of Virginia, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, the following emergency procedures are adopted to ensure continuity of government while the Local Declaration remains in effect: a. The emergency procedures authorized by this Section 7 are made applicable to and may be utilized by City Council, the School Board for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, the Portsmouth Community Services Board, the Board of Zoning