Council declares state of emergency

For Immediate Release

March 25, 2020

Council declares state of emergency

Adopted ordinance sets meeting procedures

Simpsonville, S.C. — As a result of the coronavirus global pandemic, Simpsonville City Council declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and adopted an ordinance that sets procedures for Council meetings and authorizes the city administrator to take actions listed in the ordinance to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The ordinance permits Council meetings to be conducted electronically and disallows the public from attending meetings. Councilman Matthew Gooch said he regrets that the public will not be able to attend meetings and asked constituents to contact members of Council about what they would like addressed.

"Let us know what it is you want us to be working on, what is important to you," said Gooch, who represents Ward I. "We still want to have as open a government as possible. I look forward to the day that we can have you back in the room and we can do all this together again."

Council adopted the ordinance in response to an executive order issued by Gov. Henry McMaster that calls for the cancellation of all public gatherings where the number may exceed 100. While the executive ordinance does not officially apply to the City of Simpsonville, Council and Mayor Paul Shewmaker believe that the City should adhere to such guidance.

Councilwoman Jenn Hulehan said Council has an obligation to protect residents, businesses and City employees.

"(The directives) in this ordinance does that, accomplishes those goals, meets those objectives for us and allows us to do the work that we need to do to keep the City running," said Hulehan, who represents Ward III. 

The ordinance also authorizes City Administrator Dianna Gracely to provide the public access to meetings, cancel public events, revoke any previously issued public assembly permits, close public facilities to the public and determine operating hours of City facilities. Gracely has also been authorized to allow non-essential employees to work remotely and decide to discontinue non-essential services and what employees are not required to report for work. The ordinance provides that all employees who are not required to report for work shall receive full pay and benefits.

Gracely said first responders and Public Works staff are considered "essential" employees. Gracely added that while staff is able to maintain a safe distance from each other, staff will continue working at City Hall, which was closed to the public on Monday.

"We do have a contingency plan so that when we are not able to come (to City Hall), we will still be able to conduct the business of the City remotely, including Council meetings," said Gracely, who is the previous administrator for the cities of Lander and Travelers Rest. "We are going to try to continue to serve the public as much as we possibly can." 

Council adopted the ordinance in a vote of 5-0. Councilwoman Stephanie Kelley of Ward II was unable to attend the meeting, and while Councilman Ken Cummings of Ward V listened in on the meeting via telephone, he was unable to vote remotely since the ordinance had not been yet adopted.

Mayor Shewmaker encouraged residents to support local businesses by getting carryout orders at restaurants while practicing social distancing.

"I know we all want this to be over, but what we need to do is worry less about the unknown and the unknowable and think in terms of "What do I do today right now?" said Mayor Shewmaker, who has been mayor since January. "We all have to pull together while staying appropriately apart."

The ordinance adopted by Council took effect immediately at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and shall expire automatically as of the 61st day following the date of its enactment. The meeting, which was live streamed, can be viewed on the City of Simpsonville YouTube Channel.

For more information, contact Justin Lee Campbell, community relations specialist, at jcampbell@simpsonville.com.