Ketchum Mayor Issues Local Disaster Emergency Declaration, Proposes Emergency Powers Ordinance

KETCHUM, Idaho – On Wednesday, Mar. 18, Mayor Neil Bradshaw approved a disaster declaration, finding that a local disaster emergency exists in the City of Ketchum.  

The declaration will be in effect for 7 days unless extended by the City Council. A special meeting has been scheduled for Monday, Mar. 23, at 4 p.m. for City Council action. The meeting will be streamed live and can be viewed by visiting www.ketchumidaho.org/meetings.

This declaration identifies an imminent threat in the city and enables the ability to coordinate and access federal, state and county resources.

“By making a disaster emergency declaration, we are adding another tool into our disaster toolbox,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “This tool will allow us to access funding that would otherwise be unavailable to us.”

At the special City Council meeting, Mayor Bradshaw will be presenting an emergency ordinance establishing emergency powers for the Mayor and Council that include issuing orders for social distancing, isolation and quarantine. In addition to these orders, the Mayor and Council can take other actions in response to the spread of COVID-19.

Without the ordinance, the city has no authority to utilize those powers. All orders will require City Council approval.

“This ordinance is not meant to alarm the community,” said Bradshaw. “We are taking all necessary steps to be prepared for future decisions. The most important task at hand right now is to do whatever we can to protect our citizens.”

The Mayor will also be cancelling future Planning and Zoning Commission meetings until the end of April and limit City Council agenda items to matters that do not require a public hearing or public comment.  

For updates on city actions toward COVID-19, visit www.ketchumidaho.org/covid19.