Temporary Directives and Guidance Regarding Outdoor Dining, Curbside Pick-Up and Drive Thru Facilities

Executive Order 08-2020

AN EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY OF FORT WRIGHT, KENTUCKY, ISSUING TEMPORARY DIRECTIVES AND GUIDANCE REGARDING OUTDOOR DINING, CURBSIDE PICK-UP AND DRIVE THRU FACILITIES, DURING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC.

WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, on March 13, 2020 President of the United States Donald J. Trump declared a National Emergency, on March 13, 2020 Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann declared a state of emergency in Kenton County, Kentucky, and on March 18, 2020 the Fort Wright City Council unanimously indicated that the Novel Coronavirus, aka COVID-19, presented a severe and complex threat to the public health, safety and welfare of our citizenry and declared that extraordinary emergency measures are warranted; and

WHEREAS, since then many businesses have been shuttered and stringent advisories on essential businesses have been issued to persuade people to isolate and follow social distancing practices, and to useany and all other precautions to avoid serious personal risks in order to "Flatten the Curve" and prevent overwhelming our ability to adequately care for and treat those who may become infected by the virus; and

WHEREAS, the time has now come for measures to be taken to re-open the economy before any further irreparable harm occurs affecting those who live, work, and own businesses in our community as a result of the economic engines of our society ceasing to exist; and

WHEREAS, the City of Fort Wright wishes to encourage businesses to safely, and responsibly, begin operations; and

WHEREAS, the City of Fort Wright wishes to provide for the temporary establishment of outdoor dining, curbside pick-up, and drive thru options to restaurants that currently are located within commercial zones that do not provide for such an experience or for restaurants that currently do not have any such type of seating and/or services.

WHEREAS David Hatter, the Mayor of the City of Fort Wright, KY hastheauthority of KRS Chapter 39A and 398 of the Kentucky revised statutes and the additional authority granted by Executive Order 04-2020.

NOW, I AS MAYOR, AM HEREBY EXERCISING MY AUTHORITY AS FOLLOWS:

The City of Fort Wright will temporarily allow all existing restaurants in all zones to establish outdoor dining options in addition to offering carryout, curbside pick-up, and other drive thru services whenever feasible; and

All restaurants are called upon to continue to operate in the safest manner possible and in accordance with all rules and regulations governed by the Northern Kentucky Heath Department; and

All restaurants are encouraged to maintain clear and unobstructed ingress and egress paths for all workers, as well as, for the public; and

All restaurants are encouraged to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA); and

Theerection of temporarystructures, canopies, and/ortentsfor protection of outdoor diners and services from inclement weather will be allowed in accordance with all building and fire code, rules and regulations. Permits will be required and issued by our Building Inspector in collaboration with the Fort Wright Fire Chief; and

The outside amplification of sound is not prohibited but rather subject to any and all public nuisance ordinances, with leniency encouraged, and oversight provided by the Fort Wright Police Department; and

Adequate Fire Lanes and access to all Fire Hydrants must be provided and determined sufficient by the Fort Wright Fire/EMS Department; and

All outdoor dining seating areas must be clearly designated for pedestrian use and signed and barricaded to vehicular traffic in order to reduce the risk of injury and accident; and

All restaurants that are currently licensed to sell Alcoholic Beverages in the City of Fort Wright may extend those sales to outdoor diners without further restriction or licensing from the City of Fort Wright but are hereby advised be compliant with all rules and regulations currently imposed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Temporary outdoor dining shall not be limited to any specific day of the week, or specific times.

This executive order shall remain in effect, and governed by the full force of the law, until modified and/or repealed, and is hereby enacted this 16th day of May, 2020.

To view the original signed Executive Order, please click here.