In an emergency session on 5/15/2020, the Atwater City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 3148-20: "affirming the City's commitment to fundamental constitutional rights and declaring the City of Atwater a sanctuary city for all businesses."

The impact of this decision has been catastrophic confusion over the implication of the resolution. The result has been large, nonessential gatherings of people not following County Health Office recommendations to maintain social distance, wear masks, or regularly wash hands.

Businesses have been told by the Council that they may reopen in defiance of state and county orders, but without any specific guidelines from the Council about how to replace those orders to ensure the health of their employees and patrons.

In the absence of clear leadership from the Council, implementation of public health protections has varied wildly from business to business.

In order to prevent unnecessary loss of life or suffering, We, the concerned citizens of Atwater, call on the City Council to formally announce a stay of resolution until the following concerns have been addressed:

1.1 The City of Atwater develop guidelines for businesses to operate safely in concert with medical professionals.

1.2 These guidelines should align with the Local Health Order issued by Merced County's Public Health Department which recommend that operating businesses:

"a. All private gatherings of over 10 people are prohibited, except as otherwise
provided by State Orders including for places of worship; refer to the Merced
County Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Worship Services Safe
Distancing Rules. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of
a household or living unit.
b. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, individuals should maintain at least sixfoot distance from other individuals not from the same household, wash hands
with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or use
hand sanitizer, cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow), regularly
cleaning high-touch surfaces, and refrain from shaking hands.
c. In accordance with direction from the California Department of Public Health
and the Governor, all members of the public are required to wear face coverings
when in public or common spaces. Individuals should refer to the California
Department of Public Health’s requirement for the use of face coverings, viewable at the following link: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Lib
rary/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf for details
including all requirements and exceptions. Face coverings, when combined
with social distancing and handwashing, may prevent transmission of COVID19 by reducing respiratory droplet exposure.

d. All businesses and organizations in the County shall adhere to the California
Department of Public Health and Governor’s Orders for direction as to what businesses
may operate in the County and any applicable restrictions, this information can be
found at https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/ Businesses and organizations
should also reference the industry specific guidance provided by the State found at
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/"

2. The City of Atwater to appoint a Public Health Liaison with the following responsibilities:

2.1 To make regular contact with businesses safety officer to determine areas of need in compliance with the public health guidelines.

2.2 To regularly communicate with the people of Atwater the progress of Atwater businesses towards compliance with the public health guidelines.

3. To STRONGLY RECOMMEND that the people of Atwater continue to follow the guidelines recommended by the Merced County Public Health Department to:

Atwater is a small, close-knit community. We must act together to ensure the health of the most fragile members of our community.