Last night at a special called meeting of mayor and council, the City of Norcross voted to amend the previously adopted Code of Ordinance with a new chapter entitled “EMERGENCY ORDINANCES”. This comes after a resolution was adopted on March 17 declaring a local state of emergency. Some highlights of the revisions include:
LOCAL BUSINESSES TO CLOSE EXCEPT FOR “OFF PREMISES FOOD SERVICE”:
All bars, eating establishments, restaurants, brewpubs, growler shops, gyms and fitness centers, movie theatres, live performance venues, event centers, pool or billiard halls, assembly halls, bowling alleys, arcades, massage parlors and private social clubs (with respect to food services and other indoor gatherings at such social clubs) located within the City Limits of the City of Norcross are hereby ordered closed for the duration of the State of Local Emergency. Establishments in the business of selling food for consumption may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery service, drive-through and take out service.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE ESTABLISHMENTS REMAIN OPEN:
Homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food assistance programs and churches may continue to operate and provide shelter and food to those in need as each such organization deems reasonable and appropriate in their own sole discretion. These organizations are encouraged to comply with the guidelines issued by the CDC.
PERMITTED BUSINESSES MAY SELL ALCOHOL FOR TAKEOUT CONSUMPTION:
All eating establishments, restaurants, brewpubs, growler shops and bars licensed by the City of Norcross to sell beer and wine, hold a pouring permit from the city or that are otherwise licensed to operate as a retail consumption dealer for the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption shall be authorized to sell sealed containers of beer, wine or liquor for takeout consumption for the duration of the state of local emergency.
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN DDD REPEALED:
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited for the duration of the Emergency Ordinance. Allowances for special events and the Downtown Dining District are repealed for the duration of the state of local emergency.
ADDITIONAL CITY FACILITIES TO CLOSE:
All city-owned athletic facilities, outdoor gym equipment, exercise stations, playgrounds, public grills and other city-owned or operated “high touch” equipment, areas or facilities are hereby closed. Outdoor activity in city parks such as walking, hiking, biking and running may continue so long as individuals comply with the social distancing requirements and other guidelines issued by the CDC. The city may place placards, blockade and/or bar access to these “high touch” areas. This includes but is not limited to the closure of Discovery Garden Park.
DEADLINE EXTENSIONS:
- The deadline for renewals of all business and alcohol licenses is extended until June 30, 2020.
- The deadline for the payment of occupational taxes, alcohol license fees, alcohol excise taxes and all other taxes, licenses or fees owed to the city is extended until June 30, 2020. Interest and penalties for late payment of such taxes, licenses and fees shall not begin to accrue until June 30, 2020.
- Alcohol excise taxes that accrue and are unpaid from the effective date of this Emergency Order through June 30, 2020 shall be due and payable to the city in six equal installments in the months of July through December 2020. All alcohol excise taxes accruing after June 30, 2020 shall become due and payable in the normal course after July 1, 2020.
NORCROSS POWER TO REFRAIN FROM TERMINATING SERVICES THROUGH APRIL 15:
Norcross Power is hereby directed to refrain from taking any actions which would result in the termination of electrical service to any Norcross Power customer due to non-payment until April 15, 2020. Norcross Power customers shall remain responsible for the payment of the principal amount of their electrical bill. Late payment fees and interest for late payment of electrical bills are waived for the duration of this local state of emergency.
To read the full resolution passed by Norcross Mayor and Council, please see attached.
“As a city, we are working together to minimize the impact of the coronavirus on our community,” stated Mayor Craig Newton about the city’s response to the pandemic. “Our number one priority is and always will be the safety and wellbeing of our citizens, businesses and employees. We’re going to continue to follow the guidelines and precedents established by the CDC and government agencies to ensure that this priority is met.”
For the most up to date information on the city’s response to COVID-19, visit NORCROSSGA.NET/COVID19.
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