The Nevada City City Council is taking measures to help residents feel more comfortable being in town during the COVID pandemic. Wednesday evening the council approved a resolution establishing a COVID safe marketing effort for businesses, and urgency ordinances that set enforcement parameters for people choosing not to wear makes or follow state health mandates. During discussion of the agenda items, newest council member Greg Petersen, clarified Public Health and Safety should be top priority. The ordinances give the city some teeth in regards to handling people violating COVID protocols.

Police Chief Chad Ellis is concerned about the constitutionality of such ordinances.

Council approved the emergency ordinances, which go into effect immediately, that establish fines for people who have multiple COVID health and safety violations.
Council also approved the decision to allow the city manager to revoke encroachment permits for restaurants that continue to violate dine in and outdoor dining restrictions. The city will also be removing any city owned tables placed on Commercial Street to help support outdoor dining.
Throughout the meeting, members of the public not happy with the council taking action attempted to disrupt the meeting by gathering and making noise outside the homes of several council members and city hall. The noise making it difficult at times for council members and staff to communicate via Zoom.