Mere hours before the rains and winds of Hurricane Gustav today, Mayor Candace Watkins and her City Council gathered for an emergency meeting affirming their cohesiveness in measures set protect the residents of Covington by implementation of an emergency ordinance.

After focusing on specific decisions and official business, Watkins warned council members to evacuate the city until life threatening conditions relax.

"No one is encouraged to stay," Watkins told the council, all of who were present at the emergency meeting. A state of emergency issued by Watkins Thursdy instigated the passage of today'€™s emergency ordinance meeting requiring a vote by the council. And issues addressing safety measures for Gustav are similar to the emergency ordinance agreed upon after Hurricane Katrina.

The specially formed ordinance written by city attorney Debra Foshee included:

Agenda items advertised for discussion during the suspended Sept. 2 regular council meeting, will be heard Sept. 16.

As Covington is officially deemed a National Tree City, one amendment temporarily suspends permit requirements for tree cutting and allows tree removal only for those trees declared damaged or debris necessary for removal.

Council members learned Cycle Construction is again staged and ready to precede operations. The company is the same contracted after Hurricane Katrina to clean up debris.

The emergency ordinance included a provision that future payments of utility fees and penalties are waived for 60 days for water, sewer and garbage bills, including late fees.

Other emergency measures unanimously agreed upon include temporary suspension of provisions prohibiting group housing in all zoning classifications.

Permits regarding rebuilding of damaged property caused by Hurricane Gustav are temporarily suspended. Repairs beyond those caused by hurricane damage are not permitted. Contractors ignoring this emergency law will be fined $5,000 and banned from working in Covington.

No certificate of Appropriateness will be required to return property in the Historic District to the same condition pre-storm. 

Revenues may be raised through the levy of taxes to pay for expenses associated with Hurricane Gustav restoration. The provision of this ordinance relates primarily to water and sewage, Watkins said.

Watkins was stationed at the Emergency Operations Center on Boston Street throughout the storm.