City Passes Price Gouging Ordinance (3-23-20)

City Passes Price Gouging Ordinance (3-23-20)

The news of the positive coronavirus case at the prison quickly hitting st.

Joseph city leaders.

Only six members at tonight's regularly scheduled session tonight, but it was an empty chamber at city hall other than essential personnel due to the restrictions on social gatherings..

Mayor bill mcmurray responding on the confirmed coronavirus case at the local prison.

(sot )"as the first case being reported as told us, we're not going to escape it.

But, lets at least push it down in its severity and lets do what we can to pull back the frequency of it so that we can all get over this and get on with our lives."

Those council members at the meeting tonight passed an emergency ordinance against price gouging targeting those trying to profit off of the coronavirus.

As the new law is written violators could face fines imposed by the city.

(sot )"we don't want price gouging, this is not the time to be doing that to people when we're in the midst of an emergency.

No time is the time to do it, but especially right now in an emergency.

So, that's why it's an emergency ordinance, we went to pass it tonight and we did."

The new price gouging ordinance takes effect immediately.

Also, the city has a call center set up to help answer any questions surrounding the coronavirus or the shelter-in-place... calls are answered monday through friday... from 8 a-m to 9 p-m.

And saturday and sunday from 10 a-m to 7 p-m.

The number -- 271-4613.