May 7, 2020 Special City Council Meeting Minutes

CONSIDER amending Ordinance No. 38, 5th Series, An Emergency Ordinance necessary for the immediate preservation of the Public Health

Mayor Droba noted that section one of Ordinance No. 38, 5th Series was still in place. Councilor Krause asked for discussion on section one, as it is currently more stringent than the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order No. 20-04. Councilor Ditsch noted that he would leave it as it is. Councilor Buller noted that he thinks our businesses are hurting and if they are willing to abide by the guidelines and monitor it, he would support taking our restrictions off.

Mayor Droba noted his concern is that the Governor opened more businesses to do “curb side”- further, asking how are we going to manage the businesses that may have up to five members of the public at one time in their place of business. Further, indicating he thinks this may be a little too soon- we still have bars that are unable to be open. He said our ordinance will expire when the Stay at Home order is over and the Governor allows restaurants to reopen. Mayor Droba noted that Chamber President Tricia Heibel was in attendance via Zoom, inviting her to comment on the conversation. Heibel asked the council who is asking them to “police” the issue, as she does not see that coming down from the State level. She further noted that this is the same as the boat ramps- no one is there asking where did they come from, etc., as people are recreating and moving around. Why would we impose that on businesses? Councilor Buller noted that he thinks the businesses need to self-monitor. Heibel, further noted that education and communication are very important during these unprecedented times- being sure to give resources to those that are available to be open so they understand what they need to do to be compliant. Mayor Droba asked Heibel -do you think there is a “risk” vs “reward” for the city to open up take out, so customers can physically go into the restaurant and pick up an order meal, over curb side? Heibel, indicated spending 20 minutes in an open retailer vs less than 10 minutes for a pick up transaction, shouldn’t increase the risk that much. Mayor Droba noted his original concern was the customer waiting inside vs staying in their cars and they can continue to do business curb side.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to rescind Ordinance No. 38, 5th Series, An Emergency Ordinance necessary for the immediate preservation of the Public Health. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller. Motion failed 2-2 with Councilors Krause and Buller voting “yea” and Mayor Droba and Councilor Ditsch voting “no”. Councilor Nelson was absent. The council will reconsider this matter at the May 18, 2020 meeting with a full council present.

APPROVED COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the Administration/Building Inspections departments

Administrator Anderson noted that each department has prepared a Preparedness Plan- the reason for having these is to exercise best management practices to try and mitigate the potential for becoming positive for a COVID-19 diagnosis and try to protect and minimize the exposure, while employees are performing their essential work functions and at the same time having a system in place to perform our work as efficiently as possible and maintain our productivity. Councilor Krause asked if the thermometers had arrived. Administrator Anderson indicated they had. Administrator Anderson further noted that in his cover memo he indicated that each plan will include an attachment “Health Screening Questionnaire for City Hall and Public Facilities Employees and Visitors” and request that it be a supplement to each department’s plan. Deputy Administrator Bergstrom had a question regarding the protocol when someone is sent home due to a fever. Administrator Anderson noted that best practice is positive fever is at least 100.4 degrees and if someone leaves the work place they need to isolate and consult with medical provider via phone. Mayor Droba asked if a medical release would be necessary to return to work. Administrator Anderson noted that if it was an employee, yes. Councilor Ditsch noted that state guideline indicates no fever for at least three days before returning to work.

MOTION by Councilor Ditsch to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for City of International Falls-Administration Office/Building Inspections departments as prepared along with the addition of the Health Screen Questionnaire for City Hall Employees and Visitors, as added by the City Administrator. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried 4-0.

APPROVED COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the Fire/Rescue/EMS department 

Mayor Droba asking about employees wearing masks when there is two people inside vehicles. Fire Chief Mannausau noted that due to vision and radio communications while driving an emergency vehicle his staff would not be wearing masks. He further noted that having the patient wear a mask is best practice and at the start of every shift his employees are screened to be sure they are healthy.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for City of International Falls-Fire/Rescue/EMS department as prepared along with the addition of the Health Screen Questionnaire for City Hall Employees and Visitors, as added by the City Administrator. Motion seconded by Councilor Ditsch and carried 4-0.

Preparedness Plan for the Library – Informational Only 

Mayor Droba noted that he would like to see the Sand Creek employee assistance information added to the Library documentation. No action was taken, as this plan was tabled to the May 18, 2020 council meeting from the May 4, 2020 council meeting.

APPROVED COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the Police department 

Mayor Droba expressed concerned about wearing masks when two officers are in a vehicle. Administrator Anderson noted that in conversation with Chief Mastin that his officers are doing their best to maintain social distancing in the workplace and that during shift change is the only time period when there are two officers in a vehicle. Further, noting that safety is a concern with wearing a mask during emergency situations.

MOTION by Councilor Krause to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for City of International Falls-Police department as prepared along with the addition of the Health Screen Questionnaire for City Hall Employees and Visitors, as added by the City Administrator. Motion seconded by Councilor Buller and carried 4-0.

APPROVED COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the Public Works department 

Mayor Droba outlined how we got to this meeting- lack of communication as a council getting to this point, as we didn’t have an option to see all the Preparedness Plans before Monday’s meeting- noting that better communication moving forward is needed. Director of Public Works noted that it was the same document that was distributed on Monday.

MOTION by Councilor Buller to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for City of International Falls-Public Works Department as prepared along with the addition of the Health Screen Questionnaire for City Hall Employees and Visitors, as added by the City Administrator. Motion seconded by Councilor Krause and carried 4-0.

ADJOURNMENT 

Mayor Droba stated that we are all doing the best we can for our community and decisions are getting harder. Our community as citizens, business owners, family members, neighbors, and city council- we are all torn on opening up our community and moving forward to make sure that people are safe. Further, Mayor Droba talked about how the council may have mixed votes, split votes in the future- that is an indication that the council is having open conversation to try to better our community and have a safe way of moving forward. Mayor Droba went on to say, this isn’t easy for us, this isn’t easy for our community, but we are prepared. We are in a tough time right now and it’s going to get tougher before it gets better. I just want to thank my fellow councilors, our community, and our citizens.

Mayor Droba adjourned the meeting at 6:10 P.M.