City Council - 03/17/2020 - Workshop
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 CITY CENTER
5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Brad Aho, Kathy Nelson, Mark
Freiberg, and PG Narayanan
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Greg Weber, Fire Chief Scott Gerber,
Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose,
Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Katie
O’Connor
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30)
I. CORONAVIRUS
Mayor Case stated the topic changed for the evening. The SouthWest Transit discussion will
be rescheduled. Council will vote on an extension to the declaration of the state of emergency
at the regular Council meeting. Case discussed meeting logistics and stated an announcement
will be made noting the City is abiding by social distancing and restricting large meetings.
Gerber provided a brief overview of emergency management. It includes mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery. The important aspects of emergency management are
the people, systems, process, and relationships. Many staff have had opportunities to learn
hands on experience from other emergency management scenarios throughout the country.
Many lessons can be applied to the City’s emergency management practices.
Gerber provided a COVID-19 update noting there have been 2,336 tests and 60 positive
cases. The Governor declared three separate executive orders: a peacetime emergency,
closing of schools, and closing of bars, restaurants, and gathering spaces. The City is utilizing
the emergency operations center (EOC) daily to meet and discuss current actions to be taken.
The setup is conducive to social distancing. Briefings include the current topic, other
important situational awareness, and internal and external communications. The formal
Emergency Operations Plan covers all different type of hazards. Additionally, a draft of the
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) was created in 2009, and it is being updated with
more current plans dealing with a pandemic.
Gerber stated there have been discussions about internal operations from the perspective of
each department and human resources. Police updates have included a decrease in calls in
comparison to this season from previous years. Case inquired what contributes to a decrease
in calls. Weber stated less theft and crimes in the City. Over time with people staying home,
there may be an increase in domestic calls.
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March 17, 2020
Page 2
Aho inquired how they handle COVID-19 medical calls. Weber stated they are working
closely with fire and Hennepin County emergency medical services (EMS). Case inquired if
dispatchers have been fielding that information. Weber replied dispatch began asking specific
questions to identify cases with potential risk of exposure. Gerber added staff has personal
protective equipment (PPE), and the protocol has been changed to only send one firefighter
into a home versus three.
Weber stated in recent years the department has made a significant investment in providing
officers Crisis Intervention Techniques (CIT) training. Officers have been trained to
deescalate a situation rather than using force. Those skills are transferable to different crisis
situations. In addition, there is high-visibility of officers at grocery and liquor stores. Many
conferences and trainings have been cancelled, creating more staffing flexibility. Fingerprint
services and car seat inspections have been temporarily suspended, and they are encouraging
residents to file police reports over the phone rather than in person.
Gerber stated hand sanitizing stations have been added in the City Center. Case noted the
City Center will be closing to the public starting tomorrow morning. Getschow added many
other neighboring cities have also closed their facilities. Cased noted there will be signs at the
front door directing residents for customer service inquiries.
Freiberg stated there needs to be consideration for closing or limiting hours of the liquor
stores. The number of people could be limited in the store. Getschow replied staff have been
asked to wear gloves. Similar to Target and Total Wine, liquor stores remain open. There
have been considerations for closing one store and adjusting operating hours. Narayanan
added it would be good to keep them open but to consider hours for high risk customers and
signage. Case stated he agrees measures should be in place to protect employees while
working. Aho added considering less front facing tasks for higher risk employees.
Gerber stated the supply chain is disrupted for cleaning supplies and personal protective
equipment (PPE). City and Hennepin County staff continue to look for supplies as it is likely
resources will deplete quickly. Narayanan inquired if the City Center is stocked with toilet
paper. Rose replied toilet paper supply is not an issue at City facilities.
Gerber stated communication has gone out to apartment complexes, senior living, schools,
and businesses to maintain community connectedness. Senior living facilities have discussed
care on site and meeting emergency responders at the door. Case noted he would like to
know more about the communications with the school district. There have been some
frustrations from residents around school communication and logistics of school lunches.
Gerber replied earlier this year he connected with school district staff and established
emergency management procedures. He does not have all the details on school lunches and
delivery. Aho added he has similar questions and would like to provide accurate details to
residents. Gerber stated the school notified parents of childcare options for first responders
and healthcare workers. Workers have been showing their badge as proof. Narayanan added
the school discussed the option of using school bus drivers to deliver meals to bus stops.
Gerber stated staff connected with SouthWest Transit about needs they may have. Aho
stating the most populated pick up this morning was 10 riders. There have been discussions
on whether to continue, decrease, or suspend services. Some workers depend on transit to get
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March 17, 2020
Page 3
to their job. Consolidated services may not allow for social distancing. SouthWest Transit
will work with the union to determine staffing issues, paid leave, and personal time off.
Gerber stated the Emergency Declaration will need to be extended by the Council. Neuville
stated State Statute provides flexibility to enter into contracts and agreements related to
response and approve at a later date. There are not many examples to follow on these
guidelines. Freiberg inquired about a scenario where there is disagreement between the
Mayor and City Manager. Getschow noted the City Manager is not a voting member of
Council and could not proceed without the agreement of the Mayor. Neuville noted an
emergency City Council meeting via phone could also be scheduled with as much notice as
practical. Aho added it would be helpful to inform the Council before communication goes
out from the City. He inquired if the emergency declaration helps to receive aid. Gerber
responded yes, it is an important reason. With proper documentation there could be
reimbursements for extra cost associated to the emergency.
Narayanan inquired about restaurants not closing. Neuville stated the City could enforce
what has been declared by the state, and they could charge with a misdemeanor.
Case asked about logistics of future Council meetings, specifically receiving public input via
email. Neuville stated statute is not clear on guidelines for public input, but the City is
obligated to provide as much notice and opportunity as possible to the public.
Gerber noted a project code has already been established for emergency related expenses.
Costs above and beyond and overtime are more likely to be reimbursed.
Aho inquired about ability for staff to work from home. Getschow stated many staff are
working from home, and the City has the capacity for all of the City services to be delivered.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT