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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2020-03-23 \P E a 0 <r CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 0 MARCH 23, 2020 OREGO� 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Studebaker called the special City Council meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. on March 23, 2020. The video conference-style meeting was held via Webex. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Studebaker and Councilors Nguyen, LaMotte, Wendland, Manz, Kohlhoff, and O'Neill Staff Present: Martha Bennett, City Manager; David Powell, City Attorney; Anne-Marie Simpson, City Recorder; Ivan Anderholm, Parks and Recreation Director 3. COUNCIL BUSINESS 3.1 Ratification of the City Manager's Declaration of a State of Emergency Resolution 20-09, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego Ratifying and Confirming a Declaration of State of Emergency Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic Ms. Bennett presented her March 22 Declaration of a State of Emergency (Declaration) in response to the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on how it would impact City operations. The Declaration allows the prioritization of the health and safety of critical service employees and allows the closure of City facilities to help protect the health of those employees. The Declaration also allows the City to take measures that are not otherwise allowed by code. It lets Staff make some changes to public access to City parks and close certain parks facilities. By code, the City Council is required to ratify the City Manager's Declaration within 36 hours, and the Council may be called upon to extend the duration an additional two weeks. In the event federal resources become available because of the crisis, the Declaration allows the City access to allocated funds. Councilor Wendland moved to adopt Resolution 20-09. Councilor Manz seconded the motion. Mayor Studebaker called for discussion on the motion. Councilor Kohlhoff expressed concern that the City's Declaration was not in keeping with Governor Brown's Executive Order where parks, and perhaps other matters, were concerned. Ms. Bennett clarified that City parks would City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 March 23, 2020 officially close later in the day as the Order required; the Declaration allows staff to do so administratively, without the Council having to take specific action. She further clarified that the Declaration complied with the Governor's order overall. Mr. Powell added that the Declaration gave the City Manager authority to perform actions outlined in the code, as well as take any"other measures as are imminently necessary for the protection of life or property." (LOC 12.20.830.7) Councilor Kohlhoff asked for certainty that the City's Declaration would be superseded by that of the Governor. Mr. Powell reiterated that approval of the Resolution would ratify the Declaration for a two week period, after which time the Council could extend it an additional two weeks. Ms. Bennett noted the Resolution allows actions not covered by the Governor's order. She recommended a discussion about the steps Staff would take to comply with the Order. Referring to paragraph 20 of the Order that closed pools, skate parks, outdoor sports courts, and playground equipment areas, she said that the City was closing all those facilities, as well as the Municipal Golf Course. With regard to paragraph 21, Ms. Bennett said the City had already complied but was also closing all park restrooms and parking lots (where possible). Mr. Anderholm added that closures included playgrounds, dog parks, the Luscher Farm Community Garden, all sport courts, all athletic fields that could be locked, parking lots, and the Water Sports Center. Addressing paragraph 14 of the Order, Ms. Bennett pointed out that the closure of government buildings did not apply to local governments. But because the Order encouraged local governments to follow the State's example, the City was planning to have as many Staff members as possible work from their homes. City facilities would be closed to the public, Staff would eliminate work-related travel, and meetings would be conducted by phone or virtually. Social distancing of six feet would be practiced at work sites and office configurations would be reviewed. A no-fault leave policy was being explored. Alternate staffing schedules, particularly at the Water Treatment Plant, were being implemented. Aggressive internal practices were being explored throughout the organization in order to keep individuals healthy and respond proactively to possible illnesses. Library Staff had implemented a call center for the community. Mayor Studebaker requested that Councilor Manz, in her capacity as Council President, preside over the remainder of the meeting due to his internet connectivity problems. A roll call vote was held and the motion passed, with Mayor Studebaker and Councilors Nguyen, LaMotte, Wendland, Manz, Kohlhoff, and O'Neill voting `aye.' (7-0) Councilor Kohlhoff moved to direct the City Manager to make sure that any orders she issued under this Declaration are consistent with statewide orders of the Governor. Councilor Wendland seconded the motion. A roll call vote was held and the motion passed, with Mayor Studebaker and Councilors Nguyen, LaMotte, Wendland, Manz, Kohlhoff, and O'Neill voting `aye.' (7-0) 3.2 Other Council Direction Regarding COVID-19 Response Ms. Bennett described an evolving communications plan that would assist Staff in disseminating information to the community about what the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order means. The plan includes possible video communication by Councilors. Additionally, Staff was exploring ways to assist small businesses complying with the Order, as well as others experiencing economic hardship during these times. More information would be available later in the week. City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 March 23, 2020 Councilors agreed that additional information and possibly Council meetings or conference calls would be helpful. Communication to date had been appreciated. Other suggestions for next steps included Councilors working with their constituent groups to gain and share information. Mayor Studebaker said he had been involved in conference calls with the Governor, and when helpful information was shared he would pass it along to Councilors. Ms. Bennett encouraged Councilors to participate in upcoming League of Oregon Cities hosted conference calls for elected and appointed officials. In the near term, City Council meetings would be conducted by video conference, and agendas would focus on the most urgent City business. 4. ADJOURNMENT Council President Manz adjourned the meeting at 12:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MAAiLC, LyC-/Yl i1 J Anne-Marie Simpson, City Recorder Approved by the City Council on March 30, 2020 Kent Studebaker, Mayor City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 March 23, 2020