Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2020-03-26 s CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING — MINUTES V MARCH 26, 2020 aREGO ;\ 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Studebaker called the special City Council meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. on March 26, 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; Megan Phelan, Assistant City Manager; Ivan Anderholm, Parks and Recreation Director; Dale Jorgenson, Police Chief; Katy Kerklaan, Citizen Information Specialist 3. COUNCIL BUSINESS 3.1 Council Briefing on Community and City Issues During the City's Declared State of Emergency Ms. Bennett provided an update on COVID-19 situation and statistics in the state of Oregon, focusing on the metropolitan area. She shared incident update information from Clackamas County specifically, and announced news of a bill that focused on providing financial assistance to individuals and businesses which had passed the Senate. Ms. Bennett announced that since the City Council's last meeting, all public facilities had been closed to walk-in traffic and she had appointed Megan Phelan as the Incident Commander to an Emergency Operations Center(EOC) she had put in place. Ms. Phelan said the EOC had been created the previous Saturday in anticipation of Governor Brown's Executive Order and members had met daily. The primary objectives of the EOC were to protect public health and safety, protect employee safety, and to act responsibly, reasonably, and predictably. The City's focus was on maintaining operations and adjusting to comply when the Order was received on Monday. In addition to facilities closures, many City parks had been closed, several services had been moved online and to the telephone, in-person meetings had shifted to telephone and video conferencing platforms, managers had assisted employees with remote work agreements, and Staff had established social distancing practices at all facilities. A Citizen Support Center for the community with phone and email access had been established by City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 March 26, 2020 Library Staff. Additionally, a public outreach and communication plan and a business outreach plan were created. Under consideration was the use of City volunteers and CERT members. Mayor Studebaker asked if there had been news from Hunger Fighters; Ms. Phelan would arrange for a report from the group at the City Council's Monday meeting. Mr. Anderholm gave a status report on parks closures. Parks, parking lots, restrooms, drinking fountains, athletic fields, sports courts, playgrounds, ball fields, and community gardens had all been closed. The locations were identified as those where the community continued to gather in a way that did not comply with social distancing requirements. Regarding community garden closures that may cause problems of food insecurity for some users, Staff was working on a plan in conjunction with its Community Supported Agriculture program to provide solutions. Some continued to drive to closed parks; Staff and Community Service Officers were monitoring activity. Signage encouraging walking rather than driving to parks would be posted. In response to Mayor Studebaker's question about the rationale for the Community Garden closure, Mr. Anderholm said it was an area that naturally allowed for people to congregate in large groups. This was not allowed per the Governor's Order; the same rationale was used in the decision to close the Municipal Golf Course. Both locations had large parking lots, which was another spot people tended to gather. Staff seeks to send a consistent message with its closures. Ms. Bennett reiterated her priority to make sure operations were adjusted to keep first responders, Water Treatment Plant operators, and Public Works employees safe, healthy, and able to report for duty. Chief Jorgenson spoke about the Governor's Order and the desire of law enforcement statewide to respond to it with one consistent message. The Police Department's approach to violations of the Order is first to educate, then warn, and as a last resort cite those who don't act in compliance. The Department generally sees wide compliance in the community. He emphasized that the community was free to travel as needed and would not be stopped by officers. Documentation by an employer authorizing an employee to travel to work was unnecessary. Ms. Kerklaan gave an overview of the Coronavirus Strategic Communications Plan, created by a cross-department communications team. Updated on a continuous basis, its purpose was to outline the City's strategy and approach to communications related to the Coronavirus global crisis. She gave an overview of the Plan's objectives and goals, key stakeholder groups, and internal and external communication channels. The five-person team met daily, often in conjunction with other City departments or teams. She outlined actions taken to date and encouraged City Councilors to follow and re-share City posts on its social media platforms. The Citizen Information Center had been expanded, Ms. Kerklaan announced. Additional staffing by Library personnel allowed for extended hours. The goal was to offer information about COVID- 19 and City services, and respond to the community's questions. Key talking points, resources, and updated information and materials were continually revised. Business support, outreach to at-risk and vulnerable populations, and the use of the Lake Oswego Review for advertising resources was also occurring. The Communications Team requested that members of the City Council assist with the Plan by creating messages and videos that would be shared on social media, posted on the City's website, and played on the Tualatin Valley Cable Television channel. Councilors brainstormed other topics City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 March 26, 2020 and mechanisms that could be used in providing leadership and support to the community during the pandemic. Councilors suggested topics to be considered in City communication. Construction projects throughout the City were not impacted by the Governor's Order and therefore proceeding. Hunger Fighters had seen a lot of activity and received community support, and Councilors requested making those resources known to those in need. Getting the messages out about the need for more food donations to the program was supported. Technology assistance for those accessing necessary resources was identified as a need, and the inventory of medical equipment for the Police and Fire Departments in their response in the time of crisis was discussed. Ms. Bennett sought Council input on the timing of upcoming recruitment for City Boards and Commissions, which was scheduled for April 1. Councilors decided to delay recruitment for the near term, but would revisit the subject in the coming weeks. She went on to discuss agenda items for the special meeting on March 30. Councilors requested information on support of local business and restaurants, encouraged the submission of Councilor-authored letters to the editor on issues related to the pandemic in the Lake Oswego Review, and asked for City assistance for those who need help with practical problems like tapping into worker's compensation and unemployment benefits. In response to Councilor Wendland's inquiry about status of the Adult Community Center's (ACC) programs, Mr. Anderholm announced that the Meals on Wheels program continued to operate. Additionally, two weeks' worth of 'stay on the shelf' meals had been delivered to program participants. Staff continued to answer questions and assist the community in connecting to resources. Those who normally come to the ACC for meals were now able to call for the meals and drive over to pick them up to-go style. Should the ACC need to close for any reason, the aforementioned services would be provided at the Municipal Golf Course location. 4. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Studebaker adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 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 26, 2020