4.1 DRAFT MINUTES (1 SET) 06-01-2020

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes May 4, 2020 Page 3 Moved by Councilmember Westgaard and seconded by Councilmember Ovall to approve $280,606 in professional services from SRF Consulting, Inc. associated with professional services for the US 10 Study. Motion carried 5-0. 8.2 Discuss Work Session Items Mr. Portner presented the staff report. He noted some of the dates will need to be updated once we resume normal business. 8.3 Open Playgrounds and Live Council Minutes Mayor Dietz asked the Council if they are interested in returning to live meetings if the Stay at Home Order ends May 18. Councilmember Christianson explained he is in favor of opening meetings to the public and he does not see how the Governor's Executive Order prohibits the city from having live, public meetings. He added he is fine with allowing modifications for those not comfortable attending meetings in -person. Councilmember Wagner indicated she is also in favor of resuming live meetings as she feels the Council is losing out on the public input portion and is more productive as a group in -person. She noted she is also in favor of making adaptations for those who want to remain distanced. Mayor Dietz indicated he would like police officers at the meeting to regulate how many people are in the meeting room at a time. He asked if the Upper Town Conference Room would be available for overflow. Mr. Portner stated he is not sure on the timeline of completion of the remodel of the Upper Town Conference Room. Mayor Dietz stated depending on how many people show up for the public hearings they could still follow social distancing guidelines. Councilmember Christianson suggested having an officer stationed near the door and people could go in one at a time, speak, then exit so the next person could go in. Councilmember Westgaard agreed it is easier to conduct conversations and receive input during in -person meetings but at the same time, the Council's first obligation needs to be the safety of the public and to follow state and federal guidelines. He stated if we can still do that and ensure people adhere to social distancing guidelines, he would prefer to go back to in -person meetings. Mayor Dietz questioned if the Council wishes to wait to see if Governor Walz lifts the Stay at Home Order on May 18. Councilmember Christianson indicated he would like the May 18 meeting to be in -person. He added he does not see anything in the Governor's Stay at Home Order that prohibits live, in -person meetings. He noted Big Lake is still having in -person meetings, but they limit the amount of people in the meeting.