05-04-2020 Regular CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes May 4, 2020 Page 4 Mr. Portner explained guidance from the League of Minnesota Cities and other city managers has been that the Stay at Home Order prohibits everything except for what is exempt from the Order and the guidance so far is for groups to meet virtually if possible. Mr. Portner asked for which Councilmembers are in favor of returning to in -person meetings when possible. All Councilmembers indicated they are in favor. Mr. Portner indicated as of today, CDC guidance is for gatherings of no more than 10 people at a time. He explained with Council, staff, and the city attorney it does not leave much room for the public. He stated staff will put together a plan using the current CDC guidelines and best precautions. Councilmember Christianson indicated it is very important to give the public access to the meetings and a chance to engage the Council. He noted only one person can speak at a time anyway. He does not believe citizens sending the city administrator comments in an email is sufficient engagement. Mr. Portner indicated he is comfortable resuming in -person meetings if CDC protocol can be followed. Councilmember Christianson asked Mr. Beck if he had a chance to review the Governor's Executive Order and if government meetings fall under public gatherings. Mr. Beck explained municipal government is a creature of the state and we are defaulted to being prohibited from anything other than what we have specific statutory authority to do. In this situation, Mr. Beck indicated he would agree with Mr. Portner's conclusion that the Governor's Order does not exempt City Council meetings. Mayor Dietz questioned if this could be left open ended for May 18 until Governor decides on the Stay at Home Order. If the Order ends, the meeting could be at City Hall and if not, it would be held virtually. Attorney Beck indicated the meetings must be noticed three days ahead of time but assuming we have clear direction from the Council, the meeting could be noticed appropriately once the Governor decides. Mayor Dietz asked the Council if they prefer to move towards resuming in -person meeting at city hall for the May 18 meeting or if they prefer waiting to see what the Governor's direction is. Councilmembers Christianson and Wagner indicated they would like to resume in - person meetings on May 18. Councilmember Westgaard indicated he would also like to resume in -person meeting on May 18 but he wants to be sure the city is following the CDC guidelines and he is ok with having one more virtual meeting and waiting on the Governor's Orders. Councilmember Ovall indicated he would love to resume in -person meetings, but he has a chronic cough which be believes is allergies but since he doesn't qualify to get a COVID test he would be more comfortable participating virtually. P 0 V I R E I IY NATURE