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City Council Minutes <br />May 4, 2020 <br />Page 6 <br />would want to discuss this issue with an attorney familiar with criminal law because <br />of all the variables during this unprecedented time. <br />Attorney Beck stated he will work on obtaining additional guidance but generally <br />speaking, the Council has the authority to enforce the rules, protocol, and decorum <br />they set and he believes failing to wear a mask would fall in the same category as <br />someone disrupting the meeting. He noted if the Council wants to wait until June 1 <br />to resume in -person meetings it would give more time to seek additional guidance. <br />Councilmember Christianson questioned if making masks mandatory would clear <br />this issue up. Attorney Beck explained his initial response would be yes because it <br />would be a Council rule and enforceable in the same manner as other rules; however, <br />the more the guidelines evolve and the more guidance we can get will help the chief <br />and his officers with enforcement. <br />Councilmember Ovall questioned if a speaker could be installed outdoors so people <br />waiting to attend a meeting could listen to the meeting. Mr. Portner stated he will <br />look into options. <br />Councilmember Wagner reiterated she is anxious to return to in -person meetings but <br />after hearing from Chief Nierenhausen, she does not want to get into a situation <br />where someone refuses a mask and must be removed from the meeting. <br />Mayor Dietz agreed it could get ugly and would like to wait a few more weeks and <br />see what happens with the Governor's Order and the guidelines. <br />Councilmember Christianson indicated he believes the Council is getting to wrapped <br />up in the what -ifs for May 18 and thinks it would be a good time to see how an in - <br />person meeting would go and change anything that does not work. <br />Councilmember Westgaard would like to revisit this issue on May 18 to see if <br />anything from the Governor's Orders or CDC guidelines have changed. <br />Consensus of the Council was to continue with virtual meetings for May 18 with the <br />goal of resuming live, public meetings on June 1. <br />Councilmember Wagner suggested city step up our social media communications for <br />how the public can engage the Council for virtual meetings. She would like to see <br />more posts, maybe every three days. Mr. Portner indicated it can be done. <br />Attorney Beck indicated he will work with Mr. Portner and Chief Nierenhausen on <br />guidelines for live meetings outlining expectations of the meetings as clearly as <br />possible and possibly bring back for Council review on May 18. <br />Playgrounds <br />Mayor Dietz indicated he received several calls about the Police Department telling <br />PIViENEI 11 <br />64ATUR <br />