8. Covid 19 Business Plan - Amended 10-07-2020
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
CITY OF SCANDIA COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Adopted by the City Council June 16, 2020
Amended by City Council on July 1, 2020
Amended by City Council on September 15, 2020
Amended by the City Council on October 7, 2020
Proposed Amendment Presented February 3, 2021 (See page 8)
The City of Scandia is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our
workers, visitors, citizens and customers. To ensure we have a safe and healthy workplace,
we have developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-
19 pandemic. Management and workers are all responsible for the implementation of this
plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplaces
and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our workers, visitors, citizens
and customers. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety
and health of all persons in our workplaces.
Management and workers are responsible for implementing and complying with all aspects
of this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Scandia’s City Council and its management have our
full support in enforcing the provisions of this policy and we encourage our workers to ask
questions, raise safety and health concerns and offer suggestions related to the plan and its
implementation. Employees are encouraged to reach out to their supervisor or the City
Administrator to offer any suggestions as to how this plan may be improved. Suggestions
from our staff have been included in this policy, and the City is committed to adapting this
plan to address concerns of its staff, visitors, and all others who interact with its employees
or of those who make use of its facilities.
Our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows State of Minnesota Industry Guidance for local
governments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards related to safety and
health precautions required in response to COVID-19 and applicable executive orders. The
plan addresses the following:
1. policies and procedures that assist in the identification of sick workers and ensure
sick workers stay home;
2. implementation of engineering and administrative controls for social distancing;
3. worker hygiene and source controls;
4. workplace cleaning and disinfecting protocols;
5. what customers and clients can do to minimize transmission;
6. communication and training of policy
7. additional protections and protocols for receiving and exchanging payment;
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
8. additional protections and protocols for managing occupancy and to limit face-to-
face interactions;
1. Policies and procedures that assist in the identification of sick workers
and ensure sick workers stay home
What is the City’s Current Sick Leave Policy?
The City’s current policy on sick leave follows the Federal Families First Coronavirus
Response Act or FFCRA (effective date through December 31, 2020) and applicable
sections of its Contagious Disease Policy that was adopted by the City Council on March 17,
2020. Sick leave eligibility is currently determined under FFCRA. Employees will receive
special leave pay in addition to their existing paid time off (PTO) banks under the following
conditions:
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay
where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant
to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider),
and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or,
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular
rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to
care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local
government order or advice of a health care provider), or to care for a child (under
18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for
reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially
similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor; and,
Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-
thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed
for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to
care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for
reasons related to COVID-19.
Which employees are eligible to receive leave?
All regular, part-time, and seasonal employees of the city are eligible for two weeks of paid
sick time for specified qualified reasons related to COVID-19. For employees that are not
fulltime, leave banks are calculated on a prorated basis based on each employee’s average
hours worked over a two week period. Employees employed for at least 30 days are eligible
for up to an additional 10 weeks of paid family leave to care for a child under certain
circumstances related to COVID-19. [1]
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
What qualifies employees for leave?
Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for paid sick time if the employee is unable to
work (or unable to telework) due to a need for leave because the employee:
1. is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to
COVID-19;
2. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;
3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
4. is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as
described in (2);
5. is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is
unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19; or
6. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and
Treasury.
How long will a leave period be?
Based the above qualifying reasons for a leave, durations are as follows:
For reasons (1)-(4) and (6): A full-time employee is eligible for 80 hours of leave, and a part-
time employee is eligible for the number of hours of leave that the employee works on
average over a two-week period.
For reason (5): A full-time employee is eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave (two weeks of
paid sick leave followed by up to 10 weeks of paid expanded family & medical leave) at 40
hours a week, and a part-time employee is eligible for leave for the number of hours that the
employee is normally scheduled to work over that period.
How will my pay be calculated under FFCRA or “Covid-19 Related Leave”? [2]
For leave reasons (1), (2), or (3): employees taking leave are entitled to pay at either their
regular rate or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, up to $511 per day and
$5,110 in the aggregate (over a 2-week period).
For leave reasons (4) or (6): employees taking leave are entitled to pay at 2/3 their regular
rate or 2/3 the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, up to $200 per day and
$2,000 in the aggregate (over a 2-week period).
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
For leave reason (5): employees taking leave are entitled to pay at 2/3 their regular rate or
2/3 the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, up to $200 per day and $12,000 in
the aggregate (over a 12-week period). [3]
What to do if you feel ill?
At the first sign of illness, you should leave work immediately to avoid exposing coworkers
and you should stay home until you are completely recovered, or the pandemic flu virus has
been ruled out.
What to do if you’ve been exposed to the virus or are experiencing symptoms at
work?
If you have been in contact with someone who is suspected of having the virus, you should
report this information to your supervisor and stay home until the pandemic virus has been
ruled out for the original contact person or for you or until you have recovered fully from
the flu.
When you can return to work?
You may be required to produce a physician’s note stating that you may safely return to
work, depending upon the availability of medical providers and the severity of the pandemic
outbreak.
What is my supervisor’s authority to send ill employees home?
As always, supervisors have the authority to require an ill employee to leave the workplace,
as a safety consideration for the health of other employees. While supervisors should not
make judgments about a medical diagnosis, they may rely on symptoms to make a
determination to send an employee home. Management may also take an employee’s tempt
(Coronavirus symptoms are respiratory in nature and may include fever, cough and
shortness of breath.)
What will happen if your sick leave is exhausted?
If your sick leave runs out or is insufficient, you will first be required to use PTO, accrued
compensatory time, and applicable disability insurance. If you do not have any paid leave
available through the City’s paid leave programs, you will be considered for a special
extended leave program which is only available during a pandemic. If approved for special
extended leave, an employee may accrue up to 40 hours of negative PTO. This policy only
applies to employees who are eligible for health insurance benefits.
What will happen with your health insurance?
If you are eventually forced to use unpaid leave due to a pandemic related illness or
complication thereof, the City will continue to pay its share of all insurance benefits for
health insurance premiums.
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
What will happen with regard to employee travel?
Work-related travel may be suspended temporarily during a pandemic.
How the city will communicate with employees?
E-mail, city-issued phone, and/or website postings will likely be our primary means of
contact, but please make sure your supervisor has up to date contact information for you
(e.g., cell phone number).
What preventative measure is the City requiring employees to observe?
Use of social distancing methods (maintain distance from those who are ill and
under extreme conditions, from all other people in the workplace). Masks will be
worn when social distancing of at least 6 feet cannot be observed.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Stay home when you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick
Discontinuing handshaking as a greeting
Implement extended hand-washing method (at least 20 seconds with soap and water)
after using the restroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or
sneezing
Use hand sanitizer (at least 60% ethanol) as needed or when soap and water are not
available
Use disinfectants to wipe down work surfaces at least twice per day or when a
possible contamination has occurred
Use cough and sneeze etiquette and dispose of tissues in trash cans
Does the City have a policy for informing workers if they have been exposed to a
person with COVID-19 at their workplace?
Yes, if the City becomes aware of a potential exposure, employees will be informed of a
potential exposure by management. If an employee is reported to have a potential exposure
they will be required to self-quarantine for a period as specified under Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) Guidance, which is dependent on testing availability and the amount of time
that has lapsed since the date of a positive COVID-19 diagnostic test. Guidance can be
found by viewing the following link:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html
2. Additional Requirements on Social distancing – maintaining six feet of
physical distancing
Social distancing of six feet will be implemented and maintained between workers in the
workplace through the following engineering and administrative protocols:
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Conducting Public Meetings – The City will host remote meetings of the City Council
and its commissions and committees online and by phone. Meeting participants can access
live stream and previously recorded meetings via the City’s Boxcast Channel that can be
accessed by visiting the following link: https://boxcast.tv/channel/heb1rus0rmpm1yorwlud
In person and phone participation is available upon request to the City’s Main Office by
email mail@ci.scandia.mn.us or by phone at 651-433-2274.
The City Council will continue to monitor the situation to determine the best time to resume
normal in person meeting protocols.
To provide written public comment, send an email to mail@ci.scandia.mn.us. These
comments will be included in the meeting.
In-Person Visits to City Hall
Out of abundance of caution to protect our small workforce, City Hall will be available by
appointment only. Visitors are required to wear masks before entering City Hall, and may be
required to have their temperature taken if they are exhibiting any symptoms of illness.
Those who enter any city facility, including the Community Center/City Hall will be required
to maintain social distancing.
All City services are available regardless of visiting City Hall. Customers may visit the City’s
website www.ci.scandia.mn.us or call our business office at 651-433-2274 during regular
business hours 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Residents or other interested participants may contact the city office prior to the meeting for
specific instructions for how to be included in the meeting remotely if you need to provide
public comment by this method instead. The office is currently available by phone M-F, 9
a.m. – 4 p.m. at (651) 433-2274. Customers may also may use the City’s drop box at the
Community Center or mail documents to 14727 209th Street N, Scandia, MN 55073. The
City has also made electronic payment available over its website, www.ci.scandia.mn.us.
Use of the Community Center
As of September 15, 2020, The City will allow reservation of the Large Hall of the
Community Center under the following conditions:
- Payment of an additional facility cleaning fee of $50 to cover additional facility
cleaning costs associated with the sanitation of facilities.
- Room occupancy is strictly limited to 50 people based on State of Minnesota
Guidance
- Social Distancing must be maintained at all times.
- Face coverings will be required at all times within the Community Center. Face
coverings may be temporarily removed to enable eating and/or drinking when
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
attendees are seated and apart from members of other households but must be put
back on when not eating or drinking.
- Use of tables are limited to 4 persons or 6 if part of one household (“household”
means a group of individuals who share the same living unit). Facility users
should setup the room prior to the start of the event to ensure social distancing.
- Events must provide for the controlled flow of participants, including at the start
and end of events.
- Facility users must have hand sanitizer available to guests.
- Bands are allowed but must maintain social distancing, even during performance.
All Music Activities and Performances should adhear to Covid-19 guidance from
the State of Minnesota
(www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/musicguide.pdf).
- Limit the number of speakers and make arrangements so that they maintain
distance from others. Whenever possible, provide individual microphones for
multiple speakers. If a microphone must be shared, consider cleaning between
speakers or leaving it untouched on a stand.
- Food and beverages at Community Center Events
- Food must be prepared and served in accordance with applicable rules and
regulations guiding the specific event. Licensed food establishments must follow
the Minnesota Food Code
(www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/rules/foodcode/index.ht
ml).
- Control lines at concession areas to ensure social distancing of at least 6 feet
between members of different households. This can be done with floor markings
or other indicators.
- Curbside concessions may be available for pickup upon entry to the venue or exit
from the premises to minimize crowding at concession stands.
- Use remote payment systems when possible.
- Self-service food and beverage areas are allowed as long as the Preparedness Plan
includes protections such as oversight of the self-service area to ensure that social
distancing is maintained, hands are being sanitized, and participants wear face
masks in the self-service area. The responsible party can be the venue
administrator or caterer.
- Best practice would be to serve prepackaged food as much as possible.
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
- Face coverings may be temporarily removed to enable eating and/or drinking
when attendees are seated and apart from members of other households but must
be put back on when not eating or drinking.
- Restrooms Occupancy is limited to 2 people in the main restrooms in the west end
of the building and occupancy for restrooms in the east end of the building is 1.
Guests waiting to use the restrooms must wait in mark areas where people may
need to line up to ensure social distancing.
Use of Recreational Facilities
Softball Fields and Tennis Courts - City maintained fields are open for small household
group use and organized team activities that are allowed under current executive orders. All
youth sports organizations using city fields must have a safety plan review by the city prior to
field use and must adhere to the youth sports guidelines developed by the Minnesota
Department of Health.
Playgrounds - Playgrounds are open. The playgrounds are not cleaned or sanitized, use at
your own risk. Social distancing guidelines must be followed. Keep at least six feet of space
between individuals not from your household. All playground users should wash their hands
or used hand sanitizer after touching play structures. Do not use playgrounds if you are
feeling sick.
Recreational Programming – The City is providing recreational programming under strict
adherence to state guidelines, this policy, and individual policies that have been
administratively adopted for each recreation program. All participants must be pre-register
with City Hall to participate. The City will provide full or partial refunds for individuals who
have registered for recreational programming that are cancelled due to changes in State
Emergency Orders.
The Leonard Wojtowicz Skating Park -
Ice Rink – Please help keep the rink open to all to enjoy by following all posted park
rules, including all rules related to Covid-19 prevention. This includes mask wearing
requirements. Failure to adhere to the posted rules may result in a user being ejected
from the facility or facility closures.
The Warming House - The warming will reopen to the public during rink hours of
operation. Restrooms and public areas will be cleaned and sanitized regularly by the
City’s rink attendants. Park users will be allowed to change in and out of their skates
inside the warming house, however facility users are required not exceed the 6
person occupancy limit or loiter within the building longer than the time needed to
change in and out of skates and/or use the restroom. Masks are required inside of
the building. As a reminder, if the rules are not followed by park users, the building
may be closed. Park users are encouraged to respect posted rules so that we can
keep the facility open for everyone to enjoy!
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Restrooms – The only publicly available restrooms will be available at the warming house
during rink operations. The city is continuing to supply satellite toilets at some locations in
the interest of public sanitation. These portable toilets are cleaned and maintained by the
provider, however they are not cleaned on a daily basis. Park users are asked to be prepared
before you leave home and time outings so that you are not dependent on portable
restrooms.
Hay Lake Park Shelter Reservations – The Hay Lake Park shelter is currently not available
for rent. Shelter rentals will resume once recommendations on large group gatherings change
to allow for groups of 100 or more. The shelter will remain available for small groups of 25
people or fewer. Users are encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines. Please note that
picnic tables in park shelters are not cleaned or sanitized.
Trails – Park trails remain open to the public but users are encouraged to follow proper
social distancing guidelines.
Building Department
Staff will not be performing building inspections on owner occupied homes with the
exception of emergencies. Please contact Building Official Chuck Preisler at 651-762-6300
for more information or to make special arrangements. All other inspections will continue as
usual.
Zoning and Planning Department
Staff will be available by email, phone, or electronic meeting to meet with customers to assist
with providing advice on planning applications. Appointments can be arranged by emailing
mail@ci.scandia.mn.us or calling 651-433-2274.
Fire /EMS
Emergency response will continue as usual. The Scandia Fire and Rescue Department is
closed to public access until further notice, unless by appointment or approval of special
events.
Public Works
All essential public services will continue as usual. Staff is working independently and
utilizing social distancing protocols when in proximity to one another. No members of the
public are allowed in the facility. Access to the facility is by appointment only.
Elections and Voter Registration
The City is encouraging voters to avoid going to the polling place this year by voting
absentee. Visit https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx
to apply online. Once your application has been submitted, a ballot will automatically be
mailed to you.
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Worksite Requirements
Employees must observe social distancing at all times within City facilities and in the field (as
much as it is practical and safe to do so.)
3. Worker hygiene and source controls
Employees are required to follow the following hygiene and source controls:
Use of social distancing methods (maintain distance from those who are ill and
under extreme conditions, from all other people in the workplace)
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Stay home when you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick
Discontinuing handshaking as a greeting
Implement extended hand-washing method (at least 20 seconds with soap and water)
after using the restroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or
sneezing
Use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) as needed or when soap and water are not
available
Use disinfectants to wipe down work surfaces at least twice per day or when a
possible contamination has occurred
Use cough and sneeze etiquette and dispose of tissues in trash cans
City workers may wear personal protective equipment PPE at their discretion. Employees
may wear their own face mask or obtain a face mask upon request to a supervisor.
4. Workplace cleaning and disinfection protocols
Regular housekeeping practices are implemented, including routine sanitizing of the
workplace and frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas. Workers have been instructed that
personal equipment and tools should not be shared and, if shared, should be disinfected
between users. The City is and will provide workplace cleaning and disinfection supplies to
help employees clean their workspaces regularly.
Appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfectant supplies have been purchased and are
available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets and manufacturer
specifications, and are being used with required personal protective equipment for the
product. Sanitary cleaners and wipes have been made available at both the Community
Center Campus and at the Fire Department/Public Works Campus.
5. What customers and visitors can do to minimize transmission of
COVID-19
Customers and visitors are asked to help protect the spread of the virus by:
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Wash your hands often
Get tested when sick
Maintain social distancing of a least 6 feet
Wear a mask
Stay home when able
6. Communication, Clarification and Training of COVID-19 Response
Policies
Copies of this policy will be distributed to all employees. Each department head is responsible for
training and explaining this policy to staff. The City Administrator is also available to answer any
questions related to this policy.
7. Additional protections and protocols for receiving and exchanging
payment
Payments may be made electronically at the City of Scandia’s website, www.ci.scandia.mn.us
or by mail or drop box submission and the Scandia City Hall, 14727 209th Street N, Scandia,
Minnesota 55073.
8. Additional protections and protocols for managing occupancy and limit
face-to-face interactions
Building entry may only be made by scheduling or arranging visits to the City Hall in
advance. Scheduling requests can be made to mail@ci.scandia.mn.us or by calling 651-433-
2274.
Staff meetings will be conducted remotely or will be conducted while maintaining cleaning
and social distancing protocols.
Footnote [1] Under the FFCRA Act, special rules apply for Health Care Providers and
Emergency Responders.
Footnote [2] Paid sick time provided under this Act does not carryover from one year to the
next. Employees are not entitled to reimbursement for unused leave upon termination,
resignation, retirement, or other separation from employment.
Footnote [3] An employee may elect to substitute any accrued vacation leave, personal leave, or
medical or sick leave for the first two weeks of partial paid leave under this section.
This policy will supersede previously adopted policy regarding contagious disease policies
adopted by the City of Scandia.
Approved by the City Council this 16th Day of June, 2020.
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City of Scandia
14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
_________________________________
Mayor Christine Maefsky
Attest:
_________________________________
City Administrator Ken Cammilleri