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11. Memo - Reopening to the PublicPage 1 of 3 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.c ityofscandia.com MEMORANDUM DATE: April 7, 2021 (Updated) TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator Mike Hinz, Fire Chief/EMS Director RE: Reopening to the Public and Holding In-person Meetings Background On March 12th, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 21-11, which imposed a state-wide easing of some of the social restrictions that have been previously in place. The changes went into effect as of yesterday and were announced due to decreased transmission rates and an increased availability for Coivid-19 vacines. The easing of social restrictions include the expansion of capacity limits on businesses, restaurants, and social gatherings. The state also elimated requirements to work from home, but still highly recommends it is continued. What does this mean for the City? The City can now update its Covid-19 Preparedness Plan to accomidate these new eased restrictions. Here are highlighted changes: For Park reservations: Outdoor social gatherings up to a maximum of 50 people are permitted as long as participants adhere to at least 6 feet of separation between households. General Community Center Use: The Community Center, including for lawful gambling, is now classified as a place of public accomidation under the covid 19 gudance. it is limited to no more than 75% of established capacity up to 250 people. The large hall occupant capacity with tables and chairs will now be limited 172 persons by the state. (Origional room capacity with tables and chairs is 230.) No more than 6 people seated to a table physical distancing of at least six feet is maintained. For Community Center reservations for Weddings and funeral services: The state is strongly encouraging virtual services, but in person activities can resume with in venue requirements and social distancing measures previously mentioned. Page 2 of 3 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.c ityofscandia.com City related meetings: Remote meetings are strongly encouraged whenever possible as permitted by state or local authority, but the state no longer is mandating restrictions beyond mask wearing, 6-feet of social distancing, and other preventative measures for in-person gatherings. For Employees: The City is still obligated to protect its employees from unsafe working conditions and retaliation related to Covid-19 (Executive Order 20-54). As a result, the public will continue to be limited to entiring the Community Center lobby to use the service window. Entry will be permitted to visitors who follow wear masks and have prearrange an appointment. What is the current status of the pandemic in Washington County? The statistics on vancination continue to show gains, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s Covid-19 Statistics. The current percentage of people in Washington County who have received at lease one dose of the vaccine is at approximately 30.8% or 80,871 persons as of April 1st. The percentage of those who have completed their vaccination series is 19.5% or 51,105 individuals. Compared to a vaccination series completion rate of around 12% last week, it is clear the vaccination process is moving forward at a much faster pace. The Centers of Desease Control suggest that the pandemic will be contained when at least 75%-85% population has been vaccinated. The number of daily positive cases for the county are up to 100 daily confirmed cases as of April 2nd. The County’s lasted published 14 day case rate for the period of March 7 through March 20th of this year show 20.76/10,000 people. This figure remains high, and may be potentially impacted by the populations that are currently living state correctional facilities in the County. None the less, this data does suggest prudent precautions still be maintained. What options have other neighboring communities taken during this time? Hugo – The City Hall remains open to the public but they are encouraging the public to conduct business remotely rather than visit in person. Much of their staff is still working remotely. Public meetings remain virtual. Forest Lake – Their City Hall remains open with social distancing and mask measures. Meetings are currently being conducted virtually. Marine on St. Croix – Their City Hall remains open with social distancing and mask measures. Meetings are currently being conducted virtually, but City Council members are meeting in-person. Chisago City - Their City Hall remains open with social distancing and mask measures. Meetings are currently being conducted virtually. Linstrom - Their City Hall is only available remotely and meetings are being conducted remotely. Page 3 of 3 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.c ityofscandia.com Coumbus - The City Hall remains open to the public but they are encouraging the public to conduct business remotely rather than visit in person. Much of their staff is still working remotely. Public meetings remain virtual. Recommendation Staff recommends that as the pandemic becomes more under control, the City implement a phased transistion progress of returning back to normal operations. The phases should depend on percentage of vacinations and and changes in the community Covid-19 transmission rates. In Person Service – the current service window arrangement should remain in place until the State of Minnesota deems it safe to return to normal operations. The arrangement includes entry to City Hall by invite. Outdoor reservations – Many cities either chosen to halt reservations or allow them under the state mandate. It is recommended that the City allow outdoor reservations based on current state requirements of up to 50 people. Public meetings – Most cities have opted to continue to hold off in person meetings. Staff recommends: In June, if there is a better handle on the pandemic. To introduce in person meetings of elected and appointed officials, and staff. If condition continue to improve, implement meeting attendance reservations, so that we can control the number of meeting attendees. When the pandemic is finally over, we can resume conducting meetings in person with the capacity to host zoom attendees. Community Center Reservations – Increase the reservation occupancy 80 people with a Covid Action plan. (Large gatherings larger than Lion’s Club meetings should still be avoided until the pandemic is deemed under control). Please let me know if you have any questions.