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Staff Report - Reopening to the Public & Update to Covid-19 Business Plan 5-18-21Page 1 of 2 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.cityofscandia.com MEMORANDUM DATE: May 18, 2021 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator RE: Reopening to the Public and Holding In-person Meetings What is the status of the State Emergency Order regarding the Covid-19 Pandemic? Earlier this month, the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued updated guidance for individuals who are fully vaccinated. This guidance, based on a series of studies, indicated that vaccinated individuals can resume normal activities without wearing face coverings or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, or local regulations. The changes include lifted restrictions of local business and workplace requirements. The CDC now recommends that vaccinations are the most effective way to get the Covid-19 Pandemic under control. On May 6th the Governor Walz responded to the CDC’s new guidance by issuing a new series of executive orders rolling back restrictions on social gatherings, businesses, and mask wearing requirements. Principally, updated guidance now strongly encourages unvaccinated individuals to exercise social distasting and mask wearing precautions. The following are requirements still required to be in place:  The City must still maintain a Covid-19 Business Plan.  Social distancing of at least 6 feet maintained.  Indoor capacity must not exceed 50 percent normal occupancy or exceed 250 people.  For dining, a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance must be maintained between individuals of different parties. Indoor dining parties must be limited to a maximum of 10 customers.  People who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors, however, the City may opt to require it under its business plan or encourage it. What is the current status of the pandemic in Washington County? The statistics on vaccination now show strong gains, especially in Washington County, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s Covid-19 Statistics. The current percentage of people in Washington County who have received at least one dose of the vaccine is at approximately 67.8% or 135,922 persons as of May 16th. The percentage of those who have completed their vaccination series is 57.0% or 114,296 individuals. The Centers of Disease Control now suggests that 80% of the population will need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, but experts are now maintaining that it may not be completely achievable due to new variants and persistent hesitancy about vaccines from segments of the population. Experts are now saying that vaccinations will still be important to maintain control of infection rates. Page 2 of 2 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.cityofscandia.com The number of daily positive cases for the county have continued to decrease since the County was at peak infection rate in December. Resuming In-Person Meetings Should the City Council wish to proceed with in-person meetings the following conditions would apply based on state law: - The public must be allowed to attend within occupancy limits set imposed by emergency order regarding the pandemic. - Council Members are not allowed to participate more than three times in a calendar year from a location that is not open or accessible to the public, and: o The member is serving in the military and is at a required drill, deployed or on active duty. o The member has been advised by a health care professional against being in a public place for personal or family medical reasons. This clause only applies when a state of emergency has been declared under section 12.31, and expires 60 days after the removal of the state of emergency o If possible, a member of the public should be able to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. - The Council may be able to resume fully virtual meetings if the presiding officer, chief legal counsel, or chief administrative officer for the affected governing body determines an in-person meeting or a meeting conducted through interactive television is not practical or prudent because of a health pandemic or an emergency declared under chapter 12 of the Minnesota Statutes. Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council consider resuming in-person meetings beginning in June. This move would also require that other City committees and commissions will also resume in- person meetings. Arrangements have been made with LATV to resume camera operations for in person meetings. Remote meeting participation will still be available and encouraged. In addition the Council is recommended to approve amendments to the City’ Covid-19 Action Plan included in tonight’s packet. Please let me know if you have any questions.