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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 03-17 CCM Special Emergency MeetingMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL EMERGENCY MEETING MARCH 17, 2020 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Special Emergency Meeting called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6900 p.m. ROLL CALL In light of the alai�rning increase in COVID-19 cases in Minnesota and Governor Walz' emergency declaration, the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Attorney attended this meeting telephonically. Mayor Mike Elliott (via telephone) and Councilmembers Marquita Butler (via telephone), April Graves (via telephone), Kiis Lawrence -Anderson (via telephone), and Dan Ryan (via telephone); and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist (via telephone). Present were: City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, and City Clerk Barb Suciu, 1. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2020-1 ACCEPTING A DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY, PURSUANT TO IVIINNESOTA STATE STATUTE SECTION 1229, DUE TO COVID49 HEALTH PANDEMIC City Manager Curt Boganey stated this special meeting has been called to provide the City Council with an update on actions taken by the City in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what is expected to unfold in the coming weeks and months. He added the Governor of Minnesota, as well as the President, have declared a state of emergency, as well as several local cities. He noted a local emergency is being declared for the City of Brooklyn Center, which will trigger other provisions for emergency planning. The City Council has received a copy of the Declaration for their consideration and approval. Mayor Elliott stated the Declaration allows the City Manager and the Fire Chief, who will serve as Emergency Manager, to take actions and implement an appropriate emergency plan to contain and mitigate the virus in an expeditious manner. The Declaration suspends compliance with City and State laws, and other laws, related to compliance with policies and procedures in an effort to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The emergency Declaration suspends all City 03/17/20 -1- meetings including City Council, EDA and all Boards, Commissions and Committees, until the end of April 2020. Special meetings may be called that require action but must be conducted via phone or other electronic means. All City buildings will be closed as of March 18, 2020 with the exception of the Police Department until the beginning of April 2020 and can be extended. Mayor Elliott stated the emergency Declaration allocates resources to local food emergency agencies that serve Brooklyn Center residents. This includes financial support for food assistance of $10,000 to CEAP, CAPI and West African Family & Children's Services. These organizations have experienced a significant increase in demand for food, and they along with other food shelves are working to deliver food to senior citizens and other vulnerable community members adversely affected by the pandemic. These organizations have requested assistance from the City of Brooklyn Center. Mayor Elliott stated the emergency Declaration directs the City Manager to work with City Staff to establish a program that allows City employees to volunteer to use City vehicles to assist in delivering food. Those who assist in this effort will follow the most current recommendations of health and safety officials, establishing protocols including curbside delivery. Mayor Elliott stated the emergency Declaration encourages City departments to evaluate and make recommendations to the City Manager regarding deployment of resources for the purpose of helping residents during this period of emergency. The local situation is evolving quickly, from one day to the next, and the City will take additional steps as needed to address issues as they arise. The emergency Declaration will remain in place as long as the Governor of Minnesota maintains his executive order declaring a peacetime emergency. Mayor Elliott stated this Declaration is effective for three days pending City Council action authorizing its extension. A Resolution accompanies the Declaration which includes a recommendation that groups of no larger than 10 people will gather. He added medical professionals recommend no more than 5 people. Mayor Elliott stated this unprecedented situation is evolving rapidly, and the City of Brooklyn Center will need to be able to respond and make decisions based onfast-moving recommendations and guidelines. He stressed the importance of taking measures to prevent as many people as possible from getting the virus. Medical professionals have indicated it may be impossible to prevent the virus, but people can take measures to slow its pace and reduce demands on the health care system. Mr. Boganey stated a message to City employees was distributed on Monday March 16, 2020. He added a copy of this message has been provided to the City Council. He noted directors and employees are encouraged to work at home, to reinforce the message of social distancing and do whatever possible to prevent the virus from spreading. 03/17/20 -2- Mr. Boganey stated with the closing of all City buildings, it should be noted that this includes closure of the liquor store and Earle Brown Heritage Center, effective March 18, 2020. A program has been established wherein City employees will continue to be paid in the immediate future, and options are being reviewed to provide funding for employee salaries. There was concern that employees would want to come to work out of concern that they will not be paid. He noted all additional costs directly related to the emergency Declaration are being tracked and recorded in the event that there will be reimbursements available. Mr. Boganey stated the City's essential services will continue but may be modified or discontinued. He added phone, email and online services will be available. Non -essential services will be deferred for the time being. Mayor Elliott called for comments and discussion. Councilmember Ryan asked whether the Governor's state of emergency is timed at 90 days. City Attorney Troy Gilchrist stated the Governor's Order indicated the State of Emergency will be ongoing until there is Declaration of Repeal. Councilmember Ryan asked whether the City's Declaration must be consistent with State statutes that specify conditions and the authority of the State's emergency Declaration. Mr. Gilchrist stated the Resolution that is being considered at tonight's meeting, which requires City Council approval, will tie the City's Declaration of local emergency to the Governor's Declaration, Councilmember Graves asked how many City employees are actually not able to work from home and are coming into work. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the necessary precautions are taken at City Hall. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff are currently working on getting that information, including the number of laptops that will be available for employees who need them to work from home. He added the question is whether it will be practical for all employees to work from home. He agreed to provide more information. Councilmember Graves requested the City Council be notified if there's anything that needs to be done to ensure that City employees' needs are met. Mr. Boganey agreed. He added the Declaration provides the City with the authority to make certain decisions without prior approval from the City Council. Councilmember Graves stated, regarding evictions, whether the City will be able to prevent people from being displaced from their homes during this period. She asked whether it will be necessary to work with City or State policy makers to push that to a higher level. 03/17/20 -3- Mayor Elliott stated the City has taken steps to communicate with Hennepin County and other government units to prevent displacement. He added the emergency Declaration calls upon the Sheriff to not participate in the eviction of City residents. He noted, in addition, fees, penalties and administrative costs will be suspended, that would normally have been charged, and water will not be shut off, which is something the City does not do anyway. Mayor Elliott stated City Staff plans to connect with Comcast and other utilities providers to ensure that there is a plan in place to continue to provide utilities. Councilmember Graves asked about support for small businesses. She stated there are some links with information about supporting small businesses on the City website. Mayor Elliott stated those discussions are still pending, but he has been contacted by local small businesses asking for financial assistance from the City. He added small business owners are being asked to stay home, and they are isolated and have no income. He noted he has some ideas about how to address that need. Councilmember Ryan stated the Governor has indicated that there are plans at the State level to increase unemployment insurance and other financial assistance programs. He added there has also been discussion at the federal level regarding transfer payments to workers, and City Staff can monitor those developments. He noted the City can prevent evictions, waive administrative fees and late payments, and other measures that are appropriate at the City level. He noted financial support for workers is beyond the City's means and should be handled at the State and Federal levels. Mayor Elliott stated there have been indications that there will be reimbursements for COVID-19 related expenses that the City undertakes. He stressed the importance of helping residents in the community who are in dire need, and to think broadly about community support. Councilmember Butler stated there is information about resom•ces for families like food shelves, and restaurants that are provng free meals for children, that have been popping up on social media. She added this type of information can be added to the City website. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will do everything they can to get that type of infol�rnation. He requested that the City Council send him an email if anyone hears of something in the community that should be on the website. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson asked about Item 5 in the declaration, regarding encouraging stores to put limits on the amount of goods they can purchase. She asked whether City Staff have reached out to Cub Foods and Walmart yet. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will be doing that tomorrow, after the emergency Declaration goes into effect. 03/17/20 -4- Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated Mayor Elliott had mentioned financial assistance for local organizations. She asked where this funding will come from within the City budget. Mr. Boganey stated a General Fund allocation of $150,000 has been set aside for contingencies, and these organizations qualify for funding under that definition. Mayor Elliott stated it is hoped that the City of Brooklyn Park will contribute funding to these organizations as well, as this is an ongoing situation. He added a phone meeting is planned with local area Mayors to talk about actions that other cities are taking. He noted a similar phone meeting with Hennepin County will also be planned. A conference call is planned for Thursday March 19, 2020 with leaders of local organizations to discuss mitigation strategies, how to work together as a community. Mayor Elliott stated residents who live in multi -family housing are of great concern, and discussions should be planned to consider ways of ensuring that those residents are safe, and their needs are met. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson stated providing $10,000 in assistance to local organizations is a good initial outlay, and the City Council can act if more assistance is needed. She added the immediate future is very uncertain, and the City should attempt to retain as much of its contingency funding as possible, since it is impossible to know how much will be expended. Mayor Elliott agreed, adding the City should be mindful of the amount of contingency funding. He added there may be some cost savings associated with the closure of City buildings and facilities. He added the intention is to continue to pay City Staff, including hourly staff. Mr. Boganey stated the City is confident that all employees will have 2 weeks of direct pay assuming they will not be working. He added the majority of employees will continue to work remotely. He noted part-time hourly employees, at the liquor store and Earle Brown Heritage Center can be paid for two weeks although they are not working. Mr. Boganey stated it is important to note that there will come a time when it will be difficult and costly to pay employees who are not working. He added it will become necessary to make some hard choices with respect to employees who are not working. He noted, however, it is anticipated that the State of Minnesota will make changes to unemployment laws that will provide some relief. The situation can be reviewed again in two weeks. Councilmember Ryan moved and Councilmember Graves seconded to..adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2020-XX Accepting a Declaration of Local Emergency, pursuant to. Minnesota State Statute Section 1229, due to COVID-19 health pandemic. Upon vote via phone, Mayor Elliott and Councilmembers Butler, Graves, Lawrence -Anderson and Ryan voted aye. Motion passed unanimously. 03/17/20 -5- MOTION TO SUSPEND RULES Mayor Elliott requested a motion to extend the meeting past one hour. Councilmember Butler moved, and Mayor Elliott seconded, to extend the meeting past 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Ryan asked what the purpose of extending the meeting is. Mayor Elliott stated the City Council should conclude the discussion regarding next steps. Upon vote via phone, Mayor Elliott and Councilmembers Butler, Graves, Lawrence -Anderson and Ryan voted aye. Motion passed unanimously. 2. DISCUSSION REGARDING NEXT STEPS Mayor Elliott stated the City will work with other government agencies and local municipalities to coordinate efforts related to long- and short-term plans to address the pandemic at the local level. He added City Staff will continue to meet as needed to ensure that City residents are kept informed about the latest updates, via the City's website as well as social media. He noted it will be important to provide more information rather than not enough. Mayor Elliott stated City Staff are working with County and State representatives, as well as the City Attorney, to figure out how to postpone the upcoming Board of Appeals and Equalization meetings in April 2020, which are governed by State statute. Mayor Elliott stated the City Council will hold a Regular Session meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020 to address items that are time -sensitive and for which action is required. Mr. Boganey stated, as the City Council is aware, the City of Brooklyn Center has a contractual relationship with a health services provider that can be a resource for the general public. He added City Staff is working with the provider to determine whether they can provide support related to mental health issues, in addition to other services offered by the City, with regard to COVID-19. Mr. Boganey stated he has a meeting scheduled with the School Superintendent which will be rescheduled to May 2020. He added the next City Council meeting will be scheduled in June 2020. He noted he fully agrees with the Mayor's comments regarding the sharing of as much information as possible with City Staff, the City Council and the City's residents. Councilmember Graves stated she appreciates Mr. Boganey's comments about mental health concerns during this crisis. She added she hopes the health services agency can be secured as a resource, and other national or state-wide information related to mental health wellness can be included on the City's website. She noted some School Districts are providing lunches for students 03/17/20 -6- who need them, and that information should be on the City's website. She stressed the importance of spreading the news. Councilmember Graves stated there has been a local and national initiative to release non-violent offenders from jail. She asked whether Brooklyn Center's Police Officers are malting changes, and what equipment they are using to do their jobs safely and effectively. Mr. Boganey stated all City employees who deal with the general public are required to wear personal protective equipment. Mayor Elliott stated there has not been a discussion yet at the City level regarding release of non- violent offenders. He added there will be an effort to work with the Sheriff's Department to address these concerns. He noted all members of the community are at risk, but especially those who live in close proximity to each other. Mr. Boganey stated the City will reconsider how Police Officers are engaged in arrests. He added the arrest of non-violent offenders, and sending them to jail, would be a bad idea, and a low priority. He noted, in addition, resources are limited, and there may be fewer police officers to do critical work. Councilmember Graves requested that the City Council receive updates as often as they come, and also be involved in electronic meetings if possible. She stated she is involved in leading an emergency response team at the City of Minneapolis, to determine how the City and the Health Department can work together in collaboration with some other groups. She added she can provide details on these efforts to the City Council as they develop. Mayor Elliott agreed to include the City Council in communications related to small businesses and health support. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson requested clarification regarding Item 11 in the Declaration, which indicates that all City meetings will be cancelled through the end of April 2020 except Special Meetings that can be conducted via telephone or other electronic means. She asked whether City Council meetings will still be held, but via phone or video. Mayor Elliott stated there will be no meetings through the end of Apri12020, but the City Council may have several Special Meetings to address time sensitive issues. Mr. Boganey agreed, adding City Staff have been instructed to provide any items that will need to be addressed by the City Council before April. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson asked whether there will be a City Council meeting on Monday, May 23, 2020, as previously discussed. 03/17/20 -7- Mayor Elliott confirmed there will be a City Council meeting on May 23 that will be conducted electronically. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson asked whether City Staff still wanted to update the City Council's electronic tablets, as previously indicated. Mr. Edwards stated City Staff would like to collect the Councilmembers' tablets to test them for video capability. Mr. Boganey stated Councilmembers can drop off their tablets, or someone from City Staff can pick it up. Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson agreed to drop off her tablet on Thursday. Mr. Boganey requested that she send an email or call City Staff so someone will be there to receive it. 3. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Lawrence -Anderson moved and Councilmember Butler seconded adj ourmnent of the City Council meeting at 7:08 p.m. Upon vote via phone, Mayor Elliott and Councilmembers Butler, Lawrence -Anderson and Ryan voted aye. Councilmember Graves abstained. Motion passed. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of the Special Session of the City of Brooklyn Center held on March 4 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its May 11, 2020, Regular Session, JJ City Clerk 03/17/20 -8-