Agenda - Council - 04/14/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2.06: Update on COVID-19 Preparations Fire Chief Kohner reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Menth asked the type of cleaner that is being used or recommended. Fire Chief Kohner provided additional details on sanitizing. Councilmember Heinrich thanked staff for their work and communications during this time. She asked if attendance would be staggered for weekly meetings to not exceed the limit of 10. Fire Chief Kohner confirmed that will be a topic of the meeting tomorrow. He stated that Allina has canceled its training at this time. He noted that required training would continue but the weekly training would be canceled. Councilmember Specht asked if City employees have the ability to work from home. Administrative Services Director Lasher provided details on the ability for some employees to work from home, noting that those that work in the field would not have the capability of working from home. She stated that some staff members have expressed concern about working at City Hall during this time because they are at higher risk. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill provided details on the community development depailiuent, which has some ability to work remotely and noted that staff is attempting to rotate the necessity for some employees to work remotely and some working at City Hall. He stated that the City does not have enough equipment to allow everyone to work from home at this time. He explained that the City is working on a phased response, spacing employees and rotating the employees that are working remotely and working from City Hall. Councilmember Musgrove asked if it would be better to have one staff person in regularly rather than rotating the staff member present at City Hall. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that they are holding a lot of virtual meetings. He explained that in terms of equity and fairness, rotating seems to be the better choice. Mayor LeTourneau stated that currently the CDC limits gatherings to 50 people and the State Depaitinent has recommended canceling events of 10 people or more, where half the group would be considered high risk. City Administrator Ulrich replied that the White House made an announcement this afternoon which stated no gathering of 10 people or more, which took it a step further than previously announced. Mayor LeTourneau thanked staff for the work they continue to do. He stated that if there is something that staff needs from the Council to please let the Council know. City Council Work Session / March 16, 2020 Page 9 of 12