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

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7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 7.01: Adopt Resolution #20-076 Extending the Declaration of Emergency for the City of Ramsey, MN Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report and recommendation to extend the Declaration of Local Emergency in the City of Ramsey through June 13, 2020; an additional 60 days. He noted that some municipalities have extended their declarations indefinitely, to be suspended once no longer needed, which would also be an option for Ramsey. Motion by Councilmember Kuzma, seconded by Councilmember Menth, to Adopt Resolution #20-076 Extending the Declaration of Emergency for the City of Ramsey, Minnesota, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as follows: 1.Under the authority given by Minnesota Statutes, Section 12.29, declares that the local emergency previously ratified on March 19, 2020 within the City of Ramsey, effective until April 14, 2020, be extended and effective through Saturday, June 13, 2020, unless further extended by or with the consent of the City Council pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 12.29, Subd. 1. 2.Directs the City Manager and Emergency Management Director to continue to coordinate such actions and request such local, state and/or federal assistance as needed to protect the lives and public and private property in the City of Ramsey and the recovery of the City from impacts of this situation to the extent practicable and allowed by law, ordinance and resolution. 3.Orders that this declaration be given prompt and general publicity and that it be filed promptly by the City Clerk. Further discussion: Councilmember Musgrove commented that she would prefer to have the declaration extended indefinitely so that the Council does not need to review this action every 60 days and would instead prefer to suspend the declaration once it is no longer needed. Fire Chief Kohner stated that the City should be careful to not suspend the declaration too early and agreed that it would be more efficient to extend the declaration indefinitely. He noted that would be consistent with neighboring municipalities and Anoka County. Councilmember Riley stated that th Minnesota is currently extended to May 13 and asked why the City would not follow that direction as the declaration could be extended again easily in 30 days. He commented that an emergency is not indefinite. Fire Chief Kohner explained that a peacetime emergency is different than a typical local declaration of emergency. He noted that the guidelines are similar in that the declaration makes the City eligible for funding from FEMA. He was unsure why the Governor was only extending out 30 days at a time. Councilmember Specht asked staff to provide additional details on the declaration. Fire Chief Kohner explained that in declaring a local state of emergency, the City is able to request funding and have additional flexibility in scheduling meetings and is not related to the Stay at Home Order or any other City operations or decisions. He explained that the declaration is strictly related to the City’s ability to be reimbursed for expenditures related to the emergency. Councilmember Kuzma called the question. Councilmember Menth noted that these are all great comments, but at this time a decision needs to be made on the motion. Mayor LeTourneau asked which action is more consistent in this area, a 60-day extension or indefinite. Fire Chief Kohner replied that the City Council / April 14, 2020 Page 8 of 15