Minutes - Council - 03/30/2020 - Emergency

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4.02: Adopt #20-066 Approving Paid Administrative Leave during Executive Order #2020—Stay at Home Order by Governor Walz City Administrator Ulrich stated that at the time the case was developed, the City did not believe it would be able to place all employees into essential positions but has since reviewed the action of Anoka County and believes that the City can place all employees into functions that could be considered as critical functions and therefore no action is needed. He reviewed some of the parks and maintenance activities that can still occur and how social distancing can be implemented, along with additional cleaning activities. He stated that staff feels confident that each employee can remain employed pursuant to critical activities. Public Works Superintendent Riemer provided additional details on the public works and parks staff activity that will begin the following day, including road patching and watermain flushing. He noted on rainy days, equipment can be cleaned and maintained. Councilmember Menth asked for details on how social distancing can occur inside of the trucks. Public Works Superintendent Riemer replied that normally there are three crew members inside the patching truck, but in order to accommodate social distancing there will be one crew member in the truck and the two additional members would follow in their own vehicles. He confirmed that the street sweeping truck is also manned by only one staff member with another following in the dump truck. Councilmember Menth stated that he was at a home improvement store the previous day and people are not practicing social distancing. He hopes that the public works crew understands the need for social distancing. Councilmember Heinrich stated that the case originally included 11 employees that would not have enough work, but it now seems that those employees will have 40 hours of work. She asked what that would entail as that is a large change from the previous case. City Administrator Ulrich stated that originally the City took a fairly conservative approach in reviewing the Governor's Stay at Home Order in determining the work that could be completed. He stated that after reviewing the interpretation of other municipalities and entities, staff determined that additional work could be done during this two-week period. He noted that some of the park staff have been reassigned to street maintenance. Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained that the parks department would normally be working on ballfield maintenance and reviewed some of the other spring work that would occur in the parks. He explained that those elements have been delayed and the only park activity at this time is trash collection in the parks. He explained that the 11 employees have been reassigned to the patching or street sweeping crews. Councilmember Heinrich commented that she believes that this is a good time for the patching and street sweeping to occur, with less vehicles on the roads. City Council/March 30, 2020 Page 4 of 9