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Councilmember Specht respected the 35 years of experience Musgrove has within the medical <br />field and believes that the Council meets the mandates and does not need to wear masks when <br />seated at the dais. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he is elected by the residents of his Ward and the Council are <br />leaders in the community, therefore he supports wearing masks unless speaking. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley commented that many changes have been implemented to keep people safe <br />and does not believe additional changes are needed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth commented that it is extremely frustrating that they listen to legal experts <br />and still do not have an answer. He stated that no one takes things seriously until it impacts them <br />or someone near them. He stated that if the Council is going to be leaders, they should wear the <br />masks unless speaking. <br /> <br />Charter Commissioner Benson commented that he believes the safety measures implemented <br />already are sufficient. He asked the consequences that would be proposed, whether there would <br />be a further mandate or consequence for those not wearing their mask at the dais. He stated that <br />he does not believe the definition of leader equates to creating the maximum level of control over <br />others. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau stated that he does not hear that desire from the Council to enforce <br />consequences. <br /> <br />City Attorney Langel stated that any violation of an Executive Order would be a misdemeanor. <br />He stated that if a member of the public attended a meeting and did not wear a mask, the first step <br />would be education and a request to wear a mask. He stated that if the member of the public <br />refused to wear the mask, they could be asked to leave. He stated that when you get back to the <br />issue of elected officials, it comes back to the interpretation of “testifying or speaking” and whether <br />that falls into the exemption. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau asked if the Council would like to change the way it interprets the language or <br />become more punitive. It was the consensus of the Council to continue to interpret that language <br />the same and focus on education. <br /> <br />Planning Chairperson Bauer stated that people brought in additional chairs for the Planning <br />Commission public hearing, which then violates the capacity of the Chambers. He stated that he <br />told people that they could not bring in additional chairs but asked what could be done in that <br />situation. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau commented that a member of staff or the police department could then provide <br />additional assistance in explaining the protocols for the Chambers. He noted that additional <br />members of the public could wait in the lobby until their time to speak and follow that process. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that practices will be continued as is and individual members of <br />the Council and Commissions can choose to wear their masks as they see fit. <br />City Council Work Session / September 22, 2020 <br />Page 7 of 9 <br /> <br />