Agenda - Council - 04/13/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

unaware the item was going to be discussed. He commented that this resolution was passed as not wasting staff resources enforcing the mask mandate but the other side that needs to be communicated in that the exact opposite has happened. He commented that an immense number of resources have been spent on the resolution that was passed in how the City has had to react to it, how staff has had to deal with the messaging, and it has created confusion and misinformation in the community. He commented that businesses in the community are suffering because of the misinformation and confusion. He noted that the past 90 minutes have been spent discussing this point and none of the City business has come before the Council. He asked what resources the Council believed were being wasted when a tiny percentage of police calls were related to the mask mandate but since then by far more resources have been wasted with the passing of the resolution. He added that the science of COVID is clear and COVID is real. He commented that masks were not recommended in the beginning because they needed them for healthcare workers and did not want them hoarded in the way toilet paper was hoarded. He commented that science evolves over time and the current science is clear in that the CDC and WHO recommend that masks prevent the spread of COVID. He stated that over 500,000 people have died of COVID in this country and masks are still being made a political issue. He strongly encouraged the Council to rescind the resolution it passed. Councilmember Heineman referenced the gentleman from Minnetonka commenting that it takes bravery to show up to a city you are not a part of. He commented that his opinion was not shared by the majority of people present and commended him for still coming forward to speak. He stated that the stains of the nation's history are everyone's to share and the lessons of history are everyone's to share and not reserved for those directly affected. He stated that if the magnitude of this Executive Order fails to meet the comparison of Roosevelt's Executive Order, the similarities can still be called out. He referenced the comment that the Council is wasting time and responded that giving residents a voice is not wasting time. He referenced the comment that the resolution was about the right to breath and commented that mischaracterizing the resolution does not make it fact. He commented that the resolution states clearly that it is about executive overreach. He referenced the comment that a resident wished they brought a cheering section. He commented that this is not a cheering section but residents with equal voices and everyone's comments are important. He referenced the comment that personal passions should not get in the way of the duty of the Council and noted that preservation of the constitution is not a personal passion but part of the oath he took at a Councilmember and as a member of the military. Mayor Kuzma commented that as he previously stated he intended to reverse the resolution and was extremely disappointed that the Council was unwilling to do so, despite growing concerns from businesses and residents and a strong statement from the Attorney General's Office stating that the Executive Order takes precedent over the measures passed by any lower unit of government. He stated that it is tough for the Council to ask residents to obey laws when the Council does not follow them. He stated that the Councilmembers in the minority worked tirelessly to address the concern to get back into compliance with the law but unfortunately there was little interest in reversing the decision which placed the City in a very difficult predicament and has opened the City up to legal liability. He hoped the Council understands the gravity of the situation. He stated that tonight the Council was put on notice of the potential for legal action that has been turned over to the City Attorney. City Council / March 23, 2021 Page 11 of 24