Agenda - Council - 02/08/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION #22-005 A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE POLICY OF THE CITY OF RAMSEY SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS CITIZENS AND EMPLOYEES DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC WHILE OPPOSING ANY FORM OF COERCION OR FORCE IN VACCINATION OR SIMILAR HEALTH PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID19 PANDEMIC IN THE CITY WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey is a Minnesota Charter City with responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of all of its citizens and employees; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey is well aware that over the past two years, an international pandemic of what is commonly known as the Covid19 virus has resulted in many deaths throughout the world and many long-term negative effects and ongoing symptoms and difficulties for individuals; and WHEREAS, the pandemic has prompted governments and organizations to expedite and accelerate approval processes for vaccines and medications for the purpose of fighting the pandemic; and WHEREAS, the pandemic has prompted both the Federal and State governments to seek means to compel inoculation as well as requiring other pandemic -related standards and procedures such as mandatory masking in public; and WHEREAS, the absence of the standard process for approvals of vaccines and other medications has raised reasonable doubts and concerns among many citizens about possible adverse effects or consequences of these vaccines or medications; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey recognizes the fundamental legal right of any individual to refuse any medical procedures, medicines, or vaccinations; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey recognizes that the decision to wear or not wear a protective face mask is one the could have positive or negative benefits to the individual choosing whether to wear one and should be left to that individual's choice and should not result in negative consequences one way or the other when dealing with the City, its agents and employees; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey wishes to state categorically its formal position that any personal decision regarding medical care related to the Covid19 pandemic is exactly that, a personal decision and the City shall not engage in any practice which would in any way discriminate against individuals making such choices, including access to employment or public facilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey wishes to declare that it will provide and equal level of service to everyone working, contracting, living and visiting the City of Ramsey without regard to their inoculation status or a personal decision whether or not to wear a mask and believes that providing this equality of service protects the overall health, safety and welfare of its citizens; and