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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09 Date: Item No. COVID-19 OPERATIONAL UPDATE Proposed Action Staff is seeking guidance on several items relating to city operations during the COVID-19 local/state emergency Overview Outstanding items relating to the City’s COVID-19 response include: 1) Status of Antler’s Park and Orchard Lake Beaches Past practice has called for city staff to open the city’s two beaches around the Memorial Day holiday. Cities are taking different approaches with some closing or reducing access to their beaches during the pandemic due to the difficulty in ensuring adequate social distancing practices and the potential for public safety response issues. Staff is seeking guidance from the council on this decision. It should be noted that this is not a decision that has to be made for the entire summer (i.e. the council can re-evaluate later and change course). 2) Due to the latest Executive Order pertaining to retail outlets being able to open, staff is anticipating getting requests for relaxing sidewalk/patio zoning requirements. Attached is a draft policy that staff is comfortable with as a temporary measure. Staff is recommending approval of draft policy. 3) At the May 4th city council meeting, the decision was made to hold the May 26, 2020 work session in person in the city council chambers. It was also noted that public participation should continue to be allowed remotely. Staff is working on ways to accommodate this scenario and will be prepared to report on options. Staff would also appreciate direction on future city council meetings as public notices will need to be formatted to accommodate meeting locations. 4) Attached is a resolution submitted by Councilmember Hellier relating to the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 response. Supporting Information • Draft patio/parking lot policy revisions • Councilmember Hellier’s proposed resolution Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y☐ N☐ Source: Related Documents: (CIP, ERP, etc.): Envision Lakeville Community Values: Safety Throughout the Community Report Completed by: Justin Miller, City Administrator N/A May 18, 2020 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044 952-985-4400 • 952-985-4499 fax www.lakevillemn.gov Policy for Temporary Outdoor Customer Service Areas Pursuant to Mayoral Proclamation and Council Resolution, the City of Lakeville has declared a Peace Time Emergency due to the COVID-19 Health Pandemic. In furtherance of the federal, state and local government response, there is a need to provide multiple additional and alternative customer service areas on commercial sites in order to limit forward facing exchanges between customers and employees, and to promote physical and social distancing between persons engaged in business activities within the City. Effective immediately, and notwithstanding any city code provision to the contrary, any business located in a commercial or industrial zone may establish drive-up or drive-thru areas, customer ordering, waiting or pick-up areas, or customer seating or service areas on its property to facilitate safe commercial activity conducted consistent with federal and state orders or guidelines. The temporary outdoor use may occur in parking areas or green space areas without need for a variance. However, if the business is not the fee owner of the property used by the business for the temporary outdoor use, any temporary outdoor use must have written approval from the fee owner of the premises. No city permits are required prior to establishing these customer areas, but operators must prepare a traffic management plan and provide on-site traffic and operational management. Customer waiting or service areas must not impede sidewalk usage nor block disabled person parking spaces or ramps, nor shall any activity create nuisance conditions for abutting properties. On-site signage and storage are authorized, as well as limited on-site directional signage. Temporary tables, tents and sun shelters may be erected, but any structure requiring state building and fire code permits must submit plans and permit applications for accelerated review by city staff. The terms and conditions of this order may be modified or clarified by subsequent order and those changes may have retroactive effect. This policy will continue until December 31, 2020 unless repealed by subsequent City Council action or termination of the state of emergency. Effective this 18th day of May 2020. _____________________________ _____________________________ Douglas P. Anderson, Mayor Charlene Friedges, City Clerk CITY OF LAKEVILLE RESOLUTION NO. ________ DECLARATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED EASING OF RESTRICTIONS ON LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR SAFE OPERATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic is a novel public health emergency that has resulted in unprecedented state and local response; and WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of Emergency to authorize all necessary resources to be used in support of the pandemic response; and WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-04, which ordered the closure of bars, restaurants, and public accommodations, which was subsequently extended and remains in effect; and WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-20 which ordered Minnesotans to stay at home which was subsequently revoked with Executive Order 20- 56 and set in place revised guidelines for social gatherings and re-opening of businesses; and WHEREAS, the Governor’s orders have helped the State of Minnesota better prepare for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the City thanks the Governor for his judgment and deference to public health officials; and WHEREAS, due to community mitigation efforts, responsible individual practices, and sacrifices from our local business community the City of Lakeville is prepared for the future impact of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, local businesses and their employees have suffered significantly from the Stay at Home orders and closures, and the local economy is suffering; and WHEREAS, our business community is currently preparing safe re-opening of business to combat and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, Lakeville is a community that continues to promote and follow the social distancing guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and will continue to follow those guidelines in good faith; and WHEREAS, our residents who are of a vulnerable population, are seniors, or live in long-term care facilities are encouraged to continue to stay home and follow all recommended precautions to stay safe; and WHEREAS, our residents need a clear, decisive, and measurable plan similarly adopted by neighboring states that puts them on a path to implement the guidelines issued in Executive Order 20-56 which will allow them to prepare and adjust for living and conducting their personal business while taking all recommended steps offered by public health guidance for doing so. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Lakeville hereby proclaims that the State of Minnesota should provide clear guidance for continued easing of restrictions on businesses and places of worship and allow them to open, if they choose, provided that they practice safe social distancing and follow all subsequent guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health for safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. APPROVED this 18th day of May 2020 CITY OF LAKEVILLE BY:____________________________________ Douglas P. Anderson, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ Charlene Friedges, City Clerk CITY OF LAKEVILLE RESOLUTION NO. _____ RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN URGENT SUPPORT OF FURTHER STEPS TO REOPEN MINNESOTA’S ECONOMY WHEREAS, on May 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz extended the Peacetime State of Emergency to continue authorizing all necessary resources to be used in support of the pandemic response; and WHEREAS, on May 13, 2020 Governor Walz also issued Emergency Executive Order 20-56, which intends “Safely Reopening Minnesota’s Economy and Ensuring Safe Non-Work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency”; and WHEREAS, Emergency Executive Order 20-56 acknowledges the significant impact on the economy, local businesses and their employees as a result of the Stay At Home orders and closures; and WHEREAS, Emergency Executive Order 20-56 has not created a sustainable path for all businesses to flourish through the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, the City of Lakeville, and the community stakeholders therein, are prepared to safely re-open while mitigating the spread of COVID-19. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Lakeville City Council proclaims that the State of Minnesota must further ease the restrictions stated in Emergency Executive Order 20-56 and allow all establishments and organizations to open provided they follow the guidance determined by the Minnesota Department of Health. APPROVED this 18th day of May 2020 CITY OF LAKEVILLE BY:____________________________________ Douglas P. Anderson, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ Charlene Friedges, City Clerk