City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS June 29, 2020 On June 29, 2020, a special meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 10:03 a.m., Floyd Gwin Park, PAL Gym, 1015 N. County Road W., Odessa, Texas. City Council present: Mayor David R. Turner; Council members: Michael Shelton, District One; Dewey Bryant, District Two; Detra White, District Three; Tom Sprawls, District Four; Mari Willis, District Five; and Peggy Dean, At-Large. Others present: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Natasha Brooks, City Attorney; Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager; Cindy Muncy, Assistant City Manager; and other members of City staff. A quorum being present, Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and the following proceedings were held: The invocation was given by Council member Shelton and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas flags. Discuss COVID-19 related issues and further preventative actions to contain the spread of COVID-19 from both the medical community and various entities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Stephanie Howard, ECISD Deputy Superintendent, thanked the Council for their leadership. At ECISD, things were changing daily with the Texas Education Agency. ECISD’s July Leap Academy was cancelled due to the rise in numbers. ECISD supported the mandate to help reduce the numbers and to have more students in schools in August. She stated that ECISD had three scenarios: school to be open, school to be a hybrid of at home and at school or all closed. All the employees were needed for the school year. Merle Schoenhoff, 2303 W. 16th St., stated that there was no law to allow a mandate. He stated that the flu was more dangerous than the COVID-19 and more people were killed in traffic accidents. He stated that that government did not have the authority to tell the people what to do but its people tell the government what to do. Dallas Kennedy, 43 Eidenberg Court, was against the mask ordinance. He stated it was time for civil obedience and the Governor Abbott needed to lead or get out of the way. He stated that the Governor was using and putting blame on the local leaders. Judy Calloway, 1305 Bonham, opposed the face masks. Dawn Tucker, 6209 Mecca, opposed the mandated face masks. The masks were a choice not to wear. She stated that there were health issues that have risks with the masks. The masks collected germs. It was wrong to take away personal freedoms. The businesses had the prerogative to mandate its own business. Weldon Chaney was present to be informed. Dr. Rohith Saravanan, ORMC Chief Medical Officer, thanked the Council. He provided an update based on data available. The decision to choose should be based on the information provided and respected the opinions. COVID-19 was a disease by corona that started in China. It has killed ½ million people worldwide and now killing in our local community. He recommended that there was an opportunity to have a pro-choice to stop the disease and still protect civil liberty. He supported businesses and schools to be open. The hospitals was almost at full capacity. He stated that the community needed to take social responsibility to protect the community. Dr. Saravanan explained the spread of the Council Minutes June 29, 2020 Page 2 disease from the droplets. He reported that 80% of people who have the virus do not have the symptoms. Many were between the ages of 20 – 40 years of age and the majority do not get hospitalized. It is the social responsibility to protect those around and the masks prevents the droplets to spread. He recommended that masks should be a choice as a citizen, education others and help our community to make a better choice. He explained herd immunity and antibody, which was enough people were immune in the community. He stated that we were not at that level and would not be until the far future. Asymptomatic carriers would spread to others. On a medical standpoint, there was a very small population that would have a severe breathing problem in wearing masks. Jamie Berryhill, 1213 W. 2nd St., was following doctor’s studies. He refused on wearing masks, as there were hazards. Masks get dirty quickly during handling. He stated that this was dealing with freedom. He encouraged all to do their homework, as it was a ploy to engage fear. He stated to live life by faith not fear. Evan Gonzales, 13709 CRW 124, gave his experience at ORMC. He could not find a doctor’s office that would see him. He went to ORMC and was given three swabs tests. The staff expressed dissatisfaction of wearing PPE. He was released without staff checking for his reason for going to the hospital. After 10 days, he does not have the COVID-19 results. He stated that he should not have been released. He did not support the mandated masks. Ben Quiroz stated that there was anxiety in the community and not everything could be sterilized. He supported a pro-choice option of wearing masks. A mandate would cause more anxiety. He did not favor the mandate of masks. Kathy Rhodes, 6000 Colorado, was a diabetic and had difficulty in catching up with her medical treatment. She had family members in the medical filed who went home to their families and they did not get sick. Doctors were not providing services and the situation has put the community in a panic. Tim Harry, 304 E. 89th St., did not support the mandated masks. The oil field work was different from the operating room. The oil field work had exposure limits. It was different in the public environment from the operating room. He stated that masks did nothing to contain the virus. He asked to allow people to make the choice of freedom. Bill Hall, 4368 W. 11th St., felt like freedom was being attacked. He served in the military to provide freedom for our country. He would rally to make a free country. He will not accept a ticket if fined. He would work to get Council out of office. Discuss and consider a Mayoral order regarding a health and safety policy and face covering guidelines within the city of Odessa. Council member Dean appreciated the comments and of freedom. She stated that Mr. Kennedy understood the position of Council. She stated that the threats of not being in elected was offensive. She agreed that a mandate of mask would create anxiety and upset. She applauded Dr. Saravanan and the medical community to protect and stay ahead of the pandemic. She stated that Council should be given credit to protecting the citizens. She did not support the mandate, as it was not enforceable. Each citizen had rights and encouraged to wear a mask. Council member Shelton listened and understood the concerns. He stated it could not be mandated, as it was not enforceable. The citizens have rights to be free and without freedom, people have anger. He wanted to work with the citizens of Odessa. He stated it was the citizens’ choice to wear a mask. Council member Bryant thanked the citizens who fought for our country and their service. He stated there was a responsibility to protect our community with the respect to freedom. He could not vote for the mandate. Council member Willis thanked those that voiced their opinion. She wore a mask out of humility, caring for others in not spreading the virus and for the community to thrive. She wanted businesses open, employees’ health and students to be in school. She had no threat about being taken out of office as she served by whom she served. She served out of faith and not fear. She knew about rights and freedom. Odessa was strong and should patrol ourselves. The virus was Council Minutes June 29, 2020 Page 3 serious as she has a friend with COVID-19. She wanted to see Odessa strong by supporting each other, be proud and find convictions. Odessa can be better than what we have been. Odessa needs to live healthy. Patients listen to doctors’ recommendation when it comes to health issues. She served God, was put in, and will be put out by no other. Council member Sprawls stated that this was an emotional issue when it came to stepping on rights. He stated to be logical, as there was so much information. For those people that criticize the Mayor and Council, shame on them. Council was working on efforts to keep the virus from spreading and trying to slow down the virus. He had family members that worked in the medical field and wore masks. If you do not wear masks, you were taking risks of infecting others. Wearing masks was the opportunity to slow down the virus. The community was in discontent and should come together not apart. He did not support the mandate of masks. Council member White would vote against the mandate of masks. She appreciated the speakers but was disappointed in the way that Council was attacked and criticized. She wished all well in health. Mayor Turner was threaten but did not fear it. He reported that this week had 1,000 cases. Odessa had a double whammy with oil prices declining and the COVID-19. Resources were overrun with testing, as operations were halted for ten days on results. There were 500 pending tests. The safest places were the two hospitals. The virus was transmitted from the public. The State went into three Texas cities. There was 16% unemployment and if we did not curve it, we could not go back to work. Mayor Turner stated it was a reality that must be addressed. If we do not protect ourselves, we would hurt more economically. Mr. Berryhill stated that we must humble ourselves and repent to heal our land. Robert Logan reported that less than 20 bars were given citations. He asked why the bars were being picked on. There needed to be an opportunity to make a living. Mayor Turner reported that two groups raised the COVD-19 numbers, which were bars and floating on the river. A citizen asked Council what they wanted citizens to do and to have kids back in school. Joey White, Assistant Fire Chief, reported that testing would be done this week but the following dates it may be pushed back. Council member Sprawls called the question. Motion was made by Council member Willis and seconded by Council member Dean to consider the Mayoral order. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: Willis Nay: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, and Dean There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 11:29 a.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC David R. Turner City Secretary Mayor