Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke (by phone), Christine M. Erickson, Rick Kiley (by phone), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl (by phone), Pat Starr, Theresa Stehly Council Members Absent: None Council Chair Marshall Selberg called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. City Council Open Discussion Council Member Theresa Stehly stated that the Helpline Center, with the One Sioux Falls Fund, is providing funding to help people avoid evictions and foreclosures. Also, the City of Sioux Falls has suspended utility disconnections for residential accounts. She would like to see legislation that would suspend or wave up to 100% of a monthly utility bill for any citizen or business who endures a layoff, job loss or business foreclosure caused by COVID 19. Council Member Pat Starr expressed his support of Stehly's proposal. Council Member Christine M. Erickson said she would like to see additional conversations about it, whether it be forgiveness for the utility bill or a loan process to continue payment without penalties. Stehly commended the Council and Mayor for bonding together to talk to the Secretary of State and Governor about the upcoming election. She said that we need to get the word out to ensure the pubic that we will be keeping them safe as they come out to vote. Stehly explained how she felt it was a double message being sent out to people to get out to vote and to stay home and be safe. Erickson said she has been in conversation with the Secretary of State Steve Barnett on this topic. She received a text from him stating that they have been in conversations with the Governor's Office about postponing the April 14th election. He said it will take legislation on Veto Day, Monday, March 30th for anything to happen. Social distancing will make the Legislative meeting a challenge, she said. Erickson encouraged the public to lobby their legislator for support. 3. Presentations A. Status Update on COVID 19  Jill Franken, Director of Public Health, began by outlining the presentation. Sandy Frentz, Public Health Manager, provided a national, statewide and local statistical overview of COVID 19. Dr. Mike Elliott, Chief Medical Officer for Avera McKennan, expressed the hospital's support and appreciation to the City for what they are doing in regards to the virus. He explained the variety of things that the hospital is doing, which includes: building for surge capacity, conserving personal protection equipment, inhouse testing, utilizing all virtual care options, stopped elective surgeries, and limiting clinic visits. Elliott said the hospital wants to stress the need for social distancing; for those who are symptomatic to stay home; for those with severe symptoms to call ahead before arriving at the hospital, which gives the hospital time to prepare and to limit exposure to hospital personnel. The hospital is limiting visitors systemwide. Elliott said their goal is to slow the spread of the virus. Dr. Mike Wilde, Medical Officer for Sanford Hospital, expressed how they are working with local, state and federal resources to provide the best service. He thanked the City for doing what they have to help flatten the curve, but are also aware of what is happening nationally and internationally. Wilde said the hospital is open and is ready to serve and they are looking forward to the day the virus ends. Discussion followed regarding: identifying the severity of new cases; effectiveness of masks and scarves; turnaround time for test results; mandated test reporting; supplies; how long a recovered COVID 19 patient remains contagious; hospital bed capacity for Sanford and Avera; when to shutdown the City; what to look for when self-quarantined; how will this end; addressing the downplaying of the seriousness of the virus; data collection and forecasting; ability to meet demands of equipment and bed shortages; early detection and mass testing; mental health resources; final diagnosis of virus; protocol for healthcare workers who are exposed to virus; how long someone can be contagious before showing symptoms; symptoms of the virus; mitigation of community transmission; Emergency Operations Center; Continuity of Operations Group; ensuring social distancing and minimizing the curve; who defines a community threat; and closing of businesses. 4. Public Comment Sierra Broussard spoke about fining businesses that are not following guidelines, massage parlors, closing of small businesses and venues, and the Coronavirus. Bruce Danielson spoke about the closure of restaurants and people not getting meals, small and non-essential businesses, and compromise of votes. Don Rose, with Shenanigans Pub, encouraged the Council to not agonize over closing businesses in an effort to stay safe. 5. Adjournment Council Chair Marshall Selberg adjourned the meeting at 6 p.m. Denise D. Tucker, MMC, Assistant City Clerk