Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, May 12, 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 (Via telecom), Christine M. Erickson, Rick Kiley (Via telecom), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, 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 There was none. 3. Presentations A. COVID-19 Update by Administration Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Jill Franken, Public Health Director, introduced the presentation and then turned it over to Albert Schmidt, Planning and Development Services. Schmidt reviewed the total number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. He explained that the data for Sioux Falls is broken down by total cases and active cases only. The City has made a large amount of data available through its COVID-19 dashboard, which is accessible through siouxfalls.org. Schmidt next presented a chart showing daily positive case rates. He explained the purpose of the data and noted that the “suggested percent positive rate” is recommended by the World Health Organization and is between three to twelve percent. A daily positive case rate within that range signifies it is safe to reopen. He then reviewed negative tests, positive tests, total tests, community samples collected, and the positive rate for the each day over the past week. In terms of daily hospitalization cases, the modeled forecast was 209, but the actual number of hospitalizations is currently 59. Schmidt then reviewed State plan re-opening criteria. He next reviewed 14-day trends and noted that the positive trend lines are indicative of increased testing resulting from community samples. Jeff Eckhoff, Director of Planning and Development Services, provided a brief review of the SOAR program. He explained that a majority of the calls being received are from businesses asking for technical assistance implementing City guidelines. Staff associated with the program have also made numerous site visits to assist local business owners.  Discussion followed about: why Rapid City’s numbers are much lower than ours; the factors influencing positive rates; training for SOAR staff; contracts on tonight’s Council agenda that are associated with another recovery center; downtown patio permits; the likelihood of a surge in cases; and the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine. B. SPARK Sioux Falls Program Update by Bob Mundt, Sioux Falls Development Foundation President/CEO Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Bob Mundt, Sioux Falls Development Foundation President/CEO explained that the new program is a recovery plan to help local businesses reopen. Three task forces are being formed with the following goals, each: 1) reviving small businesses such as retail, restaurants, and bars; 2) re-energizing the hosptiality, tourism, and arts sector; and, 3) assessing manufacturing, finance, and health sectors. He indicated the task forces will form over the coming weeks and begin their work, Discussion followed about whether the program will be a funding mechansim and the status of Foundation Park. Mundt indicated that the program is currently not a funding mechanism, but that may be an option in the future. 4. Public Comment Troy Jones expressed concern about the interpretation of COVID data and provided ideas for factors to look at. 5. Adjournment Council Chair Marshall Selberg adjourned the meeting at 5:01 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk