Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, December 8, 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, Alex Jensen, Rick Kiley (via Telecom), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl (via Telecom), Pat Starr (via Telecom) Council Members Absent: None Council Chair Greg Neitzert called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Siouxland Heritage Museum Board: Thursday, December 3, 2020 (Council Member Starr) Council Member Pat Starr provided the following updates: Museum staff is continuing to work with new displays. Staff is also becoming more creative in using non in-person methods to provide remote access and communication to citizens. While COVID continues to have an impact on the scheduling/canceling of events and programs, the staff is doing a good job in matching up needs with the educational systems in Sioux Falls. 3. Councilor Remarks There were none. 4. Presentations A. COVID-19 Update by Jill Franken, Director of Public Health Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Franken introduced Dr. Mike Elliot, Chief Medical Officer for Avera McKennan Hospital and Dr. Mike Wilde, Chief Medical Officer for Sanford Health. They will be contributing to the presentation on COVID-19. Franken reviewed the data listed on the following PowerPoint slides: Sioux Falls COVID Dashboard updates; Bloomberg COVID Tracking: Hospitalizations Per Capita Due to COVID-19; CDC Death Rates Per Capita; Safer Sioux Falls Pledge; The COVID-19 pandemic is surging; COVID-19 Vaccine Update; COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. There has been some optimistic stabilization in the last few weeks with these COVID numbers. She stated that the numbers are still high and need to be lowered but is showing some success in the community in getting lowered. Franken noted that the daily comparison charts and graphs are most helpful in determining where Sioux Falls compares to surrounding cities. Our national dashboard illustrates where South Dakota is ranked compared to other states; South Dakota was ranked in the #1 and #2 spot for several weeks but is now ranked at #4. Regionally, South Dakota is higher with CDC death rates per Capita. Franken discussed free media and network coverage regarding COVID mitigation and the future appropriation of funds for additional communications regarding COVID. Information was discussed regarding the timeline availability, access and distribution of the upcoming vaccine. Franken would like to work with Council leadership for attending future Informational Meetings with COVID-19 updates. Dr. Wilde talked about providing assurance to the public about being able to provide ICU availability, medical emergency assistance, and non-emergency surgeries, etc. He noted the ongoing hard work and dedication from staff and management in handling the COVID and non-COVID situations. Dr. Wilby thanked city leadership/staff and Avera McKennan Hospital leadership and staff for the ongoing commitment in battling the COVID virus. Dr. Elliot expressed appreciation to Council Members for their involvement and commitment in helping the medical entities and the citizens of Sioux Falls in fighting the COVID virus. Dr. Elliot talked about flattening of some local numbers and about the availability of anti-bodies in treating the virus. Last week illustrated the highest number of deaths (nationally) from the virus. Daily new cases is around 180,000 per day when it used to be 35,000. The Director for the Centers for Disease Control stated this winter is going to be long and the cases/illnesses and impact on hospital and healthcare systems will be significant. Dr. Elliot stated it is important to stay health, and continue to take care of routine medical needs. He asked that the community maintain our efforts for mitigation strategies; good science to show that masks work and help protect wearers and those around mask wearers. Discussion was held regarding: if the hospital administration(s) support the mask mandates; are people continuing with routine medical checkups and care; morale of hospital employees; the plans for distribution of the vaccine; status of performing elective surgeries vs. non-elective surgeries; encouraging individuals to stay home if suspected of being exposed; the benefits of donating blood or plasma; COVID syndrome (post-COVID effects); appreciation was expressed to health care professionals for their hard work and dedication to their tasks; is there an increase or decrease statistically in traffic patterns?; the costs for COVID testing and what avenues are available for non-insured patients; what are the influenza vaccination rates; mandatory vs. voluntary COVID vaccination rules and compliance; the number of shots for the vaccination and the time needed between them; and the origin and use of monoclonal antibodies; appreciation was expressed to the physicians and the Health Department for attendance and updates.  B. Engineering Design Standards Updates by Nick Borns, Aaron Fagerness, and Ryan Johnson, Principal Engineers Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion Kurt Peppel, Assistant City Engineer, provided opening remarks about the standards and engineering design standards and their need to be updated. The proposed ordinance revisions are also reviewed by the Infrastructure Review and Advisory Board. City Council approval by resolution is a requirement per City Ordinance for any design standard changes. Peppel reviewed the timeline for the required updates and proposed ordinance changes. He also stated that the proposed changes are primarily language housekeeping/updates and minor substantive updates. Ryan Johnson, Principal Engineer Sanitary Sewer, provided an update on the following proposed amendments to EDS Chapter 9: Sanitary Sewer to include changes to: 9.4.2 Velocity within Pipe; 9.4.5 Size of Sewer Pipe; 9.4.6 Depth of Sewer; 9.4.7 Alignment of Sewers; 9.4.8.3g Rim Elevation; 9.4.8.5 Maximum Manhole Drop; 9.4.8.6 Manhole Covers, Seals and Markers; 9.4.8.9 Crossings; 9.4.9.2 Regular Services; and 9.4.9.3 Lateral Extensions. Nick Borns, Principal Engineer Water/Lights, provided an update on the following proposed amendments to EDS Chapter 10: 10.1.1. Design Standards; 10.2 Water Main; 10.3.1 Valves; 10.4 Fire Hydrant; 10.5 Fire Service Lines; and 10.6 Domestic Service Lines. Borns also covered update to Ordinance Chapter 59 clarifying responsibilities for the maintenance personnel. Aaron Fagerness, Principal Engineer Storm Drainage, provided an update on the following proposed amendment to EDS Chapter: Chapter 12.2.5, Dust Mitigation (reinforce existing requirements). Discussion followed regarding: Fire hydrant protection and ADA standards for sidewalks and bump-outs for wheelchair passing. 5. Public Comment There was none. 6. Adjournment Council Chair Greg Neitzert adjourned the meeting at 5:27 p.m. Tamara Jorgensen, MMC, Assistant City Clerk