Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke, Christine M. Erickson, Alex Jensen, Rick Kiley, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg, Curt Soehl, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: None Council Chair Curt Soehl called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Committee/Commission Reports A. Siouxland Heritage Museum Board: Thursday, September 2, 2021 (Council Member Starr) Council Member Pat Starr reported that the Mountain-Plains Museum Association Conference will be held in Sioux Falls next month. This was the first time it's been held here since the 1970's. B. South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG): Wednesday, September 8, 2021 (Council Members Soehl and Starr) The meeting was not held. 3. Councilor Remarks Council Member Greg Neitzert provided an update on the work of the Interim Rules Committee concerning Medical Cannabis. All but five sections of the rules were approved. Those not approved can be revised by the Department of Health and sent back to the committee. It is expected that the committee would submit the approved rules to the Secretary of State soon. The rules become effective 20 days after submitted to the Secretary of State. 4. Presentations A. City Council Budget by Dave Bixler, City Council Budget Analyst Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Bixler reviewed the Internal Audit budget highlights which include personnel changes in insurance coverage benefits, the external audit of the City’s finance  documents, professional organization memberships and training, and audit software. The overall Internal Audit budget is approximately $1,980 less than the 2021 budget. Clerk’s Office highlights includes personnel changes in insurance coverage benefits also, part-time labor for the election, increased election notices and publishing, professional organization memberships and training, and enterprise content management and agenda software. The overall budget has increased by approximately $257k, most of which is election-related. Council budget highlights include legal services, pictures, the National Citizen Survey, staff training, SDML travel, NLC & SDML membership dues, meals, logowear, and memorials. The Council budget shows an approximate $45k increase over 2021. The overall City Council budget shows a 20% increase over last year. Discussion followed about election costs, attendance at National League of Cities events, and the National Citizen Survey. B. Mayor's Office Budget by Erica Beck, Chief of Staff Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Beck stated that the proposed 2022 Mayor’s Office budget is $827k. The office consists of five full-time positions. The office will scale for growth through vision casting, strategic planning, and systems development. To connect with people, the office will continue supporting the Sioux 52 mentorship program, the Mayor’s Youth Council, various Boards and Commissions, and various internal engagements such as The Compass and One Team events. Additionally, the office will continue to provide support to the Onward Leadership Development Program, Training and Development Opportunities, Succession Planning, and the Performance Impact System. Discussion followed about succession planning and managing retirements. C. COVID-19 by Dr. Charles Chima, Public Health Director; Dr. Mike Elliott, Avera Health; Dr. Mike Wilde, Sanford Health Presentation: Approximately 10 minutes followed by discussion Dr. Charles Chima, Director of Public Health, explained that in the past three months, Covid cases and hospitalizations have risen significantly in the community and as of the time of the report, there are 1,500 active confirmed cases and 49 hospitalizations. He indicated we are in the midst of another surge and are experiencing the second highest peak since the beginning of the pandemic. The Delta variant of the virus, which transmits more easily, is driving the current surge. Although cases continue to climb, there has been a decrease in hospitalizations in the past two weeks. Chima then spoke about administration of the vaccine in Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties. Vaccinations peaked in April with over 40,000 received and declined through July. In the past two months, there have been increases in the number of individuals receiving the vaccine. Over 140,000 people in the two-county area have received at least one Covid shot resulting in a 50.5% proportion of the population that has completed the vaccination series to date. Dr. Mike Elliott, Chief Medical Officer for Avera Health, provided an update on the hospital system as it relates to Covid. He indicated they were very busy with both Covid and non-Covid patients. Additionally, they have received diversion patients  from other systems that are at capacity. 90% or more of the patients in the ICU are unvaccinated Covid patients. He encouraged the public to receive the vaccine and also spoke about ongoing preparations for any spikes in patient loads. Dr. Mike Wilde, VP and Chief Medical Officer for Sanford Health, also provided an update on his hospital system. He indicated that the rate of Covid patients in the past couple of weeks has been relatively flat. The system, however, continues to implement mitigation measures, manages staffing levels accordingly, has ramped-up in-home monitoring, and expanded drive-thru testing. He also encouraged the public to get the vaccine. Discussion followed about: informing the public about the vaccine; getting the Flu and Covid concurrently; mobile vaccine units; the impact of the Delta variant on children; comparisons between this and last year; booster shots; hospital capacity; population immunity; misinformation about the vaccine; and, the importance of getting the vaccine. 5. Public Comment Scott Ehrisman spoke about election costs and Covid education. Sierra Broussard spoke about vaccination. Linda Oliver spoke about mandates and the vaccine. 6. Executive Session A. Consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters pursuant to SDCL 1-25- 2(3) There was no executive session. 7. Adjournment Council Chair Curt Soehl adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk