City Council

Woodbury Special Emergency City Council Meeting Minutes Saturday, May 30, 2020 Pursuant to the due call and per Minnesota Statute 13D.04 Notice of Meetings, a special emergency meeting was duly held virtual on the Microsoft Teams platform on the 30th day of May 2020. Call to Order Mayor Anne Burt called the special emergency meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. and noted the special emergency meeting notice required by Minnesota Statute 13D.04 will be attached to the official minutes of this meeting. Roll Call Upon roll call the following were present: Mayor Anne Burt, Councilmembers: Andrea Date, Amy Scoggins, Steve Morris, and Jennifer Santini. Others Present: Kimberlee K. Blaeser, City Clerk; Clinton Gridley, City Administrator; Lee Vague, Public Safety Director and Jason Egerstrom, Communications Manager and Mary Tietjen, City Attorney. Discussion A. Proclamation of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota Declaring a Local Emergency - City Wide Curfew for Saturday, May 30, 2020 and Sunday, May 31, 2020 At the direction of Mayor Burt, Public Safety Director, Lee Vague, provided a brief update regarding widespread since at least May 26, 2020 in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Mr. Vague stated that it has been a busy several days for many communities, and that the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is working with various agencies by sharing Intel. He explained that the Public Safety department is fully staffed and working hard to keep the community safe. He explained that he has meet with EOC staff and they discussed implementing a curfew in the City of Woodbury, which would be consistent with actions being taken by other suburbs and surrounding communities. He furthered explained that the Public Safety department has been assisting other communities such as Oakdale and St. Paul. He stated that the City has mutual aid agreements in place with various local agencies. Mayor Burt stated she has had several conversations with City Administrator Gridley, Public Safety Director Vague and various mayors throughout the region and she believes it is in the best interest of the community to impose a curfew as this will provide Public Safety officers to utilize all the tools necessary to keep our protect community residents and keep them safe. Councilmember Date asked what would be the difference between asking community residents to stay home verses a mandatory curfew. Mayor Burt responded that the curfew would provide our Public Safety department with the tools necessary to keep our community residents safe. Mr. Vague further explained that imposing a curfew will provide Public Safety officers a legal basis to deal with criminal activity quicker. He stated that in his thirty-one years of service, a curfew has never been imposed and it is unprecedented but a wise action. City Administrator Gridley stated there is a great deal of information indicating that there may be an out-of-town presence hoping to create unrest in Minneapolis and a possibility that these groups may go to surrounding communities for their voice to be heard. Mr. Gridley further commented that there have been many comments on social media asking the City to impose a curfew. Mr. Vague stated that intelligence is indicating that organizations wishing to incite unrest are planning to do damage and that these groups are mobile and intend to utilize the major highways throughout the Twin Cities. He stated that Woodbury has a strong retail presence along a major highway and we need to be prepared. Councilmember Date asked if there are any other tools other organizations, such as the State of Minnesota, are using to keep communities safe. Mr. Vague assured the Council that there are preparations in place. Councilmember Date noted her concerns on how impactful a curfew may be for those who are peaceful protestors. She stated she does not want to see a curfew impair those protestors; however, she understands the need to impose a curfew due to the organizations who wish to create unrest. Mr. Gridley reviewed the draft press release associated with the proclamation declaring the local emergency as well as the proposed proclamation declaring a local emergency. In response to a question from Mayor Burt, Mr. Gridley stated the curfew would be in effect 8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 30 until 6 a.m. and on Sunday, May 31; and 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, until 6 a.m. on Monday, June 1. He stated these times are consistent with other community’s curfew dates and times.  Woodbury Special Emergency City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 30, 2020 In response to a question from Council Member Morris, Mr. Gridley stated that the Mayor has the authority, per the City Attorney, to declare a local emergency via proclamation. The City Council reviewed draft language within the press release and provided guidance to staff to be sure the press release is communicated to the entire community the importance of imposing a curfew. Councilmember Scoggins stated her first reaction to imposing a curfew is that this is an over-reaction. She stated it is important that the community understands that the Council feels it is in the best interest to protect the community. She is supportive of the curfew and she trusts the work of Public Safety staff. She further stated she has heard that some businesses are closing at 5:00 p.m. tonight. She stated it is good that the City is in alignment with surrounding communities. Councilmember Date thanked Mayor Burt for calling the special emergency meeting and her work to guide the City through such a difficult time. She further stated she understands the importance of imposing a curfew and that she too trusts Public Safety and appreciates their guidance. She stated she wishes to not deter peaceful protestors and hopes that their process continues to be a part of the voices that need to be heard in the community. Mayor Burt briefly discussed the telephone calls she has received from local businesses and she was informed that some businesses are boarding up windows. She stated there is so much happening in the community with COVID-19 concerns and now the civil unrest. She stated she does not want harm brought to the community. Councilmember Morris stated he has been an advocate of imposing a curfew since the unrest has begun. He stated he has had several conversations with local businesses, and their concerns are being heard. He stated the City is a retail hub and anything we can do to support Public Safety’s work during this difficult time is important. He further commented he has seen many comments on Facebook indicating the community’s support of a curfew. Councilmember Santini stated she echoes everything that members of the Council have stated. She also stated there is a lot we don’t know and the efforts we make to keep our community safe and strong is important. She thanked Public Safety for their commitment in keeping the community well protected. Councilmember Scoggins stated she hopes this curfew is not needed and that if it is, it will be help provide mechanisms for Public Safety to keep the community safe. She stated she believe in our police officers and their work to keep the community safe. Mr. Vague stated these are unprecedented times, and the Council’s support is greatly appreciated. Councilmember Santini inquired if there will be squad cars stationed at various points in the city. Mr. Vague responded that Public Safety is monitoring the State’s tactical approach and assured the Council that Public Safety is working closely with the State to ensure safety. Mr. Gridley commented Public Safety, while not fully staffed due to retirements, planned leaves, etc., are well equipped to work through any issues that may arise. Mayor Burt inquired about mutual aid agreements and Mr. Vague responded that there are mutual aid agreements in place with neighboring agencies including Washington County and the City of St. Paul. He stated that it is the intent of Public Safety staff to stay within the community and that if service is needed elsewhere, they will assess the situation. Mayor Burt inquired as to why Washington County did not impose a county-wide curfew. Mr. Gridley responded that the County has a large rural aspect and as result, felt it important to leave the decision of imposing a curfew with each city. Councilmember Date inquired as to when communication of the curfew will be released. Mr. Gridley stated that the press release will be sent via InTouch to the community as soon as the documents is finalized. Council Member Morris discussed the use of Code Red and stated that it would be the first time this method of communicating to the entire community has been used. Mayor Burt stated that she appreciates the ability for the Council to come together to discuss this important matter. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 12.29, Mayor Burt proclaimed and declared a local emergency effective as of 8:00 p.m. on May 30, 2020 to 6:00 a.m., May 31, 2020; and from 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2020 until 6:00 a.m. June 1, 2020. She directed that a copy of the signed proclamation be attached to the May 30, 2020 Special Emergency Meeting Minutes of the City Council. Page 2 of 3  Woodbury Special Emergency City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 30, 2020 Councilmember Santini moved, seconded by Councilmember Scoggins, to adjourn the special emergency meeting at 1:08 p.m. Voting in Favor: Date, Scoggins, Morris, Santini, Burt Absent: None Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser, City Clerk Page 3 of 3