2021.01.26 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 12, 2021 Page 5 of 7 days to notify the City if they no longer wish to participate in the program. Councilmember Axberg thanked staff for the presentation. She stated she appreciated the creativity within this program. She asked how communication would be made to people already donating to the Parks and Recreation Department. Parks and Recreation Director Fink stated anyone who has donated up to this point will have their funds utilized as they were previously intended. She explained a 30 day notice would be provided to those who have been utilizing this program to date and allow them to opt out. She indicated the new program would begin on March 1, 2021. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked if staff had thought of ideas on how to increase participation in this fund. Parks and Recreation Director Fink reported one of the main opportunities was to utilize the City- wide newsletter, along with sharing more information on the City's website. She stated information on the Fun Fund was not available online. Motion by Councilmember Abdulle, seconded by Councilmember Axberg to adopt a Resolution approving additional uses of the "Change for the Better" Program Donations. A roll call vote was taken. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays -Motion Carried 2. Consider Resolution Reafhmiing the Declaration and Extension of the Period of a Local Emergency. City Manager Massopust indicated Public Safety Director Paetznick would be presenting this item to the Council. Public Safety Director Paet crick stated the City of New Brighton previously determined that a local emergency existed within the community due to the COVID-19 Health Pandemic. The Mayor's determination and Council extension of a local emergency invoked the City's Emergency Operations Plans and the Pandemic Response Plan. Reaffirmation of the declaration and extension of the period of local emergency authorizes the City Manager, the Director of Public Safety, and their designees to take those actions necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the City and the community. He provided the Council with a summary on the number of COVID-19 cases in New Brighton and was pleased to report the number of cases was on the decline. He encouraged residents to stay vigilant and diligent in order to keep the number of COVID cases down. He commented further on how the City has been responding to the pandemic, discussed vaccine information and requested the Council reaffirm the declaration and extension of the period of a local emergency. Councilmember Axberg questioned why the declaration was open ended versus having a set timeline. Public Safety Director Paetznick stated staff was uncertain how long this emergency would go on and therefore the timeline has been left open ended. He explained staff would end the state of emergency when the pandemic emergency is over. Councilmember Dunsworth commented she supported this extension because it gets the City Council out of the way and allows staff to pivot or take action when necessary. She thanked staff for doing an exceptional job on behalf of the community over the past 10 months. Councilmember Allen agreed noting the Council still reviews all expenditures from staff. Councilmember Abdulle commended staff for all of their efforts on behalf of the community throughout the pandemic. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information on the City's website and COVID tracker. City Manager Massopust explained when COVID first began the City had a COVID centered newsletter and the website has been amain platform for up to date information. He explained data and charts would be provided on the website to keep the public informed. He noted vaccine information would be posted on the website once available. 2. Consider Resolution Reaffumingthe Declaration and Extension ofthe Petiod ofa Local Emergency.