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<br /> <br /> <br />Commissioner Wakai questioned if there were any known side effects to the vaccine. Dr. <br />Duren discussed possible side effects from the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. She reported <br />minor side effects were common but explained no major vaccine reactions have occurred in <br />Minnesota to date. She commented further on the effectiveness of the vaccine. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ghouse asked if the City would be having any special requirements in place <br />for staff members that elect to not get the vaccine. Public Safety Director Paetznick reported <br />no special requirements have been put in place. He reiterated that the vast majority of his <br />staff members received the vaccine. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen commented on the Coronavirus Response Act that allowed for <br />governments to provide paid sick leave for impacted employees. He reported this act expired <br />at the end of 2020. He explained New Brighton has elected to continue offering up to 80 <br />hours of sick time if COVID related. Dr. Duren commended the City for having this safety <br />net still in place for its public works and first responder employees. <br /> <br />B. Public Safety Update – Director Paetznick <br /> <br />Director Paetznick stated 2020 was an unusual year but noted the number of fire calls <br />remained average. He reported Sergeant Terry Nelson would be recognized by the City <br />Council on Tuesday, January 12th after 30 years of service. He explained the department was <br />in the middle of a hiring process at this time and noted SRO’s would be returning to schools <br />in the coming weeks. <br /> <br />C. City Council Update – Graeme Allen, Councilmember <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. He <br />thanked Sergeant Nelson for his 30 years of service to the New Brighton Public Safety <br />Department. He explained the new Mayor and Councilmembers met with department heads <br />on Saturday, January 9th in a strategic planning session for 2021. He reported the newly <br />elected Councilmembers and Mayor would be sworn in at the Tuesday, January 12th City <br />Council meeting. <br /> <br />VII. Adjournment <br /> <br />Motion by Kessler, seconded by Ghouse to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. A roll call vote was <br />taken. Motion carried 8-0. <br /> <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br />Tony Paetznick <br />Director of Public Safety