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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 03/20/2020 OTTERTAIL COU NT Y · MIN NESOTA MINUTES OF THE OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Emergency Meeting Regarding COVID-19 Government Services Center, Battle Lake Room & Via GoToMeeting 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN March 20, 2020 1:30p.m. Call to Order The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 1:10 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN and via GoToMeeting for an emergency meeting under Minn. Stat. Sec. 13D.04, Subd . 3, to address COVID-19. Commissioners; Lee Rogness, Chair; Betty Murphy, Vice-Chair and John Lindquist were present in the room. Commissioners Wayne Johnson and Doug Huebsch were present via GoToMeeting. Commissioner Wayne Johnson was absent at 2:40 p.m. The meeting was held via GoToMeeting due to the health pandemic and declared emergency in accordance with Minn . Stat. Sec. 13D.021. Approval of Agenda Chair Rogness called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Murphy, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of March 20, 2020. Coronavirus (COVID-19) County Administrator Nicole Hansen provided a brief update regarding actions the county is taking to continue providing services to the public. Under the authority of the Emergency Declaration issued by the Board on March 17, 2020 and through consultation with Otter Tail County Public Health and Emergency Management, the county buildings were closed to the public with limited access on March 18, 2020. During this time, services and operation hours will continue to be provided by phone, e-mail and appointment if deemed necessary by the department. The public is encouraged to explore on-line services and are requested to call prior to visiting any county facility to ensure the availability of staff. Human Services Update Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom provided a brief update regarding Human Services staff and how they plan to continue services to the public. All face to face appointments have been eliminated with the exception of certain essential services. Staff plan to health screen prior to appointments to determine how to provide services while remaining safe. Ms. Sjostrom anticipates further information and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. External Communications Deputy County Administrator Nick Leonard shared a document titled "Roles and Functions of Otter Tail External Communications Team" to inform the public how the county is managing communications. RESOLUTION APPROVING ELECTRONIC PUBLIC HEARINGS DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY Otter Jail County Resolution No. 2020 -32 WHEREAS, the County recognizes that Governor Tim Walz declared a state of emergency in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Otter Tail County Resolution Number 2020-27, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners have declared a state of emergency exists under the authority given under Minnesota State Statute 12.29 due to the ongoing and expected response to and recovery from COVID-19; and WHEREAS, these essential public health actions necessitate finding alternative methods for ensuring the essential business of the county is conducted; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.021 allows for public hearings to be conducted via telephone or other electronic means. Page 1 of 3 1. 2. 3. Board of Commissioners' Emergency Meeting Minutes March 20, 2020 Otter Tail County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Update HRA Director Barbara Dacy provided a brief update to the Board regarding state and federal activities related to housing support. She summarized potential opportunities Legislature is considering and reported that the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has declared a 60-day moratorium solely on foreclosures backed by HUD or federal insurance programs. In response to COVID-19, the HRA passed a resolution reserving $200,000 of the levy for 2020 for a potential housing stability fund. Public Health Update Public Health Director Jody Lien provided a brief update to the Board regarding COVID-19 . Currently, Minnesota has 115 reported cases and no cases in Otter Tail County. The measures taken to mitigate the threat will slow the spread and flatten the curve to assist healthcare systems. Testing is limited and is being prioritized but is not vital to treatment. If or when a case is reported in Otter Tail County, recommendations to mitigate the spread will remain the same. The Public Health department has a fully staffed operations center and is working with the Emergency Management Director to open the county wide emergency operations center. The Public Health department continues to participate in regular updates through the Minnesota Department of Health and are providing guidance to departments to ensure safety of staff while providing services. Healthcare Coalitions Public Health Director Jody Lien and Emergency Services Director Patrick Waletzko provided a brief overview of Healthcare Coalitions (HCC), a group of individual healthcare and response organizations that play a critical role in developing healthcare system preparedness and response capabilities. Ms. Lien outlined the HCC core capabilities and response functions and reported that they are actively operating . Mr. Waletzko reported that Otter Tail County is a member of the West Central Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, which meets monthly to ensure the community has the necessary medical equipment and supplies, real-time information, communication system, and trained and exercised personnel to respond to an emergency. Assessor Update Chief Deputy Assessor Kevin Scheidecker updated the Board regarding valuation notices and local board of appeals. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has provided guidance and flexibility to fulfill the statutory requirements and townships and cities plan to proceed with meetings as scheduled . Staff plan to utilize technology to perform required duties and the public is encouraged to appeal by phone, mail or e-mail. Commissioners expressed concerns regarding social distancing and the safety of staff and public if meetings are held and requested the County Administrator address their concerns with MICA and AMC. Department Updates -COVID-19 Department Heads participating in the meeting provided brief updates regarding how individual departments are implementing social distancing recommendations by determining which staff can work remotely and ensuring that staff in the work environment practice social distancing. County Administrator Nicole Hansen provided that while Governor Tim Walz had not ordered a shelter in place, it is expected that he will issue an Executive Order, and the operations of the county are adjusting the delivery of services, including prioritizing services, in anticipation of this order. Adjournment At 2:52 p.m., Chair Rogness declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned. The next Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN . OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS By:. _________________ _ Leland R. Rogness, Board of Commissioners Chair Page 3 of3 Dated : ______________ _ Attest: _______________ _ Nicole Hansen, Clerk