HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 03/27/2020
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY· MINNESOTA
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Emergency Meeting Regarding COVID-19
Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via GoToMeeting
515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
March 27, 2020
8:30a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:06 a.m . Friday, March 27, 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; and John Lindquist were present in the room . Commissioners
Betty Murphy, Vice-Chair, Wayne Johnson and Doug Huebsch were present via GoToMeeting. 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 Lindquist, second by Murphy to approve the Board of
Commissioners' agenda of March 27, 2020. After discussion, the motion to approve the agenda passed on a roll call vote
as follows :
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
COVID-19 Update
Emergency Management Director Patrick Waletzko provided an update regarding the recently activated Otter Tail
County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC is focused on ensuring Public Health and healthcare communities
are prepared for cases of COVID-19 within Otter Tail County and providing public education to prevent the spread. They
plan to identify areas the county can assist including providing personal protective equipment (PPE) through a donations
and collections process. The EOC is also focused on internal emergency operations to allow for continued services
through the county and plan to partner with private sector and community organizations to ensure their stability to
maintain services to the public.
Public Health Director Jody Lien reported Minnesota has 346 positive cases of COVID-19 out of 12,950 tests and two (2)
deaths. Though there are no reported cases in Otter Tail County, the virus is community spread and testing is limited. Ms.
Lien emphasized that public health preventions are vital, and guidelines will remain the same if or when a case has been
reported in Otter Tail County. The Public Health department continues to participate in daily calls with the Minnesota
Department of Health, connect with local community partners and send out electronic alerts to keep the public informed.
The Public Health Emergency Operations Center is staffed from 9:00 a.m . until 3:00 p.m . to assist the public with general
questions regarding COVID-19 and requests that questions regarding health guidance be directed to their local
healthcare provider. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center can be reached by calling the Fergus Falls office at
(218) 998-8320 or the New York Mills office at (218) 385-5500.
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Board of Commissioners' Emergency Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2020
County Administrator Nicole Hansen reported that departments have been adjusting to work remotely in response to
the governor's request for social distancing to minimize and mitigate the spread of the virus. The recent executive order
to stay at home does not restrict virtual or telework and provides for exemptions regarding certain governmental
activities. Ms. Hansen requested departments to report how they plan to continue services while the stay at home order
is in place and identify workforce concerns should staff become ill. The county is also planning to provide community
support with workforce and further information will be reported to the Board at a later time.
Motion by Lindquist, second by Huebsch to authorize the County Administrator to implement and ensure that the
Governor Tim Walz's Executive Order 20-20 Stay at Home is being followed with regards to the operational function of
Otter Tail County. After discussion, the motion was passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Commissioners expressed concerns regarding contact information for community organizations if assistance is needed.
Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard reported that dedicated staff have been in contact and are working closely with
various organizations based on existing relationships between the county and the different sectors. He explained the
county is working toward a process that complements community efforts and provides resources where needed.
Commissioners expressed concerns regarding resources for townships to address legal advice for conducting meetings
during the pandemic. It was suggested townships contact the Minnesota Association of Townships as well as the
Minnesota Data Practices Office. Commissioners requested that the County Administrator provide these resources to the
townships.
Adjournment
At 9:41 a.m., Chair Rogness declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned for a closed session
authorized under Minn . Stat. 13D.05, Subd . 3(d) regarding security and emergency response procedures for COVID-19 .
Present in the room were Commissioners; Lee Rogness, Chair; John Lindquist and County Administrator Nicole Hansen .
Present via GoToMeeting were Commissioners ; Betty Murphy, Vice Chair; Wayne Johnson, Doug Huebsch, Emergency
Management Director Patrick Waletzko, Public Health Director Jody Lien, Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom, Deputy
Administrator Nick Leonard, Public Works Director Rick West, County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons, County Attorney Michelle
Eldien and County Auditor-Treasurer Wayne Stein . The next regular Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m . on Tuesday,
April 7, 2020, via GoToMeeting .
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
By: _________________ _
Leland R. Rogness, Board of Commissioners Chair
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Dated: ______________ _
Attest: ______________ _
Nicole Hansen, Clerk