The City of Monticello, Iowa
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, IOWA
RESOLUTION #2020-41
RESOLUTION ANNOUNCING TEMPORARY ELECTRONIC PUBLIC MEETINGS and CLOSURE OF CITY FACILITIES AND OFFICES
WHEREAS, it is currently recommended that individuals refrain from large public gatherings, due to the concerns regarding person-to-person transmission of the COVID-19 virus; and
WHEREAS, Iowa Code, Chapter 21, as interpreted, permits public meetings to be held electronically, provided all participates can either hear or see the meeting, and provided the Council and the public can participate; and
WHEREAS, the technology exists to hold meetings electronically,
WHEREAS,
- Beginning the City Council’s Special meeting on March 23, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., the City Council will conduct its meetings electronically, until further notice; and
- The Mayor, Council, Clerk and City Administrator shall either meet as usual at the time and place scheduled for all regular and special Council meetings, unless arrangements are made for one or more of the elected officials to call in; and
- The proceedings will be broadcast live on Mediacom as usual and rebroadcast on the City of Monticello Website; and
- The public shall be provided a detailed notice compliant with Chapter 21.4 of the Iowa Code, including all necessary information for electronic participation, including all call-in numbers and procedures; and
- The City staff is directed to research and prepare an electronic format via telephone and or video link wherein the public may listen in real time to the meeting and wherein public participants will be placed into a que until called upon by the Mayor.
-and-
WHEREAS, The CDC has recommended that efforts be made to avoid the spread of Coronavirus with one of the most common steps being keeping people separated from one another, and
WHEREAS, The experts indicated that the spread of the virus is not a matter of if, but when, and that steps must be taken as much in advance as possible to avoid a peak in the infections amongst our citizens, spreading infections out, if you will, in a manner that will not overburden our healthcare systems, and
WHEREAS, Based upon the declaration of a Federal Emergency, declaration of a Pandemic by the World Health Organization, along with Iowa Governor Reynold’s Proclamation of a Disaster Emergency, the Council finds as follows:
- That City Hall will be staffed but closed to the public from March 16th through April 12th, with further extensions possible.
- That the Park and Recreation Dpt. will cancel all activities and rentals, reimbursing all those that have paid fees for either activities or rentals in full from March 16th through April 12th.
- That the Library will be closed, but for on line and/or other services approved by the Library Board from March 16th through April 12th.
- That the Public Works Departments shall avoid group gatherings amongst themselves and to that end there shall be no morning or afternoon break gatherings or common lunches from March 16th through April 12th.
- That all staff shall follow strict personal hygiene recommendations and shall avoid contact with the public.
- That staff shall report as scheduled to all departments during these timeframes and continue to perform their jobs.
- With regard to the Renaissance Center and Berndes Center, the doors to the facilities will be locked, there shall be no public access or use during the timeframes noted above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council in session the 16th day of March, 2020, that the City Administrator and City Clerk shall work with City staff to carry out the directives set forth herein and use their best judgment to ensure City business continues and that meetings are held as efficiently as possible consistent with the contents of this Resolution.
Brian Wolken, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk