HomeMy WebLinkAbout22-018 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2022/01/18Resolution No. 22-018
Resolution acknowledging the Omicron variant surge of the COVID-19
health pandemic impacting in-person meetings of
the city council and advisory boards and commissions
Whereas, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of
Emergency in response to the COVID-19 health pandemic; and,
Whereas, the mayor of the City of St. Louis Park issued an Emergency Declaration, to
address the local response to the pandemic; and
Whereas, all emergency declarations were subsequently approved by the city council
via Resolution No. 20-066; and
Whereas, the State of Minnesota’s peacetime emergency order expired as of July 1,
2021; and
Whereas, despite relaxation of state and local measures to respond to the COVID -19
pandemic, the pandemic persists with dramatic increase in spread with the Omicron variant; and
Now, therefore, the city council of the city of st. Louis park makes the following findings:
1. The World Health Organization continues to declare COVID-19 as a global health
pandemic.
2. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has stated that data
suggests that persons, regardless of vaccination status, in some cases may become
infected with COVID-19 and its variants and transmit the same to other persons.
3. The CDC recommends that persons, regardless of vaccination status, undertake
transmission-mitigating measures (such as masking and social distancing) while at indoor
public settings, particularly in areas with “high” or “substantial” transmission rates.
4. The City of St. Louis Park is comprised in important part by persons who are
immunocompromised, high-risk, and/or unable to become vaccinated against
COVID-19 (including children under the age of 5).
5. Some elected officials, employed staff, advisory board or commission members,
residents, and guests of the City of St. Louis Park may continue to possess sincerely
held concerns and apprehensions about attending indoor public meetings of city
business.
6. The existence of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant surge within the community
poses a direct threat to the health, safety, and well-being of the community.
Consistent with the determination of the mayor, city manager, and city attorney,
due to the measures necessary to contain and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, it
has been determined that attendance at the regular meeting location by members
of the public is not feasible and that the physical presence at the regular meeting
location by at least one member of the body, chief legal counsel, or chief
administrative officer is also not feasible.
DocuSign Envelope ID: E6A773E2-C150-47B9-AAF1-7BEF8C7F6211
Resolution No. 22-018 2
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the city council of the City of St. Louis Park, based
upon the above recitals and findings, as follows:
1. All meetings of the city council and meetings of city advisory boards and
commissions shall be conducted by interactive technology/videoconferencing under
the authority and requirements of Minn. Stat. § 13D.021, so as to permit any
persons, including but not limited to members of the city council or advisory boards
or commissions, to participate from a remote location not open to the public.
2. This resolution and its directives shall expire without further action at 11:59 p.m. on
Feb. 22, 2022, unless rescinded or extended by resolution of the city council.
Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council on January 18, 2022
Kim Keller, city manager Jake Spano, mayor
Attest:
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: E6A773E2-C150-47B9-AAF1-7BEF8C7F6211