ITEM 5.1 COVID-19 Peacetime orderOtkgoF
MINNESOTA V
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Request for
City Council Action
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
REQUESTOR:
MEETING DATE:
Planning
City Planner Licht
26 May 2020
PRESENTER(s)
REVIEWED BY:
ITEM #:
City Planner Licht
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
City Attorney Kendall
5.1— COVID-19
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS:
THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
X
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
X
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is presented for City Council discussion and possible action.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?
IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
No
BACKGROUND/J USTI FICATION:
The Mayor and other City Council members contacted City staff to request a resolution be drafted
regarding the City's continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have expressed concern about
the effects of COVID-19 and the on -going response for residents, organizations, and particularly businesses
within the City. The purpose of the resolution is to state the City Council's support for easing social
distancing and opening businesses within Otsego in accordance with State executive orders and guidelines
and facilitate those actions to the extent the City is able.
The Governor declared a peacetime emergency on 13 March 2020 that provides Statutory authority for
executive orders to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. These orders establish requirements for social
distancing, including closure of non -essential businesses, to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
within Minnesota. Enforcement of the executive orders is the responsibility of the State and Wright
County Sheriff's Office.
The Governor has modified the executive orders on an on -going basis in response to changing conditions.
The most recent executive order regarding the State peacetime emergency allows for loosening of social
distancing requirements and for more businesses and organizations to reopen. Whether a business
chooses to open under these conditions or remain closed is their decision.
The City also declared a local emergency on 23 March 2020 and implemented a pandemic response plan.
The City has only that authority granted to it by the State through Statute. The City's pandemic response
plan is therefore limited in scope to only those areas where the City has jurisdiction and primarily
addresses City operations. The City has closed indoor City facilities to public access with the exception of
public meetings held by the City Council or other meetings held when required by law (Planning
Commission).
The City Council may direct additional actions be taken to support residents, businesses, and organization
as the pandemic emergency orders are further modified and the community begins to reopen under what
is likely to be substantially different conditions than normal. These would include temporary suspension
and/or modification of City Code provisions for business operations such as alcohol licensing for outdoor
patio areas, number of required off-street parking stalls, and allowing greater outdoor sales and events.
Modification of these provisions may be accomplished either under the local emergency resolution
adopted by the City Council or more formal procedures established by State law for public notice, Planning
Commission review where applicable, and approval of the City Council. The City Council may conduct
special meetings following 3 days posted notice to consider such measures if expedited approval is
required.
I SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: I
■ Draft resolution 2020-31
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-31 regarding the COVID-19 State of Minnesota Peacetime Emergency.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
NA
DRAFT — DRAFT — DRAFT
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2020-31
COVID-19 STATE OF MINNESOTA PEACETIME EMERGENCY
CONTINUING RESPONSE
WHEREAS, the City Council is very concerned for residents, businesses, and organizations within Otsego
as to the challenges caused by COVID-19 and the on -going response to the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on 13 March 2020 the State of Minnesota declared a peacetime emergency in response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, executive orders issued by the Governor under Statutory authority during a peacetime
emergency require implementation of social distancing measures and immediate closure of businesses
except those specifically exempted; and
WHEREAS, the City has implemented a pandemic response plan to continue essential operations while
minimizing the health risk within the community that includes adherence to guidelines from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health regarding social distancing;
and
WHEREAS, the City, as a government unit possessing only those powers provided to it by Statute, has no
jurisdiction or authority to modify or suspend within the City social distancing measures or business closures
required by peacetime emergency executive orders enforced by the State and/or the Wright County
Sheriff's Office within Otsego; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA THAT:
1. The City Council encourages residents to patronize businesses within Otsego that have chosen to
continue to operate during the peacetime emergency even if the circumstances of those operations
are much different than normal.
2. The City encourages the State of Minnesota to provide guidance and resources for residents,
businesses, and other organizations required for the restrictions of the peacetime emergency to be
modified as conditions change while continuing to protect public health, safety and welfare.
1
3. The City Council, for the duration of the City's declared local emergency, authorizes the following
temporary measures as may be necessary to facilitate reopening of businesses or other
organizations within the City only as allowed in accordance with the Governor's executive orders or
other Statutes and Rules:
a. The City Clerk may approve an amended premises permit for operation or expansion of
patios subject to the performance standards set forth by Section 4-1-6.C.3 of the City Code
for establishments possessing an on -sale intoxicating liquor license as approved by the City
Council.
b. The Zoning Administrator may approve a reduction in the number of off-street parking
stalls as required by Section 11-21-8 of the Zoning Ordinance corresponding to occupancy
limits for the use as required by executive order.
C. The area of outdoor sales, rental, or display allowed by Section 11-77-4.A of the Zoning
Ordinance may exceed 10 percent of the area of the principal building, subject to an
administrative permit approved by the Zoning Administrator.
d. Temporary outdoor promotional events and sales allowed by Section 11-77-4.13 of the
Zoning Ordinance may occur for more than 3 consecutive days per event and there may be
more than 2 events per calendar year, subject to an administrative permit approved by the
Zoning Administrator.
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 26th day of May, 2020.
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
W
CITY OF OTSEGO
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tami M. Loff, City Clerk