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Min 03/25/2020W/C1 �64r ra (S T E X A S P/cteSRieS. Ci�/de�vO��poifirr�7ie5. Item 1 - Call to Order City of Wichita Falls City Council Meeting Minutes March 25, 2020 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in a special session on the above date in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8.33 o'clock a.m., with the following members present. Stephen L. Santellana DeAndra Chenault Tim Brewer Jeff Browning Michael Smith Steve Jackson Bobby Whiteley Darron Leiker Kinley Hegglund Marie Balthrop - Mayor - Mayor Pro Tem/Councilor District 2 - Councilor District 4 - Councilor District 3 - Councilor District 1 - Councilor District 5 - Councilor At -Large - City Manager - City Attorney - City Clerk Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8.33 a.m. Item 2a — Invocation Councilor Smith gave the invocation. Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance. Item 3 — Staff Update on COVID-19 8.37 am Mr. Leiker asked the Director of Health, Lou Kreidler, to speak to the council regarding the current outbreak of COVID-19. Ms. Kreidler indicated that in the state of Texas there are currently seven hundred ninety-one positive cases and eleven deaths. Locally, one hundred eighty-two people have been tested, eight of those have tested positive, forty- seven have tested negative, and there are one hundred twenty-seven pending results. Of those who have tested positive, six are at home, one is currently hospitalized, and as of today, one will be recovered. The Health District continues to see an increase in the number of tests being performed and as such, it is expected that there will be an increase in the number of positive cases. Hospitals and clinical providers are working closely with the Health District to ensure that those being tested remain in isolation and that they are being reported daily to the Health District. Ms. Kreidler thanked local businesses for their understanding and cooperation with cleaning and disinfecting. She encouraged citizens to practice social distancing, to be mindful of others, and remember that there is not a shortage of food. They should go directly to work and limit the number of stops on their way home, and travel should be limited whenever possible. If you have recently travelled out of the country or to an area experiencing community spread, you are asked to monitor your health for two weeks upon return. Ms. Kreidler stressed that if you begin feeling unwell to stay home and contact your physician. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, wash your hands often with soap and water for twenty seconds, use hand sanitizer when unable to wash your hands, and wash your hands as soon as possible afterwards. Ms. Kreidler reminded the public that we are all in this together as a community, and it will take us working together as a community to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to recover from these challenging times. Councilor Smith asked where we were in our plan as far as having extra facilities, beds, triage tents, and use of convention centers as mobile hospital locations. Al Gonzalez, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, stated that we have practiced for this type of scenario in this region over the last couple of years. Requiring outside services or mobile hospitals would be largely dependent on the numbers and guidelines established by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Mr. Gonzalez indicated that there are limits to our resources, specifically a lack of medical personnel. Mr. Gonzalez stated that he and John Henderson, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, would be keeping watch of the situation daily. Councilor Smith asked if we were in contact with the National Guard or any agency on the state level with regard to what is currently needed by the state. Mr. Henderson has been in contact with the State Operations Center and the District Coordinator daily. Approximately forty-seven requests have been submitted for supplies, but the whole nation is currently in need. We do have resources and vendors who would be able to supply us with items such as tents. If we see the need, a request could be submitted for help from the National Guard. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 2 Councilor Browning asked for an update on the person who is recovered. Ms. Kreidler stated that they would be released from their quarantine today and their symptoms have resolved. Councilor Smith asked if the City had the ability to use data to predict the future course of the pandemic, specifically to predict a worst/best case scenario for the city. Ms. Kreidler stated that they do not have that information locally to date but that there may be statewide information available. There was discussion about whether we had triage tents and should we set them up now as opposed to waiting until they are needed. Mr. Leiker stated that once they are set up they would need to be staffed and resourced. Ms. Kreidler reminded Council that we would have issues finding available medical staff for the triage tents. It is important that the community do what it can to flatten the curve by practicing social distancing, as this will help to prevent us getting to the point where triage tents would be needed. Mr. Leiker stated that the City has been in constant contact with the hospital system. They have not made any indication that they feel overwhelmed or are projecting to be overwhelmed. At the point when they indicate that they are starting to feel overwhelmed, then the City would take action to help alleviate the hospital system. Councilor Whiteley asked if the Health District was giving our Public Safety Officers as much information as possible to help ensure their health and safety. Ms. Kreidler said that when they receive the lists of those who have been tested, their addresses go into our CAD system and the dispatch systems for AMR and Trans Star. When first responders are called out to an address, it will show a medical caution with a number to call. Mr. Leiker added that continuity of operations plans have been created to help mitigate any concerns. Councilor Browning asked what the status of the hospitals was currently. Ms. Kreidler stated that as elective surgeries have been put off for the time being, the hospitals are not currently overrun. Councilor Jackson asked if the Health Department knew if the 8t" and 9t" cases were travel related as well. Ms. Kreidler indicated that the investigation was still ongoing and would have more detailed information later today. Councilor Jackson asked several questions regarding the City's ability to perform localized testing, and drive -through testing. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 3 Ms. Kreidler stated that the hospital may be able to do localized testing, but that there is a process in order to get that set up. She detailed what our current lab options are and how long it is taking to receive results. Drive -through testing would take a lot of staff and resources to set up, but there are providers offering drive up and drive -through testing. She stressed that this option was currently not being offered to those who were asymptomatic. Councilor Jackson asked if there would be travel restrictions for the airport and bus routes. Mr. Leiker indicated that there are no federal mandate or guidance for shutting down transportation. The airport currently only has three flights a day and the number of travellers has decreased significantly. Airlines are working to help maintain social distance between each passenger, the City is working to keep social distance between passengers on bus rides. John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation, commended Rodney Busby, Facilities Manager, for his department's efforts to help maintain a clean and safe environment for travellers. He emphasized that the transportation system is mostly being used for essential travel to work, grocery stores, and pharmacies. Councilor Jackson asked if we have enough personal protective equipment (PPE). Ms. Kreidler stated that local providers have put in requests for more PPE. Mr. Henderson said that approximately twenty two thousand N95 masks have been requested for Wichita County. The State Operations Center is working through over ten thousand requests. We are taking inventory and do have a supply but reminded Council that it is not unlimited. Some medical facilities are already close to being out. Councilor Jackson asked if there are businesses or individuals who would like to donate medical equipment whom do they need to call. Mr. Henderson gave his office number and asked that anyone who would like to make a donation call first so that their office is not inundated with supplies. Councilor Jackson encouraged the public to be conscious of others when making purchases for essential items. There was discussion of volunteer organizations currently operating and accepting donations. Councilor Whiteley and Browning reiterated that they wish the City to be as proactive as possible and thanked staff for all their hard work. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 4 Mayor Santellana thanked the Health Department and Public Information Office for their hard work and emphasized their importance during this critical point. He stated the press is also doing a great job of getting things out to the public. Mr. Leiker reminded Council that staff is doing their best to be communicative, and if Council has any questions or needs to please call. Item 4 — Ordinance 13-2020 9.22 a.m. Ordinance approving, continuing, and modifying the Declaration of Disaster signed on March 19, 2020 by Mayor Stephen Santellana; declaring an emergency. Moved by Councilor Chenault to approve Ordinance 13-2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning. Mr. Hegglund gave information on the specifics of this ordinance and explained how the previous declaration and ordinance differed. Councilor Browning asked Ms. Kreidler to speak on the exception allowing barbershops and hair and styling salons to remain open. Ms. Kreidler stated that the determination was based on the proximity to a person when the service is being provided as well as the amount of time for contact. Councilor Smith made a motion to amend the main motion amending section 5 subsection b by adding the following sentence to the end of the subsection: "Truck drivers holding CDL licenses and who are operating a semi tractor trailer truck for commercial purposes are exempt from the food requirements of this subsection while they are on the premises of any truck stop or travel center. Said truck drivers are limited to eating only in their semi truck while on said premises." Motion to amend seconded by Councilor Jackson and carried by the following vote; Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley Nays: None Councilor Smith wished to discuss what further requirements might take place and to define a stricter policy requiring citizens to remain home. He expressed concern that as we are an urban/populated area that we may need to make more restrictions. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 5 Dr. Anil Nalubotula, 5009 Southfork, expressed appreciation for the City Council and City of Wichita Falls staff. He advocated for more draconian procedures to curtail spread. Approximately three people are infected by each person who currently has COVID-19, so there are twenty-four potential cases spreading the disease and unaware they are doing do. This will exponentially increase. The public needs to do more to curtail spread so the hospitals are not overrun. Dr. Nalubotula suggested that the triage tents be set up now and to have primary care providers do their testing in those tents to help contain the spread. He questioned what our current quarantine procedures were and asked how strictly those in quarantine were being monitored. Dr. Nalubotula warned that by the time it reaches the hospital, it would be out of control. Councilor Browning expressed concern that doing a shelter in place too early would impact local businesses and that many would not be able to survive a prolonged shutdown. He estimated that 30% might not come back, and there will be a financial impact not only on businesses but on individuals as well. Councilor Browning stressed that this ordinance needs to be taken seriously by the public to avoid having to go into shelter in place. Councilor Smith stated that the public should be taking this seriously and that stores should be more proactive about limiting the number of essential items per household to prevent shortage as well. He suggested holding a Council meeting weekly to discuss the current situation. Councilor Jackson stated that he believed we would not be able to define what would be deemed essential work especially compared to areas that are metropolitan. He urged the public to use common sense and not to panic and asked the community to come together. There was discussion about where the declaration of disaster can be located online. This information is on the City Clerk webpage, on the Legal Department's webpage, and on the COVID-19 webpage. Mr. Leiker encouraged the public to use the Notify Me function of the webpage in order to receive notifications of current happenings. There was further discussion about the necessity of shelter in place and making sure that the public would still be able to work in order to make ends meet. The lists of essential business from other cities and counties in Texas seem to be quite large which would allow for the public to continue working. Mayor Santellana stated that physicians he has spoken with have recommended that the City shelter in place. Councilors stressed using common sense and following social distancing protocol. Ms. Kreidler answered Councilor Brewer's question regarding different strands of the virus. There is not much research as this is a new virus, and currently there is no effective treatment. A vaccine must be developed to treat COVID-19. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 6 Councilors Smith and Whiteley advocated for long term, more restrictive measures to help prevent spread. Councilor Whiteley expressed concerns that there are socially irresponsible people and that the public needs to take this seriously so that more stringent measures do not have to be taken. There was discussion of placing limitations on grocery stores such as how much of each item can be purchased or setting up restrictions of who can shop when to prevent too many people from being in the store at the same time and people buying up all the essential items. Mayor Santellana commended stores for being responsive and being open to suggestions. Councilor Chenault relayed questions made by members in her district regarding being able to attend church services and funerals. Mr. Hegglund indicated that any type of community gathering, including church services and indoor funerals, cannot have more than ten people per Governor Abbott's executive order. He encouraged use of live streaming or separating attendees into small groups. Councilor Chenault asked about the possibility of setting up triage tents for testing as Dr. Nalubotula suggested. Ms. Kreidler stated that a conversation would need to occur with the Health District and local providers and that it would be unlikely that providers would agree to move to a single provider system. She added that we currently do not have the staff to operate a set up like that and that even larger health departments across the state are relying on local providers for testing. Councilor Chenault requested further communication regarding this matter in the weekly update to Council. Mayor Santellana asked Ms. Kreidler for an update for where we are now and asked if there was any other action Council needed to take at this point in time. Ms. Kreidler stated that putting this ordinance into effect would be the appropriate step to take. She stressed that community support is vital to help prevent further spread. Once community spread occurs, different action will be required then and a stricter shelter in place will be needed to prevent hospital overload. Council agreed with Ms. Kreidler's suggestion that if we have a community spread case then stronger action will be necessary to curtail spread of COVID-19. Mayor Santellana emphasized importance of City's decisions regarding COVID-19 in order to help protect Sheppard Air Force Base as well as making sure that any decision made is tailored to our community. There was discussion regarding communication by staff to council members. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 7 Michael Morrison, 3910 Jacksboro Hwy, wanted to give input on discussion of essential business. Other cities have included pawnshops as essential. There will be people trying to pay bills, and they will need options for short-term loans, especially given the downturn in the economy. Mr. Morrison reiterated comments made by Council that the public should be taking this more seriously. He wishes to be able to continue providing this service so that the people who are living pay check to pay check will be able to have money to make it through. Augusta Slocum, 5020 Cy Young, urged Council that the sooner they start a shelter in place the better, as Wichita Falls has a large elderly population and people with co - morbidities who are at greater risk. Slowing spread is the best defense for those populations. Ms. Slocum emphasized that citizens who do not follow the rules will cost the lives of others, and that if you wait until you see more cases, then you've waited too long. She stressed that doing more now will be really effective in saving a lot of lives in our community. There was discussion by Council to begin drafting an ordinance for shelter in place. Aida Roy, 3109 Jacqueline, asked if first responders should be included with the amendment for truck drivers. Mr. Hegglund indicated that first responders would not need to be included in the amendment as their vehicles were smaller and could relocate more easily. Ms. Roy then suggested a grid system, similar to what is used in South Korea, to help keep neighborhoods confined to a specific area for shopping for essential items to limit spread and also prevent items being sold out. Mayor Santellana called for a vote on the main motion as amended, and Ordinance 13- 2020 as amended carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mayor Santellana, Councilors Brewer, Browning, Chenault, Jackson, Smith, and Whiteley Nays: None Item 5 — Items of Concern to Members of the City Council 11:32 a.m. Councilor Chenault stated that if anyone is in need of food, there will be a mobile pantry at 115 E Wichita Street between 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 8 Councilor Whiteley said he was pleased with the action taken today but believes that Council should have taken things a little farther. He encouraged the public to please be diligent and to take heed from the medical community. Councilor Jackson is still receiving food and other donations should anyone need anything and he can be contacted by text or email. He said that he believes in the strength of our community and asked for prayers for our community and country. Councilor Browning stated that the public needs to pay attention. This is a warning and the next step will be a shelter in place. Councilor Smith wanted to clarify from previous discussion that Council would be meeting weekly to address COVID-19. Mayor Santellana reiterated that today's council meeting was not regarding a shelter in place but indicated that preparing for shelter in place was the next step. The public needs to be responsible and think about the elderly population and your neighborhood and community. Item 6 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items that are not on the City Council Agenda 11.39 a.m. There were no additional comments from the public. Item 7 — Adjourn Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 11.39 a.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this 7t" day of April, 2020. 4�1� ;t � Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 25, 2020 Page 9 ATTEST: VaA -4 --A.1 M rie Balthrop 1PIVIC, CIVIC City Clerk lei 0WK4[fill 0lei ll LVAI10 011W March 25, 2020 Page 10