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Min 03/31/2020W/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 31, 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 8.30 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 8.30 a.m. Item 2a — Invocation Councilor Brewer gave the invocation. Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance. Item 3 — Staff Update on COVID-19 8.33 a.m. Lou Kreidler, Director of Health, provided a COVID-19 update. There are currently seven hundred -four tested, thirty positive, three hundred -seventy negative, and three hundred -four pending. We do have confirmed community spread and press releases will no longer list the places individuals have visited, as citizens now run the risk of infection anywhere they go. The Health Department continues to answer numerous calls and are trying to control rumors. It is important to know that if people are tested before symptoms appear they may test positive, but still may have been exposed and develop symptoms at a later date. Councilor Jackson asked how many testing facilities we have, where they are, and testing procedures. Ms. Kreidler stated that there are several testing locations and citizens can call their physician or the health department for additional information. Item 4 — Ordinance 15-2020 8.41 a.m. Ordinance continuing and modifying the Shelter in Place Order issued by the City Council on March 27, 2020; declaring an emergency. Moved by Councilor Smith to approve Ordinance 15-2020. Motion seconded by Councilor Browning. Mr. Hegglund discussed the layers of responsibility from the Governor to County Judges to Mayors during times of emergency. It was stated that when there are multiple orders they should not conflict, and Mr. Hegglund discussed how the City order should not conflict with the County order. Mr. Hegglund discussed the proposed amendments made to comply with the Wichita County shelter in place order and amendments recommended by staff to better protect the public. He reinterested that the orders intent is to keep people at home to reduce the spread. There was discussion regarding section 7 (e) (ii) that removes the sentence regarding the sale of plants to mirror the county order, adding limitations to high volume stores to 50% capacity or less, and requiring social distancing in lines. Stores would be required to develop a plan and present their plan to government officials upon request. There was discussion regarding the responsibility being on the store to control numbers as opposed to citizens being limited on days they can shop. Councilor Chenault asked how and when stores would be contacted regarding this information. It was stated that all media and social media sources will be utilized. There was discussion regarding section 7 (e) (xx) regarding real estate services. This section reflects changes to comply with the County order and would allow new real CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 31, 2020 Page 2 estate listings, showing of real estate, and closings to be done virtually with no physical contact. There was discussion regarding section 7 (e) (xxi) Lawn Maintenance Services and the addition of the word "or limbs" to comply with the County order. Councilor Jackson asked about lawn spraying services, and it was stated they are not currently considered essential. There was discussion regarding various arguments to add additional essential business, and the fact that the city cannot be in conflict or be less restrictive than the County. Ms. Kreidler stated that although it is a financially difficult decision, we need to be careful about adding to our list of essential businesses since the goal is to keep more people home, healthy, and safe. If we continue to add more essential services it weakens the order and puts more people at risk. There was discussion regarding section 7 (e) (xxix) Golf Courses, and how this is a change to comply with the County order. Golf courses will be allowed to operate with various restrictions, and will apply to disk golfers and traditional golfers. Various comments were made in opposition of this change. There was discussion regarding section 7 (e) (xxx) Plant Nurseries and Box Stores, and how this is a change to comply with the County order and would allow for online or telephone orders and delivery of products with no personal contact at any time. Various comments were made disagreeing with this provision Steve Smith, 1 Brass Lantern, and owner of Smith's Gardentown, thanked the council for their hard work and the decisions being made. Mr. Smith discussed the recommendations he provided to the Council, and inquired if curbside delivery with no contact is acceptable. Mr. Hegglund stated that as the order is written curbside delivery is not acceptable and any change to this would need to go through the County. There was discussion regarding section 7 (e) (xxxi) Car Washes, and the change to allow drive thru carwashes, but no hand held wands, hand drying, detailing, or self - serve cleaning such as vacuums. Ms. Kreidler stated that the purpose of this change is to reduce the touch points that can cause spread, and it is a risk we do not want to take. Phyllis Cowling, CEO of United Regional, agreed with Ms. Kreidler that we have to limit the routes of exposure to the extent possible to flatten the curve. Ms. Cowling discussed the projections presented by Dr. Von Grey and that if we do not reduce the spread we will face these consequences. Our outcomes depend on the ability to minimize the routes to exposure and reduce the spread. Ms. Cowling discussed how citizens with other medical conditions will be affected if the hospital is overrun with COVID-19 patients, and the plans in place for additional beds if needed. Ms. Cowling stressed that this is about public health of our community and health is paramount. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 31, 2020 Page 3 Cindy Simmons, 14312 Austin, owner of ten carwashes, advocated to amend the ordinance to include manual car washes specifically to help prevent water pollution by commercial vehicles conducting essential business. Ms. Simmons stated that many of the essential commercial businesses use wand carwashes as their vehicles cannot go thru the automatic bays. Ms. Simmons discussed chemicals they can use to sterilize the handheld wands. Ms. Kreidler expressed concerns with the effectiveness of these chemicals in the wet/humid car wash environment. It was stressed again that the purpose is to reduce the routes to exposure. Jackson Simmons, 3001 Kemp Blvd., agreed with the previous speaker and also advocated to amend the ordinance. He shared information from the Center for Disease Control in regards to touch points, and discussed concerns with social distancing and touch points in other businesses. Ms. Kreidler discussed the length of time the virus can live on surfaces and the spread from touch points and stressed again that we need to mitigate the spread as much as possible. Mr. Simmons discussed safety and sanitation issues caused by a dirty vehicle. It was stated that nothing prohibits individuals from cleaning their own vehicles. Cindy Simmons stated that cleaning vehicles at home or by businesses is an environmental issue due to pollutants getting into our water source and landfill. She discussed TCEQ concerns. Mr. Leiker stated that we have a superior water system and our purification system is designed to handle these pollutants. Mayor Santellana requested additional information and facts be provided in writing for future decisions on this topic. Councilor Brewer stated that as a licensed Real Estate agent, even with the changes, he is choosing to not practice due to health reasons, but there are individuals present that wish to speak on behalf of realtors. Lee Ann Burnett, 317 Windjammer, Wichita Falls Association of Realtors Board President, addressed the council and expressed her appreciation. She asked how these regulations relate to military. Mayor Santellana stated that military members are not moving per Sheppard Air Force Base. Ms. Burnett discussed how the real estate business has been using virtual tools for over a decade. Councilor Jackson asked about rental property, and it was stated rental property could be shown virtually. Mr. Brewer stated that he believes every business is essential to Wichita Falls, but the priority is the health of our community. Ms. Burnett offered assistance with virtual technology to other small businesses and encouraged business owners to reach out to a realtor for help. Glenn Harris, 3426 FM 369, discussed exceptions regarding nurseries and stated he was present to support Steve Smith. Mr. Harris discussed that this is a critical time for nurseries, and urged the council to find a way to work with them. Mr. Harris stated that Harris Landscaping has several commercial landscape jobs to finish, but they have not been able to work. There was discussion pertaining to landscape as part of construction vs. beatification, and that landscaping that is essential to construction/erosion control and safety is allowed. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 31, 2020 Page 4 Bruce Urban, 203 Royal Road, with Total Lawn Care, spoke in regards to the green industry which includes all landscaping, irrigation, and lawn application work. It was his understanding from the County that lawn care would extend into his business of lawn chemical application. Mr. Urban discussed the social distancing practiced at all times in his business and how there is no direct contact. Mr. Urban understands the need to stay consistent with the County and hopes that we can amend this in the future. Molly Brewer, 1511 Westlake Dr., Molly's Mobile Pet Spa, requested Council to reconsider pet grooming to be an essential business. Ms. Brewer stated that the majority of her clientele are handicapped or elderly, and she serves multiple service animals. Ms. Brewer discussed how her business is conducted with little to no contact, and expressed concerns about fleas and ticks. Mayor Santellana expressed concern about the large number of elderly clients and their risk of exposure. Ms. Brewer stated she wears gloves and a mask and tries to limit the contact. Ms. Kreidler discussed evidence that the virus can live on the fur and be a transmission point, and stated that this service is not more essential than other exceptions discussed today. Carol Hibbs, 5206 Tower, mobile grooming consumer, spoke in regards to Ms. Brewer's business and requested consideration to allow mobile pet grooming. She stated that she does not want to have to leave her house for this service, and she is speaking on behalf of several of her friends that feel the same. Terry Doyle, 4701 Southwest Parkway, owner of Crafters Hideaway, stated that she spent endless hours to make an online store, and asked if she could use her online store to continue to conduct business from her store without any personal contact. She stated that she sells a higher quality product than what can be purchased elsewhere and would like to see local businesses supported, as many people use her supplies for at-home businesses. Mr. Hegglund stated that there is an exception for at-home businesses and stated that if she can bring her inventory home she could continue to do business from her home, and that she is allowed to deliver parcels through services available in Wichita Falls. Marie Balthrop, City Clerk, read comments submitted via email by Amanda Latham requesting that smoke shops be deemed essential like liquor stores. It was stated that alcohol withdrawal is more serious and can require hospitalization, and tobacco products are available via other means. There were various questions and comments discussed by council and staff regarding concerns received from the public. Councilor Chenault recommended that the public reach out to their County Commissioner. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 31, 2020 Page 5 Councilor Whiteley stated that he is struggling with some of the decisions being made and the determinations of essential vs. non -essential as opposed to responsibility, and he is concerned about the impact of the decisions being made. He also expressed concern about grocery stores and big box stores and social distancing. Councilor Browning discussed all the comparisons being made, emphasized the need for personal responsibility, and the need to stay physically and mentally heathy. He also reiterated that this is not going to just take two weeks and we will have to change the order over time as needed. Councilor Jackson asked how many cases are travel related, and Ms. Kreidler stated she does not have that exact number but it is irrelevant now that we have community spread. Ms. Kreidler does not want people to have a false sense of safety because they have not traveled. Councilor Jackson asked about closing the airport. Mr. Burrus suggested following federal and state recommendations. Mayor Santellana thanked the public for all of the positive support and stated that we have a lot to be grateful for. There have been many good points made but he is going to follow the advice of our health professionals to limit the routes of exposure. The City, County, and Sheppard Air Force Base will work together to get through this as a community and he appreciates all of the opinions and statements made today. Councilor Browning expressed that this is a difficult time and thanked staff for their work on this order. Councilor Jackson asked about the economic impact and possible federal/state assistance. Mr. Leiker stated that we are keeping track of all of our expenses in the hope that we will receive federal or state assistance, and there will be devastating impacts to our budget. The motion to approve Ordinance 15-2020 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 11:34 a.m. There were no additional comments from citizens. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 31, 2020 Page 6 Item 6 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items that are not on the City Council Agenda 11.35 a.m. There were no additional comments from the council. Item 7 — Adjourn Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 11.35 a.m. PASSED AND APPROVED this 7t" day of April, 2020. ATTEST: cam, B Marie Balthrop�TIAM C, CMC City Clerk tep en L. Santellana, Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 31, 2020 Page 7