HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020.07.30 Special Council Minutes MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
701 1st Street, McCall, ID
McCall Community Center
AND TEAMS Virtual
July 30,2020
Call to Order and Roll Call
Business Agenda
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Giles called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Giles, Council Member Holmes, Council Member Maciaszek, Council Member
Nielsen, and Council Member Sowers all answered roll call.
City staff members present were Anette Spickard, City Manager; Bill Nichols, City Attorney;
BessieJo Wagner, City Clerk; Erin Greaves, Communications Manager; Linda Stokes, City
Treasurer; Michelle Groenevelt, Community Development Director; Eric McCormick, Golf
Course Superintendent;Meg Lojek,Library Director;Chris Curtin,Information Systems Manager;
Traci Malvich, Human Resources Manager; Justin Williams, Police Chief
Also,in attendance was Dr. Gregory Irvine, St. Luke's Hospital McCall;Amber Green, St. Luke's
Hospital McCall
All public written comments are inserted into the minutes as attachments.
BUSINESS AGENDA
Amber Green, Chief Operating Officer at St. Luke's McCall, presented hospital only related
information on the total tests ordered,number of positive tests, and number of patients admitted to
the ICU. The hospital data shows most of the positive tests have come in during the months of
June and July. She shared intervention measures are being taken to reduce the need for a ventilator.
Currently, there are 18 patients (both with and without COVID-19) on ventilators, which is a
decrease from the 35 patients last week. They currently have the capacity to accept new patients.
Dr. Gregory Irvine explained that the hospital numbers do not match Central District Health
because about half of the cases are Valley County residents. He spoke about the type of care and
medication that is being used has improved over the first initial care at the onset and the deaths
being seen now are from the July 41h holiday. He explained how the virus affects a person's system
and why those deaths are just now happening. Ada and Canyon Counties are the hot spots in the
state and some states around the country have banned Idaho travelers to their states to stop the
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spread of the virus. He described how our breath causes spread by using the example of how far
your breath expands when breathing in a cold atmosphere. Masks, even though not 100%
protective, will reduce viral transmission by 4x if everyone wears them. He asked that everyone
please stay the course and asked that the ordinance be continued until at least September 1. He is
hoping to reduce the spread to the point schools and businesses be allowed to operate as close to
normal as possible.
The Council asked questions of Dr. Irvine. Council Member Sowers asked about statistics on the
number of ventilated patients, recovery rates, and several questions regarding the effects and
statistics of the virus and ICU capacity in other hospitals. Dr. Irvine shared it is I0x more lethal
than seasonal influenza and has become the #1 cause of death in the country, surpassing cancer
and heart disease. He spoke to the morbidity issues to those who survive and how they are just
beginning to learn of the effects of the damage created by the virus to the body. The McCall
hospital is currently transporting patients to the Treasure Valley and avoid keeping infected
patients until it is necessary. Ms. Green stated that the census is currently at 9 in a 15-bed hospital.
They are trying to keep the hospital open to treat other non-virus-related issues. Dr. Irvine said the
goal is to intervene in order to slow down the spread. Council Member Sowers is very concerned
about mental health and substance abuse being missed or ignored because of the shutdown.
Council Member Nielsen wanted to know about testing procedures and asked if anything has
changed since early July. Ms. Green shared there are 3 types of tests being used: Priority 1 testing
for patients in the emergency room or inpatient unit; Procedural testing for patients with an urgent
need for surgery; and Symptomatic testing at the car clinic. She shared the turnaround time for
each testing type. Council Member Nielsen is concerned about the ease, or lack thereof, of getting
a test done.
Police Chief Justin Williams gave an update on the number of increases in July and gave a briefing
on the difference of the civil penalty (handled at the City level) and infraction penalty (goes to
criminal court). He has received many comments in support for the ordinance from local residents.
There has been a high compliance rate in the businesses of people wearing masks, and the highest
amount of spread has been in family/friend gatherings and the 18-24-year-old demographic. He
clarified for Council Member Holmes and Council Member Maciaszek that the civil penalty was
the lesser of the two penalties and explained businesses can refuse service to those who do not
comply to the mask mandate as well as contact the police for assistance. He stated compliance has
been higher after the mask mandate. Council Member Sowers asked if the fine could be changed
to pay on the spot. Police Chief Williams did not have an answer for that question. He clarified for
Council Member Nielsen a civil penalty is far easier and faster to implement than an infraction
and he did not think a civil penalty would create any liability on the City. He shared that staff has
worked with ICRMP and the city attorney to make sure the legalities have been covered. City
Attorney Bill Nichols shared the penalty does not affect the enforceability of the order and if the
State were to implement a statewide order or Central District Health imposes an order, it would be
the State code and not a City offense.
Request for Council to Consider Adopting a Resolution Extending the Requirement to Wear
Face Coverings in Public Places in Response to the Covid-19 Community Spread in
the City of McCall
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Mayor Giles shared that 350 comments were received but pointed out some people commented
multiple times. Council Member Holmes had taken on the task of organizing the comments that
were received. She broke it down into categories of`for' and `against' and gave each person only
one vote. This brought the total number of commenters down to 339. Out of the grand total, 300
people were for the ordinance at 88.5% and 39 against at 11.5%. Approximately 6 people who
were for the ordinance asked for additional enforcement with the rest mostly asking to extend it.
She shared that most of the multiple comments came from the `against' group and interestingly, 5
of the 39 people did not live in the state of Idaho. Council Member Maciaszek stated that when he
read through the comments, he only saw one person in the `against' group who lived in the city
limits. Council Member Nielsen and Council Member Sowers stated they had come up with the
same results. There were no questions for Council Member Holmes.
Mayor Giles asked the position of each Council Member on adopting the resolution. Council
Member Holmes stated she was ready to move forward with the resolution. Council Member
Maciaszek feels it is their duty as Council members to rely on the professional opinions and
community input when making decisions. He is in favor of adopting the resolution. Council
Member Sowers feels they are responsible for safety of the public as well but also for bringing
people together. He believes many in the community feel it is hopeless to comment and are against
the mandate. He feels it is his job to represent those people and believes it should be allowed to
expire and penalty should only be $1. Council Member Nielsen agrees with Council Member
Maciaszek but is also concerned about the divisiveness. He does not want to shut down the
community entirely and wants businesses to survive. He does not want this to drive a wedge
between people and encouraged everyone to remember we need to get through these times
together. He spoke to the people who are shaming others to stop and asked them to use the
mechanism put in place by allowing law enforcement to deal with those people. There is no need
to be abusive. And vice versa for those who are against the mask ordinance. He stated he is ready
to move forward with the resolution. Mayor Giles had no further comments to add other than he
agreed with the Council's comments that there was credible information presented to use in
making the best decision as possible.
Council Member Maciaszek moved to adopt Resolution 20-16 extending the Public Health
Emergency Order imposed by Resolution no. 20-12, a Public Health Emergency Order
mandating requirement to wear face coverings in public places, for an additional thirty(30)
days until September 1, 2020 and authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents.
Council Member Holmes seconded the motion. Council Member Maciaszek, Council
Member Holmes,Mayor Giles, and Council Member Nielsen all voted aye,Council Member
Sowers voted no, and the motion carried.
Request for Council to Consider an amendment to the Emergency Powers Ordinance clearly
defining the penalty section
The Council shared their preferred version for the penalty section. Council Member Holmes,
Council Member Maciaszek, Council Member Nielsen, and Mayor Giles all favored Version 1 -
Civil Penalty. Council Member Sowers preferred neither. There was a brief discussion regarding
the amount of the fine. Police Chief Williams stated there is a fine line between the fine not being
high enough to be a deterrent and too high as to be excessive. The decision is up to the Council.
Mayor Giles felt the $100 was a good number. Council Member Maciaszek keep it as is. Council
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July 30, 2020 Special Meeting
Member Holmes felt $100 was fair. No comments were received from Council Member Nielsen
or Council Member Sowers.
Council Member Maciaszek moved to suspend the rules and read by title only one time only
Ordinance#991 Version 1. Council Member Holmes seconded the motion. In a roll call vote
Council Member Maciaszek, Council Member Holmes, Mayor Giles, and Council Member
Nielsen all voted aye, Council Member Sowers voted no, and the motion carried.
City Clerk BessieJo Wagner read Ordinance No. 991:
An Ordinance of the City of McCall, Valley County,Idaho, amending Section 11 of Ordinance 986
to change the penalty section to reduce violations of the ordinance from a misdemeanor to a civil
penalty and providing an effective date.
City Clerk Wagner stated the Council needed to decide if they want the ordinance posted in 5
locations or wait to post it in the paper. The difference is the posting in the paper would delay the
effective date a couple more days. The Council wanted the ordinance posted in 5 locations so it
would be in effect on August 2, 2020.
Council Member Holmes moved to adopt Ordinance# 991 Version 1 effective upon posting
and authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents. Council Member Maciaszek
seconded the motion. In a roll call vote Council Member Holmes, Council Member
Maciaszek, Mayor Giles, and Council Member Nielsen all voted aye, Council Member
Sowers voted no, and the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Mayor Giles adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
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