HomeMy Public PortalAbout1-CM Department Report - January 2021Monthly Department Report – City Manager
Memo
To: City Council
From: Anette Spickard, City Manager
Date: February 3, 2021
Re: Monthly Department Report – January 2021
1. Novel Corona Virus Response:
As of January 31, Central District Health (CDH) reports positive COVID-19 cases attributable to Valley
County primary residents rose from 516 at the end of December to 740. CDH reports 508 of those are
attributable to McCall residents. That is a 52% increase in new cases since the end of December when there
were 335 attributable to McCall. One additional death has been reported for Valley County bringing the
total to 5. While the number of cases continues to climb, community spread of the virus measured by the
2-week Average Daily Case Rate per 100,000 has declined slightly from 60.82 at the end of December to
57.06 at the end of January. This is still well above the standard for controlled spread set by Central District
Health of 30 per 100,000 population. The state Department of Health and Welfare reports the 7-day
Average Daily Case Rate per 100,000 for all counties and shows Valley as having the 3rd highest rate
behind Blaine and Teton counties. Not surprisingly, the counties with the highest infection rates are the
three counties considered destination resort communities with economies that rely primarily on tourism
and outdoor recreation and where remote work is not possible for many of their residents.
Overall, statewide hospitalization data and infection rates have improved, and the Governor moved the
state to Stage 3 Health protocols on February 2nd. (See attached.) The Health Advisory issued by Central
District Health on November 17, 2020 for all counties within their jurisdiction is also still in effect as is the
Valley County Mask Order issued by Central District Health on August 11th. The Advisory recommends
use of face coverings, remote work, minimize non-essential travel, no long term care facility visitation,
avoid social gatherings, business to implement curbside/delivery service, virtual worship services only,
discontinue youth sports and extracurricular activities, gyms at 50% capacity, bars and restaurants go to
take-out/delivery only and close by 10 p.m. The Advisory is in effect until a sustained two-week decline in
cases within our health district AND a two-week case rate of less than 30/100,000/day occur.
St. Luke’s McCall COVID-19 testing data reports 590 positive test results as of the date of this memo for
all patients seen at their facility, which is up from 451 positive cases reported at the end of December. This
information is regularly updated at this location: https://www.stlukesonline.org/health-services/service-
groups/covid-resources/covid-data-and-reporting
Monthly Department Report – City Manager
City operations are in compliance with the Governor’s Stage 3 Order. Steps have been taken to limit
staff/public exposure and minimize the impact a COVID exposure and quarantine would have on our
continuity of operations. We have implemented “Appointment Only” services at City Hall. Employees are
still required to self-assess their health and take their temperature prior to reporting to work.
Vaccine roll-out has begun in Idaho with 20,000 doses being distributed each week directly from the
manufacturer to enrolled providers who administer the vaccine according to the state’s phasing plan. The
Incident Command Team is focused on identifying employee classifications eligible for vaccination in each
phase and how it will be administered so that we are ready when the time comes.
2. City Council Retreat and 2021 Priorities:
The Council annual retreat was held on January 29. Council identified the following priorities for 2021:
• Workforce housing is still the top concern due to lack of long-term rentals, high asking prices for
existing homes, and high construction costs for new homes. Collaboration with key partners such as
the Housing Advisory Committee, the sewer district, state agencies, Forest Service, Valley County
and Adams County will be critical to address this issue. Continued investment by the City is needed
for land-banking and the incentive program.
• The Library expansion project and a successful bond election in 2021.
• Continued collaboration with Idaho Department of Transportation District 3 on Highway
55/Deinhard-Boydstun right-of-way plans and projects, especially for improved pedestrian and multi-
modal safety.
• Economic development efforts aimed at filling vacant storefronts and business retention.
3. Idaho Department of Lands – Payette Endowment Land Strategy Focus Group:
The first meeting of the focus group was January 28 and was attended by Michelle Groenevelt, Community
and Economic Development Director, and me on behalf of the City. Presentations by IDL staff highlighted
the legal framework within which they operate and an overview of the proposed strategy. The next meeting
is February 11 and will include a presentation by Michelle Groenevelt of the City’s comprehensive plan
and expected growth patterns in the city limits and impact area.
4. Communications Manager Update:
The 2020 Website analytics report was completed. Highlights include:
• 607,447 total page views and 453,734 that were new and unique visitors to our website. This is up
more than 51% in both categories from previous year.
• 81,421 to our COVID information Safety First Pages and Resource Page.
• Best web achievement - our news post pages are up by 187% to 19,264 readers.
• Most popular pages on our site? The Golf course followed by the snow cam!
• Golf Course pathway signage and winter walking promotions created and installed.
• Legacy Park Pump Station upgrade signage designs created.
5. Human Resources Manager Update:
Traci Malvich, HR Manager, continues to monitor federal employment, benefit and leave laws as they
are changed and/or extended in relation to the pandemic to ensure the city is in compliance and employees
are aware of the options available to them during this time. Traci continues to serve on the Board of
Trustees of our health insurance provider III-A of Idaho.