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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1-CM Department Report - February 2021Monthly Department Report – City Manager Memo To: City Council From: Anette Spickard, City Manager Date: March 3, 2021 Re: Monthly Department Report – February 2021 1. Novel Corona Virus Response: As of March 2, Central District Health (CDH) reports positive COVID-19 cases attributable to Valley County primary residents rose from 740 at the end of January to 797. CDH reports 549 of those are attributable to McCall residents. One additional death has been reported bringing the total to 6. The rate of new cases identified in February has slowed considerably from the peak months of December and January. The community spread of the virus as measured by the 2-week Average Daily Case Rate per 100,000 has declined from the peak of 78.63 on January 10th to 7.52 on February 21st. This is now below the standard for controlled spread set by Central District Health of 30 per 100,000 population. Valley County school districts are now in the Yellow Category per CDH. 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 13th lowest rate in the state at 6.3 as of March 1 which is well below the statewide average of 15.3. Overall, statewide hospitalization data and infection rates continue to improve, and the state remains in Stage 3 Health protocols issued on February 2nd. The Central District Health board lifted the Valley County Mask Order on February 19th and replaced it with an updated Health Advisory (see attached). The Advisory includes recommendations for use of face coverings, avoiding indoor social gatherings, maintaining physical distancing at outdoor gatherings and sporting events. Employers should maintain masking and physical distancing protocols, virtual meetings, and sick leave policies. The Advisory is in effect until the 65 and older age category is vaccinated and the two-week case rate within our health district remains at a case rate of less than 30/100,000/day. In late February, the State confirmed that the new variants referred to as the U.K. variant and South African variant are present in Idaho. All variants have been confirmed in states bordering Idaho. For that reason, along with the high number of out of state and Treasure Valley visitors to McCall on a regular basis, the City Council adopted a Mask Order for McCall and an area extending 5 miles from the city limits effective February 26 through April 11. St. Luke’s McCall COVID-19 testing data reports 613 positive test results as of the date of this memo for all patients seen at their facility, which is up from 590 positive cases reported at the end of January. 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 and the new Central District Health advisory. 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. City Hall is now open to the public and masks are required. Most city services are still available by appointment and online. Employees are still required to self-assess their health and take their temperature prior to reporting to work. Vaccine roll-out continues with up to 25,000 doses being distributed each week directly from the manufacturer to enrolled providers who administer the vaccine according to the State’s phasing plan. The State has now vaccinated more people than the number of people who have tested positive. 2. Idaho Department of Lands – Payette Endowment Land Strategy Focus Group: The final meetings of the focus group were February 11th and 25th and were attended by Michelle Groenevelt, Community and Economic Development Director, and me on behalf of the City. Council approved the City’s comment letter on the Plan, and it was submitted March 1. The State Land Board meets on March 16 to consider the Focus Group input and to finalize the Plan. The meeting notice with instructions on how to submit public comment during the meeting and how to attend the meeting virtually is attached. 3. City Manager Presentations: I was invited to speak to the following groups in February: Payette Lakes Progressive Club, Ponderosa Center Board of Directors, and the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy graduate course on Executive Leadership. I was invited to join the Idaho Women Leaders group and attended my first online event. Meetings are monthly and provide professional development and networking. 4. Communications Manager Update: February was a heavy snow month with the Payette Interagency Dispatch Center reporting over 50 inches of snowfall in McCall for the month. Multiple storms and high snow accumulation meant increased public outreach – main topics: snow removal safety, hydrant maintenance, plow routes/parking, road widening, and general winter condition information. Many compliments for our snowplow crew’s excellent work were received. Other projects in February included:  Golf Course future sign plan to bring continuity and better guidance to users in all seasons  A communications plan with Community and Economic Development for new code changes and web updates  Library staff and Stakeholders on public outreach for Proposed Library Expansion  Internal Staff Surveys  Public Art / Historic Preservation Commission New Logo Launch  Began Summer Event Coordination / Planning 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.