HomeMy Public PortalAboutCM Department Report - November 2020Memo /
To: City Council
From: Anette Spickard, City Manager
Date: November 24, 2020
Re: Monthly Department Report – November 2020
Novel Corona Virus Response:
On November 14th, Idaho was rolled back to a modified Stage 2 period of re-opening under the Governor’s Stay Healthy Order. The Governor’s Order limits in-person gatherings to 10 people
or less in both public and private settings; requires masks in long term care facilities; requires all patrons of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to be seated with 6 feet of physical
distance; all persons shall maintain 6 feet of physical distance from other persons who are not from their household; all high-risk individuals strongly encouraged to self-isolate;
remote work when possible. In addition to the Governor’s Order, Central District Health issued a Health Advisory on November 17 for all counties within their jurisdiction including
Valley County. 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 10pm. 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.
(See attached Order and attached Advisory for full details.) Both the Governor’s Order and the Central District Health Advisory were issued to protect hospital capacity. Hospitals
are nearing maximum capacity and may need to implement crisis standards of care.
Since my last department report, Central District Health reports positive cases attributable to Valley County primary residents rose from 117 to 212 as of the date of this memo. No new
deaths of a Valley County resident occurred. However, Central District Health recently informed the public the data on their website lags real time data due to the increased number
of cases and staff unable to keep up with reports. The actual number is larger. The Valley County mask requirement passed by CDH at their August 11 board meeting is still in effect
and has an indefinite timeframe.
St. Luke’s McCall COVID-19 testing data reports 200 positive test results as of the date of this memo for all patients seen at their facility. This information is regularly updated at
this location: https://www.stlukesonline.org/blogs/st-lukes/notes-and-announcements/2020/jul/st-lukes-covid-19-resuming-services-resources-for-patients.
In regard to city operations, we have re-evaluated our staffing patterns and telework arrangements to ensure that we are complying with the Governor’s new Stage 2 Order and are limiting
the impact a COVID exposure and quarantine would have on our continuity of operations. We will be implementing “Appointment Only” services at City Hall to limit exposure and to assist
with contact tracing if an employee becomes infected. Employees are still required to self-assess their health and take their temperature prior to reporting to work. The Incident Command
Team is focused on ensuring PPE supplies are available and employees are adhering to policies. Expenses related to the corona virus response are being tracked for reimbursement from
either the CARES Act or FEMA. In addition to the regional COVID Task Force weekly telephone update, I continue to participate in the St. Luke’s McCall bi-weekly Adaptive Recovery Collaborative
meetings to ensure coordination of information and resources during the pandemic.
Payette Lakes Recreational Water & Sewer District Update:
The JWAG met on November 9. JWAG members are Colby Nielsen, Michelle Groenevelt, Nathan Stewart, Ken Patterson, Dale Caza and Jeff Bateman. The sewer capacity model was presented all
members discussed the policy implications and challenges the District and city face as a result. The idea of reforming the JWAG membership to a smaller group specifically focused on
policy development was discussed and it was agreed that legal counsel should be consulted to determine how to make that happen. At the District’s November 18 board meeting, the board
adopted the resolutions for the sewer model and density policies. They also voted to dissolve the JWAG after receiving advice from their legal counsel that they could not unilaterally
dissolve the JWAG. The City Council must also agree to dissolve. I anticipate the Council will soon receive a letter from the District requesting the JWAG be dissolved. City staff
is looking into the process to reform the JWAG as a policy group as discussed at the JWAG meeting.
Communications Manager Update:
The major initiatives in November included:
Develop new logo for Historic Preservation Commission
Design and order signage for winter walking paths at golf course
Worked with Chamber of Commerce and Parks & Rec to create Virtual Holiday Tree Lighting event
Working with business owners on navigating through recent state COVID orders and advisories
Updating City website for multiple departments to increase access and usability for public
Developing and implementing a Communication Plan for ADA compliance by Jan 1, 2021
Human Resources Manager Update:
HR staff continue to support all staff members through the ever-changing Coronavirus safety updates and policy compliance. The pandemic has certainly added a completely new and unexpected
task list of ongoing challenges for Human Resources to complete. We have been successful in staying up to date with the latest recommendations from the CDC and Central District Health,
as well as complying with the FFRCA which is a temporary Federal Act allowing limited paid leave in certain circumstances involving coronavirus.