HomeMy Public PortalAbout1-CM Department Report - November 2020Memo
To: City Council
From: Anette Spickard, City Manager
Date: November 24, 2020
Re: Monthly Department Report — November 2020
City of McCall
CITY MANAGER
1. 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.
Monthly Department Report — City Manager
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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
Monthly Department Report — City Manager