ADMINISTRATION - Cassandra Tabor, Human Resources Director
Robert Fiske, Community Standards Director/Deputy Emergency Manager
Title
COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS PLAN REQUIREMENT
Background
Under a recently released Executive Order by Governor Walz, all critical sector businesses, including cities, are required to adopt COVID-19 Preparedness Plans by June 29. Until this point, only industries forced to close because of the pandemic were required to develop Plans as a requirement for reopening. Executive Order 20-74 requires critical businesses to also develop a Plan so that any industry in operation during the peacetime emergency plans for the safety of staff and the individuals they serve. Blaine has based its Plan on the State’s Stay Safe Minnesota website with information available to date. The City’s draft Plan is attached but is not be in final form pending additional State guidance for critical businesses, which will be posted by June 15. After review and inclusion of any updates/changes the Plan will finalized and implemented.
The MN Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) COVID-19 Preparedness Plan template states at a minimum a Plan would include the following:
1. Infection prevention measures
2. Prompt identification and isolation of sick persons
3. Engineering and administrative controls for social distancing
4. Cleaning, disinfecting, decontamination and ventilation
5. Communications and training for managers and workers necessary to implement the Plan
6. Provision of management and supervision necessary to ensure effective ongoing implementation of the Plan
The guidance applies to all businesses and industries and includes the following:
• Anyone able to work from home should continue to do so
• Sick workers should stay home
• Social distancing should be maintained
• Worker hygiene, source control, and the appropriate cleaning protocols are of paramount importance as the State looks to stifle the spread of disease
According to the League of MN Cities, COVID-19 Preparedness Plans should be adopted by City Council. Because staff believes this will be a living document for the foreseeable future based on what has currently been seen through the Governor’s “turning of the dials” the Plan includes language stating nothing in the Plan establishes any precedent or practice and the City may change or eliminate these items, or portions, at any time and without notice. Staff will continue to monitor resources from the CDC, MDH, and State and will incorporate recommended changes into the Plan as necessary.
Recommendation
Adopt proposed resolution approving the City’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
Body
WHEREAS, Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-74 requires all critical sector businesses, including cities, to adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness Plans; and
WHEREAS, the adopted COVID-19 Preparedness Plan requires critical businesses in operation during the peacetime emergency to provide for the safety of staff and the individuals they serve; and
WHEREAS, the adopted Plan must include measures for infection prevention, social distancing controls, communications plans, training, and supervision to ensure effective ongoing implementation; and
WHEREAS, the City will continue to incorporate recommended changes by the Centers for Disease Control, Minnesota Department of Health, and the State of Minnesota to ensure the most effective Plan is in place.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council hereby:
1. Adopts the City’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan; and
2. Encourages and authorizes the City Manager to update the Plan as needed to ensure compliance with future Executive Orders and Minnesota Departmental guidance.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 15th day of June, 2020.