Several actions were taken during a special meeting of the Concordia Board of Aldermen on Monday, March 30.
According to unofficial meeting minutes, Mayor Michael Brown recommended to move to HPCON Level C due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Lafayette County. President Trump has extended the social-distancing order to April 30. The board voted to invoke the HPCON Level C of the 2020 Coronavirus Mitigation Plan for the health and safety of the city’s employees.
Aldermen also approved amending the sick-leave subsection of the leave-policies section of the Employee Handbook adopted January 19, 2010; and the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Mitigation Plan, adopted by resolution on March 17, 2020, to reflect recent Federal Legislation adopted as part of the Families First Corona virus Response Act.
In addition, the board gave its approval of an ordinance adopting the emergency family- and medical-leave expansion, as duly adopted and signed into law as the “Families First Corona Virus Response Act”; assigning the placement of this policy into the employees handbook for the city; assigning placement of this section into the 2020 Coronavirus Mitigation plan; and providing for severability and the effective date for this ordinance.
Also, aldermen approved the community center would be locked down and chamber secretary would forward calls for parks and recreation along with chamber business to Mary Vogt’s home. Pioneer Trails will need access to the building, and it was suggested members sign in to access the building.
It also was decided that the Chief of Police, Sergeant and all sworn officers are essential and will remain on schedule of 10-hour shifts. Public Works can have all four employees as there is work to be done; the city will determine the laborers would be non-essential; The water plant would require all four employees essential as it anticipates more water usage and go to 12-hour shifts. City hall personnel will be considered essential, but not the custodian. Parks and recreation will both be considered essential, as it is mowing season and the city hasn’t renewed the contract for mowing. This list of essential employees for the city to continue operations through the Coronavirus Pandemic.
An ordinance authorizing for payment of city employees at the employee’s regular rate of pay, if the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to federal, state or local order or advice of a healthcare provider) and/or the employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis was approved.
Also approved was an ordinance waiving the daily pass user fees for Edwin A. Pape Lake until April 30.
As part of his report, Brown noted Lafayette County issued a “Stay-At-Home” order. He said “Our job is to get the information to the public.” Jim Mills said the county will send out daily e-mails at 3 p.m. with any updates. This is a county order, not a city order; but City Administrator Dale Klussman, Brown and Mills totally support the order.
It also was pointed out the city is still moving forward with some projects as Tom Rinne is in town fixing the intersection at NW 4th and North Bismark Street.