By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly at its Tuesday meeting will consider an emergency ordinance for “restrictions and requirements” at bars, restaurants and large gathering places, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Other items on Tuesday’s agenda are a response for a request for proposals for land in Whitcomb Heights; an update on CARES Act funds; a proposed upgrade on the Brady Street lift station; and extension of the COVID-19 disaster emergency.
The ordinance for restrictions and requirements for COVID-19 is proposed as an emergency ordinance. It requires only one reading but 5 votes to pass.
“I’m hoping to help encourage our numbers to come down, or have a little better compliance among our businesses and the services in town,” said Kevin Knox, who along with Crystal Duncan co-sponsored the ordinance. “I was really concerned last week - I know there were a few restaurants and other gathering places that weren’t taking the recommendations of the governor to heart.”
The emergency ordinance notes the rate of infection prevents children from returning to school, which not only hampers their educational growth and socialization but “is an incredible strain on the economy, curtailing the ability of many families to work in full.”
The Unified Command has recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID when the city is at low, moderate or high risk levels. Those include recommendations for face coverings; physical distancing; and reduced capacity and face coverings for employees in bars and restaurants.
The enactment section has requirements – instead of recommendations – that include employees and customers wear face coverings (with some exceptions); and prohibit gatherings of more than 50.
City Administrator John Leach said that the Emergency Operations Center worked hard for months to create a central source of information with a standardized risk scale, but said “we’re ready to respond accordingly based on the passage or failure of this ordinance.”
In other business, the Assembly will consider the one response to an RFP for Tract A11 Whitcomb Heights subdivision, with a number of requirements, including “develop the land into buildable lots within 3-5 years.” An internal review team found that the responder Pioneer Land Development LLC failed to meet three of the requirements. The company offered $17,500 for the 4-acre tract. The Assembly-approved RFP had asked for a plan for all four acres, but the developer wants to use only about 1 acre.
City staff recommended rejecting the response, and said there are other options for the property, including an auction for this tract with an established minimum bid price closer to fair market value; or a public private partnership for an affordable housing project.
Also on the agenda is a liquor license renewal for Ernie’s Bar; the acting administrator list for 2021; changing the code as it relates to required committees; the Brady Street lift station rehabilitation project ($400,000); and a $50,000 secure access upgrade for the police department.
One agenda item proposes continuing the declaration of a local disaster emergency in response to COVID-19, and a request for state and federal assistance.
The resolution takes note of Gov. Dunleavy’s declaration of a public health disaster emergency on Nov. 16, “due to ongoing widespread community transmission of COVID-19.”
As the final item, Leach will give a report on CARES Act Working Group progress. Public comment will be taken on the agenda item.
