By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Gov. Dunleavy’s announcement on reopening some sectors of the economy on a limited basis as early as this Friday has prompted the Assembly to schedule and emergency meeting to discuss how Sitka will respond.
The meeting will be 6 p.m. Thursday, with Assembly members attending by videoconference.
Only one item is on the agenda: “Discussion/ Direction/ Possible Action in response to revised/ new state mandates (including rescinding Emergency Ordinance 2020-14 and Resolution 2020-08). Discussion can center around the Governor’s phases for reopening the economy and how they affect Emergency Ordinance 2020-14 and Resolution 2020-08.”
The Assembly packet provides a few options for action, but no staff recommendations for direction. The action includes possible motions to rescind the mandatory quarantine of workers coming into Sitka from outside Alaska (Ordinance 2020-14); and Resolution 2020-08, extension of the city “hunker down” policy.
Motions to rescind Assembly action require five votes (a supermajority).
“City staff felt it was important for the Assembly to meet to at least discuss the revised changes to the mandates and any new ones that may come out,” said City Clerk Sara Peterson.
Peterson, who is doing double duty as clerk and public information officer, said she attended a teleconference for fellow PIOs from across the state, and learned that the governor may announce further guidance for reopening such businesses as restaurants and nail salons.
Assembly members contacted today said they’re still considering how to respond to the governor’s announcement Tuesday.
“I don’t know much until further guidelines come out,” said Steven Eisenbeisz, who serves as deputy mayor. “The governor has decided on a path to reopen the state. I won’t know a whole lot until additional information comes out about the mandates. ... Some would consider this progress, and there are those who would consider it damaging. This definitely doesn’t say that if you are immune compromised it’s safe to come out.”
The governor has announced that beginning Friday “the following businesses and industries may reopen, following rigorous health and safety standards.”
The list includes:
- restaurants, with limited dine-in services (up to 25% capacity).
- retail stores, with limited in-store shopping (25% capacity with hand sanitizer at the entrance).
– personal services businesses (i.e. barbers, nail salons, hairdressers) – limited services.
– non-essential businesses (i.e. professional business services) – limited services.
“Through the public’s outstanding efforts to social distance and adhere to the health mandates set in place, we have witnessed a slowdown in the spread of COVID-19, effectively protecting the health of our families and loved ones,” Dunleavy said Tuesday. “Compliance with the health mandates came with an economic slowdown and it’s time to take a multi-phased approach to reopening our economy. Alaska’s many local businesses and industries are vital to the economic health of the state, and I am pleased that our efforts to protect the health and well-being of Alaskans are showing statistics that allow us to reopen business. Many Alaskans may be able to return to work and participate in activities they enjoy. We will provide further guidance on what this looks like in the coming days and will closely monitor this reopening to determine further actions.”
(See related story.)
The state mandates on international, interstate and intrastate travel remain in place, as does the mandate on social distancing and gatherings.
Assembly member Thor Christianson, who is also on the Emergency Operations Center team, said the governor’s proposals at first glance look reasonable.
“As long as travel restrictions are in place,” he said, referring to the required quarantine for those coming into Alaska. “I might feel differently if we lived in Anchorage, Petersburg, Juneau or Ketchikan (where there are confirmed cases). At first glance it looks reasonable.”
Kevin Knox said he is “a little baffled” by the governor’s announcement. “I guess we need to get business moving but I’m worried we’re not listening to all of the science right now. I’m not sure the direction the city will take as an Assembly. I look forward to the discussion we’ll be having.”
But he said he’s not sure it’s a good idea to start the “roll out” plan as proposed by Dunleavy.
“I think it’s a little too soon,” he said. “I’m real concerned about how it affects people and the safety net we need to provide them. ... I don’t think we have the testing capacity to reopen.”
He said he’s concerned about potential consequences for those not able to return to work because they are caring for high-risk people, or are high- risk themselves.
“I also feel it has the potential to be a burden on our frontline people,” such as emergency responders, and those working in essential services, he said. “If we head down the road with negative consequences that may stress them even more.”
The Thursday emergency Assembly meeting is open to the public, but there are limitations on social distancing and gatherings.
Members of the public wanting to testify telephonically or in writing – with testimony read aloud - are asked to submit their testimony or let the city clerk know they would like to do so by 4 p.m. Thursday. Usually in the meeting room are Peterson, City Administrator John Leach, City Attorney Brian Hanson and KSCT-TV’s Dan Etulain.
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