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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2020-03-20 Minutes MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE MARCH 20, 2020 A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order March 20, 2020 at 8:32 a.m. Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor Rita Wright Oujesky Mayor Pro Tern Tito Rodriguez Council, Place 1 Suzy Compton Council, Place 3 Mason Orr Council, Place 4 Mike Benton Council, Place 5 Scott Turnage Council, Place 6 Tim Welch Council, Place 7 Staff Members: Mark Hindman City Manager Alicia Richardson City Secretary Maleshia B. McGinnis City Attorney A.1 INVOCATION Council member Orr gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE Council member Orr led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. A.3 CITIZENS PRESENTATION There were no requests to speak from the public. A.4 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. B. GENERAL ITEMS March 20, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 B.1 APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2020-14 CONTINUING AND AMENDING THE DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 22, ARTICLE II, SECTION 22-32 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 418.108 DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS. APPROVED Mayor Trevino summarized the purpose of his signing the Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency related to COVID-19 virus on Friday, March 13, 2020 If needed, this declaration will allow the city to be eligible to seek emergency assistance from state and federal governments. The situation is still evolving and the county, state and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have made further recommendations. The purpose of the meeting tonight is to extend and amend the Declaration of Local Disaster, dated March 13, 2020 The extension is for no more than 60 days, and if it needs to be extended, it will be brought back for consideration by City Council . Mayor Trevino reiterated that the situation is fluid and city staff and the emergency management team are meeting daily through conference calls Mayor Trevino announced that community events will be canceled through April and city facilities will remain closed to the public through April 1, 2020. During this time, citizens can access city services through phone, email and utilize online services through the city's website Decisions regarding cancelation and closures may be extended as necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The city will continue to provide public safety services without interruption.The City of North Richland Hills is committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of the community. Mayor Trevino stated that it is important for all citizens to take actions to keep our community safe. He urged the public to follow the CDC recommendations for hand washing and social distancing. He recommends the public comply with the requirements of local, state and national emergency declarations Most importantly, stay home and contact your doctor when you are sick. Director of Public Safety Jimmy Perdue commented that the resolution for City Council's consideration is to continue and amend the declaration signed by Mayor Trevino on March 13, 2020. The resolution continues the declaration for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, May 20, 2020, unless further amended or canceled by action of the City Council. The resolution continues the Emergency Management Plan or any other inner-jurisdictional plan that the city has in place with other municipalities and governmental entities for the period of the declaration. The resolution also allows for the continuation of any required public meetings and City Council would exercise the ability to use all legal aspects of telecommunicating, telephone and video conferencing in order March 20, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 to perform those meetings. Lastly, Mr. Perdue shared that the resolution authorizes the enforcement of the declaration by use of general police powers of the city Mr. Perdue outlined the proposed changes to the declaration. - Section 9, modifies the gathering instructions to no more than ten (10) in accordance with the Governor's executive order and the recommendations of the CDC; - Section 10, limits the service of restaurants, microbreweries and wineries to drive through, take out or delivery services only; - Section 11, orders the closure of certain businesses such as bars, lounges, taverns and amusement centers; -Authorizes the city manager to designate and close city facilities and amenities; - In addition to the facilities already closed, will also include the golf course, playgrounds and dog park; and - Section 12, the resolution limits the occupancy of certain listed businesses within the declaration to 50% of the occupancy to the current business certificate of occupancy or 125 whichever is less There are a few exceptions with regards to government buildings, shelters, day care and medical facilities. Mr. Perdue continued that in addition to the action taken within the declaration, there is a list of recommendations following the recommendations from the CDC of what citizens should be doing in order to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19. The proposed resolution also has a provision concerning solicitors. Should they choose to continue to solicit they will comply with the rules of social distancing and all other requirements in the solicitation ordinance. Council and staff discussed the following: requirements put in place by Governor Abbott or President Trump would take presidence over the city's declaration; recurring special called meetings of City Council; safe distancing for customers at grocery stores and retail/grocery combined; student congregating concerns at playgrounds, athletic fields, park restrooms and water fountains; hair and nail salons; frequent communication with school district and meals for children and medical facilities; ability for city to be more strict than county and governor to lower the curve; online doctor services; monitoring and enforcement for public safety; personal protective equipment for public safety and code enforcement; signage at playgrounds and city facilities; school facilities and enforcement; and what other states are currently doing to flatten the curve. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM WRIGHT OUJESKY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TURNAGE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2020-014. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. C. EXECUTIVE SESSION March 20, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Mayor Trevino announced that City Council did not convene into Executive Session. D. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 9'08 a m Os r Trevino, Mayor ATTEST: Alicia Richardson, City Secretary March 20, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4