Minnehaha County: Special meeting minutes - 3-27-20

_________ MINUTES _________

THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY COMMISSION CONVENED AT 2:00 P.M. March 27, 2020, pursuant to adjournment on March 24, 2020. Commissioners present were: Bend- er, Beninga, and Karsky. Commis- sioners Barth and Heiberger joined the meeting via teleconference. Also present were Olivia Larson, Commis- sion Recorder, and Margaret Gilles- pie, Senior Deputy State’s Attorney.

RESOLUTION

Jason Gearman, Emergency Man- agement Director, provided an update on COVID-19. The local healthcare facilities currently have enough sup- plies and have not yet seen a surge in patients. Minnehaha County has a total of 18 positive test results for the virus. Mr. Gearman advised everyone to be patient and stay at home over the weekend. Rain is expected for the weekend, but a major flood event is not expected. Carol Muller, Commis- sion Administrative Officer, reported that Minnehaha County Non-Essen- tial Buildings are still closed to the public. Citizens are encouraged to utilize online and mail-in options to receive services. Commissioner Bender reported that the COVID-19 Response Committee conducts a daily call to problem solve and ad- dress issues. Ms. Muller, presented a resolution to address a public health crisis by recommending certain mea- sures to slow the community spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to declare an emergency. MOTION by Karsky, seconded by Beninga, to ap- prove Resolution MC20-21. By roll call vote: 5 ayes.

MINNEHAHA COUNTY RESO- LUTION MC20-21

A RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS BY RECOMMENDING CERTAIN MEASURES TO SLOW THE COM- MUNITY SPREAD OF CORONA- VIRUS (COVID-19) AND TO DE- CLARE AN EMERGENCY.

Whereas, The World Health Orga- nization has designated COVID-19 a pandemic, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared a public health emergency; and,

Whereas, The CDC has issued guidance to state and local govern- ments and all citizens recommending steps to prevent community spread and guard against the COVID-19 outbreak; and,

Whereas, Governor Kristi Noem, through Executive Order 2020-08, ordered and directed the recommen- dations contained in this Resolution to all South Dakotans; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RE- SOLVED by the Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners that any en- closed retail business within Minne- haha County, outside of the exterior boundaries of an incorporated munic- ipality, that promotes public gather- ing should modify business practices in order to ensure that not more than ten patrons are on the premises for on-site use of the services and/or con- sumption of the goods at any given time. Such businesses are encour- aged to consider utilizing business models that do not involve public gathering, including takeout, deliv- ery, drive-thru, curbside service, and off-site services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, and as an emergency measure this resolu- tion shall become immediately effec- tive upon approval.

Dated this 27th day of March, 2020. Jean Bender
Jean Bender, Chair
Minnehaha County Board of Com-

missioners Attest:

Olivia Larson, Deputy
Minnehaha County Auditor PUBLIC COMMENT Commissioner Beninga thanked

Commissioner Bender for her lead- ership during this stressful time not- ing the great effort and the amount of time she has dedicated to the COVID-19 situation.

MOTION by Beninga, seconded by Karsky, to adjourn. 5 ayes.

The Commission adjourned un- til 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday March 31, 2020.

APPROVED BY THE COMMIS- SION:

Jean Bender
Chair
ATTEST:
Olivia Larson
Deputy Auditor
Published at the approximate cost of $37.45.

April 8, 2020