03.16.20 MEETING MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council Monday, March 16, 2020 Page 2 that, the WHO issued a declaration that COVID-19 is a global pandemic. As of Friday, it was estimated that there are 100,000 infected people in Ohio. Today there are 50 confirmed cases. We are clearly on the upswing. The virus is anticipated to peak here in late April or early May. For the past week and a half, we have closely followed the news conferences, updates, emails, orders and letters from all levels of government, particularly from State and County government, both of which have provided a wealth of information, orders and guidance, and have worked toward coordinating efforts. We have had the benefit of Governor DeWine's clear and unfailing leadership. He has made difficult and courageous decisions that Ohioans will benefit from in the long term, and I am grateful that he has stood up and done the right thing. Cuyahoga County and NEO Mayors and Managers groups have also provided a wealth of information and guidance to us, including daily updates, and they have been a tremendous resource. At the NE OH level, we are in almost daily communications with our neighbors to put together plans that will serve us and our neighbors in the event that any one of us is left without adequate personnel to meet the needs of our community. We have also shared our plans and action steps in dealing with COVID-19. SPAN network mayors, police chiefs and fire chiefs met last Friday to evaluate and discuss resources and options. Today, the police chiefs met to discuss a continuity plan throughout the network, including dispatch. We are all committed to helping each other through this. The CPA has cancelled it programming. They will continue to distribute meals through a curbside pickup model, and will also deliver lunches. Meals on wheels continues to deliver meals, with some minor modifications. It is extremely important to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as best we can, because we do not want to be in a position to not have enough healthy police and firefighters to meet our needs. I'm sure you have all seen the Coronavirus curve diagram on the news and you know that, once the number of cases exceeds a threshold amount, we will not have enough hospital beds, ventilators, medical supplies or personnel to handle the problem. We are working hard and -working together to stem the tide. Here in the Village, we are engaged in efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus while maintaining services to our community, especially the essential services provided by our Police and Fire Departments. Last week, all of our departments formulated Continuity of Operation Plans, or COOPS, to ensure our continued operations the best we can. You have a copy in front of you of all of the COOPS. These plans are fluid, as the situation we are in fluid, and are thus subject to modification as need be. It is the intention of the Administration to keep Village Hall open for the time being, as we have enough space to work far apart. We will, however, follow recommendations from the CDC as well as the State and County. Ron Wynne is working with Diane Wolgamuth to review sick time, comp time and part time allowances. To the extent we can do it, all employees who are off work but are not ill may be called back to assist if needed. Employees may also be called upon to float between departments as needed. I have had several meetings and calls with our department heads and with Council President Schutt to plan and take