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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-07 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes Monday, June 7, 2021 Councilors in Attendance: Nichols (Chair), Dubay, Schaefer, Hawes, Okafor Non-Committee Member Councilors: Fournier, Sprague, Davitt Staff in Attendance: O'Donnell, Hamilton, Conlow, Carr, Huotari The meeting was held both in-person and remotely via ZOOM and was called to order by Chair Sarah Nichols. 1) Council Order—Accepting a donation of two maple trees from Don Sawyer Public Works Director Aaron Huotari gave an overview of the request and recommended approval. A motion to approve was made by Councilor Dubay, seconded by Councilor Schaefer, all in favor. 2) Council Resolve—To accept and appropriate $830,163 from DHHS for Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Distribution Program Public Health Director Patty Hamilton spoke to this routine item with no questions from the Councilors. A motion to approve and move to full Council was made by Councilor Schaefer, seconded by Councilor Dubay, all in favor. 3) Council Resolve— Ratifying staff action, applying for grant opportunity for technical assistance through National Center for Applied Transit Technology for the Community Connector for applying new technologies to help address operational challenges Assistant City Manager Courtney O'Donnell gave a brief overview of the grant including its potential usefulness to provide technical support for free in our efforts to integrate technology for multiple purposes at the Community Connector. No dollars would be received, only in-kind services through the grant program. A motion to approve and move to full Council was made by Councilor Schaefer, seconded by Councilor Hawes, all in favor. 4) Discussion: COVID restrictions for public meetings City Manager Cathy Conlow spoke to a potentially hybrid model, concerns around policing vaccinations, pointed out that the participation by Council through remote participation was apart of the Governor's Emergency Orders. There was significant discussion by the Councilors regarding whether or not it was time to open up, potential to open chambers to the public but require masking, questions around the State's state of emergency and how that might impact things, and also continued participation by the public through remote means. It was ultimately decided to ask staff, in particular Assistant City Solicitor Josh Saucier, to develop a policy and present to the Committee at the next meeting. Resident Stephen Brough did provide public comment stating he believed it was time to open back up but supported the hybrid model. Meeting was adjourned.