As Minnesota prepares to shift from Phase I of the state’s COVID-19 response plan, businesses are working to find ways to achieve requirements while getting local economies humming again. Per Governor Tim Walz’s Stay Safe Plan, Phase II begins June 1 with the guided reopening of restaurants and bars, personal care services/salons, retail, outdoor spaces, youth sports and recreation, and places of worship following Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
“All non-critical sector businesses are required to have adopted and implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan,” says the state’s website. “Businesses must ensure the plan is evaluated, monitored, executed, and updated under the supervision of a designated plan administrator.” Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development is providing guidance to businesses.
In the case of restaurants and bars, the state will allow them to remain open for outdoor dining or curbside pickup/delivery only, with maximum on-premise capacity to no more than 50 persons. For outside dining, this includes limiting tables to just four or six people if all part of the same family unit. The state is asking businesses to require reservations and disallow walk-in customers. Masks are required of workers and strongly recommended for all customers. As always, six feet of social distancing and sanitation of spaces is required.
The state has recommended municipalities work with businesses to allow permission for service of food and liquor outside, even on spaces adjacent to, but not owned by, the businesses such as city sidewalks or parking lots. “It redefines the scope to give them that flexibility,” said City Clerk Kathy Zacher at the May 26 city council meeting. “They can do all regular business — just outside. They must follow rules and submit plans.” The allowed spaces for each restaurant will be designated by the city.
Businesses will have to verify that their insurance provider will cover them for this temporary expansion and then provide a copy of the insurance certificate to the city prior to allowing service in such spaces. It was particularly noted that service is to tables on expanded areas only and not service to customers in cars. “We’re in special circumstances,” noted Mayor Terri Benson, noting guidelines from the state. Law enforcement has been notified and knows what is enforceable.
Another looming question for the city from the public has been if the municipal swimming pool will be opening. At this time, the Stay Safe Plan doesn’t allow for pools to open until Phase III or Phase IV. “I’m concerned about the safety of staff and how to keep kids safe,” stressed Benson. Other major concerns for pools include how to possibly sanitize locker rooms, bathrooms, and handrails after every person, the flocking to a community if other area pools are not open, and the short abbreviated season (pools likely wouldn’t open until at least July). A decision on the pool will be made at a later date, once the plan is to that point.
In other news, the city has passed an ordinance regulating the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility task vehicles (UTV) on public property within the city. The issue has been discussed for some time and a public hearing was held during the council meeting. Just four citizens turned up for the online hearing: Mike and Heidi Halvorson, members of Bluff Country ATV Club, business owner Jim Kitchens, and Michael Evenson.
“I think it’s a good idea to get something going. It’s long overdue,” said Kitchens. “We should make it as pain-free as possible for people and roll out the welcome mat. We missed them on other opportunities. These are groups that spend a lot of money in town, after all we’re going through we can use all the help we can get.”
The city’s plans are inline with state practices. However, the city is able to modify the ordinance to make it stricter than the state’s current ordinance. The city had proposed permitting riding within city limits, helmets for all riders of a Class 1 ATV, regardless of age, helmets for passengers on Class 2 ATV/UTV if under 18, no passengers for riders under age 18, riding allowed a half hour before sunrise and after sunset, and no riding during inclement weather. “We have to have an ordinance and have to have a permit. Otherwise, how does anyone know what the rules are and how do you enforce them?” said Zacher.
Concerns from riders included availability of permits after hours, lack of permitting required elsewhere, impeded vision and hearing from helmets (requiring it only for minors), and hours of use. All vehicles must already be registered with the state for use on any public roadway, right-of-way, or trail system.
“The permitting is not about making money for the city, it’s putting some kind of process in place,” said Councilor Sally Ryman. The ordinance is recommended by the city’s attorney and the League of Minnesota Cities. “The burden is on us to make sure campgrounds, restaurants, and every place has the information available.”
“Some may not be totally excited about it. This says these are the kinds of users we want. It’s not about penalizing anybody. It’s about setting a standard for our community,” added Benson. “My number one is the safety of our community. If there’s a way to provide that in this ordinance, I want to do that.”
The council opted to pass the ordinance unanimously with modifications including no passengers for riders under age 20, unless in immediate family as with standard driver’s licensing, and removal of the section related to inclement weather. Permits will cover three years and cost $15, largely to cover administrative costs. Riders will need to carry the permit. Permits will be available on the city website or at city hall. The city will be working with Pam’s Convenience Corner to see if permits can be available there as well.
“This is the starting point, not the ending point,” added Ryman. “We can always adjust after we see how it’s experienced in our community.”
“Once trails get done, I hope that this becomes a destination area for this,” added Kitchens. “I’m sure we’re gonna have a few that try to test it, but we can’t make everyone pay for the few that are going to try and see how far they can push this. I would like to see us get even more proactive about groups, but we’ve made good strides and we’re on the right track. I look forward to seeing this happen.”
The council also approved moving forward with beginning paperwork with the city’s financial consultant, Mike Bubany, of David Drown Associates, for refunding of the city’s 2012 Levee Abatement Bond using the Minnesota Rural Water Association Loan Program. Bubany will be present at the June meeting to present the proposal.
The city’s contract with Harter’s Quick Clean-Up has been renewed for three years. Changes include residential recycling pick up every other week, instead of weekly, a 95-gallon, rolling recycling cart for residents at no cost, and a special reduced rate for residents wanting to contract with a 65-gallon garbage tote instead of the use of red bags. The price of red bags is the only increase in the contract besides a possible four percent cost of living adjustment after the first year.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. Please watch the city’s website and publication notices for any changes to location.
Leave a Reply