06-03-2021 Parks_Rec Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO:Parks & Recreation Commission FROM:Bryce Shearen, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager DATE:June 3, 2021 RE:Return to In-Person Commission Meetings ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: None. BACKGROUND: In March of 2020, City Hall and other city facilities were closed to the public due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the City Council and Commissions have been meeting virtually. Based on the latest guidance from Governor Walz, most of the pandemic restrictions are in the process of being lifted and residents and businesses can begin returning to normal operations. Based on the guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Governor Walz, the City of Little Canada will return to in-person meetings. An important factor to keep in mind is that during the pandemic, remote meetings have been held pursuant to a provision of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law that allows remote participation due to a health pandemic or a special declared emergency. City Council and City Commissions are allowed to continue meeting virtually as long as the public health emergency is in place. Once the Governor’s emergency declaration has ended, local government entities will no longer have authority to meet remotely under that section of the Open Meeting Law and must return to following the Open Meeting Law as before the pandemic/emergency where public meetings must be conducted in person. The current statewide emergency declaration is anticipated to end on June 14, 2021. It is not known if the public health emergency will be extended beyond this date. Anticipating the end of of the statewide emergency declaration, both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission will be returning to in-person meetings beginning in July. City Council meetings will begin to meet in-person in June. Staff is prepared to return to in-person meetings.