HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-057CITY OF LAKE ELMO
COUNTY OF
WASHINGTO
N STATE OF
MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-057
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO
SUPPORTING THE REOPENING OF BUSINESSES, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS,
AND NON -PROFITS
WHEREAS, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-01 on March 13, 2020, declaring a
peacetime emergency because of COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-04 ordering the
temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation and also required that
additional proactive measures be taken to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-20, directing Minnesotans to
stay at home except for certain exempted activities and critical sector work; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-18 continuing the closure of
bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-56 safely reopening
Minnesota's economy and ensuring safe non -work activities during the COVID-19 peacetime
emergency and removing Executive Order 20-48 (the "stay at home order"); and
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-62 allowing worship,
weddings, and funerals to proceed as safely as possible when following certain guidelines; and
WHEREAS, although certain Lake Elmo businesses (restaurants, personal care services,
retail stores, etc.), non -profits, and religious institutions are allowed to be open under
Executive Orders 20-56 and 20-62, they are limited in their capacities and the types of
business that may be conducted; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Orders have caused undue hardship and financial loss to many Lake Elmo
businesses, religious institutions, and non -profits, both large and small, many of whom may never
recover from this financial catastrophe; and
WHEREAS, Lake Elmo businesses, religious institutions, and non -profits continue to have financial
strain due to having to pay insurance, taxes, rent, electrical, heating, cooling, and other costs; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Orders have affected these entities' base of employees, many of them who
cannot withstand the loss of wages and will seek other employment, thereby causing undue hardship and
financial impact to business, religious institution, and non-profit owners and operators as they try to hire
and train new staff, and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake Elmo City Council encourages Governor Tim
Walz to rescind the various Executive Orders that place operational limitations on businesses, religious
institutions and to allow these entities to fully open provided they follow local, state, and federal
requirements on social distancing and safety with respect to COVID-19; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lake Elmo City Council supports the choice of its residents
and visitors to continue to stay at home or to move about freely in the City and to support the economy
of the City, while conducting themselves in a way that preserves the health and safety of the public,
including, but not limited to, following Minnesota Department of Health and Center for Disease Control
guidelines with respect to stopping the spread of COVID-19; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that nothing in this Resolution shall be interpreted to
encourage or allow any action that would be a violation of law or not in accordance with local state, or
federal COVID-19 guidelines.
APPROVED by the Lake Elmo City Council on this 2" d day of June, 2020.
By:
Mike Pearson
Mayor
ATTEST:
Jul e J son VY
Jerk