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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 11, 2022 Page 4 1 City Manager Yunker stated the City's communication channels have been used to communicate 2 CDC guidance and the importance of remaining diligent especially through this recent Omicron 3 virus. He stated another video could be done or communication through the website. 4 5 Councilmember Randle asked what can be done from a healthcare facility standpoint. What can 6 be done to stress to the facilities about wearing a mask and to take COVID seriously and they are 7 affecting the lives of other people. This has been on his mind for a while and he doesn't know 8 how to address it. He has noticed some of the healthcare facilities are lax in wearing masks. 9 10 Councilmember Webster stated she appreciates Councilmember Randle's perspective. Within the 11 community, there are vulnerable residents and how can we ensure those that care for vulnerable 12 residents can help each other. She noted that as staff becomes ill, some vulnerable residents will 13 not be cared for adequately. 14 15 Mayor Stille asked if it is the City's responsibility to govern actions in facilities. Councilmember 16 Randle stated probably not but he was just trying to think of ways to encourage people to 17 practice safely, noting the City cannot monitor as to how people are taken care of in a facility. 18 Councilmember Randle stated he wished there was more the City could do to make them 19 comply. 20 21 Councilmember Walker stated Omicron will most likely peak out in February. Many people 22 think once they have the booster the sky is the limit. A video could provide the actual facts for 23 people when dealing with Omicron. He asked Councilmember Webster to speak more about the 24 mandate. 25 26 Councilmember Webster stated she is thinking about the data on community transmission which 27 creates illness among our front workers. She suggested a short-term mask mandate to try to keep 28 the City's essential personnel as healthy as possible. 29 30 Councilmember Jenson asked how a City-wide mandate would be created and how would it be 31 enforced. Councilmember Webster stated on stores in Northeast Minneapolis, there are signs that 32 state masks are required. She suggested asking the community to mask -up and stay home if they 33 are sick. Mayor Stille stated asking is okay but a mandate that isn't enforced eliminates the need 34 for a mandate. 35 36 Councilmember Walker stated if he sees a sign that a mask is recommended versus a mask 37 required sign is taken more seriously, noting there seems to be a more morale obligation. 38 39 Councilmember Jenson asked whose job is it to communicate that to the City-wide 40 organizations. 41 42 Mayor Stille asked Mr. Yunker his thoughts about enforcement. Mr. Yunker stated enforcement 43 would be difficult as the City leans on voluntary compliance and education is normally done. He 44 agreed a message of recommended versus required is different. Staff could possibly visit a 45 facility and recommend and educate. 46