Team – We need to make some decisions today regarding COVID-19. We have closed the Library as of today and I want to make sure our people “feel” safe. Yes, I used the word feel. The e-mail below is what Gresham CM sent out – as an example. I will have Darlene set up a meeting today with you all sometime today and we can discuss further.
Dan Huff
City Manager
City of Molalla, Oregon
(503)829-6855
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PUBLIC RECORDS LAW DISCLOSURE
This e-mail is a public record of the City of Molalla and is subject to public disclosure unless exempt from disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law. This e-mail is subject to State Retention Schedule.
From: Teresa Hall <teresa.hall@greshamoregon.gov> On Behalf Of Erik Kvarsten
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 3:32 PM
To: City-Wide Distribution List <City-WideDistributionList@greshamoregon.gov>
Subject: COVID-19 Update from the City Manager
Good afternoon,
My sincere gratitude to all employees for your commitment to serving the Gresham community. Our residents depend on us for vital services every day, and I’m proud to see employees rising to the challenge to prepare for and respond to the impact coronavirus continues to have on our region.
As you know, the situation around the coronavirus outbreak is rapidly evolving day by day. I appreciate your patience during this time of uncertainty, and I appreciate your flexibility. So far, many people experience mild symptoms from the virus; however, our concern is to protect the most vulnerable among us.
City leadership met today to discuss how to implement Governor Brown’s latest COVID-19 orders. These new orders, announced this morning, are based on recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oregon public health experts, epidemiologists and health professionals. The recommendations cancel all large gatherings of more than 250 people, effectively immediately, for four weeks. The orders also recommend distancing measures for workplaces.
To that end, the City is taking the following actions, effective immediately.
Emergency declaration: effective through April 7th
· In conjunction with our partners at Multnomah County, the lead public health agency, the Mayor and I are declaring a state of emergency in Gresham today. I want to emphasize this is a precautionary and proactive measure that ensures we can access federal, state and county resources when they are needed.
Community impacts
· A 60-day moratorium is placed on water shut offs to allow all residents access to water for hand washing, to aid in with virus containment.
· We will explore avenues that may exist to provide support for residents and businesses impacted by reduced economic activity as a result of the coronavirus—another reason that we have declared an emergency.
Community events: effective through April 9th
· Passport Day, scheduled for March 14th, is canceled.
· The Gresham Lilac Run is rescheduled to June 6th.
· For public events that involve City staff, we will maintain any financial contributions we’ve pledged to partner organizations and nonprofits. However, staff will not be participating in person at the events in order to reduce risk of potential exposure.
Meetings: effective through April 9th
· Non-essential City committee meetings are canceled. The Council business meeting on March 17th will be held briefly, so that Council may ratify the emergency declaration.
· Our general guidance for non-essential work gatherings or face-to-face meetings is to postpone or cancel if there are more than 25 participants. Departments may have different business needs around this issue; please work with your manager to determine what is essential.
· If meetings are necessary, offer the option for participants to dial in remotely. IT will be sending out information to departments on how to offer this option.
· For in-person meetings, arrange the set up so that attendees can practice the recommended three feet social distancing between one another. Additional hand sanitizer is on order and will be placed in conference rooms when available.
Training and work-related travel: effective through April 9th
· Non-essential work travel and training is canceled.
Ensuring operations continue: effective indefinitely
The City remains open to serve our residents. Please refer to the FAQs recently issued by the Human Relations Department for guidance on sick leave and telework options. So we can assess the impact this is having on our workforce and service delivery and to ensure we can maintain effective operations, managers will report to HR weekly:
· How many employees are out on sick leave for reasons related to COVID-19, whether they are sick with flu-like symptoms or whether they are caring for someone with flu-like symptoms.
· How many employees are working remotely.
HR will provide guidance for managers how to report this information.
We are continuing nightly disinfection of high-traffic and public areas, including restrooms, counters, tables, vending machines, doorknobs, drinking fountains, and chair armrests.
The City is in daily contact with the County to closely monitor this evolving situation. As guidance changes, we will keep you updated. If you have questions or concerns specific to your work area, please work with your manager to resolve those.
The safety and wellbeing of our community and our employees is a top priority. Again, I appreciate your dedication and your service to the Gresham community.
Erik Kvarsten, City Manager | City of Gresham
