02.02.21 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes February 2, 2021 Council Member Baker stated we have been allotted Covid funding for first responders salaries and what kind of Covid work were they doing if they were not enforcing the safety guidelines? Mr. Stapp stated PD, Fire and EMS are responding to calls in service with a Covid patient or infected patients. Mr. Stapp stated council will give direction on how to spend the funds received from the State. He suggested that we provide science -based recommendations by the CDC. Council Member Gleason stated he likes the idea of videos and telling business what their rights are. We should inform the public the best we can and engage the community in a certain way. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked how much Covid funding is going to the Police Department? Mr. Stapp stated the expenses have been accrued and the reimbursement from the State will free up those expenses as council directs. Mr. Stapp stated it was determined by the state that police and fire salaries are eligible for reimbursement from the being front line workers for Covid 19 and a easy way to submit Covid expenses and free up general funds allocated to the community. Council Member Garza stated the proactive strategies and needs to do a better job by educating. Would like to see police a more educational base. She stated that we need to have more proactive outreach and talk about enforcement later. Ms. Reyes clarified the reason the police and fire salaries was used because there was specific categories to use Covid relief fund dollars and working with Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) on the best way to maximize the dollars back into the community, it was recommended by TDEM to use for first responders since the salaries have been budgeted and spend the funds with no strings attach to provide community support. Council Member Baker to work with code compliance to ensure health and safety concerns with Covid at the forefront of operating business. Mr. Stapp stated environmental health will be handling regarding health concerns and will check capacity of the work they can do. Mr. Stapp stated he will check guidelines but will research to check availability to add. Mayor Hughson asked about the capacity and the spacing of the table are those enforceable? Mr. Stapp would like to get with the Fire Marshall on the occupancy capacity tied to the fire code. Mr. Stapp will research on what we can enforce. Mayor would like to get more information on what to enforce and what can be enforced. City of San Marcos Page 22