HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.b. Statement and Determination on conducting meetings remotely
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Port Authority Regular Meeting: June 15, 2021
AGENDA ITEM: Statement on Conducting Meetings
Remotely
AGENDA SECTION:
Consent
PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, Executive Director AGENDA NO. 3.b.
ATTACHMENTS: Statement from Chair APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive Statement from Chair Freske on conducting of
remote meetings.
BACKGROUND
Recent actions by the State of Minnesota along with significantly declining rates of COVID infection would
indicate that it is appropriate to modify emergency operations in Rosemount related to the pandemic. On
March 28, 2020 former Chair Weisensel issued a statement that it was appropriate to allow for remote public
meetings of the Port Authority. In order to return to in-person meetings, the presiding officer must make
a new determination as outlined in Minn. Stat. 13D.021.
As stated in the attached resolution, the initial uncertainties surrounding the pandemic clearly warranted the
need for such a declaration. Numerous executive actions by the State of Minnesota have terminated or will
terminate soon.
By making the attached statement, the City will align its public meeting operations with post-pandemic
regulations regarding electronic / telephone meetings. All meetings of the Council and Commissions shall
be conducted in person, with alternate allowances made under Minn. Stat. 13D.02.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Port Authority receive the attached statement regarding the conducting of remote
meetings.
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Chair Freske’s Statement and Determination Regarding Conducting Meetings by Telephone or
Other Electronic Means
As the Chair of the City of Rosemount Port Authority, I find as follows:
a. On March 28, 2020, former Chair Jeff Weisensel as presiding officer, determined that it was
appropriate to allow remote public meetings of the Port Authority under Minnesota Statutes,
13D.021, because holding meetings in-person was not prudent or practical, and it was not
feasible to have any person at the regular meeting location;
b. To return to in-person meetings, the presiding officer must make a new determination that
meetings will no longer be conducted under Minnesota Statutes 13D.021;
c. On May 6, 2021, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 21-21: Safely Sunsetting
COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions, establishing an anticipated timeline for sunsetting
emergency COVID-19 restrictions, on May 14, 2021, issued Executive Order 21-23
immediately terminating most mask-wearing requirements, while encouraging those who
have not been fully vaccinated to continue to wear masks, and the portion of Executive
Order 21-11 that strongly encourages public meetings to be held remotely expired on
May 28, 2021 ;
d. Under EO 21-21, almost all emergency restrictions will end by July 1 or when 70% of
Minnesotans ages 16 or older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine;
e. With the state of Minnesota sunsetting its emergency regulations, the City has begun the
process of returning to normalcy, but will continue to allow remote participation in public
meetings to accommodate the provisions of Executive Order 20-55, encouraging “at-risk”
individuals to stay home, which is set to expire or be rescinded on July 1 or when Minnesota
reaches vaccination goals; and
f. The Port Authority may continue to allow members of the public and members of the Port
Authority to participle remotely during in-person public meetings as permitted by law,
including under Minn. Stat. 13D.02.
Based on the above findings, I determine as follows:
1. Former Chair Weisensel’s Statement and Determination Regarding Conducting Meetings by
Telephone or Other Electronic Means is hereby rescinded as of June 14, 2021 at 11:59pm.
2. As of June 15, 2021, all meetings of the Port Authority shall be conducted in-person, allowing
for remote participation as permitted by law, including under Minn. Stat. 13D.02.
Dated: June ___, 2021. _________________________
Heidi Freske
Chair, City of Rosemount Port Authority