MARCH 17, 2020 WORKSHOP MINUTES o,, . ' 7
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VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Virginia Beach, Virginia
March 17, 2020
Mayor Robert M.Dyer called to order the CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING in the City Council Chamber,
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 3:30 P.M
Council Members Present:
Jessica P. Abbott, Michael F. Berlucchi, Mayor Robert M. Dyer, Louis
R. Jones, Aaron R. Rouse, Vice Mayor James L. Wood and Sabrina D.
Wooten
Council Members Absent:
Barbara M. Henley, John D. Moss, Guy K. Tower and Rosemary Wilson
*Governor Northam issued a State of Emergency on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As
a result, all items previously scheduled on the City Council Agenda for March 17, 2020, will be considered
at a later meeting.
2
CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING
CORONA VIRUS(COVID-19) UPDATE
3:30 P.M.
Mayor Dyer welcomed Dr. Demetria Lindsay, Director — Virginia Beach Health Department and Erin
Sutton, Director—Emergency Management. Dr. Lindsay expressed her appreciation to City Council for
their continued support.
Dr. Lindsay advised as of March 17, 2020, there are sixty-seven (67) confirmed COVID-19 cases in
Virginia and two(2)deaths;however only four(4)confirmed COVID-19 cases in the City. All cases within
the City are determined to be "travel related".
The Health Department will continue to identify and monitor individuals that need to remain in quarantine.
As a result of the Call Center expansion, there is a new phone number: 683-2754, if anyone calls the old
number, they will hear a recording with the new number. Dr. Lindsay advised there were approximately
300 calls yesterday, March 16, 2020.
The Health Department is working with hospitals to determine individuals who should be isolated and/or
monitored. Senior Citizens who are at a higher risk, are encouraged to take extra precautions and stay
home as much as possible. Family members and Churches are asked to assist those at a higher risk.
Dr. Lindsay turned the brief over to Ms. Sutton. Ms. Sutton advised Governor Northam issued a State of
Emergency on March 12, 2020, and, as such, the City is operating under modified conditions by conducting
business via telephone, internet, or by mail with some exceptions that will allow appointments to be made.
As of March 16, 2020, City public schools are closed and have started their plans for Continuity of
Learning. Also, City public schools began providing meals today and served approximately 2,000, with
Green Run providing 100 meals.
Ms.Sutton advised the COVID-19 Task Force continues to meet bi-weekly and provided the following status
updates:
• The Emergency Operations Center(EOC) is in virtual status and communicating well
• The Continuity of Government Team is working on solutions to keep the City operating
• Finance is providing support for procurements and telecommunicating. The Stafford
Act is in effect requiring all expenses to be tracked.
• Special Events Group has canceled events through March 31, 2020
• There is a meeting scheduled for March 18, 2020, to discuss congregate care and
contingency plans for the vulnerable population
• The Task Force is working with local vendors as well as the state to request resources;
currently, there is a back order that may last weeks or months.
• Sentara Princess Anne has opened the Amphitheater gates to allow traffic flow for
drive through Coronavirus testing
Mayor Dyer expressed his appreciation to Dr. Lindsay and Mrs. Sutton for the presentation.
March 17, 2020
3
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
4:45 P.M.
Vice Mayor Wood advised the City does not have the authority to conduct electronic meetings. Vice Mayor
Wood advised he and Mayor Dyer spoke to Governor Northam and requested a ruling on holding public
meetings and are awaiting a decision. Council Member Wilson is working with the Virginia Municipal
League(VML)for guidance. Vice Mayor Wood advised the recommended crowd size continues to change;
the Center for Disease and Control(CDC)recommended no more than 100, the Governor recommends no
more than fifty(50) while the President of the United States has recommended no more than ten (10).
Mayor Dyer advised the City is in uncharted territory and while City leadership wants to handle and move
forward with City business,public health is the most important. Mayor Dyer advised safety precautions
take priority at this time and expressed his appreciation to Vice Mayor Wood researching technological
solutions. This is a tough situation with no determination on how long this may last.
March 17, 2020
4
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
(Continued)
Council Member Rouse distributed a proposed, "Resolution to Direct the City Treasurer and Commissioner
of the Revenue to not Impose Penalties and Interest Upon Certain Local Taxes During the COVID-19
Pandemic", attached hereto and made a part of the record. Council Member Rouse advised the proposed
Resolution is just one way to provide local businesses some assistance.
March 17, 2020
5
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
(Continued)
Mayor Dyer read the following statement:
"In accordance with Virginia Code section 2.2-3712(B), the City Council will hold
closed meetings at an undisclosed location within the next 15 days for the purpose
of interviewing candidates for the position of City Manager. No votes will be
taken, other than the votes to convene the closed meetings. Any vote to appoint a
candidate to the position of City Manager will occur at a subsequent public
meeting, and public notice of the time and location of that meeting will be provided
in advance, in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act."
March 17, 2020
6
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Robert M. Dyer DECLARED the City Council Meeting ADJOURNED at 4:04 P.M.
e ' s
Chief Deputy Ci Clerk
Amanda Barnes, MMC
City Clerk
City of Virginia Beach
Virginia
March 17, 2020