HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Resolution 2020-018 Supporting the St. Joseph Business Community
Council Agenda Item 6
MEETING DATE: May 15, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution 2020-018 Support the St. Joseph Business Community
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: N/A
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: St Joseph Restaurants and On Sale Liquor establishments have
been negatively affected by the Governors Executive Orders. Local business owners have requested that
the St Joseph City Council consider the following items in support and relief of their business viability
during COVID-19.
1. Adopting Resolution 2020-018 Support the St Joseph Business Community
2. Consider reduced Liquor License Fees for businesses that have been forced to
remain closed during this pandemic.
3. Outdoor options for bars and restaurants (if allowed by state law)
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: TBD
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 2020-018 Support the St Joseph Business
Community
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Authorize the Mayor and Administrator to execute Resolution
2020-018 Support the St Joseph Business Community. Determine (if any) relief for Liquor License Fees
for businesses that have been forced to remain closed during this pandemic. Set parameters for potential
outdoor seating options to help Bars and Restaurants reopen after June 1, 2020.
RESOLUTION 2020-018
CITY OF ST JOSEPH
STEARNS COUNTY, MINNESOTA
SUPPORTS THE ST JOSEPH BUSINESS COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, the St Joseph City Council understands the stress that the COVID-19
pandemic has caused our business community, including salons, coffee shops,
restaurants, bars and other small businesses, and;
WHEREAS, St Joseph residents and businesses understand that the need for the business
closures was to “buy” time to increase necessary personal protective equipment (PPE),
ventilators and to prepare medical clinics and hospitals and to educate Minnesota citizens
the need for social distancing and provide time for the Minnesota Department of Health
to understand and develop new testing and build up the testing capacity within the State,
and;
WHEREAS, the city of St Joseph is a small community and that each business in the
community is a “critical business” to the life and vitality of the community and that the
Executive Order is not a one size fits all solution, and these small businesses do not have
the large corporate base to continue paying property tax, utility services, rent, mortgage
and support their families, and;
WHEREAS, the St Joseph City Council firmly believes that the non-critical businesses
impacted by Governor Walz’ Executive Orders can safely reopen and provide adequate
protection to our most vulnerable citizens as well or better than the box stores located in
large communities such as Sauk Rapids, Waite Park or St. Cloud, due to the square
footage of the business and the number of patrons that can be serve at one time, and;
WHEREAS, the St Joseph City Council understands that the Council does not have the
authority to change a state law or be less restrictive than state law, unless the law
specifically allows for it, and therefore the St Joseph City Council is not recommending
to the businesses shuttered by the Governor’s Executive Orders to open but is requesting
that each business prepare and post a Preparedness Plan on-site prior to reopening,
following the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC guidance to establish trust and
confidence to St Joseph citizens, travelers, and visitors that our community is doing
everything possible to provide a safe working and socializing environment, and;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the St Joseph City Council respectfully requests
Governor Walz to allow and grant permission to reopen all businesses located within the
city of St Joseph, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in granting this permission, each affected business
will prepare and post a Preparedness Plan addressing items contained in the Minnesota
Department of Health and CDC guidelines or guidelines established by their business
respective State Board or Departments to establish trust and confidence to St Joseph
citizens, travelers, and visitors that the St Joseph Business community is doing everything
possible to provide a safe working and socializing environment.
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted by the St. Joseph City Council
this 18th day of May, 2020.
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
By
Rick Schulz, Mayor
ATTEST
By
Kris Ambuehl, City Administrator