Meeting Summary
The Edmond City Council held a special meeting to review and extend its COVID-19 related ordinances. The council voted to extend the city's mandatory mask ordinance (Ordinance 3799) and the general Declaration of Emergency, both until November 30, 2020. Staff reports indicated an upward trend in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county, while public comments highlighted a strong division between those prioritizing public health measures and those advocating for personal freedom.
Key Decisions & Votes
Extension of Ordinance 3799 (Mask Mandate)
01:15:00The council approved extending the city's mandatory mask ordinance until November 30, 2020, with a vote of 3-2.
Emergency Declaration for Ordinance 3799
01:16:00An emergency was declared to ensure the extended mask mandate (Ordinance 3799) went into effect immediately, with a vote of 4-1.
Extension of Revised Declaration of Emergency (General COVID-19 Rules)
01:18:00The council unanimously approved extending the general Declaration of Emergency regarding COVID-19, which includes rules for social distancing and hand washing, until November 30, 2020, with a vote of 5-0.
Financial Matters
CARES Act Funding
The city is finalizing requests for CARES Act reimbursement funding, having requested approximately $6.3 million out of an eligible $7.2 million, with a deadline of November 1.
Public Comments
Public comments were divided, with some citizens and medical professionals advocating for the mask mandate's continuation due to rising case numbers and public health concerns, while others expressed concerns about government overreach, loss of personal freedom, and the negative social and economic impacts of the mandate, urging its termination.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- CARES Act funding request deadline: November 1
Watch For
- Next regular City Council meeting: Monday (next week) at 5:30 PM
- Agenda for next regular meeting to be published tomorrow
Announcements
- The city currently has 11 employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 16 in quarantine out of approximately 800 full-time staff.
- City buildings maintain restricted access, and masks are required for entry.
- The Community Image Department has responded to 47 calls regarding the mask ordinance, sent 13 letters for multiple complaints, and has not issued any citations since its implementation on August 26.
- Edmond has recorded 1669 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the event, with a current 14-day average of just over 20 cases per day.
- Oklahoma County is experiencing an upward trend in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, with an average of 180 daily hospitalizations, and concerns were raised about the upcoming flu season's potential impact on hospital capacity.
Agenda Summary
Public hearing and consideration of Ordinance 3799 amending Title 5 Edmond Municipal Code Health and Sanitation Chapter 5.18 COVID-19 pandemic by amending Section 5.18.060 effective and expiration dates and times, possibly declaring an emergency, providing for repealer and severability.
Discussion and vote on extending the city's mandatory mask ordinance, which was set to expire on October 12, until November 30, 2020.
Update from city staff and discussion and consideration of amendment to revise declaration of emergency regarding COVID-19 issued on August 24, 2020.
Staff reports on the current COVID-19 situation, including case numbers, hospitalizations, and city operations, followed by discussion and a vote on extending the general Declaration of Emergency until November 30, 2020.