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2020-184-Minutes for Meeting May 01,2020 Recorded 6/8/2020• BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon (541) 388-6570 9:30 AM Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2020_184 Nancy Blankenship, County Clerk Commissioners' Journal 06/08/2020 1:56:47 PM CFSirJ' II'IIIIIII'III'I�IIIIIII' III �II C 2020-184 ................. FOR RECORDING STAMP ONLY FIr-11-1 BARNES & SAWYER ROOMS Present were Commissioners Patti Adair, Anthony DeBone, and Phil Henderson. Also present were Tom Anderson, County Administrator; David Doyle, County Counsel (present via conference call); Communication Director Whitney Hale; and Sharon Keith, Board Executive Assistant. No citizens or identified representatives of the media were in attendance. This meeting was audio and video recorded and can be accessed at the Deschutes County Meeting Portal website http://deschutescountyor.igm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx CALL TO ORDER: Chair Adair called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ACTION ITEMS: County Counsel Dave Doyle reported that Governor's Order 20-16 requested that public entities utilize virtual public meetings/hearings whenever possible. Mr. Doyle noted that when the Order was first issued that technology in the meeting room did not allow for viable virtual meetings. However, with the audio/video conferencing technology now in place staff recommends that effective next week that the BOCC conduct its meetings and hearings through virtual technology including Zoom and live stream via the Public Meeting Portal. Citizen input for comments on any items that are not on the public meeting agenda can be BOCC MEETING MAY 1, 2020 PAGE 1 OF 4 accommodated and managed through email submissions prior to the meeting. Commissioner Henderson questioned the premise behind virtual meetings, noting that folks in the BS Conference room are adequately distanced whereas outside of the conference room that might not be the case. County Counsel Doyle re -stated that the County now has the technology in place to allow us to properly operate virtual meetings. Commissioner Henderson feels people will be discouraged if required to participate through Zoom. Commissioner DeBone is sensitive to public testimony and encourages participation through a virtual meeting and to please reach out for assistance if anyone is finding difficulties. Commissioner Adair concurs with Commissioner Henderson about the loss of energy in the room but if the Governor is encouraging us to utilize virtual meetings whenever possible and now with the technology in place we are able to move to virtual meetings. Commissioner DeBone acknowledges usefulness of face masks. Commissioner Adair encourages the community to also wear a smile. Commissioner Adair announced the BOCC meetings will be virtual beginning on Monday, May 4. Commissioner DeBone expressed support. Commissioner Henderson objected to virtual only. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Draft COVID-19 Reopening Strategy A draft document for COVID-19 Recovery Framework was presented. Commissioner DeBone noted this is a draft and this is Phase 1 to adopt the Governor's recommendation when finalized. Commissioner Adair feels our community has given some excellent guidelines and finds Deschutes County needs to step up for our community and expressed dissatisfaction with the Governor's slow response. Commissioner Henderson explained that the business community has expressed concern with the re -opening guidelines. County Administrator Anderson suggested the County commit to the state's guidelines with the flexibility to revisit. Commissioner DeBone noted hesitation to call out specific industries in the County document and noted we are in a monitoring phase. Commissioner Adair commented on businesses that have already implemented health and safety guidelines. Commissioner DeBone acknowledged the long history of Deschutes County BOCC MEETING MAY 1, 2020 PAGE 2 OF 4 public health and safety. DCSO Sgt. Nathan Garibay was present via conference line and spoke to the intent relative to the preparedness criteria for Deschutes County to reopen. Commissioner Henderson recommended various language revisions. Commissioner DeBone commented on the Phase levels for local business and personal services in Phase 1 and Phase 2 would be defined at a later date. At the time of 10:32 a.m., the Board recessed the meeting to watch Governor Kate Brown's press conference. At the time 11:12 a.m., The Board reconvened and went into recess and reconvened the meeting at 12:03 p.m. Continued discussion on Draft COVID-19 Reopening Strategy County Administrator Anderson reported on updated recommendations from the Governor's Office that will come out that reflects guidelines for the business section. During the recess, the draft strategy document was revised. The Board reviewed the revisions and made recommendations for further edits. Commissioner DeBone recommended adding a disclaimer that Phase 1 does not promote tourism. County Administrator Anderson commented on the Governor's Stay at Home order and observed that Deschutes County's short term rental order expires May 15, 2020 and will be presented next week for consideration. The draft will be sent to St. Charles. Dr. George Conway was present via conference call and reported on the levels of cases and testing for COVID-19. Mr. Anderson reported on the gating criteria inclusion in the plan. Commissioner Henderson expressed the importance of timely submission of the plan to the Governor's Office. Commissioner Adair commented on annual flu deaths in Oregon. Further revisions were made to the draft document. HENDERSON: Move approval of the Draft Recovery Framework DEBONE: Second BOCC MEETING MAY 1, 2020 PAGE 3 OF 4 VOTE: HENDERSON: Yes DEBONE: Yes ADAIR: Chair votes yes. Motion Carried The document will be further reviewed on Monday, May 4. Commissioner DeBone announced the community is encouraged to reach out to the Commissioners if they have concerns. OTHER ITEMS: None presented Being no further items to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 12:59 p.m. DATED this Day of 2020 for the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. \ ATTI ADAIR, CHAIR ANTHONY DEBONE, VICE CHAIR Ir �z BOCC MEETING MAY 1, 2020 PAGE 4 OF 4 E S CCG Z o -Ac Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St, Bend, OR 97703 (541) 388-6570 — Fax (541) 385-3202 — https://www.deschutes.org/ SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 9:30 AM, FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 Barnes Sawyer Rooms - Deschutes Services Center - 1300 NW Wall Street - Bend CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MEETING FORMAT To protect the health of our public and our employees during the current COVID-19 pandemic, Deschutes County has limited public access to county offices and is following social distancing. This meeting/event will be streamed live and will be recorded. We strongly encourage that you watch online at www.deschutes.org/meetings ACTION ITEMS 1. Draft COVID19 Reopening Strategy OTHER ITEMS These can be any items not included on the agenda that the Commissioners wish to discuss as part of the meeting, pursuant to ORS 192.640. ADJOURN FUTURE MEETINGS: Additional meeting dates available at www.deschutes.orq/meetingcalendar (Please note: Meeting dates and times are subject to change. All meetings take place in the Board of Commissioners' meeting rooms at 1300 NW Wall St., Bend, unless otherwise indicated. If you have questions regarding a meeting, please call 388-6572.) Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Agenda Friday, May 1, 2020 Page 1 of 1 em 0 0 v R E DRAFT: APRIL 30, 2020 Deschutes County is committed to an evidence -based reopening strategy that considers the health and welfare of our community members, to include economic stability, opportunity, and liberty. Deschutes County recognizes the sacrifice of community members, businesses, first responders, employees, retirees, children and students and healthcare workers have made over six weeks to flatten the curve and stop COVID-19 spreading illness and causing economic hardship. It is imperative that our strategy to re -open is deliberate, thoughtful, comprehensive and inclusive, but also urgent. President Trump and Governor Brown laid out a general framework to re -open our communities, which consists of gating criteria and three preparedness areas. Deschutes County is prepared to meet Phase I of the opening criteria which would include: 1. Symptoms: Declining Numbers Downward trajectory of influenza -like illnesses (ILI) reported within a 14-day period and downward trajectory of COVID-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period. Health Services working on data for this section. 2. Cases: Declining Numbers Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period: Deschutes County Case Count- 14-day moving average 3.0 2.4 z.s z.s 25 f -,zaz4 zl21zl 2.2z122 2.0 2.0 1.9 2.0 19r - v > :.-. 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.7 1 Srr e'. .31.3��14151414 141�141.4 1.5 1.41(u 13 S 12 x r�r, 1.0 1.1, alp 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.0 O O O O O O O O O O O O G O O O G O O O O O O O O O O G O O O O O N ^ O O O O O O O O O N N N N N N m m m �n i �n m m E* �r o v a `v `a y�r a s `v v� o a- v' a •a n �i' 2 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Deschutes County Known COVID-19 Cases - Cumulative 75 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o IN 0 O 0 0 0 O 0 0 O 0 O 0 O O O O O O N 0 O O O 0 0 0 N N N N ` N N � N ` N N - N N N N NINN m vi r� m m in o� .+ N a o y d io' cc o N Io o� IN IN IN = " �— a .... .— INN N 3. Hospital capacity - Regular procedures and adequate testing • Treat all patients without crisis care • Robust testing program in place for at -risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing. Data for this section would need to be provided by St. Charles. ti 1. Robust testing and case investigation and contact tracing capability 2. Healthcare system capacity and PPE supplies 3. Plans for health and safety In order for Deschutes County to meet the criteria to re -open, we will indicate and establish necessary capacities in each of the above areas. We recognize that even with increased capacity in all three areas, epidemiological data and public health guidance may suggest a pause in the timing of early re -opening. It is also important to consider many of these capacities are the responsibility of other agencies or organizations, which are all working with Deschutes County, and to the extent possible, the County will support these organizations to increase capacity for testing. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, Deschutes County has sufficient data collection and analysis to support our decision -making and will continue to track trends related to total tests, positive tests, cases, and hospitalizations. This data will inform policy makers that it is appropriate to proceed with re -opening and 3 appropriate levels of restrictions. Deschutes County has been proactive in developing capacity in the three preparedness areas to support re -opening. Deschutes County also considers the diverse nature of our communities and our position within the region and commits to working collaboratively with our cities, community members, businesses, neighboring counties and other stakeholders to re -open responsibly. This framework will expand on the three preparedness areas and describe how Deschutes County intends to meet the benchmarks set forth by Governor Brown: e 0.c rs'!i ff and tip �n ve t g fl two winidContact Deschutes County Health Services does not directly provide testing. Testing is accomplished within the medical provider system by the hospital system and multiple other clinics. Deschutes County makes up 4.4% of the Oregon's total population. Deschutes County expects to work with our local hospital and clinics system to support 600 tests per week (a rate of 30 tests per 10,000 residents). Previously in Deschutes County, 200-300 COVID-19 tests have been collected each week. Testing options and capacity are expanding as more primary and urgent care providers are coming on board to provide drive-thru testing options to community members, Testing criteria have also eased up and will be based on two broader important factors: any typical viral symptom (e.g, fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, cough, or difficulty breathing) or a known COVID-19 exposure. Local medical provider discretion is essential for this model to work effectively. The addition of point of care Polymerase Chain Reaction testing at St. Charles Health System and health care clinics will enhance the community wide testing availability. Local processing of tests coupled with drive-thru locations will increase community participation and testing capacity in our community. Deschutes County providers are ready for that. Contact Tracing If the State of Oregon expects Deschutes County to maintain responsibility over case investigation and contact tracing, Deschutes County Health Services will need to re -deploy and possibly hire additional staff to accomplish this task. The State of Oregon has indicated a need for 600 additional public health staff needed for COVID-19 response. There has yet to be any granular data related to the make-up or duties of these positions, but based on Deschutes County's percentage of total state population, a total of 21 staff will be assigned to or in direct support of Deschutes County on a needed basis. Currently, we have six employees committed 0 to tracing (some are re -deployed from other positions) and we have been very successful and leading Oregon's efforts. 10 of our 75 positive case have been connected through our tracing efforts. One possibility is that some of these positions will be hired at the state level on an on -call basis, while some will be hired at the local level. Another option is a re- deployment of other County employees possibly underutilized on a part-time basis. Deschutes County Health Services does not currently have funding to hire additional staff. If funding becomes available to hire staff specific to COVID-19, Deschutes County estimates needing at least five additional public health staff to continue to support the local public health response: • Communicable Disease Nurse $118,746 /year full benefits. • Communicable Disease Nurse $118,746 /year • Communicable Disease Health Educator $109,454 /year • Environmental Health Specialist $113,987 /year • Health Communications Specialist $123,744 /year Total expected personnel costs devoted to COVID-19 could be $584,677 annually. However, these needs depend entirely on ongoing scope of the virus in our communities. Additional personnel could be mobilized through state resources to support Deschutes County if an outbreak overwhelms local resources. Non Congregate Sheltering Plan Deschutes County has established a plan to house COVID-19 positive patients who are unhoused, to minimize the threat of spread within the community. This plan is dependent upon securing a hotel or similar location. The estimated cost to accomplish this is up to $175,000 per month. Support Deschutes County has established the need for wrap -around services to support those persons isolated or quarantined due to COVID-19. 5 The Oregon Health Authority has reported 75 known positive cases of COVID-19 in Deschutes County. Of those, 53 have recovered. To date, 1,909 COVID-19 tests have been completed in Deschutes County. 1,834 were negative. so 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Deschutes County Known COVID-19 Cases -Cumulative W O O O O c O O O O 0 0 O O O O O O O 0 0 O O O O O N N N N N N N V N N N N N N - N N N N O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O St. Charles Health System (SCHS) has created an impressive medical surge plan related to COVID-19 and is likely able to meet the hospital needs of COVID-19 patients as long as staff and supplies are available. (See attached.) Additionally, Deschutes County has a well -developed plan for an alternate care site to provide up to 100 additional beds for lower acuity patients. (Plan attached). In order to operationalize this alternate care site, Deschutes County would need additional medical personnel and would likely request assistance from the State or Federal governments to provide the personnel and equipment to do so. Deschutes County, has also purchased 30 additional ventilators (which are on backorder), which include 20 transport ventilators and 10 ICU type ventilators. Before the alternate care site is initiated and emergency waivers are created, St. Charles SCHS (inclusive of facilities in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties) can provide a maximum of: • Hospital Beds - St. Charles to input data? • ICU Beds - St. Charles to input data? • Ventilators - St. Charles to input data? 0 With certain waivers in place, SCHS can expand further if absolutely necessary and has developed a tiered response to provide more beds. St. Charles is actively procuring additional Personnel Protective Equipment and will require the following on -hand in order to support re -opening: • N95 masks - St. Charles to input data? • Procedural masks - St. Charles to input data? • Isolation gowns - St. Charles to input data? • Face Shields - St. Charles to input data? • Nitrile Gloves - St. Charles to input data? Deschutes County is providing information and guidance to support acquisition of PPE for first responder agencies, healthcare providers, and safety net providers. Deschutes County is building a local cache of personnel protective equipment and seeks to maintain an inventory of: • N95 Masks - 30,000 • Procedural masks - 50,000 • Isolation gown - 30,000 • Face shields - 5,000 • Nitrile Gloves - 100,000 7 Plans la`for Health tW Safety Deschutes County recognizes the need to have plans in place to meet the needs of our community during this pandemic and to consider contingencies. As this incident continues and more is known, we will continue to address issues and develop plans to meet the health and safety needs of our community. Moving forward: Surveillance Strategy Deschutes County is working with critical partners in the healthcare sector, schools, Long Term Care Facilities, and Social Service Organizations to develop effective COVID-19 surveillance. (Organization chart attached.) Deschutes County also has an epidemiologist solely focused on communicable diseases who also supports Jefferson and Crook Counties. The regional Epidemiologist will continue to conduct active surveillance and provide timely data reports to help inform decision makers. Communication Strategy Deschutes County continues to maintain a strong capability to communicate with the community in real-time regarding the current situation, best practices, and protective measures. We have a very comprehensive website (www.deschutes.org) and daily e-mail reports (copy attached). Guidance around wearing masks, appropriate distancing, vulnerable populations and environmental concerns are constantly changed. As the medical community is continually learning about the virus, this will require staff dedicated to health communication. Currently this capacity is being provided by a joint Information Center and the Deschutes County Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, and this is not sustainable in the long- term due to those personnel needing to return to their normal duties. A dedicated Public Health Communication Specialist will be needed to continue to provide important and timely communications to the public and our partners. Long Term Care Facilities Deschutes County has an established program and very successfully coordinates with our 33 Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF). There is a regional Public Health Infection Prevention Nurse (0.8 FTE) who has established relationships with all long term care facilities in Central Oregon related to communicable disease prevention and control training/technical assistance to prevent and respond to communicable disease outbreaks. Due to the fact COVID-19 is significantly affecting Long Term Care Facilities in other parts of the country and the population is high -risk, this program may require additional staffing. s COVID-19 Positive Unhoused Shelter Plan Deschutes County has developed a plan to shelter unhoused populations who are symptomatic and awaiting test results or are positive for COVID-19. So far we have not initiated any stays but we are organized to do so. Evacuation and Sheltering Plan Deschutes County is located in a fire -risk ecosystem. 80% of Deschutes County is federal lands. Wildland fire is a reality in Deschutes County and every year the potential for evacuations due to wildland fire are present. Working with our partners at the American Red Cross, we have guidelines and strategies in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in shelters. These include use of non -congregate shelters, expanded shelter space when congregate shelters are required, and effective screening and shelter management practices to limit spread. Business Sector Guidance Working with staff at our Health Department's Environmental Health Division, and the cities of Bend and Redmond and the Redmond and Bend Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development of Central Oregon (EDCO) and Visit Bend. Deschutes County is committed to providing sector -specific guidance and direct consultation to support safe and responsible practices at our local businesses. It is anticipated this guidance will be include written checklists, infographics, and videos to support the education of our local business owners. This was developed after listening to the needs and concerns of many of our local business community. Local businesses have communicated the need for a cautious re -opening plan. Additional detail and feedback from local business is included below. Phased Re -opening Strategies Deschutes County recognizes that some businesses can more readily meet the physical distancing, disinfection, and safe practices needed to re -open. In addition, Some businesses by their nature are lower risk and less likely to support community spread. Other businesses may require much more stringent restrictions and change in business practices to facilitate re -opening. When possible, Deschutes County supports a risk -benefit analysis when considering which businesses can re -open sooner. Encouragement of Alternative Business Practices Deschutes County businesses, non -profits, and government agencies should continue to utilize practices that minimize physical contact between employees and patrons. Much has been learned during this time and with the expanded use of a technology, environmental design, scheduling, and safer work practices could not only increase public safety, but improve customer service over the long-term. Deschutes County employers should encourage and support tele-work and other remote work options whenever feasible. Tourism / Mobility Considerations Deschutes County's economy has a strong tourism component. There are also a large number of second homes. Many of these second homes belong to people who live in larger urban areas. An influx of visitors from larger urban areas, possibly those with localized outbreaks, places Deschutes County at a higher -risk. To date, the cities of Deschutes County as well as Deschutes County have discouraged and in some case prohibited out -of -area travel (Deschutes County ordinance on short- term rentals), City of Bend guidance and Redmond airport signage. Monitoring travelers from key communities to Deschutes County and taking proactive measures will be critically important to manage possible disease transmission. If not measured, this non-resident population can significantly affect demand for services (public safety, contact tracing, case investigation, and healthcare). Our capacity is based more on our permanent resident population. Plan for Re -Instituted Restrictions Deschutes County also recognizes the need for a re -instituted restrictions plan to re -implement closures in the event there is a significant resurgence in COVID-19 cases. This plan needs to be based on clear and agreed -upon metrics. Metrics could be based on number of cases, average new daily cases, and/or hospitalizations. We expect guidance from the Governor's Office on this issue. This guidance should be provided to the community in advance to encourage preparedness by community members and businesses. 10 Business Sector Conslideraflons: Traded Sector Employment Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is the primary economic development agency within Deschutes County. Over the past 30 days, EDCO has conducted roughly 200 outreach calls to area businesses, and has conducted two separate roundtable discussions with key companies. The majority of these businesses have already figured out how to remain solvent within the parameters of the Governor's stay at home order, despite disruptions in supply chains and limitations on retail outlets for their products. They are generally exercising all of the best practices related to temperature testing, visitor limitations, use of PPE, social distancing and cleaning/sanitizing. The vast majority of the businesses however have shared that the longer the shutdown persists, the more uncertain the demand for their products and the more constrained raw material and pieces and parts from other manufacturers becomes. As a group, they urge that re -opening of the economy begins as soon as possible, but in a phased and cohesive fashion, with clear and predictable timelines and information. Service Employment The State has issued draft re -opening guidelines for Restaurant/Food Service and retail businesses. These guidelines include distancing and occupancy directions, employee protocols and operational parameters. Common themes include six foot distancing for patrons (including seating) and employees, on -premises customer limits, use of PPE, directional signage and barriers, and extensive cleaning/sanitizing directives. The County believes some of these guidelines are achievable. However, we believe it is important that once local businesses implement these protocols there be a change management component of the implementation process to allow businesses to communicate what's working and what isn't. In addition to the state's guidelines, our cities and local chambers of commerce have also conducted focus group meetings with representatives of each of these business sectors, and also representatives from Personal Services businesses. The concerns expressed by businesses are in fact very similar to the various components of the state's guidelines. As such, the guidelines are very helpful in addressing the questions raised by businesses. Representatives of the County's Public Health department attended the focus groups, listened closely to the conversation, extended advice, and committed to continual consultation with any business on best practices with respect to preventative practices. The state 11 guidelines now become the validated yardstick by which our public health staff can continue to provide guidance and education to all business within this sector. Businesses in this area also expressed, in conjunction with operational parameters, a desire for the county's assistance in procuring PPE, financial help during the pandemic and ramping back up, and consistency in overseeing compliance with the new rules. The County has been and has committed to continue to be a resource in all three of these areas. The State has also issued guidelines for childcare businesses. This will be a critical piece of any re -opening strategy. Discussions on childcare have been an important planning area within the county's emergency operations center. As with other business sectors, we will also offer our full guidance and consultation to these businesses on public health questions in the context of the state's guidelines. Tourism/Outdoor Recreation As stated previously, outdoor recreation and tourism are key components of the Deschutes County economy. This sector has been particularly hard hit by the executive order. Area businesses favor a phased re -opening of their industry, but are committed to doing so in a safe and rational manner, for the protection of both their employees and customers. Focus groups and outreach initiated by Visit Bend and the Central Oregon Visitors Association have found that businesses are in favor of a phased approach where gradually larger groups of customers are allowed to congregate, but with strict protocols for social distancing, the use of masks/gloves, and the continual cleaning/sanitizing of equipment and shared space. Pressure will continue to mount as the County enters its prime visitor season. Transit Locally, public transit has not been directed to limit service or make adjustments. Current service reductions are related to service needs and funding. Our local public transit provider is committed to restarting normal service when needed; including making sure they have the appropriate PPE available, along with the ability to provide social distancing on the buses. 12 P 0 o p e n il n g b y B u s n, e i s s FOR BOARD DISCUSSION: Phase I Businesses • Restaurants with strict measures in place • Retail • Personal services • Childcare o Representatives from the retail, food services and personal services sector have identified childcare availability as a need so that employees can return to work. • Attorneys and accountants? • Veterinarians? • Church and Faith Facilities? Phase 11 Businesses Phase III Businesses 13 Oregon Exec. Order No. 20-12 23 March 2020 Page 4 "Closure of Certain Businesses" Pursuant to .... effective 12:01 am on March 24, 2020, 1 prohibit the operation of the following businesses, for which close personal contact is difficult or impossible to avoid: • amusement parks • aquariums • arcades • art galleries • barbershops • hair salons • bowling alleys • cosmetic stores • dance studios • esthetician practices • fraternal organization facilities • furniture stores • gyms • fitness studios (including climbing gyms) • hookah bars • indoor and outdoor malls • indoor party places • jewelry shops and boutiques • medical spas • facial spas • day spas • non -medical massage therapy services • museums • nail and tanning salons • non -tribal card rooms • skating rinks • senior activity centers • ski resorts • social and private clubs • tattoo/piercing parlors • tennis clubs • theaters • yoga studios • youth clubs