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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT December 23, 2020 COVID-19 PANDEMIC While CARES Funding is no longer available for the procurement of supplies or safety messaging after December 30th, the vast amount of digital assets that were created through the Whitefish COVID-19 Task Force will continue to be utilized during the coming months. Numerous videos have been produced, posters were printed and distributed to all businesses, compostable to-go containers with our campaign messaging stickers were distributed to restaurants, and the “Mask Up” banners continue to remind both visitors and residents why we should wear masks. While CARES funding is no longer available, the Task Force will continue to meet on a regular basis in the coming months to keep the dialogue going about our response to the pandemic and the need for any changes to our messaging campaign. The arrival of the first vaccines in our County provides a sigh of relief and hope that the end of this pandemic is near, but we must continue to follow the public health measures until there is adequate vaccine distribution. Our paramedics have already had the opportunity to receive vaccines and our police officers are up next. I have encouraged the Health Officer to consider certain City employees in the essential category when providing vaccinations, specifically our water and wastewater treatment plant operators and our street crew who plow the roads when it snows. During snowstorms emergency responses can be hindered without cleared roads. While Congress has taken action to provide a new corona virus relief bill and it awaits the President’s signature as of today, there is no additional funding for local governments included in that package other than for vaccine distribution. However, the good news is that there will hopefully be funds going to our businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, our residents through rental assistance, stimulus, and additional unemployment benefits, and our schools too. While the Interlocal Agreement was put on hold by Flathead County, the City of Whitefish and City of Columbia Falls continue to be interested in joining Kalispell and Flathead County as members of the Board of Health. Health Officer Russell has also mentioned his support for the City of Whitefish to join and I hope now that he is onboard, we can be added to the Interlocal Agreement early on in 2021. MONTANA STATE LEGISLATURE SESSION As the 2021 Montana State Legislature Session approaches, I am monitoring newly introduced and unintroduced bills along with keeping in communication with the Montana League of Cities and Towns. While there is indication that new bills will be difficult to get through as this session will look different, we will continue to monitor and provide comment when necessary. ---PAGE BREAK--- Topics we are monitoring include, but are not limited to: • Tax Increment Financing laws • Affordable Housing Laws • State Entitlement Share Allocated to Towns and Cities • Mill Levy Caps or Changes • Health Department and Health Officer Authority Changes • Protection of Land and Water Resources • Infrastructure Funding • Building Code Reserves The Resolutions of the Montana League of Cities and Towns for the 2021 Montana State Legislature Session can be reviewed here. REMINDERS City Hall will be closed January 18th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th, due to the holiday on Monday, January 18th, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The work session topic is still pending. Respectfully submitted, Dana M. Smith, CPA City Manager