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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, January 5, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 10 of 11 <br /> <br /> <br />Printup said rather than thinking of it in terms of “sick leave” it is “COVID leave.” <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh assumes whenever the Governor ends his emergency powers, the City would follow that <br />lead and that policy would end. They could always revisit it if they want to but tying it to that puts an end <br />on it. <br /> <br />Printup said in 2021 the federal government does not fund COVID leave anymore but asked if the State <br />government does. <br /> <br />Olson does not believe there is anything on the State government at this point. <br /> <br />Attorney Mattick said one thing to note about the COVID leave is for those who have exposure who are <br />not allowed to come back, they really have gone to a lot of remote working. So, it is not always necessary <br />that someone uses sick time because the City can offer them the opportunity to work remotely. That does <br />not work for law enforcement or many of the public works, but for office staff. <br /> <br />Olson said without naming names, the Council is aware of someone who was in close contact with <br />someone who tested positive and clarified that person is working from home this week. <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh noticed the resolution says “until the City’s Peacetime Emergency is declared over” so that <br />will cover it. He stated the customer service is essentially the same thing, they are continuing that. <br /> <br />Olson replied yes, and it is probably not a big issue in January but perhaps they have an early spring and <br />in March people want to sit outside again. <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh noted that is an easy one, too, to revisit if they want to keep it going for these people even <br />after the Peacetime Emergency is over. <br /> <br />Olson said it is a very inexpensive way for the City to support these businesses. <br /> <br />Johnson moved, Seals seconded, to amend the policy for temporary outdoor customer services <br />areas and a motion to approve the attached resolution extending the COVID-19 sick pay. Ayes 5, <br />Nays 0. <br /> <br />CITY ATTORNEY REPORT <br /> <br />Attorney Mattick had nothing to report. <br /> <br />CLOSED SESSION <br /> <br />Mayor Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to close the City Council meeting at 6:53 p.m. to go into <br />closed session. Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br /> <br />The meeting will be closed as permitted by section 13D.03 to discuss the City's labor negotiation strategy <br />related to the City's negotiations with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49 and Office <br />and Professional Employees International Union, Local 12 unions.