Council Emergency Meeting for COVID-19

This evening, the Garland City Council held a special emergency meeting concerning the COVID-19 virus. As of the most recent information available from our Garland Health Director Jason Chesser, Dallas and Collin County each have three cases, while Tarrant County has one case. There are 23 cases in Texas.

The unfortunate thing about these numbers is that testing for the virus is extremely limited as tests have been severely rationed to state and regional testing labs. Additional, tests are only being administered to those individuals who meet the screening criteria of being symptomatic and having an additional risk factor such as travel to an affected area or having an illness that requires hospitalization with symptoms of COVID-19.

Tonight, various directors of city departments presented the plans they have prepared and the existing mitigation measures they are currently taking to protect the public and city employees, and reduce the transmission of the virus.

Specifically, Police Chief Jeff Bryan and Fire Chief Mark Lee stated that our first responders are well-trained to deal with these types of situations. They reminded the council that they deal with biohazard situations daily as a part of their jobs and are well-equipped in terms of both protective equipment and training to mitigate risks. Also both departments have continuity of operations plans to maintain public safety with patrols and emergency response during crises. 

Directors from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, Library Department, and Customer Service Department explained that additional cleanings of facilities and sanitization of equipment, doorways and surfaces the public interacts with is occuring.

Overall, it was reassuring to see that the City of Garland already had plans in place and has proactively taken measures to mitigate transmission risks.

Considering what additional measures may be taken in our local response, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities which may be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community-mitigation-strategy.pdf

The CDC provides recommendations for three risk levels of community transmission or impact of COVID-19 — the first stage being None to Minimal Risk, the second Minimal to Moderate Risk, and the final Substantial Risk. Currently Mr. Chesser believes we are in a Minimal to Moderate Risk level as a handful of cases exist in the immediate area.

Given the current information from our health officials and the CDC’s recommendations for this level of risk, I made several votes tonight which I believe best mitigate the risks of transmission for our most vulnerable populations — especially seniors — while maintaining personal freedoms essential to our American way of life. I am a strong believer in personal responsibility as liberty was one of the pillars on which this country was founded. I would hate for the government to restrict personal liberty when it is unwarranted.

I agree with Health Director Chesser that we are in the Minimal to Moderate Risk level which does not warrant drastic closings of public facilities and the limitations of public gatherings at this time. I believe that taking personal responsibility of one’s health decisions including frequent hand-washing, maintaining personal space, and self-quarantining if symptoms are present are the correct measures to limit the transmission of the disease. Certainly my position may change as conditions warrant.

Mayor Scott LeMay said that he with other Texas mayors and county judges participated in a conference call with Governor Abbott today. Mayor LeMay stated that the governor urged local municipalities to continue essential functions of government while encouraging mitigation measures such as social distancing. Governor Abbott left the decision to close cities facilities up to local authorities.

I acknowledge that this is a fluid situation and recommendations may change as new information is received. The council will be updated formally again at the Council Work Session Monday evening, and we will be in constant contact with our health officials until then. The City of Garland will continue to update the public daily through its website and social media channels. 

The votes taken tonight were as follows:

  • To close senior centers until April 15 (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Passed 7-2 with Morris and Bookhout Against)
  • To close recreation centers until April 15 (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Failed 3 – 6 with LeMay, Smith, and Aubin for.
  • To close the Plaza, Granville Arts Center, and the Atrium until April 15 (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Failed 3 – 6 with LeMay, Smith and Aubin for.
  • To cancel city-sponsored events with more than 25 people until April 15 (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Failed 4 – 5 with Lemay, Smith, Aubin and Morris for.
  • To close libraries until April 15 (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Failed 2 – 7 with LeMay and Aubin for.
  • To delay non-essential municipal court cases by 60 days (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Failed 2 – 7 with LeMay and Aubin for.
  • To postpone non-quasi-judicial Boards & Commissions and Council Committee Meetings until April 15 (Motion by Aubin, Second by Smith) – Passed 5 – 4 with Nickerson, Bookhout, Vera and Hedrick against.

More information from the CDC regarding the Corona virus may be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html