HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.11.21 Board meeting tomorrow
From:Pickett, Andy
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Cook, Robin;Kimmelshue, Tod;
Lambert, Steve;Lucero, Debra;McCracken, Shari;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;
Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug
Subject:Board meeting tomorrow
Date:Monday, January 11, 2021 1:51:55 PM
Board Members,
In preparation for tomorrow’s Board meeting I have a number of topics to bring to your attention:
1.Board meeting participation.
We have tried a number of ways to make Board meetings accessible to all Supervisors, with the hope
that the need would be short-lived. However, it has become abundantly clear that COVID will require
adaptations for several more months, at minimum. It has also become clear that having some Board
Members in chambers and some Board Members remote is not serving the needs of the full Board.
We need to either all be in the chambers, or all be remote.
My preference is that we all meet in the chambers. However, the exponential growth of COVID
infections requires mitigations inside the chambers.
The highest priority and most effective mitigation is the use of masks. According to the
scientific literature, when everyone in a room is properly wearing a mask and appropriately
distancing the risk of infection is negligible. I ask that everyone in the Board chambers wear
a mask at all times. However, I understand that not everyone is able to wear a mask, so we
have added additional mitigations.
We have reconfigured the chambers to create additional physical separation. The desks
where Bruce and I usually sit will be used by Supervisors Lucero and Ritter. The remaining
three Board Members, Supervisors Connelly, Teeter, and Kimmelshue will sit at the middle
and two end seats. Bruce and I will sit next to Ashley on two new desks (new to the
chambers, both are from surplus).
All desks will have plexiglass shields.
We have increased ventilation from the HVAC system to its maximum operating capacity,
along with HEPA filters.
We have placed an air scrubber with a HEPA filter in the chambers to provide additional
filtration.
I know this is nowhere near an ideal set up, but it does represent the best we can do within the
chambers without extensive remodel.
2.Closed session
We will be holding closed session in the Board chambers. This is also not an ideal location given the
other mitigations, but it’s the best we can do. All the microphones are wired to be heard externally,
so we cannot use them for closed session. We will be bringing in a portable mic and speaker for the
presenters to use. Your statements and responses will be just your own voice projecting. We will
have Sheri Waters and the candidate for I.S. Director presenting.
3.Security
In light of recent events nationwide and in Shasta County, we have elevated our security detail. This
morning I met with the DA and his security team to do an assessment and develop a plan. There will
be no public or County staff in the chambers (other than Clerk, CAO, Counsel, and videographer).
Doors will remain locked, however verifiable media will be allowed in. We will have security detail
inside the chamber and outside the chamber.
We would like all Board members to be here at 8:30 am to go over the plan with the security team.
4.Patience
Lastly, we ask for a generous amount of patience tomorrow. In addition to all the things I mentioned
above, key staff have been impacted by COVID in their families, so we have done all these things
with fewer staff. Although we have tested the system multiple times today, you know how finicky
our system can be on a good day. And due to Ashley’s quarantine, Amy will be clerking the meeting.
So I ask for your patience as the meeting unfolds.
Thank you. See you tomorrow morning at 8:30 am for the security briefing.
Máximo A. Pickett
Chief Administrative Officer
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965