10.02 Resolution Supporting Sustainable Funding Source for COVID-19 Coverage for Public Safety and Health Care Workers

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CITY OF PEQUOT LAKES RESOLUTION 20- RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCE OUTSIDE OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS TO PAY FOR COVID-19 COVERAGE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor of the State of Minnesota issued Executive Order 20-01 to declare a Peacetime Emergency due to the evolving public health emergency known as COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the impacts of COVID-19 have resulted in the temporary closure of school systems and various types of businesses including public accommodations statewide; and WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the Governor of the State of Minnesota issued Executive Order 20-20 to direct Minnesotans to Stay at Home which was subsequently extended through Executive Order 20-33 until May 4, 2020; and WHEREAS, on Apri17, 2020, the State of Minnesota Legislature passed a Bill providing for workers' compensation coverage for public safety and health care workers who contract COVID- 19 while working and was subsequently ratified by Governor Walz; and WHEREAS, the City of Pequot Lakes fully supports the desire of the Legislature and Governor to provide COVID-19 coverage for public safety and health care workers; and WHEREAS, the Bill does not provide a funding source to cover the cost of providing COVID- 19 coverage and has placed an unreasonable burden on the State's workers' compensation programs due to the unanticipated and historic pandemic; and WHEREAS,the potential cost of providing COVID-19 coverage for public safety and health care workers has been estimated to be between$100 million- $500 million; and WHEREAS, the impacts of the estimated cost of COVID-19 coverage, if placed on the shoulders of the state's workers' compensation programs, could substantially impact the City of Pequot Lakes' annual operating budget and the annual operating budgets of all municipalities across the State of Minnesota; and WHEREAS,the City of Pequot Lakes desires to work with the Legislature and the Governor in the spirit of collaboration to find an appropriate funding source to adequately cover the cost of COVID-19 coverage for public safety and health care workers. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, asks the Legislature and Governor of Minnesota to quickly and expeditiously determine a funding source to cover the estimated costs of COVID-19 coverage so as not to