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Raeford council approves emergency COVID-19 measures, closes city facilities through March 30
Summary
At an emergency meeting March 20, 2020, the Raeford City Council unanimously approved five COVID-19 response measures including a temporary closure of city facilities through March 30, allowing nonprofits to use facilities for relief, waiving utility disconnect fees during the state of emergency, creating a sick leave bank for affected employees, and permitting Manna Church to operate a Noonday Kitchen food bank.
On March 20, 2020, the Raeford City Council unanimously approved a set of emergency operational measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Manager Dennis Baxley told the council the School of Government had issued guidance on a manager’s authority during the coronavirus pandemic and asked the council to approve five measures: close all City of Raeford facilities to the general public until March 30, 2020 (a date subject to extension at the manager’s discretion); allow nonprofits to use City facilities for relief efforts with program operations approved by City staff to meet federal, state and CDC guidelines; allow Manna Church to provide a Noonday Kitchen food bank for predetermined families (Duke Energy informed the mayor it plans to donate to help with expenses); waive all disconnect fees incurred for non-payment during the state of emergency; and create a sick leave bank for employees directly affected by the pandemic. The council also approved taking reasonable protective and operational measures to ensure staff and community safety.
Councilman Charles Allen moved to approve the five items and Councilman Wayne Willis seconded. The motion was unanimously carried. Manager Baxley noted that facility closures could be extended at his discretion as conditions change.
During the meeting, Baxley also reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had approved Category B reimbursement items related to emergency protective measures. The council then entered an executive session to discuss personnel matters and took no action while in executive session. The emergency meeting was adjourned after returning to open session.
The minutes do not record individual roll-call votes beyond stating the motions were unanimously carried; Councilman Robert Conoly was recorded as absent.
