Salida Issues “State of Emergency” Declaration

The City of Salida takes the health and safety of the community very seriously and has been working closely with officials from the Chaffee County Public Health Department and the Board of County Commissioners to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare a response appropriate to the situation.

Information regarding CCPHE’s current response can be found on their Facebook page.

As of this Press Release, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chaffee County. The City of Salida encourages its citizens and guests to use their best judgment in social distancing and follow the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) recommendations, which can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

With all best available information provided to the City, and out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus worldwide pandemic, the City of Salida is hereby declaring a Local State of Emergency for the next ten (10) days as authorized under Article XVII, Section 2-17-10 of the Salida Municipal Code, effective immediately. This declaration is only being made in order to implement the City’s COVID-19 Action Plan, which is a tiered response to assist local health officials manage the potential for outbreak of the virus in Salida and Chaffee County.

As of this message, the City of Salida will institute the provisions of Tier II in the Action Plan. The Action Plan can be found at the City’s website: www.cityofsalida.com. Please be advised that the Salida City Council may choose to extend the declaration for up to forty (40) additional days at a duly noticed meeting. Tier II of the COVID-19 Action Plan relates to internal workings of the City and how individual departments manage meetings, interactions with the public, and instructions for high-risk individuals who work for the City.

At this time, the City encourages all persons wanting to do business with the City to utilize digital or telephone devices to access the City’s website, pay bills online or over the phone, conduct meetings via teleconference, and to refrain from contact distances of less than six feet (6’) from City personnel.

Mayor P.T. Wood is encouraging the greater Salida and Chaffee County community to work together during this time. “It is imperative that we understand the impact of this pandemic on our community, and we know that collective action on preventative hygiene and minimizing social gatherings will significantly reduce the long-term impacts on Salida,” he said. “These short-term measures will build upon our resiliency and strength. We have one goal in mind – to mitigate the possible spread of the disease and avoid a longer-term risk to our community. The City of Salida is asking your cooperation in proactively implementing these measures.”

COVID-19 ACTION PLAN

Purpose: To provide a comprehensive and tiered Action Plan to City of Salida officials in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This Action Plan is intended to slowly escalate to proactively respond to changes in the situation as well as reflect the recommendations of our State and local Public Health Departments.

This Action Plan is effective March 13, 2020, until further notice. Authority: Per Sections 2-17-10 and 2-17-20 of the Salida Municipal Code, when it appears to the Mayor that the general health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City are threatened, he or she may declare a state of emergency proclamation. The proclamation may impose a curfew within the City, may prohibit public or private assemblies, may impose restrictions on movement within the City and may contain other regulations necessary and proper to the maintenance of public peace, order and safety.

Tier I

Heightened Awareness. The CDC and local health authorities have indicated that COVID-19 is in the U.S. and are encouraging citizens to be aware and to focus on sanitization and hygiene.

Encourage employees to stay home if sick or to go home if exhibiting symptoms while at work. Employees will continue to use sick leave.
Identify work spaces where employees can temporarily isolate if they are awaiting transportation to their home or medical care.
Wash hands often, also use hand sanitizer often.
Cover mouth with arm/elbow if coughing.
Heightened amount of environmental sanitation – Lysol, wipes, environmental germicide sprays, etc.
Employees should refrain from traveling to conferences and/or meetings in other parts of the Country where cases of COVID-19 are expanding.
Acquire/Inspect/Issue Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to selected City Staff (gloves, masks, etc.).

Tier II

Statewide Concern. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) have indicated multiple cases of COVID-19 within the State of Colorado. When directed by the Mayor, City Administrator, or their delegate, the City will move its response to Tier II which, in addition to Phase I steps, include:

Trial Teleworking and staggered shifts authorized. Departments should, on a very limited basis, begin to set up telework sites for a limited number of employees to lessen the impact on Tech Services.
Employees should refrain of physical contact with each other and with members of the public (i.e. handshakes, hugging, etc.). CDC recommends a 6’ distance of separation.
Employees should limit or eliminate any outside agency meeting attendance, unless able to be done remotely.
City Departments should begin to limit internal meetings.
Employees who self-identify as high risk (having compromised immune systems, for example) should work from home. If sick, no sick leave required – will treat as regular time. This provision would temporarily suspend Section 3.5.E. of the City of Salida Personnel Manual requiring medical certification of illness. This includes any part-time employees currently ineligible for sick leave.
The City will take direction from State and Local Health authorities.

Tier III

Chaffee County Concern. Chaffee County Health has indicated multiple cases of COVID-19 within the Region. When directed by the Mayor, City Administrator, or their delegate, the City will move its response to Tier III which, in addition to Phase II steps, include:

Employees will be directed to stay home (or go home) if they or any family member they live with is exhibiting any symptoms, or if they are high risk. Employees staying home will not be required to use sick leave, but will treat it as regular pay. This provision would temporarily suspend Section 3.5.E. of the City of Salida Personnel Manual requiring medical certification of illness. This includes any part-time employees currently ineligible for sick leave.
Elimination of any City meetings or events (unless able to be done remotely). Recreation programs shut down, including closure of Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, the SteamPlant Event Center, and the Rotary Scout Hut. Specific closure dates shall be established by Department Heads and announced via press release.
Teleworking and staggered shifts authorized. Departments will continue to roll out additional measures or plans to allow employees to work remotely, when feasible.
Departments must take additional steps they have identified to limit exposure between employees and between employees and members of the public. 3
City buildings reduced staffing authorized. Departments will take steps to ensure City Buildings are minimally staffed, but public spaces are very limited.
Heightened level of sanitization of spaces including additional germicide spraying.
Selected City Staff have PPE on hand and begin utilization, as appropriate.
Public events (other than official meetings of City boards) scheduled to take place in Cityowned facilities are suspended until further notice. The Salida community is strongly encouraged to engage in social distancing and to postpone or cancel any gatherings where people will congregate in large numbers and/or in close contact with one another.
Other steps as directed by State and Local Health authorities.

Tier IV

Full implementation of Response Plan.

Tier IV may occur at such time as Chaffee County Public Health recommends regionwide social spacing, or schools are shut down, or at such other time as Salida deems it to be in the best interest of the organization and/or community. When directed by the Mayor, City Administrator, or their delegate, the City will move its response to Tier IV which, in addition to Phase III steps, include:

City Buildings minimally staffed, no public access. Public will be directed to conduct business online, if feasible, or by phone. Non-essential services (City Hall Administration, City Hall Finance, Fire Station Administration, Police Station Administration, Public Works Administration) are closed to the public. Public is encouraged to use digital and telephone communication, website access, online payments, and other ways of communication to conduct business with the City.
Departments will fully enact Departmental plans. Teleworking options and staggered shift work maximized. Only essential services ongoing, unless able to be provided through employees working remotely.
Incident Command may be set up locally or in coordination with County Authorities.
Selected City Staff mandatory use of PPE.
Other steps as directed by State and Local Health authorities, including support of their efforts.

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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