COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT THE COURTHOUSE IN SUNDANCE, CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

3:00 o’clock p.m. Present for the special meeting were Chairman Kelly B. Dennis (per conference call), Vice-Chairwoman Jeanne A. Whalen, Member Fred M. Devish (per conference call) and County Clerk Linda Fritz.

Present for the special meeting were Jeff Hodge, Tina Wood, Cindi Baudhuin, Tim Lyons, Larry Schommer, Rocky Courchaine, Jill Mackey, Becky Tinsley, Bob Smith, Mary Kuhl, Theresa Curren, Melanie Wilmer, Dr. Larsen, Ed Robinson, Beth Ellsbury, Joe Baron, Rusty Williamson and Jordyn Fischer, US Representative Liz Cheney’s Field Office, (per conference call).

County Health Officer Dr. Larsen addressed those present as to the measures being taken by the medical professionals and emergency response personnel to COVID-19. He gave recommendations as to how to slow the spread of the virus.

Fred moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-7

EMERGENCY DECLARATION

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus as a worldwide pandemic as of March 11, 2020, and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States declared a national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on March 13, 2020, specifically stating that in “December 2019 a novel (new) coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 (“the virus”) was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, causing outbreaks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has now spread globally. . . . The spread of COVID-19 within our Nation’s communities threatens to strain our Nation’s healthcare systems. . . . Additional measures . . . are needed to successfully contain and combat the virus in the United States.” The National Emergency Declaration went on to declare that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency, and

WHEREAS, Mark Gordon, Governor of the State of Wyoming, declared a State of Emergency for the State of Wyoming on March 13, 2020, stating that on March 11, 2020 an individual within the State of Wyoming tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 and the State of Wyoming is experiencing a public health emergency in response to the evolving outbreak of the novel coronavirus as of March 11, 2020. The Declaration of a State of Emergency directs the Director of the Wyoming Department of Health to take all appropriate and necessary actions and in the Director’s judgment any actions necessary to provide aid to those locations where there is a threat or danger to public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS W.S. 19-13-103 (a) (ii) confers upon the governor and upon the executive heads or governing bodies of the political subdivisions of the state the emergency powers provided in the Wyoming Homeland Security Act, and to provide for state assistance in the organization and maintenance of the homeland security programs of such political subdivisions;

WHEREAS, W.S. 35-1-227 gives authority to the Wyoming Department of Health to direct and supervise county health officers in the state in making decisions in their judgment best suited to maintain the public health including but not limited to closures and quarantines; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Alexia Harrist, the Wyoming State Health Officer will review and directs the issuance of quarantine and other public health related orders to Dr. James Larson, the Crook County Health Officer; and

WHEREAS the Crook County Public Health Office will be the point of contact for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response as appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to coordinate with the County office of Homeland Security and the Public Health Officer as specified by the Crook County Emergency Operating Plan; and Whereas All COVID-19 response questions and requests for information are to be directed to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at (307)283-1142, [email protected], [email protected] and/or [email protected] . Pertinent public updates will be shared via Facebook.

WHEREAS, all locally available public and private resources available to mitigate and alleviate the effects of this disaster may be insufficient to meet the needs of the situation and the county may be in need of state and federal assistance; and

WHEREAS on Monday March 16, 2020 the Board of County Commissioners held an emergency meeting wherein a motion made seconded that the Crook County Public Health Office is appointed to be the point of contact for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response to coordinate with the County office of Homeland Security and the Public Health Officer Dr. James Larson, as specified by the Crook County Emergency Operating Plan. Motion Carried

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming to ratify the action taken on March 16, 2020 and appoint the Crook County Public Health Office to be the point of contact for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response to coordinate with the County Office of Homeland Security and the Public Health Officer Dr. James Larson, as specified by the Crook County Emergency Operating Plan.

Motion made, seconded and carried in an open emergency meeting on March 18, 2020.

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A.

Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on March 18, 2020 by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A. Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Linda Fritz, Crook County Clerk

Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Fred moved to amend the prior motion to include having the County Clerk use the Board’s facsimile stamps. Jeanne seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Joe Baron, County Attorney, discussed and received suggestions to Resolution 2020-8. Jeanne moved to approve the following resolution and to authorize the County Clerk to use the Board’s facsimile stamps on the document:

RESOLUTION 2020-8

LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO COURTHOUSE AND OTHER COUNTY FACILITIES

WHEREAS it is essential that the Crook County government continue to provide services to the public while minimizing public interaction during this COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2) pandemic crisis to maintain services as long as possible, rather than eventually possibly closing down entirely will conduct regular business solely through mail, email, and telephone, except by appointment; and

WHEREAS the reasons for this limitation on access have been set forth in Resolution No. 2020-7 Emergency Declaration;

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming that it is essential that the Crook County government continue to provide services throughout this COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2) pandemic crisis, effective March 18, 2020, and continuing until further notice, and that:

Access to the offices, Fire Halls, and facilities of Crook County including the Courthouse will be limited to conducting regular business with the public by employees, Department heads and elected officials solely through mail, email, and telephone, except by appointment wherein the particular Department head or elected official shall determine if face to face is necessary to conduct business with the Crook County Commissioners, Clerk, Fire Warden, Treasurer, Assessor, Growth & Development Office, Extension Office, Fair, County Libraries, Weed & Pest Office, Attorney, Public Health and Road & Bridge.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the court will remain open to provide essential services as determined by the Wyoming Supreme Court and local judges. The public has been excluded from the Circuit and District Courtroom by Court Order. The Crook County Clerk of District Court and Circuit Court will remain open to the public and will continue to conduct regular business through mail, email, and telephone, and prefer an appointment wherein the particular court shall determine if face to face is necessary to conduct business.

The Crook County Sheriff will continue to operate as deemed necessary by the Sheriff.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all COVID-19 response questions and requests for information are to be directed to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at (307)283-1142, [email protected], [email protected] and/or [email protected] . Pertinent public updates will be shared via Facebook.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that situations involving a pandemic can be unpredictable. More restrictive exceptions may be made to this policy on a case-by-case basis in order to accomplish the mission of Crook County and to insure the safety of our employees, department heads, and elected officials. This policy shall remain in place until further notice.

Motion made, seconded and carried in an open emergency meeting on March 18, 2020.

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A.

Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on March 18, 2020 by Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman, Jeanne A. Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman and Fred M. Devish, Member, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Linda Fritz, Crook County Clerk

Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Discussion was held on employees still working and how to handle sick employees. Public Health will send out guidance. The Emergency Operation Center has a phone number of 283-1142 for the public to call with health concerns.

A special meeting has been scheduled for April 2, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. to further discuss the pandemic and to decide what future action may need to be taken.

The meeting adjourned at 4:32 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular on April 7 and 8, 2020 at 8:30 o’clock a.m., in the Commissioner Room at the Courthouse in Sundance, Wyoming.

Kelly B. Dennis, Chairman

Jeanne A. Whalen, Vice-Chairwoman

Fred M. Devish Member

Attested: Linda Fritz, County Clerk

Publish: March 26, 2020