Attachments

20200825-110143-Full COVID Resolution.pdf

The Fayette City Council passed a somewhat controversial resolution asserting the city’s stance with regard to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. The vote came during the council’s Aug. 18 meeting.

Wording of the ordinance had come under fire from Stephanie Ford and Hope Smith, East Ward, and Southwest Ward Alderwomen, respectively, during the council’s prior meeting on Aug. 4. Specifically, the word “encouraged” was singled out, when used to suggest that Fayette citizens act in accordance with recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with regard to wearing masks. Mrs. Ford said she objected to the word’s inclusion and will fight against ordinances such as what exists in nearby Columbia that requires all citizens to wear masks in public. Ms. Smith said the word would mean city employees, including council members, would have to lead by example and wear facial coverings.

Ultimately, after a period of discussion, the word “encouraged” was stripped from the resolution. 

The purpose of the resolution, according to Fayette Mayor Kevin Oeth, is to affirm to citizens, along with newly arrived university students and their parents, that Fayette is not ignoring the pandemic. The resolution in no way mandates that citizens must wear masks, but wishes to assert awareness and cognition of guidelines established by the CDC.

The resolution asks, but does not require, those in Fayette to wear masks in public, observe social distancing, and stay home when sick. It further states that places of worship may continue to hold regular services along with events such as weddings and funerals, but suggests adherence to social distancing and sanitation practices as advised by the CDC.

The council passed the resolution with a vote of 4-1. Southwest Ward Alderman Grafton Cook provided the lone dissenting vote. Cook said that inasmuch as he appreciates the premise the Mayor and council expressed by the COVID-19 resolution passed at last Tuesday's meeting, he was not able to vote in support. “I found the resolution redundant and without sufficient basis given the evolving research and statistics behind the virus. In this instance, I do not believe it is within the City's purview to delve into the health habits of its citizens unless this situation deteriorates to a point requiring a specific council intervention in conjunction with state and local health officials.”