Marshfield Alderman Asking for Revisions to Policy Restricting Travel by City Employees Due to Coronavirus
Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 -- 11:09 AM
(WDLB) -Marshfield Aldermen are asking for revisions to a policy that would restrict travel by city employees for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.The Common Council voted unanimously last night to send the policy back to the Human Resources Department for further clarifications. Human Resources Director Jen Rachu told the Council the policy has generated lots of discussion at City Hall, because it could end up penalizing employees for personal travel that would be allowed under recent changes to Governor Evers' "Safer At Home" order. Alderman Adam Fischer said the policy as written walks a very thin line. Alderman Ed Wagner said the Council should stick to controlling only those issues it can control. Mayor Bob McManus said the state is partly to blame for changing the rules in the middle of the game. The city has already halted all non-essential business travel. Personal travel, defined in the proposed policy as travel outside of the community for non-essential purposes in violation of the "Safer At Home" order is not recommended.
The Governor's "Safer At Home" restrictions are now changing almost daily. The Council will revisit the issue at its next meeting on May 12th, which is two weeks shy of the expiration of the Governor's order. Last night's meeting was the first since Aldermen voted 9-to-1 last week to lift restrictions keeping Council members from gathering in person at City Hall. The Mayor and four Aldermen attended last night's meeting in person, while the rest of the Council and city department heads logged in from their homes and offices. Among those attending last night's meeting in person was Alderman Mike Feirer, who last week cast the lone 'no" vote against resuming meetings at City Hall.
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