City staff updated Mayor Scott LeMay and City Council members on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Garland at the April 20 work session.
At that time, 221 Garland residents had tested positive for the virus. Eight have passed away and 119 patients have recovered. These numbers are updated daily on the city of Garland website.
Brandy Chambers, a candidate for the Texas House, approached the city about holding a COVID-19 testing event in conjunction with a Plano doctor. She hoped to hold the event in Garland. For people with insurance, the payment would be insurance only. For those without insurance, a fee up to $50 would be charged. She asked for assistance from the health department to help with staffing, paperwork, organization of the line, etc.
The doctor and his staff would do the testing, which would require full PPE gear. Police or marshals would also be needed for security.
Chambers’ campaign platform would be used to make people aware of the testing which caused concern for council and the mayor. Some of the concerns included having city staff collect private information from those being tested, how many tests would be done and the lack of requirements for testing (symptomatic or not, running fever or not, etc.)
LeMay said this was a generous proposal, but with no criteria, the right individuals might not get tested. He was also concerned about the potential for political gain for Chambers.
“It is inherently going to be problematic with having a political candidate in this area and this not being used…for political gain…We’ve all run for office,” LeMay said. “We all know how that works.”
He added that having city staff involved adds more problems.
Council voted unanimously against accepting Chambers’ offer.
Garland’s Police Chief Jeff Bryan provided an update in which he reported that officers continue to practice social distancing. He said that one officer who was diagnosed with COVID-19 a few weeks ago has recovered and been cleared to return to work. Seven additional officers had been in isolation and all have now been cleared to return to work. There is currently one officer in isolation. Two other employees had fever and have been tested. The results are pending.
Bryan told the council that call activity had decreased early in the stay-at-home order but was now moving back up to normal, pre-COVID-19 levels.
Fire Chief Mark Lee reported that five firefighters had tested positive and that all are recovering or back to work. No one is currently symptomatic. There are currently no high-risk or medium-risk exposures.
Misty Gardener explained the federal and state plans for transitioning back to pre-COVID-19 activities, behaviors, etc.
“Right now, we don’t have documentation or numbers to indicate that we would be ready to do any of these things…To get in a hurry and re-open too quickly, we’ve wasted everyone’s time,” Gardener said.
Impacts of pandemic on summer programs and city facilities
Deputy City Manager Mitch Bates provided an overview of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Department, library and other spring/summer programs as well as special events scheduled for May, June and July.
May – Two Jazz Concerts, Cinco de Mayo celebration, Downtown Wine Walk, 10 Granville Arts Center events/rentals, three Atrium rentals and one Plaza Theatre rental. There are also various library and parks and recreation events scheduled at city facilities. Some have already been canceled.
June – Two Sounds of Summer Concerts, four Granville Arts Center events, eight Atrium rentals, five Plaza Theatre rentals/events and the Legends of Basketball game at Gale Fields Recreation Center (draws 400 people), as well as library and parks and recreation events at city facilities
July – It is unknown if Firewheel Town Center will host an Independence Day celebration. There are nine Atrium rentals, two Sounds of Summer Concerts, two Granville Arts Center events/rentals and Family Night Out. There are also events scheduled at libraries and parks and recreation centers.
Some of the summer rec center activities are STARS Camp, recreation center room reservations, 90 recreation and senior center programs per month, aquatic activities and general pool operation, the Summer Nutrition Program, 298 swim lesson classes and PLAY Streets Summer Programs.
To provide these programs, 220 additional staff would be required. There is not enough time to hire them.
Council will discuss this at the Tuesday, April 28 special meeting.