Whitefish seeks comment on city's COVID response

Whitefish City Council is seeking feedback from community members about how the city should respond to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the valley. Options being considered are tighter restrictions for Halloween weekend, as well as a potential return to some guidelines under Phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan.

"The City Council and I are non-partisan volunteer elected officials and are committed to governing our small town with transparency and public input,” Mayor John Muhlfeld said in a press release. “During these challenging times, public input is paramount in our decision making process when considering public safety measures for the benefit of all of our citizens."

The press release added that city is “disappointed in the Flathead City-County Health Department's recent decision to vote against additional community health measures while COVID-19 cases increase.”

"The community must unite and step up our game when times are tough. Thank you to those following state directives by wearing a mask, distancing, decreasing your business capacity, quarantining when necessary to avoid exposing others, and changing the way you work, socialize, play and eat," Muhlfeld commented. 

The City Council will meet today, Oct. 26, during an emergency meeting to discuss potential Halloween weekend restriction options. A proposed emergency ordinance could limit capacity at 50% for Whitefish restaurants and bars and limit the size of social gatherings on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31, if approved by City Council.

The meeting is set for 7:10 p.m., remotely through WebEx. For more information on logging in to the meeting, visit the city’s website at www.cityofwhitefish.org or call 863-2400.

The city is also asking for public comment at the Nov. 2 public hearing on COVID-19 community measures, including consideration of re-establishing some of the restrictions and guidelines in the state’s Phase 1 directive.  

According to the city, examples of restrictions and guidelines under Phase 1 would be:

• Limiting bars, restaurants and casinos to 50% capacity, and closing no later than 11:30 p.m. 

• Avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 with proper social distancing.

• Encourage telework.

• Close common areas.

• Accommodate alternate work schedules and make special accommodations for members of a vulnerable population or those with vulnerable household members.

For both meetings, comments can be sent via email to mhowke@cityofwhitefish.org by 4 p.m. each Monday, or the public can sign up to participate in the virtual meetings.