The meeting began with a discussion of Resolution 2020-4, which declared a state of local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resolution was essential to provide the city with the necessary flexibility and protections to manage the ongoing health crisis. The City Manager underscored the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, which required a different approach compared to typical emergencies like hurricanes. One Commissioner voiced concerns about delegating too much power to the City Manager, particularly regarding the authority to call or cancel meetings, emphasizing a preference for maintaining collaboration among the Commissioners. “I personally don’t want to delegate the power to call or cancel a meeting to just the city manager,” the Commissioner stated.

Further discussions revolved around the discretion granted to the City Manager, especially concerning bypassing established spending limits and the implications of Florida statute 2523.8. The City Attorney clarified that the resolution’s language could be adjusted as necessary, allowing each city to establish its own protocols. The City Manager reassured the Commissioners that he would not act unilaterally and promised to keep them informed of urgent decisions. The need for a balance between rapid response capabilities and Commission oversight was emphasized, with suggestions to amend the resolution to state that the City Manager could act “in addition to” the Board of Commissioners rather than solely delegating powers to him.

One Commissioner proposed setting a cap on expenditures related to the pandemic. The discussion also touched on the existing emergency management plan, which had been effective in past emergencies but did not specifically address pandemic scenarios. There was a consensus on the need to finalize the resolution to ensure the city could respond effectively to the pandemic while preserving the Commission’s oversight.

The meeting then addressed an amnesty program aimed at assisting businesses renting from the city. The proposed program would authorize the City Manager to provide up to one month’s rent relief to struggling businesses. Motivated by the economic impact of COVID-19, particularly on service industry businesses, the proposal sought to encourage other landlords in Madeira Beach to offer similar relief. One participant suggested extending the relief period to two months, recognizing that many businesses had been closed since mid-March and relied on seasonal income to support their employees. The importance of supporting local businesses and the interconnectedness of the community’s economic and residential interests were highlighted.

The discussion included suggestions for landlords to proactively engage with tenants to navigate the financial strain of the pandemic cooperatively. The idea was proposed that by helping one another, the community’s chances of recovery and survival would be enhanced. A board member expressed urgency in assisting businesses, stating, “we want to help… we think this is the way to go at this point,” while acknowledging the possibility of rapidly shifting government policies. Plans were also made to create a website to provide clear information about available support, particularly small business loans.

A point of contention arose regarding marina operations and the potential extension of stay-at-home orders. Some states had already extended their deadlines to June 10, prompting concerns about implementing a blanket policy for rent reductions at the marina. One board member suggested examining each case individually, stating, “I don’t like the idea of doing a blanket thing across the board.” The financial pressures on the city due to lost revenue from closed parking facilities were acknowledged, necessitating cautious measures regarding rent adjustments.

The specific situation of liveaboards at the marina was also discussed. A suggestion was made to provide rent reductions on a case-by-case basis, with a quick and simple application form for those needing financial leniency. It was noted that “there’s no reason to give out… money away to pleasure boats,” indicating a preference to prioritize assistance for those truly in need. The proposal included ensuring marina access for boat owners, even though access had been restricted at the county’s request to limit boating activities.

The Commissioners acknowledged the need for further resolutions to address these issues, particularly concerning the financial situation of liveaboards. A motion was suggested to pass a resolution allowing the board to grant one month of rent relief, with subsequent discussions planned for future meetings. The board members agreed to draft a simple form that would enable liveaboards to petition for leniency.

The meeting also touched on the necessity of future meetings, including one scheduled for April 14. Concerns were raised about the prudence of holding the meeting amid the ongoing pandemic, with one member suggesting reassessment closer to the date. However, there was a consensus that the meeting should proceed, allowing for timely communication and decision-making.

A proposal for a strategic planning session was put forward. The need for coordination and foresight in addressing various issues was highlighted, with one member stating, “I don’t think anything anybody wants to discuss should ever be poo pooed away.” The suggestion included reviewing the commission handbook, which was mandated to be addressed within the first 90 days of the new administration.