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Important information for Utah's local leaders
COVID Phased Guidelines- Minor Changes Announced
Governor Gary Herbert announced today that rising COVID rates throughout much of the state lead him to pause the transition from yellow to green for most areas, with one exception- Kane County.
Local leaders from Kane County submitted a request for a change in the designated phase along with data to justify that change, and the state is approving that request. Kanab and other cities in Kane County will move from "yellow" to "green" tomorrow. Governor Herbert said data also compels the state to move Bluff and Mexican Hat from the "orange" designation to "yellow." Timing on that will be announced within the next 24 hours.
Change in Yellow or Low Risk Recommendations
Modifications were announced today regarding guidelines for live gatherings in communities in the "yellow" phase. (These include both indoor and outdoor events.) Click here to find modifications and additions regarding Events, Cultural Arts, and Entertainment, located on page 17.
Under the modified "yellow" or low-risk phase guidelines, venues may not exceed 6,000 individuals for outdoor events and 3,000 individuals for indoor events however this may be increased based on data and milestone trends. Ventilation is also taken into consideration.
Venues will also be allowed to fill each seat or standing space as long as physical distancing is promoted, face coverings are worn when distancing is not feasible, attendance is tracked, and extra hygiene and sanitization practices are in place.
Events can still exceed 50 individuals if there is organizational oversight under the "yellow" low-risk phase.
Organizers will need to be creative when planning events. If you have any questions on how to plan an event under current guidelines, please email ULCT's Katie Harley at kharley@ulct.org for additional resources and contacts.
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Local Leaders Encouraged to Update Law Enforcement Department Policies
Governor Herbert also addressed the recent riots around the state and around the world. Governor Herbert said, "Everyone deserves dignity, and many don't enjoy the dignity the law allows them to have." He announced immediate changes to state procedure and policy. Beginning in July, he will begin implicit bias training for state officials and encourages local leaders to follow suit. He is also asking his chief public safety departments to follow POST guidelines in banning chokeholds or restraints on the neck or spine. (Read more in this SL Tribune story.)
Governor Herbert is asking all municipalities who have a police department to take a closer look at their own policies to assure they are aligned with POST training.
ULCT and the Utah Chiefs of Police Association are working together to enhance the community trust in law enforcement in Utah. We are working with the Governor’s office and the legislature on legislation about chokeholds for next week. The ULCT Board of Directors will meet on Monday to strategize the next steps. As mentioned in last week's Friday Facts, we recognize the need to love more and listen better as we lead our communities.
Governor Herbert is also requesting the issue be addressed by the legislature. He called a special session for late next week to address this issue along with state budget modifications.
Town Hall for Local Leaders-
Monday at 3:00 pm
On Monday, June 15, ULCT will host a Town Hall for Local Leaders to further address the economic trends in light of the pandemic. We will be joined by Juliette Tennert of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. ULCT's Senior Policy Analyst Roger Tew will present updated tax projections for local governments. We'll also have several cities share their plans to utilize CARES Act dollars that they are receiving from the State of Utah. Check tomorrow's Friday Facts for a link to the webinar.
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FYI- On Tuesday, our Town Hall for Local Leaders addressed modifications in the state budget with Sen. Jerry Stevenson, Senate Chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Jefferson Moss, House Vice-chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee and featured a briefing from Lt. Governor Spencer Cox. If you missed it, you can watch it by clicking the link below.
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