April 13, 2020 - League of Wisconsin Municipalities - COVID-19 Update #22
COVID-19 Coronavirus Update
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League COVID-19 Virtual Roundtable Conference Calls
This call is for City/Village Officials,
including mgrs./adm. & Staff Only

CHANGE - NO call today , Monday, April 13. We heard you and understand that many of you are involved in the election count this afternoon.

Tuesday, April 14 - 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Dial in 1 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 459 115 667
Password: 990365

Friday, April 17 - 9:00-10:00 a.m.
(Same Zoom information as Tuesday's call.)

If you aren't able to connect or have a question after participating, please contact Jerry Deschane at email .

NOTE Newsletter schedule - the League's COVID-19 Newsletter will be sent today, Monday, April 13, Wednesday, April 15 and possibly on Friday, April 17.

We will schedule additional calls as needed. Notice and call-in information will be provided on the League's website and in these Special Edition newsletters, which will also be sent as needed.
Deadline to Register is TODAY!
 HR6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Webinar
For League Members Only! Free
April 14, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities is hosting a webinar for League Members on HR6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

The US Department of Labor recently released guidance on how to administer sick leave and expanded family leave under the FFCRA. We will dive into the details.

This session will include an overview of FFCRA by Attorney Lisa Bergersen of EngageHR Law, LLC. We will address many of your frequently asked questions as well as allow time for participants to ask questions of their own.

Registration open through Monday, April 13
Register using this link:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Sample FFCRA Employee Policy and Guidance (Revised)
At this time, a policy is not required to implement paid leave under the FFCRA. This sample policy has been prepared for municipalities choosing to use a policy and to provide a more-detailed explanation of the FFCRA’s requirements than contained in the Department of Labor’s Notice poster. Note, municipalities are permitted, but not required, to exempt emergency responders and health care providers from paid leave under the FFCRA. This sample policy excludes emergency responders and health care providers. See “Considerations for Use of Sample Policy (Revised)” on the first page for additional information. Read the sample policy here.   (PDF)
CALL TO ACTION!! Contact Your Congressional Delegation!
Co-Sponsor the Coronavirus Community Relief Act
The majority of America’s cities, villages and towns are not eligible for direct relief under the CARES Act, due to the 500,000 population threshold. The House has offered a proposal to address this specific funding issue - we need you to ACT NOW to build momentum. 

On Tuesday, April 7, Representatives Neguse (CO-2), Levin (MI-9), Luján (NM-3) and Malinowski (NJ-7) introduced the Coronavirus Community Relief Act (H.R. 6467), a bill to provide $250 billion in funding to all local governments with fewer than 500,000 residents. 

These members of Congress heard the message that cities, towns and villages below the 500,000 population threshold need direct federal aid to face mounting challenges related to COVID-19. This bill seeks to create a new fund dedicated to supporting local governments, regardless of population. 
Reach out to your members in the House to ask them to support this critical legislation. Bipartisan support from Republican and Democratic Members of Congress is key. 

Click through to the National League of Cities Take Action  page.  If it doesn't let you click through, please contact your Congressional Delegation by email. Thank you! 
Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL)

Thanks to Tom German, BCPL Executive Secretary for joining us on the League call on Friday, April 10!

Contact Tom at ​​ tom.german@wi.gov ​(608) 267-2233

More information about the funding that the BCPL has available to municipalities is on their website here .
PLEASE NOTE
Upcoming League Conferences and Workshops
Our priority is your safety and well-being. Decisions on whether to hold, cancel or postpone League events will be made with that priority as our number-one concern. 

Municipal Building Inspectors - April 15-17 - postponed.
League's Local Gov 101 Workshops - three programs were scheduled for May and one for June 5th.  All four of these will be provided as webinars. Please stay tuned.

Decisions about the other June programs, which include the Clerks, Treasurers & Finance Officers Institute and the Municipal Attorneys Institute will also be made with health and safety in mind. We will provide notice in our newsletters and on our website regarding those and future workshops. Details on cancellation policies and more... 
Ohio's Ping Pong video

Have you seen this excellent 20 second video? If not, watch it and then share it >

Click here to share this video from the League's Facebook page to your own or your municipality's page.
POLICY ISSUES
Elections
Reminder - FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program Information Update

Eric Learn, State Public Assistance Officer, Wisconsin Emergency Management, provided the following clarification about FEMA Public Assistance:
 
  1. Eligible Election CostsThe cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces including polling sites is an eligible cost, however election related costs are not. Costs must be tied to eligible Category B Protective Measure activities; running elections, while very important, would not fall under the Cat B umbrella. So, the time and supplies needed to clean/disinfect the public spaces would be eligible costs, unfortunately the additional costs associated with printing extra absentee ballots, postage, and time preparing/mailing/counting the ballots would not be eligible costs under FEMA’s PA program. This Fact Sheet provides a description of COVID-19 eligible expenses under the FEMA Public Assistance Program.

Scroll down for additional guidance on other issues related to the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
Elections - In the News
Scroll down for additional "In the News"

US Postal Service investigating issues with absentee ballots in Wisconsin that went undelivered
The United States Postal Service is conducting an investigation into issues that were reported with the delivery of absentee ballots in Wisconsin, which held its primary election this week despite concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

The investigation comes after Wisconsin Sens. Ron Johnson, a Republican, and Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, called on the USPS to look into claims absentee ballots that were requested ahead of the election but were never delivered or arrived only after the election had passed.

Johnson and Baldwin sent a letter to the USPS Thursday urging a probe into missing ballots. Read the article...

Absentee voters boosted turnout to at least normal in several Oconto-area communities
Oconto had received 658 absentee votes by the end of Tuesday, or 89%.
With 311 in-person voters on Tuesday, the turnout will end up splitting the difference between spring elections in 2016, which had 1,616 voters, and just 521 in 2018.

In those two elections, the city had 144 and 35 absentee ballots cast, respectively, Perrizo said.

In Oconto Falls, 413 out of 456 absentee ballots mailed out were returned through election day. The city usually gets 50 to 60 requests each spring, said Deputy Clerk Nancy Brye.

Five of those absentee ballots were canceled, though, as five voters came to Oconto Falls City Hall to vote and explained that they either did not receive their ballot or did receive it but did not mail it back, Brye said.

Any late-arriving absentee votes will be checked on Monday. Read the article...
Additional Policy Issues
WI Dept. of Health Services Guidance on Hospital Surge Facilities - What Municipalities Need to Know

The memorandum is in response to the current challenges that our health care facilities are facing specific to bed capacity for individuals presenting with COVID-19 as well as individuals relying on health care facilities for non-pandemic concerns. The anticipated bed shortages throughout the State of Wisconsin are addressed on a regional and municipal level as potential surge capacity.

The purpose is to establish the process for hospitals and critical access hospitals to expand their acute care inpatient services temporarily during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Ann Hansen, Director
WI Department of Health Services, Bureau of Health Services

Henry Kosarzycki, Director
WI Department of Health Services, Office of Plan Review and Inspection
by the Wisconsin Policy Forum
While it is too soon to project the full range of fiscal impacts to municipal governments resulting from the country’s economic crisis, certain key revenue streams will take a hit, including collections from fees, fines, and permits.

Those governments that rely on tourism- and recreation-related fees and the small handful that are allowed to levy sales taxes likely will face daunting challenges.  Continue reading...
Reminder - Water Utility COVID-19 FAQs 

Q: How should a municipal utility contact the Public Service Commission to request to opt-in to waiving credit card fees for its customers during the COVID-19 emergency?
  
A. The utility should file its request on the PSC’s Electronic Records Filing (ERF) system. Please upload an application letter to ERF under your Utility ID [XXXX] requesting the tariff change. 

If your utility has more than one service type, you must file a separate application letter for each service type. The name of the ERF submission should be:

o “Request for Temporary Service Rules Waiving Credit Card Fees in Response to COVID-19 – Water”
o “Request for Temporary Service Rules Waiving Credit Card Fees in Response to COVID-19 – Electric” 
o “Request for Temporary Service Rules Waiving Credit Card Fees in Response to COVID-19 – Gas” 
• The application letter must include the preferred effective date, and if your utility has more than one service type (ie. water and electric), the letter must indicate which service type the request pertains to. 
• By default, the waiver will be effective as of 3/24/20. If the utility prefers a later effective date, please include the preferred date in the letter.

Once PSC Records Management accepts the request, Commission staff will open a tariff amendment docket by service type (TE, TG, or TW).

Please Note: If your utility has more than one service type, the Commission will open a new, separate docket for each service type. You will receive a response from the Commission for each docket. The response will include the utility’s new, temporary service rule language authorizing the utility to waive the credit card fees.

Please contact our Utility Inquiry Line: PSCRecordsMail@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-3766 for help with this process.

The League's COVID-19 Utilities page has been updated to include this information.
Gov. Evers #SaferAtHome Shelter in Place Emergency Order


Emergency Order #12 Impact on Municipalities  (PDF) by Steve Zach, Boardman & Clark LLP 

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
From the League's past COVID-19 Newsletters

Can be accessed here .
Federal
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Reminder - FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program Information Update

Eric Learn, State Public Assistance Officer, Wisconsin Emergency Management, provided the following clarifications about FEMA Public Assistance:
 
  1. Eligible Election Costs – The cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces including polling sites is an eligible cost, however election related costs are not. Costs must be tied to eligible Category B Protective Measure activities; running elections, while very important, would not fall under the Cat B umbrella. So, the time and supplies needed to clean/disinfect the public spaces would be eligible costs, unfortunately the additional costs associated with printing extra absentee ballots, postage, and time preparing/mailing/counting the ballots would not be eligible costs under FEMA’s PA program. This Fact Sheet provides a description of COVID-19 eligible expenses under the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
  2. Loss of Revenue – is not an eligible expense under the FEMA PA program.
  3. Pay Policies – FEMA determines the eligibility of overtime, premium pay, and compensatory time costs based on the Applicant’s pre-disaster written labor policy. Pay policies established after event would not be eligible.
  4. RPA Deadline – There has been some misinformation distributed that the deadline to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) is April 12, 2020. This is incorrect! FEMA has extended the deadline nationally and it will remain open for the duration of the Public Health Emergency.

If there are any questions or concerns, contact:

Eric Learn
State Public Assistance Officer
Wisconsin Emergency Management
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Update
 
On April 1 the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a 124 page document with temporary regulations to implement the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The regulations are now final. 
 
We are reviewing the regulations and how they impact previous opinions we have given and the FFCRA Sample Policy that is available on our website. Based on our reading of the regulations to date, we expect that revisions will be necessary and updates will be provided once our review is complete. We are hosting a webinar on the FFCRA for League members on April 14, 2020 at 1 p.m. Registration below.
 
In the meantime, DOL has posted a recorded webinar on the FFCRA on its site and is offering assistance with questions. To view the webinar visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
 
The DOL Wages and Hours Division (WHD) invites webinar viewers to call the agency’s toll-free help line at 866-4US-WAGE to speak with a trained WHD professional about any questions they may have.
Reminder - R & R Insurance Sample FFCRA Employee Leave Request Form

Thanks to R & R Insurance for sharing their Employee request form with us for you to use. Find it here .

The League's COVID-19 Employee Policy page will be updated to include this form.
Register today!
 HR6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Webinar
For League Members Only! Free
April 14, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

See the information at the top of this newsletter or under Webinars and Training below for details.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security
(CARES) Act
COVID-19 Update: A Deeper Dive – Community Development Block Grants Under CARES - Husch Blackwell Strategies - April 7, 2020

House Democratic Leaders have begun to brief the Democratic Caucus on the outline of the next phase of COVID-19 Response legislation and it appears that the next stimulus package will focus on replenishing funds for programs established in Congress’s $2.2 trillion virus relief bill signed into law last month but the Speaker also noted that the next stimulus bill should assist state and local governments, with an emphasis on smaller municipalities with fewer than 500,000 residents. 

The CARES Act did include $150 billion in relief resources for states and in today’s “Deeper Dive” we focus on how Community Development Block Grants under the CARES Act can be leveraged by state and local governments to address the COVID-19 crisis.

Read the full breakdown of the new updates and deep-dive analysis here .
Reminder - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The  CARES Act was signed into law March 27 . Provisions in the Act helpful to municipalities are summarized by the National League of Cities  here .

Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau CARES Act Memorandum

The Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau has prepared a memorandum explaining the major provisions of the CARES Act relating to state and local governments, and the potential amount of funding Wisconsin may receive. Please note, this information is preliminary. Available information relating to the CARES Act is incomplete at this time and subject to rapid change as additional guidance and information is provided. As a reminder, municipalities should track all costs incurred that relate to the COVID-19 situation. 
Reminder - COVID-19 Emergency Declaration – Applying for Public Assistance
On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia.
  • State and local governments are eligible to apply for Public Assistance. 
  • Eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials’ may be reimbursed under Category B of the agency’s Public Assistance program. FACT SHEET on ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
  • FEMA assistance will be provided at the 75 percent Federal cost share
  • Local governments and other eligible public assistance applicants will apply through their respective state. In Wisconsin contact Eric Learn, the State Public Assistance Officer at WEM, 608-242-3200, for more information.
  • The application deadline for the COVID- 19 disaster public assistance has been indefinitely extended by FEMA. FEMA waived the ordinary 30 day application deadline that would have otherwise closed on April 12. 
If you don't find what you need or if you have resources to contribute,
please email Jerry Deschane.
Take this POLCO Survey and Pass it along!

"Given the gravity and complexity of the current COVID-19 public health and economic crisis, we are taking steps to bring resident voices to even more local decision-makers.

Polco and National Research Center (NRC) are measuring the impact of COVID-19 on people and communities nationwide. We hope you will take a few moments to share your experience by completing this short survey.

Your input can help guide actions for communities across the country.
Survey results will be shared with official government organizations to help them understand impacts on residents and help communities respond to the crisis and plan for recovery. Your responses are confidential and private. Polco/NRC does not report any individually identifying information. This information is solely for aggregate demographic analyses.

Thank you for taking this survey. Responses received by April 17 will be included in our report. We appreciate and value your voice on this issue." 
Communications
WE CAN GO THE DISTANCE TOGETHER: 10 WAYS YOU CAN DO YOUR PART
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Communication Collaborative for COVID-19 Response has developed 10 essential steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. They reflect the overall need for maintaining a physical distance from each other, washing you hands and staying home: Read the article...
In the News

Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week
is April 13-17
“It is essential that people take the time during this important week to ensure everyone living in their home knows what to do when a tornado warning or severe storm is in their area,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “During Thursday’s Virtual Tornado Drill, we encourage them to spend a few minutes going over their plans and identifying where to seek shelter.”

Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. During the 2019 season, the NWS confirmed 28 tornadoes touched down in the state of Wisconsin. Of those, 18 occurred during a three-day period in late July, downing countless trees and damaging homes and other buildings across the central portion of the state. Read the article...

Wisconsin Cities, Villages Brace For Budget Fallout While Operating In Emergency Mode
The Wisconsin Policy Forum report said communities that rely on income from tourism and collect special sales tax revenue will face even greater challenges than those that don’t. 

"Most cities and villages are in crisis management mode right now. Leaders are thinking about the future, but their energies are focused on dealing with the 'strange new world' we've all been thrust into," said Jerry Deschane, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, with nearly 600 Wisconsin city and village members.

"So many day-to-day operations and obligations have changed. They need to get those under control. Budget processes will start to occupy their time later this spring and into the summer," Deschane added. 

Deschane called the report a very accurate description of the challenges local governments in Wisconsin are facing now and in the future.  Read the article...


Despite recommendations, permanent residents seeing seasonal homeowners travel north
To give you an idea of how many homes are seasonal, the post office in Eagle River has 572 homes listed as seasonal mail delivery and they service about 5,000 permanent residences, so about 10% are seasonal. The postmaster said, however, that not all cabins and seasonal homes sign up for mail service.

The concerns Boers and the counties have, are the same as the health experts. The Vilas County advisory said they have a smaller healthcare infrastructure and it could easily be overwhelmed. Read the article...

‘Extremely high’ need for PPE as stockpiles dwindle; care facility build continues at Expo Center
WEST ALLIS -- Construction crews were at Wisconsin State Fair Park Saturday, April 11 working to convert the Exposition Center into a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients.

It is expected to be ready in about a week, but right now, there is an immediate need for critical supplies -- and the public is being called on to help.

"Getting PPE just like anywhere in the country now is a challenge," said Robert Whitaker, North Shore Fire and Rescue chief. Read the article...
Please consider sharing Facebook posts from the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services Facebook page to your own Facebook page. Scroll down their page to see what they've posted.

Copy and paste this explanation of #SaferAtHome into your posts:

To slow the spread, limit close interaction to the same 5 people TOTAL, NOT different small groups."  #SaferAtHome
Webinars and Training
REGISTER TODAY - HR6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Webinar
For League Members Only!
April 14, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities is hosting a webinar for League Members on HR6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

The US Department of Labor recently released guidance on how to administer sick leave and expanded family leave under the FFCRA. We will dive into the details.

This session will include an overview of FFCRA by Attorney Lisa Bergersen of EngageHR Law, LLC. We will address many of your frequently asked questions as well as allow time for participants to ask questions of their own.

Registration open through Monday, April 13
Register using this link:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Join the Facebook Politics & Government Outreach Team to learn how government, politics and advocacy partners can leverage Facebook Live during this unprecedented time, and have your questions answered in real time. To sign up for one of the two training sessions Facebook is offering, click the corresponding link below:
 
Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 12:30 – 1:30 PM CST
 
Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 2:00 – 3:00 PM CST
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Local Government Essentials
Programs brought to you by the Local Government Center at UW-Madison Extension

Alcohol Beverage Regulation and Licensing – Part 1
Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Under state law, Wisconsin municipalities issue and renew alcohol licenses. New municipal clerks and others looking for a refresher on the basics of alcohol licensing will benefit most from this session. Learn about the different types of licenses, license qualifications, notice requirements, and other statutory requirements as your municipality prepares for the upcoming license renewal period.
Presented by Attorney Carol Nawrocki of the Wisconsin Towns Association and Attorney Claire Silverman of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

Alcohol Beverage Regulation and Licensing – Part 2
Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Part 2 is intended for both new and continuing officials who want to stay up-to-date with recent changes in the law, current issues, and Wisconsin Department of Revenue resources related to alcohol licensing. In addition to providing these updates, Mr. Quam will be available to answer any questions you submit ahead of time, and if time, those questions posed during the presentation. To submit questions, please email them by Wednesday, May 1, 2020 to  lgc@extension.wisc.edu .
Presented by Tyler Quam Special Agent-in-Charge at Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Unit.
General Resources
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
COVID-19 is a virus that has not previously infected humans and information about its rate of spread and its effects is still largely unknown, which makes it incredibly important to be highly cautious in dealing with the current situation. 

LATEST UPDATES
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will continue to provide the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. You are encouraged to monitor the site for updated guidance as the situation continues to evolve.


Want to share relevant and credible information to your Social Media?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Facebook & on Twitter (Scroll down to see more recent posts.)

The Wisconsin Dept of Health Services (DHS) on Facebook & on Twitter.

And the League's social media: