Title
Recommending that the City explore a vaccination requirement for all City employees.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is the second largest city in the State of Minnesota, with a workforce of approximately 3000 employees and a population of approximately 300,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic and surging Delta variant continue to be an increasing threat to the City of Saint Paul, posing an immediate health risk to city employees and community members; and
WHEREAS, more than 7,000 Minnesotans have died from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul’s economy and ability to economically recover from the COVID-19 public health pandemic is directly harmed by unvaccinated employees who further spread the virus due to lack of vaccinated status; and WHEREAS, all City of Saint Paul employees deserve a safe working environment and providing healthy public spaces for our residents is crucial for their physical safety and health; and
WHEREAS, City of Saint Paul public employees directly interact with Saint Paul residents to carry out normal city business in departments across government including staff from the administration, fire and paramedics, library, parks and recreation, police, public works, safety and inspections, and water services; and
WHEREAS, many Saint Paul residents are too young to be currently vaccinated, and others may be unable to be fully protected by vaccinations due to compromised immune systems and pre-existing medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, vaccines are free for all city employees and Saint Paul residents through State of Minnesota and Ramsey County health services and vaccination sites remain easily accessible in the City of Saint Paul; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council recommends that the City of Saint Paul explore a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all city employees, with a September implementation date; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED; that the Saint Paul City Council encourages other governmental bodies, in particular the St. Paul Public School district, to explore and implement vaccination requirements for their eligible workforce.