I drove around the City Market parking lot on Monday morning, looking for a parking space, and finally found one, tucked up in the far southwestern corner of the lot, 100 yards from the store entrance. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that parking lot quite so packed with cars — and all of them belonging to people over 60 years old.
The occasion was a special “Seniors Only” shopping event, from 7-8am. A large fluorescent green sign at the entrance announced that — effective immediately — City Market will be open for “Senior Shopping 60+” during this same morning hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday — “Until Further Notice.”
Presumably, while Colorado and most of the rest of the world struggle to get a handle on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inside the store, it wasn’t exactly easy to maintain a “social distance” as we scurried about, picking over the existing grocery items. (No, there was still no toilet paper.) The shelves looked reasonably well-stocked in most sections, and most people seemed to be purchasing only one or two of each item, as you might do during normal societal conditions. A few friendly conversations were taking place, here and there, allowing for a safe physical distance.
I’m only guessing, but I assume 90 percent of the shoppers were retirees. (I refer to myself as “semi-retired.”) I assume nearly all collect Social Security or other retirement income, built up during America’s economic heyday — back before so many US corporations moved their manufacturing and service departments to China and Mexico and India and other places were people were willing to work hard, for little pay. Back when an American middle class family could afford a house and two cars and health insurance.
I also assume many of the folks shopping at City Market on Monday morning were especially concerned about the pandemic, considering the numerous media reports characterizing the virus as particularly dangerous for people over the age of 60. Some may have felt hesitant to go shopping in an uncontrolled environment.
My hat is off to City Market, for this combination public service/clever marketing maneuver.
Our local Walmart store also staged a one-hour “Seniors Only” event — this morning, Tuesday, from 6-7am. The event was noticeably less popular than Monday’s City Market shopping opportunity; I counted only about three dozen cars in the parking lot at 6:30am. Too early for most seniors?
Meanwhile, the Town of Pagosa Springs is struggling with the conflict between government transparency — open public meetings and document access, for example — and recent rules laid down by Colorado Governor Jared Polis prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people. (A business or government office is allowed to operate, as I understand it, so long as the workers maintain “social distancing”.)
The Town Planning Commission has two scheduled meetings this evening — a work session at 4:30pm and a regular meeting at 5:30pm. These meetings, according to Colorado law, must be open to the public. But as of this morning, the Town has closed its Town Hall doors to the public, in the interests of “isolation”.
And the Town Council defined new rules for public meetings in Resolution 2020-008, approved on March 19. You can download the resolution here.
From that resolution:
A. Emergency Situations. In the event an in-person quorum is unable to meet at the day, time, and place fixed by the rules and procedures of the Town Council or an Advisory Board because an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent due to an emergency affecting the Town, meetings may be conducted via Electronic Participation. Meetings may be held by Electronic Participation if all of the following conditions are met:
- A local emergency has been declared under C.R.S. § 24-33.5-709; and
- The Town Manager or the Town Council determines that an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent, due to circumstances related to the local emergency affecting the Town; and
- All participating members of the Town Council or Advisory Board, and at least one Town staff member, can hear one another or otherwise communicate with one another and can hear or read all discussion and testimony in a manner designed to provide maximum participation; and
- Members of the public can hear the Town Council or Advisory Board proceedings and are afforded opportunities to participate in public comment; and
- All votes are conducted by roll call; and
- Minutes of the meeting are taken and promptly recorded, and such records are open to public inspection; and
- To the extent possible, full and timely notice is given to the public setting forth the time of the meeting, that some members of the Town Council or Advisory Board may participate electronically, and the right of the public to monitor the meeting from another location or thru electronic participation.
When I spoke with Town Planner James Dickhoff yesterday, he noted that, under current state regulations, up to 10 people can be present in the Council Chambers for tonight’s Planning Commission meeting — but everyone and anyone is welcome to participate in the meeting (as observer or to offer public comment) by accessing the free ZOOM platform online.
Assuming they have internet access?
From the Planning Commission agenda:
LINK TO JOIN MEETING REMOTELY
Thank you for your understanding while the Town takes precautionary measures to ensure your health and the health of our community. The March 24, 2020 Planning Commission meeting will be available to join by video conference using the free Zoom platform. You may join by video or by telephone using the information below.
For questions, you may contact Planning Staff at 970-264-4151 x221 for Cindy, Senior Planner; x235 for Katelyn, Associate Planner; or x225 James, Planning Director.
Join Zoom Meeting by computer https://zoom.us/j/345709833
Or dial by phone: 669-900-6833; use Meeting ID: 345 709 833
The ZOOM platform should (if all goes well) adjust automatically to the particular screen you are using. You can mute the audio (if, for instance, your kids start screaming in the background) and you can turn the video image of yourself on or off (if, for instance, you’re having a bad hair day.)
Contact the Town if you have questions about your participation.