April 18, 2020

Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net

The Lee’s Summit City Council held their first meeting in nearly a month. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and current stay-at-home order issued by the governor, all nine councilmembers met for a virtual session using Zoom, a video conferencing platform.

The council heard a brief presentation from Fire Chief Mike Snider, the city’s emergency management coordinator, and Steve Arbo, the Lee’s Summit city manager, on the efforts of the city’s first responders and their expectations for the future.

Snider noted that the city has entered into an agreement with the Saint Luke’s Health System to provide COVID-19 testing for first responders and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. He also alerted the council that the city has a 30-day supply of N95 and surgical masks – but only a 14-day supply of isolation gowns and a 7-day supply of disposable face shields. The shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment) has been a major concern for communities nationwide. Snider says the city is working with regional partners in hopes of securing additional PPE supplies.

Snider referenced ongoing conversations with neighboring municipalities and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, as well as MARC (the Mid-America Regional Council).

Mayor Bill Baird said he’s very proud of the work the city has done in the face of the global health crisis, adding that one positive that has come out of the situation is the communication, collaboration and coordination happening throughout the region.

He thanked Snider for his “phenomenal” efforts: “We couldn’t be in better hands,” Baird said during the Apr. 14 session.