2020/04/22 Council Agenda Packet

Deb Williams From: Laura Reed <laura.reed@cedaran.com> Sent: Wednesday,April 22, 2020 9:55 AM To: DL-Council Cc: Elizabeth Vogeli; Deb Williams Subject: Letter to Council:About Economic Conditions, City Workforce Hello Council, What's happening to our country - and our world - right now is unprecedented on many levels. It is prudent and admirable that the city will soon take steps to position themselves to better weather this financial hurricane. That said, the decision of what will happen to city workers and their families must be considered with a heavy heart and compassion towards what we're all going through. It is not an easy decision. It is not a task that I envy, nor do I hold any anger or animosity towards the Mayor's office and council for decisions that must be made. My only request is that these decisions not be made in panic or unnecessary haste. Every person who faces a layoff or a furlough also faces many other crises as a result. To make these decisions without proper compassionate consideration is a disservice to loyal city employees that have given years or decades of their lives to the betterment of the community. I know this is especially true in my husband's workplace, the library, where many have broken down in tears at losing patrons to the virus and coworkers to potential layoffs. Workplaces are not just a place to collect a paycheck - for many they are a second family or, sometimes, their only family. I hope that you go through this process with grace and empathy. Thank you. Regards, Laura Reed i