MIDLAND, TEXAS/NOVEMBER 24, 2020-THE MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL HELD A SPECIAL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD ON ITEMS REGARDING A LOCAL MASK MANDATE AND ENFORCEMENT OF A MASK MANDATE. PRIOR TO THE SPECIAL MEETING, SEVERAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND OTHERS PROTESTED OUTSIDE OF MIDLAND CITY HALL AGAINST BUSINESSES POSTING NOTICES THAT “FACE COVERING MUST BE WORN” AND TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR FACE MASKS PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $500 DOLLARS FOR A VIOLATION OF THE NOTICE POSTING REQUIREMENT. (JENNY CUDD, MIDLANDER/BUSINESS OWNER) (VASTI LOREDO, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER) THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOULTION APPROVING A GRANT OF FUNDS TO THE MIDLAND COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,376, 572.00 DOLLARS FOR PROJECTS RELATED TO COVID-19. (DR. LAWRENCE WILSON, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER/V.P. MEDICAL CARES-MIDLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL) SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WANT THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO HELP THEM DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS. ONE PERSON SPOKE AGAINST PROVIDING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS COMING IN TO MIDLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND AREA. (MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING) (DR. LAWRENCE WILSON, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER/V.P. MEDICAL CARES-MIDLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL) VARIOUS VERSIONS OF THE LOCAL MASK MANDATES AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE MANDATES BY THE MIDLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT FAILED. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WERE PLEASED THAT THE MANDATES DID NOT PASS. HOWEVER, OTHER ATTEMPS OF A MASK MANDATE BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL AT A FUTURE TIME. (MICHAEL TROST, MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL-AT LARGE) (JACK LADD, MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL-DISTRICT 3) (MAYOR PATRICK PAYTON, CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS) THE MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL DID APPROVE THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER REQUIRING INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR A FACE COVERING, AND BUSINESS OWNERS AND OPERATORS POSTING SIGNS STATING THAT WEARING A FACE COVERING IS REQUIRED WHEN INSIDE THE BUSINESS. (MAYOR PATRICK PAYTON, CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS) FOR DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS, DANNY BARRERA
