Chamber requests City Commission reconsider resolution limiting patron numbers

The Greater Madison Area Chamber of Commerce is requesting that the Madison City Commission reconsider a resolution that limits the number of patrons who can be inside or outside of the city’s casinos, bars, and restaurants, based on CDC guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Chamber Executive Director Eric Hortness addressed commissioners during the public comment portion of their meeting on Monday.  He said he was speaking on behalf of Chamber members, and especially those most affected by the resolution. 

Hortness said that he thinks the city commission should consider rescinding the resolution that is currently in place through May 22nd.  He had some suggestions as to different guidelines that could possibly be put in place instead. 

Hortness also requested that the commission hold a special meeting yet this week to consider rescinding the resolution.  Mayor Marshall Dennert suggested waiting on it.

Commissioner Kelly Johnson said that he agreed that it could wait until the commission’s next meeting.

Also on Monday, Johnson made the announcement that the city has removed the tape from the city’s playground equipment because they were having a hard time keeping it in place.  He said that the city still does not encourage the use of the equipment, but if children do then he would like to see parental supervision and appropriate hygiene measures being used.  Johnson said the bathrooms will remain locked and drinking fountains at the city’s parks will not be turned on at this time.