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Home My WebLink About03-19-20 Public Comment - Local and Regional Hardware Stores - Covid-19 I f D Dear Bozeman City Commissioners, (( = V Thursday,March 19,2020 D L4--L cl —-Zowl On behalf of the local and regional hardware stores listed below we are submitting this letter regarding being deeme an essential business. As COVID-19 continues to impact the health and safety of our communities,it is always prudent to prepare for the next step. Some states have started to invoke Shelter in Place orders. One consideration in these orders is making sure that during this period of isolation certain businesses be deemed essential,so that they may remain open to serve the public.This is seen in the Shelter in Place order issued in San Francisco(Attachment 1). In this order,hardware stores are deemed essential and allowed to remain open. The following are some reasons this sector has been selected: 1. Hardware stores act as an alternative to grocery stores for some essential items,e.g.,toilet paper,paper towels,cleaning products, hand sanitizer,bottled water,etc. 2. Many of the areas these hardware stores serve are smaller communities. Having numerous outlets to provide supplies to this sector of the public is key. 3. Hardware retailers have access to different supply chains. Again,we are able to source essential items like toilet paper,paper towels,bottled water,food,cleaning products,trash bags,hand sanitizer,light bulbs,batteries and automotive supplies from a network of vendors. 4. The weather in our area is unpredictable. Extreme snowstorms,spring flooding,hail storms and other events can occur. We provide the necessities to deal with many different types of weather changes. Often when storms hit and homes are damaged or compro- mised,people get the supplies to mitigate the damage from hardware stores. 5. We live in an earthquake zone. In the case of a natural disaster we act as a supplier to assist with issues caused by them. 6. During this time of crisis Americans have been asked to stay at home. Many will want to work on their home. We will serve as an outlet to help people find projects and remain at home. This may help with the mental health aspect of individuals and families during this stressful period. 7. The hardware stores also have the ability to provide necessities if certain emergency structures have to be altered or built. 8. While people are at home every day common household issues will arise. For example,water heaters may go out, breakers may fail, leaky faucets may occur,etc.(Attachment 2). Individuals will need to be able to fix these issues and other problems that may occur to keep their homes safe and sanitary. 9. In order to help the public with necessary products and services hardware store operations must be maintained without disruption. If a Shelter in Place order is initiated,we ask that hardware stores be included as an essential business. We appreciate your time and attention to this matter during this critical time. Sincerely, Ashley Ogle Anthony Tangaro Greg Forsythe Vice President General Manager Owner-President Kenyon Noble Lumber&Hardware Empire Building Materials Inc. WESTMSRT Building Center Kevin A.Barton Eric Bowman Brodey timkins President President-Owenhouse Ace Hardware Vice President Ace Hardware-Big Sky Bozeman,MT Simkins-Hallin Lumber Company Attachment; 1,2,3 �� NRHA North American Retail Hardware Association 136 N.Delaware St.#20C,Indianapolis,IN 45204 317-275-9400 1 nrtia@nrha.oro I nrha.org Match 1$,2020 NRHA,INDUSTRY LEADERS URGE FEDERAL,STATE,LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DEEM HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILERS AS"ESSENTIAL" INDIANAPOLIS—As our nations and communities react to the spread of COVID-19,the North American Retail Hardware Association(NRHA)urges all business owners to use the utmost care and caution when considering how to proceed with operations. NRHA is suggesting that these business operators follow all community health guidelines and lake every precaution to ensure that their employees and customers remain safe. We also realize that our local,state and federal governments are engaged in justifiably aggressive efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and do everything within their pourers to keep the public safe and healthy. In recent days,the discussion of tow to best ensure the public health has included the possibility of asking all"non-essential" retail operations to shut their doors for a period of time.thereby minimizing exposure to the virus- While NRHA is fully in support of any steps public heath officials may deem necessary to combat COVID-19,up to and including the temporary closure of non-essential retail operations,we also urge public officials to consider locally owned home improvement stores among those retail operations determined to be'essential'and allow these business owners the option to stay open as a public service. With nearly 35,000 independent home improvement retailers serving communities across North America.these stores provide much-needed services to individuals and contractors.providing them with the products and support required to keep their homes and communities safe,secure and functioning. The products carried by independent home improvement retailers range from cleaning supplies and tools to batteries and storage containers—all of which can be essential to maintaining a sale and secure living environment. In many communities.the local hardware store represents the only outlet where consumers have access to essential supplies for cleaning,disinfecting,maintaining or repairing their residences. It is also important to note that locally owned home improvement stores have a proven track record of providing emenGal supplies and support to communities in past emergency situations,such as hurricanes,floods,fires and civil unrest Because or these considerations,NRHA together with the industry leaders who have signed on in support of this statement, is urging all local,state,provincial and federal government offices to classify independent local tome improvement retailers among those operations determined to be"essential'retail outlets that can exercise the option to remain open to support their communities during these trying times. Sincerely. Robert Cutter Dan Starr Kevin Macnab Steve Synnott President and CEO President and CEO President and CEO President and CEO NRHA Do it Best Corp. Home Hardware Stores Ltd. PRO Group John Venhuizen David Christmas Boyden Moore I John Hartmann President and CEO President and CEO President and CEO President and CEO Ace Hardware Corp. Dislribulion America Orgill,Inc. True Value Co. Examples of High Priority Household Items that may be Needed: Electrical Department: • GFCI outlets-GFCI outlets are inside your home, primarily in bathrooms, kitchens, and garages (environments that are possibly wet). If a GFCI outlet fails, which they regularly do, it takes down the entire circuit or room. With that being said, if someone loses power to their refrigerator/freezer they need to be able to replace the outlet so the overall circuit will function and they don't lose all the food. This is not a rare occurrence by any means. • Electrical breakers- Problems with electrical breakers are similar to GFCI outlets where if they fail. They take down entire systems or rooms. The biggest risk with electrical breakers is not only in garages and kitchens but also with heating systems. If a breaker fails that is supporting a HVAC system, water heater, electrical heat system or pressure pump/well people could lose heat or water to their home. • Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors—Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors can fail over time and most people are unaware but they also have a lifespan and are supposed to be replaced upon expiration. After being put in service smoke detectors are supposed to be replaced if they have been in service any time over 10 years. • Fire extinguishers • Batteries—Multiple things in homes are supported by batteries. Primary safety products that need batteries are flashlights, motion detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors. • Electric baseboard heaters— Essential heat source • Thermostats—Element to heating systems that fails on a regular basis. Plumbing Department: • General plumbing repair parts—There are hundreds of items in this category that could have issues and cause problems. Water delivery and disposal of human waste is absolutely essential. • Well pumps/pressure tanks/parts—Functioning wells are necessary not only for water delivery but waste removal. • Hot water heaters/parts— Hot water heaters are important for day to day hot water supply and also radiant heating systems that are very common in older homes. • Water pumps/sump pumps —Assists in moving water. As things warm up there is concern of possible flooding with the spring season. • Fuel sources—Wood pellets, fire logs, and propane which are fuel sources for pellet stoves, wood stoves, and propane heaters. • HVAC system parts/filters— Multiple parts to repair HVAC systems and also filters. If filters are not maintained/replaced they can cause a system to shut down because of insufficient air flow. • Natural gas/propane repair parts— Multiple parts are needed to repair NG/LP fuel lines and connection points. Lawn and Garden/Paint Department: • Generators—Alternate power source if there is a power failure for any reason. • Portable heaters — Alternate heat sources in case of an emergency. Electric and propane portable heaters that are rated for indoor use in an emergency or as a regular heat source. • Chainsaws/chainsaw repair parts — Needed for clearing trees in an emergency and also cutting up firewood when needed. • Cleaning supplies/disinfectants/hand sanitizers/paper consumables — variety of cleaning products. Hardware stores have access to distribution networks that grocery stores do not. COU?V ^&P2°. :A; City and County of Department of Public Health ,. San Francisco Order of the Health Officer �6:�S p7S ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER No. C19-07 ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTING ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE COUNTY TO SHELTER AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE EXCEPT THAT THEY MAY LEAVE TO PROVIDE OR RECEIVE CERTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES OR ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES AND WORK FOR ESSENTIAL BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES; EXEMPTING INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FROM THE SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER BUT URGING THEM TO FIND SHELTER AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE IT; DIRECTING ALL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO CEASE NON- ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS AT PHYSICAL LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY; PROHIBITING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL GATHERINGS OF ANY NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS; AND ORDERING CESSATION OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL (SHELTER IN PLACE) DATE OF ORDER: March 16, 2020 Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. (California Health and Safety Code § 120295, et seq.; California Penal Code §§ 69, 148(a)(1); San Francisco Administrative Code section 7.17(b).) Summary: The virus that causes Coronavirus 2019 Disease ("COVID-19") is easily transmitted, especially in group settings, and it is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed to protect the ability of public and private health care providers to handle the influx of new patients and safeguard public health and safety. Because of the risk of the rapid spread of the virus, and the need to protect all members of the community and the Bay Area region, especially including our members most vulnerable to the virus and also health care providers, this Order requires all individuals anywhere in San Francisco to shelter in place—that is, stay at home—except for certain essential activities and work to provide essential business and government services or perform essential public infrastructure construction, including housing. This order begins at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2020 and will continue for three weeks through April 7, 2020, subject to the limited exceptions and under the terms and conditions more particularly set forth below. Gatherings of individuals outside the home are generally prohibited, with certain exceptions for essential activities or essential travel or to perform work for essential businesses and government agencies or perform essential infrastructure work. Consistent 1