City leaders vote against stricter measures Trost, Ladd, wanted 100-person limit for local stores

Shoppers line up 03/17/2020 morning outside HEB on Wadley as they wait for the store to open at 8 A.M.. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram Shoppers line up 03/17/2020 morning outside HEB on Wadley as they wait for the store to open at 8 A.M.. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Buy photo Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close City leaders vote against stricter measures 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

The Midland City Council talked about stricter measures but ultimately decided to follow Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders announced last week.

City leaders on Tuesday approved the implementation of a disaster declaration that is basically in line with what the state’s Republican leader submitted last week. Abbott’s order is in place through April 3.

There was a push by Michael Trost and Jack Ladd for more stringent measures than what the governor put into place last week. The at-large and District 3 representatives specifically wanted to limit the number of people who could be in stores – including grocery stores -- to 100. Trost and Ladd argued the health risk was too great not to consider limitations, while admitting there were too many questions about how to enforce such a mandate.

Ladd, in particular, stated that the local medical community could benefit from a two-week break that he believed stricter measures could provide.

Ladd attempted to add amendments to the resolution. The first amendment called for “big box retailers” to self-regulate by limiting customers to no more than 100 at one time. That motion failed for a lack of a second.

The second amendment attempted to mandate that if a person is found to have been diagnosed with COVID-19, then all family members should be required to shelter in place for 14 days. Trost seconded the motion; it failed by a 2-4 vote.

Ultimately, Mayor Patrick Payton pointed out that the Midland Chamber of Commerce will communicate with larger stores about best practices and interaction minimization efforts. There also was a concern that mandates could create an “adversarial relationship” with businesses in the community.

“I would like to keep it that way,” said District 4 Councilwoman Lori Blong of the current relationship with business. She, like the mayor, said Midlanders are already responding favorably to requests and declarations already in place, and additional mandates might make “people more angry.”

Payton said after the meeting that other areas have introduced or passed what appear to be more strict shelter-in-place resolutions. However, with the pages of exceptions in places such as Dallas or Waco, those measures become “toothless” or at least bring those communities basically back to where the governor is, he said.

When asked about enforcement of stricter mandates, Police Chief Seth Herman said Midland is already seeing an uptick in crime with the current restrictions. He said “juveniles” had stolen around 20 guns during burglaries of vehicles. Herman also said he favors asking store operators to use “conscious compliance” when handling matters of their customers.

Last week, Abbott announced an executive order that will limit social gatherings to 10 people, prohibit eating and drinking at restaurants and bars while still allowing takeout, close gyms, ban people from visiting nursing homes except for critical care and temporarily close schools.