McMinnville officials are attempting another soft reopening amid the pandemic. 

“I’m recommending tonight that we reopen all city lobbies, the Park Theater and the Wellness Center based on the fact that we have trended below 10 for the past several days,” said city administrator Nolan Ming. “As of today, we are at 6.0 cases per 100,000 over the past 14 days.”

That statement was made Tuesday to members of McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen. 

“Per state and CDC guidance the threshold is an average of equal to or less than 10 new cases per 100,000 over the last 14 days. This threshold for acceptable disease transmissions within the community may be adjusted in the future as we learn more.”

Mayor Ben Newman requested a motion. 

“I’ll make a motion that we reopen on the stipulation that if we go back up, we immediately shut her back down,” said Alderman Mike Neal. 

The motion, specifically to reopening the government offices to foot traffic and the city’s Wellness Center, passed unanimously.

“With the Wellness Center, what about classes,” said Aldermen Steve Harvey.

Parks and Recreation Department director Scott McCord says those will continue to be offered outdoors at the pool on its deck.

“What happens when the weather gets so bad that we cannot offer them outside,” said Harvey. 

McCord replied, “Hopefully the Milner Recreation Center will be complete and we can move then indoors. As of right now, we don’t have the space for it.” 

Board members then unanimously approved the reopening of Park Theater, as long as usage of is based on state and CDC guidelines. 

All reopening’s are subject to immediate closure if new cases spike to above state and CDC threshold for acceptable new cases.