Dear Resident,

With the Governor’s Stay at Home Order now in effect, an unsettling quiet has fallen over our normally active community. I think we can all agree that the Stay at Home Order is essential to protect everyone’s health and safety. It is hard to emphasize that enough. We also can agree that it is a very, very difficult – but an absolutely critical – change in our lives.

Like you, I miss the daily face to face interactions with family, colleagues, neighbors and friends. I recently connected with my family over Skype. In these strange times, I found this contact incredibly comforting. I hope you are able to find ways to stay in touch with family and friends as well.

If you are in need of help during this crisis, please call United Way’s 211. They are fully staffed and can connect you to many needed resources. Of course for medical emergencies, you should still call 911 immediately.

Here are a few updates in this rapidly changing crisis:

1. Building and Housing Changes: Following the Stay at Home Order, we added additional modifications to the protocol for inspections in our Building and Housing Dept. for the protection of the inspectors and residents. Please refer to the FAQs for additional information.  The changes are:

• All new POS inspections are temporarily suspended. Sellers must still submit a POS application (the fee will be waived); it will be processed and a Certificate of Compliance will be issued in 1-2 days.
• Properties already undergoing the POS process will be re-inspected with the City’s new Remote Video Inspections process.
• The City is suspending and delaying exterior systematic inspections in the Moreland and Boulevard neighborhoods until next year.
• Plan review, permit issuance and permit inspections are ongoing. Most permit inspections will be conducted by the City’s new Remote Video Inspections (RVI) process.

 
2. Allowable Activities: If needed, here are the places that you can go during the Stay at Home Order provided you maintain social distancing:

• Health and Safety
  • Purchasing medical supplies and prescriptions
  • Visiting health care providers
  • Utilizing emergency services
• Obtaining Necessary Supplies and Services
  • Groceries
  • Household products and needs
  • Gas and automotive repair services
  • Work at home supplies
• Outdoor Activities
  • Run, walk, bike
  • Walking the dog
• Essential Work
  • Residents involved in “essential work” should still go to work; check with employers for instructions.
• Taking Care of Others
  • This includes a family member, friend or pet in another household.

Please check the City’s Coronavirus website for additional information related to the Stay at Home Order.

3. City Council Meeting and Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals: As necessary or as required by law in the case of City Council, these meetings are scheduled for Monday, March 30 but will be conducted “remotely” via conference call to ensure the safety of our residents and the members of our boards. Accordingly,

• All meeting materials will be posted on the website before the meeting;
• Comments and questions will be accepted in advance and will be included in the minutes of the meeting;
• The public can call in to listen in real time and recordings will be posted the next day.

See the Agendas and Minutes on our website for details regarding these meetings.
 
Lastly, a reminder that if you must go out, please, please maintain proper social distancing protocol at all times. This means standing 6 feet apart while waiting in line at the grocery, pharmacy or other essential businesses. When you are out walking, maintain this 6 foot distance and do not gather in groups in the parks. All playgrounds and the Thornton Park basketball court and skate park are closed. Please be vigilant about social distancing as it is the only way we will flatten the curve, protect each other, our hospital system and our First Responders.
 
I know all of this is hard, but we will get through it.
 
We are in this with you; we are in this together!


Thank you.

David E. Weiss
Mayor