Dear Employees,
By now you have seen and heard a great deal of information regarding COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees is my top priority and remains so during this emerging and rapidly changing situation surrounding the virus. I also want to ensure we’re doing our part as an organization in containing this pandemic.
Information has been changing daily – sometimes hourly – but I want to assure employees that the City is taking proactive measures to address the pandemic and control the spread of COVID-19 to the best of our ability. At this time we don’t have all the answers about our next steps, but I wanted to share with you where things currently stand:
What we are doing
- On Thursday, March 13, Dickinson Hall was closed except for polling.
- Effective Monday, March 16, all public meetings, special events and programs are cancelled for the next two weeks, at which time the situation will be reassessed.
- Because of the closing of the schools, the following buildings will be closed until April 6, at which time their opening will be reassessed:
- Rec Center, CROYA, Golf Course, Wildlife Discovery Center, Beach
- Each building that is closed will receive a deep cleaning during this time
- In a continued effort to limit the effect of COVID-19 on employees, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all City buildings except for the Public Safety Building and Cemetery gatehouse will be closed to the public.
- All non-emergency services will be temporarily placed on hold and employees should not report to work unless told to do so by your supervisor.
- Employees instructed to not report for work will be paid with no impact on accrual banks. Part-time employees will receive pay equivalent to the amount of time in the preceding pay period.
- The following critical emergency services will continue: Police, Fire, Water Plant, refuse collection, limited fleet and building maintenance services, payroll, death certificates and limited inspectional services.
If you are identified as emergency personnel, please contact your supervisor before reporting to work if:
- You are experiencing symptoms similar to coronavirus symptoms (including cough, fever, and shortness of breath);
- You have had contact with a person who has a confirmed case of coronavirus;
- You are travelling to, or returning from, an area where federal or state health authorities have determined to be experiencing a coronavirus outbreak; or
- You have child care issues due to school closings
Even if you are not identified as non-emergency personnel, please contact your supervisor if you are experiencing symptoms similar to those referenced above.
Travel to conferences and non-essential meetings is suspended until further notice.
Where can I go for more information:
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly every day. The City will reassess our strategy on a weekly basis and will communicate updates with all of you via your supervisor. Resources can be found on the City’s HR website (www.citylf.org), which can be accessed from any computer or mobile device.
I realize this is a huge amount of information to digest on short notice. Please contact your Department Head if you have specific questions before next Tuesday. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available or as conditions change.
Take care and stay safe,
Jason