City buildings closed to public for week
COVID-19 prompts move until Dec. 9
Richmond has joined a number of municipalities that has closed or limited municipal buildings due to the spread of COVID-19.
City Manager Jon Moore said Wednesday the decision to close city buildings was made based on several factors.
One was a concern for keeping city employee and the public safe after the Thanksgiving holiday when many residents likely spent time with family members and could soon test positive for the coronavirus. Another was the fact that winter tax bills went out on Dec. 1 and many people like to pay them in person at the city offices, which could prompt more community spread.
“We, of course, hope no one is positive but realistically some of the people who were in groups for the holiday may be positive and not even know it yet,” Moore said.
Referencing the threeweek pause Governor Gretchen Whitmer put in place for the state, running from Nov. 18 to Dec. 8,
Moore said the city was allowed to make its own decision about staying open to foot traffic and they did for the first two weeks.
At city hall employees will still be working and can be reached at 586-7277571 or by email. Appointments for services that cannot be done online or over the phone such as building, cemetery, planning and zoning can be made but the city will not be taking bill payments so residents are asked to utilize the drop box or online payment options. Payments may be made through the drop box located to the right of the front entrance. City hall operating hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
All other city buildings will still be staffed during this seven-day closure to the public. The Police Department and Dispatch will be staffed 24 hours. The DPW will be open 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Essential services such as police, fire, water, wastewater and trash removal/recycling are still available.
The closure to the public at the city’s Community Center, which provides daily free lunches to area senior citizens, will only mean the residents can’t sit down and eat at the building but meals will still be provided. Moore said in some cases seniors will pick-up their meals at the center doors or they can have them delivered too. The Community Center operating hours are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday.
The city’s Lois Wagner Memorial Library was already at curb service only status so patrons won’t really be affected by the closure. The Lois Wagner Memorial Library operating hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Moore said should the state extend its three-week pause beyond Dec. 8, the city will decide what course of action to take.
The regular bi-monthly meeting of the Richmond City Council, set for Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., will be a virtual meeting.
The full list of buildings affected by the city closures include the City Hall lobby, community center, and Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Service. The Lois Wagner Memorial Library will have curbside service only.
Updates will be posted to the city’s website cityofrichmond.net and departmental Facebook pages (library, recreation and police).