The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Precautions taken before council meeting
City Council and city administrators were required to apply hand sanitizer and sit 6 feet apart on March 16.
Vermilion City Council and city administrators were required to apply hand sanitizer and sit six feet apart upon entering the Municipal Court Complex in Vermilion, for Council’s meeting March 16 to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Council also barred the public from entry to maintain as close to the 10-person recommendation made by the White House earlier the same day.
Council president Steve Herron said the next Council meeting April 6 is tentative and will require the public to sit six feet apart, with children and their parents able to sit together.
Following new mandates and recommendations as they come in to slow the spread of the virus is of utmost importance, Herron said.
“We need to do our jobs and make sure we’re setting a good example for our citizens,” he said.
Rules that Herron wants every citizen to follow are to be kind to one another and to look out for their neighbors.
“Our community is a nice community,” he said, adding that he has seen how the community supported one another through other trying times. “I’ve lived in this community when we went through 9/11.
“I’ve lived in this community when we went through the 2008 stock market crash.”
Although a resident may feel fine, it’s still important for them to take preventative measures to make sure those who are vulnerable stay safe, Herron said.
Mayoral updates
Mayor Jim Forthofer said keeping essential services like those provided by police, fire and ambulance first responders is a top priority.
Having met with the city’s Water and Wastewater Treatment plan managers and union representatives, Forthofer said there’s support to do whatever is needed in the future and the city has established “skeleton staffing” to keep water and other utilities flowing.
“COVID-19 itself has not yet hit our city operations,” he said. “However, we are impacted by the same disruptions as the general public.”
Currently, the city will suspend water shut-offs and any late fees and penalties for the month of March.
Building and Utilities department windows at City Hall will be closed, with walk-ups to the Mayor’s Office also potentially being closed.
Building permits can be applied for online.
“We don’t want the plans for growth in Vermilion to stop,” Forthofer said.
Other government meetings will be reviewed as they come in and canceled when necessary.
Forthofer said Share A Ride services will have no fare for the next three weeks to help families in need access food distribution sites.
The city needs to take preventative measures and take care of its citizens and projects won’t stop, he said.
“The administration will do what’s necessary to get through this pandemic,” Forthofer said. “But, the city has roads to replace, water lines to replace, sidewalks to install and a fire station to build.
“As I said, building permits are way up. We will not lose sight of the future of Vermilion.”