Concern over coronavirus closes Weiser City Hall

By: 
Steve Lyon

Weiser City Hall closed to the public on Thursday for an indefinite period in a precautionary move to protect employees and the public from any possible exposure to the coronavirus.
 The action was taken one day after the Weiser City Council passed a resolution declaring an emergency in a short meeting last Wednesday evening.
 At that time city officials said city hall would not close, but then reconsidered and announced the closure effective at noon on Thursday.
 “We’re going to continue to review it, but it’s indefinite at this time,” Mayor Randy Hibberd said.
 City officials approved the emergency declaration resolution in a short meeting at city hall on Wednesday night.
 The mayor can declare an emergency for seven days, which can be extended with ratification from the city council.
 Hibberd said the city could receive up to 90 percent reimbursement for extra expenses if a certain spending threshold is reached. The city is not sure of what extraordinary expenses related to coronavirus might occur at this point.
 With city hall closed to the public, residents are urged to pay their utility bills by using the dropbox located across from city hall, paying online, or through the mail.
 There were no plans to reduce the number of employees at city hall, and employees will The various city council committees, along with the city council and city planning and zoning commission, will meet on phone conferences. They will continue to be public meetings, but will require people to call in.
 The city is not limiting the size of groups that meet  in parks or buildings, but may revisit that issue in the future, depending on how the coronavirus situation develops.
 It was reported that many events at the city owned Vendome Events Center have been cancelled or postponed.
 Training that involved city employees was trimmed down to a smaller number after guidelines were issued by Southwest District Health and other health agencies on limiting group sizes.
 A CPR class that initially had 25 city employees signed up was scaled back to 10 employees to comply.
 The city also closed the public library on Friday for an indefinite period. The front foyer will stay open in the day to pick up books. Late fines will be waived for books.

 

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18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
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