ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy said the city is continuing to “assess and evaluate” potential closures and cancellations due to the Covid 19 virus, also known as the Coronavirus.
“Right now, we are going to follow all state and federal protocols,” Murphy said during the regular Monday morning council meeting March 16.
Murphy said city officials were meeting with county officials and other local officials later in the day to assess the situation and meetings would be held with all department heads this week to discuss procedures.
“We have guidelines in place that we can declare emergency holidays for employees,” Murphy said. “These were put in place for hurricanes or natural disasters, but I think we can use them in this situation. We have certain departments that could be considered non-essential, but others aren’t. It might be a situation where we can close those areas, if not for weeks, for a day or two.”
As of Monday, Murphy said, all city facilities, including all parks will remain open.
“We have talked with the youth organizations and we have one that has planned to cancel play, and another that right now is planning to proceed with play, at least for this weekend,” Murphy said. “With school being out I think it is essential that we keep those places open for our children at this time.”
Murphy said closing the Robertsdale Public Library would be up to the Library Board, but said he hoped to keep the libraries open for the same reason the city will keep operating city parks.
“If we do close the library, those employees will likely be utilized in other departments, so they can continue to work with the city,” Murphy said.
The city’s Splash Pad is not scheduled to open until mid-April, Murphy said, so that facility remains closed.
City officials also met with officials at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center over the weekend, Murphy said, and decided to close the center for all senior activities.
“At the same time, we discussed the fact that the senior center conducts services for senior adults, such as taking seniors to doctor appointments and delivery of Meals on Wheels,” he said. “Those services will likely need to be expanded in the coming weeks. We also ask that anyone who knows a senior adult will probably need to increase efforts to keep an eye on those seniors to ensure their safety during this time.”
Murphy also said he plans to contact school officials to see what the city can do to help supplement the school’s meal assistance programs during school closures.
“Whatever happens, we plan to keep city residents informed of what is going on in our city,” he said, “and will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our residents.”
The council also conducted regular business during Monday’s meeting, which included:
Approved the use of Honeybee Park on Saturday, July 11 for a festival, hosted by the God’s Little Women ministry group. Proceeds from the festival will benefit To Be Options for Pregnant Women Organization and Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast Foundation.
Approved voting delegates for the League of Municipalities Annual Business Session May 18 in the Sellers Auditorium of the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa. Joe Kitchens will be the primary voting delegate, with Brent Kendrick as first alternate and Paul Hollingsworth as second alternate.
Approved an ordinance granting a temporary revenue warrant through PNC Bank to borrow up to $3,783,000 for the construction of the city’s new public works facility. The loan is part of a requirement of loan which the city has applied for through the USDA.
Police Chief Brad Kendrick announced that the city plans to host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 4 upon arrival of the city’s new fire truck.
City CFO Ann Simpson discussed protocols the city has in place if discrepancies are discovered in the meter reading process.
