ST. PAUL - Town of St. Paul CAO Kim Heyman issued the following media release this morning:
Town of St. Paul Council approved the closure of the Town Administration Office, Public Works, the Golf Proshop, the Fire Hall, both the Recreation Maintenance Shop and the Golf Maintenance Shop to the general public. The FCSS Building is also closed except by appointments. These closures are to reduce the spread of COVID-19, otherwise known as the Novel Coronavirus. These closures are also effective immediately.
Though the main building will be closed to the public, administration staff (planning, finance and administration), will be working and can be contacted at 780-645-4481.
Residents wishing to make a utility or tax payment can do so by way of the mail box located just inside the front doors of the Administration Building. However, the public is encouraged to use on-line payments if possible. Please see the Town’s website for more information.
Individuals wanting to drop off or pick up their income tax forms under the FCSS Community Volunteer Income Tax Program can do so by calling the FCSS Building at 780-645-5311. Any questions for Parent Link can also be addressed at 780-645-5311.
The Public Works Shop will be closed to public access. Public Works staff can be accessed at 780-645-3509.
While our staff will be working in the office, access is being restricted to reduce potential spread of COVID-19 within our facilities. We will continue to answer phone calls and emails and process payments. The public can expect that issues will be dealt with over the phone or through email, rather than in person.
The St. Paul Library is also closed to the public.
Council approved the Action Bus only being booked for essential travel. When booking the Action Bus passengers will be asked if they are exhibiting any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19. The bus driver will have the right to refuse to pick up anyone exhibiting those symptoms.
Over the course of the last couple of years we have tried to educate our residents about preparing their garbage in proper garbage bags, protected in bins. However loose garbage has continued to be a challenge. Unless there are unusually large amounts of loose garbage staff have continued to pick this up for residents in an effort to keep alleys cleaner. At last night’s meeting Council approved effective immediately, staff only picking up garbage that is properly contained in garbage bags either sealed with a knot or some other devise. Loose garbage will no longer be picked up. This is being enforced to protect our staff not only from the COVID-19 virus but other contaminants’ common to loose household garbage. Those residents leaving loose garbage strewn about will be ticketed.
Council also approved by motion the postponement of the open house for the proposed garbage bin rollout program that was scheduled for April 23, 2020.
Other issues dealt with by motion of Town Council were the elimination of penalties on utilities and taxes during this time of limited access to the Town Office. At the same time Council approved the elimination of water cutoff for nonpayment until such time as the virus is contained. This motion will be subject to reassessment in the future.
During this time of quickly evolving circumstances related to the COVOD-19 viral threat a streamlined decision making process was approved by Town Council, whereas the Mayor and the CAO will make decisions that are urgent in nature that cannot wait for the next scheduled Council Meeting where the health and safety of citizens and staff are at risk. Council will be notified of the issue and be given a brief window to share any concerns before the decision is made.
The Town of St. Paul Council and administration will continuously monitor the very fluid COVID-19 issue and update our citizens regarding changes as required. Please watch for future press releases and post on our Facebook page. We appreciate your understanding of these measures taken at this time.
