MORGANTOWN — During a Monday afternoon press conference Morgantown City Manager Paul Brake announced that city facilities, including city hall, the public library system and municipal court will be closed to the public until April 6 in response to the COVID-19 virus.
In addition, most city public meetings, events and programming will be cancelled during that time, including tonight’s Morgantown City Council meeting, which was to include a public hearing and second reading of the city’s 2021 budget.
“During these closures employees will be working remotely when at all possible. While many non-essential services will be suspended, essential services will be maintained, including police and fire. Public works services will also be maintained,” Brake said, adding that a press release to be issued March 17 will spell out exactly which services will be temporarily suspended.
Both Police Chief Ed Preston and Fire Chief Mark Caravasos said there may be some non-emergency procedural changes. For example, the MFD is suspending its residential inspections and will look to limit entry into people’s homes, and the MPD will handle reporting and records requests over the phone and via email, not in person.
Even so, both said their respective departments will continue to respond when called upon.
“We do not want anybody hesitating to call 911 if they need assistance,” Caravasos said. “We are going to continue to serve the public the best we can.”
These changes are part of a county-wide response shared by all first responding agencies during a Monday morning meeting at MECCA 911.
The changes also include: Access to public safety facilities will be restricted to emergencies only. MECCA 911 dispatchers will ask additional questions and may reroute calls if appropriate.
Brake explained that members of the public looking to drop permits and other documents off at city hall will be directed to drop items at the MPD window in the foyer of the public safety building.
As for the continuation of the budget process, Brake said public comment will be conducted electronically by either telephone or video conferencing during a meeting to be held March 24.
“Certainly we would have liked to have that set up for the meeting tomorrow night,” Brake said. “We will have it set up so individuals can participate that way. Instructions will be given later this week how individuals can participate. But as far as anyone being in the building, it will not be allowed.”
The Morgantown Public Library System will continue to have digital resources available during the temporary closure, according to Library Director Sarah Palfrey.
“We as a city are preparing as best we can. This is all unfamiliar territory for us,” Mayor Bill Kawecki said. “We will continue to monitor the situation. We are concerned with the welfare of this community. We will act in the best manner we can to ensure the welfare of this community.”
For the latest in local information regarding COVID-19, check in with the Monongalia County Health Department’s website at monchd.org/covid-19.html.
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