Today, Mayor Justin Nickels released a “roadmap” that the city will be following to begin to reopen many city functions.
Below you will find the full reopening plan that was released by the City of Manitowoc:
General:
Boards/Commissions/Committees are allowed to meet in person. Council and Committee of the Whole can start meeting in June (due to the number of people). Zoom will still be utilized for all meetings.
Hiring (full-time positions) and spending freeze in effect until 12/31/2020.
Seasonals are being hired now that full-time employees will be going back to their regular job.
A permanent employee tele-work policy is being created for Council consideration. This will become a new norm after COVID-19.
Employees are allowed to travel out of state without the required quarantine/unpaid leave. They are still required to inform their supervisor if they travel.
Street Sweeping Parking Ban will take effect Monday, June 1st.
Farmers’ Market will begin Saturday, May 23rd. There are specific guidelines on how this will be managed.
No late fees (dog/cat licenses etc.) will be given until Monday, June 1st.
The Council will be considering a resolution to extend property tax payments (installments number 2, 3, and 4) to be due by October 1st, 2020 with no late fee or interest accrued to that point. Installment 1 was due January 31st and if they has not been paid yet, it will be accruing interest.
The Council will also be asked to approve all the mayoral emergency orders to date and extend the emergency declaration.
Training/Conferences for employees will only be allowed via teleconference. No in-person allowed.
City Hall opening Monday, May 18th:
Open only in front hall by City Clerk’s window (similar to April election). Clerks window is getting new permanent protection.
Entire 2nd floor and remainder of 1st floor blocked-off indefinitely. Citizens (non-employees) must have an appointment to be allowed to these parts of the building.
Municipal Court allowed to open.
Employees are required to be at work (no tele-work option) Unless: for the care of a child due to school closure or daycare closure. Or higher-risk employees per WEDC guidelines and approval from manager. If they can work from home, they may. Or utilize the special FMLA if they cannot.
Each department is responsible for cleaning their area/suite daily.
Masks are NOT required for employees or visitors. Employees may choose to wear a mask on their own accord. Disposable masks will be available to those visiting City Hall. Any non-employee who schedules an appointment must be notified that they are strongly recommended to wear a mask when visiting City Hall.
Virtual meetings should continue to be utilized any time possible.
No more than 10 employees in the breakroom/conference rooms at a time.
Workout room will be open. Maximum of 5 people at a time. Users are required to clean what they use.
Casual dress is allowed to continue.
Mayor’s Office will create signage for City Hall.
Senior Center remains closed indefinitely:
This will most likely be the last facility to reopen due to the high risk patrons.
We are working on a plan of how we could safely open with social distancing and sanitizing the building daily.
Maritime Metro Transit:
Route 6 will reopen next. This is the route that Ascend Services is on.
Goal: All routes re-opened as of Monday, June 1st.
We are working on rerouting by Holy Family College since they will no longer be open.
Library:
Open once the Governor’s order is lifted. (Libraries were specifically listed in this order)
Kristin has a plan for how they can safely open with social distancing and sanitizing the building daily.
Same rules would apply for employees as City Hall.
Several of the masks we received from the US Conference of Mayors can be sent to library for patrons to use if they desire.
Rahr-West opening Tuesday, June 2nd:
Similar rules applied as other buildings. Similar plans are being created to safely open with social distancing and sanitizing the building daily.
A similar window (as the Clerk’s Office) is being considered for the front lobby.
All patrons will be strongly encouraged to wear masks while visiting the museum. Disposable masks will be available.
Police Department:
Not much of a change. Unless some employees are working from home and are able to return.
Workout room may reopen per the same guidelines as City Hall unless otherwise noted by Chief Reimer.
Parks:
Playground equipment to open when Governor’s order ends. Preferably May 22nd(for Memorial Day weekend) or May 26th .
Once opened, playground equipment will have signs: “at your own risk”.
Restrooms remain closed indefinitely.
Summer recreation programming cancelled (except softball at this point, we will make a decision soon on that).
No cabin or facility rentals allowed until June 30th.
Cancellation fees rescinded up to July 31st.
Zoo:
Open once the Governor’s order ends.
The main building and the big red barn will remain closed.
Aquatic Center:
Still undecided if it will be open at all this summer or not. A decision will be made in the very near future. New guidelines just came out over the weekend from WEDC on how these can safely open.
Mini Golf opening Monday, June 1st:
Restrictions on the course: (no more than 10 people at a time, clean the clubs after each use).
Special Events:
The city cannot approve large special events between today and Tuesday, June 30th due to state and federal guidelines for social distancing for large gatherings/events. This includes 2 night markets (they will hold these in September instead),the garden fair in Washington Park, Beach Bash (they are looking at combining with their War on the Shore event instead), a Moonlight River Paddle, and the Memorial Day parade. All affected are aware of this. This also includes the city sponsored ‘music in the park’ events for June.
Gov. Evers “Safer at Home” order is still in effect until 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
