Mayor Barlow Addresses The Public Regarding COVID-19

by Kassadee Bradshaw | March 17, 2020 4:21 pm

OSWEGO – Today, March 17, Mayor Billy Barlow held a press conference to address the community regarding city updates involving COVID-19.

During his announcement, Barlow updated the public with the following changes to the city and City Hall:

• The city has partnered with the YMCA and Little Lukes to aid in childcare.
• Oswego City School District has established three meal distribution sites, beginning Thursday:
  • Oswego High School
  • Riley Elementary School
  • Minetto Elementary School
• The city is allowing for a 30 day grace period with no late fees or penalties for taxes, water and sewer fees.
• Small business commercial loan payments issued by the city will be suspended for 120 days tentatively.
• 65 to 70% of the city non-essential workforce will transition to work remotely. The police and fire departments will work as is.
• City Hall will close from noon to 1 p.m. every day.
• All City Hall business will be conducted on the first floor only.
• All city documents, forms and permits have been uploaded online to print and mail to City Hall.
• Economic Development, HUD and Animal Control will be available by appointment only.
• The Department of Public Works will operate in separate, isolated crews/shifts.
• Barlow encourages the public to enroll in the city public announcements system.[1]
• Barlow asks those with inquiries for any department to call the City Hall assistance line 315-343-4990 to help expedite the request to the appropriate department.
• All Common Council, committee and board meetings will be live streamed only. For public comment, people are welcomed to submit their comment to the city website (an area is being established). Videos of the meetings will also be posted to the city website and to Youtube.
• Any city employee who is quarantined or misses an extended period of time from work due to COVID-19 will not be charged their sick time.
• The city is working with the Chamber of Commerce to publicize a list of businesses that are still open and available for take-out/delivery
• Barlow urges the public to remain calm and patient as the city has been preparing for this for a month now.

“We as a community need to stick together through this,” Barlow said. “We need to support our local businesses and the methods of which they are still conducting business.”

To view the full announcement, see the video here[2].

 

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/mayor-barlow-address-the-public-regarding-covid-19/

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