WISCONSIN RAPIDS – (March 25, 2020) Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, non-essential businesses have been ordered to close to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with Governor Evers’ Safer At Home order.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tony Evers ordered Wisconsin residents to stay at home except for conducting essential business, and ordered all non-essential businesses closed. The Governor’s order can be found here. While essential businesses and places of employment are still open, you must continue to observe the recommended six feet of social distancing at all times. This is essential in successfully limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our community and ‘flattening the curve’ of outbreaks that may overwhelm our medical services. Mayor Vruwink urges all City residents to abide by the Governor’s order, while nurturing your wellbeing. “While observing social distancing requirements, our fine recreational trails remain open for exercise and outdoor activity. City Ordinances do allow for leashed dogs to be walked in these areas.” City Buildings and Playgrounds in Parks are closed to the public. The majority of City of Wisconsin Rapids government services are deemed essential and will continue. However, the Lowell Senior Center and McMillan Memorial Library remain closed. Other essential businesses which will remain open include grocery stores, restaurants for carry-out/curbside pickup, medical facilities, hardware and home improvement stores, and gas station/convenience stores. Travel should be limited to essential purposes- purchasing supplies, providing care for another, and reporting to work at essential businesses. As a reminder, City Hall and other city facilities have limited access to the public. However, the City Clerk’s office and the Municipal Court office window, located on the first floor, will remain open at this time. The City Clerk encourages voting Absentee by mail by requesting a ballot at vote.wi.gov. Alternatively, in-person absentee voting is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the City Clerk’s office inside City Hall. “Abiding by this order doesn’t mean we cannot stay in contact with family and neighbors”, said Mayor Zach Vruwink. Consider a phone call or video chat to keep in contact. Support our small businesses and follow the City and Wood County Health on Facebook. We all have a great individual responsibility to keep ourselves and community healthy.” We are working with the Wood County Health Department regarding Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) donations so that our public safety employees are safe, and can render safe aid and assistance to the public. Mayor Vruwink has implemented telework requirements for some City employees, as well as other measures such as requiring the practice of social distancing and staggered scheduling to ensure the safety and health of employees who cannot work remotely. For a full listing of city department closings and details, please visit: wirapids.org/coronavirus. Call 211 with any questions. The following has been advised for residents paying their property taxes in cash: You will need the exact amount to make a payment. Any excess will be applied to your next installment payment. Directions for cash payment are as follows: Please put cash payment into an envelope and place it in the brown dropbox outside. If you would like a receipt for your property tax payment, please fill out the Request for Information Form. This can also be placed inside the brown dropbox, or given to the City Clerk. Your request will be processed the next business day. You can also access your property information through the Wood County Website. propertytax.co.wood.wi.us During this time of unprecedented challenge, we invite businesses to a briefing and Q/A
March 19, 2020- WISCONSIN RAPIDS-- For Immediate Release As a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and subsequent orders limiting public gatherings, our local businesses face an unprecedented situation. As such, local businesses and organizations are invited to a joint COVID-19 briefing with Mayor Zachary Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids Area Chamber, and Wood County Health Department officials. The call will take place Friday, March 20, 2020 at 2:15pm. Registration is required and available at wirapids.org/coronavirus. “Amid restrictions that will ultimately save lives, our businesses and their employees are suffering,” said Mayor Zach Vruwink. “As we continue to navigate unchartered waters, we are listening and considering every resource at our disposal to help,” he added. From promoting take-out and delivery services, to remote streaming of programming and activities, businesses are looking for ways to adapt and survive. This briefing will give local businesses an opportunity to be updated on emerging resources, discuss concerns and ask questions. “The Chamber of Commerce is ready to assist all our local businesses – large and small during this unprecedented time.” Said Angel Whitehead, President, Wisconsin Rapids area Chamber of Commerce. Call-in registration is available here: www.wirapids.org/coronavirus Mayor Vruwink announces further measures to protect the public and prevent the spread of COVID-193/19/2020
Departments will remain staffed as they shift to alternative public interaction via phone, email and mail.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – (March 18, 2020) Effective immediately, Wisconsin Rapids City Hall and other City buildings experience limited public access, with a few exceptions. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tony Evers recently ordered that all public schools be closed, and limited public gatherings to 10 people or less. In response to the growing pandemic, the city will limit public interaction with public offices. As a result, all departments other than the Clerk’s Office and two service windows will be closed to the public. The City Clerk’s office on the first floor of City Hall will remain open to accept absentee voting ballots, as well as other functional duties. The Municipal Court Clerk’s office window on the first floor will also remain open to take fine payments and answer questions. However, municipal trials and initial appearances are being postponed. The Police Department service counter window on the first floor will be open. If you need to speak to an officer, the intercom system will be available for use inside the city hall foyer. Additionally, City Fire Stations, the City Garage, Lowell Senior Center, Wisconsin Rapids Community Media, and McMillan Memorial Library are closed to the public. City staff continues to conduct City business, with an emphasis on public interaction via phone, email, and mail. City services such as garbage and recycling pick up continue uninterrupted. “While business continues to get conducted, these measures have been enacted out of an abundance of caution to protect interactions between city employees and the public” said Mayor Zach Vruwink. For a full listing of city department closings and how to do business with those departments while public access is limited, please visit: wirapids.org/coronavirus. For Immediate Release---Wisconsin Rapids, WI: March 16, 2020
City of Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Zachary Vruwink has declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The declaration follows Governor Evers’ emergency declaration and is aimed at positioning the City of Wisconsin Rapids to be eligible to receive state and federal resources to help mitigate the impacts of coronavirus. “Today’s declaration is to help inform the public and help prevent the spread of coronavirus in our community. This is about being mindful of our behavior but not inciting panic,” said Mayor Zachary Vruwink. “We want residents to remain calm and take steps to ensure the safety of themselves and their families. I encourage residents identify a household plan of action.” City Departments have been coordinating internally and with other community institutions to develop plans to reduce the spread of Covid-19 as well as make sure residents receive the best possible treatment. In response to the outbreak the City recommends the following: • Avoid traveling to areas of the country or state with confirmed cases of infection or that are known to be high transmission areas • Cancel events or gatherings of more than 50 people, take extra precautions or consider canceling smaller events, and minimize your time public or commercial spaces with large amounts of people • Continue to wash and sanitize your hands frequently, as well as clean common surfaces regularly • Don’t shake hands, don’t touch your face, cover your cough • Enact social distancing as much as possible when gathered with friends or in the work place – keeping a distance of 6 feet between you and others • If you get sick, don’t go to work, and call your medical provider before going in for treatment • Gather a 2 week supply of food and needed prescriptions or medicine in case you need to suddenly self-quarantine The City is also reviewing continuity plans for departments and instituting a series of internal measures to ensure the safety of our employees and residents who may interact. Residents are encouraged to stay up to date by visiting the CDC’s coronavirus website at www.coronavirus.gov; follow the City and Wood County Health Department on Social Media. |
Archives
June 2024
Categories
All
|