City Council meeting cancelled, City Hall closed to public due to Coronavirus crisis
The City of Jackson is announcing further steps to stop the potential spread of coronavirus in the Jackson area. The following steps have been decided by City leaders:
- The Jackson City Council meeting planned for Tuesday, March 17 has been cancelled. Plans are being made for future meetings to take place digitally, with ways for residents to participate through livestreams and phone lines.
- Jackson City Hall will be closed to the public from Tuesday, March 17 to Monday, April 6. A drop box will be provided for residents to submit payments and paperwork in the 1st floor entrance to City Hall. Staff advise residents to submit checks or money orders instead of cash, as they are safer forms of payment. Staff will continue to work in the building to keep City government operational, and will be responsive to phone calls and emails. The City’s main phone line is 517-768-6060. Staff emails can be found on the City’s website.
- To discourage residents from coming to City Hall to submit payments, officials are working toward waiving fees for online payments. Property taxes, water utility bills, permit fees, and fines can all be paid through the City’s website.
These latest actions come after guidelines from the State of Michigan on public gatherings and the spread of the illness through Michigan. Last week, the City of Jackson suspended water shutoffs, cancelled recreation programs and committee meetings, allowed City employees time off for quarantine and family care, and suspended employee business travel outside the area.
Interim City Manager Jonathan Greene says vital City operations, such as public safety and utility services, are currently not impacted by these changes. “It’s important for the City of Jackson to be proactive to stop the spread of this illness, along with continuing crucial City services. This is something the City takes very seriously, and the health of residents and staff is top of mind,” Greene said.
Updates on this developing situation will be provided to the public as they become available. Information will be released through the City’s website, social media platforms, and the CodeRED mass communication system.
