RESOLUTION 2020-07
A RESOLUTION APPROVING CERTAIN POLICY CHANGES IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, the Governor of Indiana issued Executive Order 20-02 which declared a public health emergency in the State of Indiana as a result of the novel (new) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19″) outbreak in Indiana, throughout the United States, and worldwide; and,
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared COVID-19 to be a national emergency; and,
WHEREAS, to reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Indiana State Department of Health (“ISDH”) have recommended implementation of mitigation strategies to increase containment of the virus, including cancellation of large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings; and,
WHEREAS, the Governor of Indiana has issued Executive Orders 20-02 to 20-19 which provided further guidance.
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Churubusco deems it is necessary and proper to take further actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees and citizens in connection with the continuing and evolving threat posed to public health by COVID-19.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the following policies apply until the public health emergency has been lifted.
Building access
Closed to public:
- Clerk-Treasurer’s Office
- Town Hall (during business hours)
- Churubusco Park public restrooms
- Churubusco Park playgrounds
- Churubusco Park baseball diamonds
- Churubusco Park Splash Pad
- Churubusco Park Skate Park
- Wastewater Plant
- Water Plant
Restricted, per directives from Dept Head or Elected Official:
- Churubusco Police Department (lobby open only, cleaning/sanitizing completed every shift)
- Town Hall (Council meetings only)
Travel
All non-essential, town related travel by employees is prohibited.
Any non-essential, personal travel by employees is strongly discouraged.
Public Meetings
- The Churubusco Town Council will hold virtual public meetings.
Work schedules
Elected Officials and Department Heads have the discretion to implement the following, as is appropriate for their offices with the goal of maintaining the operation of normal business.
- Alternate work schedules – please note that employees will be paid for hours actually worked, and may use paid time off or authorized unpaid leave to fill in other hours. Exceptions can be made by the department head to release employees should work loads lighten and must be approved and communicated to the Clerk-Treasurer in writing prior to releasing employees.
- Remote work (if employee has work that can otherwise be performed out of the office)
Non-Essential Employees
Full-time employees deemed non-essential shall still be paid their regular wages during the public health emergency.
Absences
Sick Time: Employees who have symptoms of respiratory illness must stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). Those with concerns or questions about their illness or seeking advice about whether to come to work are invited to contact the Clerk-Treasurer or their department head.
- Employees must use sick time for self-isolation or quarantine, even if they are not sick, when it is required or recommended by public health authorities/guidelines or by health care providers.
- Employees may use sick time to care for immediate family and household members who are not ill, but need care due to any COVID-19 related closures of schools or day care centers, or for other breakdowns in care arrangements.
- In the event an employee does not have enough sick time to cover a COVID-19 related absence, the Town will pay the employee their regular hourly wage for the hours they were unable to work without penalty to the employee. This will only occur once all sick time has been exhausted.
- A doctor’s note or other documentation may be required before returning to work.
Utility disconnects/penalties
- Non-payment utility disconnection shall be waived.
- Penalties for non-payment shall be waived.
- It shall be at the discretion of the Clerk-Treasurer to extend any further utility waivers.
Further Executive Orders and Directives
The Town shall abide by and follow any directions and/or guidance outlined in any national or state directives released after the date of this resolution.
The Town Council will re-evaluate these policies and issue further guidance as it becomes necessary.
DULY ADOPTED by the Town Council at its regular meeting held on the 15th day of April, 2020, at which meeting a quorum was present.
