City of Platteville Implements "Pioneering Past COVID-19: A Guide to Recovery"

PLATTEVILLE, WI (May 28, 2020) – At the Tuesday, May 26 meeting, the City of Platteville Common Council approved the “Pioneering Past Covid-19: A Guide to Recovery” plan presented by City Manager, Adam Ruechel.

Implementation of the City of Platteville “Pioneering Past COVID-19: A Guide to Recovery” will follow guidance and direction from the State of Wisconsin and Grant County public health officials throughout its response and recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The state’s Badger Bounce Back Plan and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation reopening guidelines serve as a framework for the guide.  At the direction of the Common Council, it is possible that the City may stay in a current phase as the state moves forward or may choose to return to a previous phase if public health is compromised.

The plan is divided out into three phases.  To view the full plan, which includes all phases, please click here.  Key callouts for phase 1 include: 

• Starting June 22, 2020 City Hall will reopen (excluding the Finance and Water/Sewer office) to the public only for scheduled appointments and in-person meetings if necessary, to conduct business.  Business needs may also still be met by email, phone, or via Zoom meetings.  Please contact City Hall at (608) 348-9741 or refer to the City Staff Directory for contact information.
   
• Electronic, drop box and mail-in payments enable the Finance/Water Sewer Department to remain closed to the public until further notice.
   
• Visitors to City Hall are encouraged to wear a face mask or covering for appointments or meetings.
   
• Signage will be posted at entrances to City Hall with reminders that anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home.  It is requested that visitors maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet.  It is encouraged that visitors use the sanitizing stations at the entrances to City Hall and other key locations.
   
• For any cash transactions, customers will be asked to place cash on the counter, rather than directly into an employee’s hand.  The same practice will be used when employees provide change back to the customers.
   
• In-person meetings at City Hall will take place in conference rooms as well as the Council Chambers to limit visitor/employee interactions.  Meetings will be limited to the number of participants allowed and will require all parties to utilize social distancing guidelines.  All in-person meeting attendees will be required to provide contact information on an attendance sheet, to assist with subsequent contact tracing should that become necessary.
   
• Public meetings will continue to be conducted by a combination of Zoom and call-in options. All City Council meetings will continue to be recorded and uploaded to the City’s YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/PlattevilleWISC).  In-person attendance options for public meetings will continue to occur but will continue to follow the guidance of not more than 10 individuals allowed in the Council Chambers throughout the month of June 2020.
   
• Employees who have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to work.  The City will maintain an adequate supply of soap and hand sanitizer to allow proper hand hygiene for employees and the public.
   
• On Monday, July 13, 2020 (date subject to change) after consultation with the Grant County Health Department and Southwest Health, the City of Platteville will look to re-open to the public at a greater capacity.

The City of Platteville does not maintain its own public health official; therefore, the City is required by state statute to follow the orders, guidelines and recommendations made by the Grant County Health Department.  The Grant County Health Department may develop concurrent plans for COVID-19, which will become a supplement to this plan and referred to as needed.

This plan serves as a set of guidelines to aid staff and local officials in executing the City’s COVID-19 response and recovery.  This plan is subject to change based on local or statewide circumstances, local health official recommendations, or COVID-19 developments.  City staff and officials will continue to work together to maintain the peace, safety, welfare, and health of residents, visitors, and employees.