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By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo City Council held an emergency meeting March 17 at City Hall to discuss the city’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

During the meeting, which was also livestreamed through the city’s Facebook page, Mayor Hollie Cost reviewed changes being made to Montevallo’s operational procedures and declared a state of emergency for the city as allowed by state law.

“In communities, it’s important that there’s the authority to take urgent action,” Cost said. “The health of our community is our No. 1 consideration.”

Changes to normal city operations include the following:

• All city events and meetings other than those required by law (i.e. City Council and Planning and Zoning) are canceled until further notice.
• City Council meetings will be broadcasted, and the public is encouraged to participate via web-based options.
• Montevallo Boys and Girls Club, located at the parks and recreation building, is closed per BGC board directive.
• The City Hall building is limited to employees and police business only. Citizens in need must ring the buzzer to gain entry.
• All court payments should be made online or mailed to City Hall, 541 Main St., Montevallo, AL 35115.
• All fire and police department services will continue, and only healthy employees will be permitted in the building.
• Montevallo Golf Club will remain open during regular hours, with additional sanitizing and modifications to cart rentals.
• Impact Montevallo services will continue as Director Sarah Hogan works remotely (shogan@cityofmontevallo.com).
• Montevallo Main Street Director Courtney Bennett will continue working remotely and can be reached at mainstreet@cityofmontevallo.com.
• For parks and recreation, all youth athletics, field and facility rentals are canceled until further notice. Parks will remain open with residents encouraged to maintain proper distancing.
• Parnell Memorial Library is closed until further notice, but is providing grab bags.
• Public Works services will continue, but the shop will be open to employees only.
• The Montevallo Recycling Center is open for business during regular hours, but only employees are allowed inside the building.
• The senior center is closed, but meals are being provided to seniors and daily calls are being made to all participants.

Cost urged residents to take health precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (listed at Cityofmontevallo.com/414/COVID-19), to help friends and neighbors in need and to support local businesses when possible.

“We do encourage you to buy local,” she said. “These businesses and restaurants we love so much are now going to take a huge hit, and we want you to support the local businesses as much as you can.”

Check the City of Montevallo Facebook page and website, Cityofmontevallo.com, for regular updates regarding city operations, meetings and other matters related to the coronavirus situation.

Questions or feedback can be emailed to mayorsoffice@cityofmontevallo.com.