Mayor Jeremy Stutsman signed Executive Order 2020-02 Tuesday, March 17, which lists restrictions for City buildings and facilities in an attempt to reduce the risk of exposure of COVID-19 to the public and employees.
According to the executive order, access to City of Goshen buildings and facilities is to be restricted through the end of April under the following terms:
- Public access to City Hall, 202 S. 5th St., the City Annex Building, 204 E. Jefferson St., and the Parks & Recreation Department, 534 E Jackson St. is now restricted to the hours of 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. During the hours that these buildings are open to the public, City staff will partition a small area for the public to enter. City staff will make contact with the public within the designated area to provide service. Outside of those times, members of the public may contact Departments within these buildings by phone or email.
- The Goshen Utility Business Office will close their walk-up counter beginning Thursday, March 19. Their phone lines will be answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist customers. Payments can be mailed, paid online at paygov.us or deposited at the drop box in the alley behind the Police Department—Cash payments will be accepted within the drop box at the customers’ discretion.
- Other buildings and facilities other than the mentioned above will have restricted public access as posted on the doors of the buildings.
- City staff will post on the entrances to public buildings a list of departments and phone numbers, as well as information about current access restrictions in place. The public may continue to access each City office by telephone and email during regular business hours.
- City employees will make efforts to limit person-to-person contact with members of the public. Any contact between employees and members of the public will be authorized by Department Heads.
- The City will make necessary arrangements and accommodations to allow public meetings to continue in the council chambers that are currently scheduled and that are necessary to conduct essential City business, and for the public to attend and participate in accordance to Indiana’s Open Door Law.
- The City of Goshen will continue to offer services to members of the public, though some services may be restricted or delayed.
- The administration will analyze the operation of the respective departments and implement policies, procedures, or protections intended to slow the spread of COVID-l9, yet that would allow the City to provide services to members of the public.
Members of the public who may not be sure who to direct questions to may call the switchboard at 533.8621.