Mayor Duane Poppe has issued a declaration of local emergency related to the evolving COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. The declaration occurred during the Osseo City Council meeting on Monday, March 23.
The City Council then passed a resolution authorizing expenditures during the local emergency. The resolution also extends the local emergency indefinitely, until further action is taken by the City Council.
Read Mayor Poppe’s Local Emergency Proclamation & the City Council’s Resolution
A declaration of emergency does not mean that the level of risk from the virus has changed. Rather, the declaration of local emergency provides a streamlined process for coordinating response to the pandemic. Importantly, it also prepares for the possibility of federal and state reimbursement of emergency costs. The Mayor is authorized to issue a declaration of local emergency under Minn. Stat. § 12.29.
The city’s local emergency declaration follows similar declarations by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Hennepin County. For the latest updates on COVID-19 visit the Minnesota Department of Health or the Hennepin County Department of Public Health COVID-19 webpages.
There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Osseo. However, there are several cases in Hennepin County, including documented instances of community transmission. Osseo residents are reminded to follow public health guidelines for social distancing and practicing good hygiene practices to limit community transmission of COVID-19.
City Continues to Provide Essential Services
Following guidance from state health officials, the City of Osseo has closed all facilities to public access until Friday, March 27, to limit the potential for community transmission of the virus.
To ensure that essential city services continue to be available to residents, the City of Osseo has enacted a business continuity plan that covers all city department, including police, fire and emergency medical response, and utilities.
With the exception of City Council meetings which will be held by teleconference, all city gatherings, including commission meetings and Parks and Recreation events, activities, and programming, have been cancelled until further notice.
For more information about COVID-19 and the City of Osseo’s response, visit www.discoverosseo.com/covid-19
