Ward 3 Quick Update: March 20, 2020

Ward 3 Resident,

This COVID-19 emergency is something we ALL should take very seriously! This not business as usual! I have family, friends, and loves ones who are first-responders and medical professionals on the front-lines of this. I hear their stories daily. We MUST take this emergency seriously. Something we can all do is #StayHome as much as possible. If you must go out please use #SocialDistancing and other common-sense protective measures. Until you hear otherwise from health care officials, even if you have no symptoms to help #FlattenTheCurve of community spread of COVID-19. When looking back in history to past pandemics like the 1918 influenza pandemic the most severe pandemic in recent history. Like now they turned to proven tactics of isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations of public gatherings to help end the spread. I know all of you are on information overload at times. Me too! But also knowledge is power and it could even help save your life. I have been doing my best to keep up but things change on an hourly basis. So moving forward I will keep updating helpful information as a one-stop place for North Royalton Ward 3 COVID-19 Updates that include various information from all levels of government and I will focus more on adding things that residents have requested more information on like where to get carryout and etc.

Based on recent input from experts and other City Officials the Top 4 places to get accurate and 24/7 situational information you need to know in staying safe throughout this emergency are the following resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Some additional things to update you on regarding COVID-19 since my last update below:

Important North Royalton City School District Information Regarding COVD-19

Reminder the North Royalton City School district remains CLOSED till April 3, 2020 unless otherwise ordered by Governor Mike DeWine. All events scheduled to take place between now and April 3 are CANCELED. Follow up with your kids to see if there are any online assignments made by their teachers while the schools are closed. This includes all athletic practices, scrimmages, club meetings, and any activity that is part of our school program. Additionally, Serpentini Stadium is CLOSED.

For regular updates directly from the North Royalton City School District Click Here to view their special COVID-19 Website

North Royalton City Government Important Updates Regarding COVID-19

Click Here to view a COVID-19 Update from Mayor Antoskiewicz

Some key things to be aware of regarding the local impact of COVID-19

• Service Yard will be closed Saturday March 21 until further notice;
• Shred day has been rescheduled to Saturday June 27;
• All city building will be closed to the public, except for limited access at the Building Department and of course the lobby of the Police Department and Fire Station;
• Residents, vendors, and visitors will be encouraged to call, email, or mail for services and questions.
• All city employees have been instructed to self-monitor for any illness and stay home if they or a family member have any symptoms or is ill.
•  City department heads are establishing enhanced cleaning of offices, buildings, and equipment;
• Mayor’s court has suspended court hearings until April 23
• Office on Aging has closed its office- with email and telephone access only.
• City jail has increased its cleaning processes and reduced jail population.
• No community gatherings or meetings, including AA meetings

March 18th City Council Meeting
North Royalton City Council met on March 18th at City Hall. Council President Marnecheck did a great job of setting the Council Chamber up to do some social distancing to help #FlattenTheCurve to keep us safe since we are required still to meet in person. We only had 5 members that were able to attend so we couldn’t get much done. So we had a long Safety Committee Meeting that the majority of the time focused on the COVID-19 local response, a brief Finance Committee Meeting, no Building & Building Codes Committee Meeting, and a brief Council Meeting. It was so great to finally get a comprehensive update in the Safety Committee from the Fire Chief and Mayor which was extremely informative and gained better insight into who is doing what in #NorthRoyaltonCOVID19 response. The Fire Chief stressed how things change on even an hourly basis in dealing with this emergency. Great to be reassured that our first responders have everything they need and are able to operate safely with all the proper protective equipment they need when helping those who may have COVID-19. What a relief and reassurance. The Mayor gave an update on what steps the City is taking to keep folks safe while continuing to operate as a business, as usual, is areas they can by more regularly sanitizing areas. The administration also stressed some the best areas for residents to get information on up to date COVID-19 emergency are as follows:
Centers for Disease Control, Governor Mike DeWine & State of Ohio, and City of North Royalton websites/Facebook. The Law Director answered some legal opinion requests that Council had that centered around continuity of government and powers the city has or doesn’t have in trying to respond to this historic emergency. The City Council can’t change the required number of members needed for a quorum per the charter. We also can’t meet via video conference or other means because it would violate the State’s Sunshine Laws. Only the Ohio General Assembly can change that. However, the Council can change how frequent it meets as a body for committees and meetings. At the brief Council Meeting. Since Ward 2 Councilwoman Linda Barath was self quarantined to be extra safe due to recent travel to Disney World and Ward 1 Councilwoman Jessica Fenos was absent. Council only had 5 members present which not much legislative action could even be taken because we need at least 6 members to waive the suspension of the 3 readings rule of Council. However, Council did approve a motion from the floor for City Council to only have to meet once a month, if needed only if a special meeting is called, and all committee meetings are suspended till the end of the COVID-19 emergency. Click Here to view the City website for more information regarding any future meetings of Council.

North Royalton Ward 3 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Website
North Royalton Ward 3 Residents Click Here to view the COVID-19 Ward 3 Updates and helpful information.

North Royalton Ward 3 Tele/Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19 TONIGHT
I invite North Royalton Ward 3 residents to join me TONIGHT Friday March 20th at 6:30pm for a Tele/Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting regarding COVID-19. I want to listen to resident concerns, questions, and feedback to better understand how to best serve you all through this crisis. You dial in by phone by calling 425-650-1609 and enter Conference Code: 402749 or on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DanLangshawNR

Stay Home, Look after each other, and Stay Safe!

Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council

PS: Due to the large volume of phone calls. I ask residents and business needing assistance, please email me at Ward3@northroyalton.org so it will be easier for me to prioritize who I need to help or direct to the appropriate resources.

#NorthRoyaltonCOVID19