Muncie City Council calls special meeting on emergency declaration, city hall closes

MUNCIE, Ind. — Following Delaware County's emergency declaration on Friday, the City of Muncie's government has been moved to a minimal staff, keeping only those employees that are required to operate essential services for government.

Both city and county services are now running skeleton crews to keep functions operational during the coronavirus pandemic. While the Delaware County Commissioners decided essential staff for the county, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour selected what personnel were deemed essential, and Muncie City Council have a special meeting Monday to discuss the closures and other emergency items.

The council will meet on Monday, March, 23 at 5 p.m. to discuss the Joint Disaster Emergency Declaration and other emergency items. The meeting will be in the city hall auditorium. It is recommended that people follow the live-stream on the city's Facebook page instead of going to the meeting in person.

The following city departments/employees will be at work as scheduled this week at city hall:

Police department

Fire department & EMS

Controller’s department

Personnel director

Animal control (animal caretaking only)

Mayor’s office

IT & communications

Building commissioner (and limited crew)

City engineer (and limited crew, to monitor street emergencies)

City clerk (and limited crew)

City government had been working under full staff last week as all offices were open for business. While staff were still operating every city service, employees and members of the public had been screened by staff for a fever and asked a series of questions.

The county's emergency declaration bars public gatherings, but government meetings fall into an exemption for that because of state rules that supersede them.

Luke Britt, the state's public access counselor, put out an advisement to local governments about how to handle meetings during the crisis.

According to Britt, public agencies should cancel or postpone non-essential meetings consistent with the governor’s executive order. Open door law is still applicable, save for the amendments to the electronic meeting policy and the electronic notice provision.

MORE LOCAL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

►Coronavirus case announced in Delaware County

►How many hospital/ICU beds available in the Muncie area?

►Delaware County expands emergency declaration, business closures because of coronavirus

► Resources available to those in Delaware County facing impacts of coronavirus

►Food: Where to get help in Muncie as organizations change distribution

If a meeting or hearing must be held, the Center for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health has issued guidance regarding smaller gatherings based upon best public health practice.

These temporary recommendations might necessarily exclude some, but not all, members of the public for the duration of the emergency. A portion of those individuals present must include representatives from the media or the public.

Corey Ohlenkamp is the city/county government reporter. Contact him via email at cohlenkamp@muncie.gannett.com or by phone at 765-213-5874. Follow him on Twitter at @Ohlenkamp.