In their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7, the Louisville Aldermen continued to deal with COVID-19 issues by passing a ‘Safer At Home’ order, in accordance with Governor Tate Reeves ‘Shelter in Place’ order. \Included in the order is a curfew from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.
There was limited attendance at the City Hall with most participants joining through the GoToMeeting app.
Activities that are allowed under the order include going to the pharmacy and doctor appointments, grocery store, convenience store, restaurant drive-through or curbside pickup, walking, biking, veterinary appointments, caring for friends or family members, receiving deliveries and travel to and from essential employment, etc.
Disallowed activities include going to work unless providing an essential service, visiting friends or family if there is no urgent need, maintaining less than six feet of distance when one does go out, visiting the hospital, nursing home, or other residential care facility unless granted an exception from the facility.
Examples of essential worker functions are healthcare and caregivers, mental health and social services, pharmacies, grocery stores and other retail food and beverage outlets, restaurants offering curbside and drive-through, farming, utility and municipal service providers, critical manufacturing, petroleum and natural and propane gas, transportation, communications and information technologies, and financial services and the banking industry.
The order also limits businesses with a large customer base to no more than 10% of their permitted occupancy at one time, not including employees.
The City has instituted a warning and citation policy for those establishments and individuals choosing not to abide by the Order. Police officers have been authorized to issue warnings to those in violation of the crowd density and social distancing requirements. Those issued a warning will be posted on the City of Louisville website.
Officer may also issue citations that carry a penalty of up to $300 and/or six months in jail for each offense.
Exceptions to the curfew include a person upon an emergency errand, engaged in legitimate employment or returning directly home from such employment, within 50 feet of one’s residence, or in a motor vehicle traveling through Louisville. The order will remain in effect until Governor Reeves rescinds the ‘Shelter in Place’ order. All of these measures are being put in place to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
In other action, the Board:
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to King Construction, LLC in the amount of $8K for the Airport Hangar F renovation project.
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to Clearwater Consultants in the amount of $25.5K for work on the Airport Project.
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment of Docket of Claims in the amount of $154.9K for March invoices.
• Voted 5-0 to authorize payment to PPM Consultants in the amount of $24.2K for professional services through February on the EPA Brownfield Project.
• Voted 5-0 to hire Scott Smith as a part-time police officer effective March 23.
The Louisville Board of Aldermen meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., but attendance is limited due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.
