March 25, 2020 - League of Wisconsin Municipalities - COVID-19 Update #10
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Update
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Is someone forwarding these emails to you? Do you want to subscribe? Sign up
here.
NOTE - WE ARE
USING THE LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN LIST
SO SIGN UP FOR THAT NEWSLETTER.
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League COVID-19
Virtual Roundtable Conference Call
This call is for City/Village Officials,
including mgrs./adm. & Staff Only
Thursday, March 26, 2020 - 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Tomorrow's newsletter and the
League's website
will have new call-in instructions.
If you aren't able to connect or have a question after participating, please contact Jerry Deschane at
email
.
We will schedule additional calls as needed. Notice will be provided on the League's website and in these Special Edition newsletters, which will also be sent as needed.
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Gov. Evers Announces #SaferAtHome Shelter in Place Emergency Order
The League staff will be analyzing the impact of the Order, including the affect on the election. We will provide information as we have it to include in this newsletter and on the
League's COVID-19 page.
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City of Green Bay sues state officials to delay spring election and move it to mail over coronavirus concerns
GREEN BAY - The City of Green Bay is suing state officials to delay the spring election and move it to mail, arguing an in-person election will endanger poll workers and residents amid the growing coronavirus crisis.
Read the story here..
Note:
The League is watching these legal actions closely. The League is not a party to either action and does not have a position in favor of or opposed to delay or all-absentee voting. Our role is to make sure that the court has all the relevant information it needs to make a sound decision.
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Public Service Commission
Additional Details on PSC Order Altering Public Utility Tariffs
On March 24, 2020, the Public Service Commission issued an
emergency order
(in Docket 5-UI-120), effective immediately, temporarily altering all public utility tariffs, including those of municipal water and electric utilities.
Deadline for Municipal Utilities Annual Reports Extended to June 1
Earlier today, the Public Service Commission sent the following notice to municipal water, sewer, and electric utilities: Given the timeline in
Governor Evers' Emergency Order #12
and the uncertainty surrounding the length of the declared public health emergency,
the Commission is further extending the deadline for filing 2019 PSC Annual Reports to June 1, 2020 for all utilities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ on Assessment Practices During COVID-19 from DOR
On March 25, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) posted a
guidance
on its website in response to local government questions on property assessment and taxation due to COVID-19. The guidance is based on current law. The department explained in a note to municipal clerks that in light of the difficulties that will be presented during this calendar year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the department is looking into ways to provide greater flexibility to local governments – even identifying changes that require legislative action.
Read the "Property Assessment and Taxation Information" guidance
here
.
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Frequently Asked Questions
From past COVID-19 Newsletters
March 20, 2020
Summary of the recently enacted Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act
HR 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response
SUMMARY
March 19, 2020
Wisconsin Elections Commission’s Latest Actions Regarding Spring Election Preparedness
Answer: See the League's website
here
.
Effect of DHS’ Order #5 on Municipalities
(Prohibitions on gatherings of 10 or more people)
Answer: See the League's website
here.
Can Restaurants Providing Meals for Carry-out and Delivery Sell Alcohol?
Answer: See the League's website
here
.
Municipal Emergency Powers During COVID-19
Answer:
See the League's website
here
.
Complying with the open meetings law during the COVID-19 health emergency.
Answer:
See the League's website
here
. Includes Wis. Dept. of Justice guidance we received March 16, 2020.
Spending to address COVID-19 and the Expenditure Restraint Program
.
Answer: See the League's website
here. Includes guidance we received from the Wis. Dept. of Revenue on March 13, 2020.
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Reminder - Continuing to conduct meetings in these times
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Reminder - Coordinating with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Updated additional guidance from FEMA
here
.
Includes "What Local Governments Should Do."
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If you don't find what you need or if you have resources to contribute,
please
email
Jerry Deschane.
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Survey Now Available in Several Languages
Taking survey can help thwart COVID-19, spread Wisconsin Idea
In a fast-moving response to COVID-19, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the
League of Wisconsin Municipalities are joining forces to help slow the spread of the disease. And they need your help.
Read the article... Share the
League's Facebook post...
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Share this with your residents to your Facebook Page
The US faces 'severe blood shortage' as coronavirus outbreak cancels blood drives and regular donations. Read the USA Today story
here...
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Small Business & Downtown Support
Wisconsin's Small Business Administration (SBA)
office is offering daily webinars to answer your
questions regarding the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans
, for small businesses owners impacted by COVID-19.
Register now.
City of Racine to Launch Small Business Emergency Fund in Wake of COVID-19
City of Racine – During the COVID-19 crisis small businesses will be forced to make some tough decisions as they will be the first to economic impacts of the virus. The City of Racine is taking a proactive step in trying to assistance businesses by redirecting $250,000 in federal funding to create a Small Business Emergency Fund for businesses that are under distress from the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the media release...
WEDC announces targeted grants to small businesses suffering losses due to coronavirus emergency
In another step toward assisting small businesses that suffer losses related to the COVID-19 health emergency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is creating a program to provide grants to targeted businesses throughout the state, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes announced today.
The WEDC Board of Directors on Tuesday approved $5 million in funding for the program, which will be known as Small Business 20/20 (SB20/20). SB20/20 will provide grants of up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave (including sick, family and other leave related to COVID-19).
Read more...
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
COVID-19 is a virus that has not previously infected humans and information about its rate of spread and its effects is still largely unknown, which makes it incredibly important to be highly cautious in dealing with the current situation.
LATEST UPDATES
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will continue to provide the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. You are encouraged to monitor the site for updated guidance as the situation continues to evolve.
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Want to share relevant and credible information to your Social Media?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on
Facebook
& on
Twitter
(Scroll down to see more recent posts.)
And the League's social media:
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