March 22, 2020 - League of Wisconsin Municipalities - COVID-19 Update #7
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Update
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This is an All America Effort that is
"Locally Executed, State Managed & Federally Supported."
The White House COVID-19 Task Force
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League COVID-19
Virtual Roundtable Conference Call
This call is for City/Village Officials, including mgrs./adm.
& Staff Only
Monday, March 23, 2020 - 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Call: 1-855-947-8255
Passcode: 5574 824#
Please connect by landline if possible, DO
NOT
PUT US ON HOLD and, if you can and are not speaking, mute your phone to minimize background noise.
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 Suspends Utility Rules and Allows for Additional Consumer Protections
March 22, 2020
Immediately following the governor’s emergency order, PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq directed regulated utilities in the state to take the following actions for the duration of the emergency:
- Stop utility disconnection for nonpayment for all customers, including commercial, industrial, and farm accounts. Previously this applied to residential accounts only;
- Cease assessing late fees to customer accounts;
- Halt the practice of requiring deposits from customers for reconnection of service;
- Allow deferred payment agreements for all customers who request them;
- Remove any administrative barriers for customers establishing or reestablishing utility service; and
- Authorize water utilities to provide budget billing arrangements to customers. Electric and natural gas utilities are allowed to do this under current rules.
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Letter on Elections to Governor Evers
At the request of a group of your peers, the League sent
this letter to Governor Evers, Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Vos, Sunday, March 22, 2020.
Please note regarding the
list of signatories that the list currently includes 221 local leaders. Because we gave signers a short deadline, not all names have been added to this list. There is an additional list of at least 65 local leaders whose names are being inputted. An updated list will be available Monday.
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Take Action! Advocate for Additional Considerations at the Federal Level
The National League of Cities is advocating for all municipalities across the US and needs you to take action. Request changes to the recently enacted Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
TAKE ACTION HERE...
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Reminder - Important:
Coordinating with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Updated additional guidance from FEMA
here
.
Includes "What Local Governments Should Do."
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Deadline extended for VW Transit Capital Assistance Grant application
Due to recent disruptions related to COVID-19, the VW Mitigation Program has extended the deadline for the VW Transit Capital Assistance Grant application by two weeks to Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The deadline was March 18.
Applicants who anticipate being unable to meet the new April 1 deadline should contact the VW Program Administrator at
[email protected].
Instructions for completing and submitting the application are available in the Grant Announcement available on the
VW Mitigation webpage.
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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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If you don't find what you need or if you have resources to contribute,
please
email
Jerry Deschane.
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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...
Note! We may close the survey by the time you read this. The survey went live on Thursday at noon, had 600 responses by Friday morning and at this point on Sunday evening, we have more than 30,000 responses! Thank you to everyone who participated.
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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
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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CDC Interim Guidance for
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus web resource page is a good place to look for more information.
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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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