Welcome to another Mayor’s Blog update on COVID-19 operations.

Since my last post, things have been busy. I’ve made some efforts to work at home, with increasing success! Here goes my update today:

• I declared a State of Emergency to exist in the Municipality of North Perth as of Thursday, March 26 at 1:30 pm. As explained in the Media Release, this provides me, as head of council, with a few additional direct powers that do not require Council’s consent. I intend to use this authority very sparingly since our actions since the beginning of the pandemic period I feel have been exemplary.
• With CAO Kriss Snell and Community Development Coordinator Kim Kowch, I participated in a second set of “Conversation with Business” on Friday, March 27^th. These conversations continue to focus our efforts on actions now – including hearing suggestions from the business community about supports needed to continue. I encourage all to reach out to their favourite small businesses in the community and to consider purchases of gift cards/certificates at this time to promote better cash flow and support business chances for survival.
• Council participated in the first trial of technologies and processes so that we can hold Council meetings while maintaining physical distancing measures. This is pursuant to rushed legislation from the province to permit electronic meetings of municipal councils, something previously restrained by live group quorum requirements. Our trial identified a few bugs, and we will be undertaking a second experiment, with web-based technologies, tomorrow.
• I have asked staff to explore the possible support, by the Municipality, of an online platform to enable farm gate sales by e-commerce.
• We held a meeting of the Emergency Control Group on Monday morning – and this will become, it seems, our regular pattern. Reports from all departments were taken, and very few holes in our planning and response were detected.
• I have asked staff to explore “Neighbour Wellness” displays, suggested to us as a possible measure to close gaps for those isolated in their homes.
• I have spoken to several representatives of the banks represented in our community, including a Vice President of one of the big 6 banks, about ideas for making sure people who are struggling have better access to credit. This is a challenge that remains in our system – and I take note that the Minister of Finance for Canada has also been musing about this subject. Our banks are key partners in getting through and recovery, and they need to be at the table with responsive actions that try to prevent various defaults.
• I have responded to a range of emails from local citizens worried about the degree of restrictions.
• We have bolstered web pages at this website with more information about various programs and opportunities to support sustainability for both business and agriculture.
• We have researched and provided a first list of options related to grocery and medication home delivery and posted these on the website.
• A volunteer strategy has been working its way through our corridors, and more on this is forthcoming. We have the curious problem of needing some volunteers, yet needing to reinforce the importance of stay-at-home directions as part of physical distancing.
• We’ve got up our first edition of the COVID-19 business directory – I encourage all local businesses to participate, telling us about your current status. That can be done by completing our online survey, found here.
• Staff have been working out details for the re-opening of child care services for emergency personnel, further to direction from the Province of Ontario on this matter. Interestingly, in the early days of the pandemic period, I was adamant and fought for maintaining daycare access for just these workers, but my efforts fell into a bureaucracy and then were shut down by a provincial announcement. It is gratifying to see the province change its thinking here. Our challenge now is to figure out what hygiene practices will keep all safe.
• We have closed off access, per provincial guidance, to outdoor recreational spaces except for our local system of trails. Care is warranted on the trails since spring maintenance is yet to be conducted. And when using the trails – or any outdoor spaces (i.e., your yards, the sidewalks), please observe appropriate physical distancing measures.
• We are striving to keep the Municipal Landfill open, but new measures intended to enhance physical distancing will be introduced. Beginning April 2^nd, all users will be required to have an account if they intend to present at the landfill. Please call staff at 519-292-2067 to set up an account.

Remember, please, that the declared State of Emergency gives me virtually no additional authority over private businesses in our community. They are allowed to evaluate their position against the Essential Services list published by the Province of Ontario and self-regulate with respect to staying open. They are encouraged to consider appropriate hygiene practices, but if they are deemed essential, have pretty wide clearances for how they manage their production or sales practices. I cannot order them closed, nor can I give them manufacturing or merchandising orders.

INVITATIONS:

Last week, I introduced the North Perth ArtsConnection, a virtual arts-sharing initiative to support our mood and showcase community talent. Local musician Johnny Borton was my first participant in this pilot, and people seemed to enjoy that bit of cheer. If you want to share music videos or recordings, art, and photos during the COVID-19 period to bring a little cheer to all of our community, I’d like to hear from you – toddkasenberg@northperth.ca I’d particularly urge our young artists to contribute!

Many of our stores have adopted very aggressive practices to manage the safety of all during this pandemic. Please appreciate their efforts by respecting line up distances – but even more, by respecting flow markers and physical distancing within the aisles. We need more patience to manage shopping experiences right now, and more compliance with physical distancing in stores.

If you are experiencing difficulties with the essential activities of daily living, we may be able to help. Call us at 519-291-2950 or reach out via the website – if we can’t directly support you, we probably know who can!

Our next “Conversation with Business” is Thursday, April 2 at 1:30 pm. For connection details, click here. All local businesses – whether open or on pause – are invited to join us!

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