NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — Neptune Beach announced Tuesday that it has closed City Hall and its public works building because of a COVID-19 outbreak affecting nearly every department.
Eleven employees tested positive and four others are in quarantine awaiting test results, city manager Stefen Wynn told First Coast News.
All of the Neptune Beach government buildings have been sanitized, but City Hall and the public works building will remain closed at least through the end of next week to keep the community safe.
“We’re going to reevaluate it then. If I have more people coming back to work, great," Wynn explained. "But, it'll still only be limited to the lobby, that that way it makes it easier for us to continue to sanitize.”
Wynn added senior staff, such as city council members, are included in the employees sick at home.
Therefore, without any council members in the building, the City of Neptune Beach was forced to cancel a meeting Monday night. This is because Gov. Ron DeSantis' emergency order permitting city officials to hold completely virtual meetings was not extended into 2021.
“There is a statute that allows for council members to participate as long as there's a physical quorum present in the chambers," Wynn said. "Unfortunately, that won't work for our situation, and I'm certain there's other cities like us out there.”
Mayor Elaine Brown put in a request to the governor’s office to get this obstacle resolved as quickly as possible – as city leaders are on some tight deadlines to start the year, but Wynn said as she has not received a call back as of Tuesday night.
With City Hall closed, residents seeking to make a utility payment can continue to do so online, by phone using an automated system or through two drop boxes. For payment arrangements, call 904-270-2400.