Two council members, Mayor pro tem John Barden and Councilwoman Kathy Abdo used phone equipment to teleconference into the meeting and cast their votes on agenda issues. Councilman William Wadsworth was absent from the meeting.
Barden designated Councilwoman Tina Talley to chair the meeting in light of the teleconferencing. In addition, City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg offered an email address at the beginning of the
While Romulus City Hall is closed to the public, several elected
“We are still providing services to the public,” Craig-Bragg said. She suggested that requests for
During the meeting, Mayor LeRoy Burcroff expressed his praise and gratitude for the city employees' response to the national emergency and reminded those in attendance of the unique situation Romulus experiences having Detroit Metro Airport in the community with travelers from across the country and
Krause presented a timeline for the members of the council noting the specific dates that actions were taken to protect the public and the evolution of procedures in the city in response to orders from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. He mentioned the multiple meetings he and Burcroff have already had with state and county officials and Burcroff's conversation with Whitmer to ensure the safety of residents. Krause noted that the city had implemented the National Emergency Response prior to the emergency declaration by the governor.
“This will have a significant financial impact,” Krause said. He noted that the National Emergency Response would allow the city to track every man hour spent in response to the pandemic should there, “down the line” be any federal reimbursement to communities for expenses involved in responding to the current emergency.
Interim Police Chief Joseph Pfannes told the council members that he was well aware that “people still expect police to protect and serve” and Romulus officers continue to serve the needs of the public.
“We are practicing social distancing,” he said and noted that it might take officers a bit longer to respond in some non-emergency situations. He said the department is now eliminating personal contacts in non-emergency situations and that police
“The first responders will still be there,” he assured the council.
Each council member took the opportunity to thank the city employees and staff members who have continued to work and provide services during the crisis.
“It takes a community to get through something like this. It is time to put aside differences and rally round together,” he said.
Members of the council agreed to cancel a study session and regular meeting set for April 6 and continue the emergency action in the city until April 27.
(Editor's note: See related mayor's letter below.)
