In response to the pandemic and associated closures, the city placed 2/3 of non-public safety employees on temporary furlough. With the implementation of phase 1 of the return to business plan, employees will be brought back from furlough as demand increases. The city has also installed glass barriers around employee work stations and at the front counter to ensure staff can work and service residents safely.
Residents are encouraged to conduct city business on www.cityofwestland.com and to utilize the drop boxes located outside city hall, but staff will be available to assist individuals who prefer to conduct business in person. As required by the state, employees will be required to wear masks while working. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves and hand sanitizer will be provided to employees and residents conducting business in city hall, if needed.
Westland will not be hosting events or renting out city facilities and public meetings will continue to take place virtually at this time.
“Our team has been hard at work over the past few months, working to provide the essential services that are needed to keep Westland up and running while implementing safeguards and social distancing measures to ensure when our city buildings reopen, we can do so safely,” commented Mayor William R. Wild.
Westland will continue to follow the State of Michigan recommendations from the MI Safe Start Plan and will move into the next phases of a return to business plan as restrictions on public gatherings are relaxed. Phase 2 will focus on the creation of plans and policies that will allow the city to conduct public meetings in person, officials said. Phase 3 will involve the opening of other city facilities, park amenities and accepting room and pavilion rentals.
“I want to thank the residents of Westland for their contribution to flattening the curve in Wayne County as well as the employees of the City of Westland for maintaining their professionalism throughout these challenging times,” Wild concluded.
