By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
ST. JOSEPH – More than three months after government, schools and businesses shut down to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, it remains a major focus at all levels of government. Life has changed with people wearing masks in public and high school seniors graduating in drive-thru ceremonies.
Last week featured action at both the state and county levels to extend state of emergencies as well as the governor’s face mask order. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued executive orders last week to extend the statewide State of Emergency through July 16 as well as the indoor face mask order through July 15.
Whitmer also extended her executive order regarding government and school board meetings through July 31. That order allows governmental bodies and school boards to meet virtually as long as the public has the ability to listen in and watch proceedings and participate.
In Southwest Michigan, virtual meetings have become commonplace in many communities with councils, commissions and board using Zoom, Facebook, YouTube or similar technology to allow members and citizens to meet electronically.
Similarly, even as area courts remain closed to the public, courts are using virtual technology to not only connect parties and attorneys to the court but also give the public a chance to watch proceedings. Cass County is broadcasting sentencings on its YouTube channel while Berrien County courts give people the chance to request videos of proceedings.
Berrien County officials took a number of actions last week related to the COVID-19 crisis. County Commissioners extended the county’s state of emergency through July 10 even as some county buildings are easing restrictions on entry.
County Board Chairman Mac Elliott summarized the reasons for the state of emergency extension at last week’s county board meeting. That meeting was once again held virtually as will this week’s meeting on June 25.
“I can summarize the discussion we had in the emergency operations center this week,” Elliott said. “As was the case a couple of weeks ago, we felt it should be extended for a couple of reasons.”
“First it continues the civil immunity shield for volunteers and first responders,” he said. “Second, it maintains our continuous eligibility for funding from the state and FEMA. It needs to be in place for us to be eligible for grants.”
“If (Undersheriff) Chuck Heit were here, he would tell you that numbers are looking good from the health department and Spectrum Health,” he added. “We’re not extending the state of emergency because of dire news, to the contrary.”
That meeting also featured comments from Interim County Administrator Mike Henry. Henry retired in 2004 and has come back to help out the county between the time William Wolf retired June 12 and new County Administrator Brian Dissette starts July 1.
Henry reported that the County Administration Building in St. Joseph was scheduled to reopen to the public June 22. “It will be a transition for all of us as we begin the opening of county buildings,” he said. “The staff has done a remarkable job getting ready for the opening.”
The county administration building is home to several county offices including those for the county clerk vital records , county treasurer, veterans affairs, drain commissioner, tax equalization, financial services, human resources, county administration, community development, parks and recreation, land description and register of deeds.
The two county courthouses in Niles and St. Joseph remain closed to the public. The Public Defender’s Office at 100 Church St. in St. Joseph and at the South County Courthouse on North Front Street in Niles will continue to see clients by appointment only.
The county’s animal control facility at 1400 S. Euclid in Benton Harbor is scheduled to reopen July 6. Restrictions there will include having only three people from the public allowed inside the lobby area at a time. Saturday hours will resume on July 11.
Berrien County Health Department Communications Director Gillian Conrad offered a wrap-up of where the county is at in terms of reopening late last week. She noted both the governor’s and county’s orders extending states of emergencies as well as the county’s phased reopening process.
She noted that while Gov. Whitmer has eased stay at home restrictions, “what remains is the requirement that businesses, operations and government agencies adhere to sound social distancing practices and additional measures.”
Conrad said the county has moved into phase two of the county’s COVID-19 preparedness and response plan which includes the reopening of some county buildings excluding courthouses and the sheriff’s department. The sheriff’s office records lobby at 919 Port St. next to the St. Joseph Courthouse will see people by appointment only through July 17.
County facilities have areas designated as “enclosed public spaces”, which at a minimum, is all areas frequented by the public and in constricted areas, she reported. She noted that the health department offices in Benton Harbor, Niles and Three Oaks have resumed full operations although services are offered by appointment only.
“Everyone in those areas (visitors and employees) must wear a face covering,” she said. “In addition, individuals should practice social distancing, keeping six feet between individuals. Visitors and employees will be subject to a health screening at the entrance of the buildings.”
Anyone with COVID-19 related questions are encouraged to call the Berrien County Health Department Response Hotline at 1-800-815-5485 or visit the www.bchdmi.org/COVID19 website.
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