Mayor, Council & Department Heads have been working since the beginning of March to develop plans in the event that "Stay-At-Home" orders came down. We have been educating ourselves with FEMA training, KS League of Municipalities daily COVID19 calls & webinars, and participating in all State, Federal & County calls & webinars offered. We have been preparing, and are ready to serve you during this unsure time. Here are some specifics:

For Staff & Departments:

• implementing emergency plans that we have been working on since March 1:
• remote offices for staff that are able to work from home (clerks), and personnel duty rotation for those that can't (maintenance, EMS, PD, etc) limiting physical interaction w/staff & public.
• Ensuring that each staff members has what they need to do the job they are asked (hardware, software, support, communication tools, Personal Protective Equipment, etc)
• canceling all pre-approved training, meetings, and conferences for staff & governing body
• Maintaining normal pay, regardless of limited scheduling and hours so they can provide for their families
• Closing public access to all city buildings since mid-March to protect staff from exposure
• implementing strict PPE (including N95 masks, gloves, and gowns) & disinfecting guidelines in situations where interaction is inevitable with each other & public
• utilizing teleconference platform for all meetings and discussions between staff & governing body

For Citizens

• keeping website updated with factual, detailed information from state and county departments
• supporting, implementing & enforcing all orders from state, federal & county health departments
• closing public access to all city buildings, property, and equipment to reduce exposure and virus transfer from surfaces
• continual contact with public and clerks' office, so that day-to-day business can still be conducted, and public has access to the City
• emergency plans in place with key players in case of county, state, federal assistance needed
• Conway Springs Community Concern Task Force: group of volunteers to run errands and give assistance to those most susceptible without them having to leave their homes.
• supporting events & efforts for socializing with physical distancing in a safe, fun manner
• keeping in close contact with grocery, pharmacy, etc to make sure we have the supplies needed for our citizens.

For Businesses

• contact with businesses & education on what county, state & federal orders mean
• forwarding all SBA emails & relief programs to Chamber of Commerce
• leading by example with our own staff, buildings & communication
• updating the city website for links to businesses for those who want to shop from home
• communication to offer aid and support when and if needed
• Check SBA relief options HERE

In order to comply with the Sumner County Stay-At-Home order, and do our part to reduce the spread of COVID19; Playground equipment, courts & city buildings will be closed today until further notice.

Please, still enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather.

Run around.

Look and find.

Do a scavenger hunt.

Decorate sidewalks with chalk art.

Bring back climbing trees in your yard.

Smile, wave, and holler "HI!" to one another.

All while maintaining 6' physical distancing & good hygiene practice (wash hands 20 sec, cover cough, no touchy).

Please understand the difficult decisions we are facing daily in order to protect the community as a whole, but especially those most susceptible.

It's one month. ONE. We can do one month together to knock this virus out. Then be back to normal in no time (with everyone's help and understanding, of course)!

- Mayor Jessica Gerlach