Dear Lafayette community – 

I’m reaching out to you today with information and reassurance that the City is taking action to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community while also continuing to provide essential city services. This continues to be a very fluid situation and it’s important that we are working in partnership with residents to follow the experts’ advise on social distancing, and limiting exposure to others.
 
Mayor Jamie Harkins provided a heartfelt message to the community at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. In addition to the Mayor’s message, Police Chief Rick Bashor and I presented an update on the City’s efforts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  Both presentations are available online for your viewing.

In response to COVID-19, the City of Lafayette has taken the following steps:

• On March 17, 2020, the Lafayette City Council adopted and incorporated a Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency regarding COVID-19. This declaration places Lafayette in a position to access local, state, and federal resources, and allows for the continuity of government services necessary to address the local emergency and its implications.
• All city facilities are currently closed to the public. This decision was made In the best interest of residents’ health and safety, and in response to the health department’s requests for social distancing. Read more about our closures here
• The City will continue providing essential services to the community including public safety, water utilities, and general operations. Staff is available online or over the phone. We are keeping the City working for you and have created a resource list outlining how you can connect with us. See the resource list here
• We are working diligently to keep our COVID-19 information webpage updated. This webpage is a gateway of information for the City, connecting our residents with up-to-date information and resources here
• On-going and regular communications with local and regional emergency management and health agencies to review necessary data, updates, and strategies to coordinate response and action continues.
• Lafayette emergency responders are utilizing response plans and exercising screening protocols.

As this situation continues, we will seek additional ways to be accessible to our residents and to provide you with up-to-date information. I know that as we move into the future, our City and our community will find ways to be innovative, proactive, to protect the health and safety of our residents.

In all of this, know that your City is here for you.

Fritz Sprague
Lafayette City Administrator