{"id":8748,"date":"2020-06-11T20:59:21","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T00:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=8748"},"modified":"2020-06-11T20:59:21","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T00:59:21","slug":"latest-news-118","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=8748","title":{"rendered":"Latest News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Wilson Auditorium and Rec committees to discuss future<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/wilsoncenter1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"362\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5190\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now that Dymaxion Development has acquired the Wilson Center for the conversion of classroom space to apartments, discussions will be taking place with the Wilson Center Auditorium committee and the St. Johns Parks and Recreations department regarding the creation of a cooperative shared use procedure for the auditorium and gymnasium.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Cristobal brings 2020 Tour to Mid-Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eZKMCk1tWLk\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Landscapers preparing Performance Shell<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/shellupdate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8751\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Landscaping work is being done on the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in preparation for the first show of the delayed season.<\/p>\n<p>The first three shows of the Music in the Park series, the June schedule, have been cancelled. The first concert is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 featuring the Sea Cruisers.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>RBW Class of 1964 schedules Annual Class Picnic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/1964SJHCover.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"259\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8754\" \/>The Rodney B. Wilson High School St. Johns Class of 1964 has scheduled their 5th Annual Potluck Picnic for Sunday August 30. 2020. The classes of 1963 and 1965 are welcome to join them.<\/p>\n<p>Participants should plan to arrive at 12:30 p.m. at the Main Pavilion of the St. Johns City Park.<\/p>\n<p>Bring a dish to pass and your own Beverage. All Paper products will be provided, plates, napkins,bowls, silverware and table covering and and tags. Lots of outlets for Crock Pots and Coffee Pots, etc. will be available. You might want to bring Lawn chairs<\/p>\n<p>** Masks and Social Distancing will be required<\/p>\n<p>For more information you may Contact Jan Ernst-Chick at 989-630-9021.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>City of St. Johns COVID-19 FAQ<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/stjohnsbanner2a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"295\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5789\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>1. What is the current status of the governor&#8217;s &#8220;Stay at home order&#8221;?<\/strong> On June 1, 2020 Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-110, moving the state to Stage 4 of the Michigan Safe Start Plan. Under this plan Michiganders no longer are required to stay home and some additional businesses were allowed to re-open. On June 4 retailers were permitted to resume normal operations. Restaurants and bars will reopen on June 8, but at 50% capacity. Swimming pools and day camps for kids will be permitted to open on that same date.<\/p>\n<p>The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-115 on June 5th prospectively broadening the re-opening of the state effective June 15, 2020. Among other things, this order increases the permitted crowd sizes for both indoor and outdoor activities and venues, and will also allow non-essential businesses such as hair, nail, tanning and massage salons to re-open. See more detailed discussion in the below FAQs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Can I shop at retail stores and go to restaurants?<\/strong> Beginning June 4th retail stores, with certain exceptions (see #3 below) can resume normal operations, including in-store shopping. Restaurants will open with a 50% capacity limit as of June 8th. Business owners can deny service to anyone who refuses to wear a mask within a business premises.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. What businesses must remain closed under this order?<\/strong> Gyms, fitness centers\/studios, recreation centers, sports facilities, hair salons and barber shops, indoor theaters\/cinemas and performance\/sports venues, tattoo parlors, spas, nail, tanning and massage salons and &#8220;similar establishments&#8221; will remain closed until June 15, at which time Executive Order 2020-115 will go into effect, permitting these businesses to re-open.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. What are the rules for returning to work?<\/strong> This order continues the mandate that any work that can be done remotely must be done remotely. Employees who have returned to their work place must adhere to the work rules enunciated in Executive Order 2020-97.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. With the governor lifting the &#8220;Stay at home&#8221; Order, do I still have to practice social distancing?<\/strong> The order now allows outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people so long as the 6 feet of social distancing per the CDC guidelines is maintained. Indoor social gatherings of fewer than 10 people are not subject to social distancing if of the same household. For non-household persons who are part of indoor groups ten or fewer, social distancing still applies. THIS CHANGES AS OF JUNE 15, where outdoor crowd sizes increase to up to 250 people and up to 50 people for indoor gatherings. Also note that some larger venues, such as sports stadiums and larger concert\/entertainment venues can have up to 500 people if the facility is of sufficient size to accommodate that number with social distancing (6 feet separation).<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Are masks still required?<\/strong> Wearing a mask or face covering is still REQUIRED when in an enclosed public space, which is any enclosed area (e.g., store, business) open to the public, unless you are unable to wear a mask because of a medical condition.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. What size group gatherings are allowed?<\/strong> Through June 14, outdoors, up to 100 people, but with social distancing (6 feet of separation). Indoors, up to 10 people with social distancing for persons not of the same household. This changes June 15 when the maximum number of people who can gather increases to 50 indoors and 250 outdoors.<\/p>\n<p>8. <strong>Can the city relax the restrictions of the governor&#8217;s executive orders?<\/strong> No. All local elected and appointed officials must adhere to and enforce state law. Executive Orders are enforceable laws under the Michigan state statutes and Michigan Constitution. This fact has been upheld by the state courts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9. What community events have been cancelled or are at risk of being cancelled?<\/strong> At this time there is no definitive list of cancelled events. Events that have been cancelled may be rescheduled by the sponsors. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n<p><strong>10. Who makes the decision whether a community event is held or cancelled? <\/strong>Event sponsors, such as the Rotary Club or the Chamber of Commerce (and other non-profit or civic groups), are the primary decision-makers with respect to events, festivals and the like. The City provides public space and support for many of these events, and therefore also has a stake in the public&#8217;s safety for any event held within the City.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11. What public (city) facilities are open or will be open in the near future?<\/strong> It is expected that the City will resume renting out public facilities such as park pavilions and the Depot building immediately, subject to the requirements for crowds and social distancing. See #5 and #7 above.<\/p>\n<p><strong>12. Will public playgrounds and the spray park open this summer?<\/strong> City playgrounds will be opening on June 8 with social distancing still required (6&#8242; of distance between individuals). The Spray Park will remain closed because that City has determined it would be highly unlikely social distancing could be adhered to or enforced at such a facility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>13.  Will the city be offering summer recreation programs?<\/strong> Yes. Registration for summer programs will be opening in the very near future. Outdoor programs will commence on or about July 6.<\/p>\n<p><strong>14. When will the city offices in the courthouse be open for general business?<\/strong> Clinton County has announced the courthouse will be open for general business beginning Monday, June 8. City Offices will re-open on this same date. Social distancing and masking requirements will be enforced for City patrons visiting\/doing business at City Offices. Occupancy at the front counter\/lobby area will be limited to two patrons at a time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>15. When will city employees return to work full-time?<\/strong> The plan is to bring City employees back to a full work schedule (end furlough program) in July.<\/p>\n<p><strong>16. What impact will this pandemic have on the city&#8217;s budget going forward?<\/strong> For the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the City Commission passed a balanced budget at its May 26th meeting based on conservative revenue projections. While future revenue projections are somewhat uncertain, it is expected Michigan municipalities will experience cuts in state revenue sharing and gas taxes. It is too early to evaluate the long-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on local governments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>17. When will the city resume yard waste bag and brush pick-up? <\/strong>When the Public Works Department employees return to full staffing from the furlough program, most likely in late July, these services will resume. In the meantime residents can use the DPW 24\/7-hour drop-off site on Kuntz Drive in the Industrial Park.<\/p>\n<p><strong>18. Will the city have a &#8220;Big trash day&#8221; This year?<\/strong> The City is in the process of negotiating a new date with Granger. If re-scheduled, Big Trash Day is likely to happen on September 19 unless a 2nd coronavirus wave prevents this type of trash pick-up.<\/p>\n<p><strong>19. How does a person report a violation of the &#8220;Stay at home\/social distancing&#8221; Rules?<\/strong> Contact the St. Johns Police Department at 989-224-6721.<\/p>\n<p><strong>20. Where can i get more information?<\/strong> The Governor&#8217;s FAQ website provides a wealth of information for individuals and businesses:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/coronavirus\/0,9753,7-406-98810---,00.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><font color=\"#0000CC\">Frequently Asked COVID-19 Questions &#8211; State of Michigan<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Fire damages St. Johns Home<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/fire.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"399\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8755\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A Tuesday fire damaged the house at 904 E Walker Street.<\/p>\n<p>The St. Johns Police Department has  set up a table in their lobby just inside the front doors for drop off of donations for the family. If you have donations of clothing items or gift cards for the family, you can drop off during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. &#8211; 4 p.m.)<\/p>\n<p>This was set up to allow for contact-less drop off. Volunteers will be coordinating getting the donations to the family.<\/p>\n<p>For more information see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stjohnspolice\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><font color=\"#0000CC\">SJPD Facebook page<\/font><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wilson Auditorium and Rec committees to discuss future Now that Dymaxion Development has acquired the Wilson Center for the conversion of classroom space to apartments, discussions will be taking place with the Wilson Center Auditorium committee and the St. Johns Parks and Recreations department regarding the creation of a cooperative shared use procedure for the <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=8748\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8748"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8748\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}