City taking major coronavirus measures

SANDUSKY — To stay alert on the emerging coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, key Sandusky officials will meet each day, relaying vital information among themselves and their colleagues. The first such session occurred Monday in City Hall. "We are dealing with a very fluid situation," ex officio mayor Dick Brady said. "It's literally changing hour by hour. We are doing this to take the lead on the advice from the governor, the CDC and the Erie County Health Department." Among the most pressing pieces of public information shared Monday: Billing Officials are preparing to close City Hall on Wednesday. This means the public can't come inside and, among other aspects, pay a water or sewer bill. "People still have a responsibility to pay their water and sewer bills, and we encourage them to pay on time either by going online or by using a drop-off box that's located on Washington Row, just east of Columbus Avenue," city manager Eric Wobser said. "That being said, if people are late or delinquent on their bills, we won't do any shutoff service on their homes for the next 30 days. But they still have a responsibility to pay their bill." People can visit cityofsandusky.com/billpay for online billing options. When City Hall closes, it won't mean the government completely shuts down. "Staff will be here for the phone calls, emails and any type of business the citizens need," said John Orzech, the city's police chief and assistant manager. "We will continue to do what we can to assist them." Evictions Sandusky Municipal Court Judge Erich O'Brien agreed to not process any eviction notices "as people will fall on hard economic times," Wobser said. "They won't be evicted from their homes for the next 30 days." Meetings Officials will likely cancel all non-essential public meetings. Regarding commission meetings, it's likely the public will be restricted in some fashion from entering commission chambers.