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City continues limited operations




There were few people as anticipated at the March 26 Clarksville City Council's executive session in council chambers. SUBMITTED

There were few people as anticipated at the March 26 Clarksville City Council’s executive session in council chambers. SUBMITTED

As Clarksville moves forward during the COVID-19 crisis, city council meetings will continue to take place with a few adjustments in place. 

The Clarksville City Council met virtually in a special session March 31 to approve the latest executive order issued pursuant to law that took effect April 1 and directed a shelter-at-home ruling. 

The order, for both Montgomery County and Clarksville citizens, as adopted by both governmental bodies, makes an exception for those who engage in essential activities or essential services.

When people leave their homes, they should practice appropriate social distancing, stay 6 feet apart, and assume others are infectious.

All gatherings are strongly discouraged, and those with more than 10 people are strictly prohibited. 

Prior to reviewing the order, Mayor Joe Pitts told city council members he felt the need to tighten some areas in place presented by Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order to keep the number of coronavirus cases from spiking in Clarksville. 

Instead of the word “urge” in the governor’s executive order, Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett replaced it with the word “directs.” 

“We are directing folks to shelter-at-home during this crisis, unless they are providing essential services,” Pitts said. “We are not urging or encouraging, but directing them to shelter at home.” 

Faith-based organizations are prohibited from meeting if their activity involves 10 or more people. 

Pitts said it’s a decision with which he’s been wrestling. 

“Who am I to tell people they can’t go to church?” Pitts asked. “And, what would my God say about prohibiting folks from going to church?” 

Pitts said he understood his decision might be offensive to some, but he felt it was the right thing to do. 

“Asking faith-based people to avoid gatherings in their buildings is small when compared to the human cost of one person getting sick,” Pitts said. “It’s small compared to one family being spared the grief of a loved one succumbing to this disease.” 

Councilman Vondell Richmond requested clarity on policing the new order. 

City attorney Lance Baker said a violation of the order would be a Class-A misdemeanor. Baker said the city would look for voluntary compliance, but violators would be approached by officers and explained the law. 

He said if the group refuses to comply, they could be issued a civil citation to appear in city court. 

An additional refusal could lead to an arrest. 

Playgrounds, playground equipment and pavilions are also included in non-essential meeting places, though citizens can use public parks for walking, running, riding bikes or other activities, as long as they do not meet in a group and practice social distancing. 

The council unanimously approved Pitts’ executive order No. 3 that pertains to the novel coronavirus to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease.  

 

YMCA to aid in childcare for health care workers’ children 

The Clarksville Family YMCA at 260 Hillcrest Drive offers childcare to children of any staff within the health care system and any government staff required to be at work. 

Childcare hours are Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. The YMCA limits drop-off hours to 6:30-9 a.m. and pick-up hours to 4-8 p.m.

The daily rate is $30 with adjustments available in cases of hardship or special need. 

Care providers will continue to focus on safety with enhanced cleaning and other safety protocols designed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health departments. 

They also will perform daily screenings to ensure no sick children or staffers are admitted. 

For information on emergency response childcare or to register a child, visit ymcamidtn.org/emergency-care. 

 

City’s mosquito control efforts begin April 1

Clarksville contracts with a company to provide an annual mosquito control program designed to reduce mosquitoes throughout the city, but especially in public areas such as parks, ball fields and near schools. 

McGee Pest Control has provided mosquito control for Clarksville for the past 20 years. Its contract with the city will operate through September. 

The company will place larvicide in standing water and spray insecticide in areas using a process called street fogging.

The city’s contract is not designed to provide specialized services to private properties.

Fogging usually happens at dusk, and the company’s trucks have identifying logos and emergency lights. 

Residents are encouraged to join in the control effort by eliminating potential breeding habitats for mosquitoes such as getting rid of standing water around the home; making sure window screens and screen doors are in good repair; wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors during peak mosquito activity periods; and using mosquito repellents when necessary.

If residents have any questions about the mosquito control program, they should call McGee Pest Control at 800-420-2847.

 

City Hall initiates screening process

Employees and visitors will get a health check prior to entering City Hall. 

People who enter the building will have their temperatures checked. 

 

Police continue monitoring for compliance with executive orders

Clarksville police officers started to enforce the state and local executive orders that prohibit customers from gathering inside restaurants, bars, nightclubs and similar food establishments. 

The orders expand earlier measures designed to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic by limiting gatherings and in-person contact.

On March 24, officers visited three bars inside the city limits that were serving groups of customers.

Clarksville police spokesman Jim Knoll said the bar owners and staff were informed of the details of the orders, and they were receptive and complied quickly. 

“This is a community health and safety effort, and we recognize there will be some early confusion,” Knoll said. “But we want the businesses to know that these are serious orders, and law enforcement is actively monitoring compliance.”

 

 

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