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You are on eastlansinginfo.org, ELi's old domain, which is now an archive of news (as of early April, 2020). If you are looking for the latest news, go to eastlansinginfo.news and update your bookmarks accordingly!
Above: A day at the East Lansing Art Festival, photo courtesy of City of East Lansing.
East Lansing Mayor Ruth Beier has now extended the City’s official State of Emergency through the end of April, and several events or services – including the East Lansing Art Festival – have either been cancelled, postponed, or tentatively rescheduled.
This comes in response to the federal government’s extension of the guidelines through April 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.
According to a news release issued Friday afternoon, all regularly scheduled City meetings and events have been cancelled through April 30.
That said, City staff is reviewing options for a special meeting of City Council to discuss and set a public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, and to discuss other time-sensitive items. Virtual/online meeting options are being considered in order to continue essential government business while maintaining social distancing.
The newly-announced extensions of closures, cancellations, and postponements include:
The Northern Tier Trail and most parks will remain open for physical activity (while practicing social distancing).
“While it was difficult to come to these decisions regarding our facilities, programming and events, we do believe that they are in the best interest of public health and are necessary for current planning purposes,” City Manager George Lahanas said in a statement. “These decisions are also in accordance with the federal guidance on large-scale events and gatherings.”
Additional extensions of the emergency declaration may be necessary, but will require a special meeting of City Council before they could take effect, similar to the emergency meeting of Council that took place on March 20.
Essential services will continue to be maintained, including police, fire, EMS, trash and recycling collection, water services and wastewater management.
However, building permits and inspections will only be issued or conducted on an emergency basis. Rental inspections or re-inspections have been cancelled for the month of April. (Landlords can call (517) 319-6801 with questions.)
Additional COVID-19 updates, including a City contact list and Continuity of Operations Plan, are available at www.cityofeastlansing.com/coronavirus.
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