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March 16, 2020

Greetings,

It has been a turbulent and somewhat disturbing week, for the Nation, the State and the City of Payson in regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19.)

Payson City’s Council and Mayor met today and discussed further options and suggestions in order to keep our citizens safe. 

Since our letter dated March 13, 2020, the President of the United States is now recommending gatherings of no more than 10 people.  With this directive, we have reached out to those who have scheduled our city facilities and informed them of the new restrictions. 

Payson City has implemented the following to mitigate the community spread of COVID-19.

• Payson has closed the Senior Center, including all programming, with the exception of Meals on Wheels delivery. 
• The City will limit mass gatherings to less than 10.
• The library will be closed until further notice.  We are working on allowing digital resources and/or possible drive-up services.  Fines will be suspended until further notice.
• Recreation programs will be suspended until further notice.
• Customer Service counters will remain open, but with added precautions, including social distancing, protective gear for employees, ongoing disinfection, added signage and encouraged use of online and drive-up services.
• Payson utilities will not be interrupted during the restrictions of Covid-19.  
• We encourage those over 60 years of age and those with compromised immune systems to avoid public gatherings. 
• Public Safety: 
  • First responders are responding to all calls, however, they are taking additional precautions when practical, including addressing issues via phone call.
  • Fire Stations.  All training and gatherings have been suspended.  There will be no ride-along or public tours. 
• Golf Course will remain open, however, the front counter will exercise social distancing take precautions when handling payment and other personal interactions.
• Development Services will conduct virtual meetings with developers and limit personal contact if possible.
• All non-essential meetings will be postponed.
• City Council & Planning Commission Meetings will continue as scheduled but will be handled virtually.  The public will be invited to participate electronically.
•  Payson Justice Court will cancel all currently scheduled hearings with the exception of the following:
  • Arraignments:  Individuals needing to appear a first time on a case, after making sure contact information is correct, will be advised to contact the Court after April 1, 2020 to reschedule.  Having done so, there will be no warrants issued for a non-appearance in March.
  • Pre-trials, Orders to Show Cause and Review hearings already set on the calendar in the next two weeks will be continued to the week of April 13 or later with notices being sent out unless the case fits into one of the following categories:
    • In-custody hearings;
    • Bench warrant hearings;
    • Any hearing on a domestic violence related charge;
    • Sentencing hearing.

In the above, the hearings will be held on the date originally scheduled.  

The following are best practices to keep ourselves safe.  Please practice calm concern for not only ourselves but also your neighbors and our community. 

Please continue to watch for further information.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bill Wright

Payson City