The City of Monticello City Council has approved the following steps to avoid or slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Monticello and to protect our employees. Effective immediately Monticello City Hall, the Monticello Public Library, and public spaces located within the Renaissance Center and Community Building will be closed to the public as well as the Berndes Recreation Center. All library activities, park and recreation activities, and Berndes Center rentals will be cancelled with full refunds being issued. The closures and cancellations will continue through Sunday April 12th. While it is currently anticipated that all City buildings will reopen on Monday April 13th it is possible that closures and cancellations will continue beyond that date. City Council and other public meetings held between tomorrow and April 12th will be held electronically. The meetings will be broadcast live on the City local access channel through Mediacom and efforts will be made to also display the meetings on Facebook Live or similar application. The meeting notice will be posted in the vestibule of City Hall which will be open to the public and on the City Website and Facebook page consistent with current practices. The meeting notice will include additional detail and instruction related to your ability to participate in the meeting electronically. City Hall will continue to be staffed, phones will be answered, mail opened, and work performed. Utility bills can be paid via credit card by calling City Hall with the normal fees for the use of a credit card being waived at this time. You may also pay by depositing a check in the night drop box in the City Hall vestibule. The Library will also remain staffed, however, it is likely that the hours of staffing will be modified; please follow the Library Facebook Page for more information. Berndes Center staff will also continue to answer phones but will be out of the building as well performing park upkeep and maintenance in the parks. While these steps may seem extreme, it appears that extreme steps are called for and there is no option to wait and see as if we wait and see it will be too late to respond. We must trust the experts, we must recognize the significant steps taken overseas in Italy, Spain, France and other locations, steps that will have serious economic impacts, steps that would not be taken on a whim. We need to get ahead of this if possible to avoid the extreme measures and hardships required in those countries. This decision should not create panic, rather, it should ease panic. We are all responsible for our actions and the City Council asks you to consider your actions as well. Please visit the CDC and Iowa Dpt. of Public Health Websites for more information. If we all take heed we can turn the tide on what appears to have the potential to be a very bad situation. Please call City Hall at 465-3577 during regular business hours with any questions.