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City of Austin announces extended closure of city facilities and continuity of city services

March 25, 2020 2:24PM CDT
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The City of Austin recently announced the closure of its facilities and continuity of services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Austin City Administrator Craig Clark announced to KAUS News that the length of time city facilities will remain closed to the public has been extended…

Clark went on to state that the public has done a good job observing COVID-19 restrictions and methods for preventing the spread of the virus in their interactions with city employees…

Austin Police Department 

507–434-9400 and 911 remain our contact numbers 

Limited access to the lobby. Please use the phone in the outer entryway to contact a dispatcher. 

  • All non–mandated lobby services are discontinued including fingerprinting. 
  • Use the grey box labeled “Mower County” in the outer entry way to submit documents to the Police Department. Fire 507 433–3405 

Building closed No burn permits to the public No commercial building inspections Continue complaint–based life, health and safety inspections Smoke and carbon monoxide installations continue 

Public Works 

Public Works Department, 507–437-9950 

Primary Contacts 

April Grabau 

agrabau@ci.austin.mn.us Erica Nelson 

erican@ci.austin.mn.us O Steven Lang 

slang@ci.austin.mn.us or 507–437-9949 City Hall closed to the public 

  • Engineering Office, 507–437-9950 

Contacts 

. Mitch Wenum 

mitchw@ci.austin.mn.us or 507–437–9945 O City Hall closed to the public o Accepting bids for projects related to summer construction o Monitoring recommended protocols and planning for impacts to summer construction 

Employees limiting contact with social distancing Building, Planning, Zoning & Rental, 507–437-9950 

Contacts 

Holly Wallace 

hollyw@ci.austin.mn.us or 507–437–9952 # Fred Husemoller 

fredh@ci.austin.mn.us or 507–437–9954 o City Hall closed to the public 

Limited contact, social distancing O Permit Request & Issuance: 

  • Building 

Via Email – Permit applications and plans shall be submitted via email to the Building Department at erican@ci.austin.mn.us for review and processing. Permit fees shall be calculated and you will receive a call to arrange for payment. 

Via Mail – Will be processed as normal with a two–day delay. Inspections and other Guidance: 

  • Inspection requests shall be made by email or telephone and may be accommodated as 

reasonably possible. 

  • Photos, videos and other means of technology may be utilized for inspection, (ie. 

Facetime, etc.), at the discretion of the Building Official. – Rental and Zoning 

  • Scheduled inspections will be temporarily suspended. Complaint inspections as needed 

for unsafe, unsanitary and life–threatening conditions only. 

  • Re–inspections may be made via photos, video and other means of technology, at the 

discretion of the inspector. 

  • Planning 
  • Planning Commission meetings will be held as needed, see additional guidance regarding 

public meetings under Administration. Street Department, 507–434-0067 

Closed to the public Note on door to drop deliveries inside 

Somewhat Normal Operations, employees limiting contact with social distancing Sewer Department, 507–434–0067 

Limiting sewer main cleaning in residential areas o Postponed sump pump inspections to later date 

Somewhat Normal Operations, employees limiting contact with social distancing Wastewater Treatment Plant, 507–437–7701 

Closed to the public  Note on door to drop deliveries inside 

Somewhat Normal Operations, employees limiting contact with social distancing Arena, Riverside & Packer 

Closed to the public Transfer Station, 507–437–4606 

Closed to the public for drop–off 

Open for commercial haulers 

  • Airport, 507–433–1813 

Somewhat Normal Operations, things are slow with limits to flight traffic and people movement 

Clerk’s Office – 507–437-9940 

  • Business Licensing – applications and requests can be processed electronically 
  • Assessment Searches – Search requests can be e-mailed or submitted off the City website 
  • Payments – Mail all payments or make arrangements via phone at 437-9940 

Questions – Call 437-9940 with question Library– 507 433–2391 

Closed to the public Calls 10–4 Monday through Friday Online reference questions www.austinpubliclibrary.org 

Additional services on–line– ebooks, audiobooks, etc. 

  • All due dates on materials will be extended and no fines will be accrued during closures Parks and Recreation– 507 433–1881 
  • Facilities Closed– Jay C. Hormel Nature Center‘s Interpretive Building and Ruby Rupner Auditorium, Arenas, Sola 

Fide Observatory, Izaak Walton Cabin, Park Restrooms 

  • All programming canceled 
  • Trimming and removing trees from boulevards, parks, and other City properties 

Office open for calls 8–5 Human Resources – 507–437-9942 

  • Office closed to the public, available by phone and email 

• No open positions at this time – however, the City‘s general application is accessible on the City‘s website . Seasonal/temporary application process is currently suspended

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