(Seguin) – Beginning today, many city of Seguin offices will be reopening. Many ways of doing business will also resume. The physical buildings have been closed to the public at least for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though offices are re-opening, Jennifer Sourdellia, the public information officer, says the city still wants to ensure the health, safety and well-being of both citizens and its staff.
Individuals who are sick or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 (including a fever/temperature exceeding 99.6ºF, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) are asked not to enter any city facilities or buildings. Face masks/coverings are recommended, but not required.
Sourdellia says slowly reopening the city goes along with the reopening of other businesses across the state.
“I think not just us, but everyone is ready to get back to some sense of normalcy. So, we are happy and excited to be able to open our doors. Our services have been open, and the city has continued to operate. It is just we’ve been doing it remotely and virtually and over the phone in trying to minimize that contact with residents just to maintain our safety and to maintain their safety. So, we do look forward to kind of getting back to business as usual in an unusual situation,” said Sourdellia.
The list of city departments that will resume operations of their offices and lobbies include Seguin City Hall, the Animal Services Center, the Seguin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Seguin Main Street, the Development Services Center, the Seguin Economic Development, the Utility Operations Center and the Utility Billing Office.
It should be noted that, beginning on June 15, the city will reinstate its service for disconnections and late fees for non-payment of utility accounts. This also includes its service and convenience fees for online payments. For past due accounts, residents are asked to contact the Utility Billing department at 830-401-2460 to make payment arrangements to avoid any disconnection of services.
With the utility billing lobby reopening today, customers are asked to practice social distancing measures when coming inside the lobby. Utility customers can also pay their bills online using the City Hub customer portal, over the phone, using the payment drop box located across the street from City Hall, by mail and via the drive through window.
While park space and trails remain open, the MTR Skatepark, splash pad at Park West, basketball courts, fitness stations and all public restrooms and playgrounds in the parks remain closed until further notice. The Seguin Wave Pool, however, will not open for the 2020 summer season.
The Starcke Park Golf Course will remain open with the Pro Shop open to four or less golfers.
The park’s Summer Day Camp will be held at the Seguin Coliseum. All field trips, park visits, bus transportation, and (optional) summer classes such as swimming lessons and golf are cancelled. There is currently a waiting list for the camp which will be mandated to operate with a limited number of kids.
Beginning June 4, the historic Sebastopol House will re-open for tours. Tours will be available for groups of four people or less within the same family/household.
The Seguin Public Library last week opened its first floor to patrons to checkout materials. Curbside Pickup and Laptop Lab services are still available. The second floor of the library will open on June 8. Computers are again available for customers to use. Seating is limited.
With the Development Services Center now open, the city will also resume the issuing of garage sale permits.
The Seguin Fire Department and the Seguin Police Department, of course, continue to operate. Station tours and public relations events at the fire department, however, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The lobby at Municipal Court will also reopen today. Dockets will begin June 9 by appointment only. Due to space limitations, officials say no jury trials will be held at this time.
The Seguin City Council will also be resuming its in-person meetings. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm. The meetings will continue to be broadcast via Facebook Live on the City’s Facebook page. Planning & Zoning, as well as City Boards and Commission meetings, will resume meeting in person.
Residents seeking specific hours of operations for the various departments are encouraged to visit the city’s website at www.seguintexas.gov.