City of Madera:
LATEST NEWS
Madera City Council declares local emergency in response to COVID-19
**THIS PAGE IS FREQUENTLY UPDATED • View current COVID-19 statistics in Madera County
3/18 – City Council unanimously passed a resolution proclaiming the existence of a local emergency within the City of Madera.
The City of Madera is committed to keeping our community safe. In accordance with the Madera County Public Health Department, the CDC, Governor Newsome’s directives, and guidance issued by the White House, the City is putting in place measures intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the City will continue to deliver essential services to residents throughout the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, select City services will be curtailed to protect employee and public health. Please see the current status of City services below.
• Suspended
• Modified
• Unaffected
• Emergency Services (9-1-1)
There are no anticipated disruptions to emergency services, including Police and Fire.
• City Hall / Parks / Public Works / Police Dept.
All City Public Counters are Closed as of 3/19/20. In light of recent directives from the Madera County Public Health Department, and in order to ensure the safety of our customers, community, and employees, all City of Madera public counters are closed effective 3/19/20 in response to the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19. Some City services will be available via phone, email, and appointment only. For the latest information on the status of various City departments, please check below. Department representatives are available by phone during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm).
Administration…………………………………. (559) 661-5402
Building …………………………………………… (559) 661-5440
City Clerk…………………………………………. (559) 661-5405
Engineering……………………………………… (559) 661-5418
Grants……………………………………………… (559) 661-3689
Human Resources……………………………. (559) 661-5400 (Option #8)
Parks………………………………………………… (559) 661-5495
Planning…………………………………………… (559) 661-5430
Police Department……………………………. (559) 675-4220 (Non-emergency)
Fire Department………………………………. (559) 661-5499 (Non-emergency)
Public Works……………………………………. (559) 661-5466
Utility Billing……………………………………. (559) 661-5459
• Utility Services
• Drinking Water
There is no immediate threat to the City’s drinking water.
• Refuse Collection
The City’s waste hauler, Mid Valley Disposal, will continue to operate regular scheduled routes. There are no anticipated disruptions to service.
• Utility Billing Department
The Utility Billing Department is closed to the public. Customers are strongly encouraged to pay their utility bills online (www.madera.gov/pay) or by phone : (877) 360-3479. You will need to know your account number for both options. If you need this information, please contact the Utility Billing Department: (559) 661-5459.
If payment must be made in person, there are two drop-boxes conveniently located at City Hall. Drop box payments can be check, Money Order or Cashier’s Check. All should be made out to the City of Madera. No cash payments.
Utility bill payments are expected to be made in a timely manner, however for those experiencing a special hardship caused by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and can provide proof, the City is willing to provide special payment arrangements on a case by case basis. Please contact the Utility Billing Department: (559) 661-5459.
• Parks & Community Services
The Parks office and all youth, senior, and community recreation facilities are closed to the public.
• City Parks
• Playgrounds, Picnic Areas, and Skate Park
Effective April 13, 2020, playgrounds and picnic areas at City-owned parks are closed until further notice. This includes the Skate Park at Rotary Park. The practice of social distancing is highly encouraged for any residents visiting City parks.
• Senior Meal Program
The City’s Senior Meal Program will continue via home delivery only. No on-premise meals will be served.
• Senior Programs
Senior programs are suspended until further notice.
• Youth Programs (After school program)
City-sponsored youth programs are suspended until further notice.
• Facility Reservations
In accordance with the Governor’s Order and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all reservations for events scheduled to take place at the Frank Bergon Senior Center, Pan-American Community Center, and John W. Wells Youth Center are being postponed. Please contact Parks staff at (559) 661-5495 for additional information.
• Transit Services
Effective April 15, 2020, all transit fares for Madera Metro’s fixed-route transit system have been suspended until further notice.
• City Clerk’s Office
The City Clerk’s office is closed to the public. Customers can request an inspection and/or public records by completing and submitting their request online via the contact form (www.madera.gov/contact). Please be specific in your request. If you need assistance in clarifying the scope of your request, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (559) 661-5405.
• Human Resources
The Human Resources office is closed to the public. Human Resources will accept employment applications via email, fax, or appointment only. Applications must still be signed, either a scanned image or a digital signature will be accepted. Applications should be emailed to hrinfo@madera.gov or faxed to (559) 673-1655.
• City Council Meetings
To ensure that the City complies with Executive Order N-25-20 and the Brown Act, and to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus:
The City strongly encourages remote viewing of live City Council meetings on the City of Madera website. The live stream will be provided at www.madera.gov/live, and via the City’s official YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/CityofMaderaTV, during regularly scheduled meeting hours (6:00pm-meeting conclusion).
Remote viewers will be provided the opportunity to comment on agenda items. Please submit comments via email by 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, to the City Clerk at citycouncilpubliccomment@madera.gov
If you are watching the live stream and wish to make either a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item as it is being heard, please submit your comment to the City Clerk at citycouncilpubliccomment@madera.gov. Every effort will be made to read your comment into the record, but repetitive comments may not be read due to time constraints.
If you choose to attend the Council meeting in person, you will be required to maintain appropriate social distancing (i.e. maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and other individuals at all times). Please note, seating is limited.
• Public Events / Outreach Programs
**UPDATE 05/27**
Yard sales are now once again permitted in Madera. Please make sure to adhere to the following guidance provided by the State of California if hosting a yard sale at your residence: https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-retail.pdf
Sanitation of City Facilities
The City has increased janitorial services at City facilities, such as City Hall, to include frequent sanitizing of public counters and doorknobs.
The City of Madera is committed to working tirelessly to ensure that essential services residents depend on, to the extent feasible, are not disrupted. The City thanks you in advance for taking all necessary precautions in order to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As the current situation is fast evolving, officials will continue to monitor events closely. For general information related to the current status of COVID-19 in Madera County, please visit Madera County Public Health’s website at www.maderacounty.com/covid19. More announcements related to how the City is responding to COVID-19 will be released as necessary.