WINONA – Businesses not following Governor Tate Reeves’ order to shelter-in-place are now facing the possibility of a fine until they comply.
The Winona Board of Aldermen voted to enact a fine on non-essential businesses that have been found not complying with the governor’s order to close as part of last week’s shelter-in-place order. The board voted to give businesses a warning, but if they are found not in compliance a second time, they would be fined $500. A third offense carries a fine of $1,000.
According to Reeves’ Executive Order 1466, essential businesses include supermarkets, food and beverage stores, food providers, convenience stores, pharmacies, hardware and building materials, gas stations and restaurants, for curbside, drive-thru, or takeout only. Other essential businesses are farm supply stores, veterinary clinics, childcare centers, law offices, insurance agencies, banks, media organizations, construction and repair services. For a complete list of essential businesses, a list is available at www.winonatimes.com.
According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, “All nonessential businesses are to stop all activities other than those necessary for minimum operations (e.g. payroll, health insurance, security) and enabling employees to work from home.”
At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Winona Mayor and Board of Aldermen, held via conference call, Mayor Jerry Flowers informed the board about telephone calls he has received from residents regarding which businesses are allowed to remain open following the governor’s order. Flowers said he contacted Reeves’ office and was told enforcement of the order would be up to the local governments.
“The governor’s order said non-essential businesses have to close,” Flowers said. “What are we going to do if someone is non-compliant?”
The board agreed that a warning should be given to anyone not in compliance first, but if that business continues to be non-compliant, they should receive a fine of $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense and so on.
“This is for the good of the entire town,” said Alderman David Ware. “I hope people understand why we are doing this. We hate doing this.”
Winona Chief of Police Tommy Bibbs said, “A lot of people don’t know the severity of [the pandemic.]”
City Attorney Adam Kirk said the order clearly states that “non-essential businesses shall close.”
“Business is the life-blood of the community,” Kirk said. “But we have to follow the governor’s order.”
City Clerk June Williams said the governor’s office made clear that the city board could establish stricter restrictions than what was stated in the order, but they could not be more lax.
The board did not establish a citywide curfew, although Flowers recommended one be established from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m.
As of press time on Wednesday, Montgomery County had 13 confirmed cases of coronavirus and one death caused by the virus.
Last week’s order from Governor Reeves came at the urging of the state’s top healthcare officials, for fear Mississippi will exhaust its healthcare resources if the number of cases – 2003 on Wednesday, to control the spread of the virus.
According to MEMA, “People may leave their homes only to perform essential activities, such as caring for someone in the vulnerable population, getting food or necessary supplies, and working for an essential business. Social and other non-essential gatherings in groups of more than 10 people must be cancelled or rescheduled.”
As for protecting city workers during the pandemic, Flowers instructed department heads to instruct employees to keep a six-foot distance while not working on a special project, and the board asked that all city vehicles be occupied by only one worker at a time.
“Follow the guidelines,” Flowers said. “Limit individual contact. One person per truck.”
In other city business:
• Winona Parks Director Mike Narmour informed the board that soccer and baseball uniforms for recreational teams that were supposed to play this spring have already been ordered.
“We are going to play whenever we can play again,” Narmour said.
Narmour said baseball and softball can be played later this summer, and soccer can hold one long season this year – a 12-game season versus and eight-game season.
• The board rescinded a previous order to hire two men for the Winona Street Department, due to the two never reporting. The board voted to hire Leon Butts for the city’s grass crew, beginning today.
The board agreed to advertise for bids for the maintenance of Oakwood Cemetery, which would allow the city only to employ two men for grass cutting versus five. If the work is contracted, the company would be required to remove all debris and provide grave maintenance as well as grass cutting every two weeks or as when needed.
• Animal Control Officer Arlin Pearson informed the board that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) sent him a notice saying there is “no evidence” that domesticated animals are a threat of coronavirus. Pearson said there have been rumors, and he wanted to let everyone know that those rumors are false.
“The city will be enforcing all local and state laws on abandonment and neglect,” Pearson said. “There are no reports of any domesticated animal contracting the virus.”
• The board asked Kirk and Williams to come up with specifications to bid out the city’s garbage collection service. The board will review the specifications at a future meeting. The city’s contract with Waste Management will expire in September 2020, and the city must re-bid the contact.
• The board voted to advertise for bids the removal of a dead pine tree in Oakwood Cemetery.
• The board rescinded an order to hire an officer at the Winona Police Department.
