ROBERTDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale is ramping up safety efforts after several employees at city hall have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the year.
“We are continuing to follow all safe practices in order to keep our employees and the citizens of the city of Robertsdale as healthy as we possibly can,” said Mayor Charles Murphy.
One council member, Joe Kitchens, chose to attend a regularly scheduled council meeting via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 1. All other council members were present at city hall for the meeting. City clerk Shannon Burkett was the only city employee who maintains an office at city hall in attendance at the meeting.
A total of five of the 15 employees at city hall tested positive for Coronavirus. As of Feb. 2, two employees remained on leave because of the virus, one who went home with symptoms and another who tested positive for the virus, Murphy said.
The council’s Jan. 19 meeting was canceled because of Coronavirus concerns. Two council members were absent from the Dec. 21 council meeting after testing positive for the virus.
“We are following all CDC guidelines regarding cleaning surfaces and have installed sanitary stations throughout all city facilities,” Murphy said. “We have installed plexiglass shields for employees that have direct contact with the public, are asking anyone who comes to city hall to wear a mask and all employees are required to wear masks except if they are in an office by themselves with the door shut.”
Several council members expressed concerns over getting vaccinated, including concerns over long lines and long waits to get vaccinated at recent clinics held at the Daphne Civic Center.
“I want to get vaccinated,” said Council member Paul Hollingsworth. “It just concerns me that I will be able to get vaccinated.”
Vaccination clinics, which are being held in conjunction with the Baldwin County Health Department and the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, were moved to OWA in Foley on Feb. 2. Clinics have so far been scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays in February and the first week of March.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, vaccine providers also include South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, American Family Care in Orange Beach, Fairhope Pediatrics, Thomas Hospital in Fairhope and North Baldwin Family Care Center in Bay Minette.
The Baldwin County Health Department in Robertsdale is also listed on the ADPH website, but callers to the Health Department are told to go to a vaccination clinic.
According to ADPH, on Feb. 8, vaccinations were opened up to those aged 65 and older, also those in allocation Phase 1b, including frontline critical workers, those working or living in congregate settings including homeless shelters and group homes, and first responders including firefighters and law enforcement.
In addition to firefighters and law enforcement, frontline critical workers are defined as corrections officers and support staff; food and agriculture workers; U.S. Postal Service workers; manufacturing workers; grocery store workers; public transit workers; educators including child care workers, K-12, community colleges, and all higher education institutions (teachers and support staff members); judiciary (including district judges, circuit judges, and district attorneys); and clergy/ministers. State legislators, supreme court, appellate judges, constitutional officers and cabinet agency heads are also included among frontline critical workers.
Concern was also expressed at the Feb. 1 meeting over the lack of vaccinations by the city’s law enforcement and volunteer firefighters. Out of a total of 29 people in the police department who have been eligible up to receive the vaccine up to that point, only nine had received the vaccine, said Police Chief Brad Kendrick. Fire department representatives said only four of the 25 listed on the fire department’s volunteer roster have been vaccinated.
“We can’t force anyone to get vaccinated who doesn’t want to get vaccinated,” Murphy said. “We have made all of the information available to them and have made it as easy as possible for them to receive the vaccine. That’s all we can do.”
In other business Feb. 1, the council voted unanimously to agree to advertise for the Second Annual Chain Breaker Disc Golf Tournament, which will be held Feb. 27 in Robertsdale.
Council member Russell Johnson, a member of the First Baptist Church, who organizes the event, said nine holes of the tournament will be at FBC-Robertsdale, while the city also agreed to have nine holes of the tournament on its course at Garrett Park.
Last year about 45 people participated in the tournament, Johnson said. Around 60 participants are expected for this year’s tournament.
Proceeds from the event benefits Robertsdale Laundry’s Blessing Barn.
There was also some discussion at the Feb. 1 meeting regarding transitioning from a volunteer to a combination volunteer and paid fire department.
At the Jan. 4 meeting it was suggested that city officials speak with officials in Spanish Fort, who is recently in the process of making the transition.
Murphy told those present that he and Kendrick, who serves as public safety supervisor for the city, are working to set up a meeting with Spanish Fort Mayor Mike McMillan.
“As soon as that happens, we will meet with members of the fire department to go over our findings before we proceed with any action,” Murphy said.
Also at the Feb. 1 meeting, the council:
