Boise Mayor Lauren McLean closes city buildings to public with emergency declaration
Boise residents will no longer have access to libraries, Zoo Boise, City Hall and more beginning Tuesday.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean declared a state of emergency Monday over fears of the novel coronavirus. She closed public access to city buildings with the exception of the Boise Airport.
McLean’s declaration is one of several made Monday across the Treasure Valley. Ada and Canyon counties approved emergency declarations, as did Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City, Greenleaf, Kuna, Melba, Meridian, Middleton, Nampa, Notus, Star and Wilder, according to a news release issued by the two counties. Parma is expected to make a similar declaration later this week.
The declarations grant local officials broad power to restrict activities in emergencies. “The effect of a declaration of a local disaster emergency is to activate the response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable local or intergovernmental disaster emergency plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance thereunder,” the state Disaster Preparedness Act says.
Boise city employees still will report to work and get paid, McLean said. She said basic public-safety services, including fire and police, will continue as normal. Parks will stay open, and “field services” such as parking attendants and building inspectors, will continue their normal work until the city determines the risk is too great.
There were five confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Idaho as of Monday afternoon, two of which were in Ada County. Those five cases are just a few of the thousands reported across the United States.
There is no set date that buildings will be reopened, McLean said, adding it will be a matter of “wait and see.”
The closed public spaces include:
- City Hall
- City Hall West
- Boise Public Library facilities, including the Main Library and each branch library
- Fort Boise, including the Dick Eardley Senior Center (although Meals on Wheels meals will still be provided through curbside pick-up service)
- School-based community centers
- Idaho IceWorld
- Zoo Boise
- Quail Hollow and Warm Springs golf courses
Additionally, public programming and outreach programs will be canceled until further notice, including public open houses and town halls. McLean said she will have an update Tuesday on what options are available for people who use day care facilities that operate in city buildings.
Businesses and restaurants are still permitted to operate as normal, McLean said, but that may change.
Those with books checked out from the library will have their due dates extended until June 1, Kristine Miller, interim library director, said in an email on Monday. Officials are encouraging the use of digital assets, but Miller said the library system is working on developing alternative delivery options in the coming weeks.
Elaine Clegg, president of the Boise City Council, told the Statesman that at the beginning of each council meeting, the staff will give a public update on what Boiseans need to know about COVID-19 for at least the next several weeks. Tuesday’s City Council meeting will proceed as scheduled, using virtual technology to allow remote access.
The city is exploring alternative approaches to conducting public meetings and hearings, McLean said. They may take an approach similar to that of the Ada County Highway District, which announced Monday that commissioners would be calling into meetings.
Gov. Brad Little issued an emergency declaration for Idaho on Friday morning. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency later that afternoon.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 2:42 PM.
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