Hoover Mayor Discusses The Coronavirus Impact, Makes Plans

HOOVER, AL—Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato discussed the impact of the coronavirus across the city during a news conference Monday.

"As the mayor of Hoover, my highest obligation is to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and our visitors," Mayor Brocato said.

According to the mayor, he's instructed staff to take several measures designed to prevent the spread of the disease, maintain critical city services and hedge against the negative economic impact that the virus may cause.

"We are operating under the National Incident Management System and using an incident action plan to guide our response to this event," he said.

The mayor says his office has been in contact with state and local health departments and emergency management agencies. He's also coordinating with the other mayors of Alabama’s ten largest cities. He says he also plans to meet this week with the Jefferson County mayors and the Over the Mountain mayor’s group.

"We are also coordinating closely with Hoover City Schools, and I’m meeting later today with Dr. Kathy Murphy, our school superintendent," the mayor said. "We will continue to support our schools efforts as they deal with issues created by the extended closure of the school system."

During the news conference, the mayor said he is issuing an executive order that gives clear guidance and direction to staff on how to protect the wellness of the public and the employees. It also includes instructions for developing plans for city staff to work remotely and in shifts in order to continue providing services to the public.

"Another important aspect of this order is to begin right now and conserve city financial resources so that we can weather the difficult economic times that this pandemic is expected to cause," the mayor said.

After the threat of the virus eventually passes, the mayor said he believes the city will emerge stronger and even better than before.

"We will not panic, but we will plan. We’ll prepare and take action to manage the events happening in our world. I know that brighter days are ahead," he said.

Watch the mayor's news conference below:

City of Hoover Closings:

In an ongoing effort to protect Hoover residents and visitors from the spread of COVID-19, Hoover city officials have announce the following closures:

• Hoover Recreation Center will be closed for individual and group access with the exception of the walking track. The walking track will be open and available during normal business hours. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult for access.
• Hoover Met Complex will be closed with the exception of the walking track at the Finley Center. The walking track will be open and available during normal business hours. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult for access. Closures at the Hoover Met Complex include the remainder of the Finley Center, the Hoover Climbing Adventure and tennis center.
• All Hoover Municipal Court sessions will be canceled until Thursday, April 16. That includes all court driving school classes and all court referral appointments of any type. Normal operations of the Hoover Municipal Court, with the exception of those listed above, will
  continue. Warrants may still be obtained through the normal procedures; payments will still be taken at the window, via mail and online; motions and other filings will still be accepted; magistrates will continue to be available via phone, email and in person. If you have any questions, you may contact the Court by calling 205-444-7526 and choose Option 6. You can also reach them via email at court@hooveralabama.gov.
• Hoover Senior Center is currently closed; however, Meals-on-Wheels
  deliveries will continue.
• The Hoover Public Library remains open with lobby service only. This means patrons can place items on hold and pick them up curbside, but the library itself will not be open and all programs are canceled.
• The athletic leagues that use Hoover City ballparks have voluntarily decided to cease all games, so these facilities will be idle as well. This includes the following parks: Shades Mountain, Hoover Central, Hoover East and Spain Park. The city will work with the leagues to determine when play can resume.

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