COVID-19, Featured, Government, Public Safety, Uncategorized
City Hall, Public Buildings Closed Through April 6th
City of Bessemer Announces Office Closings
Today, by order of Mayor Kenneth Gulley, with the consent of the Bessemer City Council, all city of Bessemer administrative offices will be closed to the general public, beginning on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and lasting through at least Monday, April 6, 2020.
This includes administrative offices of the following public facilities:
Bessemer City Hall
City Hall will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday. Limited staff will work on a rotating basis from the building. The general public will not be allowed in the building. Offices based out of City Hall include Building Inspections, Finance and Revenue, Information Technology and Economic and Community Development Departments. Please call City Hall at 205-424-4060 during this time to speak with department representatives regarding specific needs.
The City Council Planning Session and business meeting set for March 17 are cancelled. The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for March 17 is also cancelled.
Bessemer Utilities
Customers of Bessemer Utilities are asked to use the drive-thru at the Utility offices, 1600 First Avenue North, or pay their bills by mail, online services or by phone. The link for online bill pay is www.bessemerutilities.com and the online pay number is (844) 549-0405.
The public is strongly encouraged to pay their utility bills by credit card or check. The use of cash payments is strongly discouraged but will be accepted.
Recreation Center
The Bessemer Recreation Center will remain closed to the public through April 6.
Municipal Court
Due to the Alabama Supreme Court Order suspending all public court hearings, the Bessemer Municipal Court will suspend proceedings until April 16 or until further notice. However, persons set on payment dockets can make their payments at the payment window at 23 15th Street North. The public is strongly encouraged to pay by credit card or check.
Payments can also be made by calling 1-877-591-8761 (myfinepayment.com) or 1-844-400-8880 (ncourt.com).
Bessemer Civic Center
The Civic Center will close and all scheduled events either postponed or cancelled during this time. Please call 205-424-7469 for more information.
Public Improvements
Garbage and trash collection and right-of-way maintenance operations will continue. However, office staff will be limited during this time. Please be patient if calling this department.
Animal Control
The city of Bessemer’s Animal Control Officers are currently on Priority One pickup services at the request of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. This means Animal Control will only respond to high priority/emergency animal control complaints. High priority pickups will include law enforcement assistance, injured or sick stray animals, cruelty and neglect complaints, bite complaints, and dangerous and aggressive dog complaints.
Frank House Municipal Golf Course
Closed on March 20 by mandate of Jefferson County Department of Health.
These closings do not affect the operations of first responders with the Bessemer Police Department or the Bessemer Fire Department. City Parks will remain open during this time.
Continue to visit the following links for information related to the coronavirus:
Alabama Department of Health http://alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.html#what
Center for Disease Controls https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Jefferson County Department of Health http://www.jcdh.org/.
