North Bend Residents,
Now that we all have had a week of mandated staying home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have seen the entire world shaken economically and health-wise, as your Mayor, I am sharing with you some of what your City and the local community is doing to respond and take care of each other. These measures will become even more crucial as the directive for staying home is likely to become extended.
We, as all of you, recognize the need to stay nimble to respond to the ever-evolving guidance from our health authorities and the governor’s office.
First, let me reinforce the simple safety measures that we all at City Hall have been implementing. This includes social distancing, working remotely, and telecommuting to keep our business and social bonds strong. We are also cleaning religiously and implementing other health measures to help us all adapt to the isolation and changed daily routine. While City Hall is closed to the public, we will continue to provide our citizens with essential functions such as water, sewer, wastewater treatment and necessary street work.
Our City website includes links to business assistance, unemployment benefits, medical facilities, orders from Governor Inslee, State, county and local resources; businesses that are still open and numerous resources to help individuals and businesses cope with the challenges that this economy and pandemic bring. We also offer online Utility Bill payment. Please check our website at www.northbendwa.gov often for updates.
We have closed all active facilities in the parks within the city limits to discourage the social contact that supports the spread of the virus. Our emergency partners, Snoqualmie/North Bend Police Department and Eastside Fire and Rescue continue to provide the same high level of service that you have come to expect.
We are pleased that our local grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware stores and other essential services have remained open, stocked and maintaining their great customer service. Many of our restaurants are offering pickup or delivery service. I encourage you to take advantage of that and, in the process, keep them going.
All of us will move into a change in how we communicate. The City is testing/using Zoom, MSFT Team Meetings, Go To Meetings, Skype and other software to keep our lines of communication and business open. Our City Administration and Councilmembers are communicating daily and assisting our community with conducting business that may include virtual City Council meetings conducted by telecommunications.
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful city with incredible natural surroundings that allows healthy social distancing as well as a tremendous community of folks to share it with. We at the City will continue to provide you with the best customer service we can and to respond to each challenge for services, goods or healthcare resources. During this time of fear and uncertainty, we are extremely humbled and encouraged by the strong show of support within our community and are confident that you will continue to help those in need with the spirit of hope that we always value.
Stay home, stay healthy,
Mayor Rob McFarland
City of North Bend
