Update About Rosemount's Coronavirus Response And Resources

Press release from the City of Rosemount:

For information on steps you can take to minimize risk, visit the websites of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.

City Emergency Declaration

To address the extraordinary demands of the City’s public health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor and City Council have announced emergency measures for City operations. The measures will allow a quick response to the changing situation in City government’s work to maintain services while limiting the spread of disease.

• Watch the discussion by the Council and City Administrator during the March 17 meeting
• Read the Mayor’s proclamation and Council declaration

Mayor’s Message

The City of Rosemount is taking the steps necessary to maintain essential services to our residents in the face of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are balancing these vital needs with the need to keep our citizens, including those who work for the City, as safe as possible. We are drawing on our emergency plans that have been revised through the last several years. We are also staying abreast of guidance from federal, state, and county authorities.

Please be confident that your City is well positioned to see this situation through, and the leaders across our many departments are working tirelessly to respond to this crisis in a professional and thoughtful manner.

Please follow the recommendations of public health agencies, and keep up to date on the changes to City operations that will be added to this webpage as they occur. We will get through this issue in the way this country always has, by working together and relying on the common good of our people.

William H. Droste
Mayor of Rosemount

Police Services

To help minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Rosemount Police Department will be modifying our police service responses in the interest of social distancing. Specifically, Officers will be trying to resolve non-emergency issues in ways which minimize contact with the public; we are trying to minimize lobby traffic and request that individuals call 9-1-1 for emergency and non-emergency situations. While we pride ourselves in providing a high level of in-person service, we believe it is in the best interest of overall public safety to resolve as many calls as possible via technological means.

Public Facilities

City facilities are closed to the public. The list includes City Hall (including the Police Department lobby, the Community Center, Ice Arena, and Steeple Center.

How to Contact City Offices During the Closure

Building permits and inspections: Any building permit submittals should be left in the drop box just inside the door to the lower level of City Hall (Police Department side). All submittals will be processed; however, no permits will be issued at the front counter. Alternate arrangements for permit pick up will be made on a case-by-case basis. The City will continue to provide limited construction inspections; please phone our scheduling line at (651) 322-2024 and leave a message. Online permits are still highly encouraged at all times. [Apply online.]

Water/sewer billing: Utility drop-off boxes at the entrance to the upper level of City Hall or at the curb on the lower level will still be checked by staff. Please consider using the Bill Pay system, which allows one-time payments online or by phone. [Pay online or by phone.] If you have questions, phone (651) 322-2099 and leave a message; staff will respond when available.

Police-handled applications: Solicitor License applications, along with a copy of a valid Minnesota driver’s license and payment, can be submitted via regular mail. Application and information can be found on the City website.

Gun Permit applications, along with a copy of a valid Minnesota driver’s license, can be submitted via regular mail or by email. The application can be found on the State website.

Police Public Data Requests can be submitted online.

In case of an emergency, or if you have a non-emergency need to reach Police or Fire, call 9-1-1.

Parks and Recreation: For information on the status of scheduled events and programs, phone the automated info line: (651) 322-6020. For other questions leave a message at (651) 322-6000.

Public Works: To reach Rosemount Public Works, leave a message at (651) 322-2022.

Safety in the Parks

As our weather improves, it will be a good time to get out in Rosemount’s parks and on its trails. It’s still necessary to observe the rules for social distancing. (Graphic courtesy National Recreation and Park Association)

Warning on Toilet Use

Please do not flush anything other than toilet paper. “Flushable wipes” are that, flushable; however, they don’t break down and can easily catch on small imperfections in the sanitary sewer lines. When that happens, more wipes can catch and ultimately block the line. You may be fortunate to avoid a blockage to your home; however, if the main becomes plugged you could very easily be the reason a neighbor down stream experiences a sewer back up into their home causing thousands of dollars of damages. If you’re not fortunate, you could be the victim of that back up which would result in added expenses that would need to be covered by you. [Learn more.]

Public Meetings

This month’s public meetings of several City Commissions are canceled, including Planning on March 31. The next Planning Commission meeting is set for April 14.

City Programs and Events

All programs and activities at City facilities are canceled. Current plans are to reopen at 12 noon on Friday, April 3; those plans are subject to change.

To keep Rosemount’s seniors informed while City facilities are closed to the public, Parks & Rec has created a Facebook page for the Steeple Center. Staff there will be using it to share virtual programming opportunities, ideas, resources, etc. [Like the Steeple Center page on Facebook.]

Local Businesses

See a map of locations providing free lunches for students in need

Map of open businesses - In an effort to help connect Rosemount business and residents during this time, we offer a map showing businesses that are open and the services provided (take out, delivery, curbside pickup, etc.). [Fill out the survey to include your business.]

This press release was produced by the City of Rosemount. The views expressed here are the author’s own.