Original story featured on www.kendallcountynow.com by John Etheredge
The Montgomery Village Board passed a resolution authorizing Village President Matt Brolley to declare an extended state of emergency/local disaster in the village in a unanimous vote during a special conference call meeting Wednesday afternoon, March 18.
In a second unanimous ballot, the board adopted a proclamation declaring that a local state of emergency/disaster exists in the village.
Both board votes were prompted by the continuing nationwide COVID-19 coronavirus emergency.
Village Attorney Laura Julien told the board that their adoption of the resolution serves to make the village eligible for federal or state relief funds to address the emergency if and when they become available.
Brolley acknowledged that the board’s adoption of the resolution sounds dire.
"But I also want all of you (the board and village staff) and the residents to know that we will see our way through this," he said, adding, "We are going to work together and this won’t in and of itself, derail everything locally. We’re sure we’re doing everything we can locally to make sure people are safe and can function and get food and all those kinds of things."
Brolley praised what he described as the "tremendous cooperation" between staff, police, area emergency management agencies and local businesses for their efforts to manage the emergency to date.
Brolley said collectively they embody the idea that the community is "all one team...and we can get through this."
As approved by the board, the resolution declaring an extended state of emergency/local disaster will run concurrent with federal and state declarations resulting from the COVID-19 emergency, Julien said.
Village Administrator Jeff Zoephel told the board that village staff is taking the steps necessary to maintain the continuity of village services and the safety all village employees.
Zoephel said schedules have been staggered for village staffers and they are being encouraged to work online from home as much as possible.
"We are trying to keep the board and the community apprised as to what we are doing," Zoephel said.