City of Southfield COVID-19 UPDATE & INFO HUB
July 3, 2020
All city public events and activities postponed or cancelled until August 31, 2020 or further notice!
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Police, Fire, EMS and 911 Dispatch will continue to fully operate as normal.
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There will be no interruption in garbage, recycling or yard waste collection.
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All City facilities (including City Hall, 46th District Court, Southfield Public Library, Parks & Recreation Building, Sports Arena) remain closed to the public until further notice.
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Residents can still conduct most city business online and through the City's drop box 24/7 as well as via phone during City Hall core hours.
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All City parks, nature preserves and trails remain open to the public; however, all playground equipment remains closed.
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Continue to check this page for more updates as they occur.
The City of Southfield launched the interactive Southfield Coronavirus Hub to provide the community with the latest information, maps and resources about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Southfield. Click on the link below to view and visit back frequently for updated information.
https://covid19-southfield.hub.arcgis.com/`
COVID-19 TESTING
Oakland County has expanded its free drive-thru COVID-19 testing to include all adults age 18 and over and especially those adults who are returning to work.
Anyone interested in being tested must make an appointment through the Oakland County Health Division’s Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 to schedule an appointment. Results may take at least three days. No doctor’s note or prescription is needed and there is no fee.
The Health Division and Honor Community Health offer drive-thru testing at the Oakland County Complex, 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac and the South Oakland Health Center at 27725 Greenfield Road in Southfield. The Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, also offers testing. The locations’ hours and days are:
- Southfield: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Pontiac: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Novi: Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
https://www.oakgov.com/covid/best-practices/sick-caring/Pages/testing.aspx
City of Southfield State of Emergency Declared
Mayor Ken Siver declared a State of Emergency on March 13, 2020 in the city of Southfield in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Per the Governor's Executive Order, all city events and activities have been postponed or cancelled until further notice. Click on the following link for more information from the State of Michigan and the Governor's Declaration of a State of Emergency: https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
All essential public safety services and departments continue to function as normal. All city events and activities have been postponed or cancelled until further notice. City Hall (including the Library and P&R Building) and the 46th District Court are closed to the public until at least June 15, 2020; however, all essential public safety and public works services continue to function as normal. Residents can still conduct most city business online, via phone and through the City’s drop box.The City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated and City Hall will operate during minimum core hours Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will be no interruption in garbage, recycling or yard waste collection with pickup still occurring on regularly scheduled days. Residents can still conduct most city business online, via phone and through the City’s drop box.
Click on the link below to view a special coronavirus update message from Mayor Ken Siver:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=780g4V44yhg
City Council and several other city board and commission meetings are being conducted via teleconference. Residents can listen to scheduled council meeting live online on City Cable 15 and through the City’s website. Residents may also call in at (248) 796-5152 to make public comment at the City Council Meetings.
Building, Planning, Engineering and Code Enforcement Departments Operations
Beginning Thursday, May 7, 2020, the Building Department, including inspection services, will be open during regular hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Staff from the Planning, Engineering and Code Enforcement Departments will also be available on a limited basis until a full expected City Hall re-opening on Monday, May 18, 2020.
For more information, contact:
- Building Department at (248) 796-4106 (direct) or (248) 796-4100 (dept.)
- Planning Department at (248) 796-4150
- Engineering Department at (248) 796-4810
- Code Enforcement Department at (248) 796-4140.
City Clerk’s Office Operations
In accordance with Executive Order 2020-21 declared by Governor Whitmer on March 23, 2020, the City of Southfield State of Emergency declared by Mayor Siver on March 13, 2020, and to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City Clerk’s Office will have limited operations during the following core hours: Monday - Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. through Monday, May 18, 2020. The City Clerk's Office will be closed on Friday's. If you have request for Vital Statistics, the drop box in front of City Hall is open 24/7. The City Clerk's Office will process requests as they are received and all certificates will be mailed.
Birth & Death Records
The Clerk’s Office also serves as the Local Registrar for all birth and death records for those born or deceased at Providence Hospital or within the City boundaries. Birth and death certificates may be obtained through the mail by completing the form available at https://www.cityofsouthfield.com/birth-death-records. Only the parents listed on the birth record may obtain a certified copy, or the child of at least 15 years of age. A legal guardian may obtain a certified copy of a birth record when presenting current valid guardianship papers in person. Photo identification is required for all requests.
Mail-in requests must include: child’s name and date of birth; mother’s name, maiden name and date of birth; father’s name and date of birth; mailing address to send the birth/death record; phone number with area code; number of copies requested. Photo ID of one parent must be included with all mail-in requests. The fee for all birth and death certificates is $15 for one copy; $5 for each additional copy. No personal checks are accepted – money orders payable to the City of Southfield are accepted for mail-in requests.
Certified copies of Death Certificates are available for events that occurred in the City of Southfield. Requests for Death Certificates must be made in writing, and include the full name of decedent and date of death; name, mailing address and phone number to send the death record; number of copies requested and applicable fee.
FOIA Requests
As a result of the Governor’s Executive Order (EO) No. 2020-21, and in compliance with § 6 of EO 2020-21, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing and responses are suspended beginning at 12:01 am March 24, 2020 continuing until May 18, 2020 at 11:59 pm since they are not necessary to sustain or protect life, or to supporting those businesses and operations that are necessary to sustain or protect life.
For purposes of counting response times for any FOIA requests received during this time, or FOIA requests for which a response is due beginning at 12:01 am on or after March 24, 2020, through May 18, 2020 at 12:01 am, time is suspended during the effective dates of EO 2020-21. The “business day’ time period in which to respond to FOIA requests as referenced in section 5 of Michigan FOIA, MCL 15.235, shall resume as of May 18, 2020.
For additional information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (248) 796-5150.
City Treasurer's Office Operations
The City Treasurer's Office will not transact in cash until further notice. Residents are advised to utilize credit cards, money orders or the online water bill payment portal at https://citizenservices.cityofsouthfield.com/Default.asp?Build=SY.CSHome&ClearErrors=Y. There is also a 24-hour drop-off box located to the right of main entrance door at City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road.
For more information, contact the City Treasurer’s Office at (248) 796-5200.
46th District Court Operations
PUBLIC NOTICE -- Revised 6/30/20
The Michigan Supreme Court has issued several recommendations in response to Governor Whitmer’s declaration of a state of emergency over the novel coronavirus (COVID 19) concerns. Pursuant to Michigan Supreme Court Order 2020-02, trial courts are ordered to limit access to courtrooms and other spaces to no more than 10 persons, including staff, and to practice social distancing and limit court activity to only essential functions. In response Chief Judge Shelia Johnson has directed the 46th District Court to immediately take additional action to reduce the risk of exposure and to mitigate transmission of the disease to litigants and court staff. This notice is subject to change and will remain in effect until further notice by the Chief Judge.
Please contact the court for the most recent information regarding your case.
COURT CLOSURE: Effective at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020 the 46th District Court will close to the general public until further notice. The Court will remain operational during limited business hours to conduct essential court services related to in-custody defendants and other actions deemed as emergencies.
Requests for emergency consideration shall be accepted by FAX (248) 796-5805 or by email to 46courtemergency@cityofsouthfield.com. Any submitted request must include an explanation of why the matter should be considered an emergency and a return contact number and email address. The requests will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the Chief Judge or the assigned judge.
All motions and other case hearings/events will be adjourned for 60 days, however the court may opt to notice certain matters for hearing by Zoom. Notice of the rescheduled date will be sent from the court.
CIVIL
- Civil jury trials will be adjourned to August 2020
- All Landlord Tenant dockets will be reset to July 16, 2020 or later.
- Landlord Tenant evictions are stayed until July 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm.
- All mediations, motions and hearings will be adjourned, however the court may opt to notice certain matters for hearing by Zoom.
- Dismissals and default judgments for failure to appear shall not be entered on all civil matters during the period of emergency.
- Municipal civil infraction hearings will be set 60 days out, however the court may opt to notice these matters for hearing by Zoom. Default judgments for failing to appear will not be entered during the period of emergency.
TRAFFIC
- Parties are encouraged to use online resolution which can be found at www.courtinnovations.com/mid46. If a party requests an informal or formal hearing, it will be scheduled 60 days out.
- Civil infraction conferences, informal hearings and formal hearings will be adjourned 60 days, however the court may opt to notice certain matters for hearing by Zoom. If you have received a traffic civil infraction and you must use online resolution within 14 days or if you do not elect to use online resolution, you must still contact the court within 14 days.
- Default judgments for failing to appear will not be entered during the period of emergency.
CRIMINAL
- All walk-in arraignments are canceled. Parties who contact the court regarding a misdemeanor (non-domestic) arraignment can post a bond, if required, have the warrant lifted and receive a Notice to Appear for 60 days out; however the court may opt to notice these matters for hearing by Zoom. Defendants with felony or domestic warrants shall be directed to the police department to be processed for video arraignment. Online warrant resolution for misdemeanors and other non-felony bench warrants is available at www.courtinnovations.com/mid46.
- Felony exams will be adjourned until June 1, 2020 or later, however the court may opt to notice certain matters for hearing by Zoom.
- Probable Cause Conferences should be adjourned to June 1, 2020 or later however the court may opt to notice these matters for hearing by Zoom. Attorneys and clients who desire, may waive preliminary exam on paper and need not appear on the record.
- Criminal jury trials will be adjourned to August 2020.
- Criminal misdemeanor bench trials, pre-trials and sentencing hearings will be adjourned for 60 days, however the court may opt to notice these matters for hearing by Zoom. All in custody bonds will be administratively reviewed.
- Bench warrants will not be issued for individuals for failing to appear during the period of emergency.
PROBATION
- All probationers will report via phone, mail or email.
- Violation of Probation hearings set for May will be adjourned to July 1 or later, .
- All Pre-Sentence Investigation interviews will be conducted by phone.
- Future appointments will be scheduled 60 days out.
- Bench warrants will not be issued for individuals for failing to appear during the period of emergency.
For more information, contact the 46th District Court at (248) 796-5800.
Southfield Assessing Department Operations
Property Transfer Affidavits (PTA's) and Principle Residence Exemptions (PRE's) can be dropped off in the 24-hour drop-off box located to the right of main entrance door at City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road. The Assessing Department will mail a stamped copy back to the homeowner once processed.
For more information, contact the Assessing Department at (248) 796-5230.
Southfield Michigan Works! Career Center Operations
Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, all Oakland County Michigan Works! offices are offering a limited number of services ONLY by telephone and virtual/remote services. Appointments are required. There will be no in-person services available at this time. Please call (248) 796-4580 to make an appointment. All workshops, job fairs and large group activities have been postponed until further notice.
Due to the large increase in the volume of unemployment claims, it is recommended that individuals fill unemployment claims at non-peak hours. Please consider filing your claim after 6:00 p.m. or very early in the morning. For updated information on Oakland County Michigan Works! operations at this time, visit: www.OaklandCountyMIWorks.com. Job opportunities can be found here: https://www.oakgov.com/advantageoakland/workforce/Pages/Employers-Hiring.aspx.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fact Sheet (PDF)
For more information, contact the Southfield Michigan Works at (248) 796-4580.
Southfield Public Library Operations
The Southfield Public Library will be closed to the public until further notice. In the interim, the Library offers e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, music, and novels all in digital format available online 24/7 along with many databases at https://southfieldlibrary.org.
For additional information, contact the Southfield Public Library at (248) 796-4200.
Southfield Parks & Recreation Operations
Update as of April 7, 2020 for all Parks & Recreation operations
All Parks & Recreation Department classes, programs and rentals are cancelled or postponed through April 30 or further notice. Additionally, all Southfield Parks & Recreation facilities (Parks & Recreation Building, Southfield Pavilion, Beech Woods Recreation Center, Southfield Sports Arena, Arts & Activities Building, Evergreen Hills Golf Course, Beech Woods Driving Range and Burgh Historical Park buildings ) are closed to the public. The TOSS (Transportation of Southfield Seniors) program has suspended service until further notice. Residents needing transportation to medical appointments or shopping/pharmacy visits during this time are being referred to the SMART Connector program (https://www.smartbus.org/Services/Connector/Using-Connector-Service.) All playground equipment, tennis courts, racquetball courts, sand volleyball courts, athletic fields, restrooms and picnic shelters are closed until further notice in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
All parks remain open to the public during this time for fitness activities such as walking, jogging and bike rides; however, all playground equipment is closed. Park visitors are reminded to observe the CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times while in the parks. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or leave that park for the time being. Please note that outdoor amenities such as benches and fencing are not sanitized so please follow the CDC health and safety guidelines. Remember to wash your hands and carry hand sanitizer. Please do not use trails if you have symptoms. Please bring a suitable trash bag with you to the park and leave no trash.
EFFECTIVE MARCH 21, 2020: All playground equipment in Southfield parks are closed until further notice by order of Oakland County Health in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Parks remain open for trail walking/jogging, using safe social distancing practices.
All Parks & Recreation Department classes, programs and rentals are cancelled or postponed effective March 13 through April 30 or further notice. Additionally, all Southfield Parks & Recreation facilities (Parks & Recreation Building, Southfield Pavilion, Beech Woods Recreation Center, Southfield Sports Arena, Arts & Activities Building, and Burgh Historical Park ) are closed to the public. All parks will remain open to the public during this time; however, all playground equipment remains closed!
TOSS
EFFECTIVE APRIL 2, 2020: In a continuing effort to safeguard the health and safety of our staff and riders, the Southfield Parks and Recreation Department’s Transportation of Southfield Seniors (TOSS) program has suspended service until further notice, beginning April 1. Residents needing transportation to medical appointments or shopping/pharmacy visits during this time are being referred to the SMART Connector program. Details on rider guidelines or how to schedule an appointment on a SMART Connector bus can be found at https://www.smartbus.org/Services/Connector/Using-Connector-Service. You can also call SMART at 866-962-5515. As with the TOSS program, SMART is not collecting fares during this time. They also continue do follow mid-route cleaning and regular electrostatic spraying of all buses.
For more information, contact Southfield Parks & Recreation at (248) 796-4620.
Additional City of Southfield Preventative Measures
The City of Southfield's first priority is always the health, safety and welfare of our residents, businesses, visitors and employees. With the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oakland County, the City of Southfield remains committed to keeping our community safe and informed while working closely with local, county, state, and federal partners to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. Precautions today will help to prevent new infections tomorrow.
The City of Southfield is taking all possible precautionary steps to proactively prevent the further spread of COVID-19 coronavirus throughout the city and the Southfield Municipal Campus. City Administration has implemented an Infectious Disease Outbreak (or Potential Outbreak) and Extenuating Circumstances Policy which outlines all procedures and guidelines to help prevent and/or limit the transmission of communicable diseases in the workplace.
All City staff are being provided disinfectant products with instructions to clean city vehicles and work stations frequently including phones, computer keyboards, etc. Moreover, the City's Facilities Maintenance Department remains vigilant in the thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all city offices and facilities. Additionally, the City is relocating some front-line staff and limiting public interaction in an effort to maintain Social Distancing.
In the event of an outbreak or potential for an outbreak of an infectious disease or Infectious Disease Emergency (“IDE”), the City Administrator has declared a Health and Safety Workplace Cautionary Period. Department Heads and Elected Officials shall monitor and coordinate actions and implement measures which safeguard the safety of their employees and the public with whom they interact in the workplace; while maintaining City operations in an effective and efficient manner. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, designating certain positions as critical, essential, or non-essential/non-critical. During an IDE, City Departments may implement plans to adjust their operations to ensure adequate resources are available to provide critical processes.
The City of Southfield will continue to closely monitor the situation to keep the community informed on the local level as more information becomes available. Please continue to visit the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfield.com for regular updates. Additional resources include the CDC's website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or the State of Michigan's coronavirus web page at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.
For businesses, the Oakland County has created a COVID-19 Business Toolkit found at www.bit.ly/OCCoronavirusToolkit. If you need clarification if your business or your employees are essential please call the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity at (517) 512-4197.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also launched a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) that will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136.
