HUNTSVILLE-On Monday Mayor Tommy Battle along with Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Birdwell, and local health care and public safety partners held a news conference on Monday, March 16, at noon to update the public on the COVID-19 response.
In this meeting both Mayors declared a state of emergency. The three-week states of emergency will authorize the cities to avoid regular council procedure and take immediate action as needed to combat COVID-19.
Keep up to date on the HuntsvilleAL.gov/COVID19 webpage.
Huntsville City Schools provides free curbside meal service during school closure:
In order to continue to support the well-being of our students, Huntsville City Schools began providing free lunch service today from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at all school locations.
Beginning tomorrow, March 17th through Friday, March 27th, free lunch service will be offered at the following locations between 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Participating school sites include:
1. Lee High School – 2500 Meridian St., Huntsville, AL 35811
2. Lakewood Elem. – 3501 Kenwood Dr., Huntsville, AL 35810
3. Morris Elem/Middle – 4801 Bob Wallace Rd., Huntsville, AL 35805
4. Dawson Elem. – 5308 Mastin Lake Rd., Huntsville, AL 35810
5. Chaffee Elem. – 7900 Whittier Rd, Huntsville, AL 35802
6. Highlands Elem. – 2500 Barney Terrace, Huntsville, AL 35810
7. Sonnie Hereford Elem. – 2755 Wilson St., Huntsville, AL 35816
8. McDonnell Elem. – 4010 Binderton Pl., Huntsville, AL 35805
At each of these sites, the HCS Child Nutrition Program team will provide free Grab N’ Go lunches for all youth, ages 18 years and under. This program is offered at no cost to all youth in our community.
We like to think of this as a drive-thru meal service to make it convenient for our families. Walk-up participants are also welcomed. There will be a separate meal station for the walk up service.
We do want to remind our community that our school buildings will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 17th through Friday, April 3rd.
Mayor Tommy Battle Remarks:
“We are fortunate to have one of the best health care systems in the country here in
Huntsville. As a city, we will be doing everything we can to support our health care
partners as we navigate the course of this virus.
This afternoon at 2 p.m., Mayor Finley and I will be asking our City Councils to enact a State
of Emergency.
This is a standard emergency procedure. All this means is that our Councils will be
transferring to administration powers of personnel and purchasing.
This gives us the ability to act swiftly, as needed. It helps us cut through the red tape on
decisions where we need Council approval – a process that can take five weeks or more. I’m
grateful for the trust Council Members have in us to responsibly use this strategy.
Some of you have asked why we need a municipal State of Emergency when the State has
already declared one and the answer is that we are two separate forms of government. We
still need Council’s approval. One of the checks and balances – good to have.
This is not a normal time, but we’re going to stay as close to normal as we can.
As a city, we are going to stay open – sanitation will be picking up your garbage and yard
waste, police will be patrolling, we’re running public transit as normally as possible. City
Hall remains open – but we encourage you to do business with us online or on the phone
whenever possible.
We’re operating on emergency health protocols – including sanitize and separate –
throughout our departments.
Yesterday, the CDC amended its group gathering guidelines, advising the public not to have
groups of 50 or more congregate.
With this recommendation, our recreation centers have cancelled group activities and
games, but they’re remaining open with some limitations for the present.
We’ve got a team in City Hall working with the school system on arrangements to provide
meals for students who depend upon school lunches and take-home backpacks.
We have a lot of elderly in the community who may need additional assistance securing
food and supplies –our administration is working to address this need with our non-profit
partners but I have a personal request to this community.
We all know someone who might need some extra help. If every citizen would check in on
their neighbor and help provide them with their needs, it will make a difference.
Retail and restaurants going to be hit hard. Our team is also working on ideas on how to
help them. You’ll be hearing more about plans to pick-up food and go… and that’s a good
direction.
Everyone is going to get tired of home cooking and you’ll enjoy getting take out to go. Mrs.
Battle and I love each other but after a close weekend, and a messy kitchen, we’re ready for
someone else to cook.
This is a swiftly changing landscape and we want to be prepared to react in the best
interest in the health and safety of this community. This team – along with Madison County
Commission Chair Dale Strong, who could not join us today – is working together every
day. we’re in constant communication. We pledge to keep you informed of rapidly changing
developments.
We recognize there is anxiety – some have tried to corner the market on thermometers,
toilet paper, and paper towels. Everyone needs to calm down, there will be toilet paper
available later…
Let’s all remember the strong and collaborative community we are.
We don’t hoard supplies and we keep our wits about us because at the end of the day, we’re
all in this together, and I’m incredibly proud to be your Mayor.
Let’s stay focused, follow CDC guidelines for hand-washing and social distancing, help our
neighbors, and we’ll get through this together.”
Media Release/Office of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle
