Cities, utility, Clerk’s Office open in Phase II

Residents can once again enter Kissimmee City Hall after Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted Phase II of his reopening plan.FILE PHOTO

The cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud moved into Phase II on Monday, opening city halls and other municipal facilities and amenities

The cities are allowing residents back into the government locations after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the state of Florida would start Phase II on Friday.

The Kissimmee Utility Authority lobby and the Osceola County Clerk of Court also are open for business.

The Toho Water Authority lobby will open June 15.

City of Kissimmee

The following facilities and programs re-opened on Monday:

• City Hall (Building Department and public reception areas for each department)

• Kissimmee Police Department lobby

• Playgrounds, skate parks and dog parks

City Hall and the Police Department will require anyone entering the building to wear a face cover, pass a temperature check and maintain social distancing during their visit. The city will begin to

The city will begin to operate summer camps and will open the Bob Makinson Aquatic Center to the public on Monday, June 15, with reduced occupancy and enhanced safety measures. City Commission

City Commission meetings and Advisory Board meetings will continue to operate virtually as long as Executive Order 20-69 remains in effect by Gov. DeSantis. Information on how the public may participate in such meetings remotely is found on the city’s website at www.kissimmee.org.

For more information about the city of Kissimmee and its response to COVID-19, visit www.kissimmee.org.

City of St. Cloud

The current facilities and programs that re-opened on Monday are:

The first floor of City Hall Building A, which includes the Permitting Department, Building Department, Community Development and the St. Cloud Utilities Customer Service office, have reopened Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Building B, has also opened on behalf of the Osceola County Tax Collectors Office, via appointment only. Visit the website for additional information. Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the facility. Physical distancing will be required and enforced and residents are required to wear a face covering in City Hall.

• The Chris Lyle Aquatic Center is now open, but limited to water exercising, lap swimming and private lessons, by reservations only. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 407-957-7365.

• Additionally, various exercise classes have also resumed at the St. Cloud Civic Center. Pre-registration is required, so call the St. Cloud Civic Center to preregister for your time slot at 407-957-7243.

• The city of St. Cloud will host its next virtual City Council meeting on Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. via webcast (Council Meeting Live Stream) and Spectrum St. Cloud Public Access Channel 499. Information on how the public may participate in such meetings remotely can be found on the city’s website at www.stcloud. org. Following the June 11 meeting, all future public meetings will be held at the St. Cloud Community Center, 3101 17th St., while maintaining social distancing as recommended by Centers for Disease Control guidelines.

• The city of St. Cloud is now accepting grant applications for business assistance. The city approved a $1.25 million Economic Stimulus Plan to support local businesses impacted by COVID-19. For more information or to receive a copy of the grant application, contact the Economic Development Office at 407-957-7235 or by email: economicdevelopment@ stcloud.org.

• Youth Athletic Leagues have resumed play. Adult baseball resumed on Sunday.

• All city park playgrounds and the lakefront splash pad will open to the public starting Thursday, June 11.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is in the planning phases to open up the summer camp to residents with limited availability in efforts to adhere to the social distancing. The target date is projected for the beginning of July. For additional information or questions, contact 407-957-7243. • The city of St. Cloud will

• The city of St. Cloud will partner with Second Harvest Food Bank Friday, June 12. The city will host a food share event at 9 a.m. Vehicles will enter at Peghorn Way and line up along the path to the St. Cloud Civic Center. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 407-957-7243.

• Due to current social distancing practices, which preclude large public gatherings, the city of St. Cloud has cancelled its annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Lakefront.

For more information about the city of St. Cloud and its response to COVID-19, visit www.stcloud.org.

Kissimmee Utility Authority Located at 1701 W.

Located at 1701 W. Carroll St., in Kissimmee, the customer service center will be open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

KUA has adopted the countywide “We’ve Opened Safely” guidelines, underscoring its commitment to a disinfection and sanitization plan, physical distancing measures, protective gear (masks, barriers), employee training on its COVID-19 plan, employee screenings and industry best practices. Customers visiting the

Customers visiting the facility will be required to wear face coverings and undergo a temperature check upon entering. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, limiting the number of customers in the lobby at a given time. Customers may be asked to wait in their vehicles until called.

Customers are encouraged to continue doing business online at www.kua.com or over the phone at 407-933-9800.

“We’re excited to welcome back our customers,” said Susan Postans, KUA’s vice president of customer service. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through new procedures to help minimize the spread of coronavirus.”

The utility also announced that it would resume service disconnections for nonpayment on June 22. For customers still needing assistance, the utility offers due-date extensions, payment plans and referrals to financial assistance.

Osceola Clerk of the Court

Check-in process

• Tables and tents will be located to the right of the courthouse building where county administration, court administration, and clerk’s staff will be located.

• Three lines will be open for assistance: Civil, Criminal, and Recording divisions.

• There will be floating cashiers providing credit card payment options.

• During the checkin process, customers will be informed they must be back at the check-in tent 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. Customers will be asked to verify they have received a confirmation text on their phone before they leave the check-in area. This message will state: “You have been placed on the waiting list and your date and time slot is [date] [time]. You will be notified through text message when we are ready to serve you.”

• Only 25 percent capacity will be allowed entry to the courthouse at one time. Customers should be aware that in case of inclement weather, delays might be experienced.

• Customers are encouraged to wait away from the check-in station; for example, customers can wait in their car, get something to eat, go for a walk, etc.

• Once customers are ready to be served, they will receive the following text message: “Please see Clerk of Courts check-in tent located to the right of the Courthouse to receive a court pass to enter the building for service.”

• When customers return to the check-in tent at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time, they will be provided with a colored court pass.

• With this color pass, customers will be able to get their health screening done. After they successfully complete the health screening, they will be directed to go through security and make their way to the second floor of the courthouse.

• Once on the second floor, customers will be directed to the reception area where they will be given a ticket for the appropriate division.

Customers will be asked to keep their court pass until service has been completed and prompted to drop the pass into the appropriate color-coded basket. Requirements

Requirements Customers will be required to:

• wear a face mask that properly covers their nose and mouth while they are in all common/public areas.

• follow floor markings until the person in front moves forward to comply with social distancing guidelines.

• not be accompanied by any family or friends who are not being serviced. An exception will be made for those who are filing for an injunction.

Toho Water Authority

Starting Monday, June 15, Toho Water Authority (Toho) is scheduled to resume lobby hours of its administration building located on 951 Martin Luther King Blvd. in Kissimmee to the public. Typical hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, but are subject to change at Toho’s discretion.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, Toho has enhanced sanitation procedures and implemented additional measures for distance spacing and screening. Toho is taking the following steps to help minimize health risks to our customers, employees and the community:

• Face coverings - When visiting the administration building, customers, employees and community members will be required to wear a face covering.

• Temperature screening - Upon entering the building, a temperature check must be conducted. If an individual exhibits a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, they will be asked to return once their temperature is below.

• Wristbands - Once an individual is cleared to enter the lobby, a daily wristband will be provided. The wristband should remain on for the entirety of the visit.

• Foot-traffic - To assist with foot-traffic, line ropes will direct traffic to greeters upon entry and floor decals will be in place to assist with maintaining a 6-foot distance.

• Social distancing - All individuals in the lobby area are expected to maintain a 6-foot distance from one another. Floor decals will be in place to assist with 6-foot distance requirements.

Please note the CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Toho continues to encourage customers to utilize our electronic options for conducting business. All services and assistance can be easily taken care of online or over the phone.

What customers can do online: www.tohowater.com

• Pay Your Bill

• Request a Payment Extension

• Ways to Pay

• Start / Stop / Move Service

• Check Current Rates and Fees

What customers can do over the phone: 407-944- 5000

• Customer Service Assistance

• Start / Stop / Move Service

• Payments Using Automated Phone System

• Billing Questions

• Water Usage Analysis