The campground at Pastime Park is taking on a new purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plain City Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said the campground is now a designated place for first responders and medical personnel who are self-isolating as a precautionary measure.
Cahall said the village began discussions with the Union County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Brad Gilbert about a month ago regarding where a “core group” of first responders could self-isolate.
He said the Union County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was initially reaching out to hotels and colleges for dorm space.
But, the Union County Health Department ultimately approved use of the campground.
Cahall said the village began preparing for use of the campground as an isolation area last week. He said the first occupants moved in Tuesday.
The campground will follow a “strict protocol,” he said.
Every person using it will be required to follow a code of conduct that prohibits visitors. Cahall said the only travel in and out of the campground will be to go to work or pick up groceries.
“This is basically a place to crash and eat… You’re just there staying to yourself out of an abundance of caution to keep from bringing it to your loved ones or family,” Cahall explained.
He said each individual who would like to stay at the campground needs to have their own camper to do so.
Additionally, Cahall said every person and vehicle staying at the campground will register through the village. He said this will ensure each person staying is one of the essential personnel that the campground is designated for.
He said those permitted to stay at the campground will then be given a registration “tag” for their vehicle, likely a sticker to place in their window.
The personnel staying at the campground is restricted to “key personnel” including first responders and medical employees.
However, Cahall said employees such as water and sewer operators and electrical workers will be permitted to stay because their function is crucial to the operation of the village.
He said the village is still in discussions with the county EMA to determine what steps would be taken if an individual at the campground tests positive for COVID-19.
Cahall said he expects a decision to be made in conjunction with the EMA by the end of the week.
As of now, individuals staying at the campground have not tested positive but are self-isolating as a precautionary measure.
“This is just in response to the public health emergency… We’re simply doing the best we can to help,” he said.
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Like many other municipalities, Plain City is working to shift meetings virtually.
Monday’s meeting was intended to be held via teleconference, but was cancelled due to technical difficulties.
Cahall said the issues were rooted with the village’s phone provider. While the bandwidth was equipped to have no limit, the call handling system was set to allow only six people on the call at a time.
For that reason, not all council members and staff were able to join the teleconference simultaneously. Beyond that, members of the public were not able to listen in on the meeting.
Since members of the public were unable to “attend” the meeting, Village Solicitor Paul Lafayette said the meeting should not be held.
Regardless of the format, he said public meetings require a 24-hour notice.
Rather than rescheduling the meeting, Cahall said the agenda items will be pushed to the next scheduled meeting, 6:30 p.m. April 27.
He said the technical difficulties should be resolved and the next meeting will be held via teleconference. Those who would like to listen to the meeting should call (614) 873-3527, choose extension 250 and enter the PIN 948657.
Those who would like to comment during the meeting should email rsonnett@plain-city.com.