LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Noraida Negron,

LAREDO, Texas—Laredo- The City of Laredo Mayor and the Health Authority have issued a new Emergency Ordinance in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Those actions included adding a new curfew restrictions for all residents.

Starting 10:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020, a curfew will be implemented for all residents daily. This curfew will only affect social activities outside a business between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. This means that you cannot be at someone’s home ‘socializing’ between these hours. However you can still engage in other lawful activity at a business or alone (such as exercising).

The new emergency order includes adopting administrative changes to city departments to mitigate and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 within the community. Therefore, only 50 percent of employees will be allowed in city offices until further notice. The City of Laredo has also implemented a temporary work program where city employees can work remotely from home.

For the safety of citizens and city employees, all office buildings will be closed to the public. City services offered to the public will be provided online or on the phone. For example, the City of Laredo Tax and Utilities Departments, will continue operations during business hours – Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – and provide services through online and/or phone as follows:

UTILITY SERVICES

To open water accounts and request transfer of services online, go to www.cityoflaredo.com and select “Open New Water Account Here” under Announcements.

To request Utility Services such as opening accounts, transfers, changes, etc., please call Utility Customer Service at (956)727-6402.

TAX SERVICES

To request any tax information, please call (956)727-6403 or visit www.cityoflaredo.com and select Services/Pay Taxes/Contact us.

The drive-thru service will remain open at the City Hall Annex, located at 1102 Bob Bullock Loop, for all payments such as tax, utilities, alarm permits, paving, force cleaning, beer and wine, hotel/motel, water contracts, hazmat, and demolition.

Additionally, there are other payment options still available to customers, including:

• Online payments via the City’s website at www.cityoflaredo.com. (credit/debit cards only for property tax and utility payments.) The 3% convenience fee has been waived for utility payments.

• Automated phone payments by credit card at (956)727-6402. (only for utility accounts).

• Payment night drop at City Hall Annex, 1102 Bob Bullock Loop and at City Hall, 1110 Houston Street. (checks or money orders only)

• Mail payments to City of Laredo, P. O. Box 6548, Laredo, Texas 78042. (checks or money orders only)

BUILDING & PLANNING PERMITS:

The Building Developmental Services Department is committed to working with the community to ensure all structures are built in compliance with the local building code but this time in a safe manner. In order to obtain a building permit, you can do it online on the City of Laredo website: https://www.cityoflaredo.com/Building/. You can also call the Building Development Services at 956-794-1625.

**All other City business can also be done by appointment.

Under the new Emergency Order parks will close but the only amenity that will be available for the public are the trails. Also the use of sports fields by all types of youth and adult leagues shall be temporarily postponed until the expiration of the City’s Public Health Emergency order.

All city council, board, committees and commissions will conduct their meetings virtually until further notice. Under the new Emergency Order, parks will remain closed except those portions that include walking trails and tracks, sports fields, fishing piers, tennis courts, disc golf courses, and parking lots.

The City of Laredo encourages everyone to please vote in the current Run-Off Elections for City Council District 5, District 7 and District 8. You can visit any early voting site by wearing a face mask and following all safety protocols in place. The last day of early voting is Tuesday, December 08, 2020 and election day is Saturday, December 12, 2020.

The following are prohibited and considered non-essential services under the new emergency order:

1. Bars or similar establishments that hold a permit with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

2. No individual, business entity, promoter or organizer can host, or conduct any outdoor gathering of with more than 10 people, unless approved by the mayor.