COVID-19, Featured, Public Safety
State of Emergency – Updated
Mayor Kenneth Gulley and the Bessemer City Council
State of Emergency - UPDATED
Today, by order of Mayor Kenneth Gulley and the Bessemer City Council, a State of Emergency now exists in the city of Bessemer, beginning on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and lasting through Tuesday, May 5, 2020. All city of Bessemer administrative offices will be closed to the general public during this time. The following facilities will operate under State of Emergency guidelines:
Bessemer City Hall
City Hall is closed to the public. The general public will not be allowed in the building. Offices based out of City Hall include Building Inspections, Finance and Revenue, Information Technology and Economic and Community Development Departments. Please call City Hall at 205-424-4060 during this time to speak with department representatives regarding specific needs.
Bessemer City Council Meetings
The City Council meetings scheduled for April 7 and April 21 and the Planning Session scheduled for Tuesday April 14 are hereby cancelled as a result. Likewise, city board meetings in April are cancelled.
Bessemer Utilities
Customers of Bessemer Utilities are asked to use the drive-thru at the Utility offices, 1600 First Avenue North, or pay their bills by mail, online services or by phone. The link for online bill pay is www.bessemerutilities.com and the online pay number is (844) 549-0405. Paying by phone is free.
The public is strongly encouraged to pay their utility bills by credit card or check. The use of cash payments is strongly discouraged but will be accepted.
Recreation Center
The Bessemer Recreation Center will remain closed to the public through May 5.
City Parks
City parks will operate between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Outdoor activity of walking, hiking, biking or running is permissible in parks provided that individuals maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
The use of playgrounds, basketball courts and sports that require participants to be within 6 feet of each other is prohibited.
Municipal Court
Due to the Alabama Supreme Court Order suspending all public court hearings, the Bessemer Municipal Court will suspend proceedings until April 30 or until further notice. However, persons set on payment dockets can make their payments at the payment window at 23 15th Street North. The public is strongly encouraged to pay by credit card or check.
Payments can also be made by calling 1-877-591-8761 (myfinepayment.com) or 1-844-400-8880 (ncourt.com).
Bessemer Civic Center
The Civic Center will close and all scheduled events either postponed or cancelled during this time. Please call 205-424-7469 for more information.
Public Improvements
Garbage and trash collection and right-of-way maintenance operations will continue. However, office staff will be limited during this time. Please be patient if calling this department.
Animal Control
The city of Bessemer’s Animal Control Officers are currently on Priority One pickup services at the request of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. This means Animal Control will only respond to high priority/emergency animal control complaints. High priority pickups will include law enforcement assistance, injured or sick stray animals, cruelty and neglect complaints, bite complaints, and dangerous and aggressive dog complaints.
Frank House Municipal Golf Course
The Frank House Municipal Golf Course shall remain open but under social distancing restrictions. The Banquet facility in the Clubhouse is closed.
Bessemer Storm Shelter
The Shelter will operate under normal emergency procedures in the event of a Tornado Watch or Warning issued for Jefferson County.
These closings do not affect the operations of first responders with the Bessemer Police Department or the Bessemer Fire Department.
Continue to visit the following links for information related to the coronavirus:
Alabama Department of Health
Center for Disease Controls
Jefferson County Department of Health
http://www.jcdh.org/
