City of Cloquet outlines process of reopening to the public

The City of Cloquet announced public access changes to city buildings and parks in response to the lifting of the governor's stay-at-home order. Here are the basics of those changes as outlined by the city:

Public Meeting Updates

City Council meetings will continue to be conducted virtually allowing for the public to view and participate live. The meeting will also be streamed live on the City's website and available after the meeting to view at your convenience. This will continue to be reviewed/revised with ongoing developments/recommendations from the Minnesota Governor, the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the gathering of people. We recognize the importance of providing the public the opportunity to meet with or speak to their elected officials and look forward to once again inviting the public to in person meetings in the future.

City Hall

Members of the community will be able to enter the lobby area of City Hall/Police Department effective June 1, 2020 through the doors located on the parking lot side of the building only. Floors will be marked to assist members of the community in maintaining the recommended 6-foot social distancing recommendation. For convenience - a complete staff directory is available on our website at http://www.cloquetmn.gov. For general inquiries feel free to send an email to [email protected] or call our centralized phone line: 218-879-3347.

Cloquet Police Department

Members of the community will be able to enter the lobby area of City Hall/Police Department effective June 1, 2020 through the doors located on the parking lot side of the building only. Floors will be marked to assist members of the community in maintaining the recommended 6-foot social distancing recommendation. The department has continued patrolling and responding to Emergency and 911 Call for Service. At this time lower level offenses that do not necessitate an officer response will be handled via telephone. Non-emergency calls for service (218-384-4185) will be handled on a case by case basis. Other services such as permits to purchase firearms, ATV licenses, report copies, etc. will be available through our front counter.

Parks

In keeping with the Governor's Emergency Executive Order 20-56 the City of Cloquet will open outdoor recreation facilities in our parks for informal recreational use by families and children.  Open facilities include playgrounds, athletic courts and the skatepark. Pinehurst Pond and indoor rental space will continue to remain closed at this time.      

Spafford Park Campground

The City of Cloquet will open the Spafford Park Campground to seasonal and monthly campers only effective Monday, June 1st. In compliance with required safety guidelines, the bathhouse will remain closed and only self-contained campers with full bathrooms and sewer tanks will be allowed at this time. Payments and reservations for the 2020 season can be made in person at Cloquet City Hall (101 14th Street) or by calling 218-879-3347. All reservations must be made prior to parking and set-up at the campground during the City's normal business hours; Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5pm and Friday 7:30 am-11:30am.

We appreciate your patience as we present this opportunity for safe recreation during this difficult time. A complete list of Outdoor Recreation Guidelines can be found at:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/covid-19-outdoor-recreation-guidelines.html

Library

The library will continue to remain closed to patrons at this time but is offering curbside and lobby pickup of materials. Staff will continue to answer the library's customer service phone (218-879-1531) during the closure. We will also continue to monitor the library's email account at  [email protected] and will attempt to answer questions you may have at this time.

Cloquet Public Library materials may be requested by patrons by calling (218-879-1531) or emailing us at ([email protected]). Items will be checked out to patrons and placed in the lobby for pick up within one hour of a request. We ask patrons to return all borrowed materials in our outdoor book drop. Overdue and lost fines will be waived until further notice. Please note, the library has an extensive collection of online services including eBooks, eAudiobooks, downloadable magazines. Please visit our website for more

information.

Public Works

The Public Works Department including Engineering, Utilities, Street and Parks will continue with all maintenance and operations tasks.  However, scheduled customer site visits will be suspended. Staff will continue to respond to emergency situations such as a sewer back-ups and water leaks.  The public can continue to correspond with staff via phone or e-mail.  Any issues can be reported by calling 218-879-6758 during normal business hours.   Afterhours emergencies can be reported to the Public Works Dispatcher at 218-624-0391.  During the pandemic, the City will suspend disconnections for residential customers.  No City Camping park reservations will be taken at this time.  Current reservations will be cancelled, and payments refunded.

Finance Department

Finance will begin accepting payments at the customer service counter in City Hall. We will also continue processing payments via drop box located at US Bank frontage road, mail, online (utility bills only) at http://www.cloquetmn.gov and drop box in the parking lot entry way of City Hall. If you would like to make a utility bill payment by phone you may call 1-877-885-7968. Walmart customer service payment center also accepts payments for the City's utility bills with an added fee. Disconnection Notices for utility bills will still be mailed to affected customers as a reminder, however service disconnections and penalties will continue to be suspended at this time. We remain available by phone at 218-879-3844, if you have a question about your utility bill, for all other payments please call 218-879-3347.

Permits and License

The City will continue to process all types of permit and license applications, at the Customer Service Counter in City Hall and online, by fax, or by e-mail including but not limited to building permits, mechanical permits, plumbing permits, inspections, zoning applications and permits, rental complaints and more. Information on all of these permits, licenses and applications can be found at http://www.cloquetmn.gov or by calling our front desk at 218-879-3347. Payments may be paid by phone at 218-879-3347 or by mail.

For Building Permit and Inspection Questions – Matt Munter, 218-879-2507 ext. 2

For Zoning Questions – Al Cottingham, 218-879-2507, ext. 3

Economic Development Programs, Available buildings and property & Applications

Cloquet economic development information, programs, and available sites can be found at https://www.cloqueteda.com/. Cloquet economic development applications can be found at:

https://www.cloqueteda.com/business-incentives/local and questions can be directed to Community Development Director Holly Hansen at [email protected] or 218-879-2507 x4. Permits can be paid by phone via credit card at 218-879-3347 (or mailed in via check to City Hall).