News Photo by Crystal Nelson Lynn Bunting, assistant to the Alpena County Board of Commissioners, makes photocopies on Tuesday at the County Courthouse.

ALPENA — Municipalities in Northeast Michigan are planning for the best way to reopen offices to the public while keeping employees safe.

The Alpena County Board of Commissioners last week decided to bring back employees who were working from home or laid off.

County board Chairman Bob Adrian said the board followed guidelines stipulated in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s most recent executive order related to the coronavirus and guidelines provided by District Health Department No. 4.

Adrian said security upgrades completed a couple years ago at the county building put bulletproof glass between the public and county employees, which help lessen employees’ exposure to the coronavirus.

Adrian said the county has also purchased cleaning supplies and designated an employee with the task of wiping down “frequently contacted surfaces” multiple times a day.

While the county is open for business, county officials ask residents to observe social distancing, staying at least six feet away from strangers, and wear a mask.

“The big thing is, we really want the public to comply with the masking, the social distancing, when they enter our buildings,” he said. “It’s out of respect to the other people who are in the building and our employees.”

Alpena officials want to return to regular staffing levels on June 1, although City Hall would remain closed to the public until June 15, City Manager Rachel Smolinski said. Whitmer’s order that Michiganders stay home unless absolutely necessary expires on June 12.

When City Hall reopens, “there will be social distancing, there will be the installation of sneeze guards in some areas of the building,” she said. “We will require face masks for employees in some portions of the building where social distancing isn’t feasible. We will ask on June 15 that the public also wear face masks when they come into the building.”

Smolinski said city officials would reevaluate those safety protocols at the end of June.

Smolinski said she plans to release information on public facilities, such as restrooms, later this week.

Rogers City officials plan for all city staff to return and City Hall to reopen to the public on June 1, Mayor Scott McLennan said.

The Rogers City City Council agreed on May 13 to spend up to $5,000 on safety and security improvements for the front office at City Hall. Officials will purchase sneeze guards for the front desk and replace the office’s swinging gate with a more secure door.

Technology upgrades would turn deputy clerks’ desks into individual workstations so clerks can avoid using common areas like the front counter.

McLennan said officials are still discussing how council meetings will proceed in June, and have yet to determine whether the meetings will continue on videoconferencing software Zoom or the council will meet in person.

All Alcona County employees returned to work on Tuesday, although the county building in Harrisville remains closed to the public. County Clerk Stephany Eller on Tuesday indicated the county board would likely discuss the county’s reopening plan on June 3.

Calls to Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners Chairman Lee Gapczynski and Montmorency County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bert LaFleche were not immediately returned.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.