The three-month emergency declaration in Sturgeon Bay expired on Friday. Approved initially through May 19 for 60 days, the city council extended it for another 30 more days last month. Mayor David Ward formed a task force to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ward, along with City Administrator Josh Van Lieshout and Council President Dan Williams, became the core of the emergency management team that included a handful of staff and public safety officials. Mayor Ward says having the former Door County Emergency Services Director on the emergency management team was a great resource.

The Emergency Management Team met at least 70 times since its inception.  Ward adds that the city took several steps to respond to the public health crisis, including the closing and now reopening of City Hall to walk-up customers, responding to legislative matters, and easing some regulations temporarily to help employees recover from financial impacts during the shutdown. The Common Council could enact a new emergency declaration to respond to the health crisis if the need arises, Mayor Ward noted.