No date has been set for Palm Desert City Council to resume public meetings and City Hall continues to serve in person by appointment only.

The city continues to provide services to the public digitally through email, phone, and the city’s website.

“City Hall is open for limited in-person services by appointment only,” city spokesman Thomas Soule said. “The public is always encouraged to do business with us virtually whenever possible. “

City Hall has been closed except for digital service or appointments since mid-March 2020 under state and county guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The last plenary council meeting held behind closed doors and open to the public took place on March 12, 2020.

Since then, the council has met by teleconference or Zoom, with the public being able to watch and comment via the city’s website or YouTube channel and via email.

“We don’t have a plan for in-person public meetings yet,” Soule said.

City Hall was temporarily closed earlier this month due to reported exposure to COVID-19, according to an April 14 post on Facebook.

In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, affected areas of City Hall were disinfected and all employees had to be tested for the negative coronavirus before returning to the office to work.

In-person services by appointment resumed on April 15.

In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, affected areas of City Hall were disinfected and all employees had to be tested for the negative coronavirus before returning to the office to work.

“City Hall follows California State, CDC, and Riverside County public health protocols for office and field workers,” Soule said.

Masks are mandatory for all employees and visitors to city facilities, anyone entering city facilities must have a temperature screen and recognize that they are not feeling sick, he said.

To schedule building and encroachment permits call (760) 776-6420, for business licenses call (760) 776-6582 and for code compliance call (760) 776-6360 . For public records or Board inquiries, please call (760) 346-0611.

For more information visit cityofpalmdesert.org.

Desert Sun reporter Sherry Barkas covers the towns of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. She can be reached at sherry.barkas@thedesertsun.com. Follow her on Twitter @TDSsherryBarkas