An important update from the City Manager on coronavirus
(COVID-19)

May 28, 2020

The public health situation is rapidly changing, here are the latest updates affecting city facilities.

The City of Oak Ridge has concentrated on the implementation of “Tennessee Pledge” efforts by the state government in the last few weeks. Please refer to State of Tennessee websites for updates and advice on precautions to be taken by particular businesses.

City facilities will continue to be operated as below as precautions and security matters are considered for the safety of our employees and “social distancing” for our customers.  Visitors may receive a temperature scan and inquiry about current health. Please call the City Manager’s office or department offices on the City’s website for further information.

Note: Financial transactions can be handled electronically and via mail. If you need to meet someone, you can call the department’s extension directly. Phone numbers are listed under each department below.

MUNICIPAL BUILDING
• For the safety of our employees and the public, the City of Oak Ridge Municipal Building is closed to the public but is moving to a public check-in area where visitors can be escorted to secured areas of the building.
• Departmental services are still available electronically or by appointment. This precaution should limit potential exposures to these employees.
• If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department or click here for a list of all departments. You can also reach a department by email or social media.
• Executive order 16 allowing governing bodies to meet electronically is expected to be extended past May 18. Therefore, official meetings may continue to occur electronically via “Go to Meeting” or “Zoom”. A limited number of boards and commissions will meet electronically and only if necessary. An official record of the meetings will be established for review on the City of Oak Ridge website.

LIBRARY
(865) 425-3455
• The library book drop reopened May 4, but no overdue charges will be applied until further notice.
• The library has begun curbside delivery of library materials. Curbside pickup will take place Monday-Friday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Click here for more information on how curbside pickup will operate.
• Returned library materials will be quarantined on return to the library. In order to manage the quarantine process effectively, patrons will be able to check out a total of 25 items. Patrons who have been with the library less than one year are still limited to a total of 6 items.
• To place a hold on an item, patrons will need a current library card in good standing and a PIN. Items can be placed on hold online (orpl.org>catalog) or by calling (865) 425-3455, option 4.
• Because items are being quarantined upon return, you may experience delays in receiving your library materials. We cannot guarantee that all items placed on hold will be available at the same time. Thank you for your patience as we work through this new process. 
• There will be no overdue charges until the library reopens in full. If you have long overdue materials, we are offering a no-fines amnesty for the length of our closure.

UTILITIES 
(865) 425-3400
• The lobby to the Utilities Business Office (UBO) is closed until further notice. 
• Customers should make payments online or make arrangements by calling (865) 425-3400.
• City Utilities staff is following the COVID-19 closely, with an eye toward opening the office over the next several weeks.

CENTRAL SERVICES
(865) 425-1875
• Public Works and Electrical Department services are still on-going.
• The Central Services Complex will reopen to the public on Monday, June 1, but appointments need to be made in advance.
• Visitors will be buzzed in and escorted to the office they need. All visitors will be temperature-screened before entry. 
• If you need to reach Public Works, please call 865-425-1875 and for the Electric Department, call 865-425-1803.
• The Annual Citywide Household Trash Pick-up, which was set for April 6, has been postponed until further notice. A release will be sent out when a new start date is scheduled.
• The Waste Connections Convenience Center on Warehouse Road has returned to accepting bulk items, metal, brush and yard waste. More information can be found here.

FIRE DEPARTMENT
(865) 425-3520
• All citizen visits and tours to fire stations and headquarters have been suspended.
• Fire administration may be reached via phone at (865) 425-3520.
• Businesses with questions for the Fire Marshal about reopening can contact Travis Solomon at (865) 425-3524.

POLICE DEPARTMENT 
(865) 425-3504
• The main entrance to the police department is closed to the public. 
• To file police reports, citizens should call the police department for guidance at (865) 425-3504.
• Crime tips can still be reported online.

CITY COURT
(865) 425-3536
• City Court resumed in-person hearings on May 11 with COVID-19 precautions. Guidelines for City Court can be found here.
• All cases scheduled during the time court was closed have been reset. Notifications of the new court date were sent by mail to the address listed on the citation(s). If you did not receive notification of a new court date, please contact the City Court Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3536.
• In the meantime, the City Court Clerk’s office is open for payment via mail. Citizens can send money orders or personal checks to: 
City of Oak Ridge - City Courts
P.O. Box 1
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
• If a payment is past due, only a money order or a cashier’s check is accepted. 
• If you have any questions about what is owed or whether you need to appear in court, please call (865) 425-3536.

ANIMAL CONTROL
(865) 425-3423
• Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety and health of animals, employees, volunteers and visitors.
• Animal Control will continue to respond to animal emergencies.
• Adoptions and owner reclaims must be scheduled by calling (865) 425-3423.
• Aggressive and loose animals in the city limits will be responded to by Animal Control. Animal Control may be reached during normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at (865) 425-3423.  If you have a problem after-hours, you can call the Oak Ridge Police Departments non-emergency number (865) 425-4399.

SENIOR CENTER
(865) 425-3999
• The Senior Center is closed until further notice. Planning is now occurring for a phased reopening. 
• The ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals (“Meals On Wheels”) will continue.
• The MyRide program is discontinued. Residents may schedule rides with ETHRA transit services.

RECREATION & PARKS 
(865) 425-3450
• City of Oak Ridge playgrounds and basketball courts remain closed until further notice. Disinfection options are being reviewed for limited open times.  
• Trails, greenways and parks including tennis courts, and Blankenship Field and Track remain open for walking and jogging use.
• The Recreation Center and Scarboro Community Center remain closed until further notice.
• A decision regarding the outdoor swimming pool will be announced in the near future.
• Other programs and activities may be subject to postponement or cancellation as the situation develops.
• Restrooms at the following parks are closed until further notice: 
o The Baseball Complex
o Big Turtle Park
o Carl Yearwood Park
o Melton Lake Park
• Summer camp registration is now open to children between the ages of 6 and 11. Due to space and staffing restrictions, teen camp will not be offered this year. Read about the extra precautions that will be taken due to COVID-19 here.

CENTENNIAL GOLF COURSE
(865) 425-3450
• Water coolers at the Centennial Golf Course remain off the course for the foreseeable future.
• All restrooms on the golf course have been closed.
• Ball washers and putting green flags have been removed.
• Golf carts are only to be used by one person at a time.
• Raised golf cups are in play.
• The grill at the golf course club house reopened Monday, May 4, with a limited menu of sandwiches and hot dogs in addition to the prepackaged food and beverages currently offered.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
(865) 425-3531
• The permit desk is open and accepting drop-off applications for building, planning, and zoning. You can still submit applications via phone or email.
• Inspections in the field are continuing, although slight delays may occur on scheduling.
• Codes enforcement can be reached at (865) 425-3532.


For more information, contact the City Manager’s office at 865-425-3550.