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

September 2021

City of Oak Ridge facilities are reimplementing additional COVID-19 safety measures amid the rise in cases and spread due to the Delta variant. All City of Oak Ridge residents are urged to wear masks, practice social distancing and get vaccinated, if possible.

A review of all City departments and services has been conducted. The following is a summary of various services.

Departmental services are continuing. City officials strongly urge citizens to conduct their business electronically, over the phone, and by mail whenever possible. If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department or click here for a list of all departments. Please call the City Manager’s office or department offices on the City’s website for further information.

MUNICIPAL BUILDING
• The City of Oak Ridge Municipal Building is open to the public with COVID-19 precautions. It has been redesigned to better serve citizens while protecting City staff with secured, badge-only areas that require a staff member to escort the public.
o Public access to the Municipal Building is as follows: at the north entrance near the courtroom (labeled Court Public Safety), the Utility Business Office and Community Development permit window, and the entrance near the City Clerk’s office on the south side of the building, which is for handicap-access only. For handicap access, contact the handicap-access helpline at (865) 425-5377 for assistance.
• At the Court Public Safety entrance, visitors can call a department and/or check in for their scheduled appointments to be escorted to the secured areas of the building.
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks that cover both the mouth and nose while in the building. Those meeting in groups of 10 or more should wear masks, if indoors.

FIRE DEPARTMENT
(865) 425-3520
• All citizen visits and tours to fire stations and headquarters have been suspended.
• Administration may be reached via phone at (865) 425-3520.

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

CITY COURT
(865) 425-3536
• Oak Ridge City Court has returned to in-person hearings with COVID-19 precautions. Masks or face coverings and six feet of social distancing are required for all individuals appearing in City Court. 
• The City Court Clerk’s office is open for payment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., via mail, or via the dropbox outside the City Court entrance labeled “Court Public Safety.” There is a black box on the wall on the right side of the steps to City Court and a sign that states “Afterhours payments for City Court.” 
• 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.

LIBRARY
(865) 425-3455
• Beginning September 12, Oak Ridge Library will be open Monday through Sunday. Main library hours are:
o Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
o Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
o Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Children’s Room hours are:
o Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
o Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Masks are strongly recommended in the library. Masks are available at the front desk and in the Children’s Room for anyone who needs one. All library users are asked to practice social distancing and to sanitize their hands upon entering.
• For story time and programming information, please follow us on Facebook or check our website for information. 
• Curbside service is no longer available. If you need assistance, please call (865) 425-3455 and let our staff know how we can help. 
• Returned library items will no longer be quarantined. Library users should see returned items removed from their accounts on the same day they are returned. 
• Auditorium rentals are not yet available. 
• Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates.

UTILITIES 
(865) 425-3400
• The lobby to the Utilities Business Office (UBO) is open to the public with COVID-19 precautions. Masks are strongly recommended inside the lobby.
• Customers are still encouraged to make payments through the online Customer Self Service portal at https://payment.oakridgetn.gov, or by phone 24/7 by calling (833) 268-4341 (6-digit account number required). Customers can also use the overnight dropbox located in the parking lot at 200 S. Tulane Avenue or payments can be mailed to P.O. Box 1 Oak Ridge, TN 37831.

CENTRAL SERVICES
Public Works: (865) 425-1875
Electric Department: (865) 425-1803
• Public Works and Electric Department services are still ongoing. 
• The Central Services Complex is open to the public by appointment only. Visitors will be buzzed in and escorted to the office they need.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning & General Information: (865) 425-3531
Permitting & Inspections: (865) 425-3532 or codes@oakridgetn.gov
• Community Development services are being provided in person, and electronically when staff is not available at the permit desk. All in-person visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering in the lobby and in Community Development offices.
• During the transition to CityView, the new electronic system for applications and scheduling, there may be temporary periods of limited service. We appreciate your patience during this transition to a more efficient and user-friendly system!

PERSONNEL
(865) 425-3564
• The City of Oak Ridge continues to hire for several openings. All open positions can be found by clicking “EMPLOYMENT” at the top right of OakRidgeTN.gov.
• All job interviews are being conducted virtually until further notice.
• Personnel can be contacted via phone at (865) 425-3564 and via email at personnel@oakridgetn.gov.

SENIOR CENTER
(865) 425-3999
• The Senior Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The following safety protocols are in place:
o Participants and staff are strongly encouraged to wear masks and follow social distancing standards while in the building. 
o Upon entry, all participants are asked COVID-19 screening questions. Those who have COVID-19 symptoms are not permitted to participate in programs nor enter the building.
o Each participant must fill out new information and release forms when returning to the building for the first time since it’s COVID-reopening.
• Pre-scheduling of activities is still recommended although no longer required.
o The Recreation Room is available for pool or ping pong in one-hour increments, with a limit of 24 players at any one time.
o The exercise room is open to schedule 45-minute sessions. There is a limit of 5 participants allowed in the room at a time.
o Educational and other regularly scheduled activities are beginning to return to normal. For a list of those activities and current calendar of events please check out our website at oakridgeseniorcenter.com. 
• Participants are asked to bring bottled water, as water fountains are not open at this time.
• The ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals (“Meals On Wheels”) continues to operate. The MyRide program is discontinued. Residents may schedule rides for trips within the city with Oak Ridge Transit by calling (865) 482-2785 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents can schedule rides outside of the city by calling ETHRA transit services at (800) 232-1565.

RECREATION & PARKS 
(865) 425-3450
• City playgrounds are open with COVID-19 precautions in place. 
• Parks, greenways, tennis courts, basketball courts and ballfields remain open. Social distancing and other COVID precautions are strongly recommended.
• The indoor pool is open. The outdoor pool is closed for the season.
o To view the pool schedule for various rental groups and open lap times, visit orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/. 
o Private pool parties are available at this time.
o COVID-19 protocols are in place and capacity limits will be enforced.
• The Recreation Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. 
• The Scarboro Center has returned to its regular schedule:
o Monday/Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
o Tuesday / Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
o Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Masks are strongly encouraged at all indoor facilities (staff and the public). Staff may inquire about COVID-19 symptoms/exposure (per current building postings). Areas are sanitized by staff after each use. Call (865) 425-3450 for specific room limits.
• The restrooms at Melton Lake Park and Blankenship Field are open and cleaned by Parks Division staff.
• Adventures Outdoors is open for the season.

ANIMAL CONTROL
(865) 425-3423
• Animal Control continues to respond to animal emergencies. 
• Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open to the public by appointment only to protect the safety and health of animals, employees, volunteers, and visitors.
• Animal Control may be reached during normal business hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you have a problem after hours, you can call the Oak Ridge Police Department’s non-emergency number (865) 425-4399.

CENTENNIAL GOLF COURSE
(865) 425-5353
• Bottled water is available for sale on and off the course.
• Bottle fillers have been installed at the Clubhouse, On-course restroom (@ Hole 3/16) and at the driving range building.
• Outdoor and Clubhouse restrooms are open, cleaned, and sanitized daily.
• Ball washers remain off the course, but flags on the putting green have been replaced.
• Golf carts can now be shared, however, if a player has concerns about COVID-19, they may take their own cart for a small fee. Carts are being sanitized after each round. 
• Golf cups have been placed back to normal play. The driving range and range machine are open.
• The Golf Course is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Soulful Cup is open from Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. Visit www.thesoulfulcup.com for updates and more information.