COVID-19 city updates; Oak Ridge Library re-opens June 1

City government facilities are returning to normal operations after more than a year of trying to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the Oak Ridge Public Library will return to normal operating hours on Tuesday, June 1.

However, not all Oak Ridge municipal departments and services have returned to full capacity, a press release said.

Here is a COVID-19 update provided by the City of Oak Ridge on Friday:

Departmental services are continuing. City officials strongly urge citizens to conduct their business electronically, over the phone, and by mail whenever possible. Financial transactions can be handled electronically and via mail. 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.

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. 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.
  • Public access to the Municipal Building are 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 must wear masks at all times.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

(865) 425-3520

• Fire Department operations are continuing as normal. 
• 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.
• In accordance with Tennessee Supreme Court Order, masks or face coverings over the nose and mouth must be worn when entering the Municipal Building and at all times when inside the building for court purposes including in the Court Clerk’s Office and City Court. Children 12 and under are not required to wear a face covering. Children two and under shall not wear a face covering. Exceptions to the face covering requirement are made for bona fide medical or health-related reasons as well as safety or security risks.
• 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 June 1, Oak Ridge Public Library will resume normal operating hours:
  • Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Children’s Room Hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Masks are strongly recommended in the library. All library users are asked to practice social distancing and to sanitize their hands upon entering.
• Curbside service will not be available after May 29. 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. 
• The Children’s Summer Reading Program sign ups begin May 24. Families can sign up online at ORPL.org or in the Children’s Room. 
• All Summer Reading Program events, except those which are scheduled to be online, will happen outside at the Bissell Park Pavilion. Visit see ORPL.org for more details. 
• Adult Summer Reading Program signups begin June 1. 
• Auditorium rentals are not yet available. 
• For more information on the phased re-opening, visit OakRidgeTN.gov. 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.
• 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 (six-digit account number required). Customers can also use the overnight dropbox located in the parking lot at 200 South 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 Electrical 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 and General Information: (865) 425-3531

Permitting and Inspections: (865) 425-3532 or [email protected]

• Community Development services are being provided in person, and electronically when staff is not available at the permit desk.
• 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!”

SENIOR CENTER

(865) 425-3999

• The Senior Center is now open an extra hour! Hours are now Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, the following safety protocols are in place:
  • Participants and staff are strongly encouraged to wear face masks and follow social distancing standards while in the building.
  • Upon entry, all participants are asked COVID-19 screening questions.
  • Those who have COVID-19 symptoms are not permitted to participate in programs.
  • Each participant must fill out new information and release forms when returning to the building for the first time since its COVID-reopening. 
• Participants are required to call ahead to schedule activities so that room and building capacity limits can be observed.
  • The Recreation Room is available for pool or ping pong in one-hour increments, with a limit of 10 players at any one time.
  • The exercise room is open to schedule 45-minute sessions. Exercise equipment use is limited to one machine per person per session and no more than three participants are allowed in the room at a time.
  • Wood Carving is now being held on Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • Bingo will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Space will be limited and other restrictions will apply. Please call the Senior Center for a reservation and/or more specific information. 
  • Guitar Practice is being held on Friday Mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Open Crafts will be held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
  • Limited card groups and games will begin this month. Pinochle will be on Mondays. Bridge will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Mahjong will be on Thursdays. Please call the Senior Center at (865) 425-3999 to schedule a space for any of these offerings.  
• The Senior Center is also offering a limited number of spots for one-on-one technology assistance to participants.
  • This includes help using smartphones, laptops, and other devices as well as guidance on the use of social media and conferencing applications (such as Zoom). 
• The Senior Center has begun offering space for limited programs that can adequately social distance such as guitar practice and wood carving. Other activities will be added as time and space allow. Prescheduling of activities is still required. 
• 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”) will continue.
• 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. Click here to read more.
• Trails, greenways, and parks including tennis courts, and Blankenship Field and Track remain open for walking and jogging use.
• The indoor pool is open. The Outdoor Pool will open on Saturday, May 29. Details about hours, updated COVID protocols, and more will be released soon.
  • To view the indoor pool schedule for various rental groups and open lap times, visit orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/indoor-pool/facilities/. Private pool parties and group/club outings are unavailable at this time.
  • COVID-19 protocols are in place and capacity limits will be enforced. Locker rooms are unavailable at this time.
• The Recreation Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Scarboro Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekday activities at the Recreation Center and Scarboro will be suspended from June 1 through July 23 while summer camp is in session.
  • Masks are strongly encouraged in all areas (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 are open and cleaned by Parks Division staff.
• Adventures Outdoors is open for the season.

ANIMAL CONTROL

(865) 425-3423

• Animal Control will continue 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 11 a.m.-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.
• 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 the virus, they may take their own cart for a small fee. Carts are still being sanitized after each round. 
• Golf cups have been placed back to normal play. The driving range and range machine are open.
• The Soulful Cup is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit www.thesoulfulcup.com for updates and more information.