Officials and staff at Oak Ridge City facilities are implementing COVID-19 security measures in light of the increase in cases and spread due to the Delta variant.
All Oak Ridge City residents are urged to wear masks, practice social distancing and get vaccinated, city manager Mark Watson released a press release on Tuesday Sept. 28.
A review of all municipal departments and services was carried out. Below is a summary of various services.
Department services will continue. City officials urge citizens to conduct their business electronically, by telephone and by post whenever possible, the statement said. To contact a department, call the number listed for each department. Call the city government office or the departmental offices on the city website for more information.
Urban building
The City of Oak Ridge City Building is open to the public with COVID-19 precautions. It has been redesigned to provide better service to citizens while protecting city staff with secured areas with badges only where a staff member has to accompany the public.
Public access to the community building is as follows: at the north entrance near the courtroom (labeled Court Public Safety), the utility and community development approval window, and at the entrance near the town clerk’s office on the south side of the building, which is only intended for disabled access. For disabled access, call the disabled access hotline at (865) 425-5377 for assistance.
At the court’s public security entrance, visitors can call a department or register for their scheduled appointments to be escorted into the secured areas of the building.
Visitors are strongly advised to wear a mouth and nose covering inside the building and at any official city council or city council meeting. City workers will wear masks in groups of four or more.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
(865) 425-3520
All public visits and tours to fire stations and headquarters have been suspended. The administration can be reached by telephone at (865) 425-3520.
POLICE STATION
(865) 425-3504
The file window is open to people who need copies of reports.
To file police reports, citizens should call the Police Department at (865) 425-3504. Crime tips can still be reported online.
CITY COURT
(865) 425-3536
Oak Ridge City Court has returned to face-to-face hearings with COVID-19 precautions. Masks or face coverings and two meters of social distance are required for all persons appearing with the judge in the city court.
The office of the City Court Secretary is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for payments by post or via the mailbox in front of the entrance to the City Court with the inscription “Judicial Security”. On the right side of the stairs to the City Court there is a black box on the wall and a sign that says “Pay after Hours for City Court”.
Citizens can send money orders or personal checks to: City of Oak Ridge – City Courts PO Box 1 Oak Ridge, TN 37831.
If a judicial payment is overdue, only a money order or cashier’s check will be accepted. If you have any questions about what is owed or whether to appear in court, call (865) 425-3536.
LIBRARY
(865) 425-3455
The Oak Ridge Library is open Monday through Sunday. The opening times of the main library are:
- Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The opening times of the children’s room are:
- Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Masks are highly recommended in the city library. Masks are available at reception and in the children’s room for anyone who needs one. All library users are asked to keep their distance and disinfect their hands when entering.
Follow on Facebook for storytime and program information or visit the library website for information.
The curb service is no longer available. If you need help call (865) 425-3455 and let the staff know how they can help.
Returned library items are no longer quarantined. Library users should see that returned media has been removed from their accounts on the same day it is returned.
It is not yet possible to rent lecture halls. Keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for updates.
SERVICES
(865) 425-3400
The lobby of the Utilities Business Office (UBO) is open to the public with COVID-19 precautions. Masks are highly recommended in the lobby.
Customers are still encouraged to make payments through the online customer self-service portal at https://payment.oakridgetn.gov or by calling 24/7 at (833) 268-4341. A six-digit account number is required. Customers can also use the overnight dropbox in the parking lot at 200 S. Tulane Avenue or post payments to City of Oak Ridge – Utilities Business Office, PO Box 1 Oak Ridge, TN 37831.
CENTRAL SERVICES
Public works: (865) 425-1875
Electrical department: (865) 425-1803
Public works and electrical department services are available.
The central service complex is only accessible to the public by appointment. Visitors are called in and directed to the desired office.
Masks are strongly recommended in the Central Services Complex.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning and general information
(865) 425-3531
Permits and inspections:
(865) 425-3532 or [email protected]
Community development services are provided in person and electronically when personnel are unavailable at the permit desk.
All personal visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in the lobby and community development offices.
STAFF
(865) 425-3564
The city of Oak Ridge is still hiring for multiple openings. All open positions can be found by clicking on “EMPLOYMENT” in the upper right corner of OakRidgeTN.gov.
All job interviews will be held virtually until further notice.
The staff can be contacted by phone at (865) 425-3564 and email at [email protected]
RETIREMENT HOME
(865) 425-3999
The senior center is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The following security protocols are in place:
- Participants and staff are strongly advised to wear masks while in the building and to adhere to social distancing standards.
- Upon entry, all participants will be asked questions about the COVID-19 screening. People with COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to participate in programs or enter the building.
- Each participant must fill out new information and approval forms when they return to the building after a long absence.
Planning activities in advance is still recommended, but is no longer required.
The recreation room is available for billiards or table tennis in one-hour increments, with a limit of 24 players at a time.
The fitness room is open for 45-minute sessions. A maximum of five participants can be in the room at the same time.
Educational and other regularly scheduled activities begin to normalize. A list of these activities and the current calendar of events can be found on oakridgeseniorcenter.com.
Participants are asked to bring bottled water as the water fountains are not currently open.
The ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals will continue to operate. The MyRide program will be discontinued. Residents can schedule trips within the city using Oak Ridge Transit by calling (865) 482-2785 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday -1565.
RECREATION & PARKS
(865) 425-3450
The municipal playgrounds are open in compliance with COVID-19 precautions.
Parks, greenways, tennis, basketball, and ball fields will remain open. Social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions are highly recommended.
The indoor pool is open. The outdoor pool is closed during the season.
To view the pool schedule for different rental groups and the open lap times, visit orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/. Private pool parties are available at this time. COVID-19 logs are in place and capacity limits are being enforced.
The leisure center is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Scarboro Center has returned to its regular schedule:
- Monday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Masks are strongly recommended in all interior settings (staff and public). Staff can inquire about COVID-19 symptoms and exposure (as per current building post). The areas are disinfected by the staff after each use. Call (865) 425-3450 for specific room limits.
The toilets at Melton Lake Park and Blankenship Field are open and cleaned by the Parks Division.
Adventures Outdoors is open during 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, staff, volunteers and visitors. Masks are highly recommended inside the building.
Animal Control can be reached during normal business hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL GOLF COURSE
(865) 425-5353
Bottled water is available on and off the course.
Bottle fillers were installed in the clubhouse, on the toilet at hole 3/16 and on the driving range building.
The toilets outside and in the clubhouse are open, cleaned and disinfected daily.
Ball washers remain off the field, but flags on the green have been replaced.
Golf carts can now be shared. However, if a player has concerns about COVID-19, they can bring their own car for a small fee. The cars are disinfected after each lap.
Golf cups were played normally again. The driving range and range machine are open.
The golf course is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Soulful Cup is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.thesoulfulcup.com for updates and more information.
Masks are highly recommended in the clubhouse.