City Hall, other city facilities reopen to the public Monday

City Hall and other facilities are reopen to the public under modified operations as of Monday, May 4.

The move follows the Ordinance adopted by the Joplin City Council on April 29. The modified operations are intended to protect city employees and the public, while allowing staff to continue providing services to the community as part of the City’s Plan for Response and Recovery of the coronavirus pandemic.

The community is now moving into Phase 2, noted as the RECOVERY phase.

Even so, a variety of strict rules remain in existence.

Throughout all City’s facilities, social distancing of at least six feet by everyone must be maintained. The City has placed personal space markers in public areas. Customers should follow these markers as they conduct their business. At City Hall, no more than two customers should be in an elevator car.

City staff also encourages customers to come by themselves into a facility, if possible. We request that other family members to remain at home or in the vehicle, if age appropriate.

Below is a summary of the reopening of city facilities, outlining the modifications at city facilities and adjustments to operations. These guidelines and modifications will be updated as we move through the various recovery plan steps and all restrictions on the public are lifted.

Facility Modifications:

City Hall:

• Public should use the North entrance (6^th Street) and East entrance (Main Street) which will serve as the ADA entrance. Please look for signage directing the public to these entrances.
• Customers are encouraged to come by themselves into the facility, if possible. Other family members are requested to remain in the vehicle or at home, if age appropriate.
• Social distancing will be required by customers and designated by the use of personal space markers.
• No more than two people in an elevator car is recommended, as posted.
• An overflow customer waiting area will be established in the main lobby on the first floor utilizing personal space markers six feet apart.
• Third and fourth floor customer capacity will be six people at a time. Additional customers will be directed by city staff on each floor to the overflow area in the main lobby or outside.
• First floor restrooms will be designated for public use only. All other restrooms will be restricted to employee access only.
• Public access to the mezzanine and basement area will be closed.
• West entrance (alleyway) and staircase will be restricted to employee use only.
• Access to the Second floor will be restricted to employee use only, unless an individual has an appointment with staff.
• Fifth floor access is available to public for public meetings, including City Council and City Boards and Commission meetings.
• West entrance (alleyway) access will be restricted to City employees only.

Public Safety and Justice Center:

• Public can access the Municipal Court through the west set of doors located on the South entrance (3^rd Street)
• Individuals needing Police Records will use the east set of doors on the South entrance (3^rd Street).
• The ADA entrance for this building remains on the west entrance of the building.
• The lobby of the building will be divided to separate the Police Records area from the Municipal Court area.

• Public restrooms will be on the first floor. All other restrooms will be restricted to employee access only.

• Customers are encouraged to come by themselves into the facility. Any other family members are requested to remain in the vehicle or at home, as age appropriate.
• Social distancing will be required by customers and designated by the use of personal space markers.  Police Records customer capacity will be twelve people at a time. Municipal Court customer capacity will be twenty people at a time.
• The designated overflow customer waiting area will be outside of the Justice Center.
• Social distancing will be required in the courtroom with a maximum capacity of twenty people at a time. Chairs will be set six feet apart to allow for social distancing.

Health Department:

1. Administration Desk – Lower Level and Upper Level Walk-in Services (Vital Records, Immunization Records)
   • Staff will monitor customer health for COVID-19 symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.  If clients are exhibiting these symptoms, they will be asked to leave.
2. Medical/WIC:
   • Staff will be stationed at table at front desk.
   • Temperatures will be taken of all person’s entering building.  Those with an elevated temperature will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
   • Clients will be guided to appropriate desk for services.

• For all scheduled services:  Reminder phone calls for appointments will be made the evening before with the following scripted instructions:

• Wear a mask or cloth face covering (scarf) when coming into the building.
• Only 1 person (client) will be allowed into the exam rooms (if client is a child, one adult will be allowed).  If possible, find caregiver for additional children.
• Only 1 child allowed into exam room at a time.  Bring additional adult if possible, to wait in car with other children – they will be rotated in for services.
  • If single parent and unable to obtain caregiver, it will be the parent’s responsibility to keep extra children in assigned spot and six feet from employee.  Children will not be allowed to roam freely around exam rooms due to inability to sanitize properly after encounter.

• Clients should call before entering building, as they may be taken directly to an exam room instead of waiting in the waiting room if it becomes too full.
• If waiting room includes more than two to three clients waiting, phone numbers will be taken, and they will be asked to wait in their car until called.
• Only client in waiting room, or in the event client is a child, only one parent/guardian may wait with the child.  This also applies to those being taken to exam room for services.
• Client will be asked to use hand sanitizer and asked to wear a mask, if available.

Modified Operations Plan:

Public Works – Recycling Division:

• The Recycling Center reopens on Tuesday, May 5^th under normal business hours (Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Recycling options will be available utilizing drop-off only without assistance.
• The Recycling Center has been modified to allow for drive-through access with one entrance area and a separate exit area, allowing one car in the Center at a time.
• Access to the Recycling Center will be from the west. Customers in their vehicles waiting to enter the recycling drive-through access should form a line on “A” Street. Customers should remain in their vehicles while waiting to enter the Center.
• Once they’re in the Center, customers will take their items to appropriate bins.
• Recyclable items that will be accepted during this time are:

• Glass, aluminum, steel, plastic, cardboard, paper, and sensitive documents for shredding

• Recyclable items that will not be accepted at this time are:

• TVs, computer screens, household hazardous waste, used cooking oil, any items requiring personal assistance to unload, and items normally placed in the Give-and-Take section

Public Works – Transit Division:

• Social distancing will be required by restricting seat access between passengers. This will result in a reduced maximum occupancy for transit vehicles.
• Maximum occupancy for each type of vehicle will be enforced by drivers. At maximum occupancy, no additional riders will be allowed.
•  Riders are encouraged to use face masks when riding the trolley.
• Drivers will sanitize frequently touched surfaces in the vehicles throughout the day and deep clean the vehicles each night.
• MAPS office will accept payment via the telephone or in person.

Public Works – Engineering:

• Engineering will accept payment via the telephone or in person.

Municipal Court:

• Social distancing will be required by customers as indicated by personal space markers.
• Courtroom check-in process will be located in the hall near the courtroom entrance with City staff stationed at table.
• The bailiff will check temperatures and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms as citizens enter the courtroom. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms will not be allowed in the courtroom.
• The bailiff will enforce the maximum occupancy of the courtroom.
• Citizens waiting for documents will be directed to a waiting area in the courtroom.

Jail:

• Inmates’ temperatures and oxygen saturation will be taken upon arrival at the jail. A screening form   will be completed for all arriving inmates to check for possible exposure to COVID-19.

Fire:

• Burn permits will be issued from two locations only. Customers may obtain burn permits at City Hall from the Finance Department on the 3^rd Floor. The Finance Department accepts cash, check, or money orders from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fire Station #1, located at 303 E. 3^rd Street, will also issue burn permits by check or money order only.
• All other fire stations will remain closed to the public.

Parks and Recreation – Parks:

• City Parks are open, including trails. Please use social distancing as enjoying the outdoors.
• Playgrounds remain closed until further notice.
• Skate Park is open and should be used while practicing social distancing.

Parks – Cemetery Office:

• Customers can access the cemetery office by the West side door and proceeding to the window.
• Social distancing will be required by customers as designated by personal space markers.
• This facility has no public restroom.

Parks – Golf Course Clubhouse:

• Social distancing will be required by customers as designated by personal space markers.
• Payment can be made by cash or credit card.
• Only one person per golf cart will be allowed, unless customers are family members.  Golf carts will be disinfected by city staff after each use.
• Course will continue to offer touch-free golf .
• Customers are encouraged to utilize online tee times.

Parks – Memorial Hall:

• This facility will be closed, but available by appointments only for walk-through inspections.

Joplin Athletic Complex Administration Building:

• Social distancing will be required by customers as designated by personal space markers.
• Customers are encouraged to use online registration when possible.

Parr Hill Dog Park:

• Membership is required to use facility. Contact Joplin Parks office at 417-625-4750 for information.
• This facility will continue to operate as before. Entrance is through the main gate.
• Due to its location outdoors, no disinfection occurs at this facility.

Finance Department:

• Social distancing will be required by customers as designated by personal space markers.
• Payments will be accepted via the telephone or in person.
• Online payments for utility bills are strongly encouraged.
• Taxicab coupons will be available by mail or in person.

Health Department – Animal Control

• Bite reports will be taken over the telephone and staff should not enter hospital emergency rooms.  If it is absolutely necessary to do so then mask and gloves should be worn.  Hands should be sanitized after taking off gloves and before taking off mask.
• Trapping assistance –  upon arrival the Animal Control Officer shall inform the citizen of the expectation to remain at a minimum of 6 foot.

Health Dept. – Environmental Health:

• Restaurant Inspections:

• • Inspector will request only one staff member during the inspection and encourage them to wear a mask and maintain six feet of distance.
  • Inspectors will write the name of the operator and “verbal agreement” in the signature box, to avoid touching the surfaces of the pen and tablet. The inspection will then be emailed, like normal.
  • Inspectors will not enter a crowded kitchen or prep area by requesting the employees to temporarily leave the area so they can conduct the inspection.

• Daycare Inspections:

• • Inspectors will conduct daycare inspections when the state gives approval to resume.
  • The operator will sign inspection form with their own pen, or a separate pen provided by the inspector that the operator then keeps.

• Pool Inspections:

• • Inspectors will not share any equipment with the pool operators.
  • Inspectors will write the name of the pool operator and “verbal agreement” in the signature box, to avoid touching the surfaces of the pen and tablet. The inspection will then be emailed, like normal.

• Lodging Inspections:

• • Inspectors will conduct lodging inspections when the state gives approval to resume.
  • Inspector will request only one staff to follow during the inspection or conduct the inspection alone. Inspector will encourage the staff member to wear a mask during the inspection and maintain six feet of distance.
  • Inspectors will only inspect cleaned rooms that have been vacant for at least 2 days before routine and re-inspections.
  • For complaints, inspectors will request the room be left for 2 days before conducting the complaint inspection in the dirty room.
  • The operator will sign inspection form with their own pen, or a separate pen provided by the inspector that the operator then keeps.

Planning, Development & Neighborhood Services:

Building Division:

• Social distancing will be required by customers as designated by personal space markers.
• Payments will be accepted by telephone or in person.
• Inspectors will work from the field or their work trucks to the extent possible.
• Inspectors will utilize social distancing requirements while out in the field.
• Virtual meetings will be encouraged for pre-development meetings or other meetings with developers, contractors or citizens.
• Social distancing will be required for any in-person meetings. Only required staff will attend the meeting.

Code Enforcement:

Officers will work from the field or their work trucks to the extent possible.

Officers will utilize social distancing requirements while out in the field.

Zoning & Planning Division and Community Development Division:

Social distancing will be required by customers as designated by personal space markers.

Virtual meetings will be encouraged for meetings with customers and consultants.

Social distancing will be required for any in-person meetings. Only required staff will attend the meeting.

Human Resources: 

• • Due to limited social distancing capabilities, access to Human Resources will be restricted. Employees and customers will ring the doorbell on the West door to access Human Resources.
  • Social distancing will be required by customers and employees.