Changes to City Services

Community Development (Building and Site Development, Neighborhood Services and Planning and Zoning) – March 27, 2020

On March 16, the city manager of Columbia signed a Declaration of Emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On March 24, the director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services signed Special Order 2020-03 which went into effect at 8 a.m on March 25. The intent of the Special Order is to require social distancing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

City Manager John Glascock has determined that it is in the best interest to the health of the community and to comply with the intent of the Special Order, to suspend the issuance of new building permits, both commercial and residential including new additions to existing buildings. 

Permits for alterations to existing buildings needed to maintain or improve the health and safety of existing buildings will still be issued.

During the time Special Order 2020-03 is in effect, only commercial and residential building projects which were started and approved prior to March 25 may continue. Those projects should continue to follow required inspection guidelines and inspectors, following social distancing protocol, will continue to inspect existing projects.  

The City of Columbia Community Development Department will continue to accept and review both new commercial and residential permit submissions, however, they will not be issuing an invoice, accepting payment for a permit, or issuing a new permit for these types of permits until the order is rescinded, extended or expires on April 24. 

Commercial and residential permit applications may be submitted via the processes outlined on CoMo.gov. 

If you have questions regarding the process, please call the City of Columbia Building and Site Development office at 573.874.7474.

• Call 573.874.7474 for assistance or email Building@CoMo.gov.
• Use the Citizen Self Service portal to apply for a permit, plan or license, search public records and to pay invoices for permits, plan review or licenses.
• Applications may be submitted online at CoMo.gov or via email to Bldg-Inspection@CoMo.gov.
• Use the drop box in the main lobby of City Hall for paper applications and plans.
• Inspections must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
• A minimum of 24 hours is required for “one-stop” permits.
• Planning and Zoning related items may be submitted to Planning@CoMo.gov
• Neighborhood Services related materials may be submitted to Neighborhood@CoMo.gov

Columbia Police Department: Reduced Calls for Services  – 03/25/2020

Due to the increased risk for potential exposure to COVID-19, Columbia police are now reducing the amount of in-person calls officers are responding to. Activities that may be temporarily suspended during this period will primarily affect the areas of traffic functions, in-person contact reports and accessibility to the police station. 

The police station has temporarily stopped taking reports in the lobby and will advise patrons to make a report online by visiting opens in a new windowP2C.como.gov or via phone by dialing 311 for non-emergencies or 911 for emergencies. In addition, access to the CPD Lobby is limited to emergencies.

For the safety of our officers, all calls for service are vetted through a CPD supervisor who will advise officers whether or not to respond in-person. Calls for service can be broken down into two screening categories: life threatening and non-life-threatening.

Examples of calls for life-threatening incidents include:

• Domestic violence

• Missing persons

• Active assaults (robbery, stabbing, fights)

• Reports of sexual Assault

• Child Abuse and Neglect

Examples of calls for non-life-threatening incidents include: 

• Peace disturbances

• Theft of motor vehicles

• Car accidents without injuries

• Vandalism/found property

• Traffic complaints

When officers respond to calls they are required to take these precautions:

• Wear respiratory protection masks;

• Use latex or nitrile gloves

• Use protective eyewear

• Place a mask on the arrested person as soon as possible

• Determine if the suspect needs immediate hospitalization due to respiratory distress or other symptoms

• Use a single transport vehicle for all transports to minimize decontamination needs for the patrol fleet

• Disinfect all surfaces an arrested person may have touched or otherwise infected through coughing, sneezing, spitting, etc.

• Maintain communications with jail personnel regarding symptoms that may develop after an arrested person is released to their custody.

Programs that have temporarily ceased operation include:

• Ride-along program

• School visits

• Citizen tours of CPD facilities

It’s important to note Columbia Police is emphasizing the practice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health precautions in the office and in the field to keep officers, their families and the public as safe as possible. Officers are being directed to practice social distancing, wash their hands frequently and sanitize their workspace and patrol vehicles before and after use. 

Changes to City Building Access – 03/20/2020

City Hall – 701 E. Broadway

• Building access for the public will be limited to the main doors near the corner of Eighth and Broadway by the keyhole. The entrance is ADA compliant. If you need to conduct business in person, please follow the instructions to use the speakerphone at the information desk in the main lobby and it will automatically connect you to our Contact Center and a customer service representative will assist you. 
• Please see information below in the “conducting business” section to see information about utility payments. 

Gentry Building – 1 S. Seventh St.

• No public access to the building. 

Municipal Building – 600 E. Broadway

• No public access to the building. 

Wabash Station – 126 N. 10th St.

• No public access to the building.
• Riders will have access to outside portable restrooms during the time fixed routes are running. One of the portable restrooms is ADA compliant.

Columbia Police Department – 600 E. Walnut

• No public access at the Seventh Street entrance.
• Main lobby doors at Sixth and Walnut are locked. Please use the intercom to contact a Police Department representative.

REDI/Economic Development – 500 E. Walnut: Suites 102, 103 and 105

• No public access to the building.

Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau – Walton Building – 300 S. Providence Road

• No public access to the building.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services  – 1005 W. Worley St.

• Walk-in services will be eliminated. Appointments will be required so that social distancing is maintained and to increase staff capacity for COVID-19 response.
• On a short-term basis, the following services will not be offered: adult immunizations, food handler classes, lab testing, WIC classes, smoking cessation, blood pressure/blood sugar screening, lead testing, home visiting and HIV testing.
• All visitors will be screened upon entering for illness and travel history.
• Enhanced building cleaning and disinfection occurs on a continuous basis.
• Waiting areas have been rearranged to allow for social distancing.

Columbia Fire Department Administration – 201 Orr St.

• The front doors are locked. Please use the intercom to contact a Fire Department representative.

Columbia Regional Airport – 11300 S. Airport Road

• The main terminal is open.
• Enhanced disinfecting occurs on a continuous basis.
• Social distancing is being encouraged at checkpoints, boarding areas and baggage claim.
• Hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the terminal.

Columbia Parks and Recreation facilities

• Administrative office, 1 S. Seventh St., no public access to the building.
• Parks Management Center, 1507 Business Loop 70 W., no public access to the building.
• Recreation facilities closed to the public on March 18, including the ARC (Activity & Recreation Center), Armory Sports and Community Center, Hillcrest Community Center, Moss Building and the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse. 
• Limited park restrooms will be open to the public. 

Conducting Business with City Departments

Utility Customer Service (Utility billing, start – stop – transfer service)

• No walk-in customer service will be available until further notice.
• Call 573.874.7380 or 573.874.2489 (CITY) to speak with a customer service representative concerning billing, starting, stopping or transferring services.
• Register for account access at MyUtilityBill.CoMo.gov.
  • Pay your bill online with no convenience fees.
  • Pay your bill via phone at 844.234.0641 with no convenience fees.
  • Pay your bill using the drive up windows accessible via Eighth Street.
  • Pay your bill using the drop box accessible via Eighth Street.
  • Pay your bill by mail:
    • Utility Customer Service
    • P.O. Box 1676
    • Columbia, MO 65205
• Both Gerbes locations, all three Hy-Vee locations and Schnucks will continue to take cash or check payments.
• Late fees have been suspended. 

Housing Programs

• The Housing Programs Office at 500 E. Walnut, Suite 108 is closed to the public. Call 573.874.CITY (2489) or 573.874.7244 for assistance.

Business License Office

• Business license applications may be submitted at the drive-thru window accessible from North Eighth Street, by mail or through the drop box behind City Hall. If placed in the dropbox, please write “Licensing” on the outside of the envelope.
• Business license and liquor license renewal payments and forms may be submitted online, by mail or through the drop box. 
• Persons seeking a taxi cab, limousine, armed guard, or security guard license and need a City ID will need to enter the building at the main entrance on 701 E. Broadway and use the phone to reach an employee who will make the transfer to the appropriate person.

Columbia Parks and Recreation

• Call 573.874.7460 to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry.
• Call 573.874.7201 to report a hazard in the park system. 

Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)

• Call 573.874.CITY to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry.

REDI/Economic Development 

• For REDI staff, call 928.606.9925 to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry.  
• For Missouri Women’s Business Center staff, call 573.818.2982 to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry.
• For MU Extension/PTAC staff, call 573.882.9398 to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry.

City Manager’s Office

• Call 573.874.CITY (2489)  to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry.
• Contact the office via email at CMO@CoMo.gov.

City Council and Mayor’s Office

• Call 573.874.CITY (2489) to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry
• Contact the mayor or council members via email:
  • Mayor@CoMo.gov Mayor Brian Treece
  • Ward1@CoMo.gov Council Member Clyde Ruffin
  • Ward2@CoMo.gov Council Member Michael Trapp
  • Ward3@CoMo.gov Council Member Karl Skala
  • Ward4@CoMo.gov Council Member Ian Thomas
  • Ward5@CoMo.gov Council Member Matt Pitzer
  • Ward6@CoMo.gov Council Member Betsy Peters

City Clerk’s Office

• Call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email CityClerk@CoMo.gov schedule an appointment or make an inquiry. 

Law Department

• Call 573.874.CITY (2489) for any inquiries.

Municipal Court

• The judge will hold video arraignments for inmates, five days a week.
• Payments can be processed online at trafficpayment.com, by phone 1.800.444.1187 or via mail at 600 E. Broadway, Columbia MO, 65201. 
• Written guilty pleas accepted via email at MunicipalCourt@CoMo.gov or by fax at 573.817.7531.
• The judge and clerk will be available to recall warrants and process appropriate paperwork.
• Email MunicipalCourt@CoMo.gov or call 573.874.5022 to make inquiries.

Utilities

• Call 573.874.CITY (2489) to make inquiries regarding utility services or to schedule an in-person visit to any utility facilities. 
• Solid Waste services and the landfill will continue operating.

Public Works (including parking and transit)

• Call 573.874.CITY (2489) to make inquiries regarding engineering.
• Parking enforcement was suspended on March 19. Because of that, money will not be added to COMO Park Cards until further notice. 
• No public access to the Wabash Station building.
• Riders will have access to outside portable restrooms during the time fixed routes run.
• Fares for Go COMO, Columbia’s transit system, have been suspended from March 20 to May 1. This includes all fixed routes and para-transit. 

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services

• Walk-in services will be eliminated. Appointments will be required so that social distancing is maintained and to increase staff capacity for COVID-19 response.
• On a short-term basis, the following services will not be offered: adult immunizations, food handler classes, lab testing, WIC classes, smoking cessation, blood pressure/blood sugar screening, lead testing, home visiting and HIV testing.
• All visitors will be screened upon entering for illness and travel history.
• Enhanced building cleaning and disinfection occurs on a continuous basis.
• Waiting areas have been rearranged to allow for social distancing.

Human Resources

• For assistance or to make an appointment, call 573.817.6445.
• Visit GoCoMoJobs.com for current job listings.

 Parking and Transit

• Effective March 19 all parking enforcement is suspended until further notice. This includes on-street parking and parking garages.
• Effective March 20 until May 1, 2020, all fares have been suspended for Go COMO, including for para-transit.

Parks and Recreation

• Columbia Parks and Recreation is closing the following indoor recreation facilities as of Wednesday, March 18 until further notice:
  ARC (Activity & Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash
• Armory Sports & Recreation Center, 701 E. Ash
• Columbia Sports Fieldhouse, 4251 Philips Farm Road
• Hillcrest Community Center and Moss Building, 1907 Hillcrest Dr.

Columbia Parks and Recreation places the highest priority on the health and safety of patrons and employees. Parks and trails will remain open; users are encouraged to maintain a safe social distance while using parks and trails.

Municipal Court
All City of Columbia Municipal Court hearings held March 17 through April 17 have been canceled. Everyone with a court date during this date range will receive a letter with a new court date. The court will continue to be open for other transactions including submission of community service and payments. If the public has any questions they can contact the court by email at MunicipalCourt@CoMo.gov or by phone at 573.817.5022.

Residential Rental Compliance
The Office of Neighborhood Services is suspending interior inspections and moving back renewal deadlines to at least June 1 for certificates that expire April 1 or May 1. The Office will continue to handle tenant complaints and will be judicious in responding to help resolve these issues.