Changes to City Services

City Hall – 701 E. Broadway

• The first floor of City Hall is open to the public. Some services are still restricted.

Gentry Building – 1 S. Seventh St.

• Parks and Recreation Administration in the Gentry Building will be open to the public but Risk Management will be by appointment only at this time.   

Municipal Building – 600 E. Broadway

• Columbia Municipal Court will begin operations with social distancing. Court hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, including lunch, two windows will be open for payments and court business as needed. Social distancing markers have been placed to assist the public. A new court schedule has been made to have more dockets at staggered times to allow for social distancing requirements; for example, a 9 a.m. arraignment now is three dockets at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. instead of one. View the full schedule.
  
  The probation office has been successful in reducing docket sizes by accepting community service work, programs and payments remotely. This will continue to allow residents to be accountable, but to have the option to not appear in court.
  
  The court will continue to accept both payments and written guilty pleas remotely.
  
  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 are accepted via email at MunicipalCourt@CoMo.govcreate new email or by fax at 573.874.7531. Forms are located here.

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

• The Columbia Police Department lobby will return to normal operations starting Monday, May 25 at 6 a.m. The lobby will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night for security purposes as part of the normal operations.

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

• The Convention and Visitors Bureau office, 300 S. Providence Road, will open to the public, with limited lobby hours, beginning the week of June 1. The lobby will be limited to a maximum of 10 people at a time with the following hours:
  
  Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8 a.m. to noon
  Tuesday/Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.

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

• Walk-in environmental health, clinic and WIC 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: in-person food handler classes, lab testing, WIC classes, smoking cessation, blood pressure/blood sugar screening, lead testing, and in-person home visiting.
• 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.

• Parks Management Center, 1507 Business Loop 70 W., no public access to the building.
• Limited park restrooms will be open to the public. 

04/16/2020 — Beginning Thursday, April 16, at 7 a.m., the City of Columbia plans to implement a temporary traffic control plan to accommodate increased traffic at its Columbia Utilities drive-up windows. The drive-up windows are located in the alley behind City Hall and are accessible via the one-way alley on Eighth Street between Walnut Street and Broadway. More information and to see a map of the traffic control plan.

As a reminder, customers are strongly encouraged to conduct business regarding utilities online or by phone with no fees and no travel. Customers can view their City utility account, request changes to services and pay their utility bill at MyUtilityBill.CoMo.gov. Customers can also call 573.874.7380 or 573.874.CITY (2489) during normal business hours.

03/20/2020 — Utilities and Utility Customer Service (Utility billing, start – stop – transfer service)

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all City of Columbia Water & Light rebate and loan programs have been temporarily halted

• 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. 

The Columbia Solid Waste’s household hazardous waste collection program has been canceled for the month of May due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please do not place hazardous waste items at the curb for residential refuse collection. More information about the storage and disposal of cleaning products and other hazardous waste items.

• 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.

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.govcreate new email.

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.govcreate new email Mayor Brian Treece
  • Ward1@CoMo.govcreate new email Council Member Clyde Ruffin
  • Ward2@CoMo.govcreate new email Council Member Michael Trapp
  • Ward3@CoMo.govcreate new email Council Member Karl Skala
  • Ward4@CoMo.govcreate new email Council Member Ian Thomas
  • Ward5@CoMo.govcreate new email Council Member Matt Pitzer
  • Ward6@CoMo.govcreate new email Council Member Betsy Peters

City Clerk’s Office

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

Law Department

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

Municipal Court

05/18/2020 —  Columbia Municipal Court will begin operations with social distancing. Court hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, including lunch, two windows will be open for payments and court business as needed. Social distancing markers have been placed to assist the public. A new court schedule has been made to have more dockets at staggered times to allow for social distancing requirements; for example, a 9 a.m. arraignment now is three dockets at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. instead of one. View full schedule

The probation office has been successful in reducing docket sizes by accepting community service work, programs and payments remotely. This will continue to allow residents to be accountable, but to have the option to not appear in court.

The court will continue to accept both payments and written guilty pleas remotely.

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 are accepted via email at MunicipalCourt@CoMo.govcreate new email or by fax at 573.874.7531. Forms are located here.

Beginning Monday, June 1, 2020, residents should call 573.874.7355 to set up in-person appointments for immunizations and other clinical services.

Official information from the City of Columbia and Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) can be found here. The City will also be utilizing City and PHHS official social media accounts to post updates. They can be found at @CoMoGov on Facebook and Twitter and @CoMoHealthDept on Facebook and @CoMo_HealthDept on Twitter.

• Walk-in environmental health, clinic and WIC 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: in-person food handler classes, lab testing, WIC classes, smoking cessation, blood pressure/blood sugar screening, lead testing, and in-person home visiting.

• 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.

04/13/2020 — Housing Programs Division: Microenterprise Recovery Loan Program
In an effort to assist small businesses, the City of Columbia’s Housing Programs Division will be accepting Microenterprise Recovery Loan Program applications beginning Wednesday, April 15. The application period will remain open until the loan funds are exhausted. To read more about the program, read the press release.

04/07/2020 — Construction Guidanceopens PDF file

03/27/2020 — 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.govcreate new email.
• 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.govcreate new email.
• 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.govcreate new email
• Neighborhood Services related materials may be submitted to Neighborhood@CoMo.govcreate new email

05/25/2020 — The Columbia Police Department lobby will return to normal operations starting Monday, May 25 at 6 a.m. The lobby will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night for security purposes as part of the normal operations.

Reduced Calls of Service

03/25/20 — 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. 

05/27/22 — The Armory Sports and Recreation Center, 701 E. Ash St., will reopen to the public at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 28. The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. Hours of operation may change, as staffing and conditions change.  

The Armory gym is not available at this time for basketball or drop-in use. Available amenities include the computer room, game/recreation room, aerobics room and cardio/strength training area. Social distancing of six feet will be enforced. 

The CARE (Community Awareness Related Experience) office on the second floor of the Armory will be open by appointment by calling 573.874.6300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Starting Monday, June 1, CARE will be open to walk-in visitors.

The CoMo Bike Co-op in the lower level of the Armory will resume operations on Monday, June 1. The Co-op is open on Mondays from 2 to 6 p.m. Special social distancing measures will be in place, including first-come, first-served drop-off service. 

For the safety of visitors and staff, the following guidelines will be in place throughout the facility: 

• Daily visitors will be asked to provide their name and contact information. 
• No congregating in common areas, please maintain six feet of social distance with others outside of your immediate household.
• Staff will be sanitizing common touch points throughout the day. Deep cleaning will take place each night.  
• Visitors using equipment in the cardio area, computer room or game/recreation room are asked to wipe equipment before and after use.

Visitors entering the facility will be denied access if any of these symptoms have been present within last 72 hours: 

• Temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Close contact with person with any of those symptoms, or positive COVID-19

05/22/2020 —

At the Activity & Recreation Center (ARC), these amenities will be phased in:

• Water fitness classes will resume May 27.
• Group fitness classes will resume May 27.
• Birthday party rentals are resuming with limited packages. Reservations will be accepted starting May 26 for parties starting May 30. 

Other changes to Parks and Recreation operations include:

• City playgrounds will open May 26.
• City spraygrounds at Stephens Lake Park, Flat Branch Park and Douglass Park will open May 26. Stephens Lake Park beach will remain closed at this time.
• Youth and adult baseball and softball will resume May 26. Youth leagues will begin June 8. Adult softball and kickball leagues will begin June 7. Social distancing must be in place for players, coaches and spectators.
• Group reservation capacities will be increased. For those interested in renting a park shelter or indoor recreation facility, they will be able to make reservations for groups up to 50 people, with social distancing required. Reservations may be made by calling 573.874.7460.

05/07/2020 — Columbia Parks and Recreation is opening reservations for the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse and outdoor athletic fields, beginning Monday, May 11.

Groups will be restricted to 10 people or less (including coaches) and social distancing guidelines of staying 6 feet apart must be observed. Parks and Recreation staff recommends that those making reservations focus on activities that can maintain distancing requirements such as individual drills, conditioning and specific skill development. Games and scrimmages will be prohibited at all facilities.

At this time, reservations will be taken from May 11 through May 25, so that staff can monitor procedures and make any needed modifications. The reservation timeline may be extended beyond May 25.

In addition to social distancing requirements and restrictions of 10 people or less, please see below for specific facility usage.

Columbia Sports Fieldhouse

• Existing reservation guidelines will be in place, see CoMo.gov for details. 
• Each player should use their own ball. If a ball is to be shared, it should be sanitized after each player’s use.
• The number of players using each basket at any one time should be limited to 4 or fewer.
• All players and coaches must keep a minimum of 6 feet between each other at all times.
• Staff will be in place at the facility to enforce social distancing and group capacity guidelines.

Soccer Fields

• Reservations are available daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cosmo Park soccer fields 1-19 (except fields 4 and 5), Scott Boulevard west and east fields and Jay Dix Station soccer fields. 
• Fields will not be lined.
• Any ball, if picked up by a player, should be sanitized before being put back into play.
• All players and coaches must keep a minimum of 6 feet between each other at all times.
• Weather cancellations will be posted to the recreation hotline at 573.874.7663.

Baseball/Softball Fields

• Antimi Sports Complex at Cosmo Park and fields at Atkins, Albert-Oakland, American Legion and Cosmo-Bethel parks are available for reservation Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Rainbow Softball Center at Cosmo Park is available for reservation on Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Balls should be regularly sanitized.
• Each player should use their own bat. If a bat is to be shared, it should be sanitized after each player’s use.
• All players and coaches must keep a minimum of 6 feet between each other at all times.
• Fields will not be lined.
• Weather cancellations will be posted to the recreation hotline at 573.874.7663.
• Neighborhood park ballfields will remain “first come, first served.” Those using the fields are expected to follow social distancing guidelines.

05/04/2020 — The Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) will resume normal operating hours and will open in phases, starting May 4 at 5:30 a.m. with these amenities available and social distancing guidelines in place:

• Walking track
• Spinning room
• Cardio zone
• Strength zone
• Youth training room
• Ping pong room 

Strict social distancing and capacity limitations will be enforced, as outlined in Order 2020-05. Daily pass visitors to the ARC will be required to provide their name and contact information as they enter the facility, per Order 2020-05. This information will be saved to daily visit logs. 

ARC visitors will be encouraged to come to the facility, exercise and then exit the facility. Groups will not be allowed to congregate in common areas so that staff can ensure social distancing is being followed and that capacity limits are being met while allowing others the opportunity to use the facility.

ARC staff members plan to phase in additional amenities as they determine how occupancy and social distancing requirements affect operations. These could include pickleball and personal training. 

ARC staff will not be able to open basketball courts, the concession area, water zone or kid zone at this time. Staff also will not be able to hold group activities such as land or water fitness classes, swimming lessons, little swimmers/gymmers or birthday party rentals. It would be extremely difficult to enforce social distancing by allowing these activities.

For questions related to the ARC, please call 573.874.7700.

Other Parks and Recreation operations that will be affected, starting May 4:

• Outdoor tennis and pickleball courts will reopen for play, as social distancing is easier to accomplish with these individual sports.
• Trails and parks remain open, with social distancing requirements in place for users.
• Playgrounds, spraygrounds, Stephens Lake Park beach, athletic fields and basketball courts will remain closed as it is difficult to maintain social distancing requirements at these facilities.

For more information about Parks and Recreation facilities, please call 573.874.7460.

04/16/2020 — Columbia Parks and Recreation is reopening L.A. Nickell and Lake of the Woods golf courses on Friday, April 17 at 8 a.m. 

The reopening of the golf courses does not mean that the City of Columbia is easing on social distancing guidelines or the Stay at Home Order currently in place. Parks and Recreation is implementing strict measures to ensure the safety of staff and golfers. Please note these changes in golf course operations at this time:

• The clubhouses at both courses will be closed. Instead, temporary walk-up windows have been installed at each clubhouse to minimize contact between the staff attendant and golfer.
• Golfers are encouraged to pay for their tee time online prior to arrival, or payment can be accepted at the walk-up window. Credit card payment is preferred but cash will be accepted.
• Golf carts will not be rented. Golfers are encouraged to walk the course. Personal golf carts will be allowed with only one golfer per cart. Only immediate family members in the same household will be allowed to be a passenger in private carts.
• Tee times will be available daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the courses set to close by 7 p.m. Tee times will be kept 18 minutes apart to maintain distance between golfers.
• There will be no water coolers on the course, concession operations, or access to clubhouse or course restrooms. Two portable toilets will be set at each course near the clubhouses.
• Golfers will be allowed to bring their own food and beverage; however, the City’s liquor license does not allow for personal alcoholic beverages. Trash cans will be limited on the course, so golfers are encouraged to practice a “pack it in, pack it out” policy.
• Devices have been placed in the cup to stop the ball from entering the cup.  Golfers will not be allowed to remove the flagstick in each hole. Ball washers and bunker rakes have been removed. 
• The driving range at Lake of the Woods will be open as well (the L.A. Nickell driving range remains closed for renovations). Clubhouse staff will sanitize baskets after each use. Golf balls are picked up mechanically and placed directly into a ball washing machine, so there is no contact.
• Golfers should arrive no more than 10 minutes before their tee time. After their round is complete, golfers should promptly leave the course. Groups will not be allowed to gather outside the clubhouse or in the parking lots.
• To remain in compliance with the current Stay at Home Order restricting crowd size, there will be no tournaments until further notice.
• Tee times may be made online at golfcolumbiamo.com or by phone, starting Friday, at 573.499.GOLF (4653). 

04/06/2020 — Beginning Monday, April 6, the west side of Cosmo Park, 1615 Business Loop 70, will be closed to vehicular traffic to allow for added park space for pedestrians and wheeled sports, such as bicycles and skates. This affected area includes tennis courts, park shelters and Steinberg Playground, which are all temporarily closed. Park patrons will be able to access the skate park, Bear Creek Trail and Rhett’s Run on the north side of the park.

Parking lots and park roads in the closed area of Cosmo Park are now open for walking, running, skating and cycling. In addition, the Cosmo Park Fitness Trail will be open to “one-way traffic” only; park patrons are asked to walk in a clockwise direction to allow for appropriate social distancing.

Anyone engaging in outdoor exercise activities must follow the required guidelines of keeping a distance of at least 6 feet with other people at all times.

Official information from the City of Columbia and Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) can be found here. The City will also be utilizing City and PHHS official social media accounts to post updates. They can be found at @CoMoGov on Facebook and Twitter and @CoMoHealthDept on Facebook and @CoMo_HealthDept on Twitter.

03/20/2020 — 

• 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 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.

• 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: Armory Sports and Community Center, Hillcrest Community Center, Moss Building and the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse. 
• Limited park restrooms will be open to the public. 

April 7, 2020 – Construction Guidanceopens PDF file