COVID-19: Updates on Changes to City Services

Updated November 12, 2020:

City Hall, the Independence Police Headquarters, and the Independence Utility Center are open to the public with modified hours. Guests and staff are required to participate in a temperature check and basic health screening prior to entrance. Those individuals found to have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to complete their business online or via phone calls or digital meetings. 

Please find below an overview of City facilities and their hours of operations as of Monday, Nov. 16:

• City Hall – Open to the public Mondays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 5 PM
• Independence Police Headquarters – Open to the public Mondays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 5 PM
• Independence Utilities Center – Customer Service windows open to the public Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 5 PM
• Roger T. Sermon Community Center – Open Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 8 PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Sunday.
• Truman Memorial Building – Open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 AM to 6 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 7 PM. Closed Friday through Sunday.
• Uptown Market – Open for events as posted.
• Municipal Court (located on the lower level of City Hall) – Is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Fridays from 8 AM to 12 PM. Youth Court office hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Face coverings MUST be worn at all times in City facilities. The City will provide masks to those without one when entering a City facility. Learn more regarding the Safer Independence Guidelines here.

Please see below and overview of other changes to City services.

• Animal Services – The Regional Animal Shelter is open for adoptions by appointment only, one guest/family at a time. To set-up an appointment, please call (816) 325-7207.
• Building Permits – 
  • All trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), roof permits and energize permits can be completed online at indep.us/permitportal 
  • All other permits can be submitted at City Hall. The lobby of City Hall will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, with access to two windows and marks on the floors for social distancing. Once social distancing capacity has been met inside the building, individuals will be asked to wait outside. 
• Business Licenses – 
  • All business, landlord and liquor licenses can be applied for, submitted and paid online. Once the license is approved, it will be mailed to you. There is a kiosk available in the City Hall lobby to also apply for these permits. The lobby of City Hall will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, with access to two windows and marks on the floors for social distancing. Once social distancing capacity has been met inside the building, individuals will be asked to wait outside.
  • Administrative hearings have resumed.
• Community Development - Community Development has two windows open for business with temporary barriers to protect staff and visitors. The lobby of City Hall will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, with access to two windows and marks on the floors for social distancing. Once social distancing capacity has been met inside the building, individuals will be asked to wait outside. 
• Facilities – Facilities maintenance crews will increase regular cleaning rotations throughout the various buildings, including sanitizing regularly touched locations such as door handles, counters, elevator buttons and railings.
• Fire Department –
  • Stations continue to have restricted public access to our Fire Department facilities. Personnel are asked to voluntarily limit family from coming in to Fire Department facilities.
  • The Fire Department will cease Commercial Inspection activity in the Operations Division.
  • The Department is immediately suspending the Ride-Along Program.
  • We will also be reducing some of our non-essential activities that require crews to leave their stations.
  • Our citizens should continue to call 9-1-1 for emergencies and (816) 836-3600 for non-emergencies.
  • They are preparing for other deployment changes as the situation evolves.
• Municipal Court - In-person court dates resumed on Tuesday, June 2. Individuals will have access to pay for municipal tickets or speak to Municipal Court staff at the windows. Please follow the social distancing marks on the floor. Please continue to use the website at municipalrecordsearch.com/independencemo for case updates. 
  Municipal Court Hours are Mon.- Thurs.- 8AM-4PM, and Friday - 8AM - 12PM
  Youth Court Office Hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM - 4 PM
• Paying utility bills – The Customer Service windows inside the Independence Utilities Center will be open to the public from 8AM to 5PM Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with access to every other window and social distancing marks on the floors with guidance for any lines that may form. The drive-thru is open Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM. Cash payments will be accepted at the windows and through the drive-thru. Utility shut-offs have been reinstituted, however credit card processing fees will not be charged until further notice. Customers are encouraged to keep current on utility bills to the extent they are able. For information on the Utility Assistance Program visit cslhousing.org.
• Police Department –
  • The lobby of Police Headquarters will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, with access to every other window and marks on floors for social distancing. Once social distancing capacity has been met inside the building, individuals will be asked to wait outside.
  • When requesting police services, please continue to call 9-1-1 for emergencies and (816) 836-3600 for non-emergencies and past occurred incidents. Our call takers will assign a priority level and determine the best course of action.
• Reporting concerns – Citizens are now able to report their concerns via the City’s new app - IndepNow. You can download the app from the Google Play Store here or the Apple App Store here. Please allow for delays in response to these service requests as City staff work through this situation with modified staffing in various departments.

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