COVID-19: Updates on Changes to City Services

Updated June 30, 2020:

As of June 1, City Hall, the Independence Police Headquarters, and the Independence Utility Center will be open to the public with modified hours. Guests and staff will be 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. City facilities will be open three days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As of July 1, face coverings MUST be worn at all times in public when an individual cannot ensure they will be able to maintain a 6-foot distance from others. The City will provide masks to those without one when entering a City facility. Learn more regarding this order from Jackson Count here, indep.us/countyphase2.5. 

• Animal Services – As of June 1 the Regional Animal Shelter will be 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 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, 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 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, 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 will resume July 1.
• 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 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, 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 will restrict 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 will resume 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. - 9AM - 3PM, Tues./Wed./Thurs. - 8AM - 3PM, 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 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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 will also be opened during these hours. Cash payments will be accepted at the windows and through the drive-thru. Utility shut-offs will remain suspended and no late fees or credit card processing fees will be charged until further notice. Customers are encouraged to keep current on utility bills to the extent they are able. For information on assistance programs and resources in our area, please visit cslc19.org/help.
• Police Department –
  • The lobby of Police Headquarters will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, 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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