Updated April 1, 2020: All City Buildings to Close to Public Due to Coronavirus-19 Effective March 17, 2020
Due to concerns over the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the City of Independence will be closing all City buildings to non-City employees until further notice. As a next step to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 - which can live on contact surfaces - the City of Independence has closed Ralph Mitchell Zoo and also strongly encourages children and families to refrain from using playground equipment at Riverside Park and the community’s neighborhood parks. Getting fresh air is still important, and the park remains open to walkers and vehicle traffic. One restroom located on the southwest portion of the playground will remain open and will be cleaned several times throughout the day.
We will reopen Memorial Hall for public meetings such as City Commission meetings that are subject to the Kansas Open Meeting Act, but will encourage participation virtually, will limit the number of attendees per the Governor’s Executive Order, and will practice social distancing.
During this time, staff will be working and available by phone or email. All events scheduled at City buildings will be canceled through April 30, 2020, which date may be extended if needed. Prepayments and deposits for reservations will be refunded within thirty days.
As stated in the March 13, 2020 press release, utility bill payments may be made over the phone at 1-844-215-7377, online at www.IndependenceKs.gov, or dropped off at our two drop box locations: 811 W Laurel Street, and 120 N. 6th Street.
If you need to reach the police department, we request that you call 620-332-1700. If you require face-to-face contact and you are not exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please go to the West door of Temporary City Hall, 811 West Laurel St. and pick up the phone to contact a dispatcher. The police department will not be performing VIN checks until further notice. Any calls that are not in-progress, not violent in nature, or the suspect is not still on-scene IPD encourages citizens to call in and an officer will call them back. As always, if you have an emergency, call 911.
If you need to reach other departments, please call 620-332-2500 and follow the prompts. For a complete list of direct department phone numbers or email addresses please visit our website.
Our priority is the safety of our employees and citizens. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.
Kelly Passauer Mayor Leonhard Caflisch
Acting City Manager Vice Mayor Dean Hayse
(620) 332-2506 Commissioner Louis Ysusi
KellyP@IndependenceKs.gov www.IndependenceKs.gov
www.IndependenceKs.gov
Kansas Department of Health & Environment
David Cowan http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/
Director of Safety and Code Enforcement
620-330-0056 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
DavidC@IndependenceKs.gov www.CDC.gov
Rick Whitson World Health Organization
Montgomery County Emergency Management www.WHO.int
620-330-1260
RWhitson@MgCountyKs.org
