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City of Manhattan Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
CITY HALL IS OPEN AS OF JULY 7, 2020
Customer service staff will be available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Face masks are required inside of City Hall. The public will not have access to any secure areas of the building. If meetings are required with staff, they must be scheduled ahead of time.
City staff will continue to work normal schedules and be available by phone and email during regular business hours. Interactions related to city business are still available online, email, and phone communication. The public is asked to be patient as certain staffing levels will be limited and most employees are working remotely.
The City will focus on maintaining as many city services and operations as possible while balancing the needs of the public, City employees, and their families.
CONTACT INFO
City of Manhattan Main Phone Line 785-587-2480
COVID-19 FACILITY & OPERATION INFORMATION/STATUS UPDATES
- City Commission, Boards, and Committees
- City Hall
- Douglass Center
- Flint Hills Discovery Center
- Manhattan Fire Department
- Manhattan Public Library
- Manhattan Regional Airport
- Municipal Court
- Parks & Recreation
- Risk Reduction
- Sunset Zoo
- T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter
MEETINGS
All public meetings for the City Commission, and advisory boards and committees will maintain all statutory requirements of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. City Commission meetings will be held in-person at City Hall with limited public seating available to maintain social distancing. City advisory boards and committees have the ability to have in-person meetings, but may choose to meet virtually. For information about meeting dates, times and locations, view the public meetings calendar on the City's homepage.
WATCH FROM HOME
All meetings will be available for the public to view via Cox Channel 3 and on the City of Manhattan website www.cityofmhk.com. City Commission meetings will also be available live on the City of Manhattan’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Cityofmanhattan/.
For information on City Advisory Boards and Committees go to: https://cityofmhk.com/437/Advisory-Boards-Committees .
For information on City Commission meetings, agendas and minutes, go to: https://cityofmhk.com/2280/Agendas-Minutes .
CITY HALL IS OPEN AS OF JULY 7, 2020
Customer service staff will be available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Face masks are required inside City Hall. The public will not have access to any secure areas of the building. If meetings are required with staff, they must be scheduled ahead of time.
City staff will continue to work normal schedules and be available by phone and email during regular business hours. Interactions related to city business are still available online, email, and phone communication. The public is asked to be patient as certain staffing levels will be limited and most employees are working remotely.
The City will focus on maintaining as many city services and operations as possible while balancing the needs of the public, City employees, and their families.
PHONE
Customer Service - 785-587-2480
UTILITY PAYMENTS
Water utility customers have several ways to pay their bills. Here are the options:
- Pay online (directions are outlined in your water bill received via mail or e-mail)
- Pay over the phone with a card by calling 785-587-2480
- Leave check payment in drop box at City Hall (south parking lot) 1101 Poyntz Avenue
- In-person at City Hall, customer service staff will be available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
New customers can still sign up for or disconnect water service by calling a customer service representative at 785-587-2480.
OPEN WITH LIMITED HOURS
8:30-11:30 am for pickleball and 1:00-5:00 pm for basketball.
Please contact the Douglass Center at all 785-587-2773 if you have questions.
OPEN AS OF JUNE 23
We are so excited to see you again!
The Flint Hills Discovery Center opened its doors safely to the public beginning Tuesday, June 23. We will be operating under reduced hours to allow for additional cleaning and safety measures during this time. Click here for Reopening Details.
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
All tours of Manhattan Fire Department have been cancelled in order to protect critical personnel and infrastructure.
OPERATIONS
All Manhattan Fire Department personnel are reporting for regular shifts.
MANHATTAN PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES AVAILABLE
All of these services are available:
- Come into the library atrium and pick up your holds anytime between the hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
- Computers, fax, and printing are available by reservation. To reserve a time, call (785) 776-4741 ext. 336.
- Not sure what to read or watch next? Not ready to tackle the online catalog? Contact staff at (785) 776-4741 ext. 300 for recommendations or fill out a Personalized Reading List form.
- Interlibrary loan services have resumed. Call (785) 776-4741 ext. 300.
- Library materials may be returned to the southwest book drop at any time or in the atrium when the library is open.
- Library card registration is available online or in the library.
- There is 24/7 access to the library’s outstanding collection of digital resources and online learning resources at our digital branch at www.mhklibrary.org.
- A calendar of virtual programs for all ages is located at the library’s online event calendar.
- Summer Reading Program online registration is open at the library’s Summer Reading web page.
- There is a summer reading prize pickup at the desk in front of the children’s room.
- There are no overdue fines on late returns.
Masks are required if you wish to use the library. Show us you care about the safety of staff, other library patrons, and your community, so we can remain open for service.
Find more information and updates about library services that are available to you during this time at https://www.mhklibrary.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/ or by following the Library Facebook at manhattanpubliclibrary, or Twitter @ManhattanPL.
Find more information and updates about library services that are available to you during this time at https://www.mhklibrary.org/library-carryout-service/ or by following the Library Facebook at manhattanpubliclibrary, or Twitter @ManhattanPL.
MANHATTAN REGIONAL AIRPORT IS OPEN
American Airlines continues to operate flights daily, but schedules are subject to change. To find out more about a particular flight or what to do if your flight is canceled please visit www.aa.com.
Manhattan Regional Airport has taken the following steps to keep our customers and staff as safe as possible.
- Focused Cleaning – in addition to regular cleaning, staff are cleaning high traffic areas following each flight. This includes the doors, tables, chairs and all surfaces that a customer may touch when entering or leaving the terminal.
- Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the terminal.
- Tape has been placed at 6-foot intervals on the floor as you are in line for screening. Please practice Social Distancing as you wait in line.
- Flu and COVID-19 information can be found in magazine racks in the Meet & Greet area and the secure area.
- TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags. These items will need to be screened separately so expect added time to get through the security checkpoint. The 3.4-ounce rule still applies to all other liquids, gels, and aerosols. Visit www.tsa.gov for additional information.
- Extended Parking – we understand many college students are impacted by K-State closure and are unable to return to Manhattan until a later date. If your car is parked at the airport, please take a moment to complete an Extended Parking Form.
- Please follow the CDC guidelines
- Clean your hands often.
- Avoid Close Contact
- Stay home if you are sick
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Wear a facemask if you are sick
- Clean and Disinfect
- Visit www.cdc.gov for additional information
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
The Administrative Office is closed to the public. Staff will still be working and if you need something call us at 785-587-4560.
If you have questions, please phone the Court at (785) 587-2450 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m). Online forms and payment links are available at https://cityofmhk.com/233/LegalMunicipal-Court.
ALL PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS CANCELLED FOR THE SUMMER
Social Distancing in the parks, at playgrounds, on the trails, and in facilities still applies - maintain 6-feet between you and everyone not in your household. Groups will be limited to 50. Masks are required inside Parks and Rec facilities and outside where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
PARKS AND TRAILS OPEN - All parks and trails are open at this time.
PLAYGROUNDS OPEN - Open as of June 11
WATERPARKS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
SPLASH PARKS
- CITY PARK SPLASH PARK - Open as of June 11
- BLUE EARTH PLAZA SPLASH PARK - Closed for the season.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR HUMANITIES, SPECIAL COMMUNITIES, AND LIFELONG RECREATION
- As of July 1, determinations for these programs have not been made. Please check back for updates.
For questions, contact Manhattan Parks & Recreation staff at 785-587-2757 or email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com.
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Risk Reduction Offices are closed to the public to protect critical personnel and infrastructure.
OPERATIONS
Personnel are working modified shifts in order to maintain continuity of operations. They are available by phone at 785-587-4506 and email. Please visit the Risk Reduction page for more contact information and details.
Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
NOW OPEN DAILY - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Sunset Zoo will be open as an outdoor park only for all to enjoy. All outdoor viewing areas will be open, however indoor viewing areas as well as other parts of the Zoo, such as the gift shop, the Nature Exploration Center, and the concession stand will be closed until further notice.
The Zoo has taken a very measured approach to reopen to create a safe environment for all. There will be social distancing signs and markers throughout the entire facility, as well as signage indicating high touch areas of the park. Restroom facilities, as well as a water bottle refill station, will remain open for visitor use.
All areas of the Zoo that will be used by the public, as well as all railings and high touch areas will be cleaned multiple times per day. Staff will be practicing social distancing throughout this period, and Zookeepers will not be doing scheduled feedings or Keeper chats until the Zoo moves into future phases of reopening.
Hours and days of operation for our current reopening phase will be modified for all visitors during this time to restrict crowd size to 240 people per 2-hour time block of visitation. If the Zoo reaches capacity during this time, visitors will be alerted before entry, and crowd numbers will be evaluated before entry is allowed.
"We have looked at every area of operation for safety for our guests, members, staff, and the animals in our care.. We will be modifying this schedule as our community phase’s change. We have worked hard as a staff with the Zoo, the City of Manhattan, and our community to provide the best possible experience for our guests. We cannot wait to see you," said Jared Bixby, Curator of Education for Sunset Zoo.
Members of Friends of Sunset Zoo will be granted a three-month extension on their membership to honor their benefit of membership during the timeframe the Zoo was closed to the public. Memberships will be automatically credited to members’ accounts by Sunset Zoo administrative staff.
"We have missed our members, our visitors, and we are happy to be an outdoor venue that all can come experience during this unique time. We have taken every possible measure to keep everyone safe, and we are glad to be here for the community," said Scott Shoemaker, Sunset Zoo Director.
Tickets for Sunset Zoo may be purchased at the Guest Service entry gate during open hours. Social distancing rules will be in place at Guest Services. Hand sanitation stations will be available at the entry/exit of the Zoo as well as throughout multiple areas of the park.
For full details of reopening procedures, the public is encouraged to visit our website at www.sunsetzoo.com/reopen As phases of operation change, details will be posted on Sunset Zoo’s website, and Facebook page. The Zoo will be evaluating operations every 14 days before a change in process will take place.
For more info and complete details about Sunset Zoo, visit www.sunsetzoo.com visit our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Sunset Zoo is located at 2333 Oak Street near the Manhattan High School West Campus. Home to over 200+ animals and accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Zoo is committed to inspiring the conservation of our natural world.
ANIMAL CARE
Our animals are healthy, and we will continue to provide them with expert care as we monitor the COVID-19 situation. We remain in constant touch with our state, national, and international veterinary networks to monitor updates. We always have several months of supply of essential food and veterinary supplies and have contingency staffing plans to ensure our animals will continue to thrive.
The mission of Sunset Zoo is to inspire conservation of the natural world. More information is available www.sunsetzoo.com, or by calling our offices at 785-587-2737 during regular operating hours. Follow Sunset Zoo on Facebook at SunsetZoo or on Twitter, @SunsetZoo.
ZOOKEEPERS
Zookeepers will remain on duty even if the Zoo closes to the public in the future. Establish protocols will be followed to ensure proper care of zoo animals in all circumstances.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Visit the Animal Shelter’s website for specific information related to reduced public access for animal surrenders and adoptions: www.mhkprd.com/203/Animal-Shelter or by calling 785-587-2783.