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City of Manhattan Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The City of Manhattan has closed City Hall and most facilities to the public, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, due to the relaxation of local and state health orders, certain city facilities will begin reopening to the public over the next month based upon those guidelines.
The City will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and make changes as needed. Critical staff will continue to provide essential emergency and operational services to the community while altering certain protocols to reduce exposure and maintain necessary staffing levels. This includes all critical water, sewer, traffic, street, and fire services.
This page will provide the most up-to-date information related to city operations and facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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
VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Indefinitely, all public meetings for the City Commission, and advisory boards and committees will be held virtually while maintaining all statutory requirements of the Kansas Open Meetings Act on an as-needed basis. City advisory boards and committees will only be holding virtual meetings if critical action needs to be taken.
WATCH FROM HOME
All meetings will still 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 still 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 .
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
City staff will continue to work normal schedules and be available by phone and email during regular business hours. Interactions related to city business will be limited to means of 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
During the City Hall closure, 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
New customers can still sign up for or disconnect water service by calling a customer service representative at 785-587-2480.
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
All activities, programs, and events are canceled during this time.
This is a rapidly changing situation. Parks and Rec staff will continue to evaluate the need to cancel or delay programs, activities, and facility rentals in the future. Updates will be shared here and on all communication channels as new information becomes available.
ONLINE WORKOUTS - https://www.facebook.com/DouglassCenterMHK/
Find total body workout suggestions on the Douglass Center’s Facebook page.
REFUNDS
- Parks and Rec staff will automatically issue refunds for activities, programs, classes, and facility rentals.
- Full refunds will be issued for any canceled reservations and programs that have not started yet and/or cannot be rescheduled.
- Pro-rated refunds will be issued for any classes or activities already in session based on the duration of the closure.
- Parks and Rec staff will contact anyone with a scheduled facility rental during the closure period to inform them of the changes.
Please contact Manhattan Parks and Recreation staff at all 785-587-2757 in or by email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com if you have questions.
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The Flint Hills Discovery Center will remain closed to the public until further notice.
All activities, programs, and facility rentals are canceled during this time.
This is a rapidly changing situation. Parks and Rec staff will continue to evaluate the need to cancel or delay programs, activities, and facility rentals in the future. Updates will be shared here and on all communication channels as new information becomes available.
REFUNDS
- Staff will automatically issue refunds for activities, programs, classes, and facility rentals.
- Full refunds will be issued for any canceled reservations and programs that have not started yet and/or cannot be rescheduled.
- Pro-rated refunds will be issued for any classes or activities already in session based on the duration of the closure.
- Parks and Rec staff will contact anyone with a scheduled facility rental during the closure period to inform them of the changes.
Please contact Manhattan Parks and Recreation staff at all 785-587-2757 in or by email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com if you have questions.
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 OPEN FOR CARRY OUT SERVICE ONLY
Select items using the library’s online catalog then schedule a time to pick them up at the library.
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.
CLOSED TO NON-EMPLOYEES UNTIL MAY 3
Municipal Court operations and cases will be conducted via telephone, videoconferencing, and similar measures. Municipal Court will be closed to non-employees and will maintain staffing levels to conduct Court business Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Further details about court procedures are available below by calling Municipal Court at (785) 587-2450 during business hours.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions, please phone the Court at (785) 587-2450 during business hours. Online forms and payment links are available at https://cityofmhk.com/233/LegalMunicipal-Court.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH MAY 3
DOCKET PROCEEDINGS
All activities scheduled through May 3, 2020, in the following types of DOCKET proceedings will be continued until after May 3, 2020:
- First appearance dockets (arraignments), except that defendants in the custody of the Riley County Jail will appear by video as scheduled; and,
- Trials, hearings, and other settings.
- You or your attorney will receive a written notice in the mail informing you of your new date. Please be sure your mailing address is updated with the Municipal Court.
APPOINTMENTS
If you have an appointment scheduled with your court services officer prior to May 3, please phone in at your appointment time, or contact your court services officer prior to your appointment time to reschedule. Please do not appear in person for any appointments scheduled prior to May 3.
MEETINGS WITH PROSECUTORS
If you want to meet with a prosecutor regarding your case, please call the Court to schedule a phone conference. No in-person meetings with prosecutors will be held before May 3, 2020.
PAYMENTS TO THE COURT CLERK
Payments will be accepted by dropbox, online or by phone. The online payment fees will be waived through June 1, 2020. A payment dropbox is located outside the Courthouse at 610 Colorado. You can also pay:
Parking tickets by mail, online or by depositing payment in a red parking ticket dropbox. See https://cityofmhk.com/2628/Timed-Parking-Tickets.
Certain traffic tickets by mail or online. See https://cityofmhk.com/1395/Pay-a-Court-Fine.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
If you do visit the Courthouse, you will be advised to comply with social distancing measures, which may include limiting the number of individuals in the Courtroom at one time. You may be asked to wait in the hallway or outside the building until called.
ACCESS TO COURT PROCEEDINGS
In normal times the Court encourages the public’s interest in the judicial system. The public has a qualified right of access to court proceedings. The Court takes seriously its responsibility to administer the law with due regard for the balance of the rights of litigants, the public, and the Court’s ability to protect the integrity and safety of the proceedings. Until at least May 3, 2020 courthouse security may turn away any person that does not have business at the Courthouse. All persons may be subject to inquiry about recent health, recent travel, and other COVID-19 risk factors.
CLEANING
The Municipal Court is cleaned and disinfected each night, and high-traffic areas are disinfected periodically throughout the business day.
THANK YOU
Your cooperation is appreciated, and we hope that these temporary measures will help safeguard your health and the health of the community.
ALL PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS CANCELLED FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER
All Parks and Recreation programs, activities, and facility rentals will be closed or canceled during this time period, effective immediately. This includes youth sports and adult sports, camps, aquatics passes, senior activities, special populations activities, and community events.
Reopening our Parks & Rec facilities is part of a much larger city process. We understand this has taken some time, longer than some other cities, but we are reopening to ensure the safety of our community. All of us at MHKPRD thank you for your continued understanding and patience.
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 and masks are highly encouraged in places 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
SPLASH PARKS
- CITY PARK SPLASH PARK - Open as of June 11
- BLUE EARTH PLAZA SPLASH PARK - To be determined.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR HUMANITIES, SPECIAL COMMUNITIES, AND LIFELONG RECREATION
- As of June 3, determinations for these programs have not been made. Please check back for updates.
REFUNDS
- Parks and Rec staff will initiate refunds for activities, programs, classes, and facility rentals.
- Full refunds will be issued for any canceled reservations and programs that have not started yet and/or cannot be rescheduled.
- Pro-rated refunds will be issued for any classes or activities already in session based on the duration of the closure.
- Parks and Rec staff will contact anyone with a scheduled facility rental during the closure period to inform them of the changes.
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.
OPEN TO FRIENDS OF SUNSET ZOO MEMBERS - starting Friday, June 12
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - starting Saturday, June 13
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 reopening 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. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (closed 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. for cleaning) and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Zoo will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays for routine maintenance and cleaning of the Zoo.
"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.
EVENTS AND FACILITY RENTALS CANCELLED
All education programs, camps, special events, and rental programs at the Zoo, will be canceled until further notice.
This is a rapidly changing situation. Staff will continue to evaluate the need to cancel or delay programs, activities, and facility rentals in the future. Updates will be shared here and on all communication channels as new information becomes available.
REFUNDS
- Parks and Rec staff will initiate refunds for activities, programs, classes, and facility rentals.
- Full refunds will be issued for any canceled reservations and programs that have not started yet and/or cannot be rescheduled.
- Pro-rated refunds will be issued for any classes or activities already in session based on the duration of the closure.
- Parks and Rec staff will contact anyone with a scheduled facility rental during the closure period to inform them of the changes.
Please contact Manhattan Parks and Recreation staff to request a refund. Call 785-587-2757 in or email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com to make the request.
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.
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
The T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter will be open for animal surrenders by scheduled appointment only by calling 785-587-2783.
All Animal Control Officers will continue to be on duty as scheduled and will respond to all after hours calls per direction from Riley County Police Department dispatch.
ANIMAL SURRENDERS
Visit the Animal Shelter’s website for specific information related to reduced public access for animal surrenders: www.mhkprd.com/203/Animal-Shelter