[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City offices will be open tomorrow

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Renee Graham
Public Communications
ryg at GoColumbiaMo.com

City offices will be open tomorrow

COLUMBIA, MO (February 5, 2014) - We expect phone lines to be busy tomorrow. We ask citizens to be patient if they are on hold and to use the option to leave a message when they can. Calls will be returned in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Residents are advised to help keep 9-1-1 lines open for emergencies. For non-emergency assistance and non-injury accidents, residents should call the Public Safety Joint Communications non-emergency line at (573) 442-6131.

City meeetings that were postponed will be rescheduled as soon as possible and posted at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/CMS/webcal/index.php?cat=6.

The parking ban on snow routes has been lifted. We thank everyone who moved cars from priority zones and neighborhood streets. It made a tremendous difference in our ability to clear streets.

Customers who violated the no-parking ordinance and had their cars towed can call the Columbia Police Department non-emergency number (874-7652). Press zero to speak with the operator and request location of vehicle.

All available equipment is now focused on plowing residential areas, and crews are working hard to reach every neighborhood as quickly as possible. Special emphasis has  been given to trash collection routes that have fallen behind schedule due to the winter weather, so we can resume trash collection tomorrow.

Customers can track the progress of snow removal in residential areas by sub-district at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Maps/snow/.

Customers may contact Public Works concerning snow removal issues at:

E-mail – PubW at GoColumbiaMo.com

Facebook -- Facebook.com/columbiamissouripublicworks

Twitter -- @pub_works

Reminder, there is no recycling collection this week. Tuesday and Wednesday’s trash routes will be picked tomorrow - Thursday, Feb. 6. If Wednesday’s route isn’t completed by the end of the day Thursday, collection will resume first thing Friday morning before crews move on to Thursday's route. Thursday’s route will be collected Friday; Friday’s route will be collected Saturday. Customers are asked to place their trash in a visible and easily accessible area free of snow and ice. Recycling can be dropped off at common collect collection sites across the city.  www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/Solidwaste/dropoff-recycling-containers.php

All Columbia Transit routes will run tomorrow on the emergency weather schedule to allow buses a little extra time to safely navigate snow-packed roads. Delays are still possible depending on morning road conditions, and customers are urged to use extreme caution. Please give buses plenty of room and add extra travel time in case of delays. The 102E will detour Indian Hills area tomorrow due to road conditions and customers can catch the bus at Ballenger and Aztec nearby. The emergency weather schedule is online at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/Transportation/transit-weather.php.

With temperatures dropping significantly tonight, we encourage all citizens to check on elderly neighbors to make sure they have groceries and are safe and warm indoors. Remember when you’re shoveling your driveway and sidewalk to be a good snow buddy and offer to help a neighbor who might not be able to do so. The Columbia Fire Department urges extreme caution when using alternate home heating sources such as space heaters and fireplaces. www.gocolumbiamo.com/Fire/Educational/Home_Heat_Safety/

A list of warming centers and official shelters can be found  by searching “warming centers” at www.GoColumbiaMo.com/Health. Citizens are advised to contact warming centers and official shelters in advance to ensure that facilities are open and operational.                                                                                                   
Low temperatures also come with hazards for pets. Keep pets indoors and warm. Take precautions if your pet spends a lot of time outside by providing temporary shelter from the winter elements. Remember to provide pets with plenty of food and water, as keeping warm requires a lot of energy.



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