Message from the Mayor
May 20, 2020 - For Immediate Release
PHASED REOPENING FOR CITY BUILDINGS CONTINUES
- Today, the City of Lebanon will continue its phased reopening of city facilities. I, along with our dedicated city staff, are working to restore more traditional operations while proactively protecting residents by exercising the necessary cautions that will help continue to slow the spread of COVID-19.
-
- In Phase II of reopening city facilities, beginning May 21st at 6:00a.m., the Jimmy Floyd Family Life Center will open with special considerations.
-
- Please note the following:
- The outdoor pool, basketball courts, racquetball courts, and child care will remain closed until further notice.
- Adhering to the Governor’s recommendations, gatherings of more than 10 people will be prohibited in different areas of the facility so a limited number of people will be allowed into the facility at any given time.
- Only current members will be allowed to use the facility and no daily fees will be permitted.
- If your membership expired while the facility was closed, please call Melinda Stockton 615-453-4545 ext. 6105 or Tim Hill 615-453-4545 ext. 6106 to renew.
- No new memberships will be offered until the entire facility opens for use.
- It is recommended that all members wear a mask.
- Staff will take each person’s temp as they come in. Any persons with temperatures above 100.4 will not be able to enter.
- Members are encouraged to adhere to the recommended rule of social distancing by at least six feet between persons both inside and outside of the facility.
- Members are asked to please be aware of all signs that are posted throughout the facility regarding clean hygiene and social distancing.
Additionally, all other city administrative and office employees will return to traditional work on Tuesday, May 26th.
Residents are still highly encouraged to use the drive-thru, phone or online methods whenever possible.
Call Customer Service: (615) 444-6300
Business Tax: (615) 444-4905
Building Inspection: (615) 444-3647 ext. 2327
Purchasing: (615) 443-2802
Lobby Security Desk: (615) 443-2839 ext. 2222
Engineering Department: (615) 444-3647 ext. 2320 or ext. 2325
Utility Billing: If you have made payment arrangements to pay your City of Lebanon bill, please try to make an effort to keep your payment arrangement. We do understand that several people in our community have jobs that have been affected by the tornado and COVID-19 virus. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding your City of Lebanon utility bill. You can reach us at 615-444-6300 or by email at customerservice@lebanontn.org.
The city will continue to waive credit card fees for utility bills and business licenses through the end of May.
Beginning Monday, May 11th, the City of Lebanon began working through a phased reopening plan for city-owned and operated facilities.
Phase I of reopening city facilities, initiated on May 11th, opened the first floor of City Hall at 200 North Castle Heights Avenue.
Please note the following procedures and precautions:
- One person per family will be able to enter City Hall at a time and all visitors must check in with the guard on duty.
- Shields/barriers will be in place for in-person interactions with staff or visitors.
- Adhering to the Governor’s recommendations, gatherings of more than 10 people will be prohibited either inside or outside the facility.
- Masks and gloves will be provided by the City for all employees at City Hall.
- Each waiting area will include floor decals for social distancing.
- Aggressive routine cleaning will be taking place throughout the day at City Hall.
- City business that will be conducted by dropping things off with the guard: building inspections, building and beer licenses, vendor permits, plans, plats, and documents.
The city will continue to conduct meetings electronically to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Links to the meetings will be placed on the City of Lebanon website at lebanontn.org.
City Council Meeting: Our next virtual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd.
Planning Commission Meeting: The next virtual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th.
At this time, park facilities including playgrounds, fields, courts and facilities will remain closed until the end of May. The Don Fox Park is now open for walkers and the Dog Park is also open.
The Senior Citizens Center will remain closed until further notice.
Reopening dates are contingent on continued local progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and are subject to change should the need arise.
Detailed recommendations for reopening restaurants, retail businesses, places of worship, hair salons and other close contact businesses, and other services are being made by Governor Lee. Business owners and residents are encouraged to review the state’s guideline online at www.tn.gov. The continued closing of certain businesses and non-essential services and restrictions on businesses are part of executive orders issued by the governor, which the city nor the mayor can override. Links to those recommendations can be found below.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND UPDATES FROM GOVERNOR LEE:
Governor Bill Lee issued the first steps from the “Tennessee Pledge,” the state’s rollout of guidance and best practices for Tennessee businesses in 89 of the state’s 95 counties to keep employees and customers safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The first industries to receive guidance through the plan include the restaurant and retail industries.
All 95 local county health departments offer free COVID-19 testing five days a week. Find a full list of locations here.
RECENT ORDERS:
Executive Order No. 36: Executive Order No. 36 consolidates provisions from Executive Order Nos. 15, 19, 20, 24, 28, and 32 into one order, while extending and in some cases expanding those provisions, and Executive Order No. 37 extends Executive Order No. 26. The full text of the orders can be found here.
Executive Order No. 35: Amends Executive Order No. 30 to allow for the reopening of small group, non-contact entertainment, and recreational venues according to new Economic Recovery Group guidelines. The full text of the order is available here.
Executive Order No. 34: Extends Order No. 16 to allow for government bodies to hold meetings remotely until June 30 to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Tennessee. The full text of the order is available here.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR - RECENT BULLETINS:
COVID-19 Bulletin #33
COVID-19 Bulletin #32
COVID-19 Bulletin #31
COVID-19 Bulletin #30
In addition to strict adherence to CDC guidelines, the State recommends all businesses put into place an assortment of measures to protect consumers and employees. More information can be found below:
General Guidelines: The State is recommending safeguarding protocols for all businesses in Tennessee, including those that are re-opening and those essential businesses that have remained open during the Safer at Home order. These safeguarding protocols are based on the recommendations of the CDC and OSHA. To support the Pledge for Tennessee, all employers and employees should take steps to reopen safely, help other industries be able to open more quickly, and help Tennessee remain healthy and open for business.
Office Building Guidelines: The State recommends safeguarding protocols for all businesses in Tennessee, including those that are reopening and those essential businesses that remained open during the Safer at Home order. These safeguarding protocols are based on the recommendations of the CDC and OSHA. To support the Tennessee Pledge, all employers and employees should take steps to reopen safely, help other industries be able to open more quickly, and allow Tennessee to remain healthy and open for business.
Businesses should follow guidance issued by OSHA, the CDC, and Tennessee Department of Health. These guidelines do not replace or supersede any applicable federal or other regulatory requirements or standards. To assist your business in taking appropriate precautions for COVID-19, particular industry-specific safeguarding protocols have been created with the input of private sector working groups in partnership with the Economic Recovery Group. Protocols are subject to revision and may be released on a rolling basis.
For the purposes of these guidelines, offices include but are not limited to: general and corporate offices, headquarters facilities, and branch offices; call centers and other remote service centers; and co-working or shared office spaces.
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed COVID-19 planning guidance based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices. It focuses on the need for employers to implement engineering, administrative, and work practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as considerations for doing so. Available for download here.
Universal Guidance for Tennessee Businesses can be accessed here.
Restaurant Industry
Retail Industry
Exercise Facility
Close Contact Guidance
Places of Worship
Lodging & Accommodations Guidelines
Manufacturing Guidelines
Construction Worksite Guidelines
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Navigating COVID-19 for Small Businesses
#ThinkLebanonFirst: Learn more about how to support local businesses during this time by using the Restaurant Availability guide and visiting our local Economic Development webpage and social media sites.
EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE
Tennessee Department of Education: The Tennessee Department of Education has developed and designed a number of resources for optional, free use by local districts. This includes school closure toolkits; three times per week superintendent calls; instructional, daily programming on PBS and companion teacher, student and family guides; free access for all families to early childhood platform ReadyRosie; SchoolMealFinder website for families to locate meal services; a STE(A)M Resource Hub; as well as federal waivers with a focus on nutrition, accountability and special education.
Tennessee Department of Human Services: Emergency Response and Recovery Grants for Existing Child Care Facilities
UNEMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Tennessee Talent Exchange powered by Jobs4TN
GENERAL COVID-19 INFORMATION
Office of the Governor: Information about the ongoing novel Coronavirus outbreak
Tennessee Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus 2019
World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
Rapid Response Resources: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Thank you,