MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2019
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12
Reminder: City Holiday Schedule
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All City of Oak Ridge administrative offices will be closed for Christmas on Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25. City offices will also be closed on New Year's Day (January 1, 2020).

Household trash and recycling will not be picked up on Christmas Day. Collection will run on a one-day delay for the remainder of the week after December 25.

The Civic Center will also be closed through December 25 for the holiday and gym floor refinishing.
Leaf Pick-Up Program Underway
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The citywide leaf pick-up program coordinated by Waste Connections of Tennessee is beginning its fifth week. Collection efforts will follow the proposed schedule as closely as possible.

Residents should place their leaves near, but not beyond the curb. Leaves must not be placed on the sidewalk or in the street, parking spaces, or drainage ditches due to posing a pedestrian or traffic hazard and possibly clogging the storm drains.

Please note that the proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather, resident participation, and the amount of leaves collected.
Apply Now for City Boards and Commissions
There are vacancies on the following boards and commissions:

  • Anderson County Board of Equalization

  • Anderson County Community Action Commission

  • Beer Permit Board

  • Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals

  • Board of Zoning Appeals

  • Convention and Visitors Bureau (Explore Oak Ridge)

  • Environmental Quality Advisory Board

  • Health & Educational Facilities Board

  • Oak Ridge Heritage Railroad Authority

  • Oak Ridge Housing Authority

  • Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation Board of Directors

  • Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission

  • Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

  • Senior Advisory Board

  • Trade Licensing Board

  • Traffic Safety Advisory Board
As part of Oak Ridge’s end-of-year election, the City Clerk’s Office is currently accepting applications from citizens who wish to serve on a board or commission. The submission deadline is Friday, January 24, 2020, at 5 p.m.

Interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application available online . Applicants may attach additional documents such as cover letters, reference lists and resumes. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for consideration.

Paper versions of the online application are available in the City Clerk’s Office, room 109 of the Municipal Building on S. Tulane Avenue.

To be considered, completed applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 24. Late applications or submissions will not be accepted. The election for all boards will take place at the regular Oak Ridge City Council meeting in February 2020.
Community Tree Lighting Ceremony
The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department teamed up with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to co-sponsor the Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting held earlier this month in A.K. Bissell Park.

The event kicked off with a countdown to the tree lighting in the Secret City Commemorative Walk area. At the conclusion of the tree lighting, participants headed over to the outdoor pavilion stage for holiday music and refreshments.

Seasonal music this year was provided by the Linden Elementary School Choir and the Oak Ridge Community Band. Refreshments were provided by UCOR and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. Thanks to all who joined us!
Shop with a Hero in Oak Ridge
60 local children recently went on a Christmas shopping spree at T.J.Maxx thanks to the generosity of our community. Approximately $7,500 was raised this year for Shop with a Hero. Thank you to everyone who donated or volunteered to make this possible.
Children participating in the event were paired with a police officer, sheriff's deputy, or firefighter as they shopped for gifts. Those children represent a total of 26 families who also took home food for a holiday meal thanks to the program. We are blessed to be part of such a giving community.
Santa joined us in his special blue suit, greeting participants in the program and shoppers at the store who just happened to be in the right place at the right time to spot Santa.

Special thanks to ORPD Community Resource Officer Alexander Velez who organized this year's event.
Staff Volunteers at Holiday Bureau
The  City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department  had a unique staff meeting this month. Several members of the department (and others not pictured here) volunteered to help with the Christmas Toy Giveaway at the  Holiday Bureau of Anderson County . We are grateful to be able to assist with such an amazing cause. Thanks to all who pitched in to help!
Successful Holiday Luncheon for Seniors
Great Turnout for Annual Holiday Event
A big thanks to our volunteers and dozens of sponsors who donated prizes, items for goodie bags, and food for the  Holiday Reception for Seniors .

The event had an amazing turnout -- we counted approximately 225 people! Nearly 50 prizes were given out during the lunch or as part of the bingo game.

Special thanks also to The Golden Eagles who provided our live Christmas music. We hope everyone had a great time!
Now Hiring: Find a Job with the City
The City of Oak Ridge is currently accepting applications for several positions, including:

  • Database Developer
  • Personnel Director
  • Recreation Leaders & Lifeguards
  • Administrative Associate
  • Public Safety Dispatcher
  • Electric Line Technician
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Public Library Adds New Database
City Updates Junked Vehicle Ordinance
Written Warnings Given During Grace Period Through February
The City of Oak Ridge recently updated junked vehicle ordinances and has scheduled implementation in 2020. The months of January and February will be used as a grace period to inform the community of the changes to the ordinance. Written warnings will be provided during this grace period, prior to official notices of violations, until March 1, 2020. After this time, written warnings will no longer be given prior to the violation notice.
The changes to this ordinance now provide greater clarity for property owners and City staff regarding what constitutes an unlawful vehicle. Additionally, the changes will help reduce blighted conditions, improve quality of life in neighborhoods, and enhance effective enforcement by City departments.
Reminder: UBO Still in Temporary Location
The City of Oak Ridge Electric Department temporarily relocated its Utilities Business Office (UBO) to the Oak Ridge Civic Center in October.

The move was due to renovations of the UBO that are needed to increase efficiency and safety. The affected offices are normally located inside the Oak Ridge Municipal Building at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

Signs are posted to direct patrons to the temporary offices in the Recreation Building of the Oak Ridge Civic Center located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The phone number for the UBO remains (865) 425-3400.
Oak Ridge Winter Weather Plan
The winter season just started, but we've already seen snow in Oak Ridge. The City has a plan in place for addressing winter weather issues. You can learn how our Public Works crews respond to ice and snow and pre-treat roads by reviewing the plan on our website. Just click the button below. And stay safe out there!
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Winter Wonderland in Oak Ridge
Enjoy these snowy scenes of A.K. Bissell Park... Happy Holidays!
City of Oak Ridge Tennessee
200 South Tulane Avenue 
Oak Ridge, TN 37830