Cherokee County Offices Begin Reopening Monday

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee County government employee operations will return to regular business hours on Monday. However, virtual meetings, online services and appointments for in-person services are still strongly advised.

“Cherokee County government employees have been rotating from in-office and remote working since March 18, with most offices being closed to the public,” said County Manager Jerry Cooper. “As the governor’s office begins lessening restrictions and conditions improve, we are reopening county facilities with guidelines and best practices that follow Gov. Brian Kemp’s Executive Order issued May 28. We ask that you follow the guidelines as you interact with county staff and at county facilities.”

Office operations countywide will follow social distancing guidelines, and high-traffic areas are being cleaned more frequently. Those with county business that can be conducted online, including licensing and permitting, are encouraged to continue with the online platform. Those needing to meet with county employees are asked to do so via online meeting platforms, like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. If a citizen needs to meet with a county employee in person, he or she is asked to call ahead and set up an appointment time.

Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner’s offices

The Tax Assessor’s Office is reopening Monday with distancing, traffic flow patterns and sanitizing protocols in place.

The Tax Commissioner’s Office also will reopen Monday also with procedures in place, including more frequent cleaning of countertops and the use of glass partitions at service windows. It still is strongly advised for taxpayers to complete their business with the tax commissioner’s office online, if able.

Conference Center

The Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center will open Monday, abiding by the governor’s executive order related to social distancing and operations. The conference center will follow the same rules that apply to dine-in restaurants.

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency has been slowly reopening its facilities in recent weeks. The Recreation Center will resume full operational hours Monday through Saturday for the public on Monday, but Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency staff will be adhering to strict social distancing guidelines and reduced capacity. Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency will commence rentals of pavilions and community rooms on Monday with 50 percent capacity or less. Groups must abide by the protocols in the governor’s May 28 executive order, especially related to gathering sizes and number of people in a single location if social distancing is not possible.

Athletics

Kemp’s May 28 Executive Order allowed for the playing of organized sports beginning Monday. Last week, Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency began athletic field reservations for local youth athletic associations to practice by permits only. Youth leagues will be able to start games June 1 and must comply with the safety protocols for conducting activities such as rules for social distancing and reduced capacity (1:1) by spectators, procedures for limiting contact between coaches and participants, expanding confined areas such as dugouts, and staggering game times to limit the number of people present in the park at the same time. No post team meetings or team snacks distributions permitted, etc.

Beginning June 8, adult softball will resume with a summer league with safety protocols in place such as reduced capacity for spectators (1:1 ratio) for each team, staggered schedules and special league rules for increased hygiene, etc.

Starting June 11, tournament play will be permitted but must comply with strict safety protocols including reduced capacity for spectators (1:1 ratio) for each team, special pool play schedules to reduce team flow in/out of the parks, etc.

Summer Camps/Classes

While summer programming looks different this year, CRPA will host summer camps at the recreation center and JJ Biello Park (Twin Creeks), as well as specialty camps beginning June 8. Staff is preparing, as they abide by the protocols in the governor’s executive order for camps and childcare facilities, as well as guidelines from the American Camp Association.

Additionally, CRPA staff is developing guidelines that will include safety measures for adult and youth exercise classes to resume with reduced capacity, increased cleaning and disinfecting between sessions.

Aquatic Center

The Cherokee County Aquatic Center began limited operations last week at the indoor pool. CRPA Director Jay Worley said the reservation system for the phased reopening has worked well in the last week. The next phase will begin Monday and will include indoor pool use for swim teams with several restrictions including the number of swimmers allowed at one time.

The outdoor pool will open on June 15 with measures including staggered sessions with reduced capacity to allow for cleaning and disinfecting between sessions. Lifeguards are being trained in preparation for reopening.

Aquatic Center programs, including aqua aerobics will resume June 15, and swim lessons are to be determined. Staff is developing guidelines for safety resuming these services. In addition, reopening of the splash pad in Waleska also is to be determined.

Elections

The Cherokee Elections and Voter Registration Office staff is operating with precautions in place. All poll workers are wearing masks, voting equipment is being cleaned frequently, and social distancing signs and queues are being used. Additionally, gloves are being provided for voters, and hand sanitizing stations are placed at each location.

No voter shall be turned away, and they are not required to wear a mask or gloves.

Two Advance Voting locations will open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Elections Office in Canton and the South Cherokee Annex Building in Woodstock. All Election Day polling locations will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on June 9. For more information, visit voter.cherokeega.com.

Public Safety Complex

The Fire Headquarters main access will return to normal and will be open to the public. However, members of the public only will be allowed in the lobby/reception area. Additionally, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Records Division, also located in the Public Safety Complex, is open to the public. Those needing an incident or accident report can call 678-493-4140 to request the report be emailed.

Anyone entering the Public Safety Complex will be required to have their temperature checked, including employees and visitors.

Public visitation to fire stations will remain prohibited until at least June 30.

Fire Chief Tim Prather said fire education programs will resume Monday, following state guidelines on social distancing. Additionally, Safe Kids Cherokee will resume normal scheduling for car seat inspections at The Bluffs.

Senior Services

As seniors are still required to shelter in place through June 12, the Cherokee Senior Center will remain closed. In-home services including home meal delivery and homemaker services continue.

Cherokee Area Transportation Service (CATS)

CATS services continue for fixed route and paratransit with reduced passenger capacities. Vehicles are cleaned more frequently. Those who need CATS services are encouraged to call in advance to schedule paratransit trips.

Recycling

The Cherokee Recycling Center on Blalock Road continues with uninterrupted services, and services have resumed with normal business hours at the Hobgood Park locations. Goodwill donations also are being accepted at the Hobgood Park location.