Local Government Updates

City of Manassas, VA : In light of the current advisories surrounding the COVID-19 virus, the Manassas City Council has developed methods for residents to social distance and still give input into the FY 2021 Budget process.  On April 27, 2020 at 7:30 in City Hall the Manassas City Council will hold public hearings on the proposed FY 2021 Operating Budget, 5-year Capital Improvement Program and Tax Rates.

Members of the public are encouraged  to submit comments to the City Council by visiting www.manassascity.org/comment<http://www.manassascity.org/comment>, emailing the City Clerk at [email protected]<mailto:cityclerk@manassasva.gov>, mailing a letter to City Clerk’s Office, Room 101, at 9027 Center Street, Manassas, Virginia or by calling 703/257-8211.  If a citizen would like to attend the public hearing in person, the City requests that they complete the online form at the above link and select the “in person” option for commenting. Electronic or written comments should be received no later than Friday, April 24, 2020, at 5 P.M. All written/electronic comments will be provided to City Council and included in the meeting minutes.

Stafford County is committed to providing you with continued customer service during this trying time with the COVID-19 Virus.  Given that the Governor has asked all Virginians to stay at home, the County Government Buildings remain closed to the public.  We are modifying our business practices to optimize telework.  Please see the information below regarding the processing of Planning and Zoning as well as Public Works/Permitting applications.

Planning and Zoning:

  • General phone questions can be taken at our main telephone number 540-658-8668.
  • All staff can be reached via e-mail or telephone.  Please refer to the Department web page https://staffordcountyva.gov/478/Planning-Zoning  for the employee directory. The employee directory has been updated to include direct telephone extensions.  Calls to those phone extensions will be forwarded directly to the corresponding staff member.
  • Effective Immediately, all new site plan and subdivision construction plans should be submitted through e-plans https://staffordcountyva.gov/dynamicportal.
  • All other application types (subdivision plats, zoning reclassification, BZA applications, etc…) can be submitted electronically as PDF documents.  This will require coordination with our office to determine if this can be accomplished through e-mail, FTP site or other means of approved file sharing.  Please contact Miranda Critzer Mcritzer@staffordcountyva.gov for details.
  • Paper copies of plans under review, signature sets of plans and plats, or other documents that require original signatures should be sent to us VIA US Mail or courier services.  Items that are too large to be sent by mail or courier service can be dropped off outside of the front door of the George L. Gordon County Administration Building on Wednesday mornings by appointment only.  Please contact Miranda Critzer Mcritzer@staffordcountyva.gov  to make an appointment.
  • Zoning inspections of As-Built Plans will continue to occur.  Please follow the normal process for making inspection requests.
  • Zoning permits to establish uses such as accessory buildings, sheds, signs, and fences will continue to be processed.  Please submit applications through the Public Works Department Permitting Division.

Permitting/Public Works:

  • General phone questions should be directed to 540-658-8650 or refer to the Department web page https://staffordcountyva.gov/180/Public-Works for specific contact information regarding permitting and securities.
  • All permit applications should be submitted through e-plans (https://staffordcountyva.gov/1921/Dynamic-Portal—Apply-Online) and not mailed in or dropped off.  Corrections or revisions to pending applications that are not electronic will be accepted through ShareBase.  Contact the CDSC at (540) 658-8650 or [email protected] to receive instructions on how to submit construction documents or for any other questions related to permit submittals.
  • Requests for occupancy permits should be made by calling (540) 658-8650 or emailing eplans@staffordcountyva.gov.
  • Certain paperwork that is determined by Staff to be time sensitive may be accepted on an appointment only basis.  Please contact the appropriate staff in the Department to make arrangements to drop off materials at the front door of the George L. Gordon County Administration Building.
  • Calls for inspections will continue to follow the normal process, however in order to reduce Staff exposure to occupied dwellings or facilities, certain Residential and Commercial Change inspections may experience delays or be deferred until after operations return to normal.  Virtual inspections will be conducted to the extent practicable (https://staffordcountyva.gov/901/Building).
  • Virtual appointments may be available with reviewers, inspectors and other staff on a limited basis.  Please contact appropriate staff in the Department to make arrangements for virtual meetings.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PROCEDURES FOR VIRTUAL INSPECTIONS

Spotsylvania County Parks and Recreation has closed all community centers and canceled all programs, events and sports through Thursday, April 23, 2020. Parks and reservoirs will remain open at this time, but facility users should follow current social distancing guidelines recommended by the Virginia Department of Health.

King George County Public Buildings closed until April 6

Spotsylvania County announces the closures of all county buildings to the public, beginning 8 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, until further notice

Virginia Career Works – Fredericksburg Center will be closed to the public.  Unemployment and job assistance will still be provided by phone: 540.322.5757 and email: [email protected].gov

City of Manassas, Virginia : Out of an abundance of caution and concern for City residents and staff and given the rapidly evolving situation with novel coronavirus (COVID-19), City Manager W. Patrick Pate has decided to close all City of Manassas buildings to the public effective immediately until further notice.  This means that residents may not enter City buildings at this time.  However, residents may still call to access City of Manassas government services or visit the City website at www.manassascity.org  for information, to pay bills, to report concerns or to complete City business.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is taking the COVID-19
virus very seriously and wants to make sure our staff, citizens and resources around the
Commonwealth are taking all necessary precautions. DGIF encourages everyone in the
Commonwealth to utilize the online option, gooutdoorsvirginia.com for all their licensing and
registration needs. Hunters, anglers, boaters and wildlife enthusiasts can do most transactions
online.Full Story

Virginia DMV offices to close until April 2 due to COVID-19 outbreak

Spotsylvania General District Court  is following the Order Declaring A Judicial Emergency In Response To COVID-19. The office is open to process protective orders and vehicle impoundments as walk-ins. The court schedule has been modified as follows:

District Security Desk – plan staffing 8am-4:30pm at this time

  •  General District Court
  • 8:30 Walk-In Arraignments
  • Video arraignments
  • Video preliminary hearings
  • 10:30  Prisoner arraignments
  • Video bond hearings
  • Protective orders

15 Minute Parking Created in Manassas – The City of Manassas is temporarily designating several parking spaces in the Historic Downtown as 15 Minute Parking Only to facilitate Pick Up and Delivery options during this Pandemic.  The spaces will be clearly marked but include only the existing on-street parking along Battle and Main Streets between Church Street and the railroad tracks.  Surface parking lots and on-street spaces not in these areas will continue to be available under their current limitations.

Virginia State Parks Visitor Centers will close to the public as of March 17th. Park staff will report for work as usual and be available by phone if assistance is needed. Overnight facilities and outdoor spaces remain open and a great alternative for social distancing in a natural environment. Self check-in guidance will be emailed to overnight guests.

Camping is open. We have increased disinfection and sanitizing procedures in bathhouse facilities but remind visitors to follow hand washing and disinfection procedures recommended by the CDC as a companion to our enhanced cleaning.

Cabins are available. We have enhanced disinfection and sanitizing procedures in our cabin cleaning routine with an emphasis on areas most often touched (e.g., door handles, counters and other surfaces, light switches, window latches). All bed linens and towels in every cabin and lodge are laundered after every guest reservation.

If you have concerns or questions about your upcoming reservation, please call our Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please be sure to call before your reservation is scheduled to start.

City of Manassas, Virginia: City Manager W. Patrick Pate has signed the Declaration of Local State of Emergency for the City of Manassas in response to the Centers for Disease Control’s new guidance on social distancing in groups of no more than 10 people to help slow the spread of COVID-19 or the Coronavirus.   *   All City Council meetings have been canceled through April 1

*   The Manassas Museum is closed
*   The Manassas Regional Airshow has been cancelled as have events in Historic Downtown
*   The Runway 10K, 5K and fun run has been postponed
*   The City is asking residents to call ahead before coming to any City building as we may be able to handle your request or concern over the phone.  A list of phone numbers is available at Click Here  on the COVID-19 tabBill payment can be completed online at Click Here  

*   There will be no utility shut offs during this time of crisis
*   Trash and recycling will be collected on a regular basis at this time

Fredericksburg, Virginia City Manager issues Emergency Order #1 in Response to COVID-19 Specific to Restaurants and Gatherings.

1. Dine-in service at all restaurants, coffee shops, cafeterias, cafés, and other eating establishments serving food or beverages within the City of Fredericksburg, including all indoor and outdoor spaces, shall be limited to occupancy of no more than 10 persons. All parties must be seated and separated at a distance of at least 6 feet apart from other patrons in accordance with social distancing recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This order does not forbid otherwise lawful drive-through, take-out or delivery services. A copy of this order or a sign conveying the closure information shall be conspicuously posted by the owner, operator, manager, or other person having control of an establishment subject to this order. This regulation does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, or hospitals.

2. All indoor social, community, recreational, concerts, conferences, and sporting events and other gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to expos, conventions, auditoriums, theaters, large conference rooms, meeting halls, and event spaces.”

Stafford Government Offices will be Closed effective March 18th to the public. Services will still be performed online, by phone or for a few, by appointment.

Essex History Museum is closed until April 2.

All Fauquier Public Libraries will be closed until further notice. Starting March 18, the library will offer phone assistance and curbside service at all locations.

The Fredericksburg Area Museum has closed temporarily.

Fredericksburg, Virginia City Manager closes City Hall and other Public Buildings – City government buildings will be closed to the public. This includes Downtown Visitor’s Center, City Hall, the Executive Plaza (partial building), and Dorothy Hart Community Center.

Spotsylvania to declare state of emergency – details of what it means for county residents and businesses will be covered at the meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. at the Holbert building. The meeting also will be live-streamed online.

Spotsylvania County Parks and Recreation has canceled programs and sports leagues for the next two weeks. Parks and facilities will remain open.

Stafford County is postponing or canceling all events and community programs and classes at county facilities through March 31.

The Stafford DMV Select, located in the Treasurer’s Office of the George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA, has suspended all services from March 17 through April 2, 2020.

Emergency Pandemic Response Plan for Spotsylvania Circuit Court

In an effort to safeguard the wellbeing of the people who use and work at the courthouse, and to help slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the community, the following policies relating to the operation of the court are adopted effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and will continue through Friday, March 27, 2020 unless extended or otherwise modified by the court.

All trials and motion hearings scheduled through Friday, March 27 are continued.  Continued matters may be reset through chambers beginning Monday, March 30.  No civil matter shall be reset for a date prior to May 15, 2020.

Requests for emergency hearings or for cases with mandated statutory hearing deadlines will be handled through chambers.

The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is closed effective immediately through Friday, March 27.

This policy may be extended depending on the progress of containment of the virus and policies and recommendations from the Virginia Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor.

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