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1. Business - How are businesses being supported during Coronavirus?

Due to the COVID-19 issue and its impact on businesses, the City has: 

• Suspended the payment of the first installment for the Café space rental at the Downtown Mall due on April 1. This can be paid along with the second installment on July 1, 2020. 
• Suspended past due penalty and interest on all local taxes until June 22, 2020. Businesses responsible for remitting meals and lodging tax are encouraged to file timely returns and set up appropriate payment arrangements with the City.

BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND

In response to the impact that COVID-19 is having on businesses in the Charlottesville community, the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC), with funding from the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle, is launching the Business Recovery Fund microloan program.  Read more about the Fund HERE .

Online applications will be available beginning Friday, April 24th, 2020:  Business Recovery Fund application

COVID-19 BUSINESS RESILIENCE & RECOVERY WEBINAR SERIES

The webinars are free and open to all area businesses, but pre-registration is required. They will be conducted via Zoom.  After your registration is received, we will send you a link for the Zoom meeting.

1. Maximizing Cash and Strengthening Finances during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Wednesday, April 29th - 9am to 11am
2. Recovering from COVID-19: Back to Business as Usual.....Or Not? - Wednesday, May 13th - 9am to 11am

• REGISTER FOR WEBINAR HERE

Get the latest info from Economic Development

2. Courts - How are the Courts impacted by Coronavirus?

Court Hearings

Charlottesville Circuit Court, General District Court and and J&DR Courts are hearing criminal cases as scheduled.

Circuit Court Clerk’s Office

Remains CLOSED to walk-in customers. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE matters may be addressed BY APPOINTMENT ONLY by contacting Llezelle A. Dugger, the Clerk of Court, at duggerl@charlottesville.gov or 434-970-3764. Email requests are preferred. The office is taking telephone calls from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and has extended free access to its land and probate records by secure remote access during the closure of our office. For any business that currently has a paid subscription, that subscription will be extended for the period of time we are closed to the public.

General District Court Clerk’s Office

The Clerk’s Office will remain open.  Only emergency and essential cases will be heard during the Declaration of Judicial Emergency ordered by the Virginia Supreme Court. Video bond hearings, arraignments, and protective orders will still be heard weekdays at 10 a.m.

Get the latest info City Courts

3. Engineering permits - How is the permit process for street, sidewalk and parking closures being addressed during the Cornavirus?

Neighborhood & Development Services (NDS) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) are closed to the public during this unprecedented time, to minimize the spread of CoViD-19 within our community. Until further notice, the below process will be adopted for the acceptance and processing of permits and parking placards.

Permits should be submitted no later than 7 days prior to the start of a project. We have been somewhat lenient on this requirement in the past. At this time, we shall enforce this requirement so we can receive payment for the permits via mail and process the permit(s) and placard(s) to you electronically. It is imperative that you provide a legible email address on the permit, where you can receive the digital permit(s) and placard(s).

The city is working on implementing an online payment process for future submittals, but we do not have an expected date for completion. Until then:

1.  Submit the permit request(s) to: allenjh@charlottesville.gov and copy duncanb@charlottesville.gov
2.  City staff will confirm receipt and amount owed via email.
3.  If a payment is required, mail a check or money order, payable to CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, to:
   • City Hall – NDS – Front Desk
     Attn: Traffic Engineering
     605 E Main St
     PO Box 911
     Charlottesville, VA 22902
4. Upon receipt of payment, we will email you a digital copy of the approved permit and completed parking placard. The parking placard(s) will need to be printed and posted by the customer. It is recommended that the customer insert the placard upside down in a protective sheet to increase weatherability.

Thank you for working with us during this time and we look forward to implementing lessons learned from this event and working with you in the future.

4. Fire - How have Fire Department operations changed during Coronavirus?

The Charlottesville Fire Department is taking measures to protect our personnel to maintain the essential emergency services to our community.  Please consider the following changes:

• All fire department facilities are closed to the public. In case of an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency matters, call 434-970-3240.
• The Free Smoke Alarm Program will continue, but with modifications to reduce exposure to our limited number of firefighters. Residents needing a smoke alarm should expect firefighters to be wearing high levels of protective equipment when they enter your home, and they will maintain appropriate social distancing throughout the installation.
• To protect you and our firefighters, we have modified our response to medical emergencies.  If you call 911, please be sure to answer the questions as accurately as possible.  When we arrive, you may see our firefighters and EMT’s in increased levels of protective gear.  Additionally, we may ask you to meet us outside the building.  These changes in our response reduce our staff’s risk of illness and increase our ability to serve our community.
• The Charlottesville EMS Cost Recovery Program continues to function. No patient will ever be denied service based on their ability to pay, and residents face no out of pocket expenses for ambulance transport to the hospital. 
• Remember, in many cases, when you are sick, you should stay at home and not expose yourself to other sick people in the hospital.  If you have a high fever and difficulty breathing, please call 911.  If you have a low to moderate temperature and cough, but no trouble breathing, it is likely best you isolate at home.  Call your health care professional for guidance.
• Thank you for your continued support of the Charlottesville Fire Department.  We continue to provide top-quality emergency service to those in need.

5. Neighborhood Development - How is NDS doing business during Coronavirus?

Neighborhood Development Services (NDS) offices are closed to the public. 

The Neighborhood Development Services team has published a new Frequently Asked Questions document outlining the process for our continued review of development applications and permit requests. This document contains all the contact information needed to most efficiently engage our staff.

New guidelines for submitting plans to NDS during COVID-19

Beginning  Friday May 1, 2020,  Neighborhood Development Services will have document drop off hours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. each Friday.  The Market Street door to City Hall will open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for document drop off only.  Applicants will have the opportunity to enter the building, place items on the conference room table and then exit the building. 

Items dropped off should be bound and contain a cover document with the following information: project name, project number, city contact, applicant name and contact and detailed description of the materials in the packet. 

Interaction with staff to confirm application requirements, fees and other items must be performed in advance of this drop off time frame by calling 434-970-3182 or contacting your project contact.  There will be no face to face technical support available on site during these drop off opportunities.

6. Parks & Rec - What Parks facilities are open during Coronavirus?

Parks & Recreation - We are currently only servicing customers online  and via email at parksandrec@charlottesville.gov or over the phone at (434) 970-3260, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The City’s goal is to balance public safety with public health. The City is sensitive to the needs of the community and has implemented an educational and informational approach that supports the Governors’ Executive Orders. This includes informing the community that unnecessary person-to-person contact increases the risk of transmission and community spread. These measures are being taken to mitigate negative, public health outcomes associated with COVID-19.

Closures notices updated as of June 9, 2020 [media release]

Charlottesville Parks & Recreation has updated its list of facility reopenings that were announced last week as Virginia moved into Phase 2.  This list will continue to be updated as more facilities/amenities are reopened. 

Facilities/Amenities Now Open

• All Tennis Courts – Open play only, no reservations.
• Parking Lots at McIntire Park, Pen Park, Tonsler Park and Washington Park
• Athletic Fields – Instructional reservations only, no competition.
• Sugar Hollow Reservoir

Facilities/Amenities In Process of Being Reopened (no later than June 15, unless noted)

• Charlottesville Skate Park – Opens Wednesday, June 10.
• Meadowcreek Golf Course – Opens Saturday, June 13.  Tee times will be available for reservation starting on Friday, June 12.
• All Playgrounds on City or School property
• Picnic Shelters

Facilities/Amenities REMAINING CLOSED

As conditions change during Phase 2, the City will continue to explore the possibilities of re-opening additional park facilities and amenities that align with the required safety precautions. The following remain CLOSED:

• All Indoor Recreation Centers and Pools
• All Outdoor Basketball Courts (NOTE: This is due to the Governor’s limitations on recreational sports and the requirement of 10 feet of physical separation between participants)
• Park Restrooms
• Downtown Administration Office
• Swimming Pools
• Spray Grounds

City Market

• City Market To-Go will continue to operate in the pre-order and drive-thru model but the pick-up location has changed from Pen Park to Darden Towe Park.

7. Police - How have Police Department operations changed during Coronavirus?

Lobby Services

The Charlottesville Police Department is suspending front counter services and closing our facilities to the public. Re-opening dates have not yet been determined. In-person requests for police reports, fingerprinting services, and taxi cab license registrations will be suspended until further notice. The following services will continue: sex offender registrations and updates.

Police reports and crash reports

During this time, you can request police reports and crash reports by:

Email: RecordsTeam@charlottesville.gov
 Phone: (434) 970-3280
 Fax: (434) 970-3233
 Mail: 606 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902, ATTN: Records

Modified Response

As a proactive measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Charlottesville Police Department will modify its responses to non-emergency calls. A return to full services will be determined at a later date.

What this means: CPD will continue to respond to emergency calls. However, we will be expanding our online and Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU). Beginning May 11, 2020, the TRU will be staffed by police officers between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Online options will still be available for most non-emergent reporting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach our TRU officers by calling our regional Emergency Communications Center at (434) 977-9041. For your convenience, you may report incidents online.

8. Rent / Tax relief / CHAP - How is Commissioner of Revenue impacted by Coronavirus?

Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic the Commissioner of Revenues Office will be implementing the following customer contact policy:

• We will be closed to the public for in-person traffic until further notice;
• Rent Relief applications will be suspended until further notice.  The due date for these applications will be pushed back to September 1, 2020;
• Real Estate Tax Relief and CHAP (Charlottesville Housing Affordability Program) inquires should be conducted by phone or email. See below;
• As always, business tax filings and payments can be made via US mail, online or at any of the drop-boxes located on 6th street, 7th street or the Drive-up box by the Key Rec Center.

Our Mailing address is:

Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue
P.O. BOX 2964
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Online payment options for meals and lodging taxes are available at www.charlottesville.gov/COR.

We are available by telephone or email for all inquiries:

Personal Property Tax	Business License
Real Estate Tax Relief or Charlottesville Housing Affordability Program	Meals & Lodging Tax
>Rent Relief	Short Term Daily Rental Tax
State Income	General Business Tax Inquiries
General Inquires
434-970-3160 or citycor@charlottesville.gov	434-970-3170 or citycorbiz@charlottesville.gov

9. Social Services - How do I contact DSS staff during Coronavirus?

The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is open virtually to the public and here are the ways you can complete Business with our office from a Distance.

For Benefits: 

To contact the Charlottesville Department of Social Services to apply, renew, or report a change for programs such as SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid, you may submit your request and/or documents:

•  In our Outside Dropbox on the first level of the City Hall Annex building (120 7th St N.E.)
• By mail: Charlottesville Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), P.O. Box 911, Charlottesville VA 22902
• By e-mail: Dssfeedback@charlottesville.gov
• Your account in Common Help at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access
• Fax to (434) 970-3444
• Cover Virginia 1-855-242-8282
•  VDSS call center 1-855-635-4370

If you need to replace your EBT card, please contact: 1 866-281-2448

For Family Services: 

In case of an Adult Protective, Child Protective, or Foster Care Emergency, please contact us by telephone: (434) 970-3400

 *** If someone is in Imminent Danger, Please Dial 911 Immediately ***

10. Taxes & Fees - How is the City supporting taxpayers impacted by Coronavirus?

The City of Charlottesville, in conjunction with the City Treasurer and the Commissioner of the Revenue, has announced the following actions related to the collection of taxes and fees due to the City of Charlottesville in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the City’s declared state of emergency:

• The Treasurer’s Office has suspended all collection action related to past due taxes and fees;
• For those taxpayers who received a personal property tax supplement originally due on 4/3/20, the due date has been delayed two weeks to 4/17/20;
• The assessment of past due penalty and interest on all local taxes was previously suspended until May 31, 2020.  That period has been extended to June 22, 2020.  Businesses responsible for remitting meals and lodging tax are encouraged to file timely returns and set up appropriate payment arrangements with the City;
• Taxpayers are encouraged to use alternative means of communication with the City during the duration of City Hall’s closure to the public such as drop boxes, online payments, and email and phone communication;
• These measures will be reviewed and updated as the current situation progresses.

11. Transit - How is CAT public transit impacted by Coronavirus?

On Saturday, April 11, CAT will implement its "Lifeline" reduced service schedule. The new Lifeline schedule will provide service once every 60 minutes on the majority of CAT routes. The new schedule will ensure that passengers who rely on CAT for their essential travels will not be disconnected.

Route 4 during AM peak, and routes 2, 5, 7, and the Trolley will continue to have better than 60-minute service, connecting essential workers to medical facilities and hospitals.

CAT is reducing its service schedule to ensure the safety of their employees and passengers, while continuing to provide the community with essential trips. The new schedules can be found on the CAT homepage.

Additionally, to prevent large groups from gathering and maintain safe social distancing, CAT will modify the Downtown Transit Station hours. Beginning Monday, April 13, 2020, the Downtown Transit Station will open from 9AM to 3PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

Get the latest info from CAT

12. Trash & Recycling - How has the trash & recycling programs changed during Coronavirus?

Public Works (Specifically Trash & Recycling) - At this time, the City’s trash and recycling service continues to operate on its normal schedule with the following minor adjustments:   

• Single use stickers are temporarily unavailable at City Hall.      
  •  Download and mail (or drop off) a trash sticker order form.
  • Please visit the various retailers listed on our website www.charlottesville.gov/trash who sell individual stickers.  
• Annual trash decals are available by mail.  
  • Download and mail (or drop off) an annual trash decal order form.
•  Large Item Collection resumed April 13, 2020 and occurs every other week.

13. Treasurer - Can I utilize DMV Select and Passport Services during Coronavirus?

Treasurer -  Passport and DMV Select Services are currently suspended.

14. Utilities - How are City Utilities staff conducting business during Coronavirus?

The Department of Utilities has resumed normal operations and Utilities employees have reported back to the workplace. However, our office remains closed to visitors. When customers contact the Utility Billing Office for service appointments, they can expect brief preliminary questions regarding their current health and potential exposure to the virus. When field technicians arrive at a customer’s home, they can expect that the technician may be wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. This equipment may be used when performing certain services that require the technician to enter the interior of the home. The field technician will request that everyone follow CDC best practices for appropriate social distancing.

15. Voter Registration - How are elections and voter registration impacted by Coronavirus?

Voter Registration Office - The Office of Voter Registration and Elections is currently closed to the public, but is staffed from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, Monday through Friday to answer phones and email. Preparations have begun for the upcoming Dual Primary, which has been postponed to June 23 by the Governor. Charlottesville voters will be informed as further guidelines are received from the State and Department of Elections.

Most voters may submit an absentee ballot application online at the Department of Elections website. Due to COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that voters request a mailed absentee ballot using reason code 2A on the application. We will also accept applications via regular mail, email and fax (434) 970-3249. For the Primary, please indicate whether you would prefer a Democratic or Republican ballot. In-person absentee voting is now set to begin on Friday, May 8.

The deadline to register to vote for the June Primary remains Monday, May 18. Most voters can register to vote or update their registration online using the Citizen Portal.

Please contact Voter Registration at (434) 970-3250 with any questions or if you would like to request a paper registration or absentee ballot application.