City of Staunton

APRIL 25, 2020: 

Office on Youth Website a Source for COVID-19 Resources
The Office on Youth staff have created a resource page specifically for COVID-19 which can be found at https://www.officeonyouth.com/home-2/covid-19-resources/. Links are included on the site to help those that may need assistance with childcare, finances, food, internet access, housing, transportation, mental health, parenting and more. There are also resources on ways to volunteer during the pandemic. 

Keep Tuned in About Public Meetings
With the closure of City Hall, the majority of the city’s public meetings are being handled via electronic communication and are livestreamed on the city’s website and on local cable channel 7. A list of upcoming meetings and a link to the livestream can be found at https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/departments/city-manager/covid-19-info.   

Richmond Avenue Closure April 28
On Tuesday, April 28 the eastbound lanes of Richmond Avenue from Greenville Avenue to Statler Boulevard will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate a resurfacing project.  Detours will be established to direct traffic around the closure. One of the two westbound lanes will also be closed, but second lane will be open throughout the resurfacing project.

Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.

APRIL 23, 2020: 

Reminder of Temporary Relief Measures
Please note these important reminders about City Council's temporary relief measures adopted in March:

• Water utility customers will not be assessed a penalty or interest charge for delinquent payments of water service bills issued March 10, 2020 through June 10, 2020, provided payment is made in full on or before July 10, 2020. 
• Disconnections for failure to pay water service bills are suspended for the period of March 18, 2020 through July 10, 2020.
• Please note the amount billed for water actually used must be paid and if not paid on or before July 10, 2020, penalty and interest may apply. The amount billed for water actually used may be deferred until July 10, but will not be forgiven.

Tune in Tonight
Tune in this evening at 5:30 p.m. at https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council or on local cable channel 7 for the City Council work session that includes a joint budget work session with Staunton City Schools. The regular meeting of City Council begins at 7:30 p.m. and will include have public hearings on the budget, and proposed water fee and refuse rate increases.  Directions on how to participate in the public hearings can also be found at https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council.

Centers for Disease Control Recommends Using Cloth Masks to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. To learn how to make cloth face coverings, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

Grants for Non-Profit Arts Organizations
The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA), with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, has developed a program to expedite funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to help save jobs in the arts sector.

The Virginia CARES grant program will be carried out through one-time grants to eligible non-profits arts organizations. These funds are to be used for salary support (full or partial) for one or more individuals; fees for artists and/or contractual personnel; and/or facility costs, such as rent and utilities.

To apply, visit the VCA Online Grants System, at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=vca. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8.

Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.

APRIL 22, 2020: 

Staunton Responds: Police Chief Jim Williams
Police Chief Jim Williams speaks to residents about the new procedures in place, as a result of COVID-19, to safeguard both the men and women of the police department while also protecting citizens. Chief Williams thanks residents for their continued efforts in following social distancing protocols and closures of public facilities. View the video on the city’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/7UKF6GVBeYE. 

Livestreamed Public Meetings
Citizens are reminded that public meetings of the City of Staunton are livestreamed on the city’s website in multiple places, including https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/departments/city-manager/covid-19-info, as well as on local cable channel 7. The agenda for the City Council meeting this Thursday, April 23, that includes a joint budget work session with Staunton City Schools and public hearings on the budget, and proposed water fee and refuse rate increases, can be found at https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council, with directions on how to participate in the public hearings. 

Social Security and SSI Update
Social Security and SSI recipients with qualifying children who do not normally file tax returns are encouraged to visit the IRS website, http://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here, so that they can receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments for which they are eligible. 

Contact Information for the Department of Veterans Services
If you are aware of any veterans in need of housing or financial assistance, you are encouraged to reach out to Carol Berg, director of Virginia Veteran and Family Support at the Department of Veterans Services. She can be reached at 804.786.1051 or Carol.Berg@dvs.virginia.gov. 

Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.

APRIL 20, 2020:

Changes to Library Hours
Effective April 25, Saturday phone and email services at the Staunton Public Library will be discontinued until further notice. To find out what services are available Monday through Friday, visit https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/departments/library/library-response-to-covid-19. 

Public Hearings on Budget, and Water Fee and Refuse Rate Increases
Citizens are reminded to tune in to the City Council Work Session at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, including a budget discussion with Staunton City Schools, and then again at 7:30 p.m. for the public hearings on the budget, and water fee and refuse rate increases. For information on how to participate in the public hearings and to listen to the livestream, visit https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/city-council.  You can also listen on local cable channel 7. 

Staunton Music Festival Announces Postponement
The Staunton Music Festival Board of Directors has decided to postpone its August 2020 festival until August 2021. The new dates are August 13-22, 2021. Learn more about their decision at http://www.stauntonmusicfestival.org/. 

Stay up-to-date with the city throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by signing up for our e-notification list. City Announcements will get you all information regarding COVID-19 as it is released.