Town Offices Closed – Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth Day

| June 17, 2020

Town offices will be closed Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth Day.

Governor Ralph Northam announced on June 16th that he intends to mark Juneteenth as a permanent paid state holiday, starting by giving state employees a day off this Friday, June 19. Virginia has long marked Juneteenth by issuing a proclamation, but the date has not previously been considered a state holiday.

Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, the last of the former Confederate states to abolish slavery, finally heard that the Civil War had ended, and learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had made them free nearly two years earlier.

Friday residential and business trash collection will not change.

Virginia Lake Festival Status Update

| June 11, 2020

The Board of Directors of the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of commerce met Thursday, June 11th to discuss the status of the event and as of right now we still are moving forward with the scheduled event BUT will make the final decision June 26th. We collectively want to hold off postponing the event until we see what phase 3 is going to look like before we rushed to a decision, however, if we do decide not to have it in July we plan to reschedule to Sept 17-19th.

We believe Lakefest brings economic value to our small businesses and we do plan to do the right thing at the end of the day. We just ask you give us more time to see what the governor restrictions are in Phase 3. We appreciate your patience in our decision.

There are parts of Lakefest that won’t be happening in July if it is still a go. The Balloon Tethering event is canceled. There will be no sand sculpture this year (unless we can find someone who does it between time) and the car show will not be at Century 21 on the Lake.

We have ordered Lakefest T-shirts and hope to have them available in a few weeks. If you are interested in sponsoring the Virginia Lake Festival, please contact us asap.

Thank you,

from the Board of Directors

Sheila Cuykendall

Executive Director

Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce

374-2436

Clarksvilleva.com

ClarksvilleontheLake.com

 

Governor Northam Shares Guidance for Phased Reopening of PreK-12 Schools

| June 9, 2020

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · June 9, 2020

Office of the Governor

Alena.Yarmosky@nullgovernor.virginia.gov

Governor Northam Shares Guidance for Phased Reopening of PreK-12 Schools

~ Back to school plan informed by collaborative process, outlines steps for safely resuming in-person instruction and school activities ~

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced a phased approach that allows Virginia schools to slowly resume in-person classes for summer school and the coming academic year. The K-12 phased reopening plan was developed by the Office of the Secretary of Education, Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education and is informed by guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

All PreK-12 schools in Virginia will be required to deliver new instruction to students for the 2020-2021 academic year, regardless of the operational status of school buildings. The PreK-12 guidance is aligned with the phases outlined in the Forward Virginia blueprint and provides opportunities for school divisions to begin offering in-person instruction to specific student groups.

“Closing our schools was a necessary step to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of staff, students, and our communities,” said Governor Northam. “Our schools have risen to the occasion and found ways to provide remote learning opportunities, keep students engaged, continue serving meals for children who otherwise would have gone hungry, and support students and families through an immensely challenging time. Resuming in-person instruction is a high priority, but we must do so in a safe, responsible, and equitable manner that minimizes the risk of exposure to the virus and meets the needs of the Virginia students who have been disproportionately impacted by lost classroom time.”

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) convened numerous and diverse stakeholders through the Return to School Recovery Task Force, the Accreditation Task Force, and the Continuity for Learning Task Force this spring to inform strategies for reopening. Secretary of Education Atif Qarni held 35 strategy sessions with diverse groups of education stakeholders between May 29 and June 8 to gather their recommendations on how different reopening scenarios would impact their respective roles. The Secretary and his team engaged 800 individuals in these conversations, and heard from a wide range of perspectives including English language learners, parents of students with special needs, career and technical education centers, early childhood educators, students, school nutrition workers, private school leaders, bus drivers, school psychologists, the Virginia High School League, counselors, nurses, and more.

“These plans are informed by a range of perspectives and will help ensure that we prioritize the social emotional well-being of all of our students, their families, and educators as we go back to school this summer and fall,” said Secretary Qarni. “In-person learning is most essential for special education students, English language learners, young children, and other vulnerable students who depend upon the structure, in-person connection, and resources our school communities provide.”

Local school divisions will have discretion on how to operationalize within each phase and may choose to offer more limited in-person options than the phase permits, if local public health conditions necessitate. Entry into each phase is dependent on public health gating criteria, corresponding with the Forward Virginia plan. School divisions will have flexibility to implement plans based on the needs of their localities, within the parameters of the Commonwealth’s guidance.

The opportunities for in-person instruction in each phase are as follows:

Phase One: special education programs and child care for working families

Phase Two: Phase One plus preschool through third grade students, English learners, and summer camps in school buildings

Phase Three: all students may receive in-person instruction as can be accommodated with strict social distancing measures in place, which may require alternative schedules that blend in-person and remote learning for students

Beyond Phase Three: divisions will resume “new-normal” operations under future guidance

Beginning with Phase Two, local divisions and private schools must submit plans to the Virginia Department of Education that include policies and procedures for implementing Virginia Department of Health and CDC mitigation strategies. State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA has issued an Order of Public Health Emergency that requires all Virginia PreK-12 public and private schools to develop plans that demonstrate adherence to public health guidance. Public schools must also outline plans to offer new instruction to all students regardless of operational status.

Detailed information on each phase can be found in the guidance document available here.

VDOE has also developed comprehensive guidance to aid schools in planning for a return to in-person instruction and activities. “Recover, Redesign, Restart” will be made available at doe.virginia.gov tomorrow.

“School will be open for all students next year, but instruction will look different,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane. “The phased, hybrid approach allows PreK-12 students to have valuable class time and face-to-face interaction with their peers, while prioritizing health and safety by ensuring physical distancing measures are maintained. This plan keeps equity at the forefront by giving divisions the opportunity to deliver in-person instruction to those who need it the most.”

In every phase, PreK-12 schools must follow CDC Guidance for Schools, including social and physical distancing, enhanced health and hygiene procedures, cleaning and disinfecting measures, and other mitigation strategies. These precautions include, but are not limited to:

Daily health screenings of students and staff

Providing remote learning exceptions and teleworking for students and staff who are at a higher risk of severe illness

The use of cloth face coverings by staff when at least six feet physical distancing cannot be maintained

Encouraging the use of face coverings in students, as developmentally appropriate, in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained

Full Release

 

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6 p.m.

| June 4, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Town Council and Planning Commission of Clarksville, Virginia will hold two joint public hearings on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. in the Clarksville Town Hall located at 321 Virginia Avenue, Clarksville, Virginia on the following proposals:

  • Proposed Administrative Text Changes to the Clarksville Zoning Ordinance.
  • To eliminate item 1 as a requirement as it appears on page 80 of the Clarksville Zoning Ordinance under Article 9 – Section 9-4 – sub-item “Self-Storage Units” as listed below:

“1.  The lot size shall be a minimum of two (2) acres and a maximum of four (4) acres.”  The remaining requirements will be renumbered accordingly. 

  • To add the Sign Matrix 11-1 (Sign Regulations by Type, District, and Use) as the final page of Article 11 – Sign Regulations. It will appear as page 103 and all page numbering following the addition will be adjusted accordingly.  The Matrix was inadvertently left out of the November 2019 approval of the new zoning ordinance.  This Matrix is identical to the one that was in the prior zoning ordinance.
  • Special Use Permit Request by Clarksville Mini-Storage for the property located at the intersection of Buffalo Road and Jackson Street (Parcel 38881), Clarksville, VA to conduct a phased construction and operation of two (2) metal building to be used as 64 storage units.

The public may examine the proposed Zoning Ordinance text changes & the proposed special use request in the Town Hall, located at 321 Virginia Avenue between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or by visiting the Town’s website at www.clarksvilleva.org.

Due to the State of Emergency Declared by the Governor of Virginia and the County of Mecklenburg related to the COVID-19 Epidemic the meeting will be held electronically.  The Town Manager and the Town Clerk will be present at the Town Hall for the meeting and will host the meeting via ZOOM and will be Live Streamed on YOUTUBE using the following link https://youtu.be/-kdCEb2xLAo .

Any attendance by the public will need to follow social distancing, wear face covering, and have no more than 10 people in the Town Hall at a time. Citizens shall have the right to provide oral or written comments related to the changes by contacting the Town Hall in advance at 434-374-8177, or by e-mail at townmanager@nullclarksvilleva.org , or by U.S. Mail sent to P. O. Box 1147 – Clarksville, VA 23927.

Special use permit

Zoning Ordinance text changes

Agenda – Joint Meeting – June 16 2020

Agenda – Clarksville Town Council Meeting – June 16 2020

Governor Northam Announces Phase Two Guidelines to Further Ease Public Health Restrictions

| June 2, 2020

Governor Northam Announces

Phase Two Guidelines to Further

Ease Public Health Restrictions

~ Phase Two expected to begin Friday June 5, Northern

Virginia and Richmond to remain in Phase One ~  

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today signed Executive Order Sixty-Five and presented the second phase of the “Forward Virginia” plan to continue safely and gradually easing public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. The Governor also amended Executive Order Sixty-One directing Northern Virginia and the City of Richmond to remain in Phase One.

Most of Virginia is expected to enter Phase Two on Friday, June 5, as key statewide health metrics continue to show positive signs. Virginia’s hospital bed capacity remains stable, the percentage of people hospitalized with a positive or pending COVID-19 test is trending downward, no hospitals are reporting PPE shortages, and the percent of positive tests continues to trend downward as testing increases. The Governor and Virginia public health officials will continue to evaluate data based on the indicators laid out in April.

“Because of our collective efforts, Virginia has made tremendous progress in fighting this virus and saved lives,” said Governor Northam. “Please continue to wear a face covering, maintain physical distance, and stay home if you are high-risk or experience COVID-19 symptoms. Virginians have all sacrificed to help contain the spread of this disease, and we must remain vigilant as we take steps to slowly lift restrictions in our Commonwealth.”

Executive Order Sixty-Five modifies public health guidance in Executive Order Sixty-One and Sixty-Two and establishes guidelines for Phase Two. Northern Virginia and the City of Richmond entered Phase One on Friday, May 29, and will remain in Phase One to allow for additional monitoring of health data. Accomack County delayed reopening due to outbreaks in poultry plants, which have largely been controlled through rigorous testing. Accomack County will move to Phase Two with the rest of the Commonwealth, on Friday, June 5.

Under Phase Two, the Commonwealth will maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued recommendations for social distancing, teleworking, and requiring individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings. The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people. All businesses should still adhere to physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and continue enhanced workplace safety measures.

Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy, fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy, and certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions. These venues include museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and outdoor concert, sporting, and performing arts venues. Swimming pools may also expand operations to both indoor and outdoor exercise, diving, and swim instruction.

The current guidelines for religious services, non-essential retail, and personal grooming services will largely remain the same in Phase Two. Overnight summer camps, most indoor entertainment venues, amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals will also remain closed in Phase Two.

Phase Two guidelines for specific sectors can be found here. Phase One guidelines sectors are available here. Visit virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

The full text of Executive Order Sixty-Five and Order of Public Health Emergency Six is available here.

The full text of amended Executive Order Sixty-One can be found here.

Full Release

 

 

SPECIAL MEETING – BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING – JUNE 4th

| May 28, 2020

SPECIAL MEETING – BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING – JUNE 4th

Mayor Allgood has called for a Special Meeting of the Town Council for Thursday – June 4th at 6:30 p.m. to conduct a public hearing to review the proposed 2020-2021 Budget.

Due to the State of Emergency Declared by the Governor of Virginia and the County of Mecklenburg related to the COVID-19 Epidemic the meeting will be held electronically.

The meeting will be conducted at the Clarksville Town Hall location at 321 Virginia Avenue.  The Town Manager and the Town Clerk will be present at the Town Hall for the meeting and will host the meeting via ZOOM.  Any attendance by Council or the public will need to follow social distancing and are limited to no more than 10 people in the Town Hall at a time.

Citizens shall have the right to provide oral or written comments related to the budget by contacting the Town Hall in advance at 434-374-8177, or by e-mail at townmanager@nullclarksvilleva.org , or by U.S. Mail sent to P. O. Box 1147 – Clarksville, VA 23927.

The Town Council Meeting will be LIVE streamed via YouTube by using the following link:

https://youtu.be/y6ArAVjg4_Q

BudgetPUBLIC NOTICE 2020-2021

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

TOWN OF CLARKSVILLE

PROPOSED BUDGET

JULY 1, 2020 – JUNE 30, 2021

GENERAL FUND

Estimated Revenues:

  • Taxes                                                   $2,006,414.24
  • Sanitation Service Fees                      154,780.00
  • Fines                                                      20,500.00
  • Intergovernmental Transfers             105,870.00
  • Miscellaneous                                       50,244.13
  • Interest Income                                    1,500.00

TOTAL ESTIMATED GENERAL FUND REVENUES     $2,339,308.73

Estimated Expenditures:

  • General Administration                   $486,506.68
  • Streets/Sidewalks                                192,317.52
  • Sanitation                                              223,833.63
  • Building & Grounds                            283,842.62
  • Public Safety                                         715,547.22
  • Fire & Rescue                                       41,785.00
  • Non-Departmental                             210,050.00
  • Debt Service                                         48,836.43
  • Contingency                                         136,589.28

TOTAL PROPOSED GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES  $2,339,308.73 

RATES

  1. REAL ESTATE TAX LEVY: There is no proposed increase to the real estate tax levy of $.28 per $100 of assessed value.
  2. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX LEVY: There is no proposed change in the personal property tax levy of $1.65 per $100 of assessed value.
  3. MACHINERY & TOOLS TAX LEVY: There is no change in the machinery & tools tax levy of $.38 per $100 of assessed value.
  4. BUSINESS LICENSE: There is no proposed increase in the business license tax levies.
  5. UTILITY TAX: There is no proposed increase in the utility tax.
  6. GARBAGE FEES: There is no proposed increase in the commercial and residential garbage fees.
  7. MEALS TAX: There is no proposed increase in the meals tax.
  8. LODGING TAX: There is no proposed increase in the lodging tax.
  9. CEMETERY MAINTENANCE FEES: There is no proposed increase in the Cemetery Maintenance Fees.
  10. WATER & SEWER FEES: There are no proposed changes in the water rates and the sewer rates. The rates are as follows:

Water Rates

   In Town:         $60.00 for the first 6,000 gallons

$7.00 for each additional 1000 gallons

Out of Town:   $119.50 for the first 6,000 gallons

$13.95 each additional 1000 gallons

Sewer Rates

In Town:         $92.00 for the first 10,000 gallons

$13.78 each additional 1000 gallons

Out of Town:   $208.00 for the first 10,000 gallons

$21.12 each additional 1000 gallons

  1. WATER DEPOSITS: There is no proposed increase in the Water Deposit of $250.

BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CLARKSVILLE, VIRGINIA, that pursuant to Section 15.2-2506 of the Code of Virginia, the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, shown above shall be advertised for a period of one week in the newspaper.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that a public hearing is duly established by Town Council to be held on Thursday, June 4th, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., in the Town Council Chambers at which time opportunity will be afforded to any interested citizen to be heard concerning this proposed budget.

Kevin S. Allgood, Mayor

WATER & SEWER FUND

Estimated Revenues:

  • Water Fees                                         $527,000.00
  • Sewer Fees                                            768,500.00
  • Water Miscellaneous Charges          52,705.84
  • Sewer Miscellaneous Charges           17,650.00
  • Interest Income                                    140.00

TOTAL ESTIMATED WATER AND SEWER FUND REVENUES   $ 1,365,995.84

Estimated Expenditures:

  • Water General Administration       $76,252.75
  • Water Treatment and Storage           233,771.36
  • Water Line Maintenance                    97,667.20
  • Sewer General Administration          68,257.25
  • Sewer Treatment                                  259,705.06
  • Sewer Line Maintenance                     97,041.20
  • Lift Stations                                            56,000.00
  • Water Debt Service                               145,945.10
  • Sewer Debt Service                               261,859.46
  • Sewer Project Operations                    16,000.00
  • Contingency                                            53,496.46

TOTAL ESTIMATED WATER AND SEWER EXPENDITURES    $ 1,365,995.84

SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS

Estimated Revenues:

  • EDA Rental Income                          $24,000
  • IRF Grant – Planters Warehouse     575,023
  • Proceeds of Loan – Planters              3,400,000
  • Police Asset Forf. Interest Income    500
  • PAF Revenue from Other Govts.        0
  • Veteran’s Memorial Donations           1,000
  • Veteran’s Memorial Interest Income  100

TOTAL ESTIMATED SPECIAL REVENUE FUND REVENUES     $4,000,123

Estimated Expenditures:

  • Administration                                   $3,997,123
  • Contingency                                          3,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED SPECIAL REVENUE FUND EXPENDITURES $4,000,123

CEMETERY TRUST FUND

Estimated Revenues:

  • Interest Income                                 $500
  • Perpetual Care                                     1,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED CEMETERY TRUST FUND REVENUES    $ 1,500

Proposed Expenditures:

  • Interfund Transfers                            $500
  • Contingency                                           1,000

TOTAL PROPOSED CEMETERY TRUST FUND EXPENDITURES $ 1,500

 

 

 

 

 

Governor Northam Announces Face Covering Requirement and Workplace Safety Regulations

| May 27, 2020

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · May 26, 2020

Office of the Governor

Alena.Yarmosky@nullgovernor.virginia.gov

Governor Northam Announces Face

Covering Requirement and

Workplace Safety Regulations

~ Face coverings required in public settings starting Friday, May 29 ~

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today signed Executive Order Sixty-Three, requiring Virginians to wear face coverings in public indoor settings to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Governor also directed the Department of Labor and Industry to develop emergency temporary standards to prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19.

Governor Northam also signed an amended Executive Order Fifty-One, extending Virginia’s state of emergency declaration.

The new executive order supports previous actions the Governor has taken to respond to COVID-19 in Virginia, and ensures workers and consumers are protected as the Commonwealth gradually eases public health restrictions. The Governor’s statewide requirement for wearing face coverings is grounded in science and data, including recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that individuals should wear face coverings in public settings. Face coverings do not take the place of public health guidelines to maintain six feet of physical distancing, increase cleaning and sanitation, and wash hands regularly.

“We are making progress to contain the spread of the COVID-19 and now is not the time for Virginians to get complacent,” said Governor Northam. “Science shows that face coverings are an effective way to prevent transmission of the virus, but wearing them is also a sign of respect. This is about doing the right thing to protect the people around us and keep everyone safe, especially as we continue to slowly lift public health restrictions in our Commonwealth.”

A face covering includes anything that covers your nose and mouth, such as a mask, scarf, or bandana. Medical-grade masks and personal protective equipment should be reserved for health care professionals. Under the Governor’s executive order, any person age ten and older must wear a mask or face covering at all times while entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time in the following public settings:

Personal care and grooming businesses.

Essential and non-essential brick and mortar retail including grocery stores and pharmacies.

Food and beverage establishments.

Entertainment or public amusement establishments when permitted to open.

Train stations, bus stations, and on intrastate public transportation, including in waiting or congregating areas.

State and local government buildings and areas where the public accesses services.

Any indoor space shared by groups of people who may congregate within six feet of one another or who are in close proximity to each other for more than ten minutes.

Exemptions to these guidelines include while eating and drinking at a food and beverage establishment; individuals who are exercising; children under the age of two; a person seeking to communicate with a hearing-impaired person, for which the mouth needs to be visible; and anyone with a health condition that keeps them from wearing a face covering. Children over the age of two are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering to the extent possible.

The Governor is also directing the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry to develop emergency temporary standards for occupational safety that will protect employees from the spread of COVID-19 in their workplaces. These occupational safety standards will require the approval by vote of the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board and must address personal protective equipment, sanitation, record-keeping of incidents, and hazard communication. Upon approval, the Department of Labor and Industry will be able to enforce the standards through civil penalties and business closures.

The full text of Executive Order Sixty-Three and Order of Public Health Emergency Five is available here.

The text of amended Executive Order Fifty-One is available here.

Full Release

 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – 2020 Absentee Voting

| May 26, 2020

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

The Governor of Virginia postponed the June Primary Elections until June 23, 2020. Polls will
open at 6:00 am – 7:00 pm.
For your safety and to minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19 (corona virus), the Virginia
Department of Elections announced previously that all voter may cast absentee ballots in the
June 23rd Primary Election. ALL voters are encouraged to request and vote an absentee
ballot by-mail. Any qualified voter may request an absentee ballot using Reason Code 2A
(disability or illness) even if they suffer neither.
To request an absentee ballot by mail:
1) APPLY online at: vote.elections.virginia.gov (there are some instances that you may not
be able to submit the application online and will need to print the application and mail it
to the office)
2) Call or Email the office of Elections and Voter Registration:
Email – mecklenburgelections@nullgmail.com
Office phones – 434-738-6191 x4312 (Darcell Terry)
434-738-6191 x4313 (Jason Corwin)
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES:
● May 26, 2020: Last Day to register to vote.
● June 16, 2020: Last Day to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you.
● June 20, 2020 by 4:00pm: Last day to vote Absentee (In Person).
● June 23, 2020: Election Day (all absentee ballots must be received by the registrar’s
office by 7:00pm)
For the latest information, follow us on Facebook (Mecklenburg Voters)

2020 Absentee Voting – 4 (002)

Mayor Allgood has called for a Special Meeting of the Town Council for Tuesday – May 26th at 6:30 p.m.

| May 22, 2020

Mayor Allgood has called for a Special Meeting of the Town Council for Tuesday – May 26th at 6:30 p.m.  Due to the State of Emergency Declared by the Governor of Virginia and the County of Mecklenburg related to the COVID-19 Epidemic the meeting will be held electronically.

The meeting will be conducted at the Clarksville Town Hall location at 321 Virginia Avenue.  The Town Manager and the Town Clerk will be present at the Town Hall for the meeting and will host the meeting via ZOOM.  Any attendance by Council or the public will need to follow social distancing and are limited to no more than 10 people in the Town Hall at a time.

Please see the below link for the meeting agenda.  Anyone who wishes to address the Council with anything will need to advise the Town Hall in advance by e-mail townmanager@nullclarksvilleva.org or by telephone at 434-374-8177.

The Town Council Meeting will be LIVE streamed via YouTube by using the following link:  https://youtu.be/JqhDNrWm_4Q

If you have any questions, please contact us at 434-374-8177.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Agenda – Clarksville Town Council Meeting – May 26 2020