Category Archives: Communications

Sand Replenishment of Ocean Park Beach Scheduled for Spring 2020 Won’t Happen

Posted on by

The following email update was provided by City Staff explaining the reason the planned beach replenishment of Ocean Park beaches won’t be happening this Spring.

 

The City received three bids on April 7, 2020 for the beach nourishment of Ocean Park Beach. Unfortunately, all bids were over 50% higher than the available budget for the project. The primary driver as to why the bids came in significantly higher than the available budget is due to industry capacity related to the high demand for dredging along the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico for the next six months. No additional funding has been identified and not likely in the immediate future given the uncertainty in the proposed City budget. Therefore, a contract cannot be awarded based on the bids received.

Public Works staff has recommended rebidding the project with a longer period of performance to incentivize more favorable bids based on the available budget for Ocean Park Beach. A final determination on rebidding the project is pending. Please contact Mr. James White for additional information.

Respectfully,

James White, City of Virginia Beach

jawhite@vbgov.com

Virginia Beach Boat Church 10:30am Sunday Service to Honor Victims of 5.31.19 Shootings

Posted on by

Here is another opportunity to remember the victims of 5.31.19.

Dear Friend,

We are so excited to join together on Sunday for the First Ever Virginia Beach Boat Church!

We have moved to a NEW LOCATION at First Landing State Park at the East End of the Narrows near Crystal Lake. Come by boat which you can launch at the west end of 64th Street, or you can walk and attend on the beach next to the boat ramp. Look for the pontoon boat stage with a pink “Boat Church” banner.

It will be a beautiful service and a chance to come together to pray and remember those who lost their lives one year ago to the day at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting. Join this service led by Trinity Church Pastor Randy Singer and two other great local churches, with special guests Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer and former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and others for this unique opportunity for fellowship.

See all the details attached. Please share this flyer with family and friends! You can also find us on Facebook at Virginia Beach Boat Church and Instagram @VirginiaBeachBoatChurch.

In the case of inclement weather, notice will be posted by 10pm Saturday evening on Facebook.

Be there to Worship on the Water at the Narrows off First Landing State Park, each Sunday from May 31 – September 6, 2020 at 10:30am.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Liz Seidel

Administrative Assistant
Virginia Beach Boat Church
virginiabeachboatchurch@gmail.com
Location:First Landing State Park, Sunday May 31-September 6, 2020
Find us on Facebook: Virginia Beach Boat Church
Find us on Instagram: @virginiabeachboatchurch

We Remember – Honoring the Victims on the Anniversary of the 5.31.19 Shootings

Posted on by

 

The City of Virginia Beach is planning several opportunities for residents to remember the victims and their families this weekend as we mark the anniversary of the awful events of 5.31.19.

Please visit the Love for VB website for a full list of events – https://www.loveforvb.com/remembrance

Additional remembrance activities can be found at the VB Strong Center website – https://thevbstrongcenter.org/services/

Some of the weekend highlights include:

Friday 5.29.20 

  • Wear Blue in remembrance
  • Observe a moment of silence at 4:06pm

Saturday 5.30.20

Sunday 5.31.20

  • 4:06 Online Remembrance Ceremony.
  • Leave your porch light on blue/white in remembrance

 

 

Absentee Ballot Voting for June 23rd Primary has Started. It’s Easy and a Great Way to Social Distance. Use Reason Code 2A (My Disability or Illness)

Posted on by

Currently the City of Virginia Beach is planning to hold in person voting for the upcoming Republican Party Primary.  However, normal polling locations may change as a result of Covid-19 stay at home rules and election official worker availability.  Voting absentee is a quick and safe way to still vote without having to visit a polling location.  Information regarding how to sign up for Absentee Voting and a sample ballot are listed below.

 

Sign-up for Absentee Ballot here – https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

 

Virginia Beach Voter Registrar Additional Voting Information here – https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/voter-registrar/Pages/default.aspx

 

The City of Virginia Beach does not have May General Elections, our next schedule election is the June 23, 2020 Republican Party Primary Election. If you would like to submit an absentee ballot application to have your ballot mailed to you due to COVID-19 and Social Distancing you can submit the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application Form (SBE-701) only. The application can be submitted online​, by mail, email or fax. In section 3 please indicate Reason Code 2A (My disability or illness).

Click to access Election_Schedule.pdf

 

 

 

VNG Work Along Shore Drive Median Scheduled to Finish Feb 2021. Be Prepared for Traffic Pattern Changes.

Posted on by

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) has begun replacement of gas piping under the median of Shore Drive between Cape Story and the Lesner Bridge.  Most of the work is expected to take place on weekends and the current schedule has a construction finish date of Feb 2021.  This work is being done as an upgrade for VNG systems and is taking place prior to the City’s planned Shore Drive Phase III improvements which will start shortly after VNG is finished in 2021.

The following information is being presented to help residents prepare for the new traffic patterns that will be required to support VNG’s work.  VNG plans to spend 2 weekends at each intersection, start at North Great Neck Road and work their way westward to the Lesner Bridge.  Below you will find an email with some Q&A between SDCC and VNG.  You will also find the City approved traffic pattern plans and a VNG information flyer that was sent to residents living on Shore Drive.

Traffic Pattern Plans – Click here Traffic Plan Shore Dr Relocation Approved_Median_10-9-19

VNG Informational Flyer – Click here VNG_ShoreDrRelocation_Community Outreach Factsheet

 

SDCC/VNG Q&A Email:

Good Morning Mr. Solomon,

I appreciate your outreach and interest in the project. To answer the following questions you have:

1) Can someone send us the tentative schedule for the complete project? Preferably one that brakes it down by stages or intersections per week.

– Unfortunately we do not have a tentative schedule for these projects. We let our Contractor continue with the work to meet the deadlines – We are looking to complete this project by Feb 2021. What we can do to assist is make contact with you when we move along Shore Dr. in order to keep everyone informed giving estimated times within the intersections. Usually these intersections will only take ~2 weekends when drilling under.

2) The plans appear to keep each lighted intersection and median cut open when the left turn lanes are closed off. This didn’t happen during last Saturday work. What will be done differently moving forward? Will police be staged at these locations and if so will they just be at the lighted intersections, median cuts or both?

– Our Contractor and their associated Traffic Control Company will follow the plans as approved by the City. I realize their was an issue last weekend which has since been corrected. Their will be off-duty Police Officers at each lighted intersection along with the correct detour signs if needed.

3) Is there a point of contact residents can get in touch with on weekends if things don’t look right? Cell or email contact would be helpful.

– In the beginning of February I sent out a Community Outreach letter with information about the project along with affected streets and VNG contact information if any concerns or questions should come up. Our Contractor in each of the areas prior to working have door hangers in which lets the directly affected homeowner know that we will be in the area soon, what to expect, and provides a VNG point of contact. I have attached the Outreach Letter to this email that you can post in the Civic Leagues news letter if you would like.

Thank you sir,

Ben Longstreet
Intermediate Engineer
Mobile: 757.359.8203
Office: 757.466.5519

 

City Council Decides to Move Forward on Hearing Planning Items Using Online and In-Person Social Distancing Practices.

Posted on by

Hello Shore Drive Residents,

I pray you are all doing well during these unprecedented times.  Stay safe and stay healthy.

As City Council has been progressing with how they plan to continue public hearings during these trying times, the SDCC has asked Council to specifically defer all Planning Items that have opposition until normal reviews can be safely implemented.

Based on the May 5th Council hearing, video review of the meeting can be seen here, it appears Council is set to move forward with hearing all Planning Items even if they are highly opposed such as Westminster-Canterbury’s 22 story high rise Assisted Living Facility.  Council has suggested to hold highly contested items such as Westmister-Canterbury in larger spaces like the Convention Center to allow for 6 foot social distancing requirements.  Specific details are still being determined by Council, so please continue to follow our website posts to stay up to date on how and when these Planning Items will be heard.

 

 

Emails asking City Council to defer any Planning Item that has opposition.

 

Email 1:

Dear Mayor Dyer and Council Members,

I am sending this email again in regards to your review of hearing Planning Items during the State’s “Shelter in Place” by utilizing virtual meetings.

I would ask that no Planning items be heard unless failure to do so would result in irrevocable harm or have a direct impact on the pandemic emergency.

If you decide to start hearing general Planning items, then I would recommend you only hear items that have no opposition so you can vote on them by consent. If an item has any opposition, then it should be deferred until normal in person hearings can be resumed.

Thank you for this consideration,

Todd Solomon

 

 

Email 2:

Dear Mayor Dyer and Council Members,

I commend you all for working towards a method to allow for remote participation during various public meetings. Using technology to help maintain social distancing during these close quarter and sometimes large attendance gatherings is the right thing to do.

However, I am confused why the “Resolution to suspend certain portions of the City Council Speaker Policy” doesn’t include the suspension of Planning Agenda Items (Section 2.1) along with the recommendation to suspend Regular Agenda (Section 2.2) and Non-Agenda/Open-mic (Section 2.3) Items. Already, Planning Items from March and April are being deferred and I can’t think of any possible Planning Items directly related to the Covid19 crisis or ones where failure to act would result in irrevocable public harm.

With the Governor’s “Shelter in Place” decree effective until June 10th, wouldn’t the safest and smartest action be to also suspend Planning Items from City Council agendas during this emergency period?

If for some overarching legitimate reason the Planning Items have to remain, then I suggest that Planning Items with any opposition be automatically deferred as long as this emergency policy is in place. This would still allow unopposed items to be approved by consent. Deferring opposed items would minimize a resident’s health risk of attending Council meetings in person and should also make remote virtual meetings easier to manage since there will be less online speakers.

Thank you for your consideration to this request,

Todd Solomon

 

City Council Sets Special Meeting on May 7

Posted on by

View how to engage at VBGov.com:

​On Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 4 p.m., the City Council will hold a workshop to discuss the search for a city manager and the monitoring of the FY 2020-2021 budget.

Members of Council may participate via electronic communication means provided that a quorum of Council is physically present at the meeting location, and the Council member provides notice that he or she is unable to physically attend the meeting for a reason set forth in the City Council Policy for Remote Participation by Councilmembers in Council Meetings, adopted March 31, 2020 (attached).

No public comment will be taken at this meeting, however because it is expected that three or more members of the City Council will be physically present, a few seats for the public will be available in the Council Chamber that are appropriately spaced apart. Citizens are encouraged to wear protective face coverings.

This meeting will be live-streamed on VBTV (Cox channel 48 & Verizon channel 45), VBgov.com/media and Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach.

The proposed budget is available at VBgov.com/budget. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, City staff presented a revised FY 2020-21 Budget and Resource Management Plan on Tuesday, April 14. It can be viewed on VBgov.com/media and youtube.com/VirginiaBeachTV.

For the latest information, please visit emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus and follow us on facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and instagram.com/cityofvabeach.

Governor Northam Unveils Blueprint for Easing Public Health Restrictions

Posted on by

Read entire news release:

‘Forward Virginia’ blueprint informed by diverse health and business stakeholders, includes testing, tracing, and PPE priorities

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today presented the “Forward Virginia” blueprint, which will help guide the Commonwealth on when to safely begin easing public health restrictions. The blueprint includes a phased approach that is grounded in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and has specific goals to contain the spread of the virus through increased testing, personal protective equipment and supplies, and medical capacity.

“We will move forward, but in a way that prioritizes public health and builds public confidence,” said Governor Northam. “Businesses know that customers will return only when they feel that it is safe to do so. Our blueprint for the path forward is data-driven and provides clear guidance, so Virginians will know what to expect and understand how we will decide to when to lift certain public health restrictions.”

Virginia is looking at a wide range of public health data. The Governor emphasized that key indicators will include a 14-day downward trend in confirmed cases as a percentage of overall tests and in reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations. While hospitalization rates have largely stabilized in the Commonwealth, confirmed cases continue to rise.

The Forward Virginia blueprint includes the following priorities:

TESTING AND TRACING

To ensure the continued safety of Virginians, the Commonwealth aims to test at least 10,000 individuals per day. Karen Remley, former Commissioner of Health and current co-chair of Virginia’s Testing Work Group, outlined a four stage approach to meet this goal prior to safe reopening. The expanded testing plan includes hiring contact tracers, who will support local health departments in identifying individuals who may be exposed to COVID-19 and helping them self-isolate.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to ramping up testing, ensuring the safety of healthcare staff, and expanding the medical workforce. Virginia’s PPE pipeline is improving, and hospitals are successfully managing their supplies. The Governor cautioned that safely easing restrictions will require an ongoing stable PPE supply chain across all sectors of healthcare, and ensuring that the supply is regularly replenished.

Virginia has ordered 17.4 million N95 masks, 8.3 million surgical masks, 17.1 million gloves, 1.7 million gowns, and 1 million face shields. This includes a contract signed jointly with Maryland and the District of Columbia for 5 million N95 masks.

Governor Northam announced that a second shipment from Northfield Medical Manufacturing is scheduled to arrive today and will be promptly distributed. The latest shipment includes 3 million nitrile exam gloves, 100,000 N95 masks, 500,000 3-ply procedure masks, and 40,000 isolation gowns.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND STAFF

Hospitalizations and ICU admissions are largely stable across Virginia, even as case counts continue to rise. To ensure continued capacity as Virginia move towards “Phase One” of easing restrictions, Governor Northam yesterday extended the ban on elective surgeries through May 1 and expanded the ability of physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a collaborative agreement.

The Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) continues to recruit and deploy medical and non-medical volunteers to bolster the work of local health departments, hospitals, and healthcare providers. The MRC currently has over 16,500 trained volunteers, more than halfway to Virginia’s goal of 30,000.

PHASE ONE OF EASING RESTRICTIONS

Governor Northam outlined key benchmarks Virginians can expect in the first phase, which will begin no sooner than two weeks from now to allow for a 14-day downward trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Phase one includes continued social distancing, teleworking, limits on travel and public gatherings, and recommended use of face coverings. Any easing of restrictions will be informed by public health experts, members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Business Task Force, state and local officials, and other stakeholders.

The Commonwealth is developing two sets of guidance: one with broad based recommendations for all businesses, and another with industry specific recommendations for public-facing businesses like restaurants and non-essential retail. The guidance will be provided to businesses in early May.

The slides from today’s presentation are available here.

# # #

Construction at Intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Rd. Scheduled to Continue Until Sat. May 9th

Posted on by

The following are email updates from City Engineer Brad Vanderwarker regarding the storm water improvements along the Cape Henry Trail ditch and intersection with N. Great Neck Road.  Work is scheduled to continue, weather permitting, over the next 2 weeks until Saturday May 9th.  Traffic patterns at the intersection of Shore Drive and N. Great Neck and near the Cape Henry Trail will be changing to support the different construction operations, so please be aware and be safe.

 

Email #1 – Unfortunately, this up and down weather has been tough recently at N. Great Neck Road. We have coordinated with Traffic Engineering and should be complete with the storm drainage portion northerly up by the intersection by the end of this weekend (4/25).

Weather permitting next Monday, 4/27, we will drop back and work on the southerly drainage outfall near the Cape Henry Trail that is projected to last 1 week, till 5/2.

Following that work will be the restoration portion to include curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway apron and paving along that entire corridor. We anticipate the restoration work to take one week (5/4-5/9).

Email #2 – I just received clarification that next week (4/27 thru 5/2), we will return traffic flow to normal using the dedicated right turn “slip ramp” with a taper transition to the left lane(s) of southbound N. Great Neck Road, during construction of the work near the CHC.

The following week (5/4 thru 5/9), when we are constructing the restoration elements, we will bring motorists all the way up to the signal and turn right.

New Traffic Pattern at Intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Road

Posted on by

In support for Storm Water drainage improvements, a new traffic pattern will be temporarily used for the intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Road.

The new pattern will be set up Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm for the next two to three weeks.  Please be careful as you head south onto N. Great Neck at this intersection.

Click here to read the City’s News Release on this subject – 20200401-News Release – REVISED -N Great Neck Road – March 2020

UPDATE:
Virginia Beach Public Works has announced a change in the schedule for work crews as stated in the news release of 2/16/2020; RE: the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements project.
The work schedule for the crews is revised as follows for Southbound Traffic (west side) of North Great Neck Road:
Original Schedule:
7 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, April 5, 2020 through June 7, 2020.
Revised Schedule:
Beginning April 6th, 2020, there will be daytime work through Friday (Saturday if needed) 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The road will be re-opened at the end of each daily shift, to include temporary paving of the excavation, clean up and removing traffic control before returning it to the original traffic pattern each evening. Work at this location is expected to be complete by April 24th, 2020.

 

City Seeks Input from Virginia Beach Residents and Business Owners on COVID-19 Impacts

Posted on by

The City has created two online surveys to identify critical needs and issues Virginia Beach residents and business owners are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read this notice at the City’s website https://www.vbgov.com/news/pages/selected.aspx?release=4752&title=city+seeks+input+from+virginia+beach+residents+and+business+owners+on+covid-19+impacts

Resident Needs Assessment Survey
Virginia Beach residents can provide input relating to housing, employment and financial needs at PublicInput.com/COVID19Resident Needs through Friday, April 24.

Feedback from the Resident Needs Assessment survey will help guide the draft plan and priorities for funds the City will receive through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to address housing needs, such as eviction prevention, homelessness prevention and shelter. Federal CARES Act funding amounts the City will be receiving and proposed uses can be found at VBgov.com/housing.

The Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation will present its draft plan on the proposed uses of Federal CARES Act funds for housing assistance during a City Council Special Session that will occur after the survey deadline. If approved, the City Council will be asked to authorize the proposed uses of funds by ordinance during the special session. An announcement will be made when the special session has been scheduled.

Business Needs Assessment Survey
Virginia Beach business owners can provide input relating to issues such as workforce and service impacts at PublicInput.com/COVID19BusinessNeeds through Friday, April 24.

Feedback from the Business Needs Assessment survey will help focus on areas in which the City can support the business community. The information will also be used to identify the resources and services businesses may need or find useful as they adapt, even temporarily, to the range of conditions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

Detour Scheduled for West Great Neck Road on Wed April 15th from 9pm to 4am

Posted on by

Click here to read in .pdf format West Great Neck Road Detour – April 15th 2020

 

VB Public Works Schedules Detour for West Great Neck Road

VA Beach Public Works has announced a detour for the area near West Great Neck Road and Adam Keeling Road
on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The detour is scheduled so that crews can relocate a water line to the east side of
West Great Neck Road.

The detour hours will be from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m.

The work is part of a project that will provide a 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk along the west side of West Great Neck Road
from Adam Keeling Road to the bridge over Long Creek, approximately 0.2 of a mile. Once completed, the sidewalk will
improve safety and provide a connection for pedestrians traveling from Great Neck Point to Shore Drive.

The contractor for the job is EL-X Enterprises, and Phillip Blackwell is the project manager. For emergency information,
contact him at (804) 698-0989.

CITY COUNCIL SETS SPECIAL ELECTRONIC MEETING TO DISCUSS TAX DEFERRALS; SUSPENSION OF THE MEAL TAX; REDUCTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATE; EXPENDITURE REDUCTIONS AND MORE RELATED TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Posted on by

Latest update from VBGov.com Emergency Coronavirus page:

April 3, 2020

The City Council will hold a “Special Meeting by Electronic Communications Means” on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 3 p.m. to discuss tax deferrals; suspension of the meal tax; reduction of personal property tax rate; and areas for expenditure reductions necessitated by the pandemic. The City Council will also provide guidance to staff for preparation of any necessary resolutions or ordinances for Council’s consideration at a subsequent City Council Special Session.

Following the discussion, the City Council may consider the adoption of an item to address tax relief necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of an ordinance to suspend provisions of the City Code regarding penalties and interest upon certain local taxes during the pandemic, which is sponsored by Council Member John Moss.

While citizen comments will not be heard during this meeting, citizens are encouraged to submit comments to the City Council prior to the special meeting via email at CityCouncil@vbgov.com. The current Council agenda can be viewed online at VBgov.com.

The City Council will not be at City Hall (Building 1), which will remain closed to the public. The meeting can be viewed live on VBTV (Cox channel 48 & Verizon channel 45), online at VBgov.com/media and on Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach.

For the latest information, please visit emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus and follow us on facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and instagram.com/cityofvabeach.

###

City Council Special Session – 03/31/2020 video

Posted on by

We applaud City Staff for getting these videos online this fast!

Governor Northam Issues Statewide Stay at Home Order

Posted on by
Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · March 30, 2020
Office of the Governor
Governor Northam Issues Statewide
Stay at Home Order
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today issued a statewide Stay at Home order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order.
The order directs all Virginians to stay home except in extremely limited circumstances. Individuals may leave their residence for allowable travel, including to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members, obtain goods and services like groceries, prescriptions, and others as outlined in Executive Order Fifty-Three, and engage in outdoor activity with strict social distancing requirements.
The executive order also directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to stop in-person classes and instruction. Private campgrounds must close for short-term stays, and beaches will be closed statewide except for fishing and exercise.
“We are in a public health crisis, and we need everyone to take this seriously and act responsibly,” said Governor Northam. “Our message to Virginians is clear: stay home. We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact, and that’s why it’s so important that people follow this order and practice social distancing. I’m deeply grateful to everyone for their cooperation during this unprecedented and difficult time.”
The full text of Executive Order Fifty-Five can be found here.
Last week, Governor Northam issued Executive Order Fifty-Three closing certain non-essential businesses, prohibiting public gatherings of more than 10 people, and directing all K-12 schools to remain closed for the rest of the academic year. A Frequently Asked Questions guide about Executive Order Fifty-Three can be found here.
For the latest information about the COVID-19 outbreak, visit virginia.gov/coronavirusor CDC.gov/coronavirus.