Multimodal Norfolk Online Survey

The city is developing a Multimodal Transportation Master Plan to help define Norfolk’s transportation system. Provide your input through the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NorfolkTransitChoicesL1

Annual Car Tax Relief Day Moves Online

Property and real estate bills are hitting mailboxes this week. Residents and business owners can take advantage of the tax relief program to help ease their financial burdens during this time. City Council passed the comprehensive program on March 24 giving residents and business owners the option to delay payment on business taxes and personal property taxes. The revised schedule for this temporary delay is:

  • Late payments of meals tax, admissions tax, occupancy tax and transient occupancy tax due in April 2020, May 2020 and June 2020 will not be assessed penalty or interest until 60 days after their due date.  Timely filing is still required.
  • Late payments of business personal property tax, personal property tax and real estate tax due between the date of this ordinance and August 1, 2020 will not be assessed penalty and interest until August 1, 2020.
  • Convenience fees for online transactions with the City Treasurer’s office occurring between the date of this ordinance and June 30, 2020 are waived.  Taxpayers who pay with a credit card or other electronic payment method will not be charged a fee during this time.

The annual Car Tax Relief Days at Lakewood Park and the Southside Aquatic Center are canceled due to COVID-19. Residents requesting a reassessment for high mileage can still participate online! Just submit a picture or copy of the state inspection receipt, name and account number listed on the bill to corwebinq@norfolk.gov.  Staff will follow up to determine eligibility.

Reminder: Vote at Home for the May 19, 2020 General Election

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12th.

The Norfolk Office of Elections encourages you to vote at home for the May 19, 2020 General Election (rescheduled from May 5th).

You can request an absentee ballot online from the Virginia Department of Elections https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

Register to vote or update your voter registration information online, too.

When you vote at home, you help limit the exposure of COVID-19.

**Voters may request an absentee ballot by mail for the May 19, 2020 General Election using “My disability or illness” if they do not have another qualifying reason.**

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12th.

For more information, please visit our webpage at: www.norfolk.gov/elections

City of Norfolk Mission Critical Service Extended

City departments will continue to provide mission critical service with a reduced workforce through May 4.  Reductions were announced on March 30 and were scheduled to end on April 13.  Most public health accounts have the virus peaking in mid-to-late April, so the decision was made to extend the city’s current operations.

Trash and recycling collection will continue.  The driver will not get out of the truck to pick up any trash not in a can. 

For the ongoing health and safety of city employees, bulk items will not be picked up unless those items pose a public safety risk.  Yard waste, either in bundles or clear bags, will not be picked up. Residents are asked to remove items off the curb or place items in the green can if there is room to do so.  Residents should not schedule bulk pickups until notified that the city has returned to normal operations.

Residents who wish to take bulk and yard waste to the SPSA landfill in Suffolk should visit www.spsa.com for operating hours and information.  SPSA’s Norfolk Transfer Station will reopen to Norfolk residents on Saturday April 18 from 8a-12p.

Parking garages will remain open to the public free of charge.

Police, Fire-Rescue and 9-1-1 operators remain fully staffed. 

Residents are asked to use MyNorfolk online or mobile app for all service requests versus calling Norfolk Cares and experiencing longer than normal wait times.

Staff will continue to respond to emergency requests.  Any requests that are not considered an emergency will be handled as soon as staffing levels return to normal. 

For updates to city operations, visit the FAQ on the front page of Norfolk.gov or city Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

List of Stores with Senior Hours

  • Albertsons: Stores are open from 7 to 9 .am. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • ALDI: Stores are open from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • Big YStores are open from 7 to 8 a.m. daily for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • BJ’s Wholesale ClubAnyone 60 and older can shop from 8 to 9 a.m.
  • Costco: Any member 60 and older can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday. No more than two people can enter the store with each membership card at one time.
  • Dollar General: The first hour of operation is reserved for seniors. Call your local store to find out opening times.
  • Fareway: Anyone 65 and older, immunocompromised, or expectant mothers can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
  • Food Lion: Every Monday and Wednesday, seniors and at-risk customers can shop from 7 to 8 a.m.
  • Food Town: Anyone 65 and older can shop from 7 to 8 a.m.
  • Fred Meyer: Seniors and at-risk customers can shop from 7 to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
  • Fresh MarketAnyone 65 and older can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. on weekdays.
  • Gelson’sAnyone 65 and older can shop from 7 to 8 a.m.
  • Harris TeeterEvery Monday and Thursday from 6 to 8 a.m. is reserved for shoppers 60 and older.
  • HEB: Starting March 23, all stores offer the Favor Senior Support Line, a personal shopping and delivery service for at-risk customers, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m daily.
  • Kroger: All stores open at least one hour earlier for seniors and at-risk customers. Call your local store for exact times.
  • Morton Williams: Stores are open from 7 to 8 a.m. for “senior hour.”
  • PavilionsStores are open from 7 to 9 .am. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • Price Chopper: Stores are open from 7 to 8 a.m. for seniors and at-risk customers.
  • PublixAnyone 65 and older can shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 a.m.
  • Rite Aid: Seniors and at-risk customers can shop from 9 to 10 a.m. on weekdays.
  • SafewayStores are open from 7 to 9 .am. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • Sam’s Club: Seniors and at-risk customers can shop every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m.
  • Shaw’s: Stores are open from 7 to 9 .am. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • Stop & ShopSeniors and at-risk customers can shop from 6 to 7:30 a.m.
  • TargetStores are reserving an hour on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for “vulnerable shoppers.” Call your local store to find out exact hours.
  • Trader Joe’sStores will dedicate the first hour (either 8 to 9 .am. or 9 to 10 a.m.) to seniors and at-risk customers. Call your local store to find out exact hours.
  • Vons: Stores are open from 7 to 9 .am. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and at-risk customers to shop.
  • Walgreens: Tuesdays are considered “Seniors Day” with all-day discounts and seniors-only shopping from 8 to 9 a.m.
  • WalmartFrom now through April 28, stores open one hour early on Tuesday for 60 and older to shop.
  • Whole Foods MarketStores open one hour early for 60 and older and at-risk customers to shop. Call your local store for exact hours.
  • WinCo Foods: Every Tuesday and Thursday, seniors and at-risk customers can shop from 6 to 7:30 a.m.
  • Winn-DixieAll seniors and at-risk customers can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.

RPOS Virtual Events

Are you looking for some fun activities for the entire family while you #stayathome? Check out the virtual events below!

Photo Scavenger Hunt!
April 11-12

Get your family together, give yourself an hour to collect as many items on the list below as possible while practicing social distancing. Be sure to take plenty of photos! RPOS looks forward to the results! Tag RPOS with your photos and your results: @NorfolkRPOS #stayhomeandplay

Facebook event
Download the checklist

Chalk Art Challenge
April 13-17
Go outside get some fresh air and create! You can draw whatever you like, stick figures, your favorite animal or even doodles.
Post photos of your creations on Facebook and Instagram and tag @NorfolkRPOS. Remember to include the hashtag #stayhomeandplay.

Facebook event

Norfolk Fitness & Wellness Center Indoor Pool Permanently Closed

The Norfolk Fitness & Wellness indoor pool is permanently closed. It is no longer viable for the pool to remain open. The dome has reached its useful life. Based on engineering review from an outside structural engineering firm and city engineers, the collapse or loosening of additional parts, panels, etc. could result in a hazardous and unsafe condition for our patrons.

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space (RPOS) has decided to provide prorated refunds to all current members of the facility. Beginning on April 1, 2020 members will receive a prorated refund depending on when their membership was established. RPOS will work diligently to process refunds as quickly as possible. It is recommended that you login to WebTrac and ensure that your address, phone number and email are correct.

Checks will be sent by mail to the address we have on file for you regardless of how your payment was made. To collect your complimentary pass(es) please bring in your notice as well as your ID to your nearest recreation center once the COVID19 pandemic has subsided and normal city operations have commenced.

If you have additional questions, please send an email to RECTRAC_HELP@norfolk.gov and include as much of the following information as possible in your email:

• Name of requestor
• Household # (if known)
• Address
• Phone Number

Beginning April 1, 2020, the Norfolk Fitness & Wellness membership rates will align with the department’s recreation & community center fee structure:

Resident Rates:
• $20.00 annually for youth (17 and under)
• $50.00 annually for adults
• Free for residents ages 65 and over

Non-Resident Rates:
• $50.00 annually for youth (17 and under)
• $125.00 annually for adults

Additional Web Resources for Information Pertaining to the Local Effects of COVID-19

Norfolk has created two online tools to help you stay informed on resources and updates about the local effects of COVID-19.

First, check out their interactive map for food distribution sites for school lunches, food pantries, and other community supports.

https://orf.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=3b13986992d046ae85bfe4fce2e039ad

Second, check out their COVID-19 information hub, which provides a single site for dozens of coronavirus resources, from the Centers for Disease Control and Norfolk’s Health Department to our interactive business status map to messages from Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander.

https://coronavirus-response-orf.hub.arcgis.com/

City buildings are closed, but Team Norfolk remains hard at work to serve our residents.

Census 2020

Get counted! The 2020 Census is happening now. There is no need to leave your house. You can respond online, by phone, or by mail. More information is available at https://2020census.gov/en.html.

How You Can Help.

If you feel called to help those in our community impacted by #COVID-19 and you have time to spare or a dollar or two, these groups want to hear from you.