Manassas Park urges online vendors to waive online fees, recommends continuing to pay part-timers

The City of Manassas Park has declared an emergency as the city has closed its offices, and is implementing safety protocols in the light of the coronavirus outbreak, including a food hotline for the senior community.

In accordance with the Governor’s order to limit public gatherings, the City is complying to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to protect our residents. Effective today, City Hall will be closed to the public, except by appointments only. See: https://t.co/KmNNySJNFH pic.twitter.com/gGwMQXPe5K

— CityofManassasPark (@ManassasParkGov) March 18, 2020

According to the City's website, as of March 18, 2020, the Offices of the City Treasurer, City Commissioner of Revenue, Registrar, Community Development (Inspections/Permits), and Department of Social Services are closed to the public. Residents are also able to conduct business online, by email, by phone, or by the drop-box located outside of City Hall. According to a document from the city, they have established an emergency food hotline for senior citizen residents. The hotline website encourages seniors in need of food during the pandemic to email [email protected] or call them at their food hotline at 703-335-8802. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from noon to 4 p.m. The Community Center will be closed until April 14 to protect the most vulnerable population (seniors) who are active users. The city's community center will remain open for religious worship services currently renting space. The city will be freezing memberships for community center members while closed. According to recommendations from Manassas City Manager Laszlo A. Palko, the city is working with Paypal and Merchant services to waive online fees for residents until April 14. This will help facilitate online payments of water and trash bills, according to the city. If these vendors will not waive the fee, the city will take on these expenditures for residents- an estimated $12,000 to $20,000 over the next 30 days, city documents state. With the closure of the community center, the Palko recommends continuing to pay their part-time employees while they are working fewer hours in order to preserve their employee base, reduce income burdens resulting from this pandemic, and to ensure the city limits the economic impact of this pandemic. Palko has requested spending authority up to $10,000, and to seek FEMA reimbursement post-Pandemic. In order to be able to secure FEMA reimbursements, Palko, along with the city's Governing Body, declared a Local Emergency. This was ratified on Tuesday, March 17, Manassas Park Mayor Janette Rishell confirmed. Palko has also authorized the extension of the Elderly Tax Relief deadline from April 1 to May 1 so that senior citizens can practice social distancing during the pandemic.