Clay County Times

Clay County District Schools issued the following announcement.

Clay County Update on COVID-19 and Government Services

Green Cove Springs, FL – Clay County Emergency Management, in Unified Command with the Florida Department of Health in Clay County, the Board of County Commissioners and Clay County Manager, is responding to COVID-19. The Clay County Local State of Emergency for COVID-19 has been extended through October 2, 2020 and will be extended weekly as necessary. The Clay County Board of County Commissioners’ Division of Emergency Management website Alert.ClayCountyGov.com has a COVID-19 section to provide the most recent COVID-19 updates.

Clay County CARES Act Community Assistance Program- The application period has closed. Thousands of applications for Individual and Business Assistance Grants have been submitted. Applications will be processed in the order they are received. Not every application may qualify, and this round of funding may be exhausted before all applications can be reviewed. Additional funding may become available at a later date. Please remain patient as we work through this process.

Check the status of an application- Email claycares@claycountygov.com with questions or to check the status of your application.  You can also log into your account and check your application status online at https://www.claycountygov.com/government/cares-act.

COVID-19 Call Centers

• NEW NUMBER- The Clay County Emergency Operations Call Center has transitioned to the Florida Department of Health in Clay County. Call (904) 529-2900 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. -5:00 p.m. for any COVID-19 related questions, or to schedule a COVID-19 test.  
• The State of Florida Department of Health 24-hour Call Center is available at 866-779-6121.

COVID-19 Testing Sites for Clay County

Florida Department of Health, Clay County- Clay County Administrative Offices- 1305 Idlewild Avenue, Green Cove Springs - Free drive through COVID-19 testing site for Clay County residents. Children under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You do not need to have signs or symptoms to be tested. A free pack of 5 reusable cloth facemasks will be given to each individual tested.

Testing hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays

You will need:  to remain in your vehicle, bring your Clay County ID and your own pen, and fill out a testing form

Results: you may request your results by going to https://www.mdlb.com/patients/test-info/. You will be prompted to complete an Authorization to Release Information, you can also call (904) 529-2900 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET

Regency Mall Jacksonville- Regency Square Mall Sears - 9501 Arlington Expressway in Jacksonville Fl, 32225. Free drive through /walk-in COVID-19 testing.

Testing hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. The site offers separate self-swab lanes for symptomatic individuals. Appointments are recommended. Visit www.DoINeedACovid19Test.com to schedule a test.

Additional Private Testing Sites- You must be symptomatic to do one of the following:

If you are insured and have a primary care physician, please contact your physician for evaluation and further direction. If you are uninsured or are insured and meet the criteria for testing, contact CareSpot for instructions.

- CareSpot Middleburg 904-406-8240

- CareSpot Orange Park 904-213-0600

If you are uninsured or are insured, but don't have a primary care physician, please contact one of the following clinics regarding their sliding fee scale or if they accept your insurance.

- Palms Medical Group Orange Park 904-688-3000

- Aza Health Green Cove Springs 904-284-5904

- Aza Health Keystone Heights 352-473-6595

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and Emergency Manager will follow all guidelines issued in Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Orders in Phase Three of the Re-Open Florida Plan.  

Governors Executive Order 20-244 (Phase 3: Right to Work; Business Certainty; Suspension of Fines) Effective Friday, September 25, 2020

Governor’s Executive Order 20-193 (Emergency Management COVID-19 Local Government Public Meetings) Effective August 7, 2020 and extends Executive Order 20-69 until 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2020. Allowing local government bodies to use communications media technology, such as telephonic and video conferencing, as provided in section 120.54(5)(b)2., Florida Statutes.  

Governor’s Executive Order 20-213 (Emergency Management Extension of Executive Order 20-52- COVID-19 Public Health Emergency) Effective September 4, 2020 and extended for 60 days.

Governor’s Executive Order 20-211 (Limited Extension of Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief) Extends Executive Order 20-94 (Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief) until 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2020.

A complete list of all COVID-19 Executive Orders issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is located here: https://www.flgov.com/covid-19/.

Food Assistance Programs

Food Distribution Sites - An updated list will be maintained at Alert.ClayCountyGov.com under the “Food Bank Locations” button.

Pet Food Assistance - Clay County Animal Services has donated pet food available for Clay County residents who may be struggling to provide for their pets during this health crisis. Please call the shelter at 904-269-6342 to schedule a pickup time.

Anyone interested in collecting and distributing donations should contact volunteer@claycountygov.com.  

Government Updates- Municipalities

Green Cove Springs - https://www.greencovesprings.com/- 904-297-7500-  The lobby of Green Cove Springs City Hall, Public Works Administration Building, and the Police Department Building are open to the public. Anyone entering these buildings, including staff, will be required to wear a cloth face covering or mask per CDC COVID-19 guidelines. Hand sanitizer and disposable face masks will be available in every lobby. All City departments are available by phone and email. Customers can still make payments online at www.greencovesprings.com/payment-options or utilize the drive through window payment box to drop off payments. Free Wi-Fi is now available at Spring Park, connect to SpringParkGuest- no password needed. Contact Communications Coordinator Tiffanie Reynolds at 904-297-7046 or treynolds@greencovesprings.com with questions.

Keystone Heights - https://www.keystoneheights.us/ - 352-473-4807- The City of Keystone Heights lobby has reopened with a limited occupancy of 2 guests at one time. Please call in advance to make an appointment. Many services are available over the phone or through email at frontdesk@keystoneheights.us. Please continue to drop CCUA water payments in the drop box. Contact CCUA at 877-476-2282 for questions regarding water/sewer service.  All City meetings will be held virtually through October 1, 2020. All events on City property have been cancelled until further notice. No permits for special events on City property will be approved at this time.

Orange Park - www.TownOfOrangePark.com - 904-264-9565 - Town Hall is open to the public with a limit of 10 people at one time in public spaces. Residents are encouraged to use the online utility payment option at www.TownOfOrangePark.com. Building permits and inspections can also be done through the Town’s website. All Town parks, playgrounds and the Skateboard park are open. Physical distancing of six (6) feet between people and all other CDC guidelines should be followed when using parks, facilities or pavilions.

Penney Farms – www.penneyfarmsfl.org - 904-529-9078- Town Hall business will be conducted by appointment only. All 2020 Town Council meetings and public hearings will be held virtually through the Zoom platform.  Check the website for virtual meeting invitations to participate in upcoming meetings.

Government Updates- Constitutional Officers

Clay County Tax Collector’s Office - https://www.claycountytax.com/ - 904-269-6320- All office locations have reopened in a limited capacity during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  All customers will be encouraged to wear a mask.  Customers can complete many transactions online at https://www.claycountytax.com/. A drop box is available in the lobby of the County Administration Building for tax payments and tag renewals.

Clay County Property Appraiser – https://ccpao.com/- 904-269-6305- The main office in Green Cove Springs, and the Orange Park branch located at 1518 Park Avenue, inside the Tax Collector’s Office are open to the public for all customer services during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Office visitors are requested to follow physical distancing guidelines. A secure drop box is available on the first floor of the County Administration Building to submit applications and other documents.  

Supervisor of Elections – www.ClayElections.gov - 904-269-6350- Clay County Supervisor of Elections Office has resumed regular operations Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is open to the public, and customers, in very limited capacity, are permitted to wait in the lobby.  Most tasks may be completed online or over the phone. The voter registration deadline for the General Election is October 5. Voters are encouraged to request a Vote by Mail ballot by October 24 or Vote Early October 19-31 from 7 AM - 7 PM. Election Day is November 3, 2020.

Clay County Sheriff’s Office - https://www.claysheriff.com/- Non-Emergency Line: 904-264-6512- Lobbies are closed- call ahead for in person services. Some services have been postponed- full list here: https://www.claysheriff.com/news/clay-county-sheriffs-office-covid-19-response/.

Clay County Clerk of Court & Clay County Courthouse – www.clayclerk.com, (904) 269-6302- Clerk of Court operations and main courthouse public access are in Phase II status.  In-person court appearances remain limited with most conducted online. Call Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for information about helpful Clerk’s Office services and continued restricted building entry rules.

• COVID-19 health screening procedures continue for building entry
• Protective face masks must be worn at all times in the public areas of the main courthouse and inside the Clerk’s Orange Park location
• Middleburg and Keystone Heights branch offices remain closed
• Drop-boxes are available at Green Cove Springs and Orange Park locations for submission of Recording documents, court filings and payments for citations/fines
• Stay up to date on court date changes with E-Notify, a free email/text alert system for parties involved in adult criminal cases www.clayclerk.com/e-notify-alert-system

Government Updates- Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners of Clay County, Florida will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.

• The meeting will be held in the BCC Meeting Room, 4th Floor, Clay County Administration Building, 477 Houston St, Green Cove Springs, Florida and by Microsoft Teams, which will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 260, streamed live from the Clay County website at www.claycountygov.com and on the Clay County, FL Government Facebook page at www.facebook.com\ClayCtyBcc, and available telephonically at (904) 552-4094 or (833) 450-2718 (Toll-free), use Conference ID: 962 075 160#.
• To be heard at the meeting for public comment, please complete a comment card if you attend in the BCC Meeting Room or register telephonically at (904) 529-4114, commencing on September 29, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. and prior to the public comment item for which you wish to be heard, if you attend virtually.

Please note, meeting room capacity and physical distancing guidelines will be followed.  All entrants into the boardroom will be screened. All in-person guests are encouraged to wear a cloth face covering/mask.

Additional instructions regarding viewing of and participation in public meetings can be requested by emailing publicrecords@claycountygov.com. Copies of meeting agendas are available at www.claycountygov.com/about-us/agendas-minutes.

Those wishing to do business with Clay County Government should call the Clay County Government Switchboard at 904-284-6300 to make an appointment. You will be prompted to select a County department or Constitutional Officer. You may also call the County department directly:    

• Building Department:  904-529-5394
• Health Department:  904-529-3784
• Planning & Zoning:  904-541-3814
• SHIP:  904-278-4700
• Code Enforcement: 904-284-6310 Code.enforcement@claycountygov.com
• Engineering and Public Works: 904-284-6335
• Clay County Animal Services: 904-269-6342
• UF/IFAS Extension: 904-284-6355

Clay County Parks and Recreation - All playground equipment is open for use during regular hours (Sunrise to Sunset). All Clay County youth activity facilities and multipurpose fields are open to the public. Camp Chowenwaw Park is open for overnight camping. Call 904-259-8058 or email Camp.Chowenwaw@ClayCountyGov.com for reservations. Clay County park facilities and pavilions are now accepting reservations for day-use. Email Parksandrecreation@claycountygov.com to make your reservations. The pool at Camp Chowenwaw is open to the public through September 27.

Physical distancing of 6 feet between people and all other CDC guidelines should be followed when using parks, facilities or pavilions.  

Clay County Public Libraries- Expanded hours effective September 8, 2020- All Clay County library branches are open from 12 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Libraries will be closed on Saturdays.

• Limited seating is available for studying and Wi-Fi use
• Mobile Wi-Fi “SmartSpots” are available to check out for 14 days with your library card
• Newspapers and magazines are available for public use
• Meetings rooms are available for reservations
• Indoor browsing is allowed with capacity limited to less than 50% of building occupancy
• Physical distancing guidelines will be followed at all libraries

Email  libraryinfo@claycountygov.com for more information or call the branch directly, contact information here: https://www.claycountygov.com/departments/library.  Call for information on available curbside options. Free Wi-Fi is available in all library parking lots 24 hours a day. All Clay County public library locations have computer stations available to take the 2020 Census for free and you do not need a library card. Library staff clean computer stations after each use and can answer basic questions about completing the form.

Clay County Animal Services- Gates at the shelter in Green Cove Springs are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Lobby access will remain restricted, Appointments are required to access the shelter and can be made in advance or on site from your vehicle. Please email CCAS staff at clayadoptions@claycountygov.com or call the shelter at 904-269-6342 to schedule an appointment.

The Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinic is open the first Thursday of the month by appointment only. Email clayfosters@claycountygov.com for an appointment

Curbside Solid Waste Collection – The collection of solid waste will continue as scheduled.

• Place garbage, recyclables and yard trash curbside the night before your designated pick up day Trucks may arrive earlier than usual in some areas due to staggered shifts.
• If your items are not picked up on your designated day, check the waste for an information tag to see if an issue was identified preventing the collection. If no tag is present, please report the missed service at https://claycountyfl-self.govplatform.com/en and choose the “Report It” service or call Advanced Disposal directly to report a missed collection service at 904-695-0500.

Clay County District Schools – CCDSCallCenter@myoneclay.net- The Clay County District Schools Smart Restart plan for safe return to school and options can be found at www.oneclay.net/smartrestart.

For transportation questions, parents can visit http://oneclay.net/transportation to find bus route information and to contact the department, if needed. A list of comprehensive FAQs is located here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSEjROkk4ahOCEi3UglUAuPZYPm06V0lcPfommuy-Y9w-Ju8tftyesYWiaVBx7f8zhQMWXixebPt3fg/pub.

The USDA Summer Food Service Program has been extended through December 31st.  Free meals will be provided for all students without an application. More information is available here:  bit.ly/2RCdeEe.

Florida Department of Health in Clay County - http://clay.floridahealth.gov/ - 904-529-2800 - The DOH-Clay Administration Building lobby in Green Cove Springs is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All customers entering the building are encouraged to wear a mask.

• WIC at Bear Run will be available Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until further notice
• Telehealth and curbside services at the Bear Run site will be available until September 30, 2020
• WIC services in GCS are temporarily unavailable except through special appointment only 

Mental Health- Most insurance providers now allow Telemental Health resources.  Contact your insurance provider to find a counselor in your area or call Clay Behavioral Health at 904-291-5561. Medicare and Medicaid have also opened this service.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-237-TALK (8255) Help a loved one, friend or yourself, the lifeline is free, confidential, and always available.

Senior Centers - Call your local senior center for assistance To-Go meals will be provided Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the client’s registered center. Call 904-284-3134 for any additional information.

• Orange Park Center, 414 Stowe Ave. – 904-269-4731
• Green Cove Springs/Clayton and Mildred Revels Center, 604 Walnut St. – 904-284-3134
• Middleburg Senior Center, 3916 Section St. – 904-291-3520
• Keystone Heights Senior Center, 125 NE Commercial Circle – 352-473-7121 

Original source can be found here.