Dear Neighbor,
Happy (rainy) summer! Now that school is out for the summer break, the community is welcome to enjoy outdoor facilities at Fairfax County Public School blacktops, playgrounds, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and tracks without the need to schedule them . On a related note, it is important to stay cool and safe on extremely hot days. You can find heat safety tips and a list of cooling centers in the County here.
At Tuesday's Board meeting, we recognized PRS on its 60th anniversary and recognized law enforcement personnel for their outstanding work in resolving the Route 1 standoff. I presented Board Matters with requests to designate June 2023 as Immigrant Heritage Month, to designate September 15-October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, and to recognize Annie Turner, Executive Director of Food for Others. You can read the Board Meeting Highlights below.
Last week, Fairfax Diapers distributed their one-millionth diaper at Food for Others. This is such a wonderful and extraordinary achievement! As a reminder, we are still accepting diaper donations through Friday, June 30. Huge thanks to the community's support and generosity!
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You can read about the following Providence District updates:
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Health and Human Services Updates
- What's New in Providence?
- Land Use and Transportation Updates
- Green Corner
- THRIVE
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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The Board recognized law enforcement personnel for their work on resolving the Route 1 standoff.
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At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, we recognized the law enforcement personnel and others who contributed to the safe and successful resolution of the Route 1 standoff, the Vienna Youth Inc. Varsity Rugby Team on their championships, and PRS on its 60th anniversary and for its invaluable contributions to our community.
I presented the following Board Matters:
The Board also took several actions, including the following:
Countywide
- Authorized advertisement of a public hearing on September 26 at 4pm on the proposed zoning ordinance amendment related to parking and loading changes.
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Approved an agreement between the County and FCPS related to the installation and operation of a video monitoring system to enforce the law against passing stopped school buses.
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Approved the agreement between the Commissioner of Highways and the Board regarding removing signs located within the limits of any highway in Fairfax County, following a public hearing.
Providence District
- Authorized advertisement of a public hearing on July 25 at 4pm to establish parking restrictions on Boone Blvd (Tysons).
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Approved a resolution of support for modifications of the limited access line of I-495 to provide pedestrian access to the I-495 pedestrian bridge (Tysons).
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Approved RZ 2022-PR-00017 (Madison Investment Portfolio LLC) to rezone from I-5 to PDC to repurpose existing buildings for mixed-use, following a public hearing (Merrifield).
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Designated Telestar Court as a Revitalization Area to facilitate an award of Virginia Housing Opportunity Credits (Merrifield).
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The Board recognized PRS for its 60th anniversary.
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Health and Human Services Updates
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SACC Registration for 2024-25 School Year
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Registration for the County's School Age Child Care (SACC) program for the 2024-25 school year will open on July 11.
The SACC program, operated by Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, offers before- and after-school care for children attending kindergarten through sixth grade in most Fairfax County public elementary schools and several community centers. Children with special needs are fully included in all SACC centers. In addition, SACC programs at Key and Kilmer centers serve youth, ages 5-21, with multiple types of disabilities. SACC is committed to nondiscrimination and inclusion in all programs, services and activities.
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Statewide Digital Opportunity Survey
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All County residents are encouraged to complete this quick, 10-minute survey to help better understand your digital needs. Together, we can foster digital opportunity in the county and commonwealth by ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet, and have the skills necessary to use the internet to its full potential.
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Are you in need of additional cooling during the summer? The Senior Cool Care Program is a public-private partnership sponsored by Dominion Energy and administered by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services through the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging that helps low-income older citizens keep cool during the summer months. The program runs from May 1 through October 31, 2023. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home, such as fans, for eligible older adults, aged 60 and older.
To learn more about the program, please contact the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resource Line: 703-324-7948.
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Cooling Assistance Program
The Cooling Assistance program is designed to help keep vulnerable Fairfax County residents cool during the summer months. To be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 or older, 5 or younger, or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid, or 100% Veteran’s Administration. Applications for Cooling Assistance will be accepted through August 15.
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Grants Available for Child Care Providers
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The county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services invites eligible child care providers to apply for $2.5 million in grants intended to help county child care providers recover from the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant program uses funding received from the county's American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocation to bolster, support and preserve existing providers and services within the county. Grants range from $2,000 - $15,000 depending on permit/license capacity. All applications submitted by July 21 at 11:59pm will be considered.
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Fairfax Food Council Youth Representatives
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The Fairfax Food Council is seeking two youth representatives to serve on the Fairfax Food Council Steering Committee. The steering committee is charged with overseeing the work of the Council, setting priorities, and raising resources, among other duties.
The youth representative position is considered a volunteer position, however, the youth representatives will be granted monthly stipends in the amount of $25 per hour of service. The time commitment is approximately 6 hours of service each month.
Applicants should both live and attend school in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, or Falls Church, and be a rising high school junior for the 2023-2024 school year. Applications are due by September 15.
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What's New in Providence?
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Wastewater Emergency Response on Shreve Road
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During a regular system inspection last week, Wastewater Collection Division (WCD) identified a sewer pipe on Shreve Road with a severe defect requiring immediate action to repair and prevent the pipe from collapsing. As a result, WCD is initiating an emergency response to perform the point repair. The work will be performed with Utilities Unlimited. The work is anticipated to start Wednesday, June 28, and be completed within one week. Following the repair, the entire pipe will be rehabilitated using trenchless CIPP method.
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Renaming the Providence Community Center
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On October 22, 2022, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to rename the Providence Community Center in honor of former Providence District Supervisor James M. Scott. Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services is coordinating this process in accordance with the Board’s renaming policy.
A public vote has been extended to June 30, to help select the best name for the Providence Community Center. Votes are limited to one vote per device during the voting period. You can vote online here or vote in person at the Providence Community Center lobby or in my office.
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Renaming Lee and Lee Jackson Memorial Highways
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Lee Highway (Route 29) and Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Route 50) names will change to their route numbers 29 and 50 in Fairfax County on July 5. Residents and business owners on Route 29 and Route 50 will need to update their address records. The address change will occur automatically on July 5 for county-related records, including Fairfax Water, property tax and voter registration.
The county is developing a grant program to provide financial assistance to those impacted by the name change. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the program will provide grants to assist with the costs associated with updating marketing materials, signage and other expenses related to the name change. The county will pay all the costs associated with updating Virginia Department of Transportation signage along both highways.
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Land Use and Transportation Updates
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Proposed Sign Regulations
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Are you interested in learning more about proposed changes to the County's sign regulations? Join County staff for a virtual community meeting tonight at 7pm to get an overview of the changes, and a discussion with your questions and comments.
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The County is continuing its initiative on Parking Reimagined, a review and update of regulations for off-street parking and loading. Parking Reimagined completed an in-depth evaluation of off-street parking and loading rates and regulations to modernize these requirements. A proposal that includes updated rates and regulations, a tiered parking framework, and minimum bicycle rates is under consideration. To learn more, attend the virtual Parking Reimagined Open House on June 29 at 7pm.
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VDOT Lifts Lane Closures for July Fourth Weekend
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To keep travelers focused on the Fourth of July fun-in-the-sun and fireworks instead of traffic, VDOT will be suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Monday, July 3 until noon on Wednesday, July 5.
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Orange Line customers are reminded of ongoing summer construction work through July 16. While West Falls Church and East Falls Church stations have reopened as of June 26, Dunn Loring and Vienna stations remain closed. An express shuttle is available between Vienna and West Falls Church.
Metro customers will see more trains, more buses, and simpler fares next week as Metro rolls out its tenth service improvement since last summer. Since Monday, June 26, Orange Line trains operate every 10 minutes from opening until 9:30pm, and every 15 minutes after 9:30pm, seven days a week.
Additionally, Blue and Silver line trains will operate every 12 minutes from opening until 9:30pm, and every 15 minutes after 9:30pm, seven days a week.
With these service improvements, Metro will be running more train service now than at any other time in its 47-year history. Metro will have 58% more trains in service on weekdays compared to last July and provide 73% more train trips.
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Metro’s Cinder Bed Road Bus Division is transitioning to support an electric fleet, with a $104 million grant award from the Federal Transit Administration. The funding will help Metro achieve its accelerated timeline to transition all nine bus garages and nearly 1600 buses to zero-emission by 2042.
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Elly Doyle Park Service Awards
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There is still time to nominate an individual or organization for the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards! The Fairfax County Park Authority is extending the nomination period until June 30 for honoring volunteers who work in our parks and support park programs and events.
With thousands of volunteers who give generously of their time and talent, it’s vital that we say thank you and acknowledge their work. Parks could not operate without these dedicated individuals and organizations.
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If you have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions in preserving, protecting or planting trees, you may be eligible for an award from the Tree Commission.
A Friends of Trees award recognizes efforts made for exceptional, outstanding, and innovative conservation-based tree actions in Fairfax County. There are four nominee categories: individual volunteer, non-profit group or business, for-profit company, and development community. Nominations are open through July 31.
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Farmers Market to Recycle 4 Tons of Compost
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The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking to take composting at the farmers market to a whole new level by recycling 4 tons – 8,000 pounds – of compost during the month of June!
Expanding from a successful pilot program in 2022, all 10 farmers market locations now include food scrap drop-off sites where customers can dispose of food waste to be composted. During the month of May, customers brought 7,400 pounds of food waste – 3.7 tons – to the market drop-off sites for composting.
Through July 1, customers who drop off their food scraps at any of the 10 market locations can receive a free bag of compost. The Park Authority will be providing free compost bins to customers who bring food scraps to the farmers markets while supplies last.
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As a continuation of its commitment to the business community, Fairfax County introduces THRIVE - a technical assistance program dedicated to small business growth. Through this program, approximately 600 businesses will have the opportunity to receive consulting services valued up to $10,000, supporting them to achieve their unique business goals and continue their post-pandemic recovery.
We are actively seeking Coaches and Consultants. Recruitment will be through four distinct Request for Proposals (RFP) processes covering Coaches, Marketing Consultants, Operations Consultants, and Financial Consultants. Proposals will be open through August 4. We encourage qualified firms to take this opportunity to contribute their expertise and join us in making a difference for local businesses.
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- Friday Sensations (multiple class times)
- Saturday Sensations (multiple class times)
- July 1, 12pm - Fourth of July Celebration at Lake Fairfax Park
- July 1, 6:30pm - Community Independence Day Fireworks Celebration
- July 1-29, 10:30am (Saturdays) - Ceramic Tile Workshop with Suzy Scollon
- July 2, 6:30pm - Fairfax City Independence Day Celebration Evening Show and Fireworks
- July 4, 10am - Fairfax City Independence Day Parade
- July 5, 7pm - Evacuate, Shelter-in-Place or Lockdown?
- July 12, 10:30am - Fire Safety Storytime
- July 12, 6:30pm - Empowering Women Panel Discussion
- July 16-22 - Bike to Market Week
- Sign up to volunteer here!
- July 19, 12pm - Understanding the Aging Process: How Aging Affects Your Nutritional Status
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July 21, 5pm - Friday After 5: Tarus Mateen plays Miles: The Cool Era
- July 26, 1pm - The Impact of Disability Discrimination in Society Today
- July 27, 8:30am - Women Driving Transportation Panel
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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