In this Issue…
Consent Agreement with American and Potential New Service Model – The County is taking steps to address the ongoing trash service issues that many residents continue to face, especially those serviced by American Disposal. As we did back in 2018, the County is currently negotiating a consent agreement with American to address the breakdown in their operations that are resulting in repeatedly missed pickups. The last time the County did a consent agreement with American at the request of former Supervisor Cook and I, many of the service issues cleared up. I am hopeful that once this enforcement action/agreement is finalized it will resolve many of the issues residents are experiencing.
Other News and Information
- Become a Fairfax County Volunteer Firefighter or EMT
- Public Tours @ Mason Observatory Every Tuesday
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Virtual Zoning Overview for Residents (Sept 21st)
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Parking Reimagined Virtual Open House (Sept 22nd)
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Virtual Active Shooter Training (Sept 29th)
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Fire Prevention Week and Department Open Houses @ All 39 Fire Stations (Oct 15th)
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Consent Agreement with American and Potential New Service Model
The County is taking steps to address the ongoing trash service issues that many residents continue to face, especially those serviced by American Disposal. As we did back in 2018, the County is currently negotiating a consent agreement with American to address the breakdown in their operations that are resulting in repeatedly missed pickups. The last time the County did a consent agreement with American at the request of former Supervisor Cook and I, many of the service issues cleared up. I am hopeful that once this enforcement action/agreement is finalized it will resolve many of the issues residents are experiencing.
In addition to working to resolve the issues with American, County staff is in the early stages of developing a model that will allow residents to petition to receive contracted service as part of a sanitary district. Currently, residents can petition to be a sanitary district that, if approved by the Board, would be serviced by the County hauler. Due to the current labor and supply constraints on all trash haulers, including the County, County staff are temporarily not recommending that the Board approve new sanitary districts.
Under the model being developed, the Board could approve new sanitary districts that would then be serviced by a private hauler contracted by the County. This model would strengthen accountability for haulers to provide agreed to service levels or risk losing their contract. It would also help haulers operate more efficiently, serving entire areas instead of one-off homes which currently stretch their operational capabilities. The new model is not perfect, but the current system is inefficient and therefore expensive. While residents currently get to choose their provider, unless they are part of an HOA, they have little leverage with the provider. This model should result in better service for contracted areas, providing benefits for both haulers and residents – including fewer trash trucks running through neighborhoods.
I have received many emails suggesting the county franchise trash service as Arlington has done. Due to current state regulations, as well as time and cost constraints, a direct franchising model is not currently feasible for Fairfax County. That is why the alternative solution is being explored. Until this model is developed, the best solution I have seen has been neighbors that have banded together and negotiated a deal with one of the private haulers – these routes seem to get preference over the less efficient one-off home routes.
County staff and my office continue to work with the private haulers to address the issues raised by our residents. If you are experiencing customer service issues with your hauler and they are unresponsive, you can contact my office or directly reach out to our Solid Waste Management staff by emailing DPWESSWMPTrashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or calling 703-324-5230.
I look forward to providing you additional details once the consent agreement is finalized and staff more fully develop the details of the potential new sanitary district model. In the meantime, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and share solutions or feedback.
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Other News and Information
Become a Fairfax County Volunteer Firefighter or EMT
Fairfax County has one of the most well-respected fire and rescue departments in the country, but did you know that hundreds of your neighbors are volunteer firefighters, EMTs and administrative support members who also contribute to the cause? There are 39 fire stations located in the county, and 12 are volunteer departments that feature career staff and volunteers.
Volunteers come from all walks of life and have a mix of professional and educational backgrounds. No prior experience is necessary - volunteers will be trained.
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In addition, all the stations have a cadre of administrative volunteers who help with fundraising, special events, facilities maintenance, accounting, and managing our nonprofit organizations. Admin members have the opportunity to train and participate in exercises and drills, a unique way to appreciate what goes into emergency management while serving the community.
If you've ever driven by an accident or fire, seen an ambulance providing stand-by service at a 5K or high school football game, or felt proud of our search and rescue team when they respond to crises around the world and thought "Maybe I could do that" - you can! Learn more at: www.JoinFairfaxFire.org and check out our recruiting video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pkGDX2AnmLA.
Public Tours at the Mason Observatory Every Tuesday
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Virtual Zoning Overview for Residents on September 21st
Join the Department of Planning and Development to explore the Zoning module in the new Planning and Land Use System. This session will focus on utilizing search features and reports to find information about development happening in your neighborhood.
You can register for the overview here.
Parking Reimagined Virtual Open House on September 22nd at 7 PM
The County is evaluating existing parking rates and determine if adjustment of parking rates to meet current demand is appropriate, while also examining County administration of parking regulations. Parking Reimagined will include an in-depth evaluation of off-street parking and loading rates and regulations. The goal of this effort is to modernize parking and loading requirements, creating greater flexibility in the provision of parking for current and future land uses. The initiative will involve an extensive analysis of parking and loading supply and demand factors, as well as local, regional, and, to some extent, national parking and loading trends.
I am carefully watching the process to make sure we do not too significantly reduce parking requirements. I have learned many lessons from our townhome and condominium communities that are under parked. There are no easy fixes to under parked communities. I know developers will typically not build any more parking than required so I am somewhat opposed to parking maximums.
County staff will be hosting multiple open houses to promote community engagement. You can find information on Parking Reimagined here. Below is the Zoom information for the open house on September 22nd at 7 PM:
Password: 585253
Call-In Number: 888 270 9936 (US Toll Free)
Conference Code: 928669
Virtual Active Shooter Training with West Springfield Police Department on September 29th at 6:30 PM
While we all hope it never happens, an active violence event can take place anywhere in the world. The community needs to be prepared with how to respond, and FCPD is here to help with that training. This hour and a half lecture, on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 6:30PM, will help participants learn about attackers, disaster response, and how to prepare for and respond to being trapped in a building during an active violence event. They will review past events; the steps law enforcement takes to assist and limit casualties and be there to answer your questions. This training is open to anyone in the community, but some of the material may be disturbing.
Please use the Zoom link below for the training.
Fire Prevention Week and Department Open Houses at All 39 Fire Stations on October 15th from 10 AM to 4 PM
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as one to two minutes to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms, advance planning, and practice. You can prevent and prepare for home fires with simple but important steps during Fire Prevention Week this October. More information on this week can be found here.
In conjunction with this week, after a two-year pandemic hiatus, our county fire stations will once again open their doors this fall to welcome members of the community to visit, tour, talk to firefighters, see our vehicles, and learn about fire safety and prevention. All 39 fire stations will be open to the public, including the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (9501 Old Burke Road, Burke). This year’s annual Open House is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, and the theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”
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Email
Office
(703) 451-8873
Website
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Mascot came to the shelter as a stray running around with another buddy. He is a sniffer, nose to the ground looking for goodies. He has been a good boy and wants his own home where he can gain a little more weight and get some love. He did meet some other dogs here and did great with them! He has a ton of energy and is eager to meet you! If you would like to meet Mascot, click here to arrange a visit
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