At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, we recognized July as Disability Pride Month and Parks and Recreation Month. Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the courageous advocates who fought and continue to fight for equality, accessibility and independence for all residents of differing abilities in our community. Parks and Recreation month is a time to celebrate the many parks and open spaces in our neighborhoods. Check out our Mount Vernon Parks webpage, which includes County Parks, NOVA Parks, State parks, National parks and community parks, to see the vast number and types of parks in the District!

At the meeting I asked the community to keep Mark Sullivan and his family in their thoughts and prayers. Mark was in a terrible cycling accident on Route 123 near Burke Lake Park on Saturday and is now in critical condition. Mark is a long time South County resident, military family and co-founder, director and coach of the South County Girls Lacrosse program.

Join me on Thursday, July 27 at 7 p.m. for the next Penn Daw Fire Station, Emergency and Affordable Housing Community Meeting at the Bucknell Elementary School Gym (6925 University Drive). County staff will present the concept design and seek community feedback. And, be sure to check out the information below about an issue many of you have contacted me about - Panhandling on our main streets.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors July 25, 2023 meeting, including items of particular interest to Mount Vernon residents. For additional information, please go to the County’s Board Agenda and Meeting Schedule. The clerk to the board's official Summary of Board Actions is available the week following each meeting. Information is also available by a video linked to the board agenda and the Board of Supervisors Highlights podcast. 

Para recibir la información de nuestro boletín electrónico en español, o para hablar con un hispanohablante, comuníquese con Madeleine Carcamo Reyes a su preferencia, por teléfono al (703) 780-7518 o por correo electrónico: [email protected].

To view the July 25, 2023 Board Package click here. For a complete listing of public hearings held and approved, please see the Clerk to the Board's official Summary of Board Actions, available the week following each meeting.

Item 1: Approved the Board of Supervisors draft regular meeting schedule for January through December 2024. The full item can be read here.

Item 4: Approved the Metropolitan Washington Regional Fair Housing Plan. The County participated in a 5-year regional planning process to address barriers to fair housing across jurisdictions with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). The plan identifies meaningful actions that participating local governments can take, including seven overarching recommendations of goals and strategies for all participating jurisdictions, as well as eight additional Fairfax County specific goals and strategies to affirmatively further fair housing. The full item can be read here.

Item 5: Approved the plain language explanation for the 2023 Bond Referendum for improvements to Fairfax County Public Schools. Funding for renovation planning-and-design work at Saratoga Elementary School is included. The full item can be read here.

Item 11: Approved Fairfax County’s Title VI Program for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The Title VI Program prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or economic status. Title VI compliance is one of the requirements for the County to be eligible to receive future FTA grants and other USDOT funding, including possible New Starts funding to support the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit Project. The full item can be read here.

Approved the lease of County-owned property to Sun Tribe Solar, LLC for the installation, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels for the purpose of on-site electric generation at the Police Operational Support Bureau under construction at 3911 Woodburn Road, the Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Library under construction at 7130 and 7170 Silver Lake Boulevard, the Mason District Police Station addition which is in design at 6507 Columbia Pike, and the Stormwater and Wastewater Consolidation Facility under construction at 6000 Freds Oak Road. I am so pleased to see these first projects moving forward under the County's Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The full item can be read here.

Approved a parking restriction for all commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles and trailers along Boston Boulevard, from Fullerton Road to the cul-de-sac; Corporate Court, from Boston Boulevard to the cul-de-sac; and Research Way, from Boston Boulevard to the cul-de-sac; between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This was requested by the property owners along these roads to improve access to their businesses. The full item can be read here.

Approved a through truck traffic restriction on Lorton Market Street and Gunston Cove Road between Lorton Road and Richmond Highway, as requested by the community due to safety concerns related to increased truck traffic. An alternate route has been identified that truck can travel from Lorton Market Street to Lorton Road, then continue on Richmond Highway. The full item can be read here.

Fairfax County has shown a strong commitment and leadership to environmental sustainability, community health and support of workers. Our adopted Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) commits the whole of Fairfax County to achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050. Part of this plan includes increasing the purchase and use of electric vehicles as a fundamental strategy of that long-term carbon neutrality goal.

CECAP specifically sets a goal for electric vehicle use in the community of at least 15% of all light-duty registrations in the County by 2030. Currently, less than 2% of vehicles registered in the County are electric. In addition, Fairfax County supports the environmental, air quality, jobs and economic opportunities electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging can produce.

The County is actively engaging and involving businesses and other workplaces in the achievement of the community carbon neutrality goal. With strategic technical and practical support, Fairfax County businesses and other workplaces can help accelerate electric vehicle adoption and access to clean transportation.

“Charge@Work” is a new program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that provides free technical and program support to workplaces that pledge to encourage and facilitate electric vehicle use by employees.

Proclamation Recognizing the American Horticulture Society 50 Years at River Farm - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay 

The American Horticulture Society (AHS) celebrates 50 years at River Farm this year. AHS is one of the most longstanding, respected gardening organizations in North America and has been a good steward of our beloved River Farm, located on land once owned by George Washington, along the picturesque Potomac River.

River Farm is a national showcase for gardening, horticultural practices and sustainable gardens. The natural beauty of this 25-acre historic site is enhanced by a blend of formal and naturalistic gardens, including woodlands, a meadow and award-winning children’s gardens, along with many breathtaking views. By sharing its gardens, AHS provides an opportunity to enlighten visitors to River Farm and provide them with inspiration for their own home.

In 2020, when previous AHS Board members decided to sell this historic property, the community, local leaders, this Board of Supervisors and current AHS Board members were instrumental in saving and helping to preserve the rich heritage at River Farm from potential future development.

The AHS is celebrating its 50 years at River Farm throughout the year including a free community event, the River Farm Anniversary Picnic, on August 24, and the annual AHS Gala: Simple Pleasures of the Garden on September 23.

Lee Chapel Road Improvements - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Pat Herrity

Early this year, a horrific accident on Lee Chapel Road resulted in the death of two teenagers and serious injuries to another. These are not the first deaths on this section of road and there have been efforts in the past to fix the ongoing concerns about this roadway. This tragedy only amplified the need for safety improvements on this segment of Lee Chapel Road between Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway.

In a coordinated effort by Supervisor Herrity's office, Delegate Tran, Senator Barker, my office and Chairman McKay, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and the Park Authority, there have been a number of immediate safety improvements to the road while mid-term and long-term solutions were examined. With the paving of Lee Chapel Road this month, additional short-term safety measures will be installed.

FCDOT and VDOT have evaluated three mid-term options to improve safety on Lee Chapel – removing the principal hill, removing both hills and building the first leg of the eventual widened Lee Chapel Road. The alternative that appears to be the most prudent from a funding, timeline and community support standpoint is a project that would eliminate the two hills and include two 11-foot lanes and a 6-foot shoulder on each side of the roadway. Preliminary costs for this project are approximately $9 million. We will be further discussing this direction with the community and soliciting feedback at a Town Hall meeting Supervisor Herrity's office will host in early September.

We have been assessing ways to fund the project and are working with our partners and staff to identify funding opportunities at the state level. We have also looked at the Board’s adopted Transportation Priorities Plan for opportunities to reallocate funds. One of the projects that has sufficient funding available, as well as a schedule that allows for a temporary transfer, is the Shirley Gate Road extension project. The Shirley Gate extension’s estimated cost is $22 million, and it is currently fully funded. While this project is vitally important, we also understand the need for expediency in moving forward with a project on Lee Chapel Road.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Thursday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in addition to an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday morning into Friday evening. In response, Fairfax County has activated its Heat Plan for Thursday and Friday. When Fairfax County’s heat plan is activated, cooling centers around the County will be available during normal operating hours for individuals needing relief from the heat. These cooling centers will also have supplies available including bottled water, sunscreen, insect repellant and body wipes. Learn more.

Every year our Police Department receives hundreds of calls related to panhandling. The calls range from traffic issues to concerns about the person who is panhandling to fears about a suspicious person at an intersection.

The County discourages people from giving cash to individuals who panhandle. While many of you may get a good feeling by providing money, the reality is that people who panhandle often require more resources than small amounts of money. Donations of cash will not help solve the underlying reasons why someone panhandles. Directing individuals in need to County-provided resources is much more effective in helping them find the long-term, sustainable assistance they require.

The good news is the County has many services and staff dedicated to help those in need. The County has created a webpage and video with answers to your questions, a flyer with resources for those in need and information about how you can help.

                         

County staff are proposing to permanently discontinue vacuum leaf service after the upcoming winter season and are seeking input from current customers. A final decision will be made by the Board of Supervisors this fall, and a public input survey is now open through August 18. Approximately 25,000 customers receive vacuum leaf collection service from the County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. During the 2022-2023 season, the program experienced numerous setbacks including collection delays, staffing shortages, a larger volume of leaves than normal and inclement weather. After assessing the service, County staff propose to discontinue vacuum leaf service when the upcoming season concludes, along with the tax imposed for the service. Learn more and take the survey.

Fairfax County Office needs election officers countywide for the November 7 General Election and the 2024 elections. Compensation begins at $250 and training is provided online and in-person for new officers. Learn more. Apply today.

There is also a need for bilingual Virginia voters who speak Vietnamese and English or Korean and English to serve in the Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly and Falls Church areas. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment. Learn more.

The FCPD’s continued use of automated license plate readers (ALPR) by Flock Safety and Axon is proving to be successful in preventing crime and enhancing safety in the community since its inception in November 2022. Our ALPR program – through enforcement, education and connection – was able to help immensely with keeping our residents, workers and visitors safe. ALPR Program snapshot of successes:

Latex paint is non-toxic, but oil-based paint is toxic. Latex paint is the single largest item received at our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities. However, it is not an HHW. Due to the volume received and current staffing shortages, a temporary disposal location has been set up for residents at the I-95 Landfill Complex. Learn more.

Grab your friends and your camera to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month! The Fairfax County Park Authority is holding a selfie photo contest through Friday, July 28 to commemorate this year’s theme “Where Community Grows.” Learn more.

  

ArtsFairfax has released a new web application designed to identify and map public art in Fairfax County. Free and easy to use, the interactive app empowers County residents to share what they see as public art in their community. “The ArtsFairfax Public Art Locator will be a critical planning tool as we continue work on the County’s Public Art Master Plan. By crowd-sourcing public art in our community, this inventory will help us identify where there are gaps and greater needs for community enhancement and creative placemaking,” says Linda Sullivan, ArtsFairfax President & CEO. Learn more.