Affordable Housing Project Moves Toward Approval

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

March 17, 2010

The Falls Church Planning Commission voted 5-2 on March 15 to recommend approval of a special exception for the construction of The Wilden at 350 South Washington Street.   The decision, which culminated the four hour session, clears the way for the City Council to approve the 66 unit senior affordable housing project on second reading next Monday, March 22.

Planning Commission Chair John Lawrence and Commissioner Rob Meeks voted against the exception and earlier were joined by Commissioner Ruth Rodgers in supporting a motion, introduced by Mr. Meeks and seconded by Ms. Rodgers, which would have recommended against Council approval of the project.  That proposal was defeated by a 4-3 vote.

Commissioner Lindy Hockenberry led the opposition to Meeks’ motion, saying it was a disservice to kill the project at the Planning Commission level.  She stated that she felt The Wilden is a very good project which in the long run would bring about many other development opportunities that would otherwise be lost.

Commissioner Michael Kearney concurred, stating he was comfortable with The Wilden’s financial model, although he expressed some skepticism that the project would come to fruition.  Commissioner Melissa Teates saw the building as essential to improving the streetscape along South Washington and two adjacent sites on nearby Annandale Road.  She noted that when the restaurant opens in the Tax Analysts building across the street from the project it would send a positive message for patrons to see the construction in progress.  “I’m ready to take a leap of faith to get construction started down there.”

Commissioner Russell Wodiska stated that he had come to the meeting thinking that he would vote against the project but that a lot of the questions he’d had had been answered.   Although expressing concern that the City was “putting all its affordable housing eggs in one basket”, he joined Ms. Hockenberry, Ms. Teates, and Mr. Kearney in voting down Mr. Meeks’ motion.

Following the vote, Falls Church Housing Corporation CEO Carol Jackson said, “We are obviously humbled and thrilled about the Planning Commission’s 5-2 vote.”

Much of the earlier discussion focused on the need to start work on the project by mid-summer.  If construction is delayed and the building has not received a certification for occupancy by December 31, 2011, essential tax credits will be lost.

However, occupancy will be contingent on 38 parking spaces being provided at 360 South Washington.  The adjacent building currently is owned by Thomas Sawner who has signed a non-binding letter of intent to sell the structure to developer Bob Young, who intends to build an office building with a parking garage on the site.  In effect, the two buildings will have to be constructed concurrently in order for the required parking to be available on schedule.

Mr. Lawrence asked the status of the $2 million dollar loan earlier advanced to Mr. Sawner.  Assistant City Manager stated that three quarters of the amount had been paid back to the General Fund.

Ira Kaylin, a candidate for City Council, spoke against the project’s loan arrangements, stating,  “Everyone seems to be taken care of here except the taxpayers.”  Mr. Kaylin estimated they would lose $1.4 million dollars and called the plan a very poor financial transaction for the City.

Ms. Hockenberry and Mr. Lawrence also are running for Council.

Relevant documents are available for review at the City’s website.

Shields Proposes 20 Cent Tax Increase, Cuts in Services

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

March 9, 2010

Faced with a record deficit, City Manager Wyatt Shields recommended a 20 cent increase in the real estate tax rate at last night’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council.  The increase will raise the average home owner’s property tax bill $976 or 15%.  The rate now is $1.07 for every $100 of assessed value.  The current median home value in Falls Church is $587,300.

Although the rate increase likely is the highest in City history, it is insufficient to close the FY 2011 budget gap, so Mr. Shields proposed cuts in staff and services to bridge the difference.

Sixteen positions will be eliminated through early retirement or vacancies.  Employee contributions to retirement funds and health insurance will increase, resulting in cuts in take home pay from 1.6 to 5%.  The current pay freeze also will remain in effect.  Additional savings will be achieved through staff reorganization.

Service cuts include closing the library on Sundays and reducing hours by one hour on weekdays, saving $45,000.  The community center will close an hour earlier on weekends and a half-hour earlier on weekdays.  Urban forestry contracts will be cut back, as will street sweeping.  Cuts in information technology will save $65,000.

Uniformed police patrol, storm water maintenance, and local matches for federal grants will be preserved.  Employee pension funds will remain fully funded.  The GEORGE bus system also survives, though with reduced hours and increased fares.  Its net cost to the general fund is $120,000.

Water rates will remain steady for the fifth straight year.  City sewer rates also will remain unchanged.  Some recreation and permit fees will rise but not significantly.  The meals tax, personal property tax, and decal fees will not increase.

Overall, the proposed $64 million budget is slightly smaller than that for the current year.  General government costs are projected to decline by $2.3 million (7.1%) and school costs by $1.3 million (4.5%).  Primary City expenditures are 43% to education, 11% to public safety, 8% to public works, and 7% to recreation and parks, which includes the library.

Sixty percent of the City’s revenue is derived through property taxes.  Mr. Shields noted that this is a larger share than in years pastg because most other revenue sources are decreasing.  Federal and state funding is declining and the $2 million transfer from the water fund to the general fund has been eliminated due to the recent Fairfax Circuit Court decision against Falls Church.  The absence of the transfer equates to 7 cents on the property tax rate.

Photo-red has not been implemented and now only two, rather than four intersections, are projected to have cameras.  Sales tax revenues are down $715,000, partly due to state corrections to the tax rolls, however meals taxes are expected to increase, in part due to new restaurants opening in the City.

Mr. Shields reported that assessed values in Falls Church are down 6.4% overall.  Specifically:

Single family  -  1.6%
Townhouses  –  1.6%
Condominium  –  9.6%
Commercial  -  13.4%
Apartments  -  12%

Assessed value of new construction, which peaked at $128 million in 2007, is projected at $40 million in 2010, only 20% of which was commercial.  On the other hand, improvements to residential properties have remained stable.

School Board Vice Chair Joan Wodiska followed Mr. Shields presentation, noting that the schools are facing similar reductions in funding while coping with increased enrollment.  The Board’s proposal includes instituting new fees totalling $76,000, including pre-school peer partner charges, higher parking fees for students at George Mason High School, and athletic fees.  The equivalent of 10 positions will be eliminated, partly through reducing staff hours.  The schools’ communications function will be consolidated with the City’s.  Anticipated student enrollment in FY 2011 is 2,032.  The cost per pupil, without benefits, is $13,715.

Mr. Shields then briefly reviewed the Capital Improvements Program, most of which is grant funded.  He stressed that the City must take steps to insure that its fund balance is restored to its appropriate level before undertaking major capital projects as proposed in the CIP.  The minimum level for the fund balance is 8%, though the targeted level is 12%.  However, that level may not be achieved until FY 2014.  One of the capital improvements proposed by the Planning Commission is the replacement of the Property Yard storage shed which was a casualty of the February blizzards.

Vice Mayor Hal Lippman and Councilman Lawrence Webb both called the proposals “sobering” and Councilman Dan Sze stated they left everyone “gasping for breath”, but Mr. Lippman was confident Falls Church would weather the crisis.  “I really think we’re going to get through this and the City will be just fine.”

Mayor Robin Gardner suggested that a citizen volunteer corps might be established to assist in maintenance duties such as cutting grass or painting rails.  She cited parents shoveling the Mount Daniel school playground after the recent snowfalls as an example.

The first reading of the budget is scheduled for the next Council session on March 22.  Town hall meetings will be held on March 20 and April 10.  Second reading and formal adoption will take place on April 26.

The proposed budget is available at the City’s website.

Shields Reports on City’s Response to Blizzards

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 24, 2010

At Monday night’s City Council meeting, City Manager Wyatt Shields summarized Falls Church’s response to February’s record snowfall.

Calling the recent events “an extremely expensive storm,” Mr. Shields stated that the City had submitted a request for $260,000 to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).  Falls Church is eligible for 75% reimbursement of costs incurred.  The City’s total request, including that for the December storm, is for $330,000.

The latest storms dropped a total of 32 inches of snow on Falls Church, 22 inches on February 5-6 and 10 inches more on February 10.  The December storm left approximately 20 inches.

In his discussion of the February storms, Mr. Shields explained that workers first “pre-treated” every street in the City.  Once 2 inches had fallen, they began to “push snow off” snow emergency routes first.  When the snow stopped and the snow emergency streets were clear, they began plowing residential streets.

“In both events, we were able to get a plow on every street in the City within 24 hours of the cessation of snowfall.  We had our streets clear before traffic packed them down and we opened our school system earlier than any other jurisdiction in Northern Virginia or the Capital region,” he said.

Mr. Shields noted that City Hall was closed for three days due to concern for the safety of employees getting to and from work, and to assist a regional effort in keeping traffic off the area’s roads.  However, work was still accomplished by people working from home computers.  “We got our Council and Planning Commission meeting packages out and the package on solid waste disposal,” he said.

Mr. Shields had high praise for the way City workers coped with the demands of the storm.  “I believe we did rise to the occasion.  We had employees sleeping in their trucks, sleeping in cots at the property yard, our public safety officers also stayed overnight.”

Calling their efforts “extraordinary,” he lauded the employees’ strong esprit d’corps and determination to complete the job.  The City Manager also credited outstanding leadership on the part of Director of Operations Robert Goff, General Manager of Community Services Howard Herman, and Public Safety officers Harry Reitze and Mary Gavin.

The request for reimbursement does not cover all of the costs incurred during the past weeks, only two 48-hour blocks of time during the height of the February storms.  Additional costs include the loss of slate off of the roof of City Hall and many of the building’s gutters.

Mr. Shields noted there is reason for concern regarding the reimbursement.  “We haven’t heard a word back from VDEM with respect to our submissions on the December storm, which were submitted in early January.”  Vice Mayor Hal Lippman offered to lobby for these funds when he attends the next meeting of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.

After noting that the City crews had done an amazing job, Councilman Dan Maller raised the issue of commercial sidewalk clearance.  He suggested that at some point Falls Church might have to take an approach similar to the one it has opted for toward graffiti, where owners who do not promptly remove the defacings are billed by the City for the work.  Mr. Shields stated that the City had issued 19 warnings for failure to clear sidewalks, with “violations behind them.”

WATER WAR: City Will Make Revised Offer to Fairfax County

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 23, 2010

Last night the Falls Church City Council met in closed session for 40 minutes to discuss the ongoing litigation with the Fairfax County Water Authority.  After the session the Council unanimously approved a motion by Vice Mayor Lippman and seconded by Councilman Dave Snyder to instruct City Attorney John Foster, in consultation with the firm of Reed Smith, to respond to the counter-offer made by Fairfax Water and to make a revised offer to resolve the case.

The current trial, which involves three counts against the City, began on February 1.  Proceedings were recessed on February 4 to allow the parties to pursue settlement negotiations.  If accord is not reached, the trial will resume in Fairfax Circuit Court before Judge R. Terrence Ney on Monday, March 1.

Falls Church City is appealing the ruling on a fourth count in the case, which was handed down in January.

Friends of Cherry Hill Plead Their Case to City Council

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 23, 2010

In a stunning example of community activism in response to potential budget cuts, 10 citizens last night implored the Falls Church City Council to retain the part-time position of the site coordinator at Cherry Hill Farm.

The speakers were led by Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation President Michelle Crowell, who warned that the elimination of the position likely would result in the loss of the programs offered at the site, such as the summer history camp and Farm Day.  Ms. Crowell also noted that the absence of a coordinator might make it impossible to maintain insurance coverage on the house’s furnishings, which are owned by the Foundation.

Members of the Falls Church Historical Commission pointed out that Cherry Hill is not merely a historical site but a representation of the City.  Carl Ensign of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society referred to it as an anchor of the community and observed that it would be a shame if a site which survived the turmoil of the Civil War did not survive the FY 2011 budget cuts.

Council members were very supportive in their response.  Vice Mayor Hal Lippman, who reported that over 20 emails had been received on the issue, noted that the budget is still in preparation and that the proposal to cut the coordinator position was not part of a “working document.”  He assured that speakers that the Council “would be carefully weighing your thoughts and concerns.”

Councilman Dave Snyder observed that cutting the position would be counter-productive.  “Outside of the schools, Cherry Hill gets us more positive media than any other institution in the City.”

Councilman Dan Maller spoke most eloquently.  “History lives not just in the building but in people in their devotion to the building and what it means.  This is not an economic issue.  I feel an emotional attachment.  There is something deeply meaningful about Cherry Hill and I think it should be protected.”

In conclusion, Mr. Maller stated he wished the Council would see this sort of a reaction to other elements of the City budget so to better see what is most meaningful to the people Falls Church.

The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Buschow, Lawrence, Lippman, Peppe Win CBC Nod for City Council

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 21, 2010

Long-time Falls Church City acitvist Barry Buschow, Vice Mayor Hal Lippman, Planning Commission Chair John Lawrence, and School Board Chair Ron Peppe will represent the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) in the May 2010 City Council election, following the balloting at Saturday’s nominating convention.

Incumbents Rosaura Aguerrebere and Susan Kearney and newcomers Greg Rasnake and Patrick Riccards won the organization’s endorsement for School Board.

A total of 174 Falls Church voters registered at the convention, and 169 cast ballots.  It was the organization’s 25th bi-annual convention, held this year at George Mason High School.

Left out of the fold were Councilman Dan Sze, who was seeking nomination for a second term, and former Vice Mayor and two term Council member Lindy Hockenberry, who was attempting a comeback after her narrow defeat in 2008.

Under the CBC’s new system of balloting, all convention registrants had the three options.  They could vote for a candidate (+1 point), abstain (0), or vote against a candidate (-1).  A voter theoretically could endorse all of the candidates on the respective ballots or none of them, the determining factor being the total number of points scored, with the top four contenders winning nomination.  Any candidates receiving a negative total were automatically eliminated.

The four School Board slots were uncontested, but the complex Council balloting led to a protracted vote count.  Winners were announced in alphabetical order by CBC President Deb Gardner.  No point totals were released.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Gardner stated that the convention was an opportunity to increase the “social capital” of the community and noted that cities with strong civic participation develop more innovative public policy and operate more effectively.   She encouraged citizens to optimize their engagement via sites such as the Falls Church Times.  She then introduced former councilman David Chavern, who served as the convention chair.

Candidates, first for the Board and then the Council, were nominated and gave brief acceptance speeches.  Each group then responded to written and oral questions from the convention registrants.

Perhaps the most incisive question of the day was the last one:  how much will the City’s real estate tax rate of $1.07 have to rise to cope with the ongoing financial crisis?  Mr. Sze quickly said 10 cents.  Mr. Buschow estimated from 15 to 20 cents.  Mr. Lippman said he would love to see 10 cents, but was “dubious” that would be achieved.  Mr. Lawrence thought the increase would be closer to 20 cents.  Ms. Hockenberrry estimated 15 cents and Mr. Peppe 20.

Council candidates also were questioned about the recent decision to move municipal elections from May to November, beginning in 2011.  Mr. Lippman defended his vote in favor of the move.  Mr. Lawrence stated that he did not like how the change was made.  Mr. Buschow asserted that voters should have had their say on the issue via a referendum.  Mr. Peppe felt that the move might lead to more partisanship.  Ms. Hockenberry stated that she had not taken a stand on the issue.  Mr. Sze, who voted for the change, said that he was prepared to return the election date to May if voters favor such a move.

As no other candidates have announced for School Board office, the CBC nominations may be tantamount to election.  However, the race for the four Council seats remains wide open.  Councilman David Snyder, who was endorsed by CBC in 2006, intends to seek a fifth term as an independent.  Mr. Sze and Ms. Hockenberry, though unsuccessful today, might also run as independents.  Two other prospective candidates, Ira Kaylin and Johannah Barry, are circulating signature petitions, but have not formally announced.  The filing deadline is Tuesday, March 2.

The Falls  Church Times policy on local election coverage is: 

• Make no endorsements
• Promote informed, civil dialogue on election issues
• Provide equitable, impartial coverage of candidates

Stan Fendley also contributed to this report.

OPINION: CBC’s Convention – The Place to Be Saturday

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 18, 2010

National political conventions aren’t what they used to be.  The quadrennial conclaves once provided real drama and inspired plays and films, such as Gore Vidal’s The Best Man.  Those of us of a certain age recall when the alphabet networks promised “gavel-to-gavel” coverage of the proceedings.  Our parents’ generation often listened via radio to tumultuous conventions where nominees were selected only after several ballots.

Today the national conventions are largely staged events, their nominees chosen months earlier.  Now most television coverage is limited to the evening sessions, hours which the networks surrender only grudgingly.  Public interest largely has been reduced to “what will he say” or, more recently, “what will she wear?”

But ultimately, as Tip O’Neill famously observed, all politics is local.  We have our own convention, right here in The Little City, and it’s less than 48 hours away.  Saturday’s convention of the Citizens for a Better City will offer two things national conventions do not:  a genuine contest and a chance for everyone to both participate and even vote for nominees.  Although the CBC often is thought of as an elite organization, it’s actually open to anyone in Falls Church and its bi-annual convention offers residents true participatory democracy.

The convention will nominate candidates for both City Council and School Board who will represent CBC in the municipal election on May 4.  Citizens concerned with the state of the City and conversant with the issues should seriously consider both attending and voting.  Residents unfamiliar with the candidates or the issues will have an opportunity both to catch up on local affairs and experience democracy in action.

Convention details are available at the CBC website.  Proposed rules for the session are available here.  Additional background information is available in the Falls Church News Press and via this excellent primer on the six announced Council candidates.

Yesterday, School Board member Kieran Sharpe proposed a new organization he’s calling ”Renaissance Falls Church” to compete with the CBC to create a situation where “each team strengthens the other.”  We think that could be a healthy development, and if indeed that organization comes to be, we  would hope that it also opens its doors to the public in a similar fashion, but  this weekend, the CBC convention is the place to be.

The Little City is a special place, seldom more so than on this coming Saturday afternoon.  Come to George Mason High School at 2pm and see for yourself.

OPINION: Please Be Patient, Crews Are Doing Their Best

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 6, 2010

Sinclair Lewis observed in Main Street that winter in Minnesota is not a season, it is an industry.  That has never been so here and hopefully never will be, but some people in The Little City are under the impression that it is and that our side streets should have been plowed by sunset.

Many weren’t and some might not be plowed until sunset on Sunday, though not for lack of effort.  The City crews have not gone home.  They worked all through last night and will work well into tonight.   They catch a few hours sleep on cots at the Property Yard.  They are doing their best and more, but neither they, nor anyone else here, can clear a record amount of snow in record time.

I know snow, having often seen more in a winter than Falls Church sees in a decade.   I know how hard it is to move it, wherever it falls.  Two feet of snow is a challenge for any city, little or large.  I think the City crews did a great job in December and will do so again.

Emerson wrote that patience and fortitude conquer all things.  So they do.  Please be patient and accept that we at home tonight have the easier of the two duties.

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