November 16, 2011

The Citizens for a Better City’s Executive Committee has voted to suspend its Nominating Convention, the election of CBC candidates, and the CBC campaign, and to turn the organization’s primary focus to community and voter education.

In a November 12 letter to members, CBC president Sally Ekfelt termed the Committee’s vote “decisive.”  Entitled “A New Way Forward”, the letter states that the organization’s primary objective now will be to inform the electorate and vigorously promote civic engagement.

The Committee will convene a working group to create an action plan for 2012.  Among its first actions will be a town hall meeting or forum in February which will showcase all candidates running for elective office in May.  CBC will continue to promote and encourage citizen participation on City and School Committees and Commissions and to scout for effective leaders.

Suspending the Nominating Convention requires a change in CBC’s bylaws.  Members will vote on the revision at the annual meeting on Sunday, November 20, at the Winter Hill Senior Center. 

For 52 years CBC has fielded candidates for Falls Church City Council and, since 1994, for School Board.  Its decision to leave the election process creates a new playing field for the May 2012 election.

Unless a new group suddenly emerges to field a slate, all candidates for three Council seats and three School Board seats at stake will be running as independents.   There will be no “brand” available and voters will have to focus more on the individual candidates, rather than voting a straight ticket.

CBC has dominated Falls Church politics for decades.  From 1974 to 1986 it won every Council seat.  More recently CBC won 14 of the 17 seats at stake from 2000 to 2008.

However, in 2010 only one of its four candidates for Council was elected.  One candidate appeared to break with the slate in the final days of the campaign, issuing his own flyers.

Of the seven current Council members, four were elected as independents and three on CBC tickets.  Vice Mayor Dave Snyder has been elected on past CBC slates but ran as an independent in 2010.   All seven members of the present School Board were elected on CBC tickets. 

The May 2012 election will be the final one held in that month, as voters last Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a referendum to move the polling to November, beginning in 2013.  CBC’s decision to leave the field ensures that next spring’s campaign will be one of the most interesting in many years.

November 14, 2011

The Falls Church City Council moved this evening to defer final action on an ordinance to reduce the number of voting wards.  Members voted, 5-0 (Ms. Barry and Mr. Peppe absent), to take up the matter again on December 12.

The proposal, which passed first reading on September 26, calls for eliminating the Scout House (Ward Three) and the American Legion Hall (Ward Five) as polling places and consolidating voters into three wards.  Both facilities would be retained as emergency polling places.

In his remarks to the Council, City Registrar David Bjerke reviewed the efforts of the Electoral Board to inform residents of the plan.  He said that the response from voters had been overwhelmingly positive.  “We had expected to hear a lot more pushback against the change,” he said.

Bjerke said the revisions will provide more equal access for all voters to a ballot, as well as essential emergency management service and faster service overall.  Regarding concerns that Thomas Jefferson School (Ward One) would be overcrowded, the registrar said that the Electoral Board has called on the School Board to close the school on Election Day, as is the practice in Arlington and Fairfax.

The plan would shift Winter Hill residents, including many senior citizens, from Thomas Jefferson to the Community Center (Ward Four).  Bjerke said that the Board would consider using crossing guards to help assist those voters crossing Broad Street.

Councilwoman Robin Gardner said that she understood the need for consolidation of wards, but expressed concerns about parking at Thomas Jefferson.  She also opposed closing the school on Election Day and pointed out that the school’s renovation would coincide with the November 2012 election.

Noting that the plan’s implementation also coincided with the change of the municipal election date and redistricting, Gardner questioned whether the timing was right.  “I just don’t know if it [the consolidation] needs to be right now,” she said.

Mayor Nader Baroukh, who like Gardner voted against the plan in September, felt that the electoral officials needed to discuss the plan further with the School Board.  “My concern is how the parking is going to work around the construction site,” said Baroukh.

Vice Mayor Dave Snyder called the current voting process at Thomas Jefferson less than optimal.  “Adding additional voters runs the risk of creating more issues with safety and difficulty in parking.  It just doesn’t look to me that it’s functioning that well,” he said.  Snyder added that he thought the Legion Hall was still a good polling place and questioned why the officials recommended moving to three sites instead of four.

Faced with these concerns and with only five members present the Council opted to defer.  It will address the issue again during its December 5 work session.

A map showing the current configuration of wards is available here.   A map of the three ward plan is available here.

Stormwater Survey -  City Manager Wyatt Shields advised that a survey is being mailed to all single family and townhome owners.    The response will enable the City to determine where and to what extent flooding has occurred and to align its resources accordingly.  Surveys can be returned by mail or online through the City’s website.

Other Business -  The Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing revisions to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Handbook.  The Handbook has been shortened and now presents a clearer and succinct presentation of the process.

With Ms. Gardner dissenting, the Council approved first reading of an ordinance to amend the FY 2012 budgets (revenue and expenditures) for City Funds by adding $1,890,000 to the General Fund $3,350,000 to the Water Fund, and $546,205 to the Capital Project Fund.

The Council approved a consent item authorizing the city manager to to purchase up to $200,000 in technology solutions from CDW Government under a National Joint Powers Alliance Contract.

Closed Session -  At the end of the public meeting the Council began a 24 minute closed session concerning the post office lot and water litigation issues.

Video -  Footage of the public session is available at the City website.  Links to all pertinent documents are included.

October 24, 2011

The Falls Church City Council this evening approved a resolution authorizing a two year extension of the lease for the Child Development Center (CDC).  The new term will extend until November 30, 2013 at a rate of $3,000 per month.

The Council’s debate followed a 40 minute closed session, during which members thrashed out unresolved issues concerning the lease.  Draft documents issued to the media prior to the meeting had indicated that the rent would be much higher.

The City-owned facility has been leased to Easter Seals for $1.00 per year since 1961.  The current 25 year term ends on November 11.  At several prior Council meetings many parents of children attending the CDC had implored officials to extend the lease, since there are few other options for day care in the area.

After brief discussion, the resolution passed, 4-1, with Councilmen Gardner and Peppe absent.  Councilman Ira Kaylin cast the sole negative vote.

Kaylin, who spent many years of his federal career in risk management, said that the relationship between Easter Seals of the Greater Washington-Baltimore region and the CDC is not transparent.  “I have never agreed to a financial proposal until I have understood it,” said Kaylin.  “This is going to be voted on, and no doubt approved, prior to us having a clear understanding of where and how the money flows and I find that extremely difficult to go along with.”

CDC parents expressed their appreciation when it became clear that the Council was leaning toward extending the lease.  ”It seems like the City has been taking a lot of lumps lately,” said Stuart Rubin.  “I feel a vote in favor [of the extension] is a win for the City, the Council, and CDC.”

Mayor Nader Baroukh said the process had been arduous and that the terms of the lease are not necessarily ideal, but that both sides had worked very hard to find a middle ground.  “There are a variety of things that we have to balance,” said the mayor.  “I want to be clear the schools have an interest in the property.  I hope we will have a resolution during our budget and CIP process.”

City Manager Wyatt Shields confirmed that the school system has formally expressed their continued interest in the CDC, as recently as last weekend.

Response to Stormwater Town Hall Meeting

Shields encouraged all residents to view the entire video of the October 17 town hall, which is available on the City website.

The city manager described the problem as having two tracks.  One is the issue of the stormwater backflow into the sanitary sewer, which should not be happening.  He said that the City needs to identify where this occurs and take measures to prevent it.

Shields termed the other issue as “classic stormwater management”; i.e., systemic problems not involving the sewers,.  He said that the good news is that the City is well advanced on its watershed management plan, which should be ready by December.  However, a major unresolved policy question is the impact of federal mandates regarding Chesapeake Bay, which he termed a huge state and region-wide issue.

As more data is necessary a survey is being developed for residents to report problems they encountered during the September 8 flood.

Shields and the Council agreed that solutions to Falls Church’s stormwater problems will be expensive.  He said that a higher property tax or a dedicated funding stream through a stormwater utility would be required.  The councilmen leaned toward the second alternative.

The only funds immediately available for stormwater improvements are through a $1.7 million federal grant for improvements on the Pearson and Coe branches of Tripps Run.  Shields said such work should help some of the residents on Sherrow Avenue.

Other Business

The city manager advised that leaf collection is now underway.  Crews currently are working north of Broad St. and will shift to the south side next week.  There are three pickups for each side of town.  The full schedule is available on the City’s website.  He asked that residents keep brush away from the leaf piles.

Shields endorsed the City’s mentoring program, noting that adults can work with youth who could use additional support.   Those interested should contac Jessica Reyes at 703-219-2106.

At the city manager’s request the Council voted unanimously to defer action on a resolution to adopt the Northern Virginia Regional Water Supply Plan, the primary purpose of which is to ensure adequate and safe drinking water.  Shields suggested the Council wait until November 28 to allow time to review the final draft of the plan.  Vice Mayor Dave Snyder asked that the staff determine how many hours were devoted to responding to what he termed ” a classic no compensation mandate that makes absolutely no sense, considering the condition of the region.”

Consent Items

The Council passed a motion authorizing the city manager to award a contract to National Asphalt Manufacturing Corporation for the purchase of liquid asphalt hot mix as required for road repairs and maintenance.  The total FY 2012 expenditures will not exceed $200,000.

The Council approved the following appointments:

Andrew Curtin to the Falls Church Cable Access Advisory Board to a term ending October 31, 2014.
Lori LaFave to an unexpired term on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board ending August 31, 2014.
Addison Heard to an unexpired term on the  Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation ending Jaunary 31, 2012.

The following persons were reappointed to their respective positions:

Jerome Barrett to the City Employee Review Board to a term ending October 31, 2014.
Justin Berg to the Economic Development Authority to a term ending November 30, 2014.

October 18, 2011

Yesterday evening’s town hall on stormwater issues revealed many problems far removed from Falls Church’s two flood plains.

The meeting, which drew a large crowd at the Community Center, had been called primarily due to a tropical storm on September 8 that left many flood plain houses with flooded basements.  However, most of the homeowners who vented their frustrations to City officials came from neighborhoods distant from Tripps and Four Mile Runs and recounted problems that in some cases have persisted for decades.

Many residents reported both storm and sewer water flooding their homes and standing water on or near their properties.

Joan Nieman of Hillwood Avenue said she had 18″ of black sewer water in her basement and can still smell it

“We are in jeopardy,” she said.  “Stonewalling brought us here.  We’ve had this problem for years.  I want it fixed.  I want it fixed now.”

Flooding problems are not confined to homes.  Ed Bouchard, who has a business on Douglas Avenue, said he has experienced flooding for the last six or seven years.  “It comes over the street, over the curb, under our door,” Bouchard said.  “Every time there’s significant rain our office floods.  I’d like to know what the City plans to do.”  He said that the problems began after the Whittier tract was completed along Hillwood Avenue.

Nieman’s home and Bouchard’s business are not on a flood plain.  Susan Douglas’ home on Cameron Road is.

“They say this is ‘The Little City’ that could.  I’d like to see it proved,” she said.  She has learned that her $20,000 in losses are not covered by the flood insurance that she was obliged to purchase because the City redesignated the house as being on a flood plain in 2004.

“Somebody asked me if I have a lawyer,” said Douglas.  “I think I have a lot of company here that would be interested in having someone take a look at what’s going on in Falls Church.”

Revenue commissioner Tom Clinton, another Hillwood resident, said had he had two feet of water in his basement on September 8 and that he has experienced frequent flooding since the completion of a City project several years ago.

“Their problem became our problem,” he said.  “I’ve brought it to the City’s attention and nothing’s been done.  This is not the city I grew up in.  I consider it a quality of life issue. If it costs more taxes I’m willing to pay some, let’s get this thing solved,” Clinton said to applause.

In response to these and many other complaints, City Public Works Director Bill Hicks and City Manager Wyatt Shields said that they were aware of many of the problems but that there were no quick answers.

Concerning sewer backups, Shields said that prior to the late 70s houses could have stormwater drains that connected to the sanitary sewer.  Anywhere from 40 to 60% of the City’s homes have storm drains connecting to the sewer system, according to City utility engineer Rodney Collins.

“It’s about levels of service,” said Shields, regarding the overall problem.  “September 8 exceeded our standards.  In some respects it’s the wrong context in which to talk about the stormwater management issues.  The good news is we have an effort well under way to take a comprehensive look a look at our stormwater systems.  That’s not just starting, it’s in the homestretch.”

At the end of the meeting Mayor Nader Baroukh thanked the citizens for their comments and cited four topics for future discussion.

1)  The pros and cons of an ordinance that would require severing the connections between the stormwater system and the sewers.  This would include a review of the possible legal constraints against such action.

2)  Requiring that developers pay a pro-rata share for stormwater management.  The City would research how other jurisdictions have approached the issue.

3)  Identifying where the major problems are, in addition to those referenced in the meeting, and re-evaluating the City’s standards for stormwater system capacity.

4)  How implementing major stormwater improvements would impact the budget and the Capital improvements Program, including the possibility of a holding a referendum.

Prior to the discussion Hicks briefed the attendees on the recent flooding and the City’s ongoing efforts to control stormwater.  He said that the frequently used phrase ”100 year event” to describe September 8 does not mean that such a severe flood will occur only once in a century, rather that there is a 1% chance of it happening every year.

The City’s system is designed to cope with an event that would have a 10% chance of happening in a given year.  Falls Church has had more than its share of major storms since 2000, having experienced four severe events during the past decade.

Hicks said that the City has received a $1.7 million grant for stream improvements on the Pearson and Coe Branches of Tripps Run and plans to spend $8 million on implementing 21 projects in its watershed management plan over the next eight years.  He noted that Falls Church also works constantly to maintain the existing system, but added that homeowners should maintain proper drainage systems on their property.

Hicks’ Powerpoint presentation is available on the City’s Stormwater and Floodplain Management page.

A video of the nearly two hour meeting is available here under “City Webcasts.”

Council Work Sessions -  After the town hall the City Council held two work sessions, one public, one closed.

During the open session the members first discussed a resolution to adopt the Northern Virginia Regional Water Supply Plan, the primary purpose of which is ensure adequate and safe drinking water.  The city manager advised the Council that the City’s supply is in good shape, due to improvements in plumbing fixtures that have resulted in less water usage.  The city manager said that the Washington Aqueduct, which supplies Falls Church’s water, had its peak day in the 1970s.

City CFO Richard La Condré then briefed the Council on the first quarter financial report for FY 2012.  While some revenues are exceeding estimates, La Condré said it is too early to identify any trend.  Personal property taxes are $325,000 higher than budgeted, due in part to a higher rate.  Sales taxes are $12,000 ahead of last year’s collections.  Expenditures show an underspending for the first quarter.  The CFO estimated that the City has $500,000 in additional revenue, as of Monday.

The closed session concerned the Child Development Center question and issues relating to the City’s water system.

October 12, 2011

A dozen parents implored the Falls Church City Council last night to extend the Easter Seals’ lease at the Child Development Center, which expires in November.  Council members were sympathetic to the parents’ concerns, but gave no assurances before going into a closed session to continue their discussion of the matter.

Many of the parents said that it would be very difficult for them to find another day care provider on short notice, as most facilities have long waiting lists.  Others had high praise for the quality of care provided and noted that CDC staff members would be in a difficult position in the event of an abrupt closure.

Vice Mayor Dave Snyder said that if he were in the parents’ shoes he would be doing the same thing, but he maintained that Easter Seals had not presented a serious counter offer to the City.  “It’s a little hard to negotiate when there’s nobody sitting at the other side of the table.  We need them to negotiate with us to get a win-win,” he said.

Regarding the CDC rent, Snyder was firm.  “The notion that a dollar a day for a facility that is part of the Easter Seals, which is part of a $1.2 billion dollar annual operation, strikes me that there’s something that needs to be negotiated,” he said.  Snyder also noted that City schools have expressed an interest in the site because of equally important social and educational obligations.

Mayor Nader Baroukh said the Council has a responsibility to parents, but also to Falls Church taxpayers and the school community.  “The City has been clear that there has to be some type of return for the City,” said the mayor.  “Easter Seals were made aware of that from the beginning.”  He said that he was glad to hear there had been some recent movement in the negotiating process, but that dialog takes two parties.

For nearly 50 years the facility has been leased to Easter Seals, who would prefer an extension until at least the summer of 2013.  In August the Council passed a motion authorizing City Manager Wyatt Shields to work with Easter Seals on a one year lease extension at fair market rent, with the possibility of an extension.

In June, Easter Seals reportedly indicated they would be willing to pay $50,000 annually for the space.  According to a WRC-TV report yesterday evening, the City is seeking a rent of $120,000 per year.

Later in the meeting the Council approved (6-0, with Mr. Peppe absent) a resolution amending the pension plans for City employees and police hired on or after January 1, 2012.  The revisions raise the City retirement age from 62 to 67.  The police retirement age remains at 55.  Mayor Baroukh said that the plans would be reviewed again in conjunction with the budget process next February.

The closed session which followed the public meeting involved discussion of water system issues, in addition to the CDC matter.

October 7, 2011

The League of Women Voters of Falls Church will sponsor an informational forum Thursday October 20 to help prepare voters for a November 8 referendum on the scheduling of future city elections.

The referendum will ask city voters whether the city should amend its charter to hold future elections for City Council and School Board in November rather than May.  The forum, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center, will feature Renee Bergmann Andrews, secretary of the Falls Church Electoral Board, and Bryan E. Polk, vice mayor of Manassas Park, a jurisdiction that in 2008 moved its local elections from May to November.

The League has created an informational fact sheet on the issue, which is available at its website.  The League does not take a position on the election date issue.

The League has also invited candidates for the State Senate seat representing Falls Church City — Republican challenger Robert C. Sarvis, incumbent Democrat Richard L. “Dick” Saslaw, and independent/Green party candidate Katherine Ann Pettigrew — to attend the forum and meet the citizens of Falls Church.  Democratic State Rep. James M. Scott and Theo K. Stamos, the Democratic candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington and Falls Church, both of whom are running unopposed, have also been invited to the forum.

In November 2010, the Falls Church City Council voted to repeal a January 2010 ordinance that moved municipal elections from May to November.  At the same time, the Council also approved this November’s advisory referendum, giving voters the choice.   City Attorney John E. Foster has advised the Council that while the referendum’s outcome is termed “advisory,” it will be binding.

As a result of the Council’s action, the next city elections will be held in May 2012.  If voters approve the November referendum question, the election date will change and the following city election would be held in November 2013, along with elections for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, and the General Assembly.

The League of Women Voters of Falls Church is a nonpartisan organization that serves the citizens of Falls Church City by encouraging informed and active participation in government, working to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influencing public policy through education and advocacy.

The fact sheet is available here.

For more information, go to the League’s website.

October 4, 2011

Falls Church’s pension plans and its emergency readiness were the primary topics at yesterday evening’s City Council work session.  The officials also scheduled a town hall meeting to discuss the response to the recent flooding and the need for better storm water management.

Connie Rydberg, a pension actuary and chair of the Retirement Board, presented recommendations for changes to the City’s pension plans.  The biggest change would be to raise the retirement age for City employees hired after 2011 from 62 to 67.  Police retirement age would remain at 55.  Employee contributions would stay at 5% for the basic plan and 7% for the police plan.  The current cost of living adjustment also would remain unchanged.  If approved, the recommendations eventually would save around $450,000 annually.

City human resources director Richard Parker estimated that the assets in the City’s pension plans declined 11% in the quarter that ended last Friday.  However, Rydberg said that the plans are in better shape than in mid-2010, when they were only 76% funded.  With the downturn, the plans now are approximately 82% funded.

The Council members concurred with the Board’s recommendations, though Mayor Nader Baroukh said that he would like to see the City move in the direction of giving employees more choices, perhaps a hybrid of a 401K and a defined benefits plan.

“It’s a very good proposal, but it doesn’t get to the heart of the pension issue.  I don’t see it as thinking outside the box,” he said.  But Councilman Ira Kaylin called pension planning a complex issue and cautioned that the average person does not have the time or information available to the typical funds manager.

The mayor said that further discussion of the plans should be tied to the overall issue of compensation.  Any Council action on the proposal most likely would occur during budget deliberations in February 2012.

Emergency Preparedness

Fire Marshall and Emergency Manager Tom Polera advised the Council that the City’s emergency operations plan is in dire need of review.  “With reductions in staff there are capabilities [in the plan] that we just cannot perform,” Polera said.  “We may be only at one shift to perform [a service], so anything extending to a moderate to long term event would be critical for the City.”

Police Chief Harry Rietz agreed.  “The potential for our resources to be overwhelmed quickly in a very serious emergency is very real, simply because of the reduction of staffing,” he said.

Vice Mayor Dave Snyder suggested that if the city doesn’t have the staffing then it would have to look for citizens to work effectively with the staff that it has.  However, Polera said that the City’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) numbers have declined dramatically, from 20 t0 7 in the past year.  He added that the numbers also appear to be down in neighboring jurisdictions.

Snyder criticized the public information available following the August 23 earthquake.  “It’s not that the local governments aren’t doing their best, there’s no central point for message generation,” he said.   The chief responded that there was a grant funded regional effort underway to develop a Northern Virginia emergency response system.

The preparedness briefing gradually segued into a discussion of the September 8 flooding and the City’s response.  The Council agreed to schedule a town hall meeting on the topic of storm water management and emergency preparedness for Monday, October 17 at the Community Center at 7:00 pm.

Vice Mayor Snyder pointed out that there could be a significant cost for storm water improvements.  “If we want a higher level of performance it’s only fair to tell our citizens what it’s going to cost to get there and if people want to move more rapidly there’s a cost for that,” he said.   The mayor agreed that a community conversation was necessary.

Closed Session

The Council briefly discussed the budget calendar for FY 2013, then went into closed session on Child Development Center issues.

Video

The entire public work session can be viewd on the City website.

September 26, 2011

The Falls Church City Council this evening approved the first reading of an ordinance that would reduce the number of voting wards from five to three, but the vote was not unanimous.  Both Mayor Nader Baroukh and Councilwoman Robin Gardner opposed the measure, though for different reasons.

Ms. Gardner linked the matter to the issue of changing city election dates, which the Council first approved, then later reversed itself and called for the question to be resolved via a public referendum.

“I completely support the idea of what we’re trying to do here, but just because we have the ability to consolidate the wards doesn’t mean we have the right to,” she said.”  I don’t think it’s up to me, based on the decision of Council previously with regards to the election date.  I think this is something we should put out to the citizens of the community.”

Mayor Baroukh said the plan to improve service to voters was a worthwhile effort and complimented Registrar David Bjerke and the Electoral Board, but he questioned whether the action was a priority, given other pressing matters such as zoning, storm water management, and economic development.

“I’ve heard very loudly about other issues that the community feels that need to be resolved,” he said.  “This is extremely important and has to have a lot of education going forward, but the question is does it have to happen now, based on all our other priorities?  I’m not hearing that this is an issue for our voters right now.  This particular item is going to need a vast amount of education and effort.  Do we have the bandwith to do it?  I’m not sure.”

The other four members present had few reservations.

Councilman Ira Kaylin said he saw the matter as administrative, rather than political.  “I just don’t see this as such a colossal issue” he said.  “Falls Church has one of the most highly educated populations in the country.  Surely this isn’t going to overburden the citizenry to figure out that they have to go to a different polling place.”

Councilman Ron Peppe agreed.  “Changing the election date was fraught with all sorts of political considerations.  I don’t see how that compares to ‘Does somebody vote here or does somebody vote three blocks away?’ in a city that’s two miles wide.”

Councilwoman Johannah Barry called the proposal purely apolitical and said it would offer greater efficiency and effectiveness.  Councilman Lawrence Webb said he was supporting the measure on first reading, with the caveat that the officials provide a better rollout plan prior to the second vote.

If adopted on second reading, the ordinance would impact about half of the City’s voters.  Wards Three (Scout House) and Five (American Legion Hall) would be eliminated.  The plan would create three wards with nearly equal numbers of registered voters.

Other Business

The Council approved, 5-1, the first reading of a budget amendment that would use $36,000 of seized assets to purchase a police motorcycle, storage shed, and equipment.  Ms. Gardner opposed the ordinance, citing questions concerning future costs for operating the motorcycle.

The Council unanimously approved a resolution granting City employees an additional half day of holiday time the day before Thanksgiving, and an additional half day of holiday time for Christmas Eve, which will be taken on Friday, December 23.

Consent Items

The Council authorized the city manager to purchase of up to $150,000 in biodiesel fuel and to expend up to $185,000 to purchase water system meters and related equipment.

The following citizens were appointed to City or regional boards:

Kathryn Chandler to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board – 09/01/11 – 08/31/14
Hunter Kimble to the Post-Employment Benefits Finance Board – 07/01/11 – 06/30/13
Jeffrey Tarbert to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority – 10/01/11 – 09/30/15
Kieran Sharpe to the Fairfax Partnership for Youth – 07/01/11 – 06/30/13

City Manager’s Report

Mr. Shields said that he and Mr. Webb would attend the annual Municipal League conference next week.  Falls Church has won a Green Government Challenge Award for the fourth year in a row.  The award, which will be presented at the conference, cites the City’s excess trash collection and green fleet policies, its bio-fuel purchases, and walk-able schools initiatives.

The Property Yard Open House will be held on Saturday, October 1, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.

The City’s 23rd annual Fall Cleanup Day also will be held Saturday.  Citizens who have registered should report to the Community Center at 10:30 am.

Closed Session

At the end of the public meeting the Council entered into a closed session to discuss water system issues.

September 20, 2011

Falls Church CFO Richard La Condre advised the City Council yesterday evening that revenues for FY 2011 (July 2010 – June 2011) exceded estimates by $2.2 million.  He attributed the gain to increases in sales tax revenues, business licenses, and personal property and real estate taxes.

The higher revenues, combined with lower than anticipated expenses and unexpended grants, result in an increase of the City’s fund balance from by $4.1 million to $6.759 million.  The new balance is 10.2% of revenues.  The City’s goal is to raise the fund balance to its policy level of 12%.

La Condre said that he is cautiously optimistic, but that the surplus doesn’t necessarily translate into an economic turnaround.  The CFO estimated that inter-jurisdictional costs soon would increase 5% and contractor and utility costs 3%.

City Manager Wyatt Shields said that puts Falls Church in a “solid position” for the current fiscal year, but that FY 2013 is more uncertain.  He recommended devoting the gains to fund balance restoration.

Five Wards or Three?

The Council continued its discussion of a propsed ordinance that would reduce the number of voting wards from five to three.  Registrar David Bjerke and Board chair Margarette Shovlin briefed on the proposal, which was introduced at the September 6 work session.

The plan would close the Scout House (Ward 3) and the American Legion Hall (Ward 5) and leave the remaining wards with nearly equal numbers of registered voters.  Mr. Bjerke noted that since his staff is limited it would be more efficient to manage three wards, especially in case of an emergency, such as the recent earthquake on primary day.

While Thomas Jefferson School (Ward 1), Oakwood Apartments (Ward 2), and the Community Center (Ward 4) have good climate control, the Scout House does not, making it difficult for officials working a 16 hour day.  The building is also small, which sometimes forces voters to wait in lines outside the building.

Vice Mayor Dave Snyder said that he would like the public to receive more information on the proposal and recommended holding a town hall meeting before any action is taken.  Mayor Nader Baroukh and Councilwoman Robin Gardner concurred.  The mayor said that managing fewer wards makes sense, but stressed the need for a comprehensive implementation plan.

The City currently has 8,500 registered voters.  Virginia Code allows up to 5,000 in a single ward.  Ms. Shovlin said that around 3,700 Falls Church voters would be affected if the plan is approved.

Motorcycles May be Coming to FCPD

Police Chief Harry Reitze briefed the Council on a proposed ordinance that would allow the use of police-seized assets to purchase a motorcycle, a storage shed, and necessary equipment. The motorcycle would be used for traffic enforcement and calming and emergency response.  A second motorcycle may be obtained through a federal grant.

In response to a councilman’s question the chief said that the motorcycles used by the Sheriff Department are owned by individual deputies, so they cannot not be shared with the police.

Fiscal Policy Changes

The Council discussed a proposal that would update the City’s fiscal policies.  The most significant change calls for maintaining an unassigned fund balance of 17% of expenditures.  The proposal also recommends establishing capital reserves for the General Fund and the Water Fund.

A total of $10.5 million would be required for the reserves, $7.5 million for the General Fund, at the rate of $1 million per year beginning in FY 2013, and $3 million for the Water Fund in FY 2016.

Mr. Shields said that the objective is to move away from the happenstance of funding the Capital Improvements Program based on the status of the fund balance.  Mr. Snyder countered that he was concerned that the reserves would be built up only to be raided for something else.

September 15, 2011

The controversy over last month’s raid at the Eden Center continued yesterday as a group of protesters congregated outside Falls Church City Hall.  Inside, misdemeanor gambling charges against four defendants were dismissed by the prosecutor in General District Court after a fifth defendant was acquitted.

The protesters stood between American and South Vietnamese flags and behind a banner proclaiming “We Demand Equal Rights in Falls Church.”  Yesterday’s demonstration followed Monday evening’s City Council session during which Vietnamese-American business leaders and Eden Center patrons voiced their concerns over the conduct of Falls Church police during the August 11 raid and on other recent occasions.

The raid, organized and executed by the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, of which FCPD is a member, confiscated over $1 million in cash and 70 gambling devices valued at $200,000.  Police served felony search warrants at thirteen Eden Center restaurants and arrested nineteen people for various misdemeanor offenses, including gambling, fireworks, and ABC violations.

One suspect has since pleaded guilty to illegal gambling.  The remaining defendants have court dates either in October or November.

No felony arrests were made, but Task Force officials stated that several were pending.  The Task Force commander, Lt. Dan Hess of  Prince William County, said that the activity was controlled by a primarily Vietnamese-American gang known as the Dragon family, whose activities had “paralyzed the Eden Center community.”

Speakers at Monday’s meeting saw the action in a different light.  Several insisted that they had never heard of the Dragon gang and charged that subsequent media accounts of the raid had created a false and negative image of the Eden Center, resulting in a decline in business.

Attorney Due H. Tran called for increasing the dialogue between the Council and Center businesses and recommended community policing.  Other speakers cited incidents unrelated to the raid as examples of “over-policing” and alleged that the police did not have a good working relationship with the business owners and the Vietnamese community even before the raid.

During the meeting Mayor Nader Baroukh and other Council members declined comment on the raid and the ongoing investigation.  He said that the City was ready to meet with Eden Center officials to discuss matters such as tensions with the police.

The mayor said later that the Council and the City look forward to continuing their good relationship with Eden Center businesses. “The Center is an important part of the Falls Church community and we welcome the opportunity for more dialogue and cooperation,” said Mr. Baroukh.  “In addition, public safety for residents and visitors will continue to be a high priority at the Eden Center and throughout Falls Church.”

In a statement released yesterday evening, Falls Church City Chief of Police Harry Reitze said that his department is committed to providing a safe environment for all who live, work or visit.

“FCPD has practiced Community Policing at the Eden Center since its founding, with placement of an on-site field office and foot patrols which strengthens information sharing,” he said.  “FCPD has a long-standing, sound relationship with the Eden Center, and has been asked on occasion to increase it patrols and to enforce violations of smoking, gambling and other activities.”

The chief added that FCPD has been asked many times by businesses and Eden Center management to ban people from the Center who may violate the law.  ”FCPD will continue to work with the Eden Center management and business owners to maintain a safe and welcoming environment,” he concluded.

A tape of Monday’s Council session is available here. The speakers’ comments concerning the Eden Center begin at 00.23.20.