June 8, 2011

Developers of the proposed Hilton Garden Inn (706 W. Broad St.) presented a revised design to members of the City Council and the Planning Commission at Monday evening’s joint work session.  The officials, who were not impressed with an earlier rendering on May 17, seemed more content with the latest design. 

The elevation on W. Broad St. now features a flat rather than a triangular roof.  A secondary entrance has been added on the parking deck.  Signs now are smaller.  Dumpsters will be situated in an enclosure at the edge of the parking garage along Oak St.  However, the structure now is rated LEED Standard (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) instead of LEED Silver. 

Council members looked forward to the promise of $540,000 in anticipated tax revenue and the 2,500 square feet of meeting space on the hotel’s second floor.  Presently the City has no comparable conference center.  The hotel’s space can be divided into up to three separate conference rooms.

Vice Mayor Snyder asked that the developers establish and maintain close contact with neighborhood representatives throughout the construction process.  He also said he would like some continuing security presence at the hotel.      

The project will be up for first reading at next Monday’s Council session.  After the expected approval, the design will be referred to other boards and commissions for review.  Various elevations of the new design for the hotel are available here.

Drive Through Zoning Change  -  The Council and the Commission also discussed an ordinance which would shift responsibility for the approval of special use permits for drive through facilities from the Board of Zoning Appeals to the Planning Commission.  As this is a land use issue, rather than one of dimensions (such as setbacks), the Commission is seen as better suited to conduct the appropriate reviews.  The BZA has advised it is willing to relinquish authority. 

Solid Waste Fees  -  The Council alone then was briefed on the coming implementation of new solid waste charges.  The cost of yard waste stickers for 30 gallon bags is scheduled to increase from $.50 to $1.00.  There will be a $1.00 fee for each bag of excess refuse.  Fees for special collection services also will rise.

City engineer Bill Hicks reported that most citizens who commented on the topic at the recent town hall meeting either were supportive or neutral.  He said that a survey of 78 houses found that only 3%  put out excess refuse.

Staffer Kathy Allan noted that a May 25 survey conducted on 11 streets found that 20% of the houses had put out yard waste bags.  However, many of the bags contained either sticks which can be bundled and not subject to a fee, or grass clippings which the staff advocates leaving on lawns as natural organic fertilizer.   She estimated that nearly 40% of what was put out could have avoided a fee.

Financial Policy  -  The Council briefly reviewed possible financial policy changes with CFO Richard La Condre.  Topics for an upcoming review include the following:

1. Fund Balance
2. Capital Replacement – Infrastructure
3. Capital Replacement – Vehicles and Equipment
4. Capital Investment – Expansion
5. Revenue Stabilization
6. Revenue Policy Related to School Transfer

Mr. Snyder emphasized that he did not want policies in place that set expectations which could not be met and stressed the importance of the fund balance.  “I  want a fund balance that meets our standards and objectives and gives us a pulpit  when we go for long-term financing that we are managing things in a constructive way” he said. 

Mr. Kaylin concurred but added that Falls Church’s over-reliance on real estate taxes necessitated greater protection of the fund balance, a situation he did not see changing without economic development.  “I don’t think we’re sufficiently diversified [financially] to handle the risks we face” he added. 

The policy standards will be discussed by the Council/School Board liaison group tomorrow night and also referred to the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.  Mr. Shields said a status report on the policy revisions should be available by the first work session in August.

Child Development Center Task Force  -  Ms. Gardner urged that the task force be formed and set to work quickly, as the issue is supposed to be resolved by July 8.  According to Mr. Shields the task force has a draft statement of work but formal membership has not been established.  Ms. Gardner said she would be willing to serve as a member.  The Council will discuss the task force further at next Monday’s session.  

A video of the work session is available at the City website.

Monday6/6: City Council and Planning Commission Joint Work Session.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Planning Commission.  Council Chamber, approx. 8:30 pm.  Agenda and documents. 

Tuesday 6/7:  Economic Development Authority.  Dogwood Room, 7:00 pm. 

Special Education Advisory Committee.  Mad Fox Restaurant, 444 W. Broad St., 7:00 pm.

Wednesday 6/8: City Council Appointments Committee.  Administrative Conference Room, 7;15 pm. 

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation.  CANCELLED.  

Thursday 6/9: Child Safety Community Meeting.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  News release.

Friday 6/10: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 5/30: No meetings scheduled. 

Tuesday 5/31: City Council Work Session.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Wednesday 6/1: Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.  Falls Church Community Center, 7:00 pm.

Architectural Advisory Board.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.

Thursday 6/2: Long Range Financial Working Group.  Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

LEAPFROG Meeting.  Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Library.  7:30 pm

Friday 6/3: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 5/23: City Council.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents. 

Tuesday 5/24: School Board Work Session.  Council Chamber, 7:00 am.

Regular School Board Meeting.  Council Chamber, 8:00 pm.

Wednesday 5/25: ESOL Advisory Committee.  Central Office Conference Room, 800 W. Broad St., 6:30 pm.

Thursday 5/26: Community Forum on TJ Expansion/Renovation.  Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Cafeteria, 7:00 pm.

Historic Architectural Review Board.  Administrative Conference Room, 7:30 pm. 

Friday 5/27:  City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 5/16: City Council Budget and Finance Committee.  Oak Room, 4:00 pm.

City Council and Planning Commission.  Joint Work Session. Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.  

Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee. Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:30 pm.

Planning Commission.  Council Chamber, after above work session, approximately 7:45 pm.

Tuesday 5/17: Electoral Board.  Oak Room, 8:00 am.

Housing Commission.  Dogwood Room, 6:00 pm.

School Board Work Session.  Council Chamber, 7:00 pm.

Regular School Board Meeting.  Council Chamber, 8:00 pm. 

Wednesday 5/18: Extended Day Care Advisory Board.  Thomas Jefferson School Day Care Trailer, 7:00 pm.

Town Hall Meeting on Solid Waste and Recycling.  Community Center, 7:30 pm.

LEAPFROG Meeting.  Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:30 pm.

Library Board.  Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 7:30 pm.

Thursday 5/19: Retirement Board.  Laurel Room, 6:00 pm.

Human Services Advisory Commission.  Oak Room, 6:45 pm.

Joint Meeting.  Family Life Education Advisory Committee and School Health Advisory Board.  Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Library, 7:30 pm.

Long Range Financial Working Group.  Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

Friday 5/20: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 5/2: Special Education Advisory Committee.  Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:00 pm.

Council Work Session.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Planning Commission. Council Chamber, 7:45 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Tuesday 5/3: Economic Development Authority.  Dogwood Room, 7:00 pm. 

Wednesday 5/4: Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.  Falls Church Community Center, 7:00 pm.

Architectural Advisory Board.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.

Thursday 5/5:  Long Range Financial Working Group. Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

Friday 5/6: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 4/22: City Council Meeting.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Tuesday 4/23: Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Calming Committee.  Field visit, 6:30 pm.  Training Room, 7:30 pm.

School Board Work Session.  Council Chamber, 7:00 pm.

Regular School Board Meeting.  Council Chamber, 8:00 pm.

Wednesday 4/27: ESOL Advisory Committee.  800 W. Broad St., Suite 203, 6:30 pm.  

Thursday 4/28:  Joint Meeting.  Family Life Education Committee and School Health Advisory Board.  Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7:30 pm.

Friday 4/29: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 4/18: City Council Work Session.  CANCELLED.  

Planning Commission.  CANCELLED.

Tuesday 4/19: No meetings scheduled. 

Wednesday 4/20: Library Board of Trustees.  Mary Riley Styles Library, 7:30 pm.

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation.  Planning Conference Room, 7:30 pm.

Thursday 4/21: City Council Work Session.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.

Long Range Financial Working Group.  Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

Environmental Services Commission.  Birch Room, 7:30 pm.

Human Services Advisory Commission.  CANCELLED.  

Friday 4/22: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 4/11: Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee.  Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:30 pm.

Tuesday 4/12: Electoral Board.  Oak Room, 8:00 am.

Falls Church Housing Commission.  Oak Room, 6:30 pm.

School Board Work Session.  Council Chamber, 7:00 pm.

Regular School Board Meeting.  Council Chamber, 8:00 pm.

City Council Work Session.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda. 

Wednesday 4/13: City Advisory Committee on Transportation.  Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

City Council Appointments Committee. 7:30 pm.

Thursday 4/14: City Council Work Session.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Friday 4/15: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Saturday 4/16:  Town Hall Meeting on FY 12 Budget.  Falls Church Community Center, 10:00 am.  Agenda.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 4/4: Special Education Advisory Committee.  Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:00 pm.

Joint City Council, School Board, Planning Commission Work Session.  Dogwood Room, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Planning Commission.  Council Chamber, 8:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Tuesday 4/5: Economic Development Authority.  Dogwood Room, 7:00 pm. 

LEAPFROG Meeting.  Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:00 pm.

Wednesday 4/6: Architectural Advisory Board.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.

Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.  Time and venue not stated.

Thursday 4/7: Long Range Financial Working Group.  Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

Friday 4/8: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall. Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.