Housing Corp Emergency Request for $1 Million Dominates City Council Meeting

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

July 27, 2010

An item not on the published agenda became the highlight of last night’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council – the Falls Church Housing Corporation’s  request for immediate access to $1 million to save the “McKeever” office building and parking garage, which in turn is necessary for “The Wilden” affordable housing project.  

According to those in attendance at last night’s meeting, financing is still lacking for the McKeever project four days before a crucial July 31 deadline.   

The McKeever and Wilden projects were approved in March by the previous City Council as a joint package.  Because of their close ties, if one project fails, the other likely also will fail.  The Falls Church Housing Corporation (FCHC) has told the City Council that unless financing for both projects is secured by the end of this month, the housing organization will miss out on essential federal and state affordable housing monies intended for the Wilden.     

Originally, the Wilden was to be built by the FCHC and its partner The Community Builders, and the McKeever was to be built by “Flower Building” owner Bob Young.  According to discussions last night, however, Young’s  project appears to lack necessary funding, putting both projects at risk.  To avoid missing its July 31 deadline, FCHC has proposed that it buy the property upon which Young’s building would stand, relieving Young of that obligation and allowing the  McKeever project – and hence the Wilden project – to go forward.  To allow it to buy the property underlying the McKeever project, FCHC is asking the City Council to let it use $1 million of a $2 million loan intended for the Wilden, and to provide the $1 million immediately. 

The FCHC currently owns the site of the Wilden project at 350 S. Washington Street.  The McKeever project is planned for the adjacent property at 360 S. Washington, currently owned by the estate of local businessman Thomas Sawner, who died last week.  Young signed documents earlier this year indicating his intent to purchase the Sawner property, but the sale has not been finalized.

Last night Mayor Nader Baroukh began the discussion of the FCHC’s request for early payment of  $1 million with a number of questions to City staff.  Included among Baroukh’s questions was why there now is a shortage of $1 million, where funds to cover the gap would come from, why the FCHC was facing a July 31 deadline, and what would be the potential financial impact on the City if it approves the FCHC’s request but the McKeever project is not built concurrently with The Wilden.  He also inquired regarding the status of $2 million in Capital Improvements Program funds set aside for affordable housing and asked for a report on the potential risk to the City, given revised financing arrangements.  

Answers to the mayor’s questions weren’t immediately available, but other Council members were not hesitant to express their opinions on the topic.

Former mayor Robin Gardner, who advised that she had learned of FCHC’s concerns only last Wednesday night, viewed the proposed change in the loan agreement as essentially an amendment to the previously approved resolution; i.e., that instead of funding the $2 million at a later point the City would fund half of the money sooner. 

New members Ira Kaylin and Johannah Barry saw things differently.  Mr. Kaylin called the change ”a new proposal, in terms of its financial complexity.”  Ms. Barry concurred, stating “This lack of financial planning is not our crisis.  Though it looks as if we’re shifting distribution dates, in fact this puts the City at a much higher financial risk, instead of the third or fourth contributor to this process we’ve become capital investors, the first in line.” 

Vice Mayor Dave Snyder referenced a statement from The Community Builders, the FCHC’s partner in the project, which claimed that the risk to the City had not increased.  He observed that although there are risks to the City in proceeding, there are also risks in not doing so.  Councilman Ron Peppe agreed with Mr. Snyder and pointed out that the Council had previously endorsed the project by a 6-1 vote.  

Mayor Baroukh, who cast the lone negative vote in the Council’s March 6-1 approval of the Wilden, stated that he did not know why the matter was being raised ”at the 11th hour” and said the change was not what he would call a minor amendment.  “This has some significant implications on some text that took hours upon hours to work through, but now we’re only going to have a few days to fully assess this.”  

One key question will be how the diversion of $1 million from the Wilden to the McKeever project would affect construction of the Wilden, and whether FCHC has identified a source for replacement of the $1 million. 

At press time only the agenda for Thursday’s meeting had been posted on the City’s website.  The primary documents regarding the FCHC’s request were not available.  A link will be added to this story when the documents are posted.  

Late Monday night Councilmen Lawrence Webb and Ron Peppe each told the Falls Church Times by email that they were awaiting more information before forming a position on FCHC’s request.  Councilwoman Gardner said she did know her position, but due to the lateness of the hour, would provide that information along with a comment on the matter on Tuesday.   

Inquiries to FCHC and Young regarding the matter were sent late Monday night after the City Council meeting concluded.  Information received will be made available when received.  

At the request of Gardner and Pepper, the Council has schedule a special meeting Thursday night for consideration of the FCHC request.  The Council is expected to vote at that time on whether to grant the FCHC’s request for early receipt of $1 million. 

On a separate matter, the GEORGE bus service, which was the primary item on last night’s Council agenda, did not receive a lengthy discussion.  Two residents spoke in support of the system and one in favor of its termination.  Mayor Baroukh asked the public to offer their views via email before the Council’s work session next Monday. 

Five options for GEORGE have been under consideration.  Mr. Snyder suggested adding an option of reducing service hours on 26E, while still retaining some rush hour trips on 26W.  The vice mayor also encouraged Gary LaPorta of the Chamber of Commerce, who spoke in favor of the service, to offer recommendations as to how the bus could be used as an economic development tool.  

The Council unanimously approved second reading of a change in the City code to allow the use of photo monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals.  Police Chief Harry Reitze stated that the department was still pushing for installation of two enforcement systems by early fall but could not offer a specific date. 

Ms. Gardner reported that she and City Manager Wyatt Shields had attended Monday’s memorial service for local developer Thomas Sawner.  She expressed regret that Falls Church had only known him for a short time and praised “the amount of giving he gave to his community.”

In his report to the Council Mr. Shields stated that 130 people dropped off hazardous materials during last Saturday’s collection event.

MAN ABOUT TOWN: Can’t Take the Heat?

By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Falls Church Times Columnist

July 26, 2010

This is getting ridiculous. First, just six months ago, we get Buffalo NY-like snowstorms, and now we’re getting Miami-like heat.

Back in the day, people moved out to Falls Church for the summer to escape the Washington heat.

But how could it be any worse in Washington than here?

As I write this on a Sunday afternoon, we finally got a brief but powerful rainstorm. Normally, those kind of summer storms drop the temperature a good 15 degrees.

But at 5 p.m., according to the TJ Elementary weather station which I get over the Internet on Weatherbug, the temperature is still 96 degrees. Before the storm it was 98. Yes, in the shade.

Worse, the storm caused a tree to fall on my daughter’s boyfriend’s parents’ house in Broadmont.  The damage is even worse than it looks — and all for just 2 degrees of relief.

– — –

Read more

CITY MEETINGS: July 26 – 30

Monday 7/26: City Council.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents  (click “Read More” to access link).

Tuesday 7/27:  School Board Work Session.  Council Chamber, 6:30 pm.  

Regular School Board Meeting.  Council Chamber, 9:00 pm.  

Wednesday 7/28:  No meetings scheduled.  

Thursday 7/29:  City Council.  Special meeting, Council Chamber, 7:00 pm.  Agenda and documents.  

Friday 7/30: No meetings scheduled.

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.

Council to Hold Special Meeting on Financing of The Wilden

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

July 24, 2010

The Falls Church City Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday evening, July 29, to discuss the financing of the 66 unit senior affordable housing project at 350 S. Washington Street, known as The Wilden.

The Council voted 6-1 on March 22 to approve a $2 million loan for the project, which is a joint venture of the Falls Church Housing Corporation (FCHC) and its partner, The Community Builders.  Councilman (now mayor) Nader Baroukh cast the sole negative vote.  The Planning Commission approved the project’s site plan on May 17, also by a 6-1 vote, with only chairman John Lawrence dissenting.

One of the conditions of the loan is that financing for an adjacent office building at 360 S. Washington, to be named The McKeever, must be secured and that that structure be under construction prior to the release of funds.  According to the meeting notice, the Council will discuss an amendment to the specific section of the loan agreement (Paragraph 12, sub-paragraph A) that concerns this condition.

The McKeever building, which will provide approximately 39 parking spaces for residents of The Wilden, is a project of local developer Bob Young.  Some sources indicated previously that Mr. Young had acquired the present building at 360 S. Washington.  However, the City’s listing of available commercial space shows that the building is still on the market for $3.3 million (see Page 30).

360 S. Washington was owned by Thomas Sawner, who had signed a non-binding letter of intent to rent office space in The McKeever.  However, Mr. Sawner died on July 11 and his passing might delay or complicate any subsequent transactions.

A more immediate concern is that the FCHC faces a July 31 deadline to file for essential Virginia Housing Development Authority credits.  This submission must include evidence that the requisite financing has been obtained for construction of The McKeever, because that building will provide the necessary garage space for The Wilden.

Special meetings may be held at the request of at least two members of the seven member Council.  The July 29 meeting was requested by Council members  Robin Gardner and Ron Peppe.

The last such meeting was convened in December 2009 on account of a snow emergency.

Thursday’s meeting will be held in the Council chamber at 7 p.m.  The meeting notice and copies of the March 22 resolution and the related loan agreement are available for review at the City’s website.

OPINION: Congratulations Mr. Benton – AND Mayor Baroukh

By STAN FENDLEY

July 23, 2010

This week the Falls Church News-Press printed edition number 1,000.  That is quite a feat.  Those of us involved in the Falls Church Times can tell you that it’s a lot of work to put together even an online publication.  A hard copy newspaper is a much bigger operation, and doing it 1,000 weeks in a row is an accomplishment to be proud of.

In this week’s edition, FCNP publisher Nick Benton includes two lengthy pieces about the paper’s history and his reflections on the meaning of a free press.  First, in a story entitled “1,000 Wednesday Nights at the Mighty News-Press,” Mr. Benton relates how the paper began and who helped him along the way.  It’s an interesting story, particularly in light of the fact that newspaper economics no longer work in many cases, causing paper after paper to shutter in recent years.

Mr. Benton started the paper in 1991.  The headline of his first edition was “Rancorous Public Hearing on School Cuts, Tax Increase” – one he could have re-used this spring.

With obvious delight, Mr. Benton writes that when the printer’s wheels began to turn on that first edition, “I began to bellow above the din of the press, ‘Let every tyrant tremble!  The free press is the voice of the people in defense of liberty and freedom everywhere!’”

And he notes that after staying up all night to finish the first edition, he looked outside to see “that the cherry trees lining N. Virginia Avenue [near his office] had blossomed into their full pink radiance.”

“It was a sign,” he said.

Mr. Benton started the FCNP in a small office behind the Exxon station at Broad and North Virginia.  He planned for the paper to be a monthly or bi-weekly publication, but started the second edition immediately after putting out the first one, giving birth to a weekly.

In Mr. Benton’s editorial this week, “A Celebration of the First Amendment,” he speaks to the importance of a free press and his role in it, mentioning a variety of figures including First Amendment author George Mason, White House correspondent Helen Thomas, and recently fired-and-rehired USDA employee Shirley Sherrod.  He goes on to note a number of public officials who accepted his invitation to sign a congratulatory ad that appears in this week’s FCNP, saying “The elected officials have every reason to affirm these things.”

Mr. Benton goes too far, however, when he reports that newly-elected Mayor Nader Baroukh declined the invitation to sign the ad – and pointedly contrasts him with other public officials who did sign the ad.

According to Benton, Mayor Baroukh’s reason for declining to lend his name to the ad was, “As an elected official I should not be in the business of congratulating the media on what it does or does not do.”

I believe Baroukh is right.

Although Baroukh was quickly criticized by former Mayor Robin Gardner and former Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry for not supporting a local business, it is important to remember that the media is not just another business.  Its business is reporting news and opining on it — most importantly, the news of government.  The media influences government action, and unabashedly so.

As a result, the media can be extremely powerful.  The adage, “Don’t pick fights with people who buy ink by the barrel” is a wise reminder that the person who controls public information wields great power.  This is very relevant in Falls Church City, where Mr. Benton is the only person whose words touch every doorstep in town.  By the mere reach of those words, he is arguably the most influential person in Falls Church City.  And the fact that he would report Baroukh’s decision not to lend his name to a congratulatory ad indicates Mr. Benton’s willingness to use his influence.

That the press is powerful is not necessarily a bad thing.  Its power is necessary in order to offset the power of government.  But – and here is the thing — in order for the media and the government to work properly, they cannot become too cozy.  Government officials kowtowing to the press or vice versa could be a disastrous thing for democracy.

In my view, the FCNP’s ad has the feel of kowtowing.  It is one thing for community members to congratulate Mr. Benton, but it is another when a group of public officials, who may at any time receive the sting of his lash, line up to congratulate him.  Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable, and I think Mayor Baroukh was wise to decline the offer.    Yes, it is part of his job to promote local businesses, but a much more important part of his job is maintaining the proper relationship between institutions, particularly those upon which a democratic system depends.

Therefore, I believe two congratulations are in order.  Mr. Benton is to be congratulated for his remarkable run of a 1,000 weeks of newspapers.  And Mayor Baroukh is to be congratulated for his mindfulness of the appropriate line between government and the media.  May they both continue to do their jobs well.

A Triumph in Cherry Hill Park

By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Falls Church Times Columnist

July 23, 2010

He did not disappoint. And despite the summer heat, the crowds came to Cherry Hill Park last night to hear hometown favorite Tom Principato’s third annual performance in the City’s “Concerts in the Park” summer series.

Inspired by having recently finished a two-year project recording a new album, Principato seemed especially fired up last night.

The enthusiasm was infectious, and his backup conga, bass, and drum players gave phenomenal performances as well.

Early on, Master of Ceremonies Gordon Theisz announced that the crowd numbered about 450. It must have hit 500 at the peak.

That’s a big number for any event in Falls Church other than Memorial Day.

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Free to a Good Home

Three cats and three 6-month old kittens are looking for a good home in the Falls Church area. They were born wild, but have been tamed and are good with humans. All but one of the cats gets along with other animals. Another cat will have kittens in the coming weeks. If interested in giving one or more of these cats a good and loving home, please contact Andrew Finein by email at afinein@gmail.com

SATURDAY 7/24: Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The City is hosting the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Property Yard, 7100 Gordon Road.

Household hazardous waste refers to used or leftover contents of consumer products that contain materials with one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste: toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive. Household hazardous wastes, such as cleaners, automotive fluids, herbicides, pesticides, oil-based paints, and thinners should not be disposed with regular trash. Improper disposal of even a small amount of hazardous waste can have major adverse impacts on our air, water, and soil and may result in death or serious bodily injury.

The safest way for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste is to bring it to one of the City’s collection events or to the permanent collection facility in Fairfax County, free of charge. (The City’s fee to dispose of residential refuse at the Fairfax County Transfer Station entitles City residents to use the Fairfax County Facility.) The household hazardous waste is disposed or recycled according to local, state and federal regulations.

Items marked “YES” in the second column may be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Permanent Collection Site or to a Collection Event.

Material Accepted at HHW Collection

or Permanent Facility? Additional Instructions

Acids YES

Aerosol sprays YES

Ammunition or explosives NO Call the City Police Department 703-241-5053

Automotive: gasoline, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil YES* *diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil may be recycled in the used motor oil area of the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax)

Batteries: alkaline (A, AA, C, D etc.), carbon zinc NO Dispose of alkaline and carbon zinc batteries in the regular trash

Batteries: button (hearing aid and watch), rechargeable (NiCd, Ni-MH, Li-ion) YES Rechargeable batteries may also be taken to the collection box under the Police Dispatch window in City Hall

Batteries: Lead acid (SSLA, Pb), including vehicle (car, boat, motorcycle) YES* Recycle at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax)

Bathroom and kitchen cleaning products:ammonia based cleaners, drain cleaners, most bathroom cleaners NO Pour ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners and most bathroom cleaners down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains or on the ground.

Cleaning products: polishes, rust removers, floor care products YES

Coal tar products (driveway, foundation and roof sealers) YES

Compressed gas cylinders NO Return to point of purchase. Also see “Gas Propane Tanks.”

Computers, TVs and Electronics NO Bring them to a City of Falls Church Recycling Extravaganza or a Fairfax County Event.

Creosote products (wood treatment products, wood sealers) YES

Fireworks and Flares NO Dispose of legal fireworks and flares in trash after first soaking in water. Contact the Fire Department, 703-221-0106, regarding illegal fireworks.

Fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and compact) YES

Gas propane tanks, small hand-type torches YES* *Tanks up to 20 pounds such as those used on gas grills may be recycled at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax) for a fee.

*Return to point of purchase. Tanks over 20 pounds are not accepted at the Permanent Collection Facility.

Glue, solvent-based YES

Glue, water-based NO Dispose of in the trash.

Home renovation: varnish and stains, driveway sealers YES Also see “Paint”

Inks and dyes YES

Medicines NO DO NOT flush unused medicines down the toilet. NEVER pour products down storm drains or dump on the ground. Throw unwanted medicines in the trash. Cross out your name and phone number, duct-tape the container closed and place in the trash as close to collection time as possible. Do not put containers containing medicine in the recycling. Also see “Syringes, needles and other medical sharps”.

Mercury products YES

Moth balls YES

Nail polish, nail polish remover YES

Oven cleaner YES

Paint, latex (water-based) NO DRY latex paint may be safely disposed of in the regular trash. To dry the paint, add sand, kitty litter, or a paint hardener to the can. Place dry paint cans next to your trash can on collection day. NEVER leave wet paint out for collection.

Paint, oil-based and paint thinner YES

Photographic mixes NO Diluted developers, fixers, etc. can be poured down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains.

Poisons YES

Pool chemicals YES

Radioactive materials NO

See Fairfax County’s list of Hazardous Waste Disposal Companies under Business Hazardous Waste.

Shoe Polish NO Dispose of in the trash.

Smoke alarms NO Dispose of in the trash or send back to the manufacturer. Recycle rechargeable batteries contained inside. Also see “Batteries, rechargeable.”

Syringes, needles and other medical sharps NO Dispose of in the trash after placing them in an empty jar with screw-on lid or a soda bottle with a screw-on lid. Mark the container “residential sharps.”

Yard care products: fertilizers (lawn and garden, tree spikes) NO Dispose of in the trash. NEVER put products down storm drains.

Yard care products: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, weed killers YES

Permanent Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility

4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA

703-324-5068 (TTY 711)

Directions: take I-66 west to Route 50 west. Continue west and then go south on West Ox Road. Located on the right, just past the county’s Fire Training Academy and before Costco.

Hours of Operation

Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Waste should not be left at the facility at any other time.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

City of Falls Church Recycling Center and Property Yard (217 Gordon Road) 703-248-5176 (TTY 711)

Directions: Heading west on Route 7, go through the traffic light at Birch Street and turn left onto Gordon Road. The Property Yard is on the right. Gordon Road is directly across from the West Falls Shopping Center (Giant) and next to the Don Beyer Volvo Dealer on Route 7.

Next Event: July 24, 2010, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Procedures for Packing and Transporting Household Hazardous Waste

• Keep products in their original containers. Do not mix products. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. Label materials that are not in their original containers.

• Place leaking containers in a larger, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

• Secure products upright in a cardboard box. Do not transport products in plastic bags.

• Transport products in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. Ensure adequate ventilation if transported in car passenger compartment.

• Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, spark, flame or ignition. Do not smoke.

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