PRAB Regular Meeting

Presented

• 1
  Call to Order · Meeting called to order by Chair Sarah Ross at 7:03 p.m.
• 4
  Presentations/Introductions · New ESC/PRAB liaison Pat Zook was welcomed. New Fairfax City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dustin Wright was introduced.
• 5a
  Stakeholder Update – Commission on the Arts · Anne McMorrow was absent; no update provided.
• 5b
  Stakeholder Update – Environmental Sustainability Committee · Rusty Russell reported that the Urban Forest Master Plan was adopted by City Council.

  • Urban Forest Master PlanapprovedwikiThe Urban Forest Master Plan was adopted by City Council; Rusty Russell expressed anticipation of its benefits to the city.
• 5c
  Stakeholder Update – NOVA Parks · Douglas Stewart reported that NOVA Parks and Dominion Energy have reached a new non-binding agreement for vegetation management along the W&OD trail between Vienna and Dunn Loring, including replanting, coordination on future maintenance, and invasive plant reduction.

  • NOVA Parksin progressNOVA Parks and Dominion Energy reached a new non-binding agreement for managing vegetation along the W&OD corridor, including replanting in areas previously clear-cut and establishing practices to reduce invasive plants and support pollinators. A CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. submission for NOVA Parks regional pay per person in the City was included.
• 5d
  Stakeholder Update – Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. · Matt Rice reported on two recent Planning Commission meetings, CIP recommendations for Willard Sherwood and KJMS fields, two proposed developments at Courthouse Plaza, and the designation of five activity centers (Old Town, Northfax, Kamp Washington, Fairfax Circle, and Pickett Rd/Main St) for zoning review. Two vacancies on the Planning Commission were noted.

  • Courthouse Plazain progresswikiTwo proposed developments at Courthouse Plaza were reviewed at the most recent Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. meeting.
  • Old Townin progressOld Town was designated by the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. as one of five activity centers requiring special attention and zoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. review for mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development.
  • Northfaxin progressNorthfax was designated by the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. as one of five activity centers requiring special attention and zoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. review for mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development.
  • Kamp WashingtonKamp Washington was designated by the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. as one of five activity centers requiring special attention and zoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. review for mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development.
  • Fairfax CircleFairfax Circle was designated by the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. as one of five activity centers requiring special attention and zoningZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. review for mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development.
  • Willard Sherwoodin progressThe Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. made strong CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. recommendations for the Willard Sherwood project at its January 12th meeting, with staff member Stacey presenting. A Willard Sherwood presentation was given to Council including a cost-recovery model with three revenue streams: increasing fitness classes, charging for fitness center use, and charging for building space rentals.
• 5e
  Stakeholder Update – School Board · Amit Hickman was absent; no update provided.
• 5f
  Stakeholder Update – Senior Center · Chuck Paceley reported that the Craft and Vendor Market is planned for April 11th and an open house is scheduled for February 13th at the Senior Center.

  • Senior CenterAn open house event was announced for February 13th (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) and a Craft and Vendor Market is planned for April 11th.
• 5g
  Stakeholder Update – Student Representative · Madeline Clary was present but had no update.
• 5h
  Community Member Updates · Diana Gibson reported on Solid Waste Management Plan participation, an Arbor Day youth poetry contest, Accotink Creek water monitoring, VAAEE certification progress, and a spring break nature camp. Kelly O'Brien reported on the Asian Festival on Main (May 17th), including a request to expand by one block and over 250 vendor applications received.

  • Arbor DayDiana Gibson reported working with Sophia Chapin at the New School to create a youth poetry contest for Arbor Day, with a winner from each city school.
  • Accotink CreekDiana Gibson and her students at the New School are continuing to monitor salt and nitrate levels in Accotink Creek.
  • Asian Festival on MainKelly O'Brien reported that the Asian Festival on Main is scheduled for May 17th; the Old Town Fairfax Business Association is requesting to expand the festival by one block and over 250 vendor applications have been received.
• 6a
  Old Business – Thaiss Park · Construction update provided: work was paused due to snow but the site is fully open again; roofing materials were delivered; substantial completion date extended to end of April; fields will not open this spring with other amenities; PO for Bermuda grass mower created; two EV charging stations to be added with remaining ARPA funds (project is under budget).

  • Thaiss Parkin progressConstruction resumed after a snow delay; roofing materials delivered; substantial completion extended to end of April; two EV charging stations added with remaining ARPA funds as project is under budget.
• 6b
  Old Business – Parks Foundation · Janet and Mark are continuing work on the 1023 application. The board is working on transferring existing funds from the Legacy for Fairfax account to the Parks Foundation bank account; funds earmarked for Special Events, the Giving Tree, and Sherwood maintenance may help offset HVAC replacement costs at Sherwood.

  • Parks Foundationin progressWork continues on the 501(c)(3) application (Form 1023) and on transferring earmarked funds from the Legacy for Fairfax account; Sherwood maintenance funds are being considered to offset HVAC replacement costs.
  • Sherwood Community CenterapprovedUse of Parks Foundation Legacy for Fairfax funds earmarked for Sherwood maintenance is being considered to help offset the cost of a total HVAC replacement, as the current system is nearing end of life. The Sherwood Community Center expansion CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. item is now adopted; an HVAC system update was also submitted as a separate CIP item.
• 7a
  New Business – Summary of Recent Council Meeting Actions Pertaining to Parks and Recreation · Board was briefed on: a Black History Month reception and proclamation on February 10th; the old Showmobile donated to the Town of Vienna (passed consent agenda); a Willard Sherwood presentation to Council including a cost-recovery model with three revenue streams; and the official cancellation of the George Snyder Trail.

  • Black History MonthA Black History Month reception and proclamationProclamationA ceremonial statement recognizing a person, group, or occasion. No legal effect. was held on February 10th.
  • George Snyder TraildeniedwikiThe George Snyder Trail project has been officially cancelled.

  Willard Sherwoodin progress
• 7b
  New Business – CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. Update · Staff presented the list of CIP submissions for the upcoming budget year, including Green Acres improvements, Old Town Hall FF&E, Old Town Square improvements, Neighborhood Parks Facelift, NOVA Parks regional pay, Van Dyck Park Master Plan (design deadline pushed to FY28), Sherwood Community Center expansion (now adopted), playground equipment replacement, security camera installation (starting FY27), paving, Sherwood HVAC update, Blenheim Blvd Tunnel Lights, Stalnaker Field turf replacement, KJM fields (lighted turf, parking, bathrooms, track), and Barker House Assessment.

  • CIP Updatein progressStaff presented CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. submissions for the upcoming budget year covering 15 items across parks, facilities, and trails.
  • Old Town Hallin progressOld Town Hall FF&E replacement (tables, chairs, portable stage, piano, A/V equipment) was submitted as a CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. item.
  • Van Dyck Parkin progressThe Van Dyck Park Master Plan design deadline was pushed to FY28 in the CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. submission.
  • Blenheim BlvdA CIPCapital improvement programThe multi-year budget for big physical projects: roads, buildings, parks, utilities. item for Blenheim Blvd Tunnel Lights—installing lights in the tunnel—was submitted.

  Sherwood Community CenterapprovedNOVA Parksin progress
• 8
  Parks and Recreation Department Report · No details recorded in the minutes.
• 9
  Matters of the Members · No details recorded in the minutes.
• 10
  Upcoming Meetings · Next meeting: Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, Work Session Room.
• 11
  Adjournment · Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.