City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting
What was decided
- 4watch 197:35Adoption of the agenda
Approved 5-0 with an amendment to add item 4a (consideration of actions arising from the work session on trail projects) immediately after adoption of the agenda. Councilmember Bates was absent for this vote.
Passed, unanimous · 2 motions on this itemDiscussed for 4m · also names Country Club Hills Connector Trail, George Snyder Trail · read the transcript
- 4awatch 201:45Consideration of actions arising from the work session pertaining to various city trail projects
Three motions passed: (1) the city will submit a revised alignment concept sketch for the George Snyder Trail to VDOT, approved 6-0; (2) all actions on the Pickett Trail are paused to examine alternatives, approved 4-2; (3) all actions on the Country Club Hills Connector Trail are terminated, approved 6-0.
Passed, unanimous · 3 motions on this itemUntil the next chapter, names Meals Tax ×14, FY 2026 Budget ×2, Stormwater Utility ×2, City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan, Fire Station, Restaurant Week · read the transcript
- 7anot chapteredConsideration of the March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
Approved unanimously (6-0) as part of consent agenda items 7a-c.
Passed, unanimous - 7dwatch 264:11Consideration of an Award of Construction Contract to Sagres Construction Corporation in the estimated amount of $4,117,611 for Intersection Improvements at the McLean Ave/Warwick Ave/Fairfax Blvd Intersection
Pulled from consent agenda for discussion. Approved 6-0 to authorize the purchasing agent to award the construction contract to Sagres Construction Corporation.
Passed, unanimousDiscussed for 6m · also names FY 2026 Budget · read the transcript
- Warwick Ave /Fairfax Blvd /McLean Ave Intersection ImprovementsapprovedwikiCouncil approved 6-0 to award a construction contract of $4,117,611 to Sagres Construction Corporation for intersection improvements, including reconfiguration of the six-legged intersection into a four-legged intersection, signal reconstruction, and pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure upgrades.
- McLean Ave/Warwick Ave/Fairfax Blvd IntersectionThis intersection is the site of approved improvement works including reconfiguration, new traffic signals, curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks, ADA ramps, and drainage upgrades.
- 7ewatch 270:09Introduction of appropriation resolutions for the General, Capital, Wastewater, Transit, Stormwater, Cable, Old Town, Transportation Tax, Debt Service, and ARPA Funds for the FY26 budget year
Pulled from consent agenda for discussion. Approved 6-0 to introduce the appropriation resolutions, waive first reading, and set the public hearing for May 6, 2025.
Passed, unanimousUntil the next chapter, names Meals Tax ×21, General Fund ×8, FY 2026 Budget ×4, Parks Foundation ×2, Rock the Block ×2, Stormwater Utility ×2 · read the transcript
- FY26 Appropriation Resolutions (General Capital Wastewater Transit Stormwater Cable Old Town Transportation Tax Debt Service ARPA)in progressCouncil approved 6-0 to introduce the FY26 appropriation resolutions for all major funds, waive the first reading, and set the public hearing for May 6, 2025. Amounts are pending final FY26 budget adoption.
- 14watch 470:54Closed meeting to discuss personnel matters
Council convened a closed meeting under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711.A.1 to discuss personnel matters, approved 7-0. Council certified 7-0 upon reconvening that only lawful and properly noticed matters were discussed.
Passed, unanimous · 2 motions on this item
Presented
- 1aWork Session: Discussion on the Community Survey process · Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.watch 0:36
Discussed for 24m · also names Fire Station · read the transcript
- Community Surveyin progressStaff presented and discussed the community survey process during the work session. No formal action was taken.
- 1bWork Session: Discussion and update on Fire Station #3 Feasibility Study · Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.watch 25:25
Discussed for 25m · also names Fire Station ×11, Budget Process, Willard Sherwood · read the transcript
- Fire Station #3 Feasibility Studyin progresswikiStaff provided an update on the Fire Station #3 Feasibility Study during the work session. No formal action was taken.
- 1cWork Session: Discussion and update on Willard-Sherwood development · Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.watch 52:11
Until the next chapter, names Senior Center ×14, Willard Sherwood ×5, Construction Manager at Risk ×3, Engage Fairfax ×2, Capital Improvement Program, Parks Foundation · read the transcript
- Willard-Sherwood Community Centerin progresswikiStaff provided an update on the Willard-Sherwood development during the work session. No formal action was taken.
- 1dWork Session: Discussion on the Virginia Public-Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructures Act (PPEA) and response to Request For Information (RFI) · Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.
- Virginia Public-Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructures Act (PPEA)Council discussed the PPEA and the city's response to the Request For Information (RFI) during the work session. No formal action was taken.
- 1eWork Session: Discussion and update on trail projects · Discussed in work session. Actions arising from this discussion were taken under agenda item 4a.watch 139:20
Discussed for 52m · also names Arbor Day ×5, City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan ×3, Fire Station ×3, Pathway Homes, Strategic Plan · read the transcript
- George Snyder Trailin progresswikiA revised alignment concept sketch was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. Council approved 6-0 that the city submit the concept sketch revising the proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail to VDOT for their review.
- Pickett Road Connector TraildeferredwikiThe Pickett Trail was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. Council approved 4-2 (Amos and Hardy-Chandler opposed) to pause all actions with respect to the Pickett Trail in order to examine alternatives.
- Country Club Hills Connector TrailwithdrawnwikiThe Country Club Hills Connector Trail was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. Council approved 6-0 to terminate all actions with respect to the Country Club Hills Connector Trail.
- 5aPublic hearing on the maximum Real Estate Tax of $1.150 per $100 of assessed value and personal property and machinery and tools tax rate of $4.13 per $100 of assessed value · Public hearing held. Several residents spoke in opposition to the proposed real estate tax increase. No Council action taken; tax rates to be set on May 6, 2025.
- Real Estate Tax Rate FY26proposedPublic hearing held on the maximum advertised real estate tax rate of $1.150 per $100 assessed value and personal property tax rate of $4.13 per $100. Council took no action; final rates to be set May 6, 2025.
- 5bPublic hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 90, Article II, Division 1, Section 90-33 pertaining to classification and separate taxation of commercial and industrial real property for transportation purposes · Public hearing held with no public testimony. No Council action taken; Council consideration on May 6, 2025.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 90 Article II Division Section 90-33 (commercial/industrial property transportation tax)proposedPublic hearing held on the ordinance establishing a separate $0.125 per $100 tax rate on commercial and industrial property for transportation purposes, effective January 1, 2025. No testimony received; no Council action taken. Council consideration set for May 6, 2025.
- 5cPublic hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 102, Article II, Section 102-31(b) to increase the wastewater utility rate by 6.0 percent for FY26 · Public hearing held with no public testimony. No Council action taken; Council consideration on May 6, 2025.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 102 Article II Section 102-31(b) (wastewater utility rate 6% increase)proposedPublic hearing held on the proposed 6.0% wastewater utility rate increase for FY26. No testimony received; no Council action taken. Council consideration set for May 6, 2025.
- 5dPublic hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 102, Article V, Section 102-203(b) to set the stormwater utility rate at $34.30 per BU; a 6.0 percent increase · Public hearing held with no public testimony. No Council action taken; Council consideration on May 6, 2025.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 102 Article Section 102-203(b) (stormwater utility rate $34 30/BU)proposedPublic hearing held on setting the stormwater utility rate at $34.30 per billing unit, a 6.0% increase. No testimony received; no Council action taken. Council consideration set for May 6, 2025.
- 5ePublic hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 90, Article VI, Section 90-262 pertaining to the levy and amount of tax on meals · Public hearing held. Multiple restaurant owners and business representatives spoke in opposition to the proposed meals tax increase. No Council action taken; Council consideration on May 6, 2025.
- Ordinance Amending Chapter 90 Article VI Section 90-262 (Meals Tax)proposedPublic hearing held on the proposed meals tax increase. Multiple restaurant owners and the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce spoke in opposition. No Council action taken; Council consideration set for May 6, 2025.
- 7bConsideration of the April 1, 2025 Special Meeting minutes · Approved unanimously (6-0) as part of consent agenda items 7a-c.
- 7cConsideration of the April 8, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes · Approved unanimously (6-0) as part of consent agenda items 7a-c.
- 10aWork Session: Discussion on the FY 2025 quarterly financial review · Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.
- FY 2025 quarterly financial reviewStaff presented the FY 2025 quarterly financial review during the work session. No formal action was taken.
- 10bWork Session: Discussion on the proposed FY26 budget · Discussed in work session. No formal action taken.
- FY 2026 BudgetapprovedCouncil discussed the proposed FY26 budget during the work session. No formal action was taken at this meeting; budget-related public hearings and adoption are scheduled for May 6, 2025.
Named in discussion
Tracked topics the transcript names that no agenda item is filed under. Their own pages and wikis do not yet record this meeting; the passages below are the only trace.
- Meals Tax35 passages, 29m
“…can't sustain a 15% increase. other tax rates that are on the agenda tonight, the meals tax, again, is another tax on top”
“our next item is a discussion and update on the fire station number three feasibility study I will recognize John O'Neill fire chief for the staff presentation”
- Senior Center14 passages, 11m
“…this but then all the different community associations and HOAs we did we went to a senior center lunch and learn we went to the senior center committee we went to the churches that are kind of dotted around that site”
- General Fund8 passages, 4m
“…TO THE SCHOOL BOND, $3 MILLION REQUEST, REDUCING THE MINIMUM CASH TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE CIP, UTILIZING THE PROPOSED 5% POLICE REDUCTION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED BY POLICE IN THE 10% EXERCISE REDUCTION BUT NOT THE WHOLE 10%, JUST THE 5.…”
- Arbor Day6 passages, 4m
“…and the Environmental Sustainability Committee to come down for the Earth Day and Arbor Day Proclamation. Are we all gathered for the proclamation? Whereas the city of Fairfax recognizes the natural environment as the foundation of a healthy society and a…”
“Our next item is a discussion and update on the Willard Sherwood development. I'll recognize Brook Harden, Community Development and Planning Director for the staff presentation.”
“…plan. However, they then moved from the park strategic plan into the city's comprehensive plan and the importance of the trail network and and trail connectivity is cited throughout the comprehensive plan in numerous locations. And then starting…”
“…the project to the current final stage of design. The agreement also covers the construction manager at risk form of construction procurement and the guaranteed maximum price for the project. Ownership and use is covered in the agreement. The city does…”
- Stormwater Utility4 passages, 2m
“…M-Parens B, of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia, to set the rate for stormwater utility service furnished by the city at $34.30 per BU, M-Parens billing unit, a 6.0% increase. I'll recognize JC Martinez, Chief Financial Officer, to provide…”
“…lock some of COSTS. I THINK WE COULD CERTAINLY PARTNER WITH THE POTENTIAL FUTURE PARKS FOUNDATION TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS THERE, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCRETE NUMBERS.”
- Pathway Homesonce, 1m
“Next up we have the Shelter House. Come on down. And last but certainly not least, Pathway Homes. so make plans for next year February the first weekend of February it's gonna look a little different next year because Old Town”
“…and retention incentives. And so even that 5% cut is a no-go for me. Any cuts to the nonprofit grant program are a no-go for me as well, because this is really not the time to be considering that, given the conversations and actions that are happening at the…”