The Fall Community Cleanup will be held 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 20, at Van Dyck Park. This annual event has made a significant impact in removing litter and debris from our parks, streams, and natural areas.

Volunteers will gather at the pavilion to pick up supplies and snacks before heading to their designated cleanup locations. Individuals of all ages and abilities can participate.

Please register at www.fairfaxva.gov/communitycleanup by Oct. 18. Participants may also have the opportunity to earn stormwater utility credits.

The city ballot for the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election includes a school bond referendum to provide funds for capital improvement projects for the city public school system. Attend the Oct. 15 community engagement session to learn more. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Daniels Run Elementary School, 3705 Blenheim Blvd.

Learn more.

The city is starting a project Oct. 16 to install a conserved open space best management practice (BMP) at Mathy Park, adjacent to Ratcliffe Park.

In addition to the conservation easement at Mathy Park, the city is constructing three gravel diaphragms, which treat water quality by filtering out sediment and pollutants, and reduce runoff velocity. The work, which will provide limited Chesapeake Bay credits, will be done in three phases:

1. Fairfax Museum – Area 1 (Oct. 16-18)
2. Ratcliffe Park – Area 2 (Oct. 21-23)
3. 10324 Sager Avenue – Area 3 (Oct. 24-28)

There will be minimal land disturbance in each area. For questions and concerns, please contact project manager Ann Feeherry, by email at ann.feeherry@fairfaxva.gov or by phone at 703-273-6239.

The Council Reporter for the Oct. 8 meeting includes video segments linked to agenda items. View the Reporter. A meeting summary is provided below.

• Mayor Catherine Read presented a proclamation honoring Dale Lestina for his years of service to the City of Fairfax. She also presented proclamations acknowledging Oct. 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 10 as World Mental Health Day, and Oct. 26 as Arbor Day in the City of Fairfax.
  
  
• City Council appointed applicants to city boards and commissions.
  • Housing and Healthy Communities Advisory Board
    • Eleanor Vincent as a representative of a qualified non-profit affordable housing organization in the city
    • Eric Jensen as a representative of a faith-based organization in the City of FairfaxCity of Fairfax for a Emily Ihara as a representative of George Mason University College of Public Health
    • Lesley Hatch as a representative of a qualified non-profit homeless advocacy organization in the city
    • Judith Cabelli as a representative of a qualified non-profit affordable housing developer providing service in the city 
    • Angelica Delboy as a real estate agent representative
  • Economic Development Authority
    • Reappointed Jeffrey Hermann for a four-year term
  • Grievance Panel Board
    • Holly Rhoder for a three-year term
    • Christine Temple for a three-year term
  • Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board
    • Daniel McGuire for a four-year term

Public Hearings

• City Council adopted amendments resulting from the five-year review of the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan.

Public Hearing Not Required

• City Council awarded a construction contract to Bright Masonry, Inc., in the amount of $7,725,650 for the redevelopment of Thaiss Park.
  
  
• City Council discussed security pilot initiatives to address community concerns about safety. View the presentation. 

Work Session

• City Council discussed the Urban Forest Master Plan. View the presentation. 
  
  
• City Council discussed the Two-Year Transportation Program. View the presentation.
  
  
• City Council discussed the Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place Intersection Improvements project. View the presentation. 
  
  
• City Council discussed the development of a Fairfax City Parks Foundation. View the presentation. 
  
  
• City Council discussed the 2025 Independence Day fireworks show. View the presentation. 

A city council meeting is slated for Oct. 22. View the agenda (subject to change). 

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights in City Hall. Watch meetings live on Channel 12 (COX/Verizon) and online, or catch a replay at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Celebrate the city's 37th year as a Tree City USA from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Kutner Park. 

This year’s ceremony will include the planting of a commemorative tree, reading of the city’s Arbor Day proclamation by Mayor Catherine Read, and a tree-inspired poetry recital by City of Fairfax Schools students. 

Attendees are invited to stay after the ceremony and volunteer to help the city’s urban forestry team plant additional native trees to beautify the park.

Learn more and sign up to volunteer.

Help shape the Urban Forest Master Plan. This survey will provide insight into the community's values and concerns regarding the urban forest. It will also help the city refine its outreach efforts for the remainder of the plan. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

Take survey.

Attend an Urban Forest Master Plan Public Meeting, Oct. 17 or Oct. 23

The second public meeting for the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) will be a visioning session where attendees will rotate through stations to discuss challenges, opportunities, and community involvement related to the urban forest. Takeaways from this meeting will shape the UFMP’s goals and recommendations.

The in-person session will take place at 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd). The virtual session will take place at 6:30-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, on Zoom. Use this link for the virtual session. Both meetings will cover the same content.

Bring unwanted or expired drugs to the City of Fairfax Police Department for disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, Drug Take Back Day.

Drop-off is free and anonymous. No identification, explanation, or prescription information is required.

Pills, ointments, liquids, and veterinary medicine are accepted. No needles, syringes, or Epi-pens.

Fairfax City is developing a new green building policy that will establish standards and incentives for new public and private construction and major renovations.

The green building policy will help the city preserve and enhance the city’s natural resources and environment; reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and increase clean energy; and increase social, health, and economic benefits for the community.

Please visit Engage Fairfax to view the draft policy and participate in discussions on specific topics and share ideas. 

Read the police department’s daily crime and weekly arrest reports. 

Explore job opportunities with the police department

Fairfax City PD needs you! Watch these short videos.