Our public survey for the Urban Forest Master Plan closes Oct. 26. If you haven't already, please take a moment to visit our Engage Fairfax page and share your feedback. Once logged in, the survey only takes about five minutes to complete.

Paper copies in English and Spanish are also available at the front desk of City Hall (10455 Armstrong St.).

If you have questions about the survey, please contact project manager and urban forester Anna Safford at anna.safford@fairfaxva.gov.

Thank you for your participation on the city's first Urban Forest Master Plan!

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.

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.

Proper disposal of medications protects family members, pets, and our water quality. 

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. 

Clinic Provides Free Legal Services to Military Community

Active-duty servicemembers and veterans can access FREE legal services via George Mason’s Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-Vets) at the Antonin Scalia Law School. The clinic offers legal advice regarding landlord-tenant matters, consumer protection and contract issues, uncontested divorces, step-parent and close-relative adoptions, Medical Evaluation Boards/Physical Evaluation Boards, discharge upgrades, military pay, and entitlement matters in federal and state forums. Learn more at https://mvets.law.gmu.edu/.

George Mason Brings the Arts to the Military Community

Active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families can access FREE hands-on workshops, art exhibitions, and concerts via George Mason’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative. The program offers support to veterans as they transition to civilian communities and extends the national conversation on arts, health, and the military. The Veterans and the Arts Initiative has served as an arts and community hub for 16K+ military-connected people since 2014. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2cpub5s8.

The city is constructing stormwater management facilities at Mathy Park, adjacent to Ratcliffe Park.

Three gravel diaphragms will treat water quality by filtering out sediment and pollutants, and reduce runoff velocity. The work, which will provide limited Chesapeake Bay credits, began Oct. 26 and will conclude Oct. 28. 

Work will be performed at 10324 Sager Ave. Oct. 24-28.

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. 22 meeting includes video segments linked to agenda items. View the Reporter. A meeting summary is provided below.

• Mayor Catherine Read presented a proclamation acknowledging Oct. 20-26 as National Friends of the Library Week in the City of Fairfax.
  
  
• City Council adopted a resolution to approve the city’s submission to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Highway Safety Improvement Program Funding. The city has prepared two applications for funding:
  • Pedestrian crossing improvements on four locations on Main Street west of Old Town and at one location in Old Town. This project will install new high-visibility crosswalks, ADA compliant curb ramps at five locations and rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the Main Street crossings at Mosby Building and at Keith Ave.
  • Pedestrian lighting improvements on Main Street east of Old Town.
• City Council adopted a resolution for the consideration of professional service contract awards to multiple contractors for engineering and construction management services for Parks and Recreation projects.
  
  
• City Council awarded a construction contract in the amount of $1,695,000 to Sagres Construction Corporation for the Ashby Pond Dredging & Retrofit project.

Work Session

• City Council received a presentation by the Aspen Institute on Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports. View the presentation.
  
  
• City Council received a presentation by the city’s financial advisors, Davenport & Company, of a plan of finance for general government capital projects (2025 bonds) and overview of the rating process. View the presentation.
  
  
• City Council discussed the FY 2024 preliminary results and FY 2025 first quarter financial review. View the presentation. 
  
  
• City Council discussed a supplemental appropriation resolution in the amount of $650,000 for fall FY 2025 non-discretionary and Council authorized expenditures. View the presentation. 
  
  
• City Council discussed an ordinance amending the City Code provisions relating to tax relief program exemptions for the elderly and disabled to increase qualifying income levels and asset limits, as well as adding a new 75% exemption category. A public hearing was set for Dec. 10. View the presentation. 
  
  
• City Council discussed suggested updates to the FY 2026 financial policies and Council budget guidelines.
  
  
• City Council discussed recommendations to reorganize the city’s police department. View the presentation. 

A city council work session is slated for Nov. 5. 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.