Fairfax City News: May 1

City of Fairfax, Virginia sent this bulletin at 05/01/2025 07:00 PM EDT

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City Clips - May 1

Fairfax HisTree Day included an interactive butterfly experience.

Appeal Real Estate Assessments by May 2

City of Fairfax property owners have until May 2 to file an administrative review of their real estate’s assessed value with the City of Fairfax Real Estate Assessment Office.

Completed applications may be submitted via email to realestate@fairfaxva.gov or delivered to the Office of Real Estate Assessments at 10455 Armstrong St., Room 238, Fairfax.

Removing Flowering Pear Trees Along Pickett Road

Twenty-five flowering pear trees will be removed from the Pickett Road median starting the week of May 5. Flowering pear trees are classified as non-native invasive species. They are vulnerable to pests and diseases. The trees are in poor condition and pose safety risks to traffic. All trees will be replaced with native species.

Katherine Johnson Middle School Students Plant Trees in Celebration of Arbor Day (tap image for video)

On April 23, KJMS students planted three Eastern redbud trees to green the school grounds, and they learned about the benefits trees provide to their school grounds and the community.

Joining the students and educators were representatives of the city's Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC), the city’s urban forestry team, Fairfax County Public Schools, and the Virginia Department of Forestry. Two eighth graders spoke at the event: Vivian Lee recited her award-winning poem, “The Weight of What We’ve Lost,” and Sauren Kwatra shared a speech on the importance of planting trees for our environmental future.

The trees were provided by SPROUT, a new city initiative to encourage the community to plant, care for, and learn about the trees that make up our urban forest.

Spotlight on the Arts Continues May 2-4 (tap for schedule)

City of Fairfax Regional Library Spring Book Sale, May 2-4

Stock up on summer reading options at the Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Library's annual spring book sale.

Stop by the library between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on May 2 and May 3. The bag sale will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4.

Spotlight on the Arts: Tap to Purchase Tickets for "The Bad Girls of Western Lit"

Council Reporter for the April 22 Meeting

Pictured from left to right: Mayor Catherine Read and City Councilmembers Anthony Amos, Billy Bates, Stacy Hall, Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Rachel McQuillen, and Thomas Peterson.

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

Work Session

Discussed the community survey process. The city contracted with ETC Institute to conduct a community survey to gauge policy priorities, quality of service delivery, and customer satisfaction. View the presentation.
Discussed the Fire Station #3 Feasibility Study. The next step is to validate the space, develop a preliminary conceptual design, and update the cost estimate to construct a new station at the adjacent George Mason University Foundation site, which the city purchased in November 2024. View the presentation.
Discussed the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project. The new facility would replace the existing Joseph Willard Health Center and would connect to the existing Sherwood Center. View the presentation.
Discussed the Virginia Public-Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructures Act and response to Request for Information regarding Fire Station 3. View the presentation.
Discussed current trail projects: Pickett Road Connector, Country Club Commons Connector, and George Snyder Trail and extension. View the presentation.

Presentations and Proclamations

Mayor Catherine Read presented proclamations acknowledging Earth Day (April 22), Arbor Day (April 25), May as Bike Month and National Preservation Month, and April 21-28 as International Dark Sky Week in the City of Fairfax.
Chocolate Lovers Grants were presented to The Lamb Center, Pathway Homes, and Shelter House.

Agenda Item 4a. (Trails)

Approved submitting a concept sketch revising the proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail to the Virginia Department of Transportation for review.
Approved pausing all actions with respect to the Pickett Road Connector Trail to examine alternatives. (Opposed: Amos, Hardy-Chandler)
Approved terminating all actions with respect to the Country Club Hills Connector Trail.

Public Hearings

Public hearing on the maximum Real Estate Tax of $1.150 per $100 of assessed value based upon an assessment ratio of 100% of fair market value, and a personal property and machinery and tools tax rate of $4.13 per $100 of assessed value based upon an assessment ratio of 100% trade-in value (No council action; tax rates will be set May 6).
Public hearing on an ordinance amending and readopting Chapter 90 of the City Code, pertaining to classification and taxation of property zoned for commercial and industrial purposes, and to establish a separate tax rate on such real property effective Jan. 1, 2025, revenue from which would be used exclusively for transportation purposes that benefit the city. (No council action; council consideration on May 6).
Public hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the City Code to increase the wastewater utility rate by 6% for FY 2026 (No council action; council consideration on May 6).
Public hearing on an ordinance Chapter 102 of the City Code to set the rate for stormwater utility service furnished by the city at $34.30 per billing unit, a 6% increase (No council action; council consideration on May 6).
Public hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 90 of the City Code pertaining to the levy and amount of tax on meals (No council action; council consideration on May 6).

Consent Agenda

Awarded a construction contract in the estimated amount of $4,117,611 to Sagres Construction Corporation for improvements at the McLean Avenue/Warwick Avenue/Fairfax Boulevard intersection. The improvements include reconfiguring the six-legged intersection into a conventional four-legged intersection. The city was awarded $10,088,332 in funding through VDOT's Smart Scale program to improve several intersections along Fairfax Boulevard.
Approved the introduction of the appropriation resolutions for the General, Capital, Wastewater, Transit, Stormwater Utility, Cable, Old Town, Transportation Tax, Debt Service and American Rescue Plan Act funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Public hearing set for May 6.

Second Work Session

Discussed the FY 2025 quarterly financial review. View the presentation.
Discussed the proposed FY 2026 budget.

A city council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. May 6. 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.

Volunteer During Bike Month

Join the City of Fairfax in promoting Bike Month! Students and community members are invited to sign up for one or more of the volunteer opportunities below.

Flexible Days/Times Between April 15 and May 10 -- Bike Month Flyer Distribution. Get the word out about the city’s Bike Month events. Volunteers will be asked to pick up flyers at City Hall and deliver them to local establishments.
Saturday, May 10, 9:30 a.m. -- Resident Ride at Old Town Square. Help facilitate our community bike ride. Volunteers will make sure no one gets separated from the group.
Thursday, May 15, 5-10 a.m. -- Bike to Work Day at Old Town Square. Staff our ‘pit stop party’ and help set up tables, sign people in, give away treats, work our helmet exchange table, and break down the tables at the end of the event.

Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. -- Kids Safety Day Traffic Garden at City Hall. Support our pop-up traffic garden where kids can practice biking and walking safety on a miniature road network.

For questions regarding any of the event opportunities, email chloe.ritter@fairfaxva.gov.

Attend the Zoning Ordinance Open House, May 14

The city is reviewing and updating the zoning ordinance to better align with the Small Area Plans. The team has developed a list of options based on research and engagement - and we need your input.

Attend an open house any time between 2-8 p.m. on May 14 at City Hall. Learn about the proposed options and share your thoughts on how the city should move forward. A brief presentation will be given at 6 p.m.

Visit the Engage page to learn more about the project, view relevant documents, and subscribe to the email list for updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to either post to Engage or reach out to Amy Lynne Denny directly at amylynne.denny@fairfaxva.gov.