Coraggio Consulting
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Place: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Virginia
Length: 8h 46m (video)
Official meeting video (Fairfax County): https://video.fairfaxcounty.gov/player/clip/4241
Official Board of Supervisors page (Fairfax County): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boardofsupervisors/

Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting.
Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-26. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:00:04] Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our board meeting of September 15th, 2026. We are going to begin our meeting, as we always do, in a moment, with a moment of silence to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. But before we rise for a moment of silence, for those who are able, I'm going to ask my colleagues if there's anything that they would like to share with us or anyone or things they would like to keep in our thoughts and prayers.

[00:00:27] And I know a number of us do, so let me just start with a couple. first as the board knows because we all participated last friday we marked the 25th anniversary of 9-1-1 and i want to just make sure that folks keep in mind that 25 years is a long time and as i mentioned in my comments we have a lot of young people recruits in our public safety academy and in our public safety agencies that weren't even alive when 9-11 happened and i think for us as all a reminder to never forget that day but also as i reminded folks on friday we have a

[00:01:06] lot of programs to support our first responders and their health in particular in this 25th anniversary i appreciated that a lot of focus was on the health effects and impacts on so many first responders who responded that day and the health effects of the day-to-day work that they do and And so we have great programs in Fairfax County, both for mental and physical health for our first responders.

[00:01:29] And that's one of the reasons why we have such great partners in public safety. But if we could remember the victims from September 11th, their families, and our first responders on this solemn 25th anniversary. And then secondly, we all know in the community that we have had a number of pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle accidents occur over the past couple weeks in the county.

[00:01:53] And this is something this board has reflected on all too often. And despite so many of our efforts in prevention and education, these tragedies continue. I think the one that grabbed everyone's attention, as it should have, was our loss of a 13-year-old Frost Middle School student who was struck and killed while riding their bike.

[00:02:14] And as a parent and father, it's unimaginable for the family involved. If we can just focus all of our attention, as we always do, on pedestrian safety, education, bicycle safety, these accidents are occurring tragically in every part of our community-- in urban, suburban, rural areas, to people of all ages.

[00:02:40] And all of us take responsibility when we are in a vehicle to do what we have been saying for years, which is to take a moment, take a moment, to be aware of the surroundings around you. Take a moment to not look at your phone, but look at the road and focus on pedestrians and people on bicycles.

[00:03:00] We share the road in Fairfax County, and we all have a responsibility to do that. But if we could keep in our thoughts and prayers, not just the immediate family of this 13-year-old, but the Frost Middle School community and all who have been affected by that tragic accident.

[00:03:15] And with that, I'm going to recognize my other colleagues. I'm going to start on this side this time, Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to take a moment to remember Conchanna Iyer, a dedicated Basin District public servant and principal of Woodburn Elementary School. My staff and I were very devastated to hear of her recent passing. While Ms. Iyer became Woodburn Elementary School's principal in 2024, she spent over 30 years with Fairfax County Public Schools, leaving a positive impact on many schools across the county. At Woodburn, she was deeply committed to creating a community where every student felt valued, supported, and able to succeed.

[00:03:55] Staff members described Principal Iyer as someone whose dedication left a lasting mark on everyone she worked with and whose warmth brought together people to believe in what was achievable, all while leading with compassion. I had the opportunity to spend time with Ms. Iyer during my visit to Woodburn earlier this year, and our office has continued to work closely with her and the Woodburn community.

[00:04:18] I was grateful for the opportunity to get to know her and see firsthand how much she cared about her students and her school. My thoughts are with Ms. Iyer's family, Woodburn staff and students and the entire community as they mourn this tremendous loss. Thank you, Supervisor Menez. Supervisor Laskin.

[00:04:36] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I regret to share the passing of Franconia District President George Washington Kearns on August 24th. He was born on February 22nd, 1937. George loved telling stories to people about his mother naming him George Washington Kearns because he shared a birthday with President George Washington.

[00:04:59] It is also fitting that his very first job was at George Washington's Mount Vernon, where he began working there as a teenager, first as a busboy, and then he got the opportunity to work up to become a security guard. George later worked as a mechanic, a car salesman, and has worked for his son's tree service business.

[00:05:19] He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 70 years, Helen Kearns. And I had the pleasure of spending some time with George at the Virginia Hills Baptist Church ribbon cutting in July. And just over, just a little more than a month ago, he visited my office to discuss some land use issues.

[00:05:42] George will be remembered for his hard work, his generosity, and his unwavering love for families. So with that, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Lusk. Others who would like to be recognized, Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, thank you very much. I'm sad to announce the death of Michael Amori, who was the founder of the popular coffee shop Cafe Amori in Vienna on Historic Church Street.

[00:06:06] Michael passed away peacefully at home, according to the cafe. He was a beloved member of the community as well as a passionate champion for the town of Vienna. And he'd lived there since 1985. He gave back to his community in countless ways.

[00:06:22] He coached basketball, softball, including girls' basketball at Madison High School. And through his business, he also sought to do more than just serve exceptional coffee that's roasted in-house, by the way. He wanted Cafe Amore to be a place where the community could grow.

[00:06:37] And the cafe's mission statement, quality, community, sustainability, truly did reflect Michael's belief that his coffee shop could be a force for good and help support the community. That really did mean so much to him. He lived his mission. He founded Vienna Idol.

[00:06:55] It's a musical competition and fundraiser for the Kristen Kylo Memorial Fund. And that Vienna Idol has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the charity. Also, Cafe Amore has provided gift baskets for charity auctions, sent coffee to the troops, collected coats and food donations, among many other community efforts.

[00:07:17] The shop's mantra is, every customer that walks in the door should leave feeling just a little bit better. And he did that very successfully. The legacy that he left behind continues. So my heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and all the customers who came to know and love him.

[00:07:37] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn. Supervisor Herdy. Yes, I'm sad to announce the passing of Dennis Stevens at 79 years old. He lived a life dedicated to public service, spending 28 years in the Air Force as a C-30 instructor pilot before spending the next 25 years as an elementary school teacher in Fairfax County.

[00:07:57] His dedication to public service didn't end with his retirement from teaching full-time. He continued inspiring students as a substitute teacher. He spent much of his free time volunteering at the Vietnam Veterans Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, his Veterans Support Group in Alexandria, the American Legion, the Clifton Lions Club, and the Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club.

[00:08:21] He touched the lives of his students, his fellow volunteers, members of his Veterans Support Group, and countless Fairfax County residents. He'll be missed. I ask that we keep Dennis's family, the Clifton Lions Club family, and all those that he touched in our thoughts and prayers.

[00:08:38] Thank you very much, Supervisor Herity. And if we could all keep all of those individuals that we mentioned in our thoughts and prayers as we all rise for a moment of silence, if you are able to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

[00:08:52] Please face the flag.

[00:09:19] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And we have a number of presentations this morning.

[00:09:43] I will announce the proclamation and invite our speaker down to the podium. We'll then read the proclamation, and after our speaker's remarks, we'll pose for a picture from the dais. And our first one up this morning is a proclamation to designate September 14th to 18th, 2026, as Disability Voting Rights Week in Fairfax County.

[00:10:04] And this was requested by myself, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser, and Supervisor Palcik. Our speaker, of course, with us is Adam Rizzoli, Disability Voting Rights Week coordinator from Rev Up Virginia. And at this time, I am going to turn to Supervisor Sizemore Heiser to read the proclamation.

[00:10:21] Thank you. Whereas more than 1.9 million adults in Virginia live with a disability, and approximately 938,500 Virginians with disabilities were eligible to vote the 2024 election, representing 1.5% of the Commonwealth electorate. And whereas the voices of voters with disabilities are essential to a representative democracy, and data from the 2024 election show that 65.4% of eligible Virginians with disabilities voted, compared to 74.2% of

[00:10:56] eligible Virginians without disabilities. And whereas nationally, approximately 32.8 million citizens with disabilities were eligible to vote in the 2024 election and more than 20 million cast ballots, representing a voter turnout rate of 61.1 percent, compared to 66 percent among citizens without disabilities. And whereas, barriers to full and equal participation remain, with nearly one-sixth of voters with disabilities experiencing voting difficulties in 2024, about twice the rate of voters without disabilities, highlighting the need for accessible voting information,

[00:11:36] systems, and methods. And whereas RevUp Virginia, quote, register, educate, vote, use your power, empowers Virginians with disabilities and their families to participate fully in democracy through voter education and engagement.

[00:11:52] Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim September 14th to 18th, 2026 as Disability Voting Rights Week in Fairfax County and supports the growing involvement of people with disabilities in the political process and civic engagement, as well as continued efforts to ensure that every eligible voter has an accessible and equitable opportunity to participate in our democracy.

[00:12:21] And the chair will second that, along with Supervisor Palchik and Supervisor Lusk. Discussion on the motion, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser. Thank you. I appreciate this. I appreciate the support. I really appreciate Rev Up Virginia for the work you do for people with disabilities.

[00:12:38] As many know, this is very personal to me. When my son, who has a disability, was little, I took him to vote with me. And he has made sure every year that he could vote, every year. In fact, he missed voting for me on his first ballot by one day, which is very sad, actually.

[00:12:55] Well, assuming he would have voted for me. But, you know, many years ago in a previous life, I actually did a presentation in front of a national organization, a conference around disability inclusion in political movements in 2018.

[00:13:12] And there's still a lot of perceptions and bias left over from the days that if you were under guardianship, And still in many states, if you're under guardianship, you'd lose your right to vote. And I always say just because you may need help in certain areas doesn't mean you're not capable of being a full participant in our democracy.

[00:13:30] And people with disabilities rights are being challenged and taken away at greater rates right now than we've seen in a long time and under threat. And people whose very rights and lives are under threat deserve the right to have their voices heard and who represents them.

[00:13:46] So thank you for the work you do in making sure, as someone who's a constitutional lawyer and professor, I believe access to voting is critical to democracy. So the work you do is critical to democracy. So thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser, Supervisor Mendez.

[00:14:03] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Revup, for all you do. I know our office has worked very closely with you all over the past year or so. And so just making sure that you're able to not only give a seat at the table of so many, But to give them a voice is fantastic.

[00:14:19] And one of the things we always talk about in Mason District is it's all about the diversity and how beautiful the diversity is. And diversity comes in many forms, in many shapes, in many sizes. And thank you again for all the hard work you do. We love making sure that we're putting on a spotlight for so many people who definitely deserve a voice and to be heard.

[00:14:39] Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Jimenez, Supervisor Stork. I also want to thank and, frankly, continue to encourage all individuals and all organizations out there to get more people to turn out to vote. And I think the state and I think our county has done a lot to try to increase the ability, the ease of doing that. Not only having an early voting season that lasts much longer, absentee or mail-in ballots I think are a huge part of that. The curbside voting, I'm thanking the Board of Elections for all of the efforts that they make and the staff. As one of the early

[00:15:14] voting locations. I see folks coming in all the time, some of them with their walkers, some of them in wheelchairs, some of them just frankly just struggling to get up there. But they're, by God, they're going to get up there and they're going to vote. And we've made it with the vote that we'll take today. We'll make that even a little bit easier with the ballot boxes at the North and South County locations as well. So I'll end and very appreciative of your work. And let's Let's keep it going. Thank you.

[00:15:41] Thank you, Supervisor Stork, and let me also thank you. We've been doing this now for a number of years, and it's, to me, still strange that this hasn't been going on for longer, this advocacy work. And so it does make a real difference. Everyone's voice should be heard and have an opportunity, and for us to put resources into that are really important.

[00:16:02] And it's not just about getting to the polling place. It's about the things we just mentioned here, making the vote easy and accessible for people once they're there is a challenge that has existed for a long time. I also want to thank Rev Up because I, you know, in this job, probably the perk that we get the most is we get a lot of free T-shirts.

[00:16:25] But the T-shirt that I got from Rev Up Virginia a couple of years ago at George Mason University is the one, when worn, that gets the most comments from people. And I got to tell you, a lot of it is, what is that, and a great opportunity to educate people.

[00:16:43] And how many people have said to me, you know, I never even thought about the challenges that people with disabilities have accessing the most fundamental right that every American has, which is the right to vote and to hear their voice and see their voice be heard. And so it elicits that conversation for sure, but more important, helps build awareness for our entire community about the importance.

[00:17:05] And then finally, as the longtime legislative chair, I can tell you that in Virginia it wasn't always easy to vote. It still is too hard to vote in a lot of ways. But we have made so much progress, and it's organizations like yours that have helped us support year after year after year in our legislative package, making it easier for people to access the ballot and to drop down the barriers that exist for so many of them.

[00:17:31] And so the advocacy matters, and in this particular case and in this state right now, it works as well. So congratulations on that. With that, I think we're ready for a vote. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

[00:17:47] Any abstentions? And that motion carries. And, of course, we have Adam with us this morning. Welcome. The floor is yours. Thank you. Can everybody hear me? We can. Fantastic. Good morning. My name is Adam Rizzoli. I coordinate Disability Voting Rights Week for Rev Up Virginia, the nonpartisan statewide Disability Voting Rights Coalition.

[00:18:09] Today is historic. Fairfax County issued this proclamation for five straight years. I wanted to begin by thanking many of the people who made this possible. First, for all five years, Chairman McKay has been invaluable toward this work.

[00:18:29] He has come to every George Mason event, which is our flagship event, whenever we don't make the unfortunate mistake of scheduling it doing a Board of Supervisors meeting. I also want to thank Supervisor Palczyk for being one of the people who pushed for the proclamation in its first year and been with us the entire time.

[00:18:49] I also want to give a shout-out for somebody a little more new here. Thank you, Supervisor Seismar Hauser, the chief patron for this year's bill and now proclamation for leading these efforts. We know this fight is personal for you, And as a fellow disability advocate, I am very happy to see one of our own on this board.

[00:19:13] Finally, I want to thank everybody else on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for both voting in favor of this proclamation and listening to me today. Many jurisdictions, when they issue this kind of proclamation, call it good.

[00:19:28] It's a piece of paper. Yay, we did our job. But that's not how Fairfax County treats this proclamation. You do action. In 2025, Fairfax County replaced its decade-old voting rights equipment with brand new accessible ballot machines.

[00:19:45] This matters because as Virginia's largest jurisdiction, your decisions impact more Virginians than anybody else, both directly and as a model for the rest of Virginia. You do this because you know the importance of the disability vote. We make up one in four Americans, and we matter in elections.

[00:20:05] In the previous midterm elections, 2022, we turned out the same rate as non-disabled voters. Results start at the ballot. RevUp Virginia builds the power of disability vote to keep us voting at the same rate.

[00:20:22] We bring together disability rights organizations and voting rights organizations in one coalition. We're the only space where these organizations meet regularly. Our biggest push each year is Disability Voting Rights Week. This national campaign promotes the disability vote through September 14th through the 18th, but we also do more than that.

[00:20:45] Last year, we hosted the Statewide Candidates Forum, where all six statewide candidates answered questions on disability issues. And one of our meetings began efforts to push the law on voting rights for those under guardianship, which protects the right of 12,000 Virginians.

[00:21:03] We're a resource at RevUpVirginia.org. I invite you to join us. Thank you for celebrating our voting rights for five years running. Thank you very much. Outstanding job, as always, Adam. We appreciate you.

[00:21:28] And I think we're ready for a photo now. And if you could come forward and face the audience, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser will join me and the board could rise.

[00:23:10] Next, we have a proclamation to designate September 2026 as Suicide Awareness Month in Fairfax County. And this was requested by myself, Vice Chair Smith, Supervisor Luss, Supervisor Sizemore-Heiser, and Supervisor Palchik. And our speaker is Mary Mandel, Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk Chair of the National Capital Area Chapter and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

[00:23:34] And with that, I am going to turn to Vice Chair Smith for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whereas suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and remains a leading cause of death in the Commonwealth of Virginia, affecting individuals of all age groups.

[00:23:52] And whereas, excuse me, more than 48,000 lives were lost to suicide in 2024 in the United States. And in Virginia, an average of more than 1,200 lives are lost to suicide each year. And whereas studies show that when firearms are accessible, individuals are more than three times as likely to die by suicide, with 57% of suicides involving firearms.

[00:24:15] And whereas HopeLink Behavioral Health, which operates CrisisLink and serves as Virginia's largest 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact Center, answered approximately 218,000 calls and more than 108,000 texts and chats in 2025, representing a 66% increase in crisis contacts over the previous year and requiring highly trained crisis workers to provide safety planning and crisis intervention.

[00:24:48] And whereas effective suicide prevention requires a comprehensive, community-based approach that reduces risk factors, strengthens protective factors and resilience, and ensures equitable access to support, education, and resources for individuals, families, and communities, and whereas organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Fairfax Falls Church Community Services Board, and Crisis Link, operated by Hope Link Behavioral Health, are dedicated to research, education, crisis intervention,

[00:25:25] and support for those affected by suicide. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month in Fairfax County and encourages residents to expand outreach, education, and support for those experiencing mental health challenges. I so move.

[00:25:52] I'm happy to second that, along with a lot of the board. Discussion on the matter, Supervisor Smith. Those of you that have been here know that when my daughter was a senior in high school, she attempted suicide. We just didn't talk about it.

[00:26:08] We were afraid, what are people going to think? What are people going to say? And it is quite a burden to bear because you, how did I miss the signs? How did I not know? I still remember the night before giving my daughter a hug and telling her how much I loved her.

[00:26:24] And it wasn't until I was on this board, and the board, one of the former board members, John Cook, created a board team for the Out of the Darkness Walk. And I talked to my daughter, and she said, it's okay to talk about this.

[00:26:41] And it is so important as a community that we share, that we notice what's happening to people. We do have our board team. You're probably going to talk about the Out of Darkness Walk on October 3rd, so that's all I'm going to say about it. But it is a great time to come together as a community and just to share what we know and what we see.

[00:27:04] And so I'm thankful that we do this every year and that we're involved. It is so important to our community. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Smith, Supervisor Lusk, and then we'll go on the side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to spotlight an organization that is making a significant impact on teen suicide prevention education within the Franconia District.

[00:27:26] The Connor Strong Foundation, which was established in 2017 by the family of Connor Juarez, a Hayfield secondary student who tragically died by suicide at the age of 17. Funds raised by the Connor Strong Foundation benefit their Sources of Strength program, a youth mental health and suicide prevention initiative in 13 Virginia high schools and middle schools to date.

[00:27:52] The foundation's logo features a butterfly symbolizing the idea that every positive action can create a ripple effect of change in the world. The sobering reality is that suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 24.

[00:28:14] Additionally, I just wanted to note that we have supports which include the Hazel Health virtual therapy, which is available for Fairfax County public school high school students and new this year, middle school students.

[00:28:30] Hazel Health provides quality mental health care services at no cost to families. Virtual therapy sessions with Hazel Health are private and confidential and can help with topics such as anxiety, grief, bullying, academic stress, and more.

[00:28:46] I encourage the parents who are listening to explore Hazel Health as an option for your middle school or high school student if needed. And services like Hazel Health and others tell young people that they are not alone in their struggles. And there are people who want to help 24-7, 365 days a year.

[00:29:06] Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor West. Supervisor Palcic. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chair Smith, for continuing to bring this forward. Thank you to the groups and the walks that really bring awareness.

[00:29:26] Been now in public service for 10 years and have seen the shift in more talk, acceptance, and less of a stigma. It has helped. We just this morning got the latest youth survey.

[00:29:43] And while we have seen a decline in our mental health Concerns and suicidal attempts in our youth, I think it really stands out to show and look at, I was surprised, not surprised maybe to see that our Hispanic community and our young women are still the most vulnerable and have the highest rates within our population.

[00:30:09] But I know we need hope. I need hope. Mental health issues run in my family and I think an area and a call to action for all of us in the community, because schools shouldn't have to do it alone, they can't do it alone, is that there's the biggest opportunity for students, for our youth, to have an adult in the community that they can turn to.

[00:30:33] Our protective factors as Vice Chair Smith are all pretty high. Our students have a lot of support. But the one area that came out that is below 50% is having an adult in the community that youth can turn to for support.

[00:30:49] So I see it as a call to action for us, for our seniors, for our community. If you have the opportunity, please find a way to support at least one youth in our community, one person who may be struggling, because the struggle is real.

[00:31:06] And it's a challenge. And it does take all of us and our love and our community. So thank you for the awareness. And I very much appreciate that we have raised awareness, helping reduce the stigma, and ensuring that we have those protective factors.

[00:31:22] Thank you, Supervisor Pouchek. And I want to add to what you said about how we talk about this now in the past 10 years. And looking back even further, there's been a major shift in that for positive.

[00:31:38] And I think you can see it in the results. But I will also add that there's no worse call than the one I get when there's a suicide in the county. And people say to me all the time, that must not happen here. And I have to remind them that, unfortunately, it does.

[00:31:55] But you're not going to read about it in the paper because, obviously, when a suicide occurs, you want to protect the people involved in it and not add to the trauma. But it happens here. And I think just because you're not seeing it in the paper doesn't mean that it's not happening. And so while all of our statistics in the youth survey continue to get better, we know where those vulnerabilities exist.

[00:32:18] And I do want to thank Moms Demand Action, who is here as well, who's a partner in this fight. Because there's not a time where they come forward and talk about gun violence when they don't mention the connection to suicide. And it was mentioned in the proclamation.

[00:32:34] But access to a firearm is irreversible in a lot of cases for people who are suffering, and I think that's an awareness piece that we can't lose sight of. And then secondly, we are a community of resources, and I think a lot of times we forget about that, but we have embraced the National Crisis Now model, which is very simple for people to understand, which is someone to talk to, and we check that box.

[00:32:59] We have that here. We have help for people. You should never feel alone. Call 911. We'll connect you through to the CSB. there's suicide prevention organizations. Someone to respond is number two in that, and we have that. We've put a lot of resources into our co-responder model in particular, so that if you are having a mental health emergency, that is not treated as a criminal event. That is treated as a how can we help you event, and that's how we respond to it. And then the last piece of that that's really important is someplace to go. And, you know, I was just at the Merrifield Crisis Response Center

[00:33:35] last week, and the people who work there do amazing work in helping people who are struggling to just come through the door and get the resources that we have. And so the tragedy of this, when a suicide occurs, is so immense, but the hardest part for a lot of us is that we have the resources here to help people.

[00:33:54] It's a matter of connecting them and making sure that people have the confidence when they're struggling to come forward. And we have the confidence to recognize signs and to try to intervene when we can. And so that's what this is all about, is building that awareness.

[00:34:10] And if with this walk and with this proclamation, we save one life in Fairfax County, it was worth it. Because that's a whole family and a whole group of supporters around that one life who also are immensely affected by suicide.

[00:34:26] And so I do thank my colleagues, almost universally the board seconded this. Kathy Smith always says we're going to build our team every year for the walk and try to bring some fun to a topic that's so difficult for us. But most important, bring awareness, and we will continue to do that.

[00:34:45] Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, I could just add one thing to that. I did also want to thank, and you mentioned Vice Chair Smith and your leadership on this. And, you know, the chairman mentioned earlier that one of the perks of this job is you get a lot of free T-shirts. I have more T-shirts on this topic than any other topic, and it's to a large extent because of your leadership, Vice Chair Smith.

[00:35:08] So thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn. With that, Supervisor Stork, did you want to comment? I was just really going to – I mean, I think you summed it up very well, Mr. Chairman, about all the resources that are available, but people just don't know or when that dark cloud descends on you, it's so difficult to break through.

[00:35:29] And I know you all know that. As a member of a family who's experienced that horrible impact, I know it will never go away. But I also know that we have to keep working hard. And I'm proud to say that Fairfax County offers much of what we can do.

[00:35:45] Frankly, we know it will never be enough because in the end, we just have to talk to somebody else. We just have to reach out to them, and they have to hopefully connect with us. And it needs to be a real human being. I know that AI has some kind of impact out there, but I know in the end it's about people to people.

[00:36:03] And again, thank you very much for your leadership and advocating for that. Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Stork. With that, I think we're ready for a vote. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries.

[00:36:19] And we have Mary Mandel, who is the Fairfax Out of the Darkness walk chair. Welcome. Thank you. Good morning. On behalf of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, I would like to thank Chairman McKay, Supervisor Smith, and Supervisor Palchik, and the entire Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for recognizing Suicide Prevention Month.

[00:36:43] And for once again, supporting the Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk through your Fairfax Board of Supervisors team. My name is Mary Mandel, and I proudly serve as this year's volunteer chair for the Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk. Professionally, I'm a clinical licensed social worker providing services to residents of Virginia and D.C.

[00:37:07] Throughout my career in health care and in counseling, I've had the honor of supporting and walking alongside individuals through some of life's most difficult challenges. I also experienced the loss of a childhood friend to suicide in 2021.

[00:37:28] These experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of connection, compassion, and ensuring that individuals know that they are not alone when facing mental health struggles. I'm grateful to be here today representing AFSP, our volunteers, and the many individuals and families whose lives have been touched by suicide.

[00:37:52] I also want to recognize the community organizations, advocates, health care professionals, educators, and local leaders who work every day to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention throughout Fairfax County.

[00:38:10] For those who may not be familiar with AFSP, we are the nation's leading suicide prevention organization dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those impacted by suicide. We do this through research, education, advocacy, and support.

[00:38:31] We believe that suicide can be prevented, and we each have a role to play in creating communities where people feel connected, supported, and empowered to seek help. Throughout Suicide Prevention Month and all year long, AFSP's National Capital Area Chapter provides free educational programs, resources, and support opportunities across our region.

[00:38:58] This work is made possible by an incredible network of volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community supports. This year is especially meaningful because we're celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk.

[00:39:16] For two decades, this event has brought together thousands of people to honor loved ones, support one another, raise awareness, and fund life-saving suicide prevention efforts.

[00:39:34] What began as a walk has become a powerful community movement grounded in hope, healing, and action. I invite everyone here today and everyone across Fairfax County to join us on October the 3rd in Mosaic District.

[00:39:49] As we celebrate this milestone and continue this important work, whether you participate in the walk, volunteer, make a donation, or simply learn how to support someone who may be struggling, you can make a difference.

[00:40:08] Again, I'm deeply honored to accept this proclamation on behalf of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Thank you for your leadership, your partnership, and your dedication to raising awareness and reducing stigma in Fairfax County.

[00:40:27] Thank you again for creating a community of hope and awareness. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mary. And with that, I think we're ready for a photo.

[00:40:50] Supervisor Smith could join me if all of you, and thank you all for being here, if all of you could

[00:40:54] come forward and face the audience and the board could rise. And next we have a proclamation to

[00:42:33] designate September 2026 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month in Fairfax County. And this was requested by myself, Supervisor Lusk, Supervisor Pouchik. Our speaker is Valerie Bay, board member of the Heart of Gold Sickle Cell Foundation of Northern Virginia, who I see is on her way down. And anyone else who is here for this is welcome to come down as well. I am going to hand the gavel to Supervisor Smith so that I can read the following proclamation. Whereas sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder resulting from the transmission of the sickle cell gene by both

[00:43:09] parents, disproportionately affecting African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Mediterranean populations. And whereas up to 100,000 individuals in the United States are affected by SCD, including approximately 4,000 in Virginia, while more than 2 million Americans carry the sickle cell trait among them, an estimated 155,000 Virginians.

[00:43:34] And whereas despite promising advancements in medical research that may lead to enhanced treatments and potential cures, there remains an urgent need for greater awareness, support, and equitable access to quality care, especially within underserved communities where health disparities persist, and whereas Fairfax County recognizes the importance of partnering with health care providers, community organizations, and advocacy groups to ensure that individuals living with SCD receive the care, education, and support necessary to manage their condition and lead fulfilling lives. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of

[00:44:13] Supervisors, on behalf of all Fairfax County residents, does hereby proclaim September 2026 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month in Fairfax County and urges patients, families, and community members to increase awareness, support prevention efforts, and promote continued research and treatment. I'll second that along with Supervisor Palachuk. Discussion on the motion, Mr. Chairman?

[00:44:36] Thank you very much. Supervisor Lusk and I had an opportunity last week to participate in the partnership with ANOVA that we have for a town hall meeting to raise awareness for this. And as usual was a tremendous turnout of the people that are mentioned in here. The advocates, the people who are building education and awareness, the clinicians, the supporters, and the organizations that fight every day to make sure that people understand what sickle cell disease is, what it

[00:45:07] means, how it is transmitted, and most importantly, how we still, despite a lot of research and advancements still don't have a cure for this disease and that is something that I know we all struggle with. I do want to thank Valerie and the Heart of Gold Sickle Cell Foundation for their years of work on this front. I think this was another one I mentioned earlier today that while we have proclaimed this now for a number of years, many more years went by where people weren't talking about this and that hurts my heart because I know there's a lot of people

[00:45:46] Fairfax County and as these numbers show that are affected by this so raising awareness is an important tool in building support for research and hopefully towards a cure lastly I want to thank all the partners who made the event last week a success including ANOVA who have been on this since day one this event has evolved every year into a bigger and better thing if you have not attended one of these town halls in the past make it a point to do that next year, because I can assure you you will learn something about this disease, and most importantly, you will learn how you can engage and help combat it moving forward. And so thank you

[00:46:24] all for being here this morning. Thank you. Supervisor Lusk-Bempelczyk. Thank you very much, Madam Vice Chairman. And Valerie, it's a pleasure to see you again. As the chairman mentioned last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Sickle Cell Town Hall. And again, thank you to the Heart Goal Sickle Cell Foundation of Northern Virginia and ANOVA for hosting that. The town hall showcased resources and emerging technologies benefiting sickle cell patients. We learned about breakthrough gene therapies and bone marrow transplantation that are significantly reducing the impacts of

[00:47:01] this disease. Gene therapies alter a patient's hemoglobin gene so that the red blood cells are less likely to become sickle-shaped, hence the name sickle cell. This can prevent or treat many of the problems associated with sickle cell disease. A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace abnormal bone marrow cells with new healthy bone-forming cells, blood-forming cells that can make healthy red blood cells that do not sickle. So very important. These procedures

[00:47:40] are going to hopefully lead to a cure for this disease. And I'll note a couple things. This disease is personal to me. I lost a dear friend who I'd worked with in Fairfax County for more than 10 years.

[00:47:56] He unfortunately succumbed to this disease at the age of 44. He suffered, and I saw it, from severe pain caused by dehydration, caused by this misshapen blood cell blocking the flow of blood in his body.

[00:48:15] It caused extreme fatigue, and it caused frequent infections. Additionally, I'll note here, I have the sickle cell trait, which means I'm not, I did not have the disease itself, but I am a carrier of the disease.

[00:48:31] As we heard, there's 2 million individuals who have that as well. We can also do something to help these patients who have sickle cell disease. Again, many of them suffer some pretty severe symptoms, and they need, in some cases, monthly blood transfusions.

[00:48:50] So donated blood is a very important source in helping to treat these conditions. ANOVA and the American Red Cross have often done blood donations across the region to support those patients.

[00:49:07] living with this disease. And I just wanted to note, I'll be coordinating a blood drive later this year at the Franconia District Governmental Center with Prince William Supervisor Victor Engry. He and I share something in common. He also has the trait, and we'll work with Nova Hospital to do that. So I'm grateful for that. And I encourage everyone who is listening to consider blood donation if you're able. And Valerie, again, I just greatly appreciate the work that you are doing with the Heart of Gold, the difference that you

[00:49:44] are making, your advocacy in the community. You've built something that is helping people feel less alone as they fight this intractable disease. Thank you so very much. Thank you. Supervisor Palchuk. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Valerie, it's always a pleasure to see you again, and your group gets larger every year. As a retired, longtime public servant of the county, I know that this is a passion, that you continue to lead so thoughtfully, successfully, and with hope.

[00:50:18] As Supervisor Lusk mentioned, there is always hope. There's always research. I appreciate the reminder. As a universal donor, I have started donating blood as often as I can down at Inova, and recommend everyone who can to do that little piece.

[00:50:37] But here, I just wanted to share-- I know many of us are still saddened by the loss last year. I believe it was last October of Candace King. This is often, you know, we know the statistics. We know that there are people impacted. But to know that this beautiful child, 15-year-old who fought for her life, whose mother was then a delegate and now the secretary of our commonwealth, whose father was a deputy sheriff and a delegate and just an incredible family that has given to our community, to the Commonwealth, while they were helping their daughter and their family fight through this horrible disease.

[00:51:17] I think just puts a picture of how it does impact all of us, even if they're not direct family members, that they are public servants in our community, members of our community, everything we can do and to help fight that and raise awareness for cures. And so thank you for what you do.

[00:51:33] Thank you for coming every single year. It's always nice to see your face again. And I just want to thank my colleagues for continuing to bring this forward and look forward to hearing from all of you. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

[00:51:51] Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstention? That motion carries. Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. And as she's been mentioned several times, the leader of the pack. Valerie is here with us today, who's always more articulate than any of us can be. So welcome.

[00:52:06] The floor is yours. Okay. Well, I don't know about that, but thank you. Chairman McKay, Supervisor Luss, Supervisor Palachuk, and members of the Board of Supervisors, thank you so much for this proclamation and your continued support for Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The county has, for more than a decade, recognized Sickle Cell Awareness Month with a proclamation, and that speaks volumes to the sickle cell community that they are being heard, they are seen, and they have not been forgotten.

[00:52:37] So very much appreciate your continued support. With me today is my sister, president and CEO of the Heart of Gold, Melanie Pearson Hurley, ANOVA Adult Sickle Cell Center, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, and the Melwood Wish Center. These are very valued partners, and we're so glad to have them with us today.

[00:52:59] Fairfax County is in the top three jurisdictions for sickle cell births. It is so important that everyone know their sickle cell trait status in order to make informed decisions about their health and to help end sickle cell disease. You know, this year, Virginia did enact the Queen Candace Hope for Sickle Cell Act signed by Governor Spanberger in memory of 15-year-old Candace Gabriella King, as you mentioned. The first in the nation legislative package that expands sickle cell trait testing education requires training for school nurses, helps coaches

[00:53:36] understand the risks faced by student athletes with the sickle cell trait, and connects health care providers with sickle cell specialists. We recently sent educational material to each of the supervisors that we're hoping you will display in your district offices, and we'd like to work with the Office of Public Affairs to find other locations where people can access information about the sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. Thank you again for this

[00:54:09] proclamation and for continuing to stand with the sickle cell community. Thank you. Thank you very much, Valerie, and thank you all for being here today, too. I think the show of force speaks volumes as well. With that, I think we're ready for a photo, and if you all can come forward,

[00:54:33] the board could rise. And next, we have a proclamation to designate September 15th to

[00:55:53] October 15th, 2026, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Fairfax County. This was requested by myself, Supervisor Jimenez, and Supervisor Palchik. Our speaker is Maria Demarest, parent liaison from Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, and she has a great group of individuals here with her.

[00:56:14] If you could come on down, and while you are doing that, I am going to hand the gavel to Vice Chairman Smith so that I can read the following proclamation. Whereas from September 15th to October 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated throughout the nation, honoring the rich histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

[00:56:36] And whereas Hispanic and Latino communities continue to make enduring contributions to our nation's prosperity, culture, economy, and civic life, helping shape and strengthen the fabric of our nation. And whereas this observance encompasses the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile, reflecting the diverse histories and heritage celebrated during this month.

[00:57:07] And whereas Fairfax County is home to more than 210,000 Hispanic and Latino residents whose diverse talents and contributions enrich our communities, strengthen our workforce, foster economic vitality, and build connections across cultures, now therefore be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim September 15th to October 15th, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Fairfax County and encourages all residents to celebrate the rich cultures and heritage of Hispanic and Latino communities

[00:57:46] and recognize their significant and lasting contributions to Fairfax County and throughout the United States. Second. Seconded by Supervisor Palachuk and Supervisor Jimenez. Discussion on the motion, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. Thank you all for being here this morning.

[00:58:02] This is an important proclamation now that we've done for a number of years to celebrate this month. And this is a friendly reminder to all of our residents in Fairfax County that we have the best gift you could ever be given, and that is rich diversity of our people and our cultures.

[00:58:20] And you can see this everywhere. Every corner of the county, you can see evidence of the rich diversity that makes this place a special place to live, a special place to grow up, certainly, and a special place to open businesses and be a part of our strong economy.

[00:58:37] And so I want to thank you all for the contributions that you make every day. We're very proud here in Fairfax County also to have a very strong Latino-Hispanic workforce serving the residents of Fairfax County. And I think it is important that the people who serve you also look like you.

[00:58:57] And this is a particular effort I want to give credit to our public safety officials in particular, who have done amazing work working on recruiting people that look like our community. And a number of us attend our graduation ceremonies for our public safety partners in fire and rescue in the sheriff's office.

[00:59:15] And we were talking earlier about how the county has evolved over a lot of years. And one thing that is remarkable when you go to those graduations is that you see people from all walks of life that speak all languages walking across that stage to be first responders in Fairfax County.

[00:59:32] And it is so important for us to make sure that we continue that progress. But really, this is a celebration month about recognizing our Hispanic heritage here in Fairfax County. The 210-plus thousand Hispanic and Latino people that proudly call Fairfax County home, we proudly call them our neighbors, our partners, and what makes Fairfax County successful, not just this month, but every day of the year.

[00:59:59] So thank you. Supervisor Palchuk. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, and thank you to the chairman and to Supervisor Jimenez for sharing in this, and thank you to all of you. It really, to me, this is such an important day, month, but honor of who we've become as a county.

[01:00:22] We have, as the chairman said, the most diverse county that I've ever lived in, and it really, truly makes a difference, especially seeing what it was like when I was a child here 30 years ago. And what I love about this month is that it is about celebration, right?

[01:00:40] We are celebrating our cultures, our customs, our community, our leaders, and that includes our economic leaders, our small business owners, which are a large majority. The majority of our business owners are small businesses. As someone who grew up with a mom who went from English classes to catering and a dad who fixed many houses in my community, and that's how we were known when I was growing up and ran for office.

[01:01:06] I know just how important it is that we ensure that our children and the next generation are not only able to just survive, but to thrive and have these leadership positions. There wasn't someone who looked like us when we were growing up. And so it's so critical that as to the first members of this board that are proud immigrant Latinos, Supervisor Jimenez and I know take that very seriously when we're in the community.

[01:01:34] As you probably know, 18% of our county is Latino-Hispanic, and it's even larger for our FCPS community. I know many of our school board members are here today. And we know that we really need to focus and celebrate on the contributions, especially at a time when the national conversation, when the fears are very much rampant in our community, that we are here to celebrate, to support, and to ensure that we are proud of our community.

[01:02:04] One thing that really stood out, because I know I wanted to see what is the data on the economic impact of our community, and nationally, Latinos drove 28.2% of all U.S. economic growth in 2024, when we only make up one-fifth of the population.

[01:02:23] So we continue to give and give back and employ and support our community. The U.S. Latino GDP reached $4.4 trillion in 2024, meaning that if the Latino GDP were measured as a country, it'd be the fourth largest, fourth largest economy in the world.

[01:02:44] That's how big our contributions are. And while they're impressive, we know that it's those individual stories that really tell. and there are too many to tell, but we know that our businesses contribute to that, and I want to highlight just two this morning. One is Arepa Zone, which is across the region, and they do have a location now in the border Providence district, right by the city of Fairfax, and when Venezuela was hit by the earthquake, not only were our public responders out there responding, but Arepa Zone jumped into action and they turned their restaurants into collection sites and sent

[01:03:22] truckloads of AIDS to Venezuela. And we know just how important our connections to our communities are. Just this week, I have a few places where I can get my favorite dulce leche imported from Argentina. And one of those is at Plaza Market right in the heart of Providence in the Don Loring area, who many may not know, the owner is the mom of Victor Albizu, the chef and owner of Taco Bamba, and he started his first Taco Bamba shop, it's still there, right next door

[01:03:56] to his mom's market, in Mercado, right on Idlewood, and it's just amazing to see, and as an Argentina, he's a big Argentinian chef as well, and trained in how to make a great stake, but that we continue to celebrate and understand the importance of these local businesses of our Latino, and investment in our community, and what they do to support our communities.

[01:04:20] And so much so that his mom and stepfather started businesses to help our aging population age in place after having experienced the gaps that we had when their own mother needed a place to be.

[01:04:36] So we give and we give and we support, and not just our own families and our community, but the entire region. So thank you again for being here, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our celebrations. Norma, always good to see you, from our county residents to our nonprofits and so many of our county employees.

[01:04:57] It really is hopeful to see you here and to see you set an incredible example, especially for our children. I want my daughter to be as proud as we are here today as she grows up in this community. Thank you. I have Supervisor Jiménez and Stork.

[01:05:14] Thank you so much. Buenos dias a todos. Que gusto ver a tantos amigos. Taka hakan. Están las dreamers, mothers. Que gusto verlos a todos. As a proud immigrant from Colombia, I'm honored to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month alongside yourself, Mr. Chairman, and Supervisor Palchuk.

[01:05:34] I'm especially pleased that Maria de Marist of our own Bailey's Primary Elementary School is here to receive this proclamation. Maria is a parent liaison at Bailey's Primary and has been at the school for more than 30 years. She was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Bailey's Crossroad Rotary Club in 2011 and recognized as an outstanding office assistant in 2024 by FCPS.

[01:06:01] Maria is a fantastic example of citizens giving their time to change their communities for the better. Now more than ever, we need to celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our nation, to our state, and right here in our backyard here in Fairfax County.

[01:06:22] While there are so many trying to demonize our beautiful culture, I wish to celebrate, I choose to celebrate, all the wonderful contributions of the many, many Hispanic Americans here in Fairfax County. There are neighbors, there are friends, there are relatives.

[01:06:40] They're the ones working so hard that we often don't think about. While some choose hate, this month and every day, I choose love. I choose dignity, and I choose justice. Thank you so much for all of your contributions, and I look forward to celebrating this entire month with all of you.

[01:06:57] Thank you. Thank you. Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, and I'm happy to join the voices here of welcome and really appreciation for the history, the long history, the history that most people don't really recognize predated the founding of this country by a wide margin, multi-generations, and I think people forget that Hispanic culture has been interwoven with our country,

[01:07:34] again, since the beginning, and the multiple generations that have been part of that, I think, have been a huge critical element of what we've become and, frankly, where we're going. And I think some of those comments were mentioned by my colleagues here. And I especially also want to acknowledge and thank the recent arrivals.

[01:07:55] Many, many Central, South American countries that are represented here, not only the countries themselves, but the communities, the cultures. I mean, they're rich, they're deep, they're important to all that we are, And especially for me, important to Richmond Highway and the Franconia, Mount Vernon districts, because we have seen the growth and development and the importance of that culture.

[01:08:19] You cannot drive down Richmond Highway and not see that culture everywhere, and particularly in some amazing restaurants. But there are other ways that we also see that. So I encourage everybody to drive down Richmond Highway and experience some of that. But more importantly, come join us to help celebrate what is an important part of our culture and our community.

[01:08:41] I also recognize that this is a very difficult time. I share the concerns, the angst. We share that and the uncertainty, especially of temporary protective status. Salvadorans and so many other groups, those concerns, those issues are real, are tearing families apart.

[01:09:02] It's wrong, and I will continue to do whatever I can to support keeping the folks here who have been here for decades and have made the difference and have raised families and put together communities that are enriching all of us, again, especially along the Richmond Highway Corridor. So, again, my thanks to all of you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries.

[01:09:32] Mr. Chairman? Thank you very much, Vice Chairman Smith. And was mentioned, our speaker is Maria Demarest, apparently is on for Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. Thank you for all of your years of service. And welcome. The floor is yours.

[01:09:47] Thank you. Good morning. To me, it's an honor. And I'm very humbled to be here in front of you. But it's an honor to have my many countries here. You could say one by one and there is a country.

[01:10:05] This is a play of the countries, the great contribution we have to this great country too. Because America is not a country, it's a continent. And this is, we have to learn to the children.

[01:10:21] Good morning. My name is Maria Demores. I was born in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla, Colombia. I'm proud to be a Latina or Hispanic American. I'm apparently a son at Bailey's Elementary School for 37 years.

[01:10:39] And over there, my job is to encourage the parents for the education of the children. Because for any immigrant, I think the mission is the second generation.

[01:10:55] It's not our generation. It's the second generation that we have to teach. And encourage parents' involvement in the children's education, provide Fairfax County public school information and resources, and make parents feel valued, trusted, and in the school system.

[01:11:15] Thank you Board of Supervisors, Chairman Jim McKay, Providence District, Dalia Polchik, the great Argentina lady, Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez, a great Colombian, and a special thanks to my friend Carol Escalante.

[01:11:42] I don't see her, no? Yeah, she's not here. She couldn't come, but for her, this got to her too. I dedicate this declaration to the great Latino family of Fairfax County and beyond. To the Latinos who get up early in the morning to go to work, and many of them don't return.

[01:12:04] To the separate families, and to the children that are missing parents and relatives. I just have to tell you, a little boy, first grade, has to ask the parent, Mommy, do I have paper?

[01:12:19] That is killing me. A child in third and first grade to asking that couldn't be impossible. I also dedicate this to all the families liaison at Fairfax County Public School, especially my co-working, Marianne Perez, Jocelyn, Anna, and Rocio.

[01:12:46] But this month is also for celebration to the Cultural Mosaic of Hispanic Heritage Month, A mosaic of 22 countries in South, Central, and North America, the Caribbean, and Spain.

[01:13:04] A month that also commemorates independence of many Latin American countries, especially in Central America. Our hardworking people have given us not only the benefit of the labor in construction, restaurants, child care, but also in the world of science, technology, and education.

[01:13:31] And we enrich the art, the world's dance, music, films, and literature. The flavors of our food and the rhythms of our music are beloved. We are grateful to Fairfax County for recognizing the cultural contribution on Hispanic Heritage Month.

[01:13:53] Latinos, today, more than ever, we are united. Thank you to all. Thank you very much, Maria.

[01:14:11] You are an amazing person and spokesperson, not just for the Hispanic community, but for all of us. So thank you. With that, I think we're ready for a photo. Supervisor Jimenez and Palchuk would join me. I've seen a number of school board members here, too. If they would like to be in this photo, please, you're welcome to come down and join us.

[01:14:29] All right.

[01:17:24] Finally, we have a proclamation to designate September 2026 as Hunger Action Month in Fairfax County. This was requested by myself, Supervisor Luss, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser, and Supervisor Palchek. Our speaker is Norma Lopez, Inclusive Engagement and Target Interventions, Division Director of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

[01:17:46] And you are here. If there's anyone else here with you, they're welcome to join you. And at this time, I'm going to recognize Supervisor Palchek. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So good to see you all. Whereas September is recognized as Hunger Action Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of food insecurity and supporting anti-hunger efforts in communities across the United States.

[01:18:11] And whereas 26% of individuals in Fairfax County struggle with food insecurity and more than 64,000 children rely on free and reduced-price meals in Fairfax County public schools. And whereas food insecurity affects some of our most vulnerable populations, including 11,100 participants in the Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, program, more than 900 home-delivered meals recipients, and more than 48,000 individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.

[01:18:48] And whereas a network of county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based groups works tirelessly to combat food insecurity throughout Fairfax County. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County does hereby proclaim September 2026 as Hunger Action Month and urges all residents to raise awareness, support local hunger relief efforts, and take action to help eliminate food insecurity in our community.

[01:19:20] I'm happy to second that motion, along with Supervisor Lust. Discussion on the motion, Supervisor Palchik. Yeah, Mr. Chairman, so this is less of a celebration than our last moment, but it is a celebration of those of you and all the members of our community who come together, who come together every day, who support our community every day, especially now at a time when we are seeing rising costs in food, in housing, in groceries, in energy, families being cut off of federal assistance programs, of state assistance programs.

[01:19:57] As we come together, and we know that here in Fairfax County and with our state partners, we have to do more than ever to help make up that gap and that difference. But we couldn't do it without all of you and the thousands of people, volunteers, and representatives and staff that you represent in our community.

[01:20:16] These challenges are felt especially tightly here, where we already have an economy with high housing costs, high cost of living, and has only been exacerbated with political decisions and with the reality of our economy today.

[01:20:33] more than 12,000 students in our elementary schools. That is unimaginable how many children rely on our communities. And this one is specifically, sorry, this is just the other day. We have many communities, some of you are here, that provide support to our communities.

[01:20:52] But just the other day, I was filling my red bag for food for neighbors. We have food for others and food for neighbors, not to be confused, But both incredible organizations. And as my bag was dropped off, I got a postcard that said, celebrating 10 years of food for neighbors, working with volunteers and with our schools, and making it easy, very easy, to donate food if you are on the pickup route, that they bring you a red bag and they pick it up.

[01:21:24] And all you have to do is, when you buy your groceries, put a little bit more. That's how I see it. You just get a little bit more, whatever you can, to support our community. They are celebrating 10 years, and we know that their work and everyone who does this work across the county cannot do it alone.

[01:21:40] We can't do it alone, and it's about providing strength, understanding the challenges, and understanding that we are filling gaps. And at the same time, we need to continue to ensure that our community members have access to economic viability and to great jobs and opportunity to be able to feed and not worry about their families.

[01:22:00] As we talk about mental health and suicide prevention, we know that fears and lack of access to basic necessities like housing and food and child care exacerbate the mental health issues and fears that are already in our community.

[01:22:20] So this is a call to action month because there is something everyone can do, whether you are going to, through our county, through our organizations like Food for Others, Food for Neighbors, and so many across the county that have created different ways to be able to give, whether it's our food pantries, whether it's our nonprofits out in the community, very much appreciate that we have made it easier than ever to donate food and to grow food for the members of Grow Row as well.

[01:22:52] So there are so many ways to be able to partner and support the work that we do. and to ensure good and nutritious food. This also marks a year that the Fairfax Food Council is hosting its 10th year of helping support nutrition and access to excellent food and food sources here.

[01:23:11] So thank you, Norma, so good to see you. I don't see you as much now that you're not Region 2 NCS, but I appreciate that the work that you've done in our community, especially in the Annandale Falls Church area you are now bringing that joy and that love to everything we do in the county so we're so grateful for your dedication to our comunidad and thank you to elissa and to all of you who are here and those of you who are back in the offices or out in the community please help our neighbor if

[01:23:43] you can hunger action month this is the call to action supervisor sizemore heiser thank you and again thank you for all the great work you do i just want to take this opportunity to mention that This Saturday, September 19th, many of our offices are hosting or locations are hosting Stuff the Bus.

[01:24:01] It's the first time I believe that, at least in Braddock, it's being hosted at the Braddock District Office right on the back side of the Kings Park Library. And I see one of my wonderful constituents here as well, who's been seminal in the Stuff the Bus movement. So as the call to action that Supervisor Palczyk mentioned, come out to one of our county locations this Saturday, bring some canned food or gift cards to grocery stores.

[01:24:23] All that will be donated to our various food banks. I think mine is going to Bright Paths and maybe other partners as well. So just a plug for Stuff the Bus, Saturday, 9 to 5, come bring what you've got in your pantry, bring a gift card and support. We have 68,000 folks in our county who live below the federal poverty level, and it is a great way to help a neighbor.

[01:24:43] Thank you. Thank you. Supervisor Lusk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll just note, according to the 2025 Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report, 40% of adults surveyed said their household finances declined, which is 5% higher than in 2023 and 2024.

[01:25:04] In addition, the pressure of high inflation, which we've heard, is continuing to hurt the purchasing power of our residents. Prices for all food are forecast to increase 3% according to the USDA, so these pressures are evident.

[01:25:21] When I've been out talking to residents in my own district, many of them have shared with me the same points that were made by Supervisor Palchek. Cost of rent, food, other necessary expenditures is becoming increasingly more difficult to put food on the table.

[01:25:38] And in Fairfax County, we are so fortunate. We have so many non-profits, we have places of worship, we have county agencies that are really helping us close that gap. And I'll reiterate the point that Supervisor just made about the Stuff the Bus program on September 19th.

[01:25:58] That program was created by Vance Zavella in partnership with Giant Foods back in 2010. Since that time, they've collected over 522,000 pounds of food, which is pretty significant.

[01:26:16] And I just want to acknowledge that Vance retired this summer after 30 years of service and just want to commend him for the work that he's done. And with that, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you all.

[01:26:33] Obviously, I've had an opportunity to work with so many of you, And Mason District is definitely an area that sees a lot of pain right now, especially with food insecurity. You know, you go to any of the faith houses of worship and you see that they have food pantries, whether it's Dar al-Hijra or the Colmore United Methodist, St. Anthony's, you know, the Annandale High School Pantry, the Justice High School Pantry.

[01:26:56] We can just keep going on and on. Our community, though, has risen up and is working. And if you go visit some of these pantries, you just see the love of the community bringing in donations constantly, weekly, monthly. But we just need to ramp that up.

[01:27:12] I see that today we have 49 speakers. You know what I look forward to? I'd love to see 49 speakers all here to talk about food insecurity in Fairfax County. That, to me, is not a nice-to-have. It's a must-have. Our community deserves to have a support system.

[01:27:30] We need to make sure that we're helping, you know, as mentioned, Stuff the Bust is this weekend. I believe it's in every single one of our district offices this year. In past years, it's been at different supermarkets, I think giant. But highly recommend that folks take this wonderful, beautiful weekend, go out, buy some groceries, bring them to our district offices so that we can make sure that food insecurity is just a little less this weekend and help our families that are suffering and need so much.

[01:27:57] So thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Jimenez. And let me also just reiterate some points that were made I think are important because, you know, the Stuff the Bus program began, depending on your math, either in 2010 or 2011, but 15 years ago.

[01:28:13] That was before COVID. That was before the federal cuts to the nutrition programs that so many people are relying on. And so this issue has been here in our community for a long time. And thankfully, people had the vision 15 years ago to create just this one program of many.

[01:28:32] But what it has done is it has emboldened our nonprofit groups and our community. And I think it speaks volume to what kind of a county we live in. Because when this started back in 2011, the Stuff the Bus program, along with other programs in the county, have collected more than 240 tons of food for our community.

[01:28:55] 240 tons. I think it speaks volume to the type of community that we live in. We know a lot of that food has also gone into our school system to support the pantries and other things that exist. And we know the academic performance of children is dramatically different, whether they have a healthy food environment at home or not, to be able to perform in school.

[01:29:16] And so this runs through the gamut of all the different layers of things we work on in Fairfax County, but it's such a fundamental. And I want to thank all of you for your efforts. This board made a sizeable investment in the Capital Area Food Bank some years ago to be able to expand their operations dramatically in Fairfax County.

[01:29:35] Our faith communities have stepped up to the plate and supported this program in so many ways, but we do this proclamation every year to remind people of the statistics and numbers, but also to celebrate a little bit the partnerships that we have that are making a difference in so many people's lives because what you're doing matters and it counts and it's productive and we appreciate it with that we're ready for a vote all those in favor of the motion please say aye aye any opposed any abstentions and that motion carries and she's been mentioned a few times but we are happy to have Norma Lopez the inclusive engagement and target interventions

[01:30:11] division director for the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, NCS, known as the Blue Shirts. Welcome. The floor is yours. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning again. I'm going to break a little protocol, as I am absolutely known for.

[01:30:30] The true subject matter expert at NCS is my colleague here, and I will share the remarks with my colleagues. So I'm going to step aside. Welcome. Thank you. My name is Elisa Brooks.

[01:30:45] I'm the Food Access Program Manager at NCS. Thank you to the Board of Supervisors for this proclamation and for shining a light on Hunger Action Month. It reflects a core value of our county that food is a universal human right.

[01:31:01] And the regular access to safe, nutritious food is vital to the health and well-being of our community. As you've heard, food insecurity affects our most vulnerable populations. It affects children's ability to learn, the health and stability of families, and the quality of life for older adults.

[01:31:20] This proclamation tells our community that we will not turn a blind eye to all of these realities, and it calls on all of us to act, because even small actions can make a huge difference. I would be remiss not to mention Stuff the Bus taking place this Saturday at many of your offices, where we are calling on the community to help stock the shelves of our local food pantries.

[01:31:46] Our local food pantries are seeing a growing need as many families face increasing economic pressures. Some of those seeking help today may be neighbors who once were able to help themselves. So I ask everyone in Fairfax County, every resident, every neighbor, please spread the word.

[01:32:04] Donate what you can and help us make sure that no one has to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. Thank you again for this proclamation and for standing with all of us against this fight against hunger. Thank you very much.

[01:32:28] And Norma, I can see why you did that now. Well said. With that, I think we're ready for a photo. Again, if school board members are here, they're welcome to join us for this photo as well. And if the board could rise.

[01:33:17] Next, we are going to move on to board matters.

[01:34:15] These have been distributed electronically to all board members. We will go in order by Magisterial District, following myself and Vice Chairman Smith. I'm going to hand the gavel to Vice Chairman Smith. I have four board matters. First, I move to approve without objection the proclamations requests that are listed in this document to be presented inside or outside of the boardroom, and board members will see there's about a dozen of them there.

[01:34:39] I'm not going to read them all, but I do want to thank you for your contributions to this list. Without objection is so ordered. Thank you. My next board matter is authorization to send a letter to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regarding proposed regulatory revisions implementing the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process.

[01:35:02] The Section 106 consultation process of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consult with state and local governments, tribal governments, and the public to identify historic resources, determine potential effects, and collaborate on preservation-oriented alternatives or mitigation strategies before moving forward with federal undertakings. Fairfax County has been a certified local government under this framework since 1995. This allows us to have a formal consulting party role in the review of federally connected projects which may impact historic resources, which, given our location,

[01:35:40] of course, is of critical importance to us. Recently, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, ACHP, proposed major changes to Section 106 regulations that, if adopted, would eliminate the requirement for consultation with state and local governments and the public.

[01:35:57] The proposed changes also narrow the definition of historic properties, removing historic landscapes such as battlefields, rural districts, and traditional cultural places from consideration altogether. These revisions represent a substantial change to the core commitment of the federal Government to Historic Preservation and Community Input into Federal Decision-Making Regarding Historic Properties.

[01:36:22] The ACHP proposed revisions to the regulations implementing the Section 106 process are currently under review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OIRA. If the proposed regulations clear OIRA review, then they will be published in the Federal Register and begin a public comment period.

[01:36:42] Recently, a coalition of more than 600 public, private, and nonprofit organizations sent an open letter to Congress outlining their concerns regarding ACHP's proposed revisions and additional efforts to weaken Section 106. Therefore, I move that the Board of Supervisors send the attached letter to ACHP urging the Council to reconsider or withdraw the proposed regulatory changes and that the county executive direct county staff to proactively prepare a response to the changes should they be published, emphasizing the importance of tribal, state, and local government and public participation

[01:37:19] in advocating for all historic resources to be considered in the Section 106 federal review process. I'll second that motion. Discussion on the motion. Supervisor Stork? I'm happy to second that as well, but especially recognize the criticality of federal protection of national historic sites.

[01:37:41] And frankly, many of those go far beyond what is Mount Vernon or George Mason's home. Really, it's across the country. As somebody who deeply admires and loves so many places out west, I know that this kind of change can have a major impact on some of the petroglyphs and other kinds of drawings and ruins, you quote-unquote ruins, but really historic sites that are important to me, my heritage, and to so many others.

[01:38:15] We talked about Hispanic heritage, and much of that is the core of the Southwest as well. So it's a national issue. It's not just a Fairfax County issue, but it absolutely positively affects Fairfax County. We need to stand up. We need to be saying that these are not right to protect our heritage, protect our resources, and I'm all in and appreciate the chairman for bringing this forward.

[01:38:37] Thank you. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstention? That motion carries. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chair Smith. My next item is a joint board matter with yourself, Supervisor Smith, and Supervisor Behrman, and there's going to be more discussion about this later today, but this is the establishment of a joint task force to address pedestrian and traffic safety in Fairfax County school zones. Later this morning, the Board of Supervisors will be considering the carryover package for FY 2026.

[01:39:09] As part of that package, there will be consideration to fund crossing guards at high schools that were a reduction as part of our current fiscal year's budget. High school crossing guards are unique to Fairfax County in that no other high schools in our area have them assigned to these locations.

[01:39:25] The start of the 2026-27 school year, however, has brought to light gaps in coordination, information, and infrastructure. The Fairfax County Police Department conducted site reviews in coordination with the Office of School Security to identify challenges around school zones and to provide recommendations on safety improvements.

[01:39:44] As this review was taking place, Fairfax County Public Schools Safe Routes to Schools presented an assessment to the FCPS leadership that identified kiss-and-ride areas as overextended to the point of becoming one of the school system's quote, most significant operational concerns district-wide, end quote.

[01:40:04] This finding was part of an extensive 68-page comprehensive report that provided a list of recommendations that included the promotion of increased utilization of buses, expanding active transportation programs, improving traffic circulation patterns, reviewing illegal drop-off and pickup locations, enhancing parent and student education and communication, evaluating infrastructure improvements and partnering with both the Virginia and Fairfax County Departments of Transportation. The Fairfax County Police Department also found many of the same issues during their evaluations. It is

[01:40:42] more clear now that collaboration and coordination are needed towards the shared priority of responsibility of the Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Public Schools in keeping our students safe. Toward that end, I'm proposing the creation of a Joint School Board and Board of Supervisors Task force consistent with other joint committees that already exist to review and strategize pedestrian bicycle scooter and traffic safety in school zones this task force should work expeditiously to provide both governing bodies with long-term solutions moreover the review should include but not be limited to the recommendations provided by the Fairfax County Police

[01:41:20] Department through their site evaluations the office of school security and safe routes to school staff based on the recent report previously referenced cited and presented to FCPS. Further, this joint task force should also seek to engage other key stakeholders including the Virginia Department of Transportation who own and maintain virtually every road in Fairfax County. In addition, the task force engagement should include Virginia General Assembly delegation members and given the latitude to consult with any other stakeholder groups the task force deems appropriate and has always been the case for these

[01:41:59] type of efforts strategies and solutions provided by the end topics deliberated on by this joint task force may include among other things approaches to public safety personnel deployments funding and cost-sharing ideas road design concepts and execution piloting of new safety related general assembly authorizations development of safety related criteria and assessments public awareness and education campaigns and ideas concerning necessary enabling state legislation. Therefore I move that the Board of Supervisors establish this joint task force with the school board to address pedestrian and traffic safety

[01:42:38] in Fairfax County school zones and I also nominate Vice Chair Kathy Smith and Supervisor James Beerman to represent the Board of Supervisors on passage of this board matter. I request School Board Chair Robin Lady to select two school board members to serve on this task force. And I will add that the school board chair and I have had extensive conversations on this already, and I so move. Second. I'll second that along with Beerman and Palchik and I guess everybody else. Discussion on the motion? Yeah, I'm going to save much of my discussion on this for later, because the issue of crossing guards is obviously one of

[01:43:15] the many items on our agenda today. And so I'm going to save a lot of my conversation until that point. This is simply to set up a task force to improve communication. There's a lot of people working on public safety issues in Fairfax County, but unfortunately there's not as much conversation as I think many of us would like to see, and certainly not as much collaboration as many of us would like to see. This is a complicated issue, complicated by the fact that Fairfax County owns and maintains almost none of our roadways.

[01:43:48] And so many of us in this dais have been in fights with VDOT, with some of our partners to get safety measures put in place that haven't always borne the type of fruit that we would like to see happen. We have done a lot in this area, some with the support of schools, some with reluctance, but use of technology, whether it's setting up our speed zones that have been put in place the last couple of years. That required state enabling legislation to do. Supervisor Faust and I worked for 10 years to get the right from the state to put school bus stop arm cameras on our

[01:44:28] bus fleet. These things, unfortunately, when you have to go get permission from the state, take a while. And so the deliberate engagement in this task force of the Virginia Department of Transportation, as well as our partners on the school board, is a really important part of the conversation. And I would just add that we're setting this up today so that there's sufficient time to meet and discuss initiatives in advance of consideration of next year's budget. Obviously, in a little bit of time here, we're going to address the immediate issue of the school crossing guards today, which I think is favorable. But I will say that I think we've all seen, with the

[01:45:06] number of accidents that have happened in the county, around schools or not around schools, that there's a lot of work to continue to be done in this space. I remember when I brought forward a board matter before this very board to set up the Bicycle Master Plan.

[01:45:22] It was before a lot of you were here, but some of you who are here didn't like that idea, didn't really support a Bicycle Master Plan. And so, you know, we've been at this for a long time to try to get these things put in place. We've been at this for a long time in trying to work with VDOT, And to me, it's time for FCPS to partner with Fairfax County to go at some of these issues with the state and then also to look long term at what are our resources look like for personnel deployment.

[01:45:52] And we're going to have a lot of conversation about that later. But at the end of the day, we're hoping this task force will give us some recommendations that can be put in place in advance of and be reflected in next year's budget when it comes time for budget adoption. And so I would appreciate my colleagues' support for this.

[01:46:09] I would also add that these committees, like all of our joint committees, are open to the public. I'm nominating two supervisors to serve. Chair Robin Lady will nominate two school board members to serve. But any member of this board or the school board can attend any of these joint committee meetings or view them online.

[01:46:29] And so I just want to make sure that we make that clear. And so I would appreciate support for this. Thank you. I have Supervisor Bierman, then Pelczyk, then Harrity. Thank you, Vice Chair Smith. First of all, I want to thank the members of the school board who approached me and who approached Chairman McKay about setting up this joint task force, who thought about the problems that we have and the shared responsibility that we all have to keep our kids safe and who wanted to be collaborative on this.

[01:47:00] In order for this joint task force to succeed, I think we all need to recognize that it is a shared responsibility. In truth, we all deal with one pot of money that we work with. We transfer a lot of our money to the schools, but it is all a shared responsibility and it is something that we work on together.

[01:47:21] And I want to make sure that that isn't lost. I think, spoiler alert, folks, you're going to get your crossing guards back in about an hour and a half. But I do want to be very clear about the way decisions are made here.

[01:47:44] And this board voted on our budget to mark it up on April 28th. We finalized our budget on May 5th. On May 7th, there was an FCPS presentation of their budget. And on May 12th, there was a public hearing about the FCPS budget.

[01:47:59] On May 14th, there was a work session. On May 21st, there was a budget adoption from FCPS. Crossing guards were not a part of the FCPS budget. There is a shared responsibility here. And we need to be talking together about all of the things that we need together.

[01:48:18] And we do, frankly, also have to talk about targeting our resources. A dollar here is not a dollar there. That's how this works. That's how governing works. And so that's why I think it's very important that we bring together this joint committee and start tackling these problems.

[01:48:36] Now, I want to be clear about some of the things that we've been doing in the county to try and tackle pedestrian safety and traffic safety. We have committed to spend $100 million over six years on pedestrian and bicycle improvements. As a part of Carryover today, we're putting in another $9 million towards it.

[01:48:54] And when we do that at Carryover next year, we will hit that $100 million. We launched the Roadshark campaign to combat speeding. We created and expanded programs for speed cameras in school zones. We added speed cameras to bus arms. We advocated with the General Assembly for increased local authority to bring speed limits down in certain locations.

[01:49:13] the 20 is plenty campaign. We ran a take a moment campaign for pedestrian bike safety and traffic safety. We audited in May the FCDOT's active transportation systems to try and figure out how we could deliver more on pedestrian safety on time and on budget. We've worked with the members of the General Assembly delegation on bills aimed at reducing VDOT timelines on how they approve of road designs and road changes. And we've pressed VDOT to avoid restrictive interpretations that make it harder for us to put in the type of pedestrian safety matters that we want.

[01:49:52] The April 8th, 2025 meeting, Transportation Committee meeting, is a little infamous because we gave VDOT a hard time about their snow removal issues. What people missed was the second half of that meeting where we gave VDOT a hard time about their unwillingness often to put in rectangular rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks. So we've been working on this for a long time, and we will continue working on this. And I feel like I have to correct the record on that. When I saw, for instance, that school board Mateo Dunn got himself quoted as saying, in my conversations with the

[01:50:30] board of supervisors, they've expressed extreme reluctance to put in place traffic calming measures like speed humps and the narrowing of roads. I don't know what planet he spends most of time on. Because in my office, we spend a heck of a lot of time on those types of things. And if you stick around for our admin items, the very first admin item today is something in our Residential Traffic Administration program to put speed bumps into a neighborhood. It's Dahlia's. So let me also touch upon the seven different topics that we have in this board matter. Development of safety-related

[01:51:07] criteria and assessments. I think we do need to start thinking about what are our data-driven criteria to establish the need for when additional safety resources are needed in a certain place. And frankly, to establish where we might not need the same treatments. Not every school is the same.

[01:51:30] You know, you don't throw out an umbrella just because it isn't raining, but folks in Seattle own more umbrellas than folks in Arizona. We have differing needs at schools, and we should be thinking about where they are. We should include crash data, information from FCPD, information from principals, information from Fairfax families for safe streets. We need to identify the locations with documented safety risk, and we need to set up that criteria and those assessments.

[01:52:01] We need to be talking about road design concepts and execution. We need to be talking about what kind of treatments and infrastructure changes we want to make in certain places. And we need to get real also at times about what our opportunities are. I was dismayed when I saw a school board member post a video from a fully signalized intersection. You cannot engineer better than that. A signalized intersection with walk signals every which way. Now it was a big road and maybe we want to provide bus service so kids aren't crossing it. I get that, but you can't out-engineer

[01:52:38] that. And so we need to set those baselines. But at the same time, when it comes to execution, we need to make sure that our partners at VDOT, that our partners at FCDOT are helping us come up with how we're going to do those road treatments and helping us execute on them faster. I do think we need to talk about our approaches to public safety personnel deployments. There's been a lot of talk about crossing guards and the term crossing guards. But I know and you know that sometimes what people really want is somebody who's simply helping people cross the street.

[01:53:15] And sometimes what people really want is a cop directing traffic. You know, actually at one of my schools, uh, at an elementary school for a long time, it was covered by a patrol officer who was directing traffic. And then when it, when that patrol officer had a crossing guard fill in for them, the, uh, the principal, uh, wanted their cop back, uh, when they actually did have a crossing guard. We didn't end up going back to a cop, but we did send cops out there to write tickets and pretty soon their problems changed. So we do need to think about our public safety personnel

[01:53:50] deployments and get creative on what we actually need at various different schools. Whether we need a traditional crossing guard, whether we need something different. And then the next topic, funding and cost sharing ideas. How are we going to pay for it? Is there something different than what we are doing that makes more sense. Among other things, and I talked about this at the budget committee meeting, we set the budget once a year, but we also need to be able to be more nimble and moving people around. So maybe there are other options for how to set how we pay for these things and how we deploy these resources. Piloting of new safety-related General Assembly

[01:54:30] authorizations. I would love to see us piloting the cameras on stop signs that we got authorization for. I would love to see us doing 20 is plenty in more locations, bringing down the speed limits. Ideas concerning necessary enabling legislation. I have talked to many members, two, I've talked to two members of the General Assembly right now, no, actually three, about shot clock legislation.

[01:54:57] What do you mean by shot clock legislation? Something that says that if we're trying to put something into a school zone, VDOT is going to give us an answer faster on whether we can or cannot do it. Because again, we're always working with VDOT. Public awareness and education campaigns.

[01:55:19] It's going to take everyone. It's going to take students. It's going to take parents. It's going to take people who aren't parents but drive-by schools to understand what is going on. We need our kids to know how to cross safely. We need our drivers to know how to be more safe. We need our drivers to know that there are consequences when they aren't more safe. We need to work on all of that. I will simply close by offering a little bit of a case study that I think is necessary to understand and is something I would personally like to see replicated in more places and to tell

[01:55:58] you how we address these things. We had an issue at Longfellow Middle School. Some parents were worried about the way that the traffic pattern was leading people to try and whip around people at Kiss and Ride. We sent out VDOT. FCDOT went out and looked at that school site as well. They did a study. They came up with ideas. VDOT has agreed to implement changes in the striping that they think will make the situation safer. FCDOT and VDOT came up with some other ideas on how

[01:56:33] Longfellow may work with the church next door. Those ideas are currently on the desk of the Longfellow principal. We collaborated. We got together. We spent all summer doing it. This effort started in May, and it's still going on. That's the work of governing, and that's what we need to be able to do, and we need to be able to replicate those interactions across the county and figure out what systems we put in place to make sure that those kinds of interactions that yield results are replicated everywhere.

[01:57:08] Thank you. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, and thank you to you, to the Chairman, and especially to Supervisor Biermann for their work on this. This is absolutely the direction we need, is that collaboration.

[01:57:24] They are all of our kids. I have started a few conversations, so I appreciate that this is holistic. back to what you said, I just want to make one point before a couple suggestions, if I may. Number one, we know the science shows that the way to impact pedestrian safety is, number one, engineering. Number two, enforcement. And number three, education. So yes, absolutely, engineering is the most costly. And some of it is in our public roadways. But this is where part of the reason I'm in this position now and make sure I can continue to have communication with my

[01:58:03] school board member and my principals is because there are areas where we don't have schools being renovated, where we don't have new schools, that we have, as was shared, issues with our kiss and ride. We have buses and cars that are using the same lane and causing issues that lead to lack of safety and a nuisance remaining of our community. Where we have renovations, like at Mosaic Elementary, we have worked diligently and together and with engineers to try to address some of those concerns, because that is the number one way to help address the safety issues that we have across our whole community.

[01:58:41] So I do want to ensure that while there are many issues focused here, that we are looking at places where we can collaborate, where maybe we know, and we've known for a long time, that there are safety concerns from the way that the school is designed, and that there are ways to improve that, that maybe haven't been popular.

[01:59:00] but we have to look at those again, and we have to collaborate. That is where our two boards have to work together. I also want to make sure, in addition to looking at ingress and egress and how we can reduce that, is I've started conversations with our transportation department because there are creative ways to look at programming.

[01:59:21] My district is the most urban, but the whole county is more urban than it's ever been and wasn't built that way. So there's a lot of change that needs to happen in behavior and infrastructure to do that. And I think we can look at what has worked, whether it's our transportation demand management programs with our businesses and large residential buildings that can help us change behavior.

[01:59:48] We need baselines for where we are on use of Kiss and Ride and buses. And how do we partner on that to help ensure that more of our kids are taking the bus because it is the safest way to get to school, that more of our kids feel safe to bike or walk to school?

[02:00:03] I drive by elementary school every day with an excellent crossing guard and see so many parents parking on the side of the road to walk their kids in. And those are things that we have to look at together. So I think I know this is the only effective way we're going to be able to address these issues and that we're able to look at partnering on problem solving and on funding and are advocating to Richmond where more of that is needed.

[02:00:29] I'm bringing in our parents and our PTAs to help us get those authorities. And finally, the only other thing I would say is the recent horrible, horrible tragic death we had, which happened on, I was that middle schooler biking to Frost almost every day in middle school and didn't understand why my mom was afraid every single day I chose to bike to middle school and to see that we have to look as a community.

[02:00:56] But my only ask is that that incident was in the city of Fairfax. I've had conversations with the mayor. We do have many of our schools that border or are in the city of Fairfax. So I would just ask that we include the mayor, the superintendent, or school board member to help us, because many of our kids are attending those schools or vice versa.

[02:01:17] It does have to be joint, both in problem-solving and in advocating for additional support. So thank you for bringing this forward. Thank you. Supervisor Herity and then Sizemore Heiser. Yes, I got a couple of comments and a couple of questions.

[02:01:34] I mean, the comments are, this is a good thing. This is exactly the kind of review many of us up here were asking for in February of 2025 when cutting high school crossing guards was first brought up. It was the kind of thing that several of us on this dais were asking for in April 2026 when they were eliminated.

[02:01:58] So I'm very supportive of the item. A couple of questions. I know that there's, I assume there's going to be public engagement as a part of this. The PTSAs certainly have been integral to the response to this. and they know the grounds, so it says the public's invited, but hopefully there'll be engagement as well. I don't know if this comes as a surprise to any board members. It did to me a little bit. I understand our staff's ultimate goal is to have the school system responsible for crossings.

[02:02:30] I don't see that called out here, but I am hoping that that's at least discussed with the school system, and it comes back to us in time to have a thorough discussion on whether that should or shouldn't happen.

[02:02:47] But I did not see that specifically called out. My frustration, and I didn't see this called out in there, is I'm still waiting for information on the status of our contracted crossing guard program. I asked for that in the April board matter.

[02:03:03] I've been asking for it from staff since then. How many of the positions have been filled? How has the performance been? But I think specifically the use of contracting crossing guards, it's very confusing to people. Supervisor Behrman, you're correct.

[02:03:19] I mean, people see police officers are out there directing traffic. We've got our police department trained crossing guards, which some can direct traffic, some can't. And then we have our contracted crossing guards that can't do anything but hold a red sign and help people across the street.

[02:03:37] So I think that should include a discussion of the contracted crossing guard. And I'll just ask if that, is that all included? I just want to make sure the motioner and the seconder. Of course it is.

[02:03:52] Of course it is. The board matter is specifically written, Supervisor Herr, to be very flexible. As you know, these joint committees largely can set their own agendas. It's very clear in there that we want that collaboration. And the only thing, and this is the first time we've had a chance to discuss this as a board, But I was a little surprised that, you know, somebody who's been very involved in the high school crossing guard issue and our chair of our public safety committee wasn't one of the two members of the task force.

[02:04:20] I personally would like to see Supervisor Lusk and Supervisor as chairman of public safety and Supervisor Beerman as chairman of our transportation committee be the two people on this committee. But I haven't even talked to Rodney whether he wants it.

[02:04:36] But anyway, I was a little surprised with the choice, but that would be my two cents. I'll leave it at that. I will say, Supervisor Herity, the two individuals I'm nominating are, one, the chair of our transportation committee, because a lot of the infrastructure stuff is very complicated, and two, someone with extensive conversation with the school board who served on the school board and is vice chair of this board.

[02:05:04] And so that was the thought behind the people being nominated. Supervisor Sizemore Heiser and then Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you. Thank you to those who brought this board matter.

[02:05:20] I'm very supportive, of course, of the board matter. I think I wanted to speak a little bit as someone who's recently been on both boards. As many of you, I started here in December of 2025. Before that, I was on the school board. I've been chair of the school board, budget chair.

[02:05:36] What I can start by saying is I know that all of my former colleagues on the school board and all of my current colleagues on the Board of Supervisors all care very much about traffic, pedestrian, and student safety. I believe the staff on both the Board of Supervisors and the schools care very much about student, pedestrian, traffic safety.

[02:05:58] None of us want to see our students getting hurt. None of us want to see our adults getting hurt. That is just a given. I think my colleagues on the current Board of Supervisors and many on the school board want to work collaboratively. I believe our staff want to work collaboratively Because at the end of the day, we are all here to serve.

[02:06:18] So I'm really grateful that we are, as local bodies, taking the leadership and working collaboratively, similar to what's been done in the past. Before I was on either board, I was on Sharon Boulava's MOU, the Memorial and January SRO committee, to look at that issue between schools and the county.

[02:06:37] And I think that's a great model amongst others for this. This is such a complicated issue that cuts to the core of all of our heart. obviously as the spoiler alert you know we're going to put crossing guards you know back in but what i've seen and i saw this when i went to schools as a school board member and observed kiss and ride and heard the community's concerns about the traffic at kiss and rides and the driving at kiss and rides and what i've seen from the report presented to the school board and

[02:07:11] reports presented to us this is a bigger and broader problem crossing guards are a symptom of a much larger issue. So let's talk about that issue because we here, my former colleagues there, can only do this if everybody in this room and everybody in our county and the elected state leaders we have all decide that this is not just our collective problem, but our collective

[02:07:42] role in solving it. We are all responsible for each other's safety. That is the social contract by which we live. Period. Full stop. We are all responsible. And thank you. So what can we all do together? I think this is a great way to start, right? We're working with our colleagues, my former colleagues on the school board, our counterparts in the school board. We're looking to bring in community stakeholders. But here's a couple of realities. We are living in a county

[02:08:17] that for 30, 40 years has changed drastically for a mostly rural county. The growth of the military-industrial complex has led to a county that is much more suburban and urban, and we are all working hard to retrofit our roads to be multimodal in the way that serves that reality.

[02:08:36] But that is the reality we're living in. That is why we have so many streets and roads that don't have sidewalks. And we're working hard. I know our state delegation, but it is a reality. So what does that mean? That means while we should and are doing the work, while our colleagues in the school board should and are doing the work, and there's always more to be done, absolutely. And what the situation shows is that there's definitely more to be done. But what does that mean? We are all living in this county that isn't prepared for the size and scope of the county. So we all need to make sure that we can be safe within those realities while your elected officials work to

[02:09:12] make them better. Slow down, right? Let's teach our kids how to cross safely, whether it's at a school or somewhere else. Let's value the lives that our neighbors have put into our hands. So a couple other realities. We are living under a deal in real estate. What does that mean? That means the power is concentrated in the state. That means Virginia Department of Transportation owns most of our roads. So I'm really glad that we bring our state delegation into this conversation. We need

[02:09:48] to have our state partners help us. And I know they care too. That is really important. What else does that mean? That means that these horrible, tragic incidents are resulting from so many things it's when terrible things happen to children when children die when there's deaths that shouldn't be happening out of norm out of time we're all gonna die but when it happens when

[02:10:26] it shouldn't happen we want someone to blame i get it i do but we're all to blame and we're all the saviors we are we are in each of i am i am we all are i can absolutely but the reality is that We all have a shared responsibility.

[02:10:54] I'm going to interrupt this for a moment because this is the chance for board members to speak. We're going to have a public hearing in a moment where we're going to hear from the public. But I'm going to make sure that there's decorum in this room as chairman of this board. And so let's please hold our comments until it's your opportunity to testify.

[02:11:12] But board members, I've made a motion. We're not to the public hearing yet on the subject that we're talking about. This is a motion to set up a committee. There's going to be a lot more conversation about this later. But let's be respectful to each other. And I understand that that's a hard thing to hear.

[02:11:30] I do. And I'm not saying it in any way to make people feel bad. I'm saying it in a way to say we own where we may have come short. We own the work we're doing to try to address that. We own the work we're doing to be collaborative.

[02:11:49] But if we can all come together for our kids, and I appreciate everybody in the room who has stood up, who has spoken out, because that is part of coming together. But if we can't all own it, we can only do so much to fix it.

[02:12:08] And we all, all of us, on all the boards, want to fix it. So I appreciate everybody here who has come forward to try to fix it. And I appreciate everybody at this dais who has been working and will continue to work to fix it.

[02:12:29] And everybody on my former colleagues who have been working and will continue to work to fix it. And if that is a hard message that we've been grappling with, and it's a hard message our society is grappling with. But when we're dropping our kids at school, when we're walking outside, when we're driving, when we're sitting on elected boards, let's protect our kids.

[02:12:56] Let's just do the hard things to protect our kids. And that's the first thing I will say I will do. It's the things my and my colleagues want to do. So one of the things I love about living in Fairfax, I'll wrap up with this, is that we are a community that wraps our arms around each other.

[02:13:17] We might do it in harsh ways and easy ways and loving ways, but we wrap our arms around each other. This is that moment. This is why I moved here. This is why I raised my family here.

[02:13:34] I am thrilled that we're working together. I am thrilled, and I'm thrilled you all are here. I really am. Thank you. Let's continue to work together. Let's continue to wrap our arms around each other. Let's all figure out what we can do to keep our kids safe.

[02:13:55] Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn, then Stork. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. And I want to thank the chairman for bringing this forward. I think this is a good example of making lemonade out of lemons. This is something that I know can work.

[02:14:10] We have examples in doing successful joint committees between the school board and also the board of supervisors. And I'll just mention the IT committee that Supervisor Stork and I served on.

[02:14:25] And actually, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser, before she came to the Board of Supervisors, was a school board representative on that. We took the charge, put our heads down, did the work, and came up with some things that are going to help short-term, long-term on that particular issue. So I know this can work, and I very much appreciate you bringing this forward.

[02:14:45] But I do just want to caution everybody that the elephant in the room here is money. in that there is, you know, we're getting to the end of our $100 million additional active transportation funding that actually Supervisor Faust, you know, took the lead on when he was Supervisor Drainsville. That money's about to run out. We're going to have to, we're going to have to talk about that. We're going to have to figure that out. And I would also just note that there

[02:15:18] really are no easy solutions here. These are going to be tough, but I would hope that going forward that we can have this well-coordinated across schools, across the county, and I think it's going to be incumbent upon all of us to commit to working collaboratively on this as we work through these issues, and I look forward to that. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Thank you, Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, and thank you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing this forward. I think this is exactly what we should be doing and how we should be approaching this

[02:15:55] issue. I spent more time serving on the school board than I have on the board of supervisors, and I know as a school board member, that was a key part of every conversation was how do we bring kids to school safely, how do we get them home safely, and obviously, even more importantly, how can we keep them safe in school. And that involved all of us. It involves how you do kiss and rise, how you do the release times, how you do start times, you know, and every one of these situations is a little different. Also, as part of that time on the school board and board of supervisors, I've chaired multiple joint committees of the school board and board of supervisors.

[02:16:32] And the one thing I do know more than anything else, it's not about prosecution, which is what I've heard some individuals doing. It's about collaboration and identifying how do we, if you will, take a moment as our campaign about public safety, take a moment and figure out how can we collaborate? How can we really do something that will make a difference? And that involves all of us. And it involves, frankly, all the above solution. It is not, I know money matters. I'm not saying that, but it is far more than money. It's about how you design something, how you get the

[02:17:11] parents to work together. How do you get the community and community drivers to follow the speed limit, right, and to drive safely? I mean, if we think we're going to solve this by just putting a guard out in front of a street and assuming that'll take care of it, we know that this past week or two, we've learned that that isn't going to solve it. It's far more than that, And the risks and dangers are far more than that.

[02:17:36] I really hope that the collaboration and the work that the group is going to do here will look at that holistically. How do we keep our kids safe? How do we get them back and forth to school safe? How can we make a difference? How can we get our community to recognize that they are part of the problem and they're part of the solution?

[02:17:53] And taking a moment is a way to do that. And collaborating, I think, will make that difference. So thank you all very much. Supervisor Lusk. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. I was contemplating just not saying anything, but this one's painful to me.

[02:18:13] I've got two daughters, both gone through the Fairfax County public school system, and I recognize the importance of the work that we do on this board, the school board, is to protect our kids and to think about their well-being and to always be concerned about their safety.

[02:18:38] And I hear all the comments up here. I hear about the money, and I'm going to say, this is not a money issue. This is not a money issue. During the budget deliberation, I tried to save this crossing guard program.

[02:19:01] I did not have support on this board. I'm not castigating anybody up here, but I was so disappointed. I left that meeting with a heavy heart, thinking, how did this happen? How did this happen? We have responsibility, and we need to accept that responsibility, too, for the things that we've done.

[02:19:22] So this board did not fund the crossing guard program when we should have, period, period. Appreciate the motion, and I acknowledge that the work that we're going to do as a result of the collaboration is going to make a difference.

[02:19:46] I'm going to say yes. I'm very excited about this. But we should not be at this meeting having this discussion at this time, period. So we all care about our community.

[02:20:08] And I think those of you in this room that walk, that drive, that have kids, that don't have kids, understand this is a bigger issue than crossing guards at schools. I walk in my neighborhood in the morning before the kids go to middle school.

[02:20:25] I see the kids with no helmets on, not stopping at stop signs, going around the neighborhood. I see the drivers when I try to cross the street and I have a pedestrian light in my neighborhood, and they're looking at the traffic. They're not looking at me who has the walk light.

[02:20:43] We have a community issue where we all need to stop and be part of this. The school crossings are one part of it, but our kids are walking to school. They're in the neighborhood. We're walking to school. And I hope through this task force, we can look comprehensively at the issues we're facing as a community. I can't tell you how many times our offices get called that people aren't stopping for stop signs. They're driving too fast in their neighborhood. We have tools.

[02:21:10] We need to see if there's more tools that we can use. It is important to have the voice of our families, of our PTAs, because you know specifically what's happening in your school. Years ago when I was on the school board and Michael Fry was the supervisor, we wanted to get a traffic light in front of Chantilly High School, and VDOT didn't want to do it. We had a meeting in the principal's office, with Michael, with me, with the principal, with VDOT, we were able to get that traffic light.

[02:21:36] So we're going to depend on the community understanding your schools, of all of us coming together and having solutions, because none of us want to see our kids heard on the way to school. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Yeah, I'm going to, we're going to have a larger conversation in a moment. There's been some spoiler alerts. It is in fact right that I'm going to be making motion shortly for funding for the rest of this budget year, but I did want to make a couple very quick comments, and I think this merits a lot more conversation, and there's a lot more things I want to say, but I'm going to just do two eye-openers.

[02:22:12] One, it was in 2018 when Supervisor Hudgens and I from the Hunter Mill District put a motion on the table in this auditorium to allow our middle and high school kids to use Fairfax Connector buses for free, and there was a lot of animosity over it.

[02:22:28] There were a lot of people who didn't support that. As a strong supporter of public transportation, I made the point that one of the many, many reasons to do that is to give kids options and safe ways to get to and from school. Not every kid is going to walk. I walk to school every day in elementary school.

[02:22:44] I raised two kids in FCPS in a community that but for about 100 foot of sidewalk, they were never allowed to walk to school because there was never a sidewalk that connected them to their school. And so we need to make sure that kids have and parents have options for ways of kids to get around.

[02:23:02] So, so many things that we decide here have an underpinning of public safety, even when they appear on the surface not to. Going back to, you know, we've been at this for a long time. You know, I also want to say that I recently, my daughter graduated from high school last year.

[02:23:18] I dropped her off at college, and I took an opportunity to ask the police chief there what the number one public safety issue on this college campus was. And he surprised me when he told me the number one issue is pedestrian safety because he said, I'm afraid too many kids arrive at college and never understood pedestrian safety laws.

[02:23:39] And equally important, too many of our drivers never understood public safety laws. And this is a suburban campus with most kids coming from suburban communities. And he said the number of kids looking at their phones, the number of drivers looking at their phones, the distractions, the stepping into the roadway without looking, drivers running through red lights and stop signs without stopping is the number one concern he has.

[02:24:05] Used to be number one concern was mental health. Thankfully, that's gotten a little bit better at this campus. But what he told me was when university police chiefs get together and talk, this is one of the number one things they're talking about. And this is why the education piece of what we're doing for drivers and walkers is so important.

[02:24:27] I took the video, one of the videos that was submitted, wasn't submitted directly to me, but was shown to me of kids walking diagonal across the intersection. So I showed it to my 15-year-old son. I said, what do you think about this? And he said, Dad, that's illegal, right?

[02:24:43] And I said, I'm glad we had this conversation. Can we have more of those conversations? especially in light of e-bikes and scooters and all the other things that are evolving. Let's have more of those conversations. And so my point of putting this motion together was to partner with School Board and VDOT, but also Safe Routes to Schools and all the other groups that are engaged and involved in this conversation who recognize this issue is not one budget, it's not one line item, it's not one responsibility, it's not one person.

[02:25:15] It is a community responsibility. It is a community responsibility. And so, you know, this task force will work on this, come forward with recommendations. I said I will have more to say about the process when we get to it today, but I don't want to prolong this now because we haven't even gotten to that item yet or the public hearing.

[02:25:35] But I do appreciate my colleagues' support for the motion. Okay. Seeing no further discussion. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. We're still on board matters, folks. We haven't gotten to carry over yet, just as a reminder.

[02:25:53] I have an additional board matter, and this is review of the Fairfax County Police Department's use of Flock Safety's automated license plate readers. Over the course of the last several weeks, our offices have received hundreds of emails from residents regarding the Fairfax County Police Department's use of Flock Safety's automated license plate readers, Flock ALPRs.

[02:26:12] This is occurring as part of a nationwide conversation where the utilization of flock safety technology for public safety objectives intersects with real privacy concerns. Public safety and public trust go hand in hand, and as such, Fairfax County must join this broader conversation as well.

[02:26:29] To be clear, FCPD has taken significant steps to ensure that the 84 licensed stationary flock ALPRs in its program are utilized in a transparent manner, abide by all state and county codes, and are only utilized for legitimate law enforcement purposes and subject to a 100% audit for searches entered.

[02:26:50] FCPD also requires that those who have access to this technology to undergo training to ensure that they are following all applicable laws and doing so ethically. It's important to note that per FCPD policy, FCPD does not share any of its data with federal law enforcement agencies unless absolutely required by law. Sharing data with other Virginia law enforcement agencies is permissible, but only if there is a legitimate law enforcement need to do so. In an effort to remain transparent, FCPD also launched a public-facing website that shares information on when this technology is used, cumulative data of public safety outcomes, frequently asked questions,

[02:27:30] and more. These guardrails are vital to ensure appropriate application of the technology and maintain trust with the Fairfax County community. To date, there have been no identified instances of misuse of this technology by FCPD. To be clear, this technology has demonstrated a clear public safety benefit from November 2022 to November 4 of 2026, FCPD's Flock ALPR program has resulted in helping solve over 1,600 cases, including locating 57 missing persons, including

[02:28:03] children and elderly. 66 firearms recovered, 2.633 arrest charges, and 555, I'm sorry, 2,633 arrest charges, and 555 stolen vehicles recovered with an estimated value of over $9 million.

[02:28:20] That being said, while the Board of Supervisors and FCPD have taken action to try to ensure that this technology is used transparently and responsibly, the concerns raised by residents are clearly legitimate and understandable. Examples from around the nation where individuals or law enforcement agencies have deployed this technology for non-law enforcement purposes is alarming and concerning. Additional issues highlighted report the potential for unauthorized access of data gathered by these cameras that raise valid civil liberty concerns. While data captured by FCPD's FLOC ALPRs is stored on Fairfax County's Department of Information Technology

[02:29:00] servers and deleted permanently after 21 days, reporting from around the country and concerns from residents necessitate a broader conversation. These concerns also require assurances from FLOC safety that they cannot and do not have access to data collected from FCPD's Flock ALPR program.

[02:29:20] I also recognize that private entities such as homeowners associations and commercial property owners throughout the county utilize this technology on their own private property without county approval. Additional information could be helpful in informing decisions as it relates to the use of Flock ALPRs by private citizens and businesses. Therefore, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct FCPD to pause the installation of any new stationary flock ALPRs until the Board

[02:29:49] of Supervisors is able to discuss this matter further at a Safety and Security Committee meeting in October of 2026. FCPD should evaluate other options and report back in the committee meeting. I further move that the Board of Supervisors send a letter to Flock Safety's Chief Executive Officer to request responses to the questions posed that is substantially in the form of the letter attached to this board matter, which is attached to everyone's board matter.

[02:30:24] And just very, very quickly, I just want to, I'm sorry, why don't you acknowledge the second? Thank you, sir. Seconded by Supervisor Behrman, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chair Smith. I do, I bring this forward because I do believe that the conversation has to happen.

[02:30:42] the public facing website is excellent the police statistics of how this has been used here is excellent but there are examples across the country that are very different than the way this technology is used here and our residents deserve to hear very clearly what the guardrails are on this and and to be able to have that conversation secondly there are some very real issues with the corporate entity that runs this program and what they are doing with data, and it's absolutely essential, as you can see in the letter attached, that we get very direct answers from FLOC Safety about these issues.

[02:31:18] And lastly, I want to thank the people who have written but have also testified. I probably got the lion's share of them being countywide, but there is a significant concern out there, including some people we had testify at public comment. And finally, this board matter was put together in collaboration with the county attorney, with our police department. Our police department is anxious to tell the story, at least, of how they use this technology and how they use it responsibly and to make sure that there's a balanced conversation about it moving forward. But this board matter does delay, stall any additional

[02:31:55] expansion of this until that conversation can happen, which I think is the responsible way to deal with this. The board matter has a date of October 20th of 2026 at 1.30 for further discussion at the Public Safety and Security Committee, and look forward to having that conversation. Our hope is that by the time we have that, we will maybe have an answer from Flock Safety to the very real questions that are outlined in my attached letter.

[02:32:22] Thank you. I have Supervisor Bierman, then Lespin-Harrity. Thank you. I think this is a very important board matter, and I think that the letter that's attached to it is very important. For time's sake, I'm not going to read the whole thing, but there are real questions about FLOC. Frankly, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, from Appomattox to Alexandria, people are concerned about FLOC. Across the country, from L.A. to Lynchburg, people are concerned about FLOC. Recently, the sheriff in Appomattox County said, I believe that this is the best tool I've seen in my 20 years in law enforcement. I

[02:32:59] also believe that the data must be handled appropriately to ensure transparency. Right before he ended Appomattox's contract with Flock. The letter highlights numerous potential abuses and concerns. In Kansas, an official was caught tracking his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend's vehicles 228 times. A recent Wired.com article talked about new Flock technology, and I'll read the start of the article. Vehicle surveillance giant Flock has told the public for years that Its technology cannot recognize, identify, or track individuals.

[02:33:38] It has now built a system that does both, an artificial intelligence tool for police that can identify drivers and track vehicles by their patterns of movement alone, Wired has learned. Drawing on a network of cameras that logs the movements of drivers in more than 6,000 communities, the tool can pick out a potential witness by how often their cars pass through a neighborhood or surface a driver's associates from the cameras they pass together.

[02:34:03] Because the system also reaches police case files, 9-11 dispatch logs, and commercial identity records, those plates can be turned into names, home addresses, and relatives. It can search for people in an area drawn on a map based on nothing more than a physical description.

[02:34:19] This has gone a lot farther, I think, than simply tracking license plates. And the letter, it really has four sets of questions that I will start with. Who owns, controls, and can access Fairfax County data?

[02:34:36] Can anyone outside Fairfax County access Fairfax County data? How are interstate legal conflicts prevented? What can FLOX AI and advanced searches actually do? And I do want to bring it back to that AI question. You know, there are lots of good questions in this letter.

[02:34:54] Whoever wrote this one was really on the ball. Can you confirm that the Fairfax County data is not being used for the development of broader AI tools that Fairfax County might not wish to subscribe to or endorse? Flock's got a lot of questions to answer.

[02:35:13] And another thing, admittedly, in the Appomattox County case, they sent a bunch of questions to Flock that Flock delayed in answering, and some of which it didn't ultimately answer. Our county has more people in it than eight different states.

[02:35:29] We need answers from FLOC before I think we want to continue moving forward using this technology, and I'll be blunt, I certainly think this is probably the beginning of the end for FLOC. Thank you. I have Supervisor Lusk Ben-Harity.

[02:35:46] Okay, thank you very much, Madam Vice Chairman. I'll say I'm looking forward to this item coming to the Safety and Security Committee, And hopefully we will have answers to as many of these questions as possible from FLOC. I would also agree with Supervisor Bierman.

[02:36:04] It would be helpful to have these answers prior to us making a decision. So I think that's going to be extremely imperative. I appreciate the questions, the structure, the letter. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I'll say the thing that is really important is that we have to understand how Fairfax County is different than some of these other jurisdictions that have encountered issues with their FLOC program.

[02:36:29] And what I'm suggesting here is we have some guardrails in Fairfax County, and we need to understand if those guardrails are giving us the sufficient protection. And if they're not, what additional guardrails do we need to add to ensure the protection for our residents and our community?

[02:36:47] I do want to bring the light that I've toured and had the opportunity to spend time in the real crime reporting center, the real-time crime reporting center that we have here in Fairfax County. And it's an amazing thing to witness. We're able to get almost in real time.

[02:37:07] So what I just found out was last night, there was a young lady in my district whose car was stolen, her purse was stolen, her dog was also stolen at three in the morning. Within three minutes of the officer getting to that home, they were able to identify where her car was.

[02:37:32] And it was in Prince William County. And they were able to retrieve the car, the dog, and the purse. This system, this FLOC technology, has some benefits too. It helps us solve crimes. It helps us get them more quickly resolved.

[02:37:48] And I'll be frank in saying, without it, there might be a number of crimes that we would not have been able to solve here in Fairfax County. So we have to look at this on both sides. I'm not saying that I'm advocating to keep flock, but I'm making the point that if we give up flock, what are we giving up as well on the opposite side?

[02:38:10] So I wanna be as judicious and as careful and as deliberate in that review. And I know my colleagues will be the same. And just again, I wanna thank the chairman for the motion and the board matter and look forward to the next steps.

[02:38:26] Thank you. We're going to have Supervisor Herity, then Palchuk. Yeah, thank you, and I appreciate the balance, Mr. Chairman, you and Supervisor Lusk in your comments because I think we need an honest discussion on this.

[02:38:42] I had two technical questions. One kind of, do we know what was planned between now and October 20th, and are we incurring any penalties or anything like that on the contractor? Yeah, I verified with police department they have none planned right now that would be disrupted by this.

[02:38:58] So we're not going to incur it. So the second one, and sorry to do this, but we don't vote at committee meeting, and we're pausing until a place that we don't take a vote. Supervisor Herity, my motion is to pause now and to have the conversation. So we are voting to pause today.

[02:39:15] Yes, I knew that. But we are also voting to have more information at the Public Safety Committee discussed. Okay, and then the 20th, no matter what gets – because we don't vote on the 20th. No matter what gets discussed or decided on the 20th, we can't – It will be. So the point of this, the way our committees work, for folks who aren't as familiar, this board matter today pauses the future expansion.

[02:39:39] It directs that this be discussed at the Public Safety Committee, and depending on how that discussion goes, any actions that the board would need to take as a result of those discussions would come back to this board as a formal action of the board. That was the clarification I said, technical. So I appreciate it. I'll be supporting it.

[02:39:57] Supervisor Palczyk, then Alcorn. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just very briefly want to thank the chairman and everyone who worked on it. I believe Supervisor Biermann was also very instrumental on this and appreciate your legal background in helping draft the letter and the work. You know, this is a very complex issue, and so I appreciate, I think this is the right way to pause, to not overreact, but to try to understand how we protect both our community, how we ensure that we are keeping up with the crime and cyber attacks changing,

[02:40:32] but also that we are here to help support our liberties, our civil liberties, and that a private company, which is one of several automated or a couple automated license plate reader companies, are responsive to our citizens, our residents as well.

[02:40:52] And so I do think this is the right way to move forward, and I agree that having the conversation at the public safety meeting is the best next step, knowing that decisions will be made after that. But I do want to, I have had the opportunity to work with our police and our private companies, and I think that's my other concern.

[02:41:12] and I think it's addressed in here, is that while we have many protections in place, there are also many readers that are out there on private property. I know that the state has taken some steps in helping protect our citizens on the private property, but I think we need to ensure both that our work and see if there are gaps in additional legislation that is needed through this work.

[02:41:43] So I hope that is part of the conversation. Madam Chairman, briefly, it absolutely is, as is mentioned in here. My hope on this is, if nothing else, the conversation about the safeguards and barricades that are in place in Fairfax County help the private sector put some level of regulation on their own use.

[02:42:02] And so this is a place I think we can be leaders, regardless of where this goes. The conversation will help inform the private sector. There are homeowner associations, community associations, commercial property owners all over the county that are using these. What we don't have with those is what we know are the lockdown provisions that the county has put in place for use of our own.

[02:42:23] And if nothing else, we're hoping that can inform better regulation of those moving forward. And if I can add, yeah, my hope as well is I think one of those has recently removed them because of those concerns. And so if we can help create and lead in additional safeguards that make more of those private owners perhaps understand or find ways to have those safeguards that they may be better understanding and sometimes more open to finding the right technology and the right way to protect their community.

[02:42:59] Supervisor Alcorn, then Sizemore Heiser. Thank you, Madam Vice Chairman. Yeah, this is a tough one. This one, and I want to thank the chairman for bringing this forward, and also in particular Supervisor Bierman for exercising some really helpful leadership on this as well.

[02:43:16] And thank you, Supervisor Palczyk, for mentioning this. Just in context, there are basically four or five times as many privately operated flock cameras in Fairfax County as Fairfax County operated flock cameras. So this is primarily, if you just look at the number of cameras, it's primarily a private network.

[02:43:35] there are some issues that I think I would hope that we would get back in these in this query I mean one of the things that that frankly I know we're keeping the data on our servers is the data also in the cloud I mean we need to know that and I know some of the jurisdictions like Alexandria that have looked at this and have canceled plot contracts are looking at alternatives this is not going to be easy Alexandria I know is looking at maybe setting up up a closed network.

[02:44:09] And I would encourage our police department to basically talk with other jurisdictions who are looking at alternatives to this commercial-- this one vendor. There are other jurisdictions that have canceled Flock, and they've just gone to a different vendor.

[02:44:26] I mean, maybe that's the answer. But I mean, honestly, we're entering into a world where the combination of digital feeds from cameras and AI opens up incredible potential for law enforcement, legitimate law enforcement.

[02:44:46] But it also opens up incredible potential for abuse. And so we are going to need to have this conversation. And I would hope that we're looking not just at policy, but also we can have folks talk to us about some of the technical options as well, so we can make sure whatever policy we implement is doable.

[02:45:05] Thank you. Thank you. Supervisor Sizemore Heiser. Thank you, and thank you to my colleague here, Mr. Bierman, who's helping me out today. First, I want to say I'm really grateful we're bringing this. I'm very supportive. I think we do need to pause and look, and I really appreciate we're sending this letter as well because I think we're not the only jurisdiction across the country, as my colleague shared, that have a lot of questions, along with our public, about flock and safety, right? And I mean, study of history, this has been the tension since our country was founded between privacy

[02:45:44] and safety, right? And our belief in privacy is enshrined in the Constitution. It's the Fourth Amendment. So this is an ongoing tension. But in this world of AI, when even the leaders of AI companies are warning against the dangers of AI, it is important to pause and make sure we have that balance right. And whether that means continuing, not continuing, that's what we're looking into now. But we need to stop and reassess. People's safety and security is important. Making

[02:46:23] sure our law enforcement has the tools to do that is important. But so is the privacy of every individual. So is the safeguards to make sure that privacy is safeguarded and protected. And so is making sure that the data that is collected is not being used for nefarious purposes. And I, like many of my colleagues, have a lot of concerns and questions right now, so I am very grateful. But this is the ongoing tension, and we don't forget the importance of privacy.

[02:46:52] And we also don't forget the importance of safety isn't just data. It's who that has the data, how that data is used, and the protections around that data. And that's also important. Thank you. Supervisor Lusk. I just wanted to dovetail on something that Supervisor Alcorn said, which is kind of resonating with me, and that is we're not fully committed in perpetuity to Flock. If there's another company that can do a better job at giving us the safeguards and giving us the protections that we want and need, then we should

[02:47:27] be thinking about that company as our vendor. So I would say as a board member here, I want to see if there are other opportunities, other companies that can do this better to protect our interest. So I appreciate the point you made, Supervisor Alcorn. And I'll also make this point. I worked in economic development for 21 years. And one of the things I did note was that there was always companies looking for differentiation. And I can guarantee you right now, there is a company looking at what's happening with TWOC. And they're trying to figure out how they can,

[02:48:01] How do I say this? Move in and take some of their customer base, because they have done something that has now made them vulnerable. So I hope that in this report, we'll get some information on other companies that are providing the service in a way that's better for Fairfax County. Thank you.

[02:48:19] Okay, seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much, Supervisor Smith. And that is the end of my board matters. I'm going to turn to you if you have any. I don't have a written board matter, but I feel like the community needs clarification about something.

[02:48:42] Supervisor Herity put something on LinkedIn, and when I first read it, I thought it said something different, and obviously the community does. He posted that the Fairfax County Housing Authority will be holding a public comment after their meeting on September 17th at 7 p.m. for anyone wishing to voice their concerns on housing issues in the county, including projects like Centerville and Chantilly Library affordable housing projects.

[02:49:09] So I looked for the agenda for that meeting, which wasn't posted at that time. And then I saw a constituent responded to the public and said, public hearing for people to voice their concerns about the Chantilly Library affordable housing projects.

[02:49:27] So there is confusion about process for the housing authority. So they are having on September 17th their annual meeting that starts at 7 p.m. They have public comment at the beginning of that meeting, and it's called a time for the general public input may be placed on the agenda at any designated certain time.

[02:49:51] The FCRHA will hear public input on any relevant topic except issues under litigation, issues that have been scheduled for public hearing before the FCRHA, and personnel matters or comments regarding individuals. So they have 10 slots at the beginning of the meeting.

[02:50:07] People can go speak. I just don't want there to be confusion in the public that this is one of their agenda items. Their agenda is now posted, and they are having a resolution about the proposed assignment and assumption agreement regarding FCRHA-Oligal Unlimited Partnerships, and then they have another resolution about housing choice vouchers.

[02:50:32] We want the public to be involved, to be able to provide comments, but I just don't want people to show up at this meeting thinking that's the topic of discussion. And so the county, we do, there is a website that provides information and FAQs about these projects.

[02:50:50] There's a public input page that you can ask questions. My office will now start putting in my newsletter when the FCRHA has meetings, and then you can click on it and see what's in the agenda. But I feel a responsibility for the public to understand what is happening in a meeting.

[02:51:06] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Smith. Supervisor Sizemore-Heiser. Thank you again, Supervisor Bearmint and Chairman McKay. I have one board matter and one staff announcement for today. So my board matter is recognizing the Braddock Battle of the Bands winner, the zip code band.

[02:51:27] So I know it's a little shift in tone, but bringing a little levity to the room. After the first Braddock Battle of the Bands in nearly 10 years, I'm thrilled to announce that Zip Code Band has been selected as the winner of the 2026 Braddock Battle of the Bands. Our hope in bringing back Battle of the Bands is to bring some joy in some divisive and difficult times and highlight how arts and music can bring beauty in connection to the community. The epic battle, and it was epic, took place over two nights, August 14th and August 21st, 2026 at Lake Akating Park. Six bands were selected to compete and three bands

[02:52:05] moved on to the final round. The first round was judged based on audience vote, and we had more than one Simon Cowell wannabe in the room. And the final round was decided by a panel of judges made up of distinguished music faculty from both George Mason University and Fairfax County Public Schools. The final judging panel evaluated the winners based on musicality, technical skill, audience engagement, and originality, and I will say it was a very tough decision.

[02:52:30] As appropriate for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month today, Zipco's Latin rock song sung in Spanish and English, and infectious stage presence helped them earn a perfect score from every judge. They also won the audience vote, making them the unanimous winner. So I move that in recognition of this achievement, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to prepare a resolution honoring Zip Code Band for winning this year's Battle of the Bands to be presented outside the boardroom at the November 10, 2026 Best of Braddock Awards ceremony to be held in the Braddock District Supervisor's Office.

[02:53:03] And the chair will second that motion along with Supervisor Pouchik. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Supervisor Sizemore Heiser. Thank you. I have one staff announcement. I'd like to welcome Isabella Cattuso to my office.

[02:53:21] Isabella will be serving as Braddock District's communication and policy aide. In addition to communications and engagement, Isabella will be assisting on parks, environment, and arts. Isabella is a proud, lifelong resident of Mount Vernon District, Supervisor Stork. We stole her from you.

[02:53:37] We'd like to thank Supervisor Stork for fueling her interest in local history. Well, she'd like to thank, excuse me, Supervisor Stork for fueling her interest in local history and remembers fondly community events where Abraham Lincoln would show up. She is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia, where she double majored in political and social thought and foreign affairs and minored in Chinese.

[02:54:00] Her thesis, which earned the highest distinction honors, was about the power of small local communities in fueling more than just energy systems. Outside of school, she's previously worked as an advisory council for UVA's Public Service Pathways Program, as an intern for UVA Clubs, as newsletter editor on the Cavalier Daily, and as trombonist in the marching band.

[02:54:22] Isn't it? She's a very cool person. She's been in the role for two months, and she's excited to connect with more people throughout the Braddock District. She says the best part of her day is meeting so many incredible neighbors through her work And the second best part is getting to create the newsletter, which she's done a great job.

[02:54:39] She's excited to continue connecting the Braddock District to all the different moving parts of Fairfax County. And as a fun fact, please join in wishing Isabella a happy birthday, as today is her birthday. Happy birthday and welcome. Thank you very much.

[02:54:56] And next up is Supervisor Bierman. Well, in that case, I have to start by wishing my staffer, Olga Bashbush, happy birthday as well. So it's the moment you've all been waiting for. My one board matter, which is expedited processing for Seekers Homes Limited, RZ-2025-DR-00021.

[02:55:17] Democracy in action, folks. Seekers Homes Limited has filed a rezoning application on property identified as Fairfax County Tax Map Parcel 19-3, double circle 1-19. The property is currently zoned R-1 and is developed with the Wolf Trap Nursery.

[02:55:36] The application seeks to rezone the 6.5-acre property to the PDH-2 district to permit the redevelopment of 13 single-family dwellings. The applicant has worked collaboratively with county staff, the community, and my office on improvements to the development plan and is scheduled for a Planning Commission public hearing on September 30, 2026.

[02:55:58] The board recently authorized concurrent site plan processing for this application, and the applicant has requested expedited processing to establish a Board of Supervisors public hearing date for the application in order to proceed with construction as expeditiously as possible. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to schedule a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors on a date certain of October 13, 2026.

[02:56:22] This motion should not be construed as a favorable recommendation by the Board and does not relieve the applicant of compliance with all applicable ordinances, regulations, or adopted standards, nor does it prejudice staff's review. And the chair will second that motion. Discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none.

[02:56:38] All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Supervisor Beerman. Just a brief announcement about a number of community conversations that are coming up. On September 21st and September 23rd, respectively, I'm going to be participating in library talks as a part of America 250, talking about local government.

[02:57:00] On the 21st, I'll be with Mayor Kevin LeBlanc in Herndon, in Herndon Fortnightly, talking about our respective governments. On the 23rd, I'll be at Tyson's Pimmitt Library, again organized by Fairfax County Public Libraries, telling you about how your local government works.

[02:57:16] I also have upcoming town halls on September 30th in Great Falls, at the Great Falls Library on October 8th in McLean at the McLean Community Center, and October 14th in Herndon, also at the Herndon Fort Knightley Library, I believe, if anyone wants to come out and continue the conversation.

[02:57:36] Thank you. That's all. Thank you, Supervisor Behrman. Supervisor Lusk. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two board matters. The first, as you know, I serve on behalf of the Fairfax County as co-chair of the Community, Military, and Federal Facilities Partnership of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, NBRC, with Victor Engry from Prince William County.

[02:57:58] In this role, I have worked with Dr. Rowe for over seven years. For more than 15 years, Dr. Rowe has been a driving force in strengthening the partnership between Northern Virginia's military, civilian, and business communities through his extraordinary volunteer service and leadership with NVRC.

[02:58:18] His commitment to service has created lasting benefits for service members, veterans, military families, employers, and communities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Rowe's influence extends beyond workforce development. Through his support of MVRC's Community Military Federal Facilities Partnership, he has leveraged his extensive professional defense network to bring together experts in resilience, energy, water infrastructure, transportation, and human capital development. His ability to connect diverse stakeholders has strengthened regional efforts and enhanced collaboration between military

[02:58:54] installations and surrounding jurisdictions. One of Dr. Rowe's most significant contributions has been in support of Virginia's workforce initiatives for transitioning service members and veterans. Through his leadership and advocacy, NVRC's participation in Virginia Values Veterans, the V3 program, expanded to more than 1,400 participating employers.

[02:59:19] This growth has contributed to thousands of employment opportunities and skill bridge placements, helping transitioning service members successfully enter the civilian workforce while strengthening Virginia's economy. Through more than a decade and a half of service, Dr. Rowe has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to our region.

[02:59:41] His contributions have created measurable and lasting impacts, and Dr. Rowe embodies the highest ideals of volunteerism and public service and deserves our recognition. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I ask without objection that the Office of Public Affairs be directed to prepare a proclamation to recognize Dr. Will Rowe for his dedicated service to our community to be presented either inside or outside the boardroom.

[03:00:09] Without objection, that is so ordered. Supervisor Lusk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The next item is one, and I'll make this point, that is also jointly with you. This is the Groveton Elementary's 150th anniversary. For 150 years, Groveton Elementary School has served as a cornerstone of the Groveton and Route 1 communities.

[03:00:31] Its history began in 1876 when the School of Trustees of Mount Vernon District acquired the land from the collared property along old Mount Vernon Road. A one-room schoolhouse known as Kirby School was soon built on the site.

[03:00:48] As the Groveton community grew, the school expanded several times. A new two-room building opened in 1925, and another larger building followed in 1933. The modern Groveton Elementary School building opened in 1972 at its current location.

[03:01:10] Fairfax County population has become more globally diverse since the mid-1970s. In response, Groveton began serving as an ESL cluster site in 1977 and supported hundreds of students learning English, including many refugees from Vietnam.

[03:01:31] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the school expanded opportunities for students by piloting the county's first elementary after-school recreation program. The strength of Gropedon Elementary rests on its dedication to inclusion, innovation, and community partnership.

[03:01:50] For 150 years, teachers, staff, families, volunteers, and community leaders have created a welcoming environment where students of every background can learn and thrive. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I would ask without objection the Office of Public Affairs be directed to prepare a proclamation recognizing the 150th anniversary of Groveton Elementary School to be presented either within or outside the boardroom.

[03:02:15] So moved. Without objection. That is so ordered. Supervisor Lusk. So with that, Mr. Chairman, I will conclude my board matters. Thank you very much. Thank you. Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you. In the interest of time, I'm going to summarize my one board matter. For the past 16 years, Ruston-based Gin Blossom Dance Company has advanced contemporary dance in our region, providing free and accessible programs to audiences of all ages and has drawn national and international talent to Fairfax County.

[03:02:42] These artistic contributions will have a lasting impact, even as the troupe disbanded following their final performance last week on Capital One Hall. But this will not be the last time we can hear about this great group. I'll skip right to the motion. Mr. Chairman, I would ask without objection that the Office of Public Affairs prepare a resolution to recognize Gin Blossom Dance Company for their artistic contributions to be presented in the boardroom on October 13, 2026.

[03:03:08] And without objection, that is so ordered, and thank you for summarizing. Supervisor Alcorn. That's it. Thank you very much. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one joint board matter with you. Mr. Chairman, each year, September 17th, marks the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution on this date in 1787.

[03:03:30] This fundamental document established the framework of our government and the rights and freedoms we continue to cherish today. The observance of Constitution Week was officially declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 2nd, 1956.

[03:03:48] The celebration has three core goals. to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787, to remind the public that the Constitution is the basis of America's great heritage and the foundation for its way of life, and to emphasize U.S. citizens' responsibility to protect, defend, and preserve the United States Constitution.

[03:04:12] The Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, a non-political volunteer women's service organization, has historically supported the observance of Constitutional Week through education outreach, historical preservation, and civic engagement.

[03:04:28] They have requested that the board join in this recognition. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the proclamation be prepared to designate September 17th through the 23rd, 2025, as U.S. Constitutional Week in Fairfax County, in recognition of the enduring importance of the U.S. Constitution and in honor of its 239th anniversary.

[03:04:52] The proclamation may be presented either in the boardroom or in coordination with representatives of the D.A.R. outside of the boardroom. And the chair will second that. If there's no discussion, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Supervisor Jimenez.

[03:05:10] Real quick, Mr. Chairman, I just want to make a correction. I said September 17th through the 23rd of 2025. Obviously, we need to change that to September 17th through the 23rd of 2026. Which is what the item says, but good catch.

[03:05:28] Thank you to our county attorney for catching that. And I have one quick announcement, Mr. Chairman. As you know, the Mason District Government Center serves as the shared home for my office as well as the Mason District Police Station, providing service to both the Mason and Providence districts.

[03:05:47] Formerly led by Major Weeks and Captain Sephore, the station's outstanding work is now under the command of Captain Jashio and Major Christina Burrow. Major Burrow was recently recognized by the International Association of Police Chiefs 40 Under 40, Award for her outstanding work with Fairfax County's crisis intervention team, including developing Fairfax County's first veteran-focused crisis intervention training and expanded training-focused crisis intervention curriculum to include autism awareness and veteran-focused response, to name just a few examples.

[03:06:25] Major Burrow is a veteran herself and currently reservist with the U.S. Army, where she holds the rank of major. We are pleased and proud to have her and her staff as a neighbor at the Mason Government Center, and I hope the board will join me, Chief Davis, and the Fairfax County Police Department in congratulating Major Burrough on her recognition.

[03:06:43] Thank you very much, Supervisor Jimenez. And next up is Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My first matter is a joint one on the 50th anniversary of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital with yourself and Supervisor Lusk.

[03:07:02] I'm going to also summarize. Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is a health care partner for generations of Mount Vernon and South County residents. It began in 1967 when voters approved a $32.5 million health bond referendum to provide the primary financing for the hospital.

[03:07:20] It actually opened in 1973 as a $22 million complex that included not only a hospital, also a mental health center. On October 26, 1976, I'm sorry, is when they opened their door, 76-bed hospital, continued to grow along with the community it serves, the first inpatient rehabilitation unit, many programs like Meals on Wheels becoming part of the Innova Health System, and they continue to evolve to include the opening of the Innova Health Plex in Lorton in 2013, the Veach Family Emergency Department in 2016, the Inova Specialty Hospital in Mount Vernon in 2023,

[03:07:57] which became Northern Virginia's first critical illness recovery hospital. Hospitals earned numerous recognitions for nursing excellence, stroke care excellence, as well as the number one hospital in the D.C. area for orthopedics by U.S. News.

[03:08:14] Again, they've continued to step up as a great community partner. They come to really all of our events, and not only providing health care and health screenings, including our Summer Palooza and our work with Backpack program for kids.

[03:08:30] And as a final note, former Supervisor Jerry Hyland was a longtime supporter and fierce advocate, and I think anybody who's familiar with the history of the hospital knows that one time Inova was looking to close it, And he stepped up, the community stepped up, and said, no, we cannot have that happen.

[03:08:50] And again, as a result of that, we have a great hospital here today. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, we ask with unanimous consent that the board direct the Office of Public Affairs to prepare a resolution for the 50th anniversary of a Noble Mount Vernon Hospital to be presented at its community celebration on October 10, 2026.

[03:09:07] Without objection, it is so ordered. Thank you, Madam Chair. The next item I'm also going to summarize. It's the 11th annual Tour to Mount Vernon. Again, Mr. Chairman, it's that time of year. We have a spooky twist this year.

[03:09:23] It will be held on Saturday, October 31st, Halloween. Okay, the southern central portions of the Mount Vernon District is where we start and end. At the Workhouse Arts Center specifically, we have a 20-mile and a 40-mile ride.

[03:09:38] We're going to kick things off with a Halloween costume context test. come dressed in your best spooky or creative selves. Riders will also receive our special Halloween tie-dye Tour de Mount Vernon socks.

[03:09:54] Again, you'll pass many, many, many historic sites and community designations. I'm not going to even name them all. Most of you have heard them from me probably too many times, but they're key parts of our community. But again, none of this would be possible without our great partner, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, FAB, because they truly are an amazing organization, a fabulous organization.

[03:10:17] And again, it also ties into the hidden gems of Potomac Banks, Explore Fairfax South. So after the ride, we, of course, always gather at the workhouse for camaraderie, music, La Prima's famous sweet potato chili, and beverages from Bunnyman Brewery.

[03:10:32] So hopefully you'll all be able to join us. Mr. Chairman, I ask with unanimous consent that the board direct the Office of Public Affairs to publicize the 2026 Tour to Mount Vernon Community Bike Ride. And without objection, that is so ordered. Supervisor Stewart. Thank you.

[03:10:48] My next item is a request for concurrent expedited processing. I need to read this. So the Mount Vernon Country Club owns 127.73 acres located in the Mount Vernon District across four parcels, Joan R2. The club has been an integral part of the Mount Vernon community since 1961 and currently operates as a golf course and country club the applicant has submitted a special exception amendment sea 97-v-033-03 to permit improvements of the existing golf course and country club facilities including renovations to the pool facilities relocation reconstruction of the

[03:11:24] maintenance facility and selected golf course improvements i'm going to just move on the special exception amendment is currently under review by the department of planning and development and is scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning Commission on November 18, 2026. Given the scope of the proposed improvements and the applicant's desire with staff's recommendation to advance the associated site work, it is important that we move this application forward as expeditiously as possible.

[03:11:50] Therefore, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to expedite the public hearing for SEA-97-V-033-03, located at tax map partial 110-1, double circle 1, 3, 4, 13, and 13A to December 8, 2026.

[03:12:11] In addition, I move the Board of Direct staff to concurrently and simultaneously process any site plans, architectural drawings, and other plans or drawings associated with SEA-97-V-033. 3-03. And again, these motions should not be construed as a favorable recommendation by the Board on pending applications and does not relieve the applicant from compliance with the provisions of all applicable ordinances, regulations, or adopted standards. And the Chair will second that, along with Supervisor Herity. Discussion on the motion. Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Supervisor

[03:12:50] Stork. And Mr. Chairman, the last item I have is something that was brought to me by a committee member, Mark Murray, who has been a high school coach and also operates pools and so forth, and he came to me deeply distressed.

[03:13:06] And so I'm going to read the motion in full because I think it will give you better context of the differences that we all can make in making sure that we have safe supervision for learning swimmers. After two decades of reductions, child drowning deaths in America are rising again, from 756 in 2019 to 865 in 2024, according to the Center for Disease Control, the bulk being children under five. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages one to four, and it happens in seconds, silently. As the American Academy of Pediatrics warned just this

[03:13:42] year, quick rescue can mean the difference between life, death, and lifelong disability. This underscores the importance of lifeguards focusing entirely on life-saving activities while on duty. The first line of defense is and always should be the parent or guardian supervising the learning swimmer. However, too often families expect lifeguards on duty to provide oversight to children who are still in the process of learning how to swim. Pediatricians, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and the Virginia Department of Health all recommend touch supervision where an adult is within arm's reach of any child who cannot swim whenever a learning swimmer is in or around

[03:14:21] water. Current Fairbanks County Health Code requires lifeguards to be free from distraction, which allows for immediate assistance to patrons in distress. The code also requires supervision of children when using a spa or pool, as does the Fairbanks County Park Authority rules, which requires supervision of children under 10 from the water or deck. There are several initiatives underway to strengthen required supervision and swimming skills. For example, modifications to our pool code to ensure learning swimmers receive direct and active supervision by a parent or guardian when in swimming pools.

[03:14:57] The Park Authority also has a Learn to Swim program for community members. While a good foundation, our programming needs to be scaled up to provide greater opportunities for our residents, especially those for whom financial barriers may prevent them from accessing community Learn to Swim classes to gain life-saving swimming skills and improve water safety techniques.

[03:15:18] Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I ask that the Board of Supervisors direct the Fairfax County Park Authority to review their water safety rules and access to learn-to-swim programs and the Health Department to complete their ongoing review of Chapter 69.1 to identify if any new requirements or revisions may be needed to increase public safety and report back by early 2027 through the appropriate committee of the Board or through a NIP with recommendations on any challenges necessary to protect our learning swimmers by early 2027.

[03:15:48] Chair, we'll second that motion. Discussion on the motion? Supervisor Harity, did you have something for us? Just to make a couple brief comments. Again, I really do want to thank Mark Murray for bringing this forward and his passion to ensure that we have parents who are engaged.

[03:16:05] He says they've, in his particular pool that they supervise, he's gone from maybe two lifeguard interventions a year ago to 20-plus ones this year. And he says it's not only the fact that the parents are close by to the learning swimmer, but they're on their, guess what, cell phones and not really tuned into what should be happening with their own child.

[03:16:30] So this is real. The other opportunity we have, and I've been talking with Jay Cole, with the Park Authority, as well as with the superintendent, Dr. Reed, about their work on a program to have learning swimmers that can do that through a school program and a collective program.

[03:16:50] So I know they're working more on that, so it's maybe too early to say exactly how that will be implemented, but I know they're committed to that, and I told them I'm equally committed to that, and I'm confident the board would do whatever it could to ensure that we get more kids learning to swim at a younger age. So thank you.

[03:17:07] Supervisor Herity. Yeah, actually, you know, as a former lifeguard, the importance of this is incredible. I also had a conversation with Superintendent Reed. I would think you'd want to wrap schools into the response just because I know I think that's becoming a priority of theirs.

[03:17:25] But if we're going to reach out to the Park Authority, why don't we have schools be a part of this as well? Because I know the plan. Stafford County and I believe Norfolk, at least in Virginia, have a program across the board where they teach all their students how to swim as a part of the curriculum.

[03:17:41] So I think Superintendent Reed's looking at that. I think that ought to be a part of that response. I'd be happy to include that. I think it's very appropriate and an opportunity for all of us. And I think it's a real discussion that they're having, so hopefully we can make it happen this coming year.

[03:17:58] Thank you, Supervisor Stork, Supervisor Pouchik. I appreciate you bringing this forward as a mother of a four-year-old learning to swim. And I've put her in classes this winter. I'm very grateful that the lifeguards are all very strict at our pool.

[03:18:14] I am not allowed to be outside the pool if she's in there and uses flow days. I know it doesn't change everything, but I think making sure that all the partners, especially of our private pools and the education with the companies and the associations that oversee them, might also be an opportunity to make sure all of the facets are involved.

[03:18:37] Thank you. If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Supervisor Stork. Mr. Chairman, that's it. Thank you. Thank you. Supervisor Palcic. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the spirit of fall and fun and some lightheartedness, on this difficult day, I am delighted to announce one event, our annual Fall Fest, the third annual Fall Fest, this year in collaboration with Neighborhood Community Services.

[03:19:10] Very much appreciate Cindy and the entire team at Jim Scott Community Center. It will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jim Scott Community Center, 2001 Vaden Drive near the Vienna Metro Station.

[03:19:26] We have a very exciting lineup of family-friendly activities, including bingo, which is very popular with all ages, pumpkin painting, fall crafts, fire trucks, patrol cars, the wonder wagon, and the very beloved Vienna Singing Princesses and Drew Blue Shoes for entertainment.

[03:19:44] This is free. There will also be organizations that will be sharing their information. We appreciate all the county agencies that will be providing resources. And very importantly, the community center is accessible by bus, metro, and bike.

[03:20:00] And event parking will also be available at the Vienna Metro Station Garage with a shuttle between the intersection of Sainsbury and Vade and Drives to Jim Scott continuously. Therefore, I move without objection that the Office of Public Affairs publicizes events on the appropriate channels, and I invite my colleagues and community members to join us at Providence Fall Fest.

[03:20:23] Without objection, that is so ordered. Supervisor Palczyk. The other one is just a reminder. There's an exciting festival that happened, second annual festival, this weekend at Capital One Hall, a celebration of the arts for 2026, presented with the TEFRA Institute of Contemporary Art.

[03:20:41] It is free with music, food, community, immersive art, performances. It was really delightful last year, and I know it'll be even better this year. Saturday, 12 to 6, and Sunday, 12 to 5. Hope to see some of you there. Thank you very much.

[03:20:57] Supervisor Palczyk, Supervisor Herity. Yeah, I'm going to be very short. You've got the written part of it. Mr. Chairman, I asked without objection that November 5, 2026, be declared Government Contracting Day in Fairfax County and the proclamation be prepared to be presented outside the boardroom.

[03:21:13] And without objection, that is so ordered. That's it. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, could I just ask that you share where that's going to be presented? Because some of us might want to show up with that, too. Government contractor, CFO awards. Okay. Thank you. Virginia Chamberlain. Yep. We will circulate it to the whole board because a lot of us go to that.

[03:21:31] All right. Next up, we have a public hearing on the county and schools FY2026 carryover review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2027 revised budget plan. And let me begin by asking our county budget staff if they would like to give us a brief presentation.

[03:21:51] Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. I'm Phil Hagan, the director of the Department of Management and Budget. The fiscal year 2026 carryover review outlines balances available as of the end of fiscal year 2026 and includes recommendations for the use of those funds to adjust the fiscal year 2027 budget.

[03:22:08] Carryover recommendations from staff were presented at the board meeting on August 25th and were discussed at the Budget Committee meeting on September 1st. Recommendations include investments in the county's infrastructure sinking fund, information technology projects, environmental and energy initiatives, vehicle replacement reserves, and capital improvement projects.

[03:22:25] A recommendation is also included to realign reserve funds to separate the economic opportunity reserve from our 10% reserve target. After adjustments recommended by the county executive, a balance of $1.62 million remains in the general fund. Four consideration items have been submitted by the board, including $900,000 for the Chantilly Arts Hub, $400,000 as a placeholder for high school crossing guards, $45,000 for ballot drop boxes, and $20,000 to support a part-time intern in the Office of the Financial and Program Auditor. This is not the only opportunity that the board will have to adjust the fiscal year 2027 budget. Our third quarter recommendations will come to the board in March.

[03:23:04] Thank you. Thank you very much for that presentation. Are there any questions of staff? Questions of Staff Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, just a really basic question on the school crossing guard thing. Is that enough money to restore high school school crossing guards? So the consideration item, is that what you're asking about?

[03:23:24] So the consideration item is shy of what came out in the NIP from Deputy County Executive Tom Arnold, which was a little over $700,000 in order to restore those. Okay, so it does restore? Yeah, okay, and staff concurs that that does restore those positions.

[03:23:41] The amount included in the NIP would do so, which is a little bit over $700,000. Thank you. Okay. Are there any other questions of staff? Okay. Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing, and we're going to try to run through this as efficiently as we can.

[03:23:57] I do have a lot of speakers on the speakers list, and so we're going to go in order of the speakers list, and I've reserved the first spots for members of the school board. And so we're going to begin by Dr. Riccardi Anderson, to be followed by Sandy Anderson, Melanie Maron, Kyle McDaniel, Tom Dannen, and Seema Dixit.

[03:24:19] If you are here, that's the order in which we'll hear from folks, starting with Dr. Anderson. Welcome. Good morning, Chairman McKay and members of the board. As was said, my name is Riccardi Anderson, and I'm speaking on behalf of the Fairfax County School Board.

[03:24:39] my capacity as Legislative Chair regarding the need for a permanent resolution to the county's school crossing guard coverage. I am joined by Legislative Vice Chair Ryan McElveen and fellow at-large school board member Ileon Moon. For more than seven decades crossing guards have been a trusted fixture of Fairfax County's public safety system, a visible daily assurance to families that their children can get to school safely. Recent vehicle, pedestrian incidents involving Fairfax County students, including those near Oakton,

[03:25:17] Justice, and most recently South Lakes, Woodson, and Lake Braddock High Schools, are a sobering reminder of what is at stake. As traffic volume, roadway complexity, and pedestrian risk continue to climb, these programs must be treated as the core infrastructure for student safety and community safety. FCPS recognizes the fiscal challenges confronting the county, and thus we do not raise this issue lightly. We have all tightened our belts, and in recent years, I'm sorry, we have all tightened our belts in recent years, but the budget

[03:25:54] reduction affecting crossing guard services have caused real and substantial concern throughout the entire community, from parents and principals to the students who cross these intersections every morning and afternoon. The recent decision to reinstall uniform crossing guards at eight high schools is a constructive first step, and we thank the board for taking it. But a temporary or partial restoration is not the same as a permanent resolution.

[03:26:21] Families deserve certainty, not coverage that shifts year to year. That is why we are here, not simply to ask the board, but to offer our partnership in getting this right. Accordingly, the Fairfax County School Board respectfully requests that the Board of Supervisors support the motion for an FY 2026 carryover review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2027 revised budget plan to maintain crossing guard funding through available carryover resources.

[03:26:53] We are also encouraged by a board matter this morning seeking to establish a joint task force to address pedestrian and traffic safety, which will support regular and meaningful collaboration between the two legislative bodies on traffic and pedestrian safety matters affecting the communities we jointly serve. The tenets of the board matter will serve to foster coordination with the organizations and departments that hold decision-making authority to facilitate comprehensive visibility into safety impacts and local conditions not done in isolation.

[03:27:29] Such a task force will also serve to provide greater transparency to the criteria used to install and eliminate crossing guards and to also make sure that that data is available to our community. We raise our request in a spirit of partnership. FCPS stands ready and eager to work with the Board of Supervisors and our county partners to develop an approach that is data-informed, transparent, equitable, and centered on student safety. This is the shared duty and we believe it deserves a shared commitment to solving it together. Public safety, including the safety of

[03:28:07] our children on their way to and from school, is a core responsibility of local government. After more than 75 years of service, Fairfax County should treat crossing guard coverage accordingly. We urge the board to take the necessary steps in collaboration with FCPS to provide students with consistent protection wherever hazardous roadway conditions pose a risk. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this morning and thank you for your partnership with our schools. Thank you Dr. Anderson. Speaker number two is Sandy

[03:28:44] Anderson to be followed by Melanie Marin, Kyle McDaniel. Welcome. Chairman McKay, members of the board. My name is Sandy Anderson and I am the school board member representing the Springfield District. I am here to address the elimination of crossing guards like many people here and the broader issue of pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout our county. Before I get to my request though I want to start with a little bit of gratitude. Thanks to the constituents who shared their concerns and fears about the safety of their children as well as the parent groups who stepped up to provide support in this moment. Thank you to the Fairfax County Police Department

[03:29:23] for its continued support of our schools and responding so quickly when officers were called back into action. Finally, thank you for the board for giving us the opportunity to speak today and for revisiting the possibility of restoring these crossing guards. I appreciate the time and collaboration I have witnessed throughout this process. I've had conversations with many of you over the last few weeks. I know that the safety of our residents, students, and others alike is at the forefront of all of our minds. We know the risks, and I am here to advocate for the path forward. Half of the schools that lost crossing guards serve Springfield District students. Based

[03:30:02] on what I have heard today and my understanding of the posted documents, I believe that we are moving towards a temporary resolution to restore these crossing guards for the remainder of this school year and this is an essential step that provides us the gift of time to determine a thoughtful lasting solution but we should not give the illusion that restoring crossing guards at these few locations will solve the larger pedestrian safety challenges that we face across the county so far we have addressed these concerns in largely separate ways we have individual supervisors advocating for traffic mitigation measures in their own

[03:30:38] districts, which is absolutely appropriate, county-wide campaigns such as Take a Moment, and the police department new initiative, Operation Safe Right Turn. These efforts are important, but we needed the wider conversation, so I appreciate the move forward towards the board matter this morning.

[03:30:55] We cannot continue addressing this one initiative or one district at a time. With more than 170,000 students, FCPS has more than 45,000 bus stops and 30,000 kids walking and using Kiss and Ride every day. They are counting on us to get them to school safely.

[03:31:13] The last few weeks since school started have been terrifying as a parent and as a board member. We have had multiple students hit by cars, and we have tragically lost someone's child. We need drivers to slow down, and we need them to put their phones away, and we need us all to take a responsibility for our schools and the shared spaces that our schools represent in our communities. We also need students to understand how to protect their own safety. I stand ready to continue to support this coordinated approach in any way that I can. So thank you so much for

[03:31:49] everything you're doing. Thank you, Sandy. Our next speaker is Melanie Marin to be followed by Kyle McDaniel and Tom Dannon. Welcome. Carryover money must fund high school crossing guards.

[03:32:06] Following our three reflections on how we got here, the county board is abdicating its responsibility for services that benefit children. Since at least 2024, the board has sought to move county-provided services for children to FCPS to manage. This includes the middle school after school program. Now it's crossing guards from the police department with the intention of training FCPS staff to do this job. No, FCPS employees are not responsible for public road safety. And I hear that school nurses are next from the health department. I am calling out here that while

[03:32:42] American public education fights historic pressures. Fairfax County government adds more work to FCPS employees. And since 2020, the county board has cut FCPS funding by $340 million, and that is a fact. Second, residents want road improvements faster before more people die. It took seven years to improve Vienna's Beulah Road. Advocacy for Flint Hill and Vail Road began in 2012 when a crossing guard was hit in the crosswalk and residents are still waiting. Reston Sunrise Valley near lawyers and Centerville Road and Herndon at Flores Elementary School are waiting. And we remember

[03:33:19] the 2022 Blake Lane tragedy when a driver going 80 miles per hour in a 35 killed two girls on the sidewalk and injured another. Those were Oakton High School students Ada Gabriela and Leanne.

[03:33:35] The dangers of Blake Lane were well-documented prior. Of note, the county says that children are to blame for crashes, that kids age 14 and up should have, quote, adult-level pedestrian judgment. That's in this year's Budget Question C-17. Despite the 2020 floor, Blake Lane road safety audits, the largest infrastructure projects remain.

[03:33:56] We need quick-build solutions while aligning engineering, funding, and coordination for lasting improvements. Also, Fairfax focuses on lagging data, that's crashes. What we need are leading data. That's near misses. This county lost Safe Streets funding because it doesn't collect data documenting the need. Fairfax isn't even competing for money the state has to spend by law. Finally, the Board of Supervisors has ostracized key partners.

[03:34:23] The claim that Fairfax County Public Schools has been unwilling to collaborate are false. Example, an April 2025 letter from the school board asking to fund crossing guards and work together on annual budgeting. You sent no response.

[03:34:39] Also, FCPS was included in this February's meeting at your Safety and Security Committee meeting, though an FCPS school crossing update was on the agenda. Since silence continues, except for in May, when I was insulted by the chair for my crossing guard advocacy.

[03:34:57] Basic solutions are not available because the Board of Supervisors defends the status quo, and the status quo endangers children. But I'm here to protect children, and I'm not going anywhere. Thank you. Our next speaker, our next speaker is Tom Dannon. Our next speaker is Tom Dannon to be followed by Seema Dixit.

[03:35:32] Oh, I'm sorry. I skipped Kyle. Yes, Kyle. Kyle McDaniel is our next speaker to be followed by Tom Dannon and Seema Dixit. Well, Tom's better looking than me, so I'll take it as a compliment. Welcome, Kyle. Good afternoon. My name is Kyle McDaniel. I'm proud to represent all 1.2 million residents of Fairfax County on our school board and currently serve as the vice chairman of the board.

[03:35:52] But more importantly, I'm a parent, and I believe that the safety of our students is a shared responsibility across all levels of government. And I want to start by thanking the Board of Supervisors for the conversations that we've had over the last few weeks and how we've worked together to find immediate solutions without losing sight of the longer-term goal, which is a sustainable, multifaceted approach to safer streets for all residents.

[03:36:15] The partnership between the school board and the Board of Supervisors matters deeply to me, and I believe our partnership must be built on mutual respect and understanding. Without it, so much of what our school system does and so much of what our county accomplishes would not be possible.

[03:36:33] That focus on practical, real solutions is what I want to acknowledge today. Our community, our staff, and we as elected officials are constantly working together to solve problems and keep our residents safe. This Board of Supervisors, for instance, as was discussed earlier this morning, funded $100 million over six years for pedestrian safety improvements.

[03:36:53] That is a practical solution to a practical problem. We're at a unique moment in Fairfax County's history where forces far beyond this locality have created economic turmoil that we're all feeling. And that means that we have to make tough decisions about how we will use the resources that we have.

[03:37:10] But the safety of our residents remains a top priority. So I'm glad we've come together to create this task force. I appreciate the consideration for crossing guard funding to make sure that these problems get addressed and we allocate resources in a data-driven, methodical way. And I'll end on this note to quote one of my childhood heroes, Mr. Rogers from The Neighborhood.

[03:37:29] Look for the helpers. Fundamentally, that's our role as elected leaders. The public needs us to be the helpers, and that's a responsibility we carry with us every day. So my ask today is simple. Let's work together to be the helpers our community deserves.

[03:37:45] Thank you. Thank you, Kyle. Our next speaker is Tom Dannen. Welcome. Thank you very much. Good afternoon. My name is Tom Dannen. I represent the Braddock District on the Fairfax County School Board.

[03:38:02] I want to start by thanking my colleagues for sharing the letter on behalf of our entire school board. I'm also here because I want to speak individually, not just because this is an important issue, but because, as others have shared, this is really a great opportunity to collaborate. And I know I've spoken about this since I was elected six months ago, even before that.

[03:38:20] I've had a number of conversations with you all about that. And one of my mentors, I appreciate that she shares this with me often, she reminds me to not waste time admiring the problem, get focused on solutions and so forth, right? And I agree with every speaker here that, you know, it was a mistake to not fund these crossing guards, right?

[03:38:38] And you're working to fix that, and we do appreciate that. But I also want to acknowledge that you all believe pedestrian safety is important, right? I appreciate the work to reinstate the crossing guards. I'm excited to hear about the proposal for a comprehensive joint task force.

[03:38:56] And I want to say too, having been in office now for about six months, I recognize that every policy discussion is a trade-off, right? If we fund this, we have to potentially take from this. But this represents a chance to expand the pie, and expand the discussion. And I really appreciate that you all have taken the time to bring forward solutions like that.

[03:39:13] I stand ready as a school board member to help in any way possible to support that. So funding crossing guards though is just one piece. I think, as you all know, of this larger pedestrian safety issue, right? And I know that you take that seriously. And you mentioned about the $100 million that was allocated four or five years ago.

[03:39:31] And I appreciate the remarks that we need to revisit that now and be planning ahead for future years. I know you've also partnered with FCPS to install cameras in school zones. FCPD has invented roadshark campaigns. On our side, FCPS has worked very hard with our safe routes to school and identifying Kiss and Rye, traffic safety congestion, and so forth.

[03:39:52] So we've laid the groundwork for pedestrian safety, but I know there's more work to be done. I'm very heartened by the conversations and the remarks that I've heard. I'm committed as a dad, as a school board member, and as a resident here to work with you all to do that. So thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Seema Dixit.

[03:40:12] Welcome. Good morning. Actually, good afternoon. Good afternoon, Chairman McKay and the member of Board of Supervisors. I'm Seema Dixit, the Sully District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board and the school board's budget chair for this year.

[03:40:33] Thank you for your attention to the student safety and for moving forward with the proposal to restore high school crossing guard funding. I appreciate your responsiveness to this concern of families and our school communities. In Fairfax County, we take a lot of pride in our student safety and our support for our students.

[03:40:56] No student should die in a traffic accident in Fairfax County and this is unfortunate. I want to especially thank the police officers, crossing guards, county staff, and FCPS staff for working together to provide coverage and identify ways to make our students' journey safer.

[03:41:16] For families in Centerville and Chantilly High School and throughout Fairfax County, this work matters every day. As a parent of two FCPS graduates, I know how much it means to feel confident that our children can travel safely to and from school.

[03:41:35] I want to especially thank Vice Chair and Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith for her support and continued partnership in serving our Sully students and families. As a budget chair, I recognize the difficult funding decisions both boards face.

[03:41:53] I appreciate our shared commitment to making student safety a top priority and support the proposed restoration of crossing guard funding. I look forward to continued collaboration on the broader improvements identified in the county's review, from better lighting and crosswalks, visibility to safer traffic patterns around our schools.

[03:42:18] Working together, we can evaluate these needs, identify resources, and make steady progress. Our families expect us to work together, and this is an opportunity to demonstrate that partnership through meaningful action and not attacks. Thank you for your leadership, your partnership for FCPS, and your continued commitment for our students and families. Thank you very much. Our next speaker, we're on speaker number six, Robert Whitfield, to be followed by Lisa Buchanan and Arthur

[03:42:54] Purvis. Welcome, Rob. I'm sorry, I would have... You're fine. But I've got to say

[03:43:26] something. I care very much about school children and safety, but we have many issues other than school safety. I went to the board budget policy committee meeting two weeks ago. I took somebody with me who was also disabled. He can't be here today. In that entire hour and a half meeting and in the two hours plus that you've been here, seniors are not on your agenda and you're not loan, Congress has not increased the personal needs allowance for Medicaid patients since 1988.

[03:44:07] 1988, that's 38 years ago. And so it's both a Republican and a Democrat problem. And so I'm sorry, I know many of you, but what I would say is I started writing, I'd never finished last night.

[03:44:26] I sent an email to most of you if I didn't get all of you, I'm sorry. I have personally benefited in the last two and a half, three years from the TOPS program, and I found out from Susan Shaw, I guess it was probably three or four months ago, I knew that they'd cut the program, but I didn't understand why it happened and when it happened.

[03:44:50] And now I know, I don't know why it was not done apparently without a public hearing, but the TOPS program is a relatively small program, but for people who are disabled and elderly, It's a vital communication list linked to their link with the outside world.

[03:45:08] And many of the people in the nursing home with me haven't even been out of the home in several years. And so I've sent you, Susan provided information, which I hope you've seen. I don't know, I think she said it would need $424,000 to restore the people who are on the waiting list.

[03:45:26] We obviously have to have enough money to fund the balance of the year. So I proposed a million dollars. I don't know where it comes from. I'll let you decide. So a second topic I raised was the need to study the potential impact of Dulles Airport expansion.

[03:45:48] The United Airlines a year ago announced that they plan to increase air passenger service there by 30% in the next five years. And at this time, the board had disbanded its Dulles Committee a year ago, and nobody's done anything.

[03:46:06] I actually, in November, in the Budget Legislative Committee, I recommended that you work with the General Assembly. We've got to study for the off-airport impacts of the airport expansion.

[03:46:22] And so far, I don't even remember the name of the bridge near the CIT, but we need the funds to do this. And all I can tell you is that there are many, many issues.

[03:46:39] I would say for future reference, sir, when we have a public hearing scheduled for 10.30 a.m., and it's probably 1 o'clock now, I realize that you have many important issues. But please don't keep the public waiting two and a half hours. Thank you, Rob.

[03:47:00] We're now on speaker number seven, Lisa Buchanan. Is Lisa Buchanan here? Yes. Okay. and Arthur Purvis, I see, Ariel Wu. Those are our next three speakers in that order. If I call your name, if you can be ready to testify, we're on Lisa Buchanan, speaker number seven, to be followed by Arthur Purvis, Ariel Wu, and Joy Giandani.

[03:47:29] Welcome.

[03:47:55] Yeah, it's your turn to testify, yes. Are you trying to turn the microphone on? I'm trying to turn the timer on. Oh, you don't have to worry about that. They'll handle that. Okay, thank you. Sure. All right, good afternoon. My name is Lisa Buchanan.

[03:48:11] I'm a former high school teacher, still licensed to teach 9th through 12th grade English, and a current substitute teacher. I'm the mother of a disabled son in a wonderful special education program at Centerville High School. Centerville is a comprehensive services site school which serves students with a variety of disabilities.

[03:48:29] My son loves school, and we are blessed and thankful he is there. Every day, either my husband or I walk with him to and from school, since our son enjoys seeing friends and neighbors. We therefore experienced firsthand what the students experience. We've had an amazing crossing guard, Cheryl Beloli, to help all students, both with and without impairments, cross safely.

[03:48:51] At the main intersection, both during and outside of school hours, we've witnessed drivers not yielding to pedestrians, running red lights, speeding, blocking the box and crosswalk, trying to make right turns on red with pedestrians in the crosswalk, and even driving up onto the curb.

[03:49:08] However, thankfully, we had Cheryl, and she prevented many accidents by using her stop sign, blowing her whistle, and performing all the tasks she was trained to do. When I first heard of the proposed cuts, I had emailed the entire board with concerns in February 2025, over a year and a half ago, because I knew there would be serious problems.

[03:49:30] Unfortunately, the vote to cut the crossing guards ultimately passed. This was one photo I took the morning of August 28th. You have hard copies as well. When the light turned green and the crosswalk signaled to cross, this is what students had to navigate. The kids had the right of way and were doing everything correctly.

[03:49:48] It was the driver who was at fault. Had Cheryl been there, she could have prevented this. Instead, walkers had to weave around this huge truck blocking the crosswalk. We witnessed other dangerous incidents as well. Some people say high schoolers should be able to cross by themselves.

[03:50:05] Well, many do cross correctly, but it's drivers we worry about, especially with high schools being on major roads with high-volume traffic. Traffic is a huge concern throughout the county, and tragically, multiple children, high school age and younger, have even been hit. I'd email Chairman McKay's office on September 1st, asking for the safety study we were told was done before removing the guards.

[03:50:28] I've yet to receive it. This information should be readily available to the public. If you need to cut the budget, cut it elsewhere, not at the expense of our children's lives. We pay taxes for basic public safety, and this is literally life or death for kids.

[03:50:44] I'm grateful to our supervisor, Supervisor Herity, for his consistent support, and I'm grateful to everyone else who also sees that this cannot stand. Chairman McKay, in an email you said you are our parent, and that, quote, student safety remains our top priority, unquote.

[03:51:00] I'm sure no one on this board would want your own children or grandchildren to have to deal with this trying to get to school. I implore everyone to do the right thing, show that student safety is top priority, and reinstate crossing guards permanently before another student is injured or killed. Thank you.

[03:51:17] Thank you. Speaker number eight. Speaker number eight is Arthur Purvis. Welcome. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. My name is Arthur Purvis.

[03:51:36] I address you as president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance. The FY26 carryover package should be a year-end review. This is exactly what I said a year ago. It should compare actual and budgeted expenses.

[03:51:52] It doesn't. It does not show the FY2026 approved budget. Instead, it compares actual expenses with the revised budget from the third quarter review and gives the impression that actual expenses were less than budgeted expenses.

[03:52:09] That is false. Actual county general fund disbursements exceeded the budgeted amount by $73 million. Actual Fairfax County Public Schools operating fund total disbursements exceeded the budgeted amount by $56 million.

[03:52:27] The carryover package should also compare actual expenses from the past two years. It doesn't. It does not show the FY25 actual budget. Between FY25 and FY26, actual county general fund disbursements increased by $146 million.

[03:52:46] Actual FCPS operating fund total disbursements increased by $216 million. The county and school carryover packages are hiding $363 million of increased spending.

[03:53:04] In $363 million of increased spending, why isn't there a million dollars for tops and a million dollars for crossing guards? The Fairfax County Public Schools carryover package justifies spending $227 million of carryover in just three sentences.

[03:53:26] We asked the school's chief financial officer for a more detailed justification. The reply for justifying $227 million was 248 words. there's also no transparency in the annual assessment notice we ask that the notice show the county executives proposed tax rate instead of TBD we also ask that the budget hearing and that the budget hearing date and time be printed on the front of the assessment notice instead of on the back where no one sees it this suppresses taxpayer participation in budget hearings given

[03:54:03] the county's lack of transparency the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance recommends that the county refund to the taxpayers the four hundred and sixty million dollars of carryover funds not allocated for reserves by sending us checks each household would get a check of about a thousand dollars we've asked that encumbered expenses be audited for last-minute use it or lose its spending that hasn't happened pay for encumbrances therefore in your FY 28 budget instead of from the carryover the extra expenses identified in the

[03:54:38] carryover package if they were really essential? Why weren't they in the adopted budgets? The alliance is concerned about waste and mismanagement in both county and school budgets. The Northern Virginia Chamber's roadmap document states, quote, the region is facing a crisis without precedent, end quote. The crisis is that we have a single industry economy, federal government.

[03:55:05] NOVA's, including Fairfax County's high taxes and stifling regulations, have failed to attract other industries. Laid off federal workers cannot find good private sector jobs. The Economic Development Authority's job hub boasts of 90,000 jobs. But are they really real?

[03:55:24] I just attended the Black Agenda Summit held by the NAACP Fairfax branch. In the breakout session, it was mentioned that small businesses are struggling with county regulations and taxes. The Housing Justice Session said it is unjust to force families to leave their neighborhoods for affordable housing.

[03:55:45] That is exactly what the county's soaring real estate taxes are doing to seniors. We are concerned about infrastructure. Despite raising real estate taxes three times faster than household income for a quarter of a century, the Panino Building and Old Historic Courthouse are closed for repairs.

[03:56:02] The county and schools have a $500 million maintenance backlog. School renovations are occurring every 40 years instead of every 25 years. Where are you spending the tax increases? Each year, supervisors give the school system $3 billion without requiring any accountability.

[03:56:21] SAT scores have dropped 29 points since 2018. Thomas Jefferson saw an 82-point drop just in 2025 alone. Only 5 of 25 high schools have competitive SAT scores. Thank you very much.

[03:56:36] Thank you. Speaker number nine is Arielle Wu. Are you on? We were not able to reach her. We were not able to reach her. Okay. She was going to be calling in. So that takes us to speaker number 10, Joy Giandani, to be followed by Norm Hall and Tamara O'Neill.

[03:56:53] Welcome. Good afternoon, Chairman McKay and Board of Supervisors. My name is Joy Giandani. I'm a candidate for Fairfax County School Board at Large 2027. On March 27th, during a budget discussion, a supervisor said something that stuck with me.

[03:57:09] We will pay one way or another. And that we did. I want this board to maintain funding for high school crossing guards permanently. But I'm also asking for something equally as important today. Please show us the data that justified removing them in the first place.

[03:57:25] Not the evaluation we received through media on September 11th. Show us the data that was used before the decision was made. Your own fiscal year 2026 budget guidance said decisions to add or remove protected crossings should be based clearly on defined metrics that prioritize student safety.

[03:57:42] So what changed? FCPD General Order 611 already provides a framework. It considers student and vehicle volume, traffic speed, and other site-specific conditions. It includes quantitative thresholds for middle school and high school crossings. Yet, I still can't find any school-by-school data used to justify removing these crossing guards.

[03:58:02] FCPD says site surveys were conducted. Where are the results? Did each crossing not qualify for a guard under General Order 611, or were the guards eliminated because they happened to serve high school students? Two supervisors later asked about a comprehensive traffic count study.

[03:58:20] FCPD said it could be completed with existing staff at no additional cost, but would take several months. Please share the results so we can understand the data behind the decision. This is about transparency. Residents shouldn't have to read hundreds of pages of budget documents and watch hours of government meetings and still be unable to find school-by-school evidence behind a student safety decision.

[03:58:44] If we're making data-driven decisions, show us the data. And responsibility here is shared by you and the school board. Trust me, I heard that as a common trend across the board of supervisor meetings. When a proposed county budget cut directly affects students, how students arrive safely at school, the school board's budget committee should have been asking the same questions.

[03:59:05] Where is the data? Which schools are most at risk? What mitigation is needed? And what can we do before the guards disappear? Collaboration is key. Accountability is shared. But student safety is non-negotiable. I'm asking for three things.

[03:59:22] Maintain funding where data demonstrates a need. Release the pre-decision site-specific evaluations for every crossing that lost a guard. And require future removals to be supported by current, publicly accessible data. You told Fairfax County residents these decisions would be based on clearly defined metrics.

[03:59:40] I'm simply asking you show us those metrics. Thank you. - Thank you. Speaker number 11 is Norm Hall. Norm Hall to be followed by Tamara O'Neill and Roberto de Moraes, welcome.

[04:00:00] - Good afternoon, Chair McKay, Vice Chair Smith, members of the Board of Supervisors. I'm Norm Hall. I'm chair of the Fairfax County Employees Advisory Council. EAC represents greater than 16,000 employees of the Fairfax County government in the merit system recognized by county ordinance.

[04:00:18] Our role is spelled out in plain language. EAC provides a means for all employees in the competitive service to contribute input for the improvement of the career merit system and other aspects of Fairfax County government. Among our employees are uniformed police officers.

[04:00:34] They also have a majority representation by the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. When budget proposals affect deployment of the Fairfax Police Department, SSPBA should be, and is, a constituency that should be involved with how services are provided, as is the case today regarding crossing guards.

[04:00:55] In addition, the crossing guards themselves are many are civilian employees in the FCPD. We feel that they should be part of the conversation. The Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department has majority representation of uniformed fire and rescue personnel through a chapter of the International Association of Firefighters.

[04:01:14] In addition, IAFF represents public safety communications staff, one of whom was an employee who earlier this year we recognized as the winner of the Don Smith Award. In general, EAC and county employees support the budget cycle.

[04:01:31] In particular, the use is described in the carryover budget presentations involving the approximately 2% level of annual spending. We appreciate that these budgets are built with increased compensation and benefits from collective bargaining. What led me to testify are the staffing changes taking place outside of the regular budget process.

[04:01:54] On the one hand, I welcome the conversion of the two dozen non-merit-to-merit positions. As somebody who went through that as a daycare center teacher, I know it can be meaningful. I also am interested in hearing about the HR study due soon about the ongoing practices using non-merit county employment.

[04:02:14] Then there's the other hand. For the second year in a row, NCS wants to implement a second stage of turning school-age child care centers into what's known as beyond the belt. They recommend that the transition should continue to the whole system, even though there has yet to be an independent evaluation, nor buy-in from employees.

[04:02:36] I follow child care closely and to research follow-up questions less publicly. Aware that time was running out, I took the step of using a Freedom of Information request to FCPS. Records reveal that the genesis of this proposal was to reduce wait lists, but not because of public advocacy for child care expansion to the successful Child and Youth Policy team, nor was it a direct result of the BOS request for more information about SAC as part of last year's budget process.

[04:03:06] News to me was the revelation that NCS staff had changed the room requirements for Beyond the Bell. No longer was it deemed necessary to have internal sinks and bathrooms for children. Given how many young children would be served through Beyond the Bell expansion, I feel quite safe in saying that's a lot of accidents waiting to happen.

[04:03:28] Many uses of extra sets of clothing. I can tell you from my experience how often child care workers need to remind kids to wash your hands using soap and good technique. It's a fundamental public health service, repeated maybe 20 times a day by staff. Much easier to do when there's a sink in the same room. Regarding SEIU, the collective bargaining unit for these workers, I have shared information with them about my findings every step of the way, seeking a united front. Yet I stand alone here today, wondering why this isn't a union priority with comparable messaging. Presumably they would focus more on

[04:04:07] childcare ratios. Unlike SSPPA and IAFF, SEIU isn't close to having majority of membership at department levels, let alone overall. Less than 2,000 members, it turns out, in a unit of over 12,000 employees. Sadly, SEIU has not recognized the legitimacy of EAC, even as I personally was part of the collective bargaining. As a dues-paying member with a history of organizing my department, they have not shared data on dues-paying members. To get that information, I file freedom of information

[04:04:42] requests. Before closing, I want to point out that EAC welcomed the ideas portal that was implemented by the Department of Management and Budget last year. This didn't just permit employees to other offer suggestions and encourage them. Unfortunately, IAFF and SEIU argued that this unfiltered outreach was an unfair labor practice. Cutting it short, we'd really like to have employee suggestions form the basis of many county decisions. And I think having that portal

[04:05:17] was one of the best things that I could thank you all for. And thank you very much. I appreciate your time. Thank you, Norm. Our next speaker is Tamara O'Neill. Is Tamara O'Neill here? Tamara O'Neill. Okay. How about Roberto de Moraes? Thank you. Okay. Welcome. David Michelson will be speaker number 14. Welcome. Thank you. Hello. My name is Roberto de Moraes. I'm a father of a junior at

[04:05:55] South Lakes High School. I also had another son graduate from there. And I've had the privilege to drive them to school every morning before heading to work and witness that situation. It's a very dangerous, complicated intersection, and for years had a wonderful crossing guard who kept not just the kids safe, but kept the traffic moving, which helped prevent other issues down at the Kissin' Ride, which unfortunately is exactly what we warned would happen and happened just a week after school had begun.

[04:06:30] I want to thank all the members of the board that fought for the Crossing Guard funding, that pittance of money. We've heard numbers between $2 million and half a million thrown around about this. And just doing some dirty math, that's still a pittance, thousands of percentage of the entire budget of one of the wealthiest counties in the state, one of the best counties.

[04:06:55] And even if it is up to the $2 million, which is strange because that would count the full year salary of all these crossing guards, even though you're only taking them away from the high school part, which is another hours in the day. So this tiny amount of money is creating multiple situations for tragedies at multiple places twice a day, every day for the entire school year and summer school as well.

[04:07:23] Crossing guards aren't just someone there to help keep the kids safe and keep the traffic moving. They're also sometimes the first face that kids see in the day besides bus drivers. And so this is a nice warm-up for kids getting away from their family and entering into the school system.

[04:07:42] I know when I was a child, I had a wonderful crossing guard in my elementary school. And I remember she used to give us Redskins, now Commander, trading cards. She was a welcoming face that kind of got me a little stimulated, a little waking, woke up before going to school.

[04:07:59] And again, the crossing guard at the South Lakes entrance, she was amazing. She was nonstop in the middle of the road, getting traffic moving, keeping the kids safe. As much as the Fairfax County Police is one of the best police systems around, much like the Inova Hospital system, this isn't and shouldn't be their purview.

[04:08:21] They are needed elsewhere in the county. They have much better skill sets for keeping us safe in other ways. Trained crossing guards are also paid residents, giving jobs to people that live here and bringing tax money back into the county, stimulating the economy.

[04:08:38] If we want to break it down into these granular dollars, please bring them back. Keep them. If you want to do studies for pedestrian safety, car safety, all that, that's awesome. But let's use what's been proven, has prevented, and will prevent horrendous tragedies in our county.

[04:09:00] Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is David Michelson. And do we have Jessica Page on the line? Okay, we have a call-in after Mr. Michelson and then Valisha Jackson.

[04:09:17] Valisha Jackson and Sarah Russell. If I called your name, please be ready to testify. We're on speaker number 14. Welcome. So on behalf of all the high school and middle schoolers that have excused abstinence here today, come to attend this civic event.

[04:09:34] My name is David Michelson. The crossing guards are back. Fairfax County now recommends restoring all 11 crossing guards permanently. So why am I here? That tells us what you're doing now, and we're happy that this task force is being formed, but we want to know why you removed them in the first place.

[04:09:57] Chairman Jeff McKay, you hail this as a data-driven decision. So let's see the data. I'm right here. The cut came first. It was an advertised budget on February 17th.

[04:10:15] Chairman McKay and Supervisor Herity didn't ask staff for the safety data until March 16th. That was a month later. C-17 says FCPD conducted site surveys at South Lakes. When was it surveyed?

[04:10:30] C-17 also says FCPD recommended changes to bus and kiss and ride locations, which, if implemented, your words, would eliminate the need for a crossing guard. Were those changes implemented at South Lakes before May 5th?

[04:10:52] If yes, what changed? And when? If no, how was the condition in your own analysis satisfied before you eliminated the guard? C-17 says there is no crash data indicating removal would negatively impact safety.

[04:11:13] Those zero crashes occurred with the guards in South. place. Do you have evidence that removing the guards was safe, or did you just simply have no evidence yet that it wasn't? On August 25th, three of the members of this board put in writing, the board has not reached the information it requested. Six days later, a Southlake student was struck by a vehicle. That crash was not at a guarded crossing. I'm not claiming that a guard

[04:11:52] would have prevented it. But afterward, the response accelerated, and the guards came back. On September 11th, Mr. Arnold called this budget reduction creating an unintended service impact.

[04:12:07] That means you made a mistake. At Southlakes, FCPD now recommends another crosswalk. So reconcile them. Were these conditions known before May 5th? If yes, where were they in the original analysis?

[04:12:25] No. What did September examine that February didn't? And if nothing materially changed, why did the recommendation change? I'm a roofer. I measured that road by myself. I read your general order. I found your on page numbers. That shouldn't be my job. That's your job.

[04:12:47] Chairman McKay, you call this data-driven. Show us where Southlakes was evaluated. Show us what was measured. Show us the evidence that ruling the crossing guard would be safe, not merely the absence that it wouldn't be.

[04:13:03] Thank you. Show it. Thank you. Show it. Sir, your time has expired. Our next speaker is... The public knows that the guards are back. Now we deserve... We're going to maintain order in here. Your time expired a while ago. We've got your testimony. Our next speaker is Jessica Page.

[04:13:19] Is Jessica here? Oh, on the telephone. Yes. Welcome. Hold on a second, Jessica. Hold on a second. Jessica, can you hear us now? Yes. Okay, welcome. The floor is yours.

[04:13:37] Hello, members of the board. My name is Jessica Page. I'm a Sully District President with Elementary School Children. I'm testifying on the FY2026 carryover review because your funding decisions directly impact public safety, school access, and how we utilize county assets.

[04:13:56] One of those decisions was whether to restore funding guards for the high school crossing guards. Chantilly High School lost its crossing guard on Stringfellow Road. Hundreds of students crossed this road during arrival and dismissal. In 2022, two students were hit by cars while crossing this road without a crossing guard.

[04:14:16] According to virginaroads.org, a study showed this corridor of string fellow averaged 25,000 vehicles each weekday. The hazard during school arrival and dismissal is so severe that speed cameras operating only during those times were installed just last year.

[04:14:32] Furthermore, Fairfax County citation data shows over 16,000 traffic stop citations were issued in Sully in 2025. making us the highest district in the county. Nearly 11,000 of those occurred between midnight and 5 p.m., which is more than Springfield's entire yearly total.

[04:14:51] Stringfellow Road sits in the heart of this high-risk district. Removing crossing guards from this major corridor during peak school hours creates an unacceptable risk for our students, especially since you're simultaneously proposing to redevelop the land at the library to include up to 200 affordable units housing, bringing more cars to this section of Stringfellow.

[04:15:13] I urge the board to approve the carryover funding to restore Chantilly High School's crossing guards immediately and to prioritize safer pedestrian infrastructure at 4,000 Stringfellow Road, rather than adding more housing, more traffic density, and making this section of the road even more dangerous for our students.

[04:15:30] Bring back and keep our crossing guards. Thank you. - Thank you. Speaker number 16 is Valisha Jackson, to be followed by Sarah Russell and Debbie Kilpatrick. Welcome.

[04:15:46] Thank you. OK, we'll start the timer, I'm assuming. Hey, good afternoon. My name is Valisha Jackson. I am a Mason district resident. My remarks have changed a bit since I've been sitting here for the amount of time that I've been sitting here.

[04:16:03] So I would like to thank the people that have come and taken time away from their families, their jobs that are not being paid to be here, that were not elected to do this job, but yet we are still participating because we are part of a community. I actually have used the Cs. You know, four Cs are a part of a 21st century framework, as well as a few other business areas that have driven my theme for today.

[04:16:27] And what I have heard a lot about is children and what has frankly been campaign speeches. I've created a bingo card of collaboration, conversations. We care. We're going to create a committee. But what I have not heard or what has been missing for me consistently, not just today, but in general, is actual competence, consideration for us, unacceptable that we've been sitting here this long while you all belabor things that could have been tabled until you heard from us first, and meaningful change.

[04:17:02] The same societal problems that you are bemoaning about, preaching about, that people are inconsiderate, people are not paying attention. Yes, we all know those are things that are true. However, those same societal problems are what allow you all to sit in these chairs year after year.

[04:17:19] And it's because people become complacent and they do not challenge what they become comfortable with. Part of that comfort has been many of you being here and doing the same thing year after year after year. We don't expect that there's going to be more funding or an influx of funding.

[04:17:36] It's not going to happen. What we do expect is that those that have been elected to represent us do better. You have to have to come up with some actual solutions. I spent my time back in February, did a whole breakout of recruitment, retention, and thinking about augmentation of the crossing guards.

[04:17:52] This is a shock to no one that you were going to get this community response. This is that you've brought it up year after year after year. the funding the math doesn't math as the kids say I come from the the era of carrying the one but I don't care if you do the circles and the hash marks the mass not mapping the numbers that you are saying are needed to support this don't add up the two hundred and ten thousand that mr. already asked about I looked that up at transparency in terms of Fairbanks County what was spent on the privatization privatization is not going to solve this this challenge nor or as additional funding.

[04:18:28] You all have to do better. This is a colossal waste of everybody's time that we even have to be here having this conversation. In my final run, I am a kinship caregiver, and I would be remiss to not speak about that. We had to deal with you all removed $43,000 from family services for our support group, for those of us that are taking care of children that are not biologically ours.

[04:18:49] So do you really, truly care about children, or is it a good campaign talking point? Thank you. Thank you. Speaker number 17 is Sarah Russell here. Speaker number 17, yep.

[04:19:05] I called Sarah Russell to be followed by Debbie Kilpatrick and Heather McCain. Welcome. Hello, my name is Sarah Russell, and I am a senior at Southlakes High School. Excluding the years of virtual school, I have walked to and from Southlakes campus for 13 years.

[04:19:20] By removing our crossing guard, the famously dangerous Southlakes Drive has become hostile to students, student drivers, and everybody dropping off their students at Kiss and Ride. My school board representative, Melanie Mirren, has been outside of our school at our crosswalk for pretty much every single day that we didn't have a crossing guard in place.

[04:19:41] And in that time, she captured me and my sister nearly getting hit by a car as we walked home from school on the first day of school. Before I get into details of the video, allow me to describe Southlake's Drive. The county knows Southlake's Drive is a dangerous road. Just last year, county officials placed a speed camera within eyesight of the school.

[04:20:00] Despite the camera's presence, drivers have continued acting irrationally. Even when we had a crossing guard, I would see the camera flash nearly every day, often multiple times. Further, South Lakes is a four-way intersection between a neighborhood, my school, and a four-lane divided roadway.

[04:20:17] There are flashing lights by the crosswalk, which are often invisible in the sun. And cars do not stop for waiting pedestrians unless they are directly prompted by our former crossing guard. returning to representative mirin's video viewers have seen me and my sister hit the safety lights before looking both ways across the street as we looked across the street we noticed a car that was slowing down we had seen in the morning as we were walking to the school that drivers would not fully stop for us and would instead slow down enough that we could weave through them as we walked it was technically unsafe for us to cross while the car wasn't completely stopped but the

[04:20:56] the cars had proven that they would not stop for us without a crossing guard to enforce their behavior. Me and my sister looked both ways while crossing the street and, while directly staring down the car, began to cross. The car stopped directly in front of us, approximately the width of his desk away from hitting us. I was prepared to shove my sister out of the way in case the car didn't stop. The safety lights were flashing. We were directly staring at the car. There were hundreds of kids around us that were also leaving the school at this time. There were other

[04:21:28] drivers who had stopped for us on the other side of the road, and this car did not stop. This is entirely unacceptable, and this absolutely would not have happened if we had a crossing guard in place. Therefore, we as students, we know how to cross these roads. We've been crossing these throats. Drivers act entirely irrationally whether they are commuters who just don't care very much that there's a school or they are new drivers who are distracted or just terrified of hitting

[04:22:02] somebody and that makes them drive in ways that are not like not like adult drivers. We need a crossing guard there in order to allow us to give everybody in mind a piece of safety that do not exist without it. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Speaker number 18 is Debbie Kilpatrick to

[04:22:26] followed by Heather McCain Mary Miller and James Gross welcome well good afternoon chairman McKay and members of the Board of Supervisors I'm Debbie Kilpatrick of Fairfax County Council PTA representing 175 PTAs and more than 25,000 members on behalf of SCC PTA I'm asking the board to designate carryover

[04:23:04] funding to restoring to restore crossing guards at high schools that have been impacted with student safety concerns for the remainder of this school year student safety is one of FCC PTA's advocacy priorities every student should be able to get to and from school safely whether they walk bike ride a scooter drive or take the bus recent incidents involving students have reinforced the need to look closely at safety around our schools and along the traffic routes

[04:23:40] students use every day that includes safe crossings traffic conditions and infrastructure for students traveling to and from school we recognize that high school crossing guards are not are only one part of the solution other safety measures including flashing beacons pedestrian signals traffic signals and infrastructure improvements are also important as our drivers complying with school traffic laws we support a comprehensive approach to improving

[04:24:17] safety around our schools we understand that the county faces difficult budget distance decisions and challenges due to state and federal funding and we appreciate the work that has gone into reviewing these safety concerns and identifying potential improvements FCC PTA joins our community and asking the board to take this immediate step designate carryover funding to restore crossing guards at the impacted high schools and to implement long-term

[04:24:51] measures to protect students as they travel to and from school our PTAs and families want to be partners in this work we will continue advocating for safe routes to school and for the infrastructure policies and resources that help students today and for the future safety of all our students. Thank you for your service to our schools and to our community. Thank You Debbie.

[04:25:19] Speaker number 19 is Heather McCain to be followed by Mary Miller, James Gross, Alex Turner. Welcome. Good afternoon Chairman McCain and members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. My name is Heather McCain and I am proud to stand here today representing the parents, teachers, staff and students of The Chantilly High School is vice president of our PTSA.

[04:25:45] First, I want to thank you for the decision made to temporarily deploy police officers and crossing guards back to the 11 high school locations across Fairfax County, including Chantilly High School. Walking onto campus that morning and each morning since to see dedicated traffic control in place brought an immediate sense of relief to hundreds of families.

[04:26:07] However, we are here today because temporary coverage is a short-term band-aid on a long-term public safety risk. We are asking this board to establish a permanent line item in the carryover budget to ensure a dedicated crossing guard remains at Chantilly High School every single day of the school year.

[04:26:24] When the decision was made to eliminate high school crossing guards to address budget shortfalls, it was based on an assumption that high schoolers, 15, 16, 17-year-olds, are mature enough to navigate traffic on their own, but that logic ignores the physical realities of Stringfellow Road.

[04:26:43] Sorry, no water for three hours has taken its toll. The unique high-density traffic pattern surrounding our school. Stringfellow is not a quiet neighborhood street. It is a major, heavily congested, four-lane commuter corridor carrying thousands of vehicles during peak rush hour.

[04:27:04] In the early morning hours, drivers are battling glare, rushing to hit 66 or Route 50, frequently exceeding speed limits, which is already acknowledged by the installation of speed camera in front of the school. At the exact same time, our school entrance becomes a bottleneck of complex, competing traffic flows.

[04:27:23] There's essentially one way into Chantilly. Novice student drivers, dozens of students who only recently received their license are trying to navigate this congested intersection. Parent drop-off queue, cars are backing up onto Stringfellow Road, causing sudden deceleration, lane swapping, and severe gridlock.

[04:27:42] Additionally, if there is a backup on the campus, it will spill back onto Stringfellow with cars stopping in the middle of the intersection. The overflow student foot traffic, because on-campus parking is so limited, dozens of Chantilly-assigned student parking spaces are across from Chantilly across Stringfellow Road at the Chantilly Regional Library.

[04:28:09] This makes crossing this multi-lane Stringfellow Road on foot an absolute daily necessity for a substantial portion of our student body. Adding to this urgency is this board's very own active proposal to redevelop Chantilly Library into a mixed-use project that includes up to 150 to 200 units of housing.

[04:28:35] While we support long-term community planning, adding multifamily housing directly across from this high school will introduce a significant increase of multimodal traffic, daily trip generation, and vehicular density to an already overwhelmed intersection.

[04:28:56] Taking away the human traffic control as the board hopes to increase residential congestion at this exact crossing is a recipe for disaster. When you remove train crossing guards from Stringfellow Road, the entire system breaks down. Safety degrades instantly.

[04:29:15] Traffic delays spike. Automatic signals cannot dynamically adapt to real-time school rush conditions. A single pedestrian pressing the crosswalk button stops all four lanes of traffic, holding up commuters, and spilling the gridlock miles back along Stringfellow.

[04:29:33] Without manual traffic management, drivers grow frustrated, lead times doubles, and aggressive driving around the school surges. A professional crossing guard does far more than push a button. They actively control flow, pacing vehicles, grouping pedestrians into safe, unified batches, holding turning cars, and preventing the dangerous gridlock while keeping traffic moving efficiently for the entire community.

[04:29:59] We have seen the terrifying cost of the compromised pedestrian safety several times this month. This is a stark reminder that pedestrian and traffic control around our schools is not an administrative luxury.

[04:30:15] It is essential infrastructure. Saving $900,000 or $500,000 or whatever amount countywide by removing the high school crossing guards creates a far greater risk, higher than any line item on a register.

[04:30:30] As you prepare to vote on the fiscal carryover package, we urge you to take three concrete actions. Permanently restore the crossing guards, accelerate comprehensive traffic impact evaluations, and mandate joint planning between this board, the school board, and VDOT regarding your ill-advised housing project.

[04:30:52] Our school motto at Chantilly is lead the charge. We take pride in leading our community. Today, we are asking you to show that leadership. Thank you. speaker number 20 is Mary Miller. Is Mary here? Mary Miller, speaker number 20. Don't see anybody coming forward. Uh, James Gross. Is James Gross here? Okay. Uh, James Gross, uh, speaker number 21 to be followed by Alex Turner, Stuart Gibson, and Kenny Washington. Welcome. Hello. Um, I would

[04:31:29] like to start off by saying I have talked to you before and I'm here to do it again. Um, I remember it was some day, and I was talking to you guys about middle school clubs, and I was really anxious. I was super stuttery. And for me, I'm right now really angry. And for me, anger is equal to false confidence. So even though I feel like I'm about to throw up, I have the stuff to

[04:32:05] say. First of all, I want to express my anger about the bimbo comment. Melanie Marin is my friend. she's my mom's friend she's been part of my life for a while now and I don't care about how much public apologies you have to make okay I don't care people are not going to ignore it okay and I think personally I think the bimbo is the person that didn't check who was in the text chain

[04:32:43] um because that's like the first rule of high school gossip chains is to check the person in the text chain. I would also like to show you guys this. This is my friend. Their name is Arlo.

[04:33:05] I made them on September 11th. I found out about my friend's death on September 11th. This was a comfort for me. This is how I processed it. I have taken them everywhere for me, and I am now going to be their voice. This weekend, I had to go through what no person should ever have to go through, I went to my friend's memorial. It was really hard for me,

[04:33:39] and I was still in denial. I couldn't cry, and I know that this was in a part that has nothing to do with any crossing guards. What I need you to do is educate people on this. I need there to be education about this. I need there to be education for the students on how to look, like, look both ways like to be more safe more careful and he did everything right he he looked both ways he was

[04:34:13] wearing a helmet it wasn't an electrical bike he was waiting uh the cross the crossing light was on and still he was killed and it's not fair and i think that issue needs to be addressed and i need there to be crossing guards thank you thank you speaker number 22 is speaker number 22 alex turner is alex turner here alex turner oh okay uh stewart gibson i know is here kenny

[04:34:52] washington will be our next speakers welcome thank you chairman thank you board for allowing me to speak my name is alex turner um uh i don't want to belabor the point because we already said at the beginning of this that the crossing guards are coming back but i'm more of a pragmatic and want to address this or approach it from a how's a random guy who doesn't hold public office or

[04:35:29] have any kind of influence or power what can I offer to people who can make changes to be able to implement something tangible navigating the quagmire that is the bureaucratic process between vdot the board of directors county law statutes all of that i understand that that is a difficult thing to navigate but one thing i saw is like there are three laws that i was researching while

[04:36:03] i was sitting here virginia code 46 uh paragraph 2 section 873 exceeding the speed limit in a school crossing you want to take a guess at what the fine is for that it's seven dollars per mile over the speed limit um 46 to 878 exceeding the speed limit and a residence district uh 200 plus eight dollars per mile over the speed limit a failure to yield to a pedestrian in a clearly

[04:36:34] marked crosswalk or intersection uh 46 to 924 uh 30 dollars um that being said like i understand also that like you guys are fairfax county board of directors like you have to talk to the circuit judge and all that to get the laws passed but maybe a re-examination if this is truly a budget constraint or problem maybe we should address like okay well the fines or penalties for people who are being reckless aren't taking responsibility for traveling through these zones maybe we should charge them i don't know thirty thousand dollars instead of thirty maybe that will be that could

[04:37:13] fund the shortfall for this program that's all i got i appreciate your time thank you thank you The next speaker is Stuart Gibson, to be followed by Kenny Washington and Julia Russell. Welcome.

[04:37:29] Hi there. I'm Stuart Gibson, and I was first elected to the Fairfax County School Board in 1995, a year after the school board stopped being a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Sometimes when I look at this board, I think you all think we still are.

[04:37:49] And a lot of the speakers today, I think, would share that view. When I took driver's head in high school 60 years ago, we learned one thing, which is if you have a green light and the other guy's got a red light or a stop sign, that doesn't stop you from getting hit.

[04:38:06] 30 years ago, I learned that when I got T-boned by a drunk driver running a red light closer to home 10 years ago next month. My dad learned it when he was crossing in a crosswalk with the light, got hit from behind by a driver who wasn't paying attention, wasn't on her phone.

[04:38:25] went into a coma, and died the next day. All the infrastructure in the world doesn't protect our students from drivers who are not paying attention. I really want to thank the members of this board who stood up for student safety when it first came up last spring, when the budget was under consideration at markup.

[04:38:48] You were right. You were right. I heard a lot of talk today, and here's one reason why you shouldn't submit your testimony at 10 o'clock in the morning the day before the hearing because stuff happens here. And stuff happened here this morning. And I heard a lot of members of this board talk about how student safety is very important. I'll tell you, as a school board member for 16 years, we focused on two things, student safety and student achievement. But student safety came first because you couldn't have student achievement if you didn't have student safety. So we took care of students after 9-11. And we took care of students during the

[04:39:25] Fairfax sniper incident when we were basically building the plane as we were flying it. And so what I heard this morning, and I'm going to apologize and insult people, but I'm old. I get to do that. I heard a lot of deathbed confessions here. If student safety were the paramount concern of this board. We wouldn't be here. This money, this very small amount of the county budget would have already been funded and we wouldn't have heard rationales like 14-year-olds should

[04:40:01] be able to cross the street without supervision. I'm not worried about the 14-year-olds. I'm worried about the drivers. So I want to thank everybody who showed up today and I appreciate the conversion even though it is deathbed. Thank you. Thank you, Stuart. Our next speaker is Kenny Washington.

[04:40:25] Is Kenny Washington here? Speaker number 24, Kenny Washington. How about speaker number 25, Julia Russell, to be followed by speaker number 26 as a caller. Is that caller on the line? Okay. We are on speaker 25, Julia Russell. Welcome. Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Julia Russell, and I'm a ninth grader at South Lakes High School. A couple weeks before the first day of school, I got an email about how FCPS removed the crossing guards because of budget cuts.

[04:40:56] The first thing that I said to my mom and my sibling, who already presented earlier, was someone will get hurt or killed. On the second week of school and on the fourth week of school, exactly that happened. Instead of fixing the situation, there was an email sent out of a broad list of safety measures and a temporary crossing guard was installed.

[04:41:13] Though the temporary crossing guard is helping the situation currently, we need something permanent. The crossing guards need to be funded so students are safe going to school. Representative Melanie Marin posted a video on Facebook that shows what the streets look like while students are crossing.

[04:41:30] It shows that cars are not aware of students. Even as safety lights are flashing and students are about to cross, some cars are not stopping or even slowing down. And when they do stop, they are blocking the crosswalk. There are two popular clips from Ms. Marin's post.

[04:41:48] One is a car stopping just before hitting two students. Those students on the video were me and my sibling on the first day of school. I remember waiting for a safe time for us to cross. It looked like a car was slowing down, so we started crossing, only for it to continue moving towards us.

[04:42:04] As it continued inching towards us, and we were crossing, blasting its horn, I was terrified. That's when I knew I could get killed on this street. Never before had I had that fear, but now it's always there, and the what-ifs.

[04:42:20] What if a car didn't see me crossing and just didn't stop? What if there was another close call? And what if I got killed on my way to school? It's very well known that Southlakes is a dangerous street, so why are we not putting funding to help students cross it? Even though we are high school students, we need help crossing the roads.

[04:42:39] Not because we're incapable, but because cars won't stop for us. Students walk in groups across the street just to be seen. I've tried multiple ways to make sure drivers see me before I cross, especially when hitting the safety lights do nothing to slow them down.

[04:42:55] A quote that me and my sibling agree on is, we do know how to cross the road. Drivers do not know how to stop. To drivers, this is just another road with just another crosswalk. But it's not. It's how I and hundreds of students get to school every day. And our lives are being put into danger every time a driver doesn't notice us.

[04:43:14] The only way cars see us is by the crossing guards telling them that we're there. Accidents have happened. Multiple students have been injured on the crosswalks by school. Because cars won't respond to students or the crossing lights. but they will listen to a crossing guard. We need their help, and putting funding towards them will make a difference for everybody.

[04:43:32] Thank you for your time, and have a good day. Thank you. Speaker number 26-- let me just verify she's not on the line. We were not on the bridge, sure. Speaker number 26 is not connected. Speaker 27, Patty Stephens, to be followed by Andrean Constas and William Moore.

[04:43:53] If I called your name, please be ready to testify. Welcome. Thank you. Good afternoon, Chairman McKay and members of the board. My name is Patty Stevens. I have lived in Fairfax County for over 25 years, and I'm the parent of a sophomore at West Springfield High School.

[04:44:09] I am asking the board to continue funding crossing guards at West Springfield and other high schools where there are significant safety concerns. At West Springfield High School, students use the crosswalk at Rolling Road and Grigsby's Drive to get to school from neighborhoods directly across from the high school.

[04:44:26] Rolling Road is a busy four-lane road with approximately 22,000 vehicles traveling by this intersection each day, according to VDOT. A funded project has been approved to install a traffic signal and other pedestrian improvements there, but construction is not currently scheduled until January, 2029.

[04:44:46] At the start of this school year, students were crossing this busy road without a crossing guard in place. On Friday, August 28th, I went to the school myself during dismissal to see what was happening since my son rides the bus to school. I watched about 125 students cross Rolling Road at Grigsby.

[04:45:06] The students were actually doing a really good job. They used the crosswalk, they paid attention, they stopped halfway across when some drivers didn't see them. Most crossed in large groups, and traffic stopped accordingly. However, I was very concerned by the visibility challenges at this intersection.

[04:45:25] Even though students were using the crosswalk correctly, There were times when drivers did not have a clear view of them, and students could not always see approaching vehicles. Traffic was coming from both directions and behind them. It reinforced for me why a crossing guard is needed at this location.

[04:45:44] I am very thankful to the board for restoring the crossing guards at West Springfield High School and the other high schools during the second week of school after a student was injured near South Lakes High School. I believe the guard should remain in place wherever there are significant safety concerns.

[04:46:00] Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is a much larger issue that will take all of us working together. We need to look at the roads, sidewalks, or lack thereof, and crossings around all of our schools, while also addressing issues like distracted and unsafe driving.

[04:46:17] There is a lot of work ahead. I understand the board has to make difficult budget decisions, and there are many important needs competing for limited resources. When it comes to our students, however, safety should always be a top priority. I respectfully ask the board to use carry-forward funds to continue providing crossing guards at West Springfield and the other high schools where they are needed.

[04:46:40] Thank you. Thank you. Speaker number 28, Andrian Constas, to be followed by William Moore and Vivian Smenski. Welcome. Good afternoon, Chairman McKay and board members.

[04:46:59] My name is Andreanne Constas. I am a resident of Springfield District, and I am on the Washington Irving Middle School PTA board as the vice president, as well as being a member of the League of Women Voters of Fairfax County.

[04:47:15] I'm here to speak to thank you for reinstating funding for crossing guards and to also thank you after just learning about your motion this morning for the joint committee. And oftentimes when attending the school board meetings, often the school board members will say, give us ideas, let us know what your solutions are.

[04:47:44] So I just want to make a recommendation in regards to the joint committee that when reviewing data on the committee, that that is shared with other school board groups, such as the BRAC committee, since if we're going to be doing any boundary reassessments, that safety of transportation is reviewed prior to scenarios being voted on.

[04:48:17] And then also that I just want to say that our community is multi-generational, and these crossing guards are not just the benefits solely of the schools and solely to look at the schools. As a league member, oftentimes other league members who are of generations older than myself will say that they benefit from the crossing guards at the schools because it makes them get out into the community.

[04:48:48] They're walking their morning walks in the morning. They like to see children be a part of the community. They like to also be recognized within the community, and crossing guards provide that. So thank you for reinstating the funding, and I hope that it becomes permanent.

[04:49:05] Thank you. Thank you. Speaker number 29 is William Moore here. He is, to be followed by Vivian Siminski and Matt Mullen. Welcome. Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity.

[04:49:23] William Moore from Sully District. As a parent of three students who graduated from Fairfax County High Schools, I can only add my voice to those that have come before me. and I thank them tremendously and urge the board to restore funding permanently for the high school crossing guards.

[04:49:42] My background is economics, public finance, and I know I've sat on that side of the board. I've spent many years as a federal executive in the budget process. I know what it's like to sit over there during these budget sessions, and it's fairly easy—not easy.

[04:49:58] It's easier to vote to restore funding than actually identify the sources, particularly when you're talking about the out years. My only comment based on the conversations this morning is that if, as it was suggested, this might be the beginning of the end for the flat camera contract, that might be a place to start.

[04:50:20] More broadly, adjusting the 2027 budget sets up the 2028 budget, which I think is a critical effort. Supervisor Bierman talked about making data-driven decisions, So I think it's important to look at some of the data.

[04:50:37] If you go back to 2023 or four years ago and today, the county budget has increased considerably faster than inflation, as have the tax bills on property taxes, not the rates, but the bills themselves. The county has implemented additional revenue streams in the meals tax.

[04:50:58] The county has a very large budget. It's one of the blessings of being one of the richer counties in the country. What is interesting when you look at the budgets over the years, and it will probably end up on the desk of these budget experts back here, is sort of looking at the trends and what's happening.

[04:51:15] In 2023, when there was a carryover budget package, it was sort of organized around the strategic priorities, what's really important to the county. This year, it's sort of organized around county operations and keeping things running. Expenses have gotten higher.

[04:51:32] The biggest share of budget increases over the past four years? Retirement and health benefits. Being retired, I am all for retirement and health benefits. But it's a considerable direction of where we're headed. In looking at it, I think a good example is that over the past four years, as a county spends more and more money, even increasing it in real terms,

[04:52:05] On just keeping the county running, it's not a sustainable direction, not a sustainable trend in the long run. The county doesn't, in its budget, put aside a category for economic development.

[04:52:22] There's no clear program, for example, in bringing in and keeping small businesses. So the board's job, look at a budget. Anybody who looks at the 27 budget should be able to see how does this improve my quality of life. How will we be making progress in addressing their problems?

[04:52:39] Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is speaker number 30, Vivian Zeminski. Are you here? Okay. Welcome. To be followed by Matt Mullen, Jennifer Litton Tidd, and Vanessa Hall.

[04:52:55] If I called your name, please be ready to testify. Welcome. Good afternoon, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, students, parents, friends, family, and fellow safety advocates. My name is Vivian Zeminski. I'm a senior at Southlakes High School, and like many of you in attendance, I'm beyond frustrated with the recent decision to eliminate high school crossing guards from the Fairfax County budget.

[04:53:16] In 2019, a Southlakes student was killed in a hit-and-run on Southlakes property. Samuel, it only took the board seven years to forget that fatal incident, and it only took seven days for a student to be hit and injured on property this year. Seven years of protection dissipated in only seven days due to the careless actions of the board, and that is simply unacceptable.

[04:53:35] Some of you signed a petition in the past weeks entitled Return Crossing Guards to Southlakes High School. I authored and produced that petition just an hour after the student was hit. First, I'd like to personally thank you all for supporting students' safety and utilizing your civic right to advocacy. Secondly, I would like to emphasize that the petition has 525 signatures.

[04:53:54] That is 525 students that are scared, proactive parents, and restless community members that disapprove of your actions. To know what hundreds of your county residents signed, I'll read an excerpt from the petition's description. Quote, in the bustling corridors of Southlake's high school, students carry not only their backpacks, but a promise of a brighter future.

[04:54:14] This promise, however, is jeopardized by the dangerous crossings at the intersections of Southlake's drive. On September 1st, 2026, only during the second week of school, a heartbreaking incident occurred. A student was struck and injured on Southlake's property. This is not an isolated incident. In 2019, a student was then killed in a devastating tragedy and lost their life at the very same intersection, bereft of the safeguard that a crossing guard provides.

[04:54:38] These incidents are more than statistics. They are a shocking reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for protective measures. The safety of our children should never be compromised. Moreover, when crossing guards were present at the intersection in previous years, no incidents occurred. Yet despite the clear demand for increased vigilance and safety protocols, crossing guards have not been stationed at this crucial location as of the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year.

[04:55:00] This glaring oversight must be corrected to prevent further injury or even loss of life, end quote. Thank you again to everyone who signed the petition and refused to be silent. Your choice here is whether you teach students that engaging with government matters or that you just don't care. This issue is when kids ask grown-ups to keep them safe, do the decision makers say, yes, we will keep you safe, or do they push it under the rug?

[04:55:22] Let it also be recognized that this meeting is held during school hours on a weekday, thus imposing difficulty for student representatives such as myself. This, too, is unacceptable. As a student driver, a friend to many peers, and a safety advocate, I refuse to be silenced when these measures directly impact myself and my community.

[04:55:38] I urge you to reconsider the timing of board meetings such as these and remember that student voices will never be silenced. If a car collides with a student while driving 25 miles per hour or greater, that student will die. Not an exaggeration, but biology, a fact that could have killed a second Southlake student just two weeks ago. I shouldn't have to say this, but it should never, ever take a student to die for safety measures to be implemented. Perhaps not all high schools required crossing guards, but those in Fairfax County do, so no parent, no student, no one has to experience the inexcusable death of being hit on school property. There is no price to student safety. Thank you so

[04:56:13] much. Thank you. Figure number 31 is Matt Mullen, to be followed by Jennifer Litton-Tid and Vanessa Hall. Welcome. Good afternoon. My name is Matt Mullen, and I'm the president of the Mantua Citizens Association. Mantua is a small, forested neighborhood in the heart of Providence District under Supervisor Palchuk, and our community's children attend Frost and Woodson. The recent tragedy on Pickett Road has affected our neighbors deeply. Children who live in Mantua were on buses

[04:56:49] that passed the scene of the accident. Some of our children witnessed the final moments of their classmates' life. I want to begin by extending our deepest thanks to school member Carl Frisch, who was at the scene with Superintendent Dr. Reed that day, and they made sure that the children who witnessed that tragedy had additional opportunities to access mental health services.

[04:57:13] The recent wave of crashes involving children is shocking, but it is not new. I first became involved in community advocacy because of a near miss on the way to school. When my daughter Rose was in kindergarten, I walked her to school along Prince William Drive, which I believe Supervisor Palczyk also walked.

[04:57:34] Like so many roads in Fairfax, Prince William Drive has no sidewalk. Students and families are forced to share the road shoulder with parked cars, bicycles, and landscaping trucks. As we approached the hill leading the elementary school, a turning vehicle with a distracted driver came toward us on the shoulder.

[04:57:53] We avoided being hit only because I pushed my daughter and myself into a ravine. When I reported the incident to the school, I was told to contact the county. When I contacted the county, I was directed to VDOT. That was when I learned something I had never considered before, that my walk to school began in Richmond.

[04:58:14] The roads our children use every day are shaped ultimately by decisions at the state level. I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for quickly restoring funding for crossing guards. That is important. But crossing guards would not have prevented the tragedy at Frost. And they would not have prevented what happened to my daughter and me.

[04:58:31] The real solution is harder. It is more expensive. And it takes longer. We need to build safer roads, sidewalks, crossings, and pedestrian infrastructure so that children do not need to depend on luck to get to school safely.

[04:58:47] That means we need to invest more in our active transportation. and we need our local leaders to help bring more state and outside funding back to Fairfax County. Fairfax County has already recognized the importance of this work through its Active Transportation and Trails Plan and also through its Safe Streets efforts.

[04:59:06] So, today, Mantua is asking this board to take two specific actions. First, in partnership with FCDOT, please make greater active transportation funding a clear priority in the county's 2027 legislative package and ask our delegation in Richmond to help secure additional state funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Second, please direct FCDOT to identify unfunded safety projects near our schools and identify every available state and federal funding source that could help move those projects forward. I have already spoken with a handful of

[04:59:43] members of the General Assembly. I have told them of the need for additional funding for Fairfax County from Richmond and they have been receptive to the goal of making our roads safer. Every parent in this room should be able to send their kid to school without wondering whether they will make it there safely. Our children deserve better than a ravine, a lucky break, or even a crossing guard standing between them and tragedy. They deserve streets designed to keep them safe and that starts in Richmond. I hope that in the wake of this tragedy our leaders here in Fairfax and our

[05:00:19] partners in the capital will help deliver the funding necessary to make that a reality permanently. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Jennifer Littentid. Is Jennifer here? She is, to be followed by Vanessa Hall. And do we have Marta? We don't. Okay, welcome. Hi, my name is Jennifer Littentid. I'm autistic and ADHD with two autistic sons, one who is also intellectually disabled and very high support needs. At age 20, he still requires a GPS tracker for his safety

[05:00:55] because he's a runner. Like many autistic people, he has executive functioning issues and very little concern for his own safety. I'm founder of Neurodivergent Liberation Coalition. We do educational advocacy work for neurodivergent children in Fairfax County and nationwide.

[05:01:13] A major concern for the neurodiversity movement writ large is the abuse and neglect of neurodivergent people for whom their impairments are very often a safety concern. In schools, these are our most vulnerable children. This budget cut was a neglectful choice against neurodivergent children in our schools. Hubert Humphrey once said, "The moral test of government is how the government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children, those in the twilight life, the aged, and those who are the shadows of life the sick the needy and the disabled in Fairfax County we

[05:01:51] do not wear warehouse all our neurodivergent students but it is a decentralized special education system we're in every high school all 29 of them offer educational access to disabled children I need this board to understand the number of vulnerable children inside each of 20 of the 10 buildings that you cut the guards and I thank you for the temporary bringing it back but it needs to be permanent Chantilly High School has 480 special ed students West Potomac has 390 Edison High School has 340 special ed students

[05:02:26] Oakton High School has 330 Annandale High has 290 Centerville High School has 290 South Lakes High School has 270 special ed students South County High School has 260 West Springfield High School has 250 McLean High School has 230. That's 3,100 vulnerable students in Fairfax County that you denied protection to get in and out of the schools. Fairfax County overall has 28,500 special ed students, many of whom are high needs and need a lot of extra help

[05:03:01] and a lot of extra accommodations. Did anyone consider for a moment the vulnerability of the children inside each of these buildings? Not just high school students overall whose brains aren't fully developed until age 25 who are known for making impetuous and unwise decisions but the over 28,500 special education students in those 29 high schools who struggle far more with impetuous decisions many for whom a symptom of their disability is escaping from caretakers and classrooms decisions like these for our schools cannot be made with tunnel vision without consideration of our most

[05:03:40] vulnerable children inside those buildings. Each of those 10 schools that you removed the guards have autism and intellectually disabled self-contained classrooms working with children who struggle with executive functioning and many with eloping and safety issues. Two weeks ago only three miles from my house a 16 year old Celtics high school student was hit by a car and we warned you it would happen we told you it would happen i don't want to hear about how he wasn't inside a crosswalk so that wouldn't have made a difference because the presence of

[05:04:20] a traffic safety officer impacts all traffic safety around the building not just in crosswalks i've noticed a marked difference this year dropping off my 17 year old at south lakes and how drivers are behaving unsafely all around the school when i spoke with him about this incident, he responded that high school drivers can be unsafe, mom, and South Lakes needs a traffic safety officer, a 17-year-old. He gets it. Do you? Not only does every high school with even one vulnerable student need traffic safety officers outside the building, but the board of

[05:04:56] supervisors needs to take up the issue of enforcing traffic laws all around every school in Fairfax County so cars aren't mowing over our children. In this regard, the impetuous and unwise decision was made by you. Our Board of Supervisors, who didn't take all those who needed to be at the table, didn't make any decision about Fairfax County schools. Furthermore, disabled children have a constitutional right to safely access free and appropriate public education, and not keeping them safe from coming and going from schools is a denial of their constitutional and ADA

[05:05:35] rights. This is a moral moment for this county. Are we a county who protects our children and most vulnerable? That's up to you. The time is now to reinstate all traffic safety guards around all our high schools and to beef up traffic enforcement laws around all our schools. It's not a bizarre coincidence this happened in the first week of school at South Lakes. It was inevitable after a budget cut decision you made. I am a South Lake Seahawks mom. I am not asking you to protect my child. I am demanding it. And as

[05:06:10] for the person who said the pink suede elephant in the room is the cost of what this will cost you, you know what will cost a lot more is a lawsuit. And God forbid one of these kids gets hurt, because that'll cost this county a hell of a lot more. Thank you. Speaker number 33 is Vanessa Hall. Is Vanessa Hall here? Vanessa Hall? Ah, yes. And Keith Elliott and Jalynn Tiffany will be our next speakers. Welcome. Hi, good afternoon. I don't even know what time it is.

[05:06:47] Obviously, it is, we all know it's more than crossing guards. This is about our community. This is about One Fairfax, and clearly I think sometimes we're forgetting that children are part of One Fairfax. At least I've noticed that in some of the budget meetings. This is about each one of us doing our part to end this crisis, solve long-term problems, and hold each other accountable.

[05:07:10] The blame game is interfering with workable solutions, especially when the root causes are decades old. My name is Vanessa Hall. I'm a Woodson parent, an FCPS alum. I've been a teenager who's run across six lanes of Braddock Road last century, and this century I'm a parent of a teenager who was almost hit by a car when she got off the bus last week.

[05:07:34] I don't have bones to pick with you. I just want to keep our kids safe and prevent any other parent from receiving that horrific call, a call that frankly I have received, and to encourage our community to work together to solve this complicated issue.

[05:07:50] First, it's obvious we need immediate action. You guys are doing that. School drop-off and pick-up is a danger zone with kiss-and-ride walkers, bikers, bus riders competing with rush-hour traffic. Everyone needs to put down their phones, have their eyes on a swivel like their lifeguards at a swimming pool so that they can literally save a life.

[05:08:11] At the same time, parents, guardians need to know and respect the school rules. No more dropping off kids in the middle of the street, which happens all the time. That endangers everyone. Second, many streets around schools are more like highways than local roads that anyone, much less a student, can cross safely.

[05:08:30] In fact, I challenge any adult in this room to be willing to walk what those kids walk in the mornings and afternoons. So address high traffic roads near schools and walker paths by making them less pleasant for throughway drivers during school drop-off and pick-up, which means hated traffic calming.

[05:08:50] Also, the flashing light fines are not really solving safety issues because many are poorly placed. You can always ask me how I know. Third, evaluate entrances and exits at shopping centers and neighborhoods. After leaving Fair City Safeway last week, I saw a mother and her daughter nearly smeared by a car as they walked from McDonald's to the Frost Students Memorial just to lay flowers.

[05:09:16] And I looked at that teenager in the eyes. We both know what almost happened, and I feel sick. Fourth, decades of sprawl and little care for pedestrian and bike safety have led to this. So long-term analysis is necessary.

[05:09:31] Finally, we all need to act and react, not react. Reacting will not protect students and their families or other pedestrians and drivers, but thoughtful action to address the current crisis and work towards long-term solutions can prevent near misses or deaths.

[05:09:48] your leaders you can get this conversation going you're planning on doing that but we parents and local communities are here as sounding boards and we really want to help you identify and solve the problems thank you so much thank you uh let me verify speaker 34 is not on the line uh they were not available okay so speaker number 35 keith elliott uh i know is here to be followed by Jalynne Tiffany and Molly Goodry.

[05:10:15] Welcome. Good afternoon, members of the board. Chairman McKay, I thank you guys for your time. It's been a day and a half here so far. I'm here to kind of speak about the budget in the sense of trying to save a little money, a few million dollars, when it came to the safety of the students or the kids.

[05:10:34] As you guys know, I ran for the board of supervisors before, and one of the items that I ran on was that I had asked this board of supervisors, If I was elected, I would have tried to second the vote with Mr. Harrity here. But at any rate, you need to appoint a panel of citizens of this county to peel back the onion of this budget.

[05:10:56] You can find a heck of a lot more items to cut back on than the $2 million or so that was spent when it comes to the safety of the kids and our students in this county. I implore you to do that. It was done in the early 2000s, and it was good for the Board of Supervisors then.

[05:11:16] It's got to be good enough now, considering the financial constraints we're going through and new referendums of new taxes and things that are going on. You know, I've raised a lot of kids through here in the schools and stuff, and God bless these kids here being here today to join this process.

[05:11:31] I think they deserve a round of applause here from everybody here in this room. They're going to be our future leaders, and God bless them for being here. So that's really essentially where I wanted to get at was look at the budget, a citizen panel to look at the numbers we've got to find some savings the budget my opinion and many others in this room is bloated he had a gentleman here I think he left already mr. Moore already talked about the budgets that he did he's in Sully district as well and I'm sure you can get a lot of people to come in and try to peel back the onion and look at it and then the opening

[05:12:07] comments yes it's not a one-size-fits-all cameras flashing lights all right those, yes, they would help. But the number one thing to keep the kids safe is going to be school crossing guards. Never consider that again to be taken from the budget. Thank you for your time.

[05:12:25] Appreciate it. Thank you. Figure number 36 is Jalynn Tiffany, who is here to be followed by Molly Goodry and James Barnett. Jalynn Tiffany, I am a Drainsville district citizen. One of the things that I find interesting about this discussion that's never been included is that 16- and 17-year-old drivers are three times more likely to be in an accident than drivers over 30. They're three and

[05:13:02] a half more times likely to create a fatality. And by million miles driven, they're 10 times more likely to create an accident. So this isn't just like the walkers or whatever. This is like truly the car safety of students, the walking students, etc. 70% of the traffic that turned into McLean High School this morning were 16, 17, and 18-year-old drivers. So think about the level of elevated risk around these schools when we're talking. How many of you visited and watched

[05:13:39] a school traffic site at a high school before February. How many before? Okay. So what about before May? And how many have been now? Okay. So for those of you that haven't, I'm going to demonstrate outside McLean High School. This is just one of the entrances to McLean High School.

[05:14:02] It's a two-lane road with a turning lane. Let me have you move just a little closer. Okay. Here is our crosswalk into the school. This is the backed up line of cars in the left-hand turn lane, okay? Left-hand turns are responsible for 22% of the accidents in this country each year, okay?

[05:14:26] So we've got this turn lane. We also have a merge lane, something that results in 300,000 traffic accidents a year, just four cars back from where the thing is. So if you're coming from this direction, you have four car lengths to cut across the free-flowing 40-mile-an-hour traffic and get into this lane to turn left.

[05:14:49] Here's what happens when we also have a bike lane to keep kids safe, except here's where the bike lane ends. Supervisor Beerman can probably tell you with his bicycle safety stuff what happens when bike lanes act. So now we have five different reasons that risks are elevated at this traffic intersection.

[05:15:12] So here's what happens. We've got these people driving as fast as they can through here. A crossing walk here, people making left turns, backed up at least 18 cars. Then this lane gets blocked as well.

[05:15:29] Okay, so once it opens up, these people drive even faster because they need to get to $495. alright so we've got everybody doing this and we do have a crossing lock sign here or a crossing thing here okay that got hit on the first day of school and is gone now so now we have no crossing lights either let me show you very quickly how it changes when there's a crossing guard okay instead of this line of cars everybody stops right here they can see the crossing guard they can see

[05:16:07] the police officer. And now suddenly these people can merge. The bikers who were stranded can merge. And these people stop driving like crazies to get over the hill. One quick point to Supervisor Beerman. We need to be looking at these intersections individually. McLean doesn't need any of the other crossing guards around here, but what we need is a police officer here. I started contacting you guys in January when I saw the crossing guard crying and having a breakdown on the side of the road because the traffic was so out of control.

[05:16:47] We've got to have somebody trained in managing traffic there for it to make any use. So please look at whether you need traffic management versus crossing guards, and please get Southlakes and Chantilly something fast. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. We're on speaker 37, Molly Goodry.

[05:17:06] Is Molly here? to be followed by James Barnett and Emily Vanderhoef. If I called your name, please be close so that when it's your turn to speak, we are ready to hear you. Good afternoon, Fairfax County.

[05:17:38] My name is Molly J. Makoa Kulia Ka'ili Kea-Gidri. I am a senior at Herndon High School. I am here today to discuss the troubling conditions of student safety here in Fairfax. It has come to my attention that this year, following the recent cut on crossing guards, Over 18 pedestrians have been struck and killed.

[05:17:58] 57% of near misses have children involved, and 73% of these dangers have occurred within the same locations. How dare you dismiss this tragedy as anything except for born of your incompetence?

[05:18:17] I am enraged by the conditions that I, as a student, and forced to withstand and rise above day after day. Every single day, I fear for the lives of my classmates, friends, and family.

[05:18:35] Look, I have people in that crowd. Right behind me, I have people who I care about and people I love. And I fear that one day, I'm not going to hear from them again. Do you understand that? Have you ever considered how I as a student feel in these schools?

[05:18:56] Day in, day out, I walk into a building that feels less and less like an educational facility and more like a prison sentence. I have to walk through a metal detector just to learn as if I'm some sort of potential terrorist every single day, all in the name of safety, right?

[05:19:18] But the truth is, I am not safe. I do not feel safe. I am not safe. And you said, we all hold blame. No, no. This is all on you. You aren't terrified. If you aren't angry, you are not paying attention. Esteemed members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,

[05:19:51] I am here today because I am terrified. Not just of the rise of student-related car incidents, but of you. Where is the data proving any of this was necessary to begin with?

[05:20:11] If it were your children in the morgue right now, if it were your children, would these circumstances be different? If it were your children that would never see their 18th birthday, your children that would never move out, your children that will never achieve their dreams, would this problem have been solved sooner?

[05:20:34] You will fix your mistake. Or we, the people of Fairfax County, will find someone who can. Look, you have a duty. And your failure, your inadequacy, has been a direct betrayal.

[05:20:54] The adults. The people I'm supposed to go to in the face of crisis. Nobody prepared me for what I'm supposed to do when you are the cause of chaos. Thank you.

[05:21:13] Speaker number 20, 38, is James Barnett. Hopefully you can hear me. Speaker number 38 is James Barnett. Welcome. The floor is yours.

[05:21:29] Thank you, Chairman. Good afternoon, Chairman McKay and Board. My name is James Barnett. I'm a retired veteran of 20 years in the military service and of government contracting service supporting the IAC for the last 30 years. I'm here today because of obviously the recent incidents you are obviously taking accountability for your lack of funding and things like that i

[05:22:00] appreciate that it is an important thing to do as leaders of our community um two years ago a guy was killed on ollie road in guinea you guys familiar with that right so i moved in four years ago so that was let's see yeah four years ago that was 2022 gentleman was killed and now this boy is killed. So within a mile of my home, I got two deaths and I just moved into the zip code.

[05:22:36] So I'm asking myself, what are the safety measures around here? And so, you know, I hear a lot of frustrated citizens and I hear young people especially, which are future constituents, people determining y'all's future. I have faith that you can turn the ship around. So in my assessment, because I spent many years as an analyst, I hear a lot of frustration regarding transparency of budgets, budget executions, action. Some people are offering solutions.

[05:23:16] I would like to offer solutions as well. Some of those may be, there are some laws that have been implemented to expand, like traffic camera enforcement, and school zones particularly. They don't have to run just in school times. They can run 24-7. And that would go a long way to doing a couple of things it would generate revenue that we so badly need and it would attenuate some of the speeding drivers a second thing that i would submit to the committee

[05:23:49] is to cease and desist all cross-district student attendance because i think there's a lot of cross district traffic where parents are trying to get their kids to and from school that have no ties to the community which i'm in the braddock community that have no ties community so they have no skin in the game, so to speak. And so they don't care, obviously. And they behave accordingly.

[05:24:17] I see it every day. I live on Ollie Lane. The road sees 7,000 cars a day. There's a nursing home, a nursery school, and an elementary school on that, and a mile stretch of road with hills and pitches in a 35 mile an hour posted limit, which I would submit again, that should be no higher than 25 at any given time. I would also propose that a 25-mile-an-hour limit be imposed from Fairfax City on all sides, because we are a super urban area, not a suburban area anymore. Thank you for

[05:24:57] your time. Thank you. Speaker number 39 is Emily Vanderhoff, to be followed by Layla Cech-Takinski. Welcome. Good afternoon, Chair McKay, members of the board. My name is Emily Vanderhoff, And I'm speaking as the president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, one of the two unions that represents the instructional and operational employees of Fairfax County Public Schools.

[05:25:25] And the crossing guard issue is indicative of a pattern of troubling budget decisions by this board that negatively impact our students in the name of lower taxes. In the budget approved last spring that we are now living in, this board voted to cut high school crossing guards.

[05:25:41] We immediately saw the impact on our students from this decision, with multiple students being struck by cars on their ways to and from school in just the first few days of the school year. This board pushed the responsibility for middle school after school program onto the school board and recommended a fee structure, undermining the original purpose of the program, which was started originally as a gang prevention measure.

[05:26:05] This board left a gap in the FCPS budget this year, leading to deferred maintenance and delayed instructional materials. And the previous year, this board left $120 million shortfall in the FCAPS budget, leaving our first collective bargaining agreement underfunded, negotiated compensation cut, staffing reduced, class sizes increased.

[05:26:26] What is our local government for if not to provide for the safety for our community and a strong education for our children? And after another year in which the board claimed a tight budget year, you are now considering $170 million in the carryover. Last week, this board has already been talking about another tight year.

[05:26:44] and the school board has been discussing if they'll have to increase class sizes again, or if they're wondering if they'll be able to meet our negotiated agreements. It's time for this board to remember the purpose of local government is to protect, educate, and provide for its citizens. And I hope that you keep the comments of the community members who have come here today in mind as you start development of the FY28 budget.

[05:27:04] It shouldn't take a tragedy for you to understand the human impact of the cuts that you make. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker number 41 is Layla Chaktakinski. Is that you, Leila? Okay. To be followed by Carla Okuchi and Marianne Germain.

[05:27:24] Hello, Board of Supervisors and Mr. Chairman McKay. My name is Leila Shoktoktinsky. I'm a sophomore attending Robinson Secondary School, but before this, I went to Liberty Middle School. Thankfully, my school is a secondary school, so we still have our crossing guards, but unfortunately, other high schools do not.

[05:27:45] So when I was in middle school, every morning and afternoon, I crossed the street and was kept safely guarded by the crossing guard who covered the elementary school, middle school, and high school in our community. Now I get driven to and from school, passing that very high school I'm zone four, Cynerville High School.

[05:28:03] Recently, since the high school crossing guards have been defunded, my mother and I noticed that there are buckets filled with bright orange flags attached to streetlights on either side of the school's crosswalks. Students are expected to walk these flags across the busy street. My mom and I even found it funny because we can't picture these high schoolers seriously walking these neon flags back and forth.

[05:28:25] This system isn't a replacement for crossing guards. Most of these kids haven't even taken driver's ed courses yet. They barely know road rules, and they're somehow expected to do the job previously done by trained professionals. Mr. Chairman McKay, recently you stated in response to an event where a middle school student riding a bicycle got fatally hit.

[05:28:48] You said, quote, there is no correlation between yesterday's incidents and the removal of crossing guards at Fairfax County high schools. I partially agree. However, while there may be no direct causation, there certainly is correlation.

[05:29:05] Let me elaborate. This goes to prove that minors shouldn't navigate roads and crossings independently because drivers are the concern. And no measures besides permanently integrating crossing guards back will mend this. This past summer, in my online driver's ed course, we learned that the leading number of car accidents occur at intersections when drivers run red lights and fail to yield.

[05:29:27] According to the Federal Highway Administration, 40% of all crashes in the United States happen at or near an intersection. High schoolers cross these roads every day, walking to and from school. If driver error is what could potentially cause fatal incidents around schools, we need to recognize that the risk is heightened when crossing guards are removed.

[05:29:51] Who's crossing the streets to school? Teenagers. And who's driving on the streets to school? Also teenagers. Prior to defunding the guards, new drivers relied on guards to guide them, as these roads are unsafe otherwise. Now you're leaving it to the students to be the crossing guards themselves.

[05:30:18] While I greatly appreciate alternate safety attempts such as speed and traffic, cameras, or improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, These aren't as preventative as crossing guards. Please bring them back and do it permanently. Thank you. Thank you.

[05:30:34] Speaker number 42 is Carla Acucci, to be followed by Marianne Germain and Mia A. Welcome. Greetings, Chairman McKay and members of the board. My name is Carla Acucci, president of the Fairfax Education Association, and I urge you to use a portion of the FY 2026 carryover funds to provide dedicated crossing guards at all FCPS public school locations, where students must cross streets to reach schools safely.

[05:31:07] The county finished the fiscal year with 65.53 million dollar surplus. Investing a small portion of those funds in student safety is both fiscally responsible and morally right. Protecting the lives of our children should be our highest priority.

[05:31:26] The proposed 1.7 million allocation is a good start, But every student deserves the same level of protection, regardless of which school they attend. Parents should not have to worry each day whether a busy intersection will be safely monitored.

[05:31:46] Crossing guards improve visibility, help manage traffic, and provide an extra layer of security during the busiest times of our school day. A surplus presents an opportunity to address needs that have a direct and immediate impact on public safety.

[05:32:05] Few investments offer a greater return than preventing a serious injury or another tragedy involving a child. I respectfully ask this board to dedicate carryover funds to ensure that crossing guard coverage is implemented at all public school locations.

[05:32:25] for our students' safety is a top priority. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker number 43 is Marianne Germain, to be followed by Mia A. Welcome. My name is Marianne Germain.

[05:32:45] I'm a Braddock District resident, former FCPS parent and volunteer, and a community member concerned about mass surveillance and our lack of transparency around its implementation, costs, and impact on our neighbors. I'd like to focus on our misaligned spending priorities, but first wish to express my support to FCPS families and school staff whose students were injured in traffic accidents near our schools, and my condolences especially to the Frost community in the tragic loss of a student last week in Fairfax.

[05:33:17] We should never have been here. The crossing guard budget cut. A shout out to Melanie Marin, who asked for the data last spring and tried to prevent the current situation. if only our board had listened. So spending priorities, how did we get here? The board signed an Axon agreement for a police drone program in December 2025 for $10 million over five years. By spring, it was time to figure out where that first $2 million would come from.

[05:33:49] On February 24th this year, the board's safety and security committee met. Only two items were on the agenda, crossing guards and police drones as first responders. Only FCPD was present. I don't know whether anyone from the school system was invited. But soon after, about $2 million was moved from crossing guards to the Axon Police Drone Project. Taxpayers understand that public safety happens when our basic needs are met, not when we cut crossing guards to instead fund harmful AI surveillance technology like Axon drones and automated license plate reader cameras,

[05:34:28] or ALPRs. ALPR cameras inflict disproportionate harm on our lower income and minority neighbors. They're incompatible with one Fairfax. They flip the script of presumed innocence for all because we have no say in our movement through our daily lives, being captured, saved, and potentially misused, as we've seen throughout the country. And despite the incorrect assurances about data security by FCPD repeated here today. 850 ALPR cameras were installed in 2023 without our consent, and we are all paying the price. So kudos to the school board for their upcoming vote on the

[05:35:07] 24th on a moratorium against any ALPRs on FCPS property. That's a good start. Now consider two facts as we see surveillance tech prioritized over basic public safety. First, the top two Board of Supervisors campaign contributors are the police and firefighter unions. Second, if the board had let FCPS funding grow at the same rate as FCPD funding, the school system would have an extra $250 million this year. So fund crossing guards, and we reject a pause of future

[05:35:45] ALPR expansion. It's a performative nothing burger. Immediately turn off and remove all ARPR cameras cancel the contracts, no swapping for another ALPR provider. Pass an ordinance that ALPRs can only be considered in the future after vigorous public consideration.

[05:36:03] Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Mia A., and Mia is here. Welcome. My name is Mia, and I'm a resident of Fairfax County.

[05:36:20] I'm here as a concerned citizen and representative of Deflock Fairfax. If anyone is interested in learning more about ALPRs or default Fairfax, please see me after I have flyers. I'm here because I'm outraged at the budget cuts that have prioritized surveillance over safety. We have all seen the devastating consequences of cutting the crossing guards.

[05:36:39] Last week, a family sent their 13-year-old son off to school, and he didn't come home. He will never come home because of decisions you, supervisors, made. Supervisor Lusk, you're right. The issue isn't about money. The board decided it was important to use $1.9 million that had previously gone to crossing guards to instead fund a drone surveillance program for FCPD, which you enthusiastically introduced.

[05:37:05] Contrary to statements made by Chairman McKay, Camerons and technologies like drones do not stop cars from hitting children. As discussed earlier, drones are not the only forms of surveillance. In December 2025, the Axon Drone Amendment was signed designating $10 million to Axon over five years.

[05:37:25] FCPD has contracts for over 85 flock cameras and more than 700 Axon cameras, which are in police vehicles. There are almost 300 flock cameras when you also include those at George Mason and private businesses like Lowe's and Home Depot, which are incentivized to share their data with FCPD.

[05:37:41] The motion this morning to pause further expansion on flock cameras is not good enough. It is performative and meaningless. At minimum, these cameras need to be completely deactivated immediately. Last week, while walking my dog through my neighborhood, I noticed five different black cars. What made them noticeable was that their windows and windshields were completely blacked out. ICE agents were in those cars. A few minutes passed, then a man walked out of his apartment only to get handcuffed and taken away. Like over 70,000 people in this country, he is

[05:38:17] likely still imprisoned in one of the many concentration camps like Farmville. And I say concentration camps on purpose. Being held without due process, without adequate food and water, separated from his family, unsure if he will ever return home. Want to guess what is sitting at the entrance of my neighborhood? A flock camera. ALPRs are being used by ICE to track and kidnap our neighbors. Last month, my friend stopped for gas on Eldon Street in Herndon. Within a minute, her car was blocked by four ICE vehicles as they handcuffed and abducted a man standing there.

[05:38:48] There are eight block cameras on Eldon Street. This isn't a coincidence. FCPD continuously shares data with over 160 agencies. If any of these agencies grants access to ICE, then it's possible for ICE to view FCPD data through this back door. Additionally, anyone with access to the database does not need a warrant or even a legitimate reason to search it. Finding a few missing vehicles does not justify the privacy violations and many, many abuses of power that law enforcement has done with ALPRs. As Supervisor Biermann mentioned, cops have stalked girlfriends and

[05:39:26] exes, women seeking reproductive care, no kings protesters, and more. Flock boasts that it only has a 1% error rate. Well, 1% of 20 billion images per month is 200 million misread vehicles.

[05:39:42] There have been many cases of innocent people getting accused and even imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. ALPRs affect everyone. They are changing the system to guilty until proven innocent. Regulations and guardrails have not stopped the abuses.

[05:39:59] They are as useful as Band-Aids are to a severed limb. Switching to another vendor like Axon or Motorola is not a solution either. We need to abolish ALPRs. And where are we storing the gargantuan amount of data? in one of the hundreds of data centers throughout the area.

[05:40:16] Data centers that are using up our water during our drought, polluting our air with our diesel generators, using precious land, and driving up our electric bills. Is this really the world you want to live in? Each of you has a choice before you. You can keep funding mass surveillance, establishing a police state that resembles China or Gaza under Israeli apartheid, where drones have been used to surveil and shoot people.

[05:40:36] You are choosing to bring those weapons here, to our community. But dragnet mass surveillance is not inevitable. Over 25 localities and counties in Virginia alone have rejected ALPRs. Fairfax can be a leader if you choose safety over surveillance.

[05:40:52] I demand that you abolish all ALPRs, immediately remove them, stop funding drone programs, and place a moratorium on further developments of data center. You can choose to be leaders that create a future that keeps everyone safe. We all want the same things.

[05:41:09] A life where we can breathe clean air, drink clean water, and walk through our neighborhoods without being afraid that ICE will threaten us. Thank you. I now have a series of videos to be played, and I have two speakers who have signed up in addition to testify at the end of those videos.

[05:41:28] If you are here and you have not spoken and wish to testify on this matter, please sign in with the clerk over here to my right while we play the following videos from Speaker 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49.

[05:41:44] Alright we're rolling. Dear members of the board, my name is Brandy Cassidy. I speak as an individual. I have two questions. From what the slave is the 4th of July to answer? Why am I called to speak before you today? I was a crossing guard on the 5th grade. What do I or those I represent have to do with your independence? It was the consensus of this board that crossing guards are a right item on a budget.

[05:42:13] Fortunately, the student who got hit only suffered minor injuries. Importance, therefore, is not always indicated by higher pay, nor is it about visibility. The work that crossing yards do is often taken for granted until they are no longer there.

[05:42:33] That makes it indispensable. This is why I ask the board to reinstate crossing yards and make them permanent. I also ask members of the public and those in the queue with me to thank our crossing guard today.

[05:42:51] Thank you for your time. Hello, my name is Molly Sullivan, and I teach in the Springfield District, and I live in the Sully District. First, thank you so much for allowing me to speak, especially to Supervisors Smith and Herity, of whose districts I'm going to be speaking about tonight.

[05:43:15] I am asking that we are able to find the funds to reinstate crossing guards at specific FCPS high schools that require it most. One of those areas is the Clifton and Centerville area. During peak morning commute, when our high schoolers are going to class and doing the right thing, we see an average of 1,200 to 1,800 drivers moving through these areas.

[05:43:40] Every single year, we have situations where a child is nearly hit by the car just because cars are rushing to get to work out of the neighborhood or their kids to school. We do have traffic lights at both Chantilly and at Centerville High School, but what we don't have consistently right now is someone telling the cars really when to stop.

[05:44:01] I know that many of you have seen the photos. I have personally put out safety flags at multiple schools this week so that students can carry them while they're crossing. And while I appreciate our police officers tremendously, we do not need four officers standing at an intersection that could be managed by one crossing guard, our beloved Cheryl from Centerville High School, Liberty Middle School, and Union Mill.

[05:44:25] We love you, Cheryl. This past week, in fact, one officer even told me that he wasn't familiar with the four-way intersection and the patterns of the lights, and he didn't want to make things worse by trying to redirect traffic. So he was there essentially just to walk kids across the street.

[05:44:43] We don't need an officer for that. And it's not a sustainable safety plan. At Chantilly, we also need the pedestrian signal updated so that students can push one way without triggering an unnecessarily long two-way cycle. Right now, that wait time is creating additional problems.

[05:44:59] What I'm asking for is that you reinstate crossing guards at the high schools that FCPS has deemed the most needy in terms of the heartbreaking incident from South Lakes. We're not asking for the entire $1.89 million.

[05:45:16] We're asking for a portion of that to be restored for these hard-working crossing guards. I'm also asking that it continues to be funded through the police because we've been told for years that it had to be a police matter. So I'm not sure why it might change now, but we just want to make sure that our children can get to school safely.

[05:45:34] Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Chris French. I'm the president of Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets, an all-volunteer, non-profit street safety advocacy group working to eliminate the avoidable fatalities and traffic violence inflicted on all roadway users, but disproportionately on pedestrians and other vulnerable users.

[05:45:57] Our public school system has more than 200 schools and nearly 200,000 students, and roughly 20% of those students walk or bike to school. They need our protection from the impatient, aggressive, distracted, and or simply novice drivers that we encounter around our schools during arrival and dismissal.

[05:46:21] On behalf of my board and our membership, we strongly encourage the board to reinstate the crossing guards eliminated during the previous budget cycle and further redouble your efforts to ensure that the crossing guard program remains sustainable over the long term.

[05:46:36] I would also ask that you not stop at today's action on crossing guards. We need the board to take immediate action on numerous other fronts to protect our schools and their surrounding neighborhoods, as well to stem the rising tide of pedestrian fatalities and injuries.

[05:46:55] First, the board and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation have not taken full advantage of recent legislation that permits the county to lower speed limits at its discretion to lower than 25 miles per hour, but not below 15 miles per hour.

[05:47:12] Many of our neighboring jurisdictions have instituted 20 mile per hour school zone speed limits, both dynamic and static. Fairfax County has taken only very tentative steps forward with this new authority through another slow-paced pilot program.

[05:47:29] The board adopted, second, the board adopted a slate of Safe Streets for All program recommendations back in 2022, but has still yet to operationalize the program recommendations with dedicated funding, rendering that action in 2022 largely moot.

[05:47:45] The result is that children who wish to walk and bike to school must do so on roadways that are not engineered to protect them, a contributing factor in the dramatic increase of kiss-and-ride chaos seen across the school system.

[05:48:01] Third and lastly, in the last legislative session, Senate Bill 84, passed and signed by the governor, affords Fairfax County the authority to implement stop sign cameras within school zones. A recently implemented stop sign camera program in Prince George's County, Maryland, showed a dramatic 70% reduction in stop sign violations within four months of program inception.

[05:48:28] A recent pilot study of more than 150 intersections across numerous Northern Virginia school zones documented that 75% of drivers ran a stop sign and that one in seven pedestrians encountered a driver who failed to yield.

[05:48:44] What are we waiting for? No more pilot programs. No more studies. We need your leadership and quick and immediate action. Thank you. Hi, my name is Leif. I go to school at West Springfield High School, and I am in 11th grade.

[05:49:07] Today, I am speaking at today's Board of Supervisors meeting, which is September 15th, to speak about the high school crosswalks. Tonight's Board of Supervisors meeting will have a vote to bring the budget back for the crossing guards.

[05:49:25] Crossing guards are, first of all, very essential in the backbone of students crossing streets. It also maintains and helps the flow of traffic on roads. A student at South Lakes High School was hit not that long ago.

[05:49:42] And in multiple unrelated incidents, one student passed away and two students were injured. and while data may prove crossing guards are not needed data and reality are two different things and with data showing that it is not true as reality shows crossing guards are very critical in the backbone of all crossing guards today i'm asking all supervisors on today's budget budget vote that will bring money back to the crossing guards and i am asking for each one of

[05:50:18] of you to vote yes for today's budget. Every student in high school needs cross guards. While many may say students should know how to cross roads, many do not, and may need cross guards to help.

[05:50:36] Even if they do, calls may not watch for pedestrians. As we have seen in the last couple weeks, Many students are begging for cross guards to be brought back. And while I do not walk to school, as I am a student with a physical disability that uses a wheelchair and takes a special need buses, while I do not walk to school, many students I know and my friends and classmates walk to school.

[05:51:07] And my classmates and people I know want, and not just want, need cross cards. And every person needs cross cards to make sure they get to school safely.

[05:51:22] I wanna ask every single supervisor, including Supervisor Bailman, Supervisor Jeff McKay, who brought this idea in the first place, to vote yes for today. And whoever says no, shame on them. But I'm asking for every single one of them, as I called multiple and numerous, and every single office have said safety is a top priority, and if you want to prove that, today is the day.

[05:51:49] And I am begging, begging, begging you to vote yes, and I ask you vote yes. Thank you. - Good morning, Chairman, members of the board. My name is Tim Brown, and I'm the parent of a West Springfield High School student.

[05:52:06] Let me be very clear, I support school safety, I support reasonable traffic management measures, and I support doing whatever is necessary to protect our students. But eliminating crossing guards does none of those things particularly well. Instead, it appears to take an existing problem, the loss of a crossing guard, and shift the burden of solving that problem on the parents, students, and everyone who lives around the school.

[05:52:28] And that is not acceptable. Crossing guards are more than making sure students cross roads safely. Instead, they are the linchpin for all traffic going into and out of the school. By eliminating crossing guards, you are taking hundreds of vehicles and funneling them into one direction, creating a traffic pattern that is almost guaranteed to produce backups on rolling road and surviving streets.

[05:52:50] We were told that this was going to be implemented three days before school started. Seriously? I'm particularly concerned because I have a child who walks to school. Historically, students have crossed rolling road at Grisby Road. Now we're being told there will be no crossing guard there and that students should not cross at that location.

[05:53:09] But here's the problem. You don't make a dangerous intersection safe simply by telling teenagers not to use it. those students still have to get across the road. So I have a very simple question. If the problem is that there's no crossing guard, why is the solution not to have a crossing guard?

[05:53:26] That's it, hire a crossing guard. If the county and FCPS believe that intersection requires a crossing guard to safely accommodate students, then fund that position. And if Fairfax County police were able to assist with traffic and student crossings throughout last school year, why isn't that being considered as part of the solution now?

[05:53:45] I understand budgets are tight, But we were talking about the safety of students getting into school, no matter the mode of transportation. Residents of Fairfax County pay substantial property taxes. We also pay personal property tax every single year. At some point, taxpayers should be able to expect those tax dollars to provide basic services to protect walking children to and from schools.

[05:54:07] The Board of Supervisors has taken a staffing problem and turned it into a parent problem. I'm not asking the county to ignore safety. I'm asking the county to actually prioritize it. If a crossing guard is needed, hire one. Our children should not have to bear the consequences of a staffing decision.

[05:54:24] And parents shouldn't have to navigate an unnecessarily complicated traffic system simply because the county couldn't find a better solution. At the end of the day, this isn't really about traffic. It's about whether we're willing to invest in the safety of our kids or whether we're going to shift their responsibility onto them and their parents.

[05:54:41] The board and the board alone created this problem. It shouldn't ask our children to solve it. Thank you. All right, that's the end of our video testimony. I do have a number of additional speakers who have signed up.

[05:54:57] If I call your name, please come down and be ready to testify. Mark Doyle to be followed by Cart Goyle and Lurian Acuff. If I call your name, please come on down. We are on speaker number 50, Mark Doyle.

[05:55:18] Hello. Good afternoon. Thank you for being here. My name is Mike Doyle. I'm the president, I'm sorry, I'm the founder and executive director of Families for Safe Streets. We have our three chapters, including what Chris French is president of our Fairfax chapter.

[05:55:38] Among other things, we do a survey of near-miss dangerous locations. It's a crowdsourcing data collection, eight questions of what people are recording as dangerous incidences on the roads. The number one item that we have is failure to yield.

[05:55:59] Pedestrians are at crosswalks or cyclists, and drivers are failing to yield. This happens at certain intersections 76% of the time, so it's a renewing, continuing problem. Half of the reports are with children, so near-miss with a child.

[05:56:20] Disturbingly, the failure to yield goes up from 64% to 70%. it's a little disconcerting we also have a recording of where these near misses are happening they're on roads that are 25 miles an hour speed limits and 35 miles an hour speed limits very similar to the roads around many of our schools we also have anecdotal stories and tellings about what's happening so you get more of a full picture about that we have to call the actions that we respectfully correct respectfully suggest that the board consider number

[05:57:00] one is before the board to ask VDOT to install speed feedback camera signs permanently VDOT takes the position that the efficacy of speed feedback signs dissipates after 10 days well then why does Alexandria and why does Arlington have permanent speed feedback signs on 25, 35 mile an hour roads.

[05:57:29] They've been there for years. And I can tell you that I continue on those roads. If I see I'm going too fast, it gets me to give them a reminder. Number two, please expedite the stop sign cameras.

[05:57:47] We have the authority. We spent a lot of time down in Richmond this past January and February. You can do it. go through the ordinance and steps on that but stop sign cameras work as my colleague Chris said they've been they were put around in different locations in Virginia and 75% of the people driving up to a stop sign violated they didn't come to a full stop disturbingly Fairfax is 80% violation on that stop

[05:58:23] sign cameras around schools can help save save lives very simply thank you thank you our next speaker is mr. Goyle yes come on down this looks like KART but I don't know if that's proper or not yeah okay cart Goyle welcome thank good afternoon chairman McKay and members of the board and members of the community I'm a resident of the Providence district and a parent of two children who attend FCPS. First, I want to thank you for agreeing to fund crossing guards for our high schools. I appreciate the board recognizing the need and taking action to provide that

[05:59:03] additional layer of security for our students. I also appreciate the challenges we face in Virginia, where responsibility for our roads involve multiple levels of government and multiple entities and different ownership and authority. I understand that making even seemingly straightforward safety, improvements can be very complicated. But as a parent, that complexity doesn't make my concerns go away. Like every parent, I want to know that when my children leave for school in the morning, that they get there safely. And when children have to cross busy roads to get to school, it's something that I worry about. Crossing guards provide something

[05:59:41] our children need right now, a responsible adult physically present to help them cross safely. But crossing guards should not be the only substitute for making our roads safer. In fall of 2021, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the goal of investing $100 million over six years in pedestrian bicycle infrastructure.

[06:00:02] As of today, $82.1 million has been allocated, with $65.2 million allocated to 93 capital projects. Yet, of those 93 projects, only 13 are complete, and only three are under construction right now.

[06:00:17] That means in nearly five years into this initiative, only one in seven of the capital projects is complete. And what's even further and clear is the efficacy of the projects that have been deployed. As a parent, that concerns me.

[06:00:34] I expect the Board of Supervisors to take responsibility for the safety of the roads of our children that travel, that our children travel every day. I recognize the board doesn't control every part of the process, but navigating those different jurisdictions and finding solutions is the responsibility of our elected leaders.

[06:00:53] We cannot allow complexity to become an excuse for inaction and responsibility to be passed from one agency to another or our schools to be blamed for dangers that they do not create and do not have the authority to fix. So thank you again for funding the Crossing Guards and appreciate your consideration and the ability to speak today.

[06:01:12] Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Lorian Acuff. And that is the end of my speakers list for people who have signed up. If you're wishing to testify on this matter and haven't signed up, you still can sign up to the clerk. If not, Mr. Acuff will be our last speaker.

[06:01:30] Welcome. Hi, it's it's Lucian, not Lorian. And Kathy, my wife says hi. So that was my icebreaker anyway. I'm not going to present anything that you haven't already heard. That's for sure. Maybe I can present it in a little different way. I guess in lawyer speak, it would be asked and answered.

[06:01:58] But I go back almost 70 years when I was in elementary school, and I remember seeing one of my classmates get killed. He'd run over by a bus on school grounds. Accidents happen, and things keep on going. This is one of those accidents that just happened. My background is I was a military pilot. I was in the Navy on an aircraft carrier. I felt safe during flight ops

[06:02:32] on an aircraft carrier. Why? Because everything was orchestrated. There was an orchestra leader, somebody telling everybody what to do, when to do it. You pull that orchestra leader out, people get killed. I saw that happen and there was a reason for it. Somebody didn't do what they were supposed to do when they were supposed to do it. You're pulling the orchestra leader out

[06:03:05] when you take the crossing guards out. I'll leave that right there. There's other things that go along with this, but I really felt safe on the carrier during flight ops because everything was where it was supposed to be. And when something was pulled out, we knew there was going to be chaos and people died. One other thing is I've been around long enough to know how budgets get made and get changed. There are many different ways. Two of them that I know of

[06:03:39] cross the board. Five percent, ten percent, everybody gets cut, live with it. Another way is you go after low-hanging fruit. And I just have one thing to say. Our kids are not the low-hanging fruit. Thank you. I understand we have one caller on the line. Okay, James, can you introduce introduce yourself and welcome. The floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Jim

[06:04:15] Kulikowski. I'm from the Drainsville District, and I'm just pulling up my testimony. Sorry, it went away. I speak for myself as a retiree on a fixed income getting hit by increasing costs and inflation from every direction, including double-digit percent property tax increases.

[06:04:35] The proposed carryover package is very disappointing in many ways. It is disappointing because the surplus, that is, that part of the carryover that is unencumbered and unprogrammed, left over after all commitments have been accounted for, is headed higher in a major way.

[06:04:52] Prior to 2020, the annual surplus was in the neighborhood of $50 million. 2021 to 2024, it ballooned to around $125 million. Last year, thankfully, it came down significantly to $67 million, but this year it is back up to $106 million surplus. That means the taxpayers being unnecessarily overcharged. If the surplus had been kept at last year's level, there could have been more than a one cent reduction in the property tax rate, four times what the supervisors approved. It is disappointing because several of the supervisors said in passing the 2026 budget,

[06:05:31] they wanted to pursue ways to reduce the property tax rate further. Well, here's your chance. Here's $106 million surplus, unencumbered and available to help reduce the tax rate. What are you waiting for? It is disappointing because the proposal is suspended all, even though the supervisor's budget projections are for an increasingly difficult budget year in FY2027. Why not set aside some of this year's surplus to help solve next year's budget problems? It is disappointing because it undercuts the supervisor's guidance to Fairfax County Public Schools. The supervisor's

[06:06:08] advise the schools to hold the extra $30 million from the state in reserve for next year to help deal with the tightening budget. Yet this carryover package fails to reserve any of the county's surplus to address the forewarned problems in the next county budget. So why should the schools do what the county doesn't? It is disappointing because it takes $22 million out of the smartly created reserve for economic uncertainty and moves it into non-urgency uses like salary supplements, even as the risk of economic uncertainty continues to grow seemingly every day?

[06:06:44] How about using those funds to reduce the tax rate, which would benefit all residents? It is disappointing because no consideration is given to returning some of the surplus to the taxpayer. Even the state, regardless of political party, now regularly returns some of the surplus to the taxpayer as a rebate.

[06:07:05] When are the supervisors going to get on board? And it is disappointing because this hearing comes just moments before the supervisors consider the carryover package for approval, meaning little to no chance that testimony like this be considered. These are extraordinary and difficult times.

[06:07:21] Unfortunately, this carryover proposal is a missed opportunity to take steps to use the unencumbered surplus to respond in a meaningful way to the real economic gain of your constituents in the present and in the future. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[06:07:39] um there are no other callers i actually do have two more callers more callers okay um so our next caller will be speaker number 50 let's see we're 54 if you could introduce yourself please and the floor is yours um hello my name is sophia newson and i'm a senior at west springfield high school i'm concerned about the future of crossing guards at our high schools without them my peers and i are left to navigate our walks to school alone. I've been a walker my entire life, and I actually just got home from walking from school. Right now, we have multiple police officers working to help

[06:08:18] us cross the street, but in the past few days, if you ask them how long they're going to be there, as I and other students have, all they could say is they don't know that they aren't permanent. Walking to school without a crossing guard is scary. I find myself and my peers walking into the middle of four lanes, hoping that cars will just see us and stop, because without a crossing guards are the only way for us to get to school. Members of the community have been trying their best to do what they can, but things like pedestrian flags aren't enough. They've been installed in my school for a few weeks, and I've only seen them used once, and it was by a student making a joke and trying to embarrass his friend. Students' responsibility is to get to school and

[06:08:56] work hard while we're there. It's not our responsibility to try not to get hit by cars on our way to school. I'd like to thank the board for funding crossing guards for the rest of the but I'd like you to reflect on your mistake and I urge you to continue to fund crossing guards in the future. My little brother is starting high school next year and I need him and his peers to be safe too. Thank you. Thank you and we have one additional caller. Yes our next caller is Mia Albert who is different from 44. Okay. Mia can you hear me okay? Yes I can. Welcome the floor is yours.

[06:09:32] Thank you very much. Thank you for your time. I am Mia Albert. I am a resident of Fairfax County. I do apologize in advance for any background noise. I am on the bus right now. I am frankly appalled by this decision to reduce crossing guards at public schools.

[06:09:54] I cannot comprehend the level of detachment from your constituents when the safety of children walking to school comes optional. There is no possibility in my mind where that is a realistic and responsible way to handle allocation of funds.

[06:10:15] I simply can't fathom what would drive someone to defund crossing guards. They're not controversial. They save lives every day of their important work. They don't even make a lot of money. They're there because they matter.

[06:10:34] I propose several different ways you could increase available funds, one of which is reducing block cameras. Block cameras are, frankly speaking, an abhorrent use of funds. They are not effective at reducing crime. They are not.

[06:10:52] They cost a fortune to operate, and they are an egregious violation of the privacy of perfect camera. You need only look online for moments before seeing all of the countless stories of plot cameras being abused.

[06:11:11] And if you look at the statistics, the numbers just are in favor of plot. They are not effective at preventing or solving crime. And I cannot fathom why this county would believe it's a good idea to increase the number of plot cameras while decreasing something as basic and fundamentally important as school process.

[06:11:36] I ask, take a step back and consider what you're doing here. I can't put myself into the headspace of someone who would make such a decision, but evidently you, supervisors, can put yourself in that headspace.

[06:11:54] I ask for you to take a moment and reflect on the fact that your decisions are literally killing people. This is not an acceptable appropriation of my tax dollars. I am furious that crossing guards are being removed and slot cameras are being funded and continue to be installed.

[06:12:18] This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless ways that this county could be taking the safety and privacy of us residents more seriously. And there are many, many sources that money could come from, things that could be cut. But at its core, this issue comes down to this.

[06:12:38] What is more important to you, supervisors? Is it the safety of children walking the pool, or is it the control of citizens? Yeah, the Fairfax County police department. Installing clock cameras at every intersection.

[06:12:56] And like I said earlier, time on and off, I would also just pass a clock camera. I know exactly where it is, and I do my part to tell those around me to avoid that. It's not enough. Please, I beg of you, reconsider this terrible, terrible appropriation of thought.

[06:13:13] and make an effort be better. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. And at this time, let me verify there's no one else in the auditorium that hasn't already spoken that wishes to before I close the public hearing. And let me verify that there are no additional callers. No additional callers. All right. At this time, let me ask if there are any questions of board members for staff. Any questions of board members? Supervisor Herdy. Yes, Mr.

[06:13:43] Chairman. You know, we heard some testimony today. One, if the board could get a history of the funding and status of the TOPS program, I don't know that we've been briefed about that lately and whether it's been stopped or whatever. So that would be very, very, very helpful. Trying to remember when the board was briefed about the Chantilly Arts Center.

[06:14:19] Yeah, Christina Jackson, Chief Financial Officer. I don't believe that we've had briefing about the Chantilly Arts Hub. Typically, those kind of, I know with the McLean Arts Center, we ran that through the Economic Advisory Committee, Opportunity Reserve. What was the rationale to, I guess you didn't include it in here, so I guess I can't ask you, because I guess it was a consideration item, but why are we doing that in this package versus going through the Economic Opportunity Reserve?

[06:14:58] Did you want to answer that? Yeah, Supervisor Smith. So there was a land bay in Sully District near the Wegmans that originally was designated to have retail and a movie theater.

[06:15:18] And when developers came, they wanted to put residential there. The community was very concerned that they wanted something community-serving. So working through that process for quite a number of years with a couple of different developers, the compromise was that the developer would be able to put some residential but would also provide a site that Chantilly Arts Hub should go in that place.

[06:15:45] So we have worked through the process. It's definitely not a completed process, but we want to be able to keep it moving. The developer has provided that the site will be ready. They're bringing utilities to the site. They've donated revenue, so it's close to $5 million that the developer has dedicated to putting the arts hub here.

[06:16:05] And so it's still going through the process and figuring out the best place, which could be the economic opportunity to reserve. But we didn't want to lose momentum with the project because it will end up costing more in the future. And so let me just ask this, because the way it reads in my motion is, this is one-time funding for design permitting and bid administration.

[06:16:30] And so I guess maybe help us, Kathy, with why the timing right now is critical, because that's specifically what it's for, is for one time. And maybe also, what is the total amount that we're going to need? I mean, if we're going to spend $900 now, what's the total amount we're going to need to spend to get there, and when is that going to come through the EAC?

[06:16:51] So the site, the developers working through the site now, it's probably going to be a couple of years before the site is ready for the board. And so that's something I've been working through with staff to figure out what the next steps are to keep it moving forward.

[06:17:08] So this is just to keep the project on track. We have a total, we have an idea. Supervisor Herity, we're going to get recognized here at the board. This is just not a conversation. Let me ask staff, are we aware that the existing investment and resources that have been made by the private sector in this case are potentially at risk if the process doesn't continue to move forward?

[06:17:35] I believe there are $1.3 million sitting in proffer funds in a project set aside. I think at some point, based on the timeline, we might run into some problems, but right now that funding is sitting in that project.

[06:17:50] OK, so that was a private sector proffer commitment made on a previous land use entitlement. No, that's for this case, for this. OK, all right. Any additional questions, Supervisor?

[06:18:06] And I know we've got proffers all over the place sitting around waiting for things to move forward. I just, before I approve 900, want to know what the total thing is. And like the McLean Arts Center, go through the process where we can kind of understand what the-- I mean, funds are scarce right now.

[06:18:27] And if this $900 is committing us to another $3 million or whatever it is down the road, I'd like to know before I commit $900 and then balance that against the other priorities and the other proffers that we all have sitting in our district for arts and sports and other things.

[06:18:46] So I know the base budget included $1 million in library funds, $1 million. Is that correct? $1 million in... I'm sorry, what was the question?

[06:19:02] I think the base motion includes $1 million in circulation. What Supervisor Herity is asking is the proposed carryover package that staff has presented includes what amount for the library? Yeah, $1 million for collections, yes.

[06:19:18] The motion doesn't include the $500,000 that Supervisor Jimenez had put in for additional library collections, as I understand. I had submitted that and taken it back once we saw the $1 million. I didn't understand.

[06:19:35] Okay. So, last question. Sorry to take so long, because I know it's a little past 1030. Has staff received a response to my request for detail on the school's $166 million carry-forward amount?

[06:19:55] No, we've not. Okay. Time for comments, or do you want to? We're doing questions first. I just want to make sure if there's other questions first, then we'll do a motion, and then we'll do comments.

[06:20:11] Supervisor Pouchik. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate bringing up TOPS because I believe we have replaced that with TRIPS and increased the subsidy. So if you could, when you share that, share with us the TOPS program, the TRIPS program, and where we are now, compare and contrasting those.

[06:20:30] That would be very helpful, making sure that there's no misinformation and that we're sharing that out. And then I don't know if this is coming to a committee meeting, but I guess it's a question for us to understand. It was brought up that we have not yet implemented our new authority. I know we've received quite a few.

[06:20:46] I've been going through my e-mails. But if we aren't already planning to, if we could understand, especially traffic safety authority we've received and a review of that with our FCDOT staff and legislative staff, and perhaps legal opinions as well, to ensure that we can actually increase our traffic safety improvements.

[06:21:10] Thank you. And let me just add to that that there were a lot of bills in Richmond dealing with our speed cameras. And I understand that we're still waiting on schools to get back and to recertify the speed cameras. And potentially we could be at risk of losing those or having to turn them off.

[06:21:29] So I would like to get an update from the county on where that stands and what the delay potentially is on the school side. Because critically important piece of infrastructure that we put in place not long ago that is helping with this. We make sure we don't want to lose that authority that we got granted in Richmond and make sure that those get recertified so that they're not turned off.

[06:21:53] Supervisor Beerman and then Supervisor Alcorn. So as a part of our $100 million commitment that was made in 2021 to fund $100 million on pedestrian safety improvements with one-time funds, it was a unanimous board vote.

[06:22:11] John always reminds me that Pat voted for it too. We are voting to fund another $8.4 million in this carryover package, correct? And that leaves us $8.4 million short of the $100 million commitment, but we could fund that in next year's carryover package, right?

[06:22:30] I believe it's $8.94. Okay, $8.94. Apologies. And so next year's 2027, that would be six years we would get there. I see Greg Steverson of FCDOT. We just finished some of the allocations.

[06:22:48] This was at an August 25th meeting of about $24 million in the package. When will you be bringing us, since we went through the whole prioritization process, and we all know what a lot of our priorities are when it comes to pedestrian safety, Will you be bringing us the next set of potential projects by the end of the year?

[06:23:21] Jennifer Miller, Deputy County Executive, yes. End of the year, early next year for the projects. Greg just confirmed with me, yes. Answer started out great with yes. Not early next year. Let's do it by the end of this year. Thank you. That's my question. Thank you, Supervisor Behrman.

[06:23:36] Other questions that board members have? Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, just very quickly on the library circulation question. I know there's the million dollars that's in there. There's also, it looks like, carryover funding, $629,000 that's carrying over. And it looks like of that, some of it at least could also be used for, well, because it says library materials.

[06:23:59] Is that correct? I mean, there's some other things. So it's not just a million. I believe it looks like it's a million six. Did I get that right? And I know that just sprang this on you. Hi, Katie Horstman with Department of Management and Budget. But, yeah, any funding that libraries had to carry over, they could put towards library materials.

[06:24:16] Okay. And I'm not saying it's enough, but it's a good start. So, thank you. Other questions on the package? Okay. Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing. I'm going to hand the gavel to Vice Chairman Smith so I can make the following motion, which has been circulated to the board.

[06:24:36] I move board approval of the carryover package, including supplemental appropriation AS26213 and AS-27009, and the amendment to the Fiscal Planning Resolution AS-27900. This approval includes the FY2026 carryover review package as presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 25, 2026, which resulted in an available non-recurring general fund balance of $1.62 million, as well as the following adjustments.

[06:25:07] One, recurring funding of $707,908 and 11 merit positions for the Fairfax County Police Department to restore school crossing guards at 10 high schools with police officers providing temporary coverage at the identified crossings until these positions are filled.

[06:25:25] One-time funding of $900,000 for the design, permitting, and bid administration for the Chantilly Arts Hub, which is planned to include a performance hall, studio spaces, and classrooms. One-time funding of $45,000 to install ballot drop boxes at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center and the North County Governmental Center, providing equitable access to voting in these areas of the county.

[06:25:47] One-time funding of $20,000 to support a part-time intern in the Office of Financial and Program Auditor, extending the capacity of the office and ensuring accountability and performance audits and improvements across county operations. And then to make all of this happen, five, a reduction of $55,248 in the Reserve for Economic Uncertainty, which results in a total balance of $9.23 million available in this reserve for FY 2027.

[06:26:18] With these adjustments, the general fund balance at the FY 2026 carryover review is zero. I'll second that motion. Discussion on the motion? Supervisor Herity? hate doing this but I feel like I have to do it and I'll say my comments on the general package but I'm gonna move an amendment that we move the one-time funding of nine hundred thousand for design permitting and bid administration

[06:26:55] for the Chantilly Arts Hub to a nine remove that and add nine hundred thousand to the economic opportunity fund that way and I'll make that motion so that that that money is available once we understand the total costs and everything else. So we could do this next year, because remember we've got this new economic uncertainty fund that we're going to decide what the rules are on the 22nd, or the new rules are. So it's not like it will go away for this year. We're just deferring it for a couple of months until the board can get a full

[06:27:34] picture of what we're really investing in. I may support it then, but I think we need, I think we should get the total fixture so my my motion is to take the 900,000 from the motion and put it in the economic opportunity fund and I'll even say reserved for the potential chantilly chantilly what is it called arts hub so moved you've heard the motion is there a second that dies for lack of a second

[06:28:13] further discussion on the motion on the motion yeah okay general discussion yeah on the main motion on the main action did you want to yeah I'm gonna supervisor Harrodin did you oh that's right you're running this now I made the motion okay supervisor Harrodin you know I've got a hard time supporting a motion that that includes 166 million in unsupported spending by the school system it's third year in a row I've asked for what the detail of this line item is you heard

[06:28:49] testimony that the chief financial officer gave some two hundred word response to a hundred and sixty six million there is I have not in three years been able to get detail and I would encourage my other board members to look for that detail because it should be there I really have a hard time supporting nine hundred thousand we don't know what the total cost of the item is and we could defer it for 60 days and and and figure that out have a hard time with the fact that this carry forward adds permanent positions using

[06:29:26] one-time funds which is a big no-no for this board but you know my position it in it on the positive side it clearly includes includes a lot of good stuff we've got critical maintenance needs and there's a lot of critical maintenance needs that are funded in this budget critical IT needs that are should be in the base budget but they're here my position on crossing guards has been clear since 2025 when it was first proposed it shouldn't have been on the

[06:30:01] table and without this review with and should have been on the table without the review that we approved this morning as such I'm gonna go ahead and support this because the crossing guard issue is that important to me so I'm not gonna not support it this isn't a great package but I'll go ahead and support it for that reason thank you seeing no further discussion I'm going to call for a vote on the motion all those in favor please say aye aye anyone opposed any

[06:30:35] abstentions that motion carries mr. chairman thank you very much we now given the lateness of the hour I am going to move us to administrative items and let Let me ask if there's a motion to approve Admin Items 1 through 15, Supervisor Smith.

[06:30:52] I move approval of Admin Items 1 through 15. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Are there any items board members would like pulled for separate discussion or separate vote? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor of Admin Items 1 through 15, please say aye. Aye.

[06:31:07] Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. We now have action items. Action Item 1 is endorsement of design plans for the Route 7 Colmore Sidewalk Segment 1 project in the Mason District. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I am going to make a motion.

[06:31:25] I move approval of the county executive's recommendation for Action Item 1. I'm happy to second that motion. Discussion on the motion. Just wish everyone who was in here earlier saw this series of pedestrian projects that are getting funded here and plans that are being endorsed.

[06:31:41] All those in favor of action one, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Action item two is endorsement of design plans for the Telegraph Road at Hayfield Road Safety and Accessibility Improvements Project in the Franconia District.

[06:31:57] Supervisor Lusk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm excited to have this one moving forward as well, and I want to thank the community for all of their feedback we've received, especially from those in the Hayfield area, over the last few years on this project.

[06:32:13] And I'd also like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your vital work when you were the Franconia District Supervisor to initiate this project so many years ago. And it's been a longstanding, very needed project for this area. And then lastly, I want to thank VDOT for working on this project with us over the many years through multiple iterations and was not simple to get us to the place that we are.

[06:32:38] And they've also helped us advance the project completion date from 2029 to 2028. So I'm just excited about it. And quickly, there are striping changes. There's a raised refuge island. We're going to have rapid flashing beacons here, and it's going to be a meaningful improvement to secure greater safety for the students.

[06:33:02] And this goes back to the conversation we made earlier today, who are walking between the elementary and the middle and high school. So, very, very excited about that. So, with that background, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors accept County Executive's recommendation for action item number two.

[06:33:18] Chair, we'll second that, along with Supervisor Palchuk. Any further discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Action item number three is authorization to execute a memorandum of agreement between the friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Inc. and the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County.

[06:33:43] I'm going to turn the gavel over to Vice Chairman Smith so that I can make the following motion. I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt the county executive's recommendation. I'll second that motion. Any discussion on the motion, Mr. Chairman? Very briefly, I'm glad this is coming forward.

[06:33:59] I know that Evelyn and Michael were passionate about this and getting ready for and making sure that we were ready for the next step of this. A lot of people were involved in this, but in particular, I want to just take a moment to recognize again Mike and his passion for this.

[06:34:21] know this was the last meeting that I had with Mike was a virtual meeting on this subject and it was right before his passing and he was very concerned about this making sure that the friends group would be in the right hands moving forward making sure that the volunteer Corps would be doing what's critical to the friends group but also making sure that apparatuses were in place to make sure that the funding streams continue and the work that the friends group does in our shelters is able to continue.

[06:34:54] And this memorandum of this MOU is a major step towards making sure that that is cemented. I also want to thank the county staff for their work on this because I know this was touch and go for a while, but spent considerable time working with the friends group to make sure that the language that we have here was correct and the great mission of the friends group can continue moving forward for outsiders and supporters and donors.

[06:35:23] This is not really going to look much different, but on the back end, it is going to be much more well-defined and can help make sure that this critical part of our community and the volunteer work continues far, far into the future and isn't so reliant on the great work of some of the people who got us here to this point to begin with.

[06:35:46] And so I just wanted to reflect on that and, again, appreciate my colleagues' support for this and all the work that the Friends Group has done. And you were here early this morning and have come back, so I can't say enough about Evelyn Grieve and her work on this and all she's done for the Friends Group.

[06:36:05] And I'm glad to see this come to fruition. Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'm just going to add on to that. And this isn't just a nice-to-do, Evelyn. The friends group is a huge part, a critical part of what we do and how we can better care for animals.

[06:36:24] And frankly, the communication, which is the most essential part of it. But it's a big deal because they provide more than 10% of the money that our shelters use and go to support our animals. So this is not just a nice-to-do.

[06:36:40] This is a big part of how Fairfax County has one of the best programs in the country. I thank you, I thank the friends, I thank Gina Lynch, my appointee, and so many others. So just wanted to be on the record for that as well. Thank you. Supervisor Palchuk.

[06:36:56] I just want to add that to me the importance of this really is our evolution and ensuring that our families are able to care for their pets. I know when I first adopted, I went to Arlington for support and understanding, and so I appreciate that this partnership enhances our ability to ensure pets have a safe home, that their owners are able to care for their pets, which I think makes all of us better here in Fairfax County. And thank you, Risa and the staff, for your work on this impressive partnership.

[06:37:27] Okay. I'm seeing no further discussion. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstentions that motion carries? Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chairman Smith. We do have one consideration item. Consideration 1, Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel amended bylaws. And let me turn to Supervisor Lusk for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This one's pretty straightforward. These changes to the Police Civilian Review Panel bylaws reflect the establishment of the Police Accountability Office and are administrative in nature. So with

[06:38:02] that, Mr. Chairman, I move the Board of Supervisors approve the requested amendment to the Police Civilian Review Panel bylaws. And Chair, we'll second that motion. Is there discussion on the motion. Supervisor Herity. Just real quick, I didn't support performing this. It's not necessarily the changes, but this is a duplicate effort, no fiscal sinkhole, so I'll be opposing it.

[06:38:26] Okay. If there's no further discussion, you've heard the motion. It's been seconded. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Herity nay. Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Let me ask, at this time, I'm going to ask Supervisor Smith to make a motion to take us into closed session.

[06:38:48] But given that it's 4-10, I believe I'm going to ask colleagues to quickly gather for closed session. I'm going to ask you that some of us who haven't had lunch yet, grab something, take it to closed session. And I'm going to ask the clerk if she could notify.

[06:39:04] We have a handful of people for afternoon public hearings, not a lot of public hearings. But if we could just reach out to these folks so that they know that we're running late, That would be appreciated. And with that, I'm going to turn to Supervisor Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to the Board of Supervisors' recess and go into closed session for discussion and consideration of matters enumerated in Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 and listed in the attached agenda for this meeting.

[06:39:30] And in addition, one, legal briefings regarding a Virginia Court of Appeals decision and zoning application processing, as well as Verizon's pending Federal Communications Commission application regarding copper-based landlines. All is permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A7 and 8.

[06:39:48] And number two, appointment of a Board of Zoning Appeals member is permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A1. I'm happy to second that. Discussion on the motion. Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. And if folks could gather their stuff, grab a drink, stop at the restroom, and report straight into closed session.

[06:55:58] All right. The board is back from a brief closed session. First, let me turn to Supervisor Smith for a motion to bring us out of closed session.

[07:11:48] Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors certify that to the best of each member's knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements by virtue of Virginia Code section 2.2-3711, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which closed session was convened, were heard, discussed, or considered by the Board of Supervisors during the closed session.

[07:12:09] You've heard the motion. The Chair will second that. Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? that motion carries. There are two motions that I have coming out of closed session. I'm going to hand the gavel to Vice Chair Smith so that I can make the following two motions. I move that the Board of Supervisors authorize and approve the comments that were filed with the Federal Communications Commission on behalf of the board and the county on September 10, 2026 in the matter

[07:12:40] styled section 63.71 application of Verizon Virginia LLC and Verizon South Inc. for authority to discontinue copper-based wireline services, WC Docket No. 26-227, and I further move that the Board authorize ongoing county participation in this proceeding on the terms and conditions outlined by the county attorney in closed session.

[07:13:04] I'll second that motion. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstention? That motion carries, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. I now move that the Board of Supervisors concur in the Fairfax County Circuit Court's appointment of Dallas and Veatch to the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals.

[07:13:23] I'll second that motion. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. With that, we are going to move to our public hearings. Just as a reminder, individuals wishing to provide testimony have a number of options.

[07:13:41] They can testify here in person or they can provide testimony by phone or by YouTube video. At the designated point in the public hearing, I'll call for any speakers from the speakers list and they will either come forward or their video will be shown or they will be connected by telephone. There will then be an opportunity for anyone else who would like to speak to the matter to come down to the podium or to call in at 703-324-1020.

[07:14:05] Speakers testifying by video must have signed up and submitted their video no later than 9 a.m. on the day prior to the hearing. For public hearing testimony, you're given three minutes to speak as an individual. If you're a spokesperson for a group, you are given five minutes. And first, we have a public hearing on RZ2017-HM-020, which will be heard concurrently with

[07:14:27] And PCA-74-2-113-05.

[07:14:57] ANOVA Healthcare Systems and the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia. And could we please have the applicant reaffirm the affidavit? Samson, I'm the Authorized Agent of the Applicants, and I reaffirm the affidavits dated August 25, 2026.

[07:15:16] Thank you very much. And at this time, as this whole board is aware, the board has appointed me to serve as a member of the ANOVA Health System Foundation Board of Trustees. I receive no compensation for this service out of an abundance of caution and not because it is legally required. I am voluntarily recusing myself from all of the public hearings on ANOVA's zoning applications this afternoon, and I will not be participating in a discussion of any of these matters or voting on any of the related motions. Before I leave the dais, I will also disclose for the record that Supervisor Bierman donated in excess of $100 to the friends of Jeff McKay,

[07:15:52] And at this time, I am going to exit the dais and put this in the hands of Supervisor Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to call on Supervisor Bierman. Thank you. As you know, the board has appointed me to serve on the Inova Health Care Quality and Reliability Committee.

[07:16:08] I receive no compensation for this service. I have an abundance of caution, and not because it is legally required. I'm voluntarily recusing myself from all of the public hearings on Inova zoning applications this afternoon, and I will not be participating in the discussion of any of these matters or voting on any of the related motions.

[07:16:25] Before I leave the dais, I will disclose for the record that Inova trustee Paul Meisner donated in excess of $100 to my campaign fund, and I donated in excess of $100 to the campaigns of Chairman McKay, Vice Chairman Smith, and Supervisors Sizemore, Heiser, Alcorn, and Palchuk.

[07:16:40] Thank you. Thank you. Now I'm going to ask board members for disclosures. We'll start with Supervisor Palchuk. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. I want to disclose that James Behrman donated in excess of $100 to Friends of Dalia Palchik. Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you.

[07:16:55] To continue down the rabbit hole, I also received a campaign contribution in excess of $100 from James Behrman. Supervisor Seismerheiser. Oh, here, I can get that. Thank you. I just want to disclose that Supervisor Behrman donated in excess of $100 to the Friends of Roshna Seismerheiser.

[07:17:13] And I am going to declare that Supervisor Veermann donated in excess of $100 to Kathy Smith for Supervisor. All right, I got everybody? Okay. All right. I am now going to recognize staff for a presentation.

[07:17:33] Thank you, and good afternoon. I'm Sunny Yang from the Department of Planning and Development. The application site is located in Ruston and is bordered by Baron Cameron Avenue to the north. Town Center Parkway to the west, New Dominion Parkway to the south, and Fountain Drive to the east.

[07:17:53] The application area contains 11 parcels, all zoned PRC except for one parcel which is zoned R1 and will be rezoned to the PRC district. The applicant Innova Health Care Services and the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, proposes to redevelop the area known as the Reston Town Center North with a mix of uses.

[07:18:16] To achieve this, serious applications are proposed as shown on this slide. The proposal establishes the street-grade blocks, urban park spaces, land uses, and development capacity with future PRC plans required for the development of individual blocks.

[07:18:37] The site is organized into a total of 11 blocks. Essentially, the blocks on the left side of the development will be developed with public uses, including a school, library, health, human services, and an athletic field and rec center.

[07:18:54] The blocks on the right side of the development will be developed with a mix of uses, primarily residential with up to 1,000 units, excluding bonus density. A 3.6-acre park is proposed at the center of the site.

[07:19:11] The proposed development addresses the vision and the resident plan for a civic center by providing a mix of uses, a new grid of streets, park, and open spaces, and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle circulation. This concludes my presentation. Thank you.

[07:19:28] Thank you. I'll now recognize the applicant for presentation. Thank you, Madam Chair. Staff did a great job laying the foundation for the application. I will try not to repeat them. I would address two thoughts. One, why we're here, and next, where the project goes from here.

[07:19:45] So the first slide I have is a graphic that shows the current property boundaries. And so Inova owns the property in blue, and Fairfax County owns the property in gray. And if you think about that slide for a second, you'll understand why, if you want to advance the development of the site into the next generation, we need to go through this process to be able to adjust those boundary lines and create the opportunity to redevelop the blocks that staff presented.

[07:20:17] Inova and the county have been in joint use and ownership of the property for almost 50 years. And what this reflects is the opportunity to replan it for the generations to come. I think most of you know we've been at this for a long time. The next slide reflects our quick timeline.

[07:20:35] I won't belabor it, but we've been through a lot of process here. And it's been, at the end of the day, a bunch of process that has made the project better than it started, for sure. It's been through several Comprehensive Plan amendments. It has been back and forth with the rest of the association, DRB, through zoning review and a lot of community input.

[07:20:59] And again, through all those years, it's better for it. The next slide then shows what came out of all of that process, all that planning process really, right, is a block plan for this site. It establishes a street grid, streetscape that surrounds the central green.

[07:21:18] It identifies the uses that will be located on the blocks and sets up the opportunity to do the land swap that's long been contemplated and as staff described. So the plan in front of you there is what's set forth in the comprehensive plan.

[07:21:34] It's also what the REST and DRB has blessed. And the next slide then takes us to the rezoning application that's before you today. And hopefully you will notice it is a very, very similar plan. Same street grid surrounding the central green, some designated tree-save areas, blocks.

[07:21:51] And then the proffers that go along with this describe a lot about what will happen later within those blocks-- proffer commitments for green building, for affordable housing, and those sorts of things. And you can notice, of course, what's not there are building footprints. So segueing then from why we're here to where the project goes, there's applications to come.

[07:22:12] And this sets the framework for future PRC amendments or new plans for development within the blocks. And at that point in time, we'll be able to identify buildings and look at really the vertical planning for the site as well.

[07:22:29] The anticipated first phase is pushing right along. And that is for the county's blocks three and five, as we know them. The library-- that'd be the home of the new Reston Library. and the Emory Rucker shelter relocation, along with the beginning of the central green and the grid of streets that goes along with that.

[07:22:50] Again, it's been a long time coming. There are countless people I could thank. There are so many people at staff in the county that have worked on this over the years. Many retired now, many here today. It's with great appreciation that we're at this point.

[07:23:06] And of course, thanks to Brother Alcorn for your leadership through the process. I'd be glad to answer any questions, yeah. Thank you. Do board members have any questions of staff for the applicant? Supervisor Alcott? Just very quick for the applicant. So basically, this lays out the street grid. It lays out also the central green.

[07:23:23] Is that correct? But buildings on the other blocks are still a future rezoning. A future. It won't be a rezoning technically, but an update to the PRC plan. So all the buildings will come back for approval by the board. Yep. Okay. Thank you.

[07:23:38] I guess you could say this has been through the ringer at this point. Would you agree? Yes. Thank you. Nice one. Thank you. Any other questions of board members? Thank you. Okay, this is a public hearing, and I don't have anyone that's signed up.

[07:23:56] Is there anyone in the auditorium that would like to speak to this? Okay, I'm going to ask the clerk if anybody has called in. There are no callers. Okay. So, we don't need rebuttal. That's on my list. Okay, closing comments and recommendation from staff.

[07:24:15] On July 22, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the applications and the requested modification and waiver. Staff concurs the recommendations and fined the applications in conformance with the comprehensive plan and applicable zoning ordinance provisions.

[07:24:33] Thank you. Thank you. Are there any questions from board members? Okay, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Alcorn for a motion. Thank you very much, Vice Chairman Smith. So just very briefly before I make my motion, I do want to thank, there are a lot of people to thank on this one.

[07:24:50] This is a big step. We're not through the process for getting redevelopment all the way through, but this will, as Mr. Sampson mentioned, this will enable a land swap that needs to happen between Fairfax County and Inova. And it also, and this is very, very important, It also will – it's a step towards getting a much-needed new regional library and a much-needed new homeless shelter with permanent supportive housing into this project.

[07:25:20] So I want to thank everybody who has helped with this. There is still a good amount of work to be done, so let's – don't lose any momentum.

[07:25:31] But with that, Madam Vice Chair, I would move that the Board of Supervisors approve the following applications in adoption of the proposed ordinance, amending the zoning ordinance and reflecting approval of these applications, PCA 74-2-113-05, RZA PRC-2007-HM-020, and the associated development plan and PRC plan, subject to the executed proffers dated July 27, 2026.

[07:26:02] CP 86-C-121-16 and PRC-86-C-121-8 and the associated conceptual plan and PRC plan. CPA 86-121-14-02 and PRC plan-86-121-7 and the associated conceptual plan amendment and PRC plan.

[07:26:27] And I further move that the Board of Supervisors approve the following waivers and modifications. first modification of subsection 5108.5.B and C of the zoning ordinance for the transitional screening and barrier requirements for the 100 mil government center site, and to waiver of subsection 8100.7.E2 of the zoning ordinance requiring trails or walkways be constructed in accordance with the general location shown on the comprehensive plan in favor of what as shown on the DP-slash-PRC plan, and I would so move.

[07:27:06] Second. It's been moved and seconded by Supervisors Palchuk and Lusk. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion passes, with Chairman McKay and Supervisor Behrman recused from the vote.

[07:27:27] Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you all. And thank you, Joan, there in the audience. Welcome back for this. That's pretty cool. What does it happen to you? Not for an application. Yes, I was going to say. I'm really excited. Hey, you know, I'll take this.

[07:27:44] All right. Our next public hearing is a public hearing on RZ2025-PR-00001, which will be heard concurrently with PCA-74-7-047-4, B-9 Sequoia Prosperity Owner, LLC, and PM Homes Associates, LLC in the Providence District.

[07:28:09] And could we please have the applicant reaffirm the affidavit? Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Bob Brandt with the law of Walsh Colucci. Please to reaffirm the affidavit dated August 31st, 2026. Thank you very much. Are there any disclosures from board members? Any disclosures from board members?

[07:28:25] Seeing and hearing none, I will now recognize county staff for a staff presentation. Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the Board. I am Tabitha Cole with the Department of Planning and Development and today I will be presenting a Proffered Condition Amendment and Rezone Request. The application site is located between I-66 and Hilltop Road, approximately 500 feet west of the Dunloring Metro Station.

[07:28:48] The site spans over 14 parcels along Prosperity Avenue, which are currently developed as an industrial park known as Prosperity Business Campus. First, the applicant requests approval to remove the subject property from the previous zoning approvals, as indicated on this slide.

[07:29:06] The remaining area, shown in blue, would continue to be subject to that previous approval. And secondly, the applicant requests approval to rezone the site to the PDH-16 and PRM districts. The districts would be divided by land bays with mostly multifamily in the PRM and townhomes in the PDH-16.

[07:29:25] The site would be developed in six phases, each subject to its own final development plan. The applicant proposes two development options. Option one would result in 1,698 dwelling units, which would be comprised of 468 townhomes and 1,230 multifamily units, while option two would result in 1,900 dwelling units comprised of 332 townhomes and 1,568 multifamily units.

[07:29:53] Both development options would include a minimum of 5,000 square feet of non-residential use and would have a maximum FAR of 1.35 exclusive of bonus density. Access to the site would be granted from Prosperity Avenue and Hilltop Road with connection to a grid of private streets and two public streets, which would provide future connection to the parcels to the east.

[07:30:17] The development would also provide a network of sidewalks and trails with a 10-foot-wide shared use path along the west side of Prosperity Avenue and north side of Hilltop Road. 27 percent of the site would be open space with roughly five and a half acres of publicly accessible urban parks as highlighted on this slide. The applicant proposes to exceed the 10-year tree canopy requirement and the tree preservation target through the preservation of the resource protection area and landscaping throughout the development. Further, the applicant commits to preserve the mature trees along Prosperity Avenue to the extent feasible.

[07:30:54] The elevations included in the CDP illustrate the general character, scale, type, and quality of the buildings and would be further refined at final development plan. Overall, staff finds the applications to be in conformance with the zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan.

[07:31:11] Thank you. That concludes my presentation. This time we'd welcome an applicant's presentation. Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. While Ms. Cole is pulling up the presentation, a very brief presentation I have this afternoon, I just want to start by thanking her, Ms. Lewis, everybody at the county who worked on this application.

[07:31:36] This is a project, this is a day, rather, that's the culmination of a process that really began back in 2022, nearly five years ago, when the property owner submitted this 41-acre assemblage for a site-specific plan amendment. A couple of years ago, they brought in EYA, one of Fairfax County's premier home builders, to partner with them on this overall project that seeks to transform this 41-acre site on the western end of the Merrifield Suburban Center into a thriving residential community that is more compatible with the county's vision for Merrifield. And so we went through a site-specific plan amendment. We are now at the end of the rezoning process, and we actually have a final development plan coming up at the end of the

[07:32:15] month in front of the Planning Commission for phase one. So things are starting to happen here, which is really, really great. The site itself, Ms. Cole covered this, but briefly, it really embodies EYA's core philosophy, which is life within walking distance. We're here on the western edge of Merrifield but we're within a half mile short walk from the Dunloring metro station within a short walk of the mosaic district so it's a site that's really ripe for residential development because residents want to be close to those places close to Metro and close to all of the amenities that Merrifield has to offer we've really taken advantage of maximizing the

[07:32:52] development potential of this site as miss Cole mentioned we have two potential development options what you have on the screen here is option one Option 1 is proposing up to a total of 1,698 residential units, just under 3 million square feet of development.

[07:33:08] As you can see here on this site plan, we've taken advantage of the site's proximity to the metro. Those buildings on the right side of the image or the northern portion of the site are the ones that are closest to the Dunloring metro station. The site, the townhouse blocks, were oriented around a network of public and private streets.

[07:33:25] We had a very collaborative process with FCDOT at the plan amendment stage to come up with the right treatment of those streets, the right orientation of the blocks, public and private streets that will ultimately provide vehicular and pedestrian connectivity to the portions of Merrifield to the east of this as the area redevelops over time.

[07:33:42] We have a network of publicly accessible open spaces. Urban parks are something that this area of Merrifield is significantly lacking in today, and what we are proposing is over five acres of publicly accessible urban parks on top of the private amenity areas that we're providing and on top of the preservation of that stream valley that you see along the northern portion of the site.

[07:34:04] And so we've really had a robust dialogue with staff as we've gone through this process, coming up with the right treatment of these spaces, and there's more detail to come in the subsequent SFDPs. Just briefly, option two, which Ms. Cole described, up to a total of 1,900 units.

[07:34:20] You'll see here that this option provides flexibility for the developer, the property owner, to respond to market demand. If there is indeed a demand for additional multifamily, there will be the optionality to provide that on the northern portion of the site. Urban parks and open space, I touched on this already.

[07:34:36] I'll briefly just walk you through some of the spaces that we are providing here. On the southern end of the site is the Hilltop Gateway Park, street trees along Prosperity Avenue. Ms. Cole mentioned this, but we've been working with staff to preserve as many of those existing street trees along Prosperity Avenue as possible.

[07:34:52] That's been a key talking point as we've gone through this process with staff and the community. We're looking to activate these areas. As this neighborhood transformed from what it is today, an aging industrial office park, into a residential community, We want to make sure that these residents, their neighbors, their guests, people in the surrounding area have places to go.

[07:35:12] The Central Green. This is, I think, going to be one of the most significant publicly accessible open spaces at Merrifield. It's a large lawn area. It provides options for youth sports. It provides options for large gatherings, things like that. There's really nothing like this in Merrifield yet.

[07:35:29] Fortunately, this is coming soon. The Butterfly Garden and Nature Escape. This is on the western edge of the site. These amenities will take advantage of the site's relationship to that stream valley on the western edge. This will include totlots, shade structures, active and passive recreational amenities.

[07:35:45] Again, significantly enhancing the experience for not only these future residents, but members of the public at large looking for this type of facility, looking for this type of outdoor amenity in Merrifield. Before I conclude, just to briefly touch on the community outreach. There's been a very robust and positive conversation as we've gone through this process.

[07:36:03] We've worked closely with the Don Loring Village community, which is immediately to the west of us on the other side of that stream valley. We've worked with the Greater Merrifield Business Association. We will continue to work with these groups as we go forward with this phased development over time with forthcoming final development plans.

[07:36:20] But it has been a very positive, robust conversation with the community, and this plan has evolved in response to that feedback as we have gone through the process. So, once again, we're at the culmination of a process that began nearly five years ago. There's more work yet to come. We're coming back, as I said, to the Planning Commission at the end of this month with the first phase of the overall development.

[07:36:42] But very pleased to be here with recommendations of approval from both staff as well as a unanimous recommendation of the Planning Commission. Appreciate it. I'm happy to answer any questions that you have. Are there any questions of staff or the applicant? Supervisor Palcic. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[07:36:57] You answered my first one, which was if you could review the outreach, and clearly quite a bit has been done. If you could just share for us back to the plans, I think knowing this is my almost my backyard at Metro Stop, is the improvements both to the open space, which I appreciate you shared very clearly, and to the bike and pedestrian infrastructure along Prosperity.

[07:37:21] Could you just review that for us? That's correct. So Prosperity Avenue, as it exists today, thank you, Ms. Cole, is really, and it always has been, vehicular focused. As this area transitions from what it is today, the industrial office park, into a residential community, we're mindful of the need to transition that, right?

[07:37:38] And so we are physically narrowing Prosperity Avenue by bringing the curb line along the eastern edge of Prosperity Inn. We are adding landscape medians. We are adding high-visibility pedestrian crosswalks at the intersections and off-street shared-use path along the west side. Very significant pedestrian-focused, bicycle-focused improvements to that area.

[07:37:59] What it is today is not what it will be in the future. We think this is a very significant improvement. Thank you. Are there any other questions of staff or the applicant? Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing. I have no one who has signed up in advance to testify on this matter.

[07:38:14] Is there anyone here present in the auditorium that wishes to speak on this specific subject? Anyone who would like to testify? Seeing and hearing none, let me ask if we have any callers. There are no callers. There are no callers. The applicant waives rebuttal. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff.

[07:38:30] Thank you. On September 9, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of these applications subject to the executed proffers dated August 14, 2026. Staff concurs with that recommendation. Thank you very much. Last check. Questions from board members, seeing and hearing.

[07:38:46] Supervisor Poucher. I forgot what to ask. I think for staff, this one, could you just share with us the commitment that has been made for Capital Bike Share along here? Or it might be the applicant. Thank you, Supervisor Palczyk. We have included an area in front of that central grain along Prosperity Avenue for a future bike stair station. There's a contribution there as well.

[07:39:10] Do you know the amount of the contribution? I have $48,000. I don't know if that's correct. That sounds about right. I'm sorry. I don't have it at my fingertips right now as I thumb through my profits. And I believe that's plenty to be able to install that. So thank you. Thank you. Are there any further questions? Okay. Seeing and hearing not, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Palczyk for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[07:39:35] Before I make the motion, let me give some remarks because I think this has been many, many years and staff who are here and previous staff who have been working on this application even beyond 2024 when this first came forward. I very much appreciate the level of engagement that has occurred with Dunloring Village right to the west. I mean, I think it's is clear, this is not a small infill project.

[07:40:01] It's remaking of more than 40 acres in Merrifield, which I like to call pull up a parking lot and create paradise. You know, it's largely warehouses, office buildings, asphalt surface parking, and the ability to be able to replace that, but also understanding that there's a phasing plan, because there are some existing uses, office uses, commercial uses, and being able to be mindful and thoughtful about that.

[07:40:29] The comprehensive plan has worked to turn Merrifield from a collection of some disconnected developments into a cohesive, connected community, and this is the next portion, I believe, in that connectivity. It will fundamentally change Prosperity Avenue from a road where people drive through to a road where people are able to more safely bike, walk, stroll, and ride through.

[07:40:52] And to me, a big part of that is the 10-foot shared-use path. So that is something we spent quite a bit of time in balancing that with the ability to preserve the trees, to be able to have wider sidewalks, safer crossings, better bus stops, street trees. This is what a safe, multi-use community should really look like.

[07:41:12] It does have the size to deliver more housing as well, which is critical and our number one priority here in the county, especially so close to metro and to amenities. I very much appreciate the, I won't review the parks, but you shared both the Central Green and the other parks that will come along the faces, and especially improvement to the Stream Valley and the connectivity to the neighboring community. So I very much appreciate that it will preserve, I believe, 11 acres of open space, reduce impervious area, and propose to exceed the county's tree canopy requirements. So all helpful improvements to this area. And I think taking

[07:41:52] together turn this aging industrial campus into the complete neighborhood that we hope for and that we plan for moving forward. So to that, I do have a motion. I move the Board of Supervisors approve PCA-74-7-047-4. Further, I move the Board of Supervisors approve RZ-2025-PR-00001, and its accompanying conceptual development plan subject to the executed proffers dated August 14,

[07:42:28] 2026, and move the Board to adopt the proposed ordinance amending the zoning ordinance reflecting approval of these applications. Finally, I move that the Board of Supervisors approve the waivers and modifications as listed on the staff report cover dated July 9, 2026.

[07:42:47] The Chair will second that motion. Is there discussion on the motion? I just want to thank all the staff who worked on this. Thank you so much, Tabitha, and the whole team. If there's no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions?

[07:43:02] That motion carries. Thank you. And next up, we have a public hearing on SE-2026-PR-00019, Dix Sporting Goods, Inc., in the Providence District.

[07:43:22] And as soon as they are ready, we would ask the applicant to please reaffirm the affidavit. Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the board.

[07:43:41] My name is Bernie Citrusito, Land Use Planner with Walsh Colucci. On behalf of the applicant, I reaffirmed the affidavit dated July 28, 2026. Thank you. Are there any disclosures from board members? Any disclosures? Just disclose that I dropped $600 last night at Dick's Sporting Goods on youth football equipment.

[07:44:03] But other than that, hearing no disclosures, at this time, I would recognize county staff for a staff presentation. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. I'm Karen Yee with the Department of Planning and Development. The subject property is a 1.7-acre parcel zoned PDC and is located on the north side of Tyson's Corner Center.

[07:44:25] The site is presently developed with a vacant two-story retail building that was formerly occupied by Lord and Taylor. The applicant proposes two permanent building-mounted signs on the north and west facades of the building. The signs will serve as a primary tenant identification sign and will feature the Dick's Sporting Goods logo.

[07:44:44] The signs will be internally illuminated, and the illumination for the signs will be turned off within an hour after the store closes, and this is reflected in the revised development conditions. This concludes staff presentation. Thank you. Thank you very much. At this time, we'd welcome an applicant's presentation.

[07:45:02] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank Ms. Karen Yee for her excellent staff report and processing this application. The applicant has no remarks at this time, and we're available for any questions. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any questions of staff or the applicant?

[07:45:20] Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing, and I have nobody who signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there anyone present who would like to speak on this specific subject? Anyone who would like to testify? This is a public hearing. and hearing no one. Let me verify we have no callers. There are no callers. No callers. The applicant waives rebuttal. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. On September 9, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the SE application subject to the proposed revised development conditions now dated September 10, 2026. Staff concurs with the recommendation of approval. Any questions from board members? Seeing and hearing none,

[07:45:59] I will now close the public record. I've closed the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Mr. Paucik, for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I first request that the applicant confirm for the record their agreement to the development conditions dated September 10, 2026. The applicant confirms an agreement to the development conditions dated September 10, 2026. Thank you.

[07:46:19] Mr. Chairman, I therefore move that the Board of Supervisors approve SC-2026-PR-00019, subject to the development conditions dated September 10, 2026. I've heard the motion. The chair will second that. Is there discussion on the motion? Supervisor Palcic.

[07:46:39] Mr. Chairman, I just want to clarify that the new conditions, and I appreciate these were agreed to, are to turn off the lights as stated, as there is now a residential building nearby. If you haven't been by lately, Tyson's, it is already under construction, and we can see the skeleton of the future building, and appreciate the effort and time that has gone into designing a thoughtful and important economic development sign for this space.

[07:47:09] Thank you very much. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Thank you. We next have a public hearing on PCA-84-L-020-29, CDPA-84-L-020-10, RZPA 2025-FR-00035, BP Kingstown Office Building T, LLC in the Franconia District, and could we please have the applicant reaffirm the affidavit?

[07:47:46] Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. My name is Brian Clifford, Planner with DLA Piper. On behalf of the applicant, I'm pleased to reaffirm the affidavit dated September 1st, 2026. Thank you. Thank you very much. Are there any disclosures from board members? Yes, Mr. Chairman.

[07:48:03] Yes, Supervisor Herity. Yes, I disclosed Tom Skainer contributed in excess of $100 to my campaign. Thank you, Supervisor Herity. Are there any other disclosures? Seeing and hearing none, I will now recognize county staff for a staff presentation.

[07:48:19] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm Katie Quinn with the Department of Planning and Development, and I'm joined by Danny Barlow with the Department of Transportation. This is an application for adaptive reuse of an existing office building with new residential uses. The site is located in Kingstown Town Center, which is a mixed-use shopping center located approximately one mile from the Franconia-Springfield metro station.

[07:48:43] The property is owned PDC and is currently developed with a nine-story office building and an attached three-story parking garage. The applicant proposes to convert the existing office building into a residential building.

[07:48:59] A new residential addition would be constructed on top of the existing parking garage, which would remain. The existing right turn lane along Kingstown Village Parkway would be replaced with a new pollinator garden, subject to VDOT approval. Proposed park amenities include pollinator gardens, a dog run, public art, and landscaping.

[07:49:18] That concludes my presentation. Thank you. Thank you very much. At this time, we welcome an applicant's presentation. Good afternoon again. Brian Clifford with DLA Piper. I don't have too much to add to what Katie dialed through. I would note one of the other benefits besides the adaptive reuse of an office building is that Boston Properties has been working with the current tenants to move them from that building to another one two doors down.

[07:49:44] So instead of two office buildings doing okay, we're going to infuse some residential into the town center where none currently exists, and we're going to bolster the leasing of the other office buildings, so it'll be much more robustly filled. Beyond that, I just want to thank Katie and Kathy and Danny.

[07:50:00] It's always fun to get the band back together in Kingstown. So I'm here to answer any questions you might have. Thank you. The band has changed a lot over the years. Some are still here, though. All right. Thank you for that. are there any questions of staff or the applicant? All right. Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing, and I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter.

[07:50:24] Is there anyone here present who would like to testify? This is a public hearing. Anyone who would like to speak on this matter? Seeing and hearing no one, let me verify we have no callers. There are no callers. No callers. The applicant waives rebuttal. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. The Planning Commission recommended approval on July 15th, and staff concurs.

[07:50:44] Last check, questions from board members? Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Lusk for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This one's pretty straightforward, I'll say. I appreciate the opportunity to take, I don't want to say, an underperforming office building and converting it to residential, which I think is going to be great for the Kingstown area, acknowledging that we'll add more bodies to support a number of the community uses in that area.

[07:51:15] So with that, Mr. Chairman, I will move the following motions. I move the Board of Supervisors approve the following applications. First, approval of PCA-84-L-020-29, subject to the executed proffers dated September 10, 2026.

[07:51:35] Second, approval of CDPA-84-L-020-10. And finally, approval of the modifications listed on the staff report dated June 24, 2026.

[07:51:51] Second. You've heard the motion. The chair will second that along with Supervisor Palchik. Discussion on the motion? Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. So, Mr. Chairman, if I could make one last point.

[07:52:07] It's interesting to see these older application numbers with the L's in them, so sometimes I have to remember that these are ones that we didn't work on these together ourselves, but there are some ones that come up a little later in the 90s and 2000s, so that's interesting to see.

[07:52:28] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. We next have a public hearing on proposed plan amendment SSPA 2023-I-2J, Merrifield at Dunloring Station Apartments in the Providence District. And could we please have staff reaffirm the—actually, there is no affidavit. So at this time, I would recognize the agent for the nominator as soon as they are ready for a presentation.

[07:52:54] Actually, let's do staff first. We'll do a staff presentation first. Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the board.

[07:53:21] My name is Aaron Kleibanner, and I am joined tonight by Graham Owen and John King. The subject property is a 35-acre garden-style apartment community located west of Gallows Road in the Merrifield Suburban Center. This site is developed with 706 low-rise apartments constructed in 1968.

[07:53:41] The site is within a quarter to a half mile of the Dunloring Metro Rail Station. Area-wide planning in Merrifield establishes the highest intensities of development within two mixed-use areas, the Town Center, which is now the Mosaic District, and the Dunloring Metro Merrifield Trans Station.

[07:54:03] These are the two core areas, shown in pink on the map. Areas shown in orange, including most of the subject property, are designated as areas adjacent to the core areas where development is recommended to be stepped down in intensity while maintaining an overall urban character that prioritizes pedestrian-friendly connectivity.

[07:54:23] The site is within subunit B2, which recommends residential use at 16 to 20 dwelling units per acre at the base level, reflecting the existing use and density on the site. The site also has an adopted mixed-use redevelopment option for mid- and high-rise residential use at 30 to 40 dwelling units per acre with other non-residential uses.

[07:54:45] And the Heartland Manor apartments are located within subunit B2 but are not part of the planned amendments subject site. On April 11, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized staff to evaluate an option for mixed-use redevelopment of the site, which considers 2,975 multifamily units in mid- and high-rise forms, as well as 25,000 square feet of retail use.

[07:55:09] The illustrative concept plan shown above depicts high-rise forms along Gallows Road and mid-rise in the site interior. A linear park along the planned ring road, which is main north-south road, and an expansion of Heartland Park, which is a county park just to the southeast of the site, as a signature park.

[07:55:33] In considering the amendment, staff found that the proposed density is more appropriate for a core area given the proximity to metro. Staff recommends adding the site to the core area surrounding the Dunloring Metro Rail Station. The amendment considers building heights up to 150 feet, and a key consideration has been to provide lower transitional building heights in the areas adjacent to low-rise residential communities to achieve compatible scale and reduce potential impacts of shadows on adjacent residential properties.

[07:56:02] Staff analysis of the existing apartments indicates that the asking rents were affordable to households earning between 71 and 80% of the area median income, which do not meet the definitions of either committed affordable or market affordable multifamily rental housing for the preservation policy and its incentives to apply. However, relocation benefits and services to assist tenants can still be offered by the owner to support existing residents. Site-specific recommendations on this topic are included in the amendment the proposed plan would achieve several

[07:56:40] transportation goals recommended in the adopted plan including the completion of the ring road as a two-lane section through the subject area establishing a new street network that can accommodate vehicles as well as pedestrians and bicycles and prioritizing direct safe and comfortable connections to the dunloring metro station thank you mr chairman thank you very much for that presentation. At this time, we would now welcome an agent for the nominator to give us a presentation. Welcome. Thank you.

[07:57:12] My name is Kelly Posesny. I'm a planner with DLA Piper and I'm here representing the nominator. I think Mr. Clybanner gave you a very good detailed description of our nomination. We are very thankful to Mr. Clybanner, Mr. Owen, the FCDOT staff, Mr. King I believe is here tonight, Mr. Burke. They worked with us over a couple of years on our site layout our streets the completion of the ring road what's an appropriate section so we've really been working on very diligently staff to come up with a good concept layout that you see before you in the SSPA we have filed

[07:57:47] a rezoning so we intend to follow through with the CDP and start working through the fine details of all of the things one of the exciting things I think is the park we're going to work with the county there's Heartland Park and we're going to add some land to it and try to create a nice space in this this part of Merrifield. So we're very excited for the plan amendment to be here and we're also excited to begin working on the rezoning. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[07:58:15] At this time are there any questions from board members? Supervisor Palachay. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Because this is a site-specific plan amendment I think this question is likely for staff. I believe you mentioned but the Heartland Manor apartments which are adjacent to here are not part of the subject area area for this amendment, although it remains within the subunit B-2, and we're not changing its current comprehensive plan. So if the owner of Heartland Manor, which I believe has not been willing to be a part of this at this point, proposed redevelopment in the future, what are

[07:58:48] the standards that that proposal would be evaluated under? Yeah, thank you, Supervisor Palchuk. So Graham Owen, DPD. So the Heartland Manor apartments, they're immediately to the south of the subject property, and they're currently subject to that adopted option for 30 to 40 dwelling each to the acre.

[07:59:08] We're not changing that. That remains the option for that site. So if they were to come forward and advance a project under the adopted option, we would evaluate that project in the context of the adopted plan. If they were to seek additional density or a different use mix than is in the adopted plan, they would need to do either a plan amendment or some other mechanism, maybe through future area plan flexibility that would seek to look at that site, and we would certainly want to look at how that could be coordinated with future redevelopment of the subject property in the future. Thank you. And Supervisor Palachuk, on that point, can you show us on the graphic again

[07:59:44] where Heartland Manor is, just so that everybody knows the area that we're talking about? Sure. So if you see kind of right in the middle of the image that you see on this screen, you see Prescott Drive. There's a little section on the southern part of the site that kind of wedges off, and it's It's squared off, and it's immediately to the south of Prescott Drive, kind of in the southeast corner of the subject property.

[08:00:18] So it's a fairly narrow strip of garden-style apartment community, excuse me, a relatively narrow section of property that is also garden-style, also 16 to 20 units to the acre. We were not able to contact them to see if they would be subject to this consolidation effort.

[08:00:35] Okay, I appreciate that. I just wanted to make sure we were clear on the area that Supervisor Pouchik was referencing. Additional questions, Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, I think this is a question for staff. I know that there's some discussion in the staff report, and you mentioned the moderately priced existing units that are basically between 71% and 80%.

[08:00:58] I believe that rents have gone up in the last year, it looks like, because it looked like in the previous year there had been a survey, and it was 61% to 70%. Is that correct? That's correct. So we worked with the nominator to look at the rents over the course of, I believe, three years into the past to look at and see and track what are the asking rents.

[08:01:20] As the board knows, there is an affordable housing multifamily preservation policy, and that has thresholds for 60% and below as our primary means for trying to achieve committing affordable units. So because most of the units on these sites are in that 70% to 80% band, the preservation policy does not apply.

[08:01:39] And that's part of the reason that we wanted to add site-specific language around displacement to ensure that despite that policy not applying, we do think that it is a priority moving forward that residents on the site, for example, are notified about future changes on the site and that there are relocation services that can be provided.

[08:01:57] Okay, so that's the plan guidance then. Those are the two items that would be put in there. Correct. So I guess my question, too, just to get an understanding, I mean, 706 existing units at 80% or below roughly, up to 2,900 or so units could go in.

[08:02:19] I know it's not a rezoning, so we don't know exactly for sure, but would these more be ADUs or WDUs? Is that something staff has looked at? Yeah, it's a good question. So it's going to depend on the construction type, but regardless of whether it's ADUs or WDUs, you'd have that 8% recommendation for the WDUs, and then if ADUs does kick in, that might actually increase depending on the construction type.

[08:02:44] So basically from just a pure number standpoint, we're talking about probably getting, you know, maybe around 250 units if it's totally built out at the 60% AMI, 60 to 70%, and potentially, and they're new, potentially losing the 71% to 80% AMI units that are older, 706.

[08:03:08] So I guess that's the trade-off. Correct. Okay. Yeah, I just want to be really careful because, honestly, we don't have a whole lot of existing, even semi-affordable homes near Metro. So I appreciate walking through that.

[08:03:23] Thank you. Okay. Any further questions from board members? Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing. And I do have five speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. And our first three are callers.

[08:03:40] Do we have Harold Moskowitz on the line? Harold, can you hear me? Yes, we do. Welcome. The floor is yours. Okay, greetings to all. I see the proposed Gallows Road housing development as being part of a growing problem. Merrifield is becoming congested.

[08:03:58] Developers now seem focused upon demolishing existing use structures, including low-rise housing, in order to build multi-story residential structures. In my opinion, referring to these buildings as mixed use because of the commercial retail at fleet level does not justify the stack-and-pack model.

[08:04:17] Who most benefits from this process of converting Merrifield from suburban to urban? Is it the developers, management companies, and taxing authorities, or is it the residents of the neighborhood? Residents will face even more traffic congestion with increasingly higher vehicle insurance rates, triggered by data reflecting higher accident rates for the area.

[08:04:40] Currently, it is hard to safely change traffic lanes during prime driving periods in Merrill Field. Likewise, it is hard to safely enter a thoroughfare from a commercial parking area unless a courteous driver lets you enter. There are already too many vehicles on the streets.

[08:04:57] Each newly created apartment increases the number of cars by one or two. Permanent area residents would tell you that there's already too much crowding, traffic, and traffic-related noise. Why do the present conditions need to be made worse?

[08:05:14] Every additional high-rise and mid-rise multi-story development project worsens the situation. At what point can it be said that the county's apparent willingness to further urbanize Merrifield and perhaps other neighborhoods in northern Virginia, has become excessive.

[08:05:33] Thank you for having given me this opportunity to express my opinion about what we see as a growing problem in Merrifield. Thank you. Thank you. Our second caller is Rebecca Ditter. Rebecca, can you hear me okay? Yes, I'm here. Can you hear me?

[08:05:49] Yes, welcome. The floor is yours. Thank you. Good evening, Chairman McKay and members of the County Board of Supervisors. My name is Becca Dieter, and I am speaking today on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. We advocate for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for our region to grow and provide opportunities for all.

[08:06:11] Thank you for this opportunity and for your consideration. We are here to voice our strong support with a few key recommendations for the Mirror Field at Dunmore and Station Apartments Comprehensive Plan Amendment. We strongly commend this plan for taking full advantage of the site within walking distance of the Dunlaring Metro Station.

[08:06:29] In light of the county's need to construct at least 40,000 additional units by 2035 to adequately meet demand for housing, this project's almost 3,000 new homes will make essential progress towards this globe. These units will also be excellently placed, allowing thousands of residents to take full advantage of our world-class transit system and the cascading economic, environmental, and health benefits it provides.

[08:06:53] However, as this project poses significant displacement concerns, we want to emphasize the criticality of maximizing the number of committed affordable units in the final development. We understand that under current county policy, about 8% of the new units will be set aside as workforce housing, roughly 250.

[08:07:12] But currently, as we have already discussed tonight, there are over 700 residents living on this site at the 80% AMI level. Standard policy won't be enough to accommodate even half of them. Thus, every effort should be made in the upcoming rezoning application to go beyond the 8% commitment and ensure that as many residents who wish to stay in this community are able to do so.

[08:07:33] We are glad to see a strong right-to-return and relocation assistance language in the draft plan, such as advance notice, temporary arrangements, and a defined process to help residents stay in their community. Even if this property doesn't strictly trigger the county preservation policy, these long-time residents deserve those protections.

[08:07:53] We also strongly endorse the plan's recommendations for active transportation and environmental design. Redesigning the ring road from four lanes down to two and creating key street extensions and intersection realignments will create a calmer neighborhood-scale transportation pattern.

[08:08:10] Building a true multimodal street grid with direct pedestrian paths to the metro station will do transit ridership, walking, and biking. And upgrading an 80-year-old site with modern stormwater controls, protecting tree buffers, and creating a new two-to-three public acre park will provide major environmental and health benefits for the entire neighborhood.

[08:08:30] In short, we strongly support adopting this planned amendment, with the firm expectation that the upcoming rezoning application will maximize affordable units so that existing residents aren't left behind. Thank you for your time, transparency, and leadership. Thank you very much for that testimony.

[08:08:48] We do have one additional caller, Lisa Hotelling. Lisa, can you hear me? Yes. Do you hear me? Yes, we can. Welcome. The floor is yours. Hi. Good evening, Chairman McKay and members of the Board of Supervisors. My name is Lisa Hotelling, and I live in Fairfax City.

[08:09:04] All four housing proposals tonight are all amazing proposals that I stand in strong support of. They provide desperately needed mixed-use development, denser housing, and walkability that will make Fairfax County a far more vibrant, livable place than the monotonous sprawl that dominates most of NOVA today. I wanted to comment specifically on the Merrifield at Dunloring Station Apartments because it will provide what I think is one of the most overlooked, but also one of the most valuable aspects of urban development.

[08:09:27] amends next to public transit. As someone who uses the metro on a regular basis, I think it's crucial to have our stations not simply be deserted islands in the middle of highways, but sources for lively and bustling communities in and of themselves. I can't tell you how depressing it is to go through the Orange Line and see station after station surrounded by huge highways until you get to D.C. Dunloring already has several businesses surrounding it. Adding more housing next to it's a huge step in the right direction. This is the biggest housing opportunity in Fairfax County this year, with nearly 3,000 homes next to the metro. The housing is almost entirely multifamily, meaning more bang for our buck and including affordable units. It's no

[08:10:04] wonder the plan commission recommended approval unanimously. It's a no-brainer to approve this project. As a young person living in a Nova area, I'd say that it would be my absolute dream to live in an apartment close to businesses, a grocery store, a bus station, and the metro. Being able to pop off to D.C. or wherever I want to go for a weekend trip and coming back for just $5 without having a deal of traffic or paying an army and the like for gas would be amazing seeing the people around me i can't imagine that they'd think much different approval of these proposals is not just a move for more housing or better communities it's a move for freedom a better life not seeing our citizens abandon us for more appealing exciting towns but making a paradise of our own i implore

[08:10:40] you to say yes to all four of these proposals thank you for your time thank you very much lisa for calling in i do have two in-person speakers who signed up in advance to testify Andrew Chen. Is Andrew here? If you could come on down. And Elizabeth Bigham. I don't see Elizabeth.

[08:10:57] Oh, you are here. Perfect. You will be speaker number five in just one moment. I know. Actually, please, please have a seat for me. Or just take your time. Promise me you'll take your time. Andrew, welcome. Ladies and gentlemen, how are we doing? Great. I want you to take a moment and observe me real quick. Profile me if you wish. Stereotype me if you wish. Who do you see?

[08:11:22] what do you see? Now, if you were to say a young Asian stud, I wouldn't, you know, say that you're incorrect. But the more important identity that I care for today is I'm a working person, I'm a working man. And the thing that I want to bring up is that I had to take a few hours early off of work to come to this kind of meeting, right? Started at supposedly 3.30 to talk about these issues at hand. This is not the opportunity that most people, which these proposals and these plan

[08:11:54] most affect, actually have the time to come to. That is my first point. My second point, from a person who's trying to enter politics to a bunch of seasoned politicians and statesmen, do not allow yourself to be captured by the powerful and few minorities with the most political power.

[08:12:19] What I mean is, to have good governance, you look strictly at the statistic and you talk to the specific people to align your thoughts and your beliefs. So whether it is EMBs or NIMBs showing up today, this is not the true sample size. Look at the statistics. My third thing, as a person who takes the download of Metro three times a day, I super, super, super welcome this development and plan. You know, for me, maybe traffic and congestion is a slight worry. But the truth is, I think we

[08:12:57] live in a political economy today where it's not enough to say what can you do for a neighborhood or what you can do for a country, but it's about what are you willing to be inconvenienced by just so that other people can be one foot closer to reaching that American dream. And with that, I relinquish my time. Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate your testimony. And our final

[08:13:27] speaker is Elizabeth Bigham. Take your time. Welcome. Hello. Thank you so much. Thank you for everybody being late today and staying late to be able to hear everybody who was able to call in and be here. I'll pull up some notes. So yes, my name is Elizabeth Bigham. I am a current resident at the Merrifield Apartments. I am also a county employee. I'm a behavioral health specialist. I work out of the Sharon Boliva Center. So I'm right next to where my apartments are. Don't tell my boss

[08:14:03] when I'm late, but I'm very, I'm a big community member in this area. And so I very much do support the new housing and to be able to redevelopment, develop the apartments here. However, I do have concern about how the plan is currently written and I am asking to not come to approve it in its current state because the plan is not specific about what happens to the people already living here so again I do support the

[08:14:40] redevelopment or the new buildings it's part of the the age is part of why I'm in this boot but I do believe that while these housings are not technically considered affordable units, they are the more affordable in the area. If you look at the rent surrounding us, it's very expensive. It's something that a community mental health worker can't afford. I can afford the home that I am currently in though. And being able to live here has been such a blessing. So I'm asking for that affordability to be preserved. And while I do know

[08:15:17] that there is language that supports the current residents for them to be able to return or what will happen during the demolition, it's not very clear. It's not very specific. I believe the right to return was phrased as where feasible is what I saw. And that's not clear, right? That's not a promise to us that we will be able to still live in this community. I have many friends who have had to move out of Fairfax County because of the price of rent. I have friends who've had children and to be able to have a home to be able to raise them in, they had to move out of this area.

[08:15:57] And being able to live again in this area is such a blessing, and I hope that I will be able to still do that. So today I am asking you all to consider with this to include a comparable share of the replacement homes at a price that remains similar to the current range, hopefully that I can afford. And make the right to return binding and enforceable, not something that's necessarily optional by the property managers. And do not lock in this density before there is a real plan

[08:16:32] to protect the current residents. Again, I think that the wording is not as specific as it could be to support us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. Yes, have a great evening. Thank you for your testimony and thank you for your service to the county thank you you as well thank you do a little roll around and while you're doing that let me just verify that we have no callers who have we do have one caller you have one caller okay Kelsey Lawson okay welcome if you could introduce yourself the

[08:17:05] floor is yours thank you hello I am Kelsey Lawson I am a resident at sub subunit B1 which is on Park Tower Drive and I'm calling because I have a major concern with the parking situation that could be involved in joining my road Park Tower Drive to Pleasantdale Road which is part of the Merrifield Dunloring apartment community. I'm concerned about this because in a previous public meeting it was shared that our 90 degree parking that we currently have in front of our building could then be changed to parallel

[08:17:43] parking which would significantly reduce the number of parking spots we have available to us. We share this amongst our residents in our building, our visitors, especially on the weekends, and then also the employees in the office building across the street from us. This being already a core area, as you previously mentioned, or that mimics an urban area, parking is a very hot commodity. Living here, parking was a major, significant moving

[08:18:18] point for deciding to live here and move in and removing this parking would negatively affect just our ability to have, not as visitors, but even our own, even the residents here in our communities that use those spaces on a day-to-day basis. And so I just want to ask if it's possible, I'm not normally privy to what happens in the public hearings, but I want to know if

[08:18:48] There could be a motion to include like a stipulation about not changing the current parking for my community, which is not necessarily part of the Merrifield Dunlorn Apartments, but it would still be affected by this joining of our two roads.

[08:19:09] I very much understand the reason why it would be favorable to join our two roads given the current blockage that the departments have. They're not even able to walk into their community from our road because of a fence that's in the way.

[08:19:26] So I can definitely understand just the inconvenience that that could be. But, again, the inconvenience of not having parking in front of our building would be a major one in front of our condominium. So that would be the end of my talk.

[08:19:45] Thank you for letting me speak. And, yeah, thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony. Do we have any additional callers? We do not have any additional callers, so at this time, closing comments and a recommendation from staff.

[08:20:00] On July 22, 2026, the Planning Commission voted to recommend adoption of the proposed amendment, as shown in the staff report, with modifications to guidance on transitional building height, as shown in the board item.

[08:20:28] Staff concurs with the Planning Commission recommendation. Thank you very much. Questions from board members? Let me start with Supervisor Palachuk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you. thank you to everyone who spoke. We know this is just the SSPA. There is a rezoning that has been filed. And so I just want to try to get a couple of clarifying questions from some of the issues that were brought up that have been discussed and are not fully worked out yet. I guess the first one is going back to, well, let's start with the parking and the transportation, because that is a concern. There's an existing plan, which has a ring road, which has different existing conditions

[08:21:08] versus planned conditions as well. Can you just let us know what is the current ability to put that language, the protective language around parking and the roadway here?

[08:21:26] And what is, I don't know if you can share with us or if the applicant can discuss about what will be discussed in the rezoning application. I recently walked the site with several of the homeowners, the associations, and we were looking at potential improvements to the existing and the future sites. But could you just talk to us a little bit about the concerns around parking, if we can look at the site? Because I think a lot has been mentioned about the walkability. And as we walk the site, the recommended changes, I don't know if you could see that up on the screen, the recommended

[08:22:03] changes, I think the ones that really show the new connectivity. Okay, there we go. Thank you. Because these are not the existing conditions. These are the proposed conditions that create improved walking paths, both through the existing area, and I know there's discussion about there's a fence with a current existing path through the development, which will be discussed.

[08:22:30] But can you tell us a little bit about what has been included in the language related to the parking and the pedestrian connectivity? And if you can share what comes in the next step, the rezoning process, where the proffers come into play.

[08:22:47] Yeah, thank you, Supervisor Palchuk. So maybe just as a bit of background, the Ring Road that you referenced is the north-south road that's shown on this concept plan, kind of on the eastern part of the site. The Ring Road is a part of the Merrifield plan today. It has been for about 25 years. And the idea actually predates the idea of a quote-unquote ring road.

[08:23:05] Back in the 1980s, actually, Park Tower Drive, when that project was developed with office as well as townhouses, there was always a desired link between the Dunloring Station apartments, which were developed in the 60s, and Park Tower Drive. And so we think of this as one of the key opportunities to be able to make that longstanding ring road recommendation.

[08:23:26] In looking at this particular site, we did consider how would that link up, and one of the key features was that the adopted plan has a recommendation for a four-lane ring road and we thought four lanes is very wide it's not really in line with kind of TOD principles that we have today as long as there's sufficient capacity to accommodate what is needed for vehicles so as part of our considerations DOT and DBD worked with the applicant on a revised recommendation in streetscape that would take it down to two I think that that would help long term with some of the comments that we've received just now from the the resident on Park Tower Drive in terms of integrating the future ring road with

[08:24:05] the existing alignment of Park Tower Drive if they are able to make that connection in the future if the if the fence is removed and are able actually to make that that that easement location work I will say that the details on the exact arrangement of future parking on Park Tower Drive was not something that we looked at as a part of this site specific amendment because we didn't change the recommendations for Park Tower Drive that said as a part of rezoning application I'm certain that there will need to be a lot more detail about exactly how parking the sidewalks and just the road in general is arranged

[08:24:41] because it might be that 90 degree parking on certain places might need to be revised we're not sure yet though and so I think if this is adopted in a rezoning application is provided that we can talk about in further detail that's certainly going to be something that we have to figure out because it is it's something that's been long term contemplated but it's not something that We have all the details in the site-specific amendment.

[08:25:03] We'd get a lot more into it as we go through the development review process. Thank you. I appreciate that. So just to clarify, nothing's been fully decided on those parking spaces, on the connectivity. That really is in the next phase. And I invite anyone to join us. I know we had an excellent walk or roll through the community to look at the conditions.

[08:25:20] And I believe there are improvements recommended from the existing plan versus what the new plan is going to be. So I appreciate that. And I agree that's a critical part of this. The other one is regarding, and there was a lot of conversation regarding the housing preservation policy, which often gives more flexibility, but they did not fit that policy.

[08:25:42] It also gives the requirements to be able to ensure that residents are not misplaced, a misplacement policy. Can you, I guess, number one, share with us, what is the existing displacement policy on the plan versus what is being proposed?

[08:26:01] I guess that's my first question. Sure. So in terms of existing language, there is an adopted mixed-use development option that applies to this site as well as the Heartland Manor apartments. There's no site-specific guidance on displacement, preservation, anything like that. And in the absence of that, we would rely upon countywide policy.

[08:26:18] We have general land use guidance on displacement and mitigating the impacts of displacement. And then we also have housing policies that speak to preservation of existing market-affordable properties. But again, you have that 60% AMI threshold, which this site does not, it doesn't have rents that are at that low of an AMI.

[08:26:37] So there is no, it's, the policy does not apply. And so in the absence of that, we have added site-specific guidance with this option that would encourage the applicant to provide, in the future, if they were to pursue a rezoning application with associated proffers, relocation services to help any displaced residents to make sure that they're made whole as a part of this application.

[08:27:02] And I appreciate that. And that's where our SSPA versus our rezoning process can be a bit confusing to me, to the community, is that here is just the plan amendment language. And so you recommended it, encouraged it. It doesn't mean that it's not going to potentially be required or offered in the rezoning, but in the plan amendment, it is an improvement to what is existing in the comprehensive plan as to displacement protections.

[08:27:29] Is that correct? Correct. Okay, so it is an increase, and then the commitment will come with – we requested clear commitments on relocation assistance, opportunity for existing residents to remain, or return to the community. Is that included here?

[08:27:45] Correct. So that is encouraged, but it cannot be, it won't be solidified, I guess, until the next phase. Correct. Okay, thank you. Okay, Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, thank you. I just want to follow up on one thing that a couple of speakers brought up, Ms. Bigam in particular.

[08:28:01] On page 30 of the staff report, that includes the language that talks about existing residents and phasing. In the frames five, this was specifically noted in testimony. It says that the applicant must identify opportunities for residents to remain on site or within subsequent phases of the development.

[08:28:26] And then it says where feasible. Is where feasible really necessary? Because, I mean, it says opportunities for residents. It doesn't say they have to provide opportunities. It says identify opportunities.

[08:28:42] So is where feasible necessary? Because it sounds like it's kind of doubly softened the way it's written now. I think that was in recognition that there may be situations, depending on how it's phased, where if there's a certain phase of development, there may be people that are not able to relocate on site.

[08:29:02] And so I think that was the purpose of that language. But to your point, I would agree. I think that if that phrase were to be removed, it may be more clear, but it doesn't take away anything. Okay. All right. Well, I'll leave it up to the district supervisor. But that one jumped out at me as something where I think it would maintain the intent.

[08:29:20] but that language looks like it may soften it a little bit too much. But I'll leave that to Supervisor Palchuk. Thank you. Okay. Any further discussion? Okay.

[08:29:35] If there are no further questions, the staff or the applicant, let me now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Palchuk for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And before I do that, you know, I'm listening to what's been said.

[08:29:51] We've had a lot of conversation, and I'm not a lawyer, over the language that's been used here in the SSPA and what can be incorporated, recommended in the comprehensive plan, and then what will be finalized and made into reality in the rezoning. So I guess going back to a question, because it seems that whether or not where feasible is in there, it's, I assume, going to be done where it's feasible, right?

[08:30:17] We're not going to be able to create something that's not feasible. So, I mean, I don't think it changes much if we were to keep it in or not, but we haven't reviewed that with the community. We haven't had the input on that one and the potential impact. So I'm going to leave it in there.

[08:30:33] I appreciate your feedback. Again, this is an improvement to the existing comprehensive plan, and we will continue the participation, the engagement, through the rezoning upcoming and any potential rezonings.

[08:30:51] So to that, and it's been a long day, so I'll try to minimize my thoughts. So it's been, I think, nearly three years of public review. And the level of detail throughout this process has made for a better application. I remember the first meeting that was held at Luther Jackson Middle School, and there was quite a bit of frustration, discussion with that, and I believe a proposal that was not very good, honestly, right?

[08:31:20] There was a different design firm, I believe, looking at it, designing it, and we have gone through a process where the rezoning was-- the amendment wasn't much improved and applied both with ensuring that the density is closer to where the density should be and that the evaluation should happen that way.

[08:31:41] As was stated, a rezoning application has been submitted and is under review now. And the collaborative process involving the applicant, the staff, the community will continue during the rezoning process. I want to clarify. If it were up to me, we'd be able to do it concurrently so we can have all those conversations.

[08:31:59] Unfortunately, that's not currently how the process works. I do think it represents an important next step. I live just a couple miles from here, grew up not far from here, three miles, and for the continued evolution of Merrifield and the ability to really be made into much more of a mixed-use, walkable, safe community with the park amenities, with transit centered around housing and parks and public spaces, you know, I know Gallows has the ability to cross it.

[08:32:30] I wouldn't call it the safest place to cross. I do believe that as we build new developments that we ensure that pedestrians are able to feel safer to get to transit, to get to the restaurants, the businesses, and that additional foot traffic will help businesses that currently we've seen continue to struggle. I do think one of the biggest benefits is that ring road. I don't like calling it that because it's not a beltway. It really is looking at reducing the lanes, the through lanes for cars, and it recommends that it will be a two-lane street. I know there

[08:33:07] are some concerns about through traffic coming through the community, and I believe staff and transportation staff have looked at this to look at some really much needed improvements to be able to include pedestrian and cyclist and hopefully potentially it is proposed a cycle track with improved pedestrian facilities which we do not currently have. We also have a shortage of parks in this area and so the parks that are recommended here I think will be very beneficial especially to existing community with a new signature park next to Heartland Green Park and both active and

[08:33:45] passive recreation for the existing community and the broader Merrifield community. I do think it's been a long and thoughtful process, difficult at times, and there are several communities. I know overall what I've received is that the communities surrounding the area do overall support the recommendation and the new development, but I know that there are some concerns that we need to continue to figure out as we move through the specific zonings, especially with the roadways, the active transportation routes, the building locations and heights.

[08:34:23] There's been a try to balance, right? More impact than one might mean less impact than another community. And I know this is surrounded by many existing communities. So I appreciate very much that the proposed application is really listening to the community, has been listening to the community and has done its best to try to address the majority of those issues and to create a thoughtful redevelopment that will transition the neighborhood around it by committing to the buildings, to the recommendations, not more than the 50 feet in height close to the existing building. So we know that there's quite a bit of proposed improvements.

[08:35:03] But it was mentioned there's still a great deal of work ahead in the rezoning that includes the building heights and the massing, much more detailed review. We also need to look at the phasing that will happen in a project of this size. This includes the existing residents and how they will be impacted and the clear commitments. We heard loud and clear that there will need to be clear commitments on resident notification, relocation assistance, opportunity for existing residents to remain in or return to the community as redevelopment occurs.

[08:35:37] And this is, I assume, a very long process. It's not going to happen tomorrow. So I appreciate that you're here. Thank you, thank you, especially to-- I guess I'm feeling older. The young people are here representing the community. I long wish we had had something like this so I could move back here when I was starting to work.

[08:35:56] So I really, again, want to thank the staff, especially-- sorry, I'm going to use first names-- Erin, John, and Graham. You've been incredible throughout this process. I know it has not been easy, and I appreciate that this proposal and the candidate has been so active.

[08:36:12] I'm disappointed that the surrounding developments have not been engaged. We hope they will be more engaged, but there are protections to ensure that, should they come forward, that we will have a similar process to that. So after those long comments, let me find my very short motion.

[08:36:29] Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Planning Commission recommendation for site-specific plan amendment 2023-I-2J as found in Attachment 1 of the board item. Madam Chair, we'll second that motion.

[08:36:45] Discussion on the motion. Let me just briefly thank you for the explanation with staff about the difference between the plan amendment process and the rezoning is very concerning for a lot of folks here. But as we heard through the testimony, it is rare to have an opportunity to build this amount housing walkable to a metro station and we talk about the need for housing we talk about the affordability challenges that are significant we know that part of that affordability challenge is an issue of supply and demand and that we hope many people have an opportunity to be able to live in a community where

[08:37:25] they can engage and do so many different things as some of the speakers said and so we'll be carefully watching the commitment to affordable housing and And some of the issues that were raised here in the testimony as we get to the rezoning, it has been a long day, rezoning stage of the conversation, which is the important part where, as I remind people, the plan lays out a long-term, broad vision.

[08:37:52] The rezoning is the instrument that's used to execute that vision. And in that execution comes the types of commitments that we heard from a lot of the testimony here. And so for those reasons, I support this, and I know it's been a long time coming, and I know there's a rezoning that is to be filed, and so we'll be having a real-time conversation, continuing that conversation as we move forward.

[08:38:16] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Thank you. All right. Finally, we have a public hearing to consider amendments to the code of the County of Fairfax, Virginia, Chapter 46, Health and Safety Menaces to Establish Regulations for Criminal Blight.

[08:38:42] And as soon as they are ready, it's going to take a moment here to transition. As soon as they are ready, we would welcome a county staff presentation.

[08:39:04] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen on the board. My name is Patrick Fultz. I'm an assistant county attorney, and I'll be presenting the amendment, Chapter 46, Criminal Blight Procedure.

[08:39:21] The proposed ordinance amendment derives from 15.2-907 of the Virginia Code. This section was originally enacted in 1994. The ordinance we are seeking to enact exactly tracks the enabling authority, and at least 10 other jurisdictions since 1994 have enacted full or partial ordinances based on 15.2-97, including Hampton, Portsmouth, Henrico, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Virginia Beats, Charlottesville, and Newport News.

[08:39:50] Norfolk and Alexandria have adopted partial versions of the code encompassing certain definitions. The definition of criminal blight, according to the statute, is a condition existing on real property that endangers the public health or safety of residents of a locality and is caused by four factors.

[08:40:07] The regular presence on that property of persons in the possession or under the influence of controlled substances. The regular use of the property for the purpose of illegally possessing, manufacturing, or distributing these substances. The regular use of the property for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. or the discharge of a firearm that would constitute a criminal act under either state or local code.

[08:40:30] Enforcement of this ordinance would be through a four-step process, identification and investigation of criminal blight by law enforcement. Complaints and investigations do not have to originate in law enforcement, but in order to execute the affidavit that's needed for this provision, law enforcement officers do have to be involved.

[08:40:47] The second step is a notice of criminal blight, supported by an affidavit executed by the law enforcement officer, sent to the property owner. The notice demands appropriate corrective actions from the property owner. If corrective action is not undertaken by the property owner after 30 days, a second notice is issued. It states the date on which the locality may commence corrective action or commence legal action in court to address the criminal blight condition. And if corrective action is still not undertaken by that date, the county may then undertake the corrective actions it has identified.

[08:41:22] Costs incurred by the county in undertaking corrective action must be paid by the property owner, and unpaid costs may be collected by the county in the same manner as a tax lien. If the owner undertakes timely corrective action, the county deems the criminal blight abated, closes its file, and promptly provides written notice to the property owner that the proceeding has abated satisfactorily.

[08:41:43] The benefits of this ordinance amendment include a streamlined process to address criminal blight conditions, a new civil process to address criminal blight, thus reducing burdens on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and a process that sets clear timelines for property owners to undertake corrective actions.

[08:42:03] Thank you. That concludes my presentation. Thank you very much for that. Questions of staff, Supervisor Alcorn. I have a really dumb question. Does this replace our blight abatement program? It does not. It is a wholly separate program. Yeah, and tell me the difference between the two.

[08:42:21] When would one be used and not the other? At the risk of giving legal advice in open session. Yeah, that's fine. You don't have to do that. But is there any general distinction, or do they overlap potentially? Supervisor Alcorn, the blight abatement is directed at properties that fall into severe disrepair, a set of criteria that has to do with neglect or other similar conditions.

[08:42:49] And what we're talking about here is a set of conditions that are caused by, frankly, more intentional actions. Activity. where you've got drug activity going on on the property or any of the other things that Mr. Fultz mentioned. That's really helpful.

[08:43:05] Thank you. So in essence, different tools, but important to have both for different circumstances. Okay. Any other questions of staff? Supervisor Stork. No questions. All right. If there are no further questions, this is a public hearing, and I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter.

[08:43:27] there anyone here present who would like to speak on this specific subject this is a public hearing seeing and hearing no one let me ask the clerk if we have any callers there are no callers no callers closing comments and a recommendation from staff no closing comments staff recommends that the ordinance and then amendments be adopted last check questions from board members seeing and hearing on I will now close the public hearing and recognize vice chair Smith for a motion thank you mr. chairman I move that the board of if supervisors adopt the criminal blight amendments to the Code of the County of Fairfax,

[08:44:01] Chapter 46, as set forth in Attachment 2 to the board item dated September 15, 2026. I further move that the board make the amendments effective as it's 12.01 a.m. on October 1, 2026.

[08:44:16] You've heard the motion. It's been seconded by Supervisor Lusk. Discussion on the motion. Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I couldn't be happier. We are where we are. I introduced this board matter back in February, but I introduced it because of some severe challenges we were having in our community.

[08:44:38] One specific location, but there's been at least a couple of others where I think this could have been available to us. And previously, we had just a very, very elongated process to address not only blight, but in this case, criminal blight folks who were, or our police officers have had to be there dozens of times to try to address issues that were there, and still, really, the issues weren't addressed.

[08:45:04] Ultimately, we had to go through the criminal justice system to try to do that, which is not as clear a process as this could be because there are so many more individuals involved in that. So the county really has more tools in its tool shed, if you will, to address what I know has been at least a couple of different situations in the Mount Vernon district, something that really, truly made it difficult for the community.

[08:45:33] I mean, difficult is an understatement, made it incredibly hard for neighbors to enjoy their homes and even to feel safe in their homes. And this will hopefully enable that to, even if we experience that again, the time period we're talking about will be months and not only more than a year.

[08:45:50] So thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Stork. Any further discussion? Let me just add that first I want to thank Supervisor Stork for his work on this because the circumstance that he alludes to is one I get firsthand experience with. And frankly, anyone who would would be celebrating that we're here because this should not happen in our communities.

[08:46:13] And frankly, it shouldn't take as long as it took for us without this tool to try to bring forward a remedy. And so thank you for your for your work on this as well. With that, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions?

[08:46:30] That motion carries. And if there's no further discussion, this brings us to the end of our board meeting of September 15, 2026, and with that, our board meeting is adjourned.

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