CLERK'S BOARD SUMMARY 

REPORT OF ACTIONS OF THE

FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

WEDNESDAY

March 31, 2004

This does not represent a verbatim transcript of the Board Meeting and is subject to minor change.  For the most up-to-date version, check the website http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/main.htm.  This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request.  Please call 703-324-3151 (VOICE), 703‑324-3903 (TTY).

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The recessed meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m., with all Members being present, with the exception of Supervisor Frey, Supervisor Hyland, Supervisor Kauffman, and Supervisor McConnell, and with Chairman Connolly presiding.

Supervisor Frey arrived at 5:12 p.m.

Supervisor Hyland arrived at 5:36 p.m.

Supervisor Kauffman arrived at 6:05 p.m.

Supervisor McConnell arrived at 6:25 p.m.

Others present were Anthony H. Griffin, County Executive; David P. Bobzien, County Attorney; Catherine A. Chianese, Assistant to the County Executive; Regina Thorn Corbett, Assistant to the County Executive; Nancy Vehrs, Clerk to the Board of Supervisors; Denise Scott, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Clerk to the Board of the Supervisors, and Patricia Wood, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.

AGENDA ITEMS

1.                     5 P.M. – PH ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 EFFECTIVE TAX RATE INCREASE  (5:05 p.m.)

                        A Certificate of Publication was filed from the editor of the Washington Times showing that notice of said public hearing was duly advertised in that newspaper in the issues of March 23, 2004.

                        (5:42 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Mr. Charles McAndrew (Speaker 8), discussion ensued with input from Susan Datta, Director, Department of Management and Budget.

(5:51 p.m.)

Prior to the testimony of Michael Mohler, Representative, Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics (Speaker 11), Chairman Connolly announced that this group would be allotted ten minutes to address the Board.

(5:57 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Mr. Mohler, Supervisor Frey asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide the justification and cost estimates for staffing and vehicle wear and tear in regard to the dual emergency vehicle response policy.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

A brief discussion ensued with input from Anthony H. Griffin, County Executive.

Chairman Connolly relinquished the Chair to Vice-Chairman Bulova and asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide information regarding the effect of the proposed Federal budget on the Department of Fire and Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue Team.  Following input from Mr. Griffin, without objection, it was so ordered.

Vice-Chairman Bulova returned the gavel to Chairman Connolly.

Following the public hearing, which included testimony by 11 speakers, Supervisor Bulova moved to close the public hearing on the establishment of the real property tax rate, while leaving the record open for written testimony until April 19, 2004.  Supervisor Gross seconded the motion, and it carried by a vote of seven, Supervisor Hudgins being out of the room, Supervisor Kauffman and Supervisor McConnell not yet having arrived.

2.                     6 P.M. – PRESENTATION BY THE FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD  (6 p.m.)

Chairman Connolly recognized the presence of the following members of the School Board and warmed welcomed them to the Board Auditorium:

·        Kathy L. Smith, Chair, Sully District Representative

·        Tessie Wilson, Braddock District Representative

·        Brad Center, Lee District Representative

·        Daniel G Storck, Mount Vernon District Representative

·        Stephen M. Hunt, At-Large Representative

·        Janet S. Oleszek, At-Large Representative

·        Phillip A. Niedzielski-Eichner, Providence District Representative

·        Catherine A. Belter, Springfield District Representative

·        Stuart B. Gibson, Hunter Mill District Representative

·        Brad Draeger, Acting Superintendent of Schools

Chairman Connolly noted for the record that his wife is also named Cathy Smith.

Ms. Smith presented the School Board’s Fiscal Year 2005 Budget.

Discussion ensued, with input from Anthony H. Griffin, County Executive, and Susan Datta, Director, Department of Management and Budget.

Supervisor Gross asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to request the School Division Superintendent to provide information regarding the correlation between the number of students participating in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program and the number of the English as a Second Language students.  Following input from Mr. Draeger, without objection, it was so ordered.

Discussion ensued with input from Deirdra McLaughlin, Chief Financial Officer, School Division.

Following further discussion, Supervisor Frey asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to request information regarding increased School Division retirement and health care costs.  Following input from Mr. Draeger, without objection, it was so ordered.

3.                     BOARD RECESS  (6:35 p.m.)

At 6:35 p.m., the Board recessed and, at 7:08 p.m. reconvened in the Board Auditorium will all Members present, with the exception of Supervisor McConnell, and with Chairman Connolly presiding.

4.                     7 P.M. – CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2005 ADVERTISED BUDGET PLAN, THE ADVERTISED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) FOR FY’S 2005–2009 (WITH FUTURE FY’S TO 2014) AND THE CURRENT APPROPRIATION IN THE FY 2004 REVISED BUDGET PLAN  (7:08 p.m.)

A Certificate of Publication was filed from the editor of the Washington Times showing that notice of said public hearings were duly advertised in the newspaper as follows:

·                                                        County Executive’s proposed FY 2005 advertised Budget Plan and the CIP for the FYs 2005-2009 with future FYs to 2014 on March 16 and March 18, 2004.

·                                                        The current appropriation in the FY 2004 revised Budget Plan on March 18, 2004.

(8:27 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Ms. Hope Hudock, Representative, ChildSafeNet, (Speaker 19), Supervisor Bulova asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide information regarding the partnership and a proposal for a demonstration Protect Children Against Sex Offenders (“P’CASO”) project.  The information should include details on the proposal, its funding, whether funds are already available for matching or contributing toward the program, and the number of required positions.

Chairman Connolly relinquished the Chair to Acting-Chairman Kauffman and asked to amend the request to include the position of the Police Department with respect to this proposal, which would require an amendment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding, and feedback regarding the adequacy of department efforts in this regard, and this was accepted.  Without objection, the request, as amended, was so ordered.

Acting-Chairman Kauffman returned the gavel to Chairman Connolly.

(9:50 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Joyce Lawson, Representative, Employees Advisory Council (EAC) (Speaker 39), Supervisor Kauffman asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to:

·          Verify the charts presented by the EAC.

·          Determine the cost for increasing the percentage increase for the fully proficient rating in the Pay-for-Performance System to the full market rate adjustment.

Without objection, it was so ordered.

(10:08 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Arlene Pripeton, President, W.T. Woodson PTSA (Speaker 45), Supervisor Hudgins asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide a chronology beginning in 1998 of the CIP of each of the rankings of the schools, including the evaluations that she provided and were referenced in the Board’s Budget Committee meeting for clarification of the planning money relative to the implementation and construction of the schools.

Chairman Connolly relinquished the Chair to Vice-Chairman Bulova and asked to amend the request that, in respect to the renovation of the high schools, to include the age of the respective schools, and their age when renovated, and this was accepted.  Without objection, the request, as amended, was so ordered.

Vice-Chairman Bulova returned the gavel to Chairman Connolly.

(11:04 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Randolph Nicklas, Vice-President, Pace, Incorporated (Speaker 61), Supervisor McConnell asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to obtain copies of the studies regarding educating autistic children as cited in his testimony.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

(11:57 p.m.)

Following the testimony of Mr. John Evans (Speaker 79), Chairman Connolly noted for the record that the Board owed Mr. Evans an autographed photograph because of the brevity of his testimony.

(12:04 a.m.)

Following the testimony of Mr. Herb Persil (Speaker 82), Supervisor Bulova asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide information regarding the funding of English for Speakers of Other Languages “ESOL” within Adult and Community Education “ACE.”  Without objection, it was so ordered.

(1:13 a.m.)

Following the testimony of Ms. Helen Parker-Smith (Speaker 98), Chairman Connolly relinquished the Chair to Vice-Chairman Bulova and asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide:

·        Aggregate data on the County’s revenues because of homes with defective synthetic stucco (EIFS) siding.

·        Measures that can be undertaken to assist the affected homeowners.

Without objection, it was so ordered.

Vice-Chairman Bulova returned the gavel to Chairman Connolly.

Supervisor Bulova asked unanimous consent that the Board direct staff to provide an update on the briefing that was provided to the Development Process Committee on this subject some years ago that included the legislative piece.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

(1:19 a.m.)

The public hearing was held with testimony presented by 100 speakers.

Supervisor Bulova provided items for the record.

Supervisor Bulova moved that the Board close the public hearings, while leaving the record open for written testimony until April 19, 2004.  Supervisor Gross seconded the motion.

Chairman Connolly expressed appreciation to staff for support provided during the budget public hearings.

Regarding funding for additional MR graduates, Supervisor Bulova amended the motion to also direct staff to provide additional options for funding that program, and this was accepted.

The question was called on the motion, as amended, and it carried by unanimous vote.

5.                     BOARD ADJOURNMENT  (1:22 a.m.)

At 1:22 a.m., on Thursday, April 1, 2004, the Board adjourned.

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