Use of Force Policies on Agenda — Fairfax County’s Public Safety Committee will hear an update today from the police department on use of force policies. [Fairfax County]

COVID-19 Deaths — “State health officials reported no new deaths linked to COVID-19 in Northern Virginia in the latest daily report Sunday. It’s the first day with no new deaths reported since April 6. It does not mean that no deaths occurred in a 24-hour period — it can take days for deaths to be added to the state’s COVID-19 data.” [Inside NoVa]

Grant Deadline Extended — “The deadline has been extended to Monday, June 22 for the City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority (EDA)’s Small Business and Non-Profit COVID-19 Emergency Grant program.” [City of Falls Church]

Vienna Officials OK Budget — “Vienna Town Council adopted last night a $41 million budget for fiscal year 2020-21, which begins July 1. The adopted budget encompasses four funds, including the general, or daily operations, fund, which totals $24.8 million for the coming year, a $2.5 million decrease from the originally proposed general fund budget…  Cuts to the proposed general fund are necessary in response to anticipated losses in revenue due to impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.” [Town of Vienna]

The Vienna Town Council has a full agenda — from the upcoming budget to solar panels to public parking for Patrick Henry Library’s renovation — for tonight’s meeting.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the items the officials will consider.

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget, Tax Rate

The Vienna Town Council will consider adopting the proposed $41 million budget and real estate tax rate of $0.2250 per $100 of assessed value for FY 2020-2021.

The town staff and officials revised the budget due to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, expecting lower revenues and “a return to more normal circumstances by Dec. 31,” according to town documents.

The changes included decreasing the General Fund by $2.5 million.

Parking at Patrick Henry Library

The councilmembers are set to vote on a design and construction agreement with Fairfax County for the public parking included in Patrick Henry Library’s renovation.

In the agreement, the town would contribute funds for the design and construction of the parking spaces with options to terminate the agreement if the town decides to not move forward with the parking spaces.

More from the town documents:

The design costs for the Town are now capped at the lesser of 30% of the total design costs or $850,000, as compared to draft agreement with the lesser of 35% of the total design costs or $1,000,000. The construction costs for the Town are now capped at the lesser of 19% of the total construction costs or $4,200,000, as compared to the draft agreement with the lesser of 25% of the total construction costs or $4,500,000.

The Town has included funds for the design phase of this project in the 2020 CIP. The intention is to fund the construction phase of the project, at least in part, with transportation grants related to commuter parking. The Town currently is in the process of applying for grants.

The county’s Board of Supervisors also needs to vote on the agreement.

Solar Panel Push

Vienna officials will decide whether or not to approve offering Solarize NOVA this year.

The program, which informs residents and businesses on how to purchase solar energy, first arrived in the town in 2015 and is run by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program, according to town documents.

“Since 2015, 29 Solarize contracts have been signed in Vienna for over 230 kW of power. Vienna is the highest zip code for solar kW within the Solarize NOVA campaign,” according to the documents.

The dates for the program are still being finalized, but people can expect the campaign to run from June to September.

COVID-19 Challenges

Vienna officials will also consider re-adopting an emergency ordinance that makes it easier for businesses to use outdoor space.

The ordinance lets Town Manager Mercury Payton allow temporary waivers of zoning regulations to businesses so that they can operate outside.

“Under normal circumstances, business owners would be required to pursue a formal process-delaying their ability to reopen and impeding support for [the] revitalization of the local economy in Vienna,” according to town documents.

The meeting is set to start at 8 p.m.

Image via Town of Vienna

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.

It’s finally time for the return of the farmers market!

The Vienna one opened this Saturday, while Falls Church is still on Saturday, McLean is on Friday and the Mosaic District is the host for Sundays.

Each market will have their own vendors, some overlap, but all will generally follow the same rules:

• Wear a mask
• Go early to avoid a line — they’re limiting the number of people inside the market at a time
• You can’t pick your own produce — we found fruit to be pre-packaged, and the veggies were taped off so the vendors will pick for you what you order
• There are plenty of spaces to step aside and eat/drink whatever you buy in comfort
• Bring a credit card instead of cash

I know for my family, we partly go for the ambiance — beautiful weather, sometimes live music and someone cooking break fast for you. We were still able to feel that way this past Saturday at the Vienna market, and again at the Sunday one in Mosaic.

Here are some of my favorite vendors:

Vienna

• Green Heart Juice — Liquid Gold for adults, Summer Crush for kids
• Call Your Mother Bagels — Amazing everything bagels
• Mama’s Donut Bites — Apple Cider Donuts: they didn’t have the truck, but they did have a stand
• Savagely Good — Cinnamon Rolls
• Almond Croissant at the Falls Church City Market (there are several baked good vendors, but there’s one in particular that has the best croissants, also sold at Mom & Pop at Mosaic)
• McCleaf’s Orchard — Fruits and veggies
• Crepe Shop at the Vienna Market — My kids LOVE this place for breakfast. They have egg crepes, as well as savory or dessert crepes.
• Swirly Girl Creamery — Cheese

Photo by Jakub Kapusnak/Unsplash

A 5K in the Town of Vienna raised more than $10,000 to help people facing food insecurity.

Hosted by Caffe Amouri and the Vienna Business Association (VBA), the “Feeding Families 5K” let people run or walk a route winding through the town during the month of May.

The VBA posted on Facebook that the race raised $10,289.

Small businesses, including Caboose Tavern, Grass Roots Fitness and PizzaRoni, provided more than 70 prizes and donated thousands of dollars to the race, according to the post.

“We also received thousands in donations from Vienna citizens, and had over 260 people participate in the run/walk!” the post said. All of the donations from the race are going to support local families facing food insecurity.

The race had four award categories: fastest time running or walking (under 60) and fastest time walking or running. Additionally, 67 prizes were awarded to people in a random drawing, the post said.

“We have such and amazing community and the generosity that has spilled out into various avenues of help during these trying times is just beautiful!” the post said.

While the race is over, people can still donate to the efforts to fight food insecurity by either contacting the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook Group or choosing the option to purchase grocery packs for families from Caboose Brewing. People can email Lydia Russo at [email protected] for more information.

Image via Caffe Amouri/Facebook

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Slow Down in Virginia — “The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association reported only 959 coronavirus patients in state hospitals, the lowest number since the organization began providing data in early April. That was down from over 1,500 patients as recently as May 29 and a high of 1,625 on May 8.  Only 342 of those patients were in Northern Virginia, down from a high of 818 on April 30.” [Inside NoVa]

Calls to Rename Schools With Confederate Ties — “[The] Falls Church City’s Public School Board is faced with calls to change the names of one or both of its five schools that are currently named for men who were slaveholders at the time of the nation’s founding.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Support for Vienna Police — “Vienna Town Manager Mercury Payton usually kicks off Town Council work sessions by listing the evening’s agenda, but on June 8 he began with something from the heart: a statement addressing protests that recently have swept the nation after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Payton… signaled his support for Vienna police and said it was not the time to divest from law enforcement.” [Inside NoVa]

Unemployment Claims — “More than 100,000 Fairfax County residents have now filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic began in mid-March as the region’s job market continues to struggle to recover from business shutdowns.” [Inside NoVa]

Locals can use more indoor and outdoor facilities now that Fairfax County has entered the second phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announced today that its athletic fields have reopened for permitted use. Its basketball courts and playgrounds are also open.

“There is no special cleaning of playground equipment; visitors use at their own risk and must adhere to social distancing guidelines,” according to FCPS.

FCPS noted that the decision was based on guidelines from state and local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People can also start using indoor pools — outdoor pools opened during the first reopening phase — and head to fitness centers, which can open at 30% occupancy. Zoos and botanical gardens may also allow people to come back.

In the Town of Vienna, the Vienna Dog Park, tennis courts and the Community Garden reopened today and playgrounds will reopen Saturday (June 13).

Meanwhile, the City of Falls Church is now allowing people to use its playgrounds and picnic shelters. Its tennis courts are available by reservation-only for residents.

Photo by tommy boudreau on Unsplash

On Friday, Northern Virginia localities will head into the second phase of rolling back COVID-19 restrictions. The Town of Vienna shared today what people can expect.

Community events have been canceled through August, and the town plans to offer virtual programming this summer, like no- and low-touch summer camps starting July 6.

Here’s an overview of the town’s tentative changes:

• Town Hall reopens to the public July 6 (currently open by appointment only)
• Vienna Community Center reopens July 6
• playgrounds reopen Saturday (June 13)
• Teen Center, Bowman House, Freeman Store & Museum, Town Green rentals and basketball courts remain closed

Tomorrow, the park restrooms, tennis courts, the Vienna Dog Park and the Community Garden will reopen.

Town officials will continue to meet virtually under a continuity of governance ordinance with occupancy capped at 26 people in the Council Chambers.

Local shop owners say they are seeing a run on bicycles thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. 

With both limited public transportation and social activity, people have gravitated towards cycling as a way to get outside. As a result, local bike stores have seen a massive rise in sales. 

“Our service area is seeing an unprecedented level of demand,” said Tim Fricker, the owner of Bikes@Vienna in Vienna. But for residents seeking a quick tuneup before hitting the road, they may have to wait a little longer with Fricker reporting a turnaround time of about seven weeks. 

“The longest turnaround time I can recall in the past is a few times where we hit three weeks,” he added. “There has been nothing like this.”

Bikes@Vienna sells “conventional bicycles” in addition to specialty bikes such as recumbent bikes and trikes, folding bikes, adaptive bikes, electric bikes and trikes. While they haven’t sold out on conventional bikes, Fricker predicts that most other shops and distributors have. 

Bikenetic in Falls Church, for example, is anticipating first-time and impulse-buyers to flock to the store. Inventory for entry-level riders has yet to be replenished, though.

“All of the companies we deal with have also run out of bikes and are waiting for purchase orders to fill back in from Asia,” said Jan Feuchtner, the owner of Bikenetic.

The store is also experiencing a delayed turnaround. Feuchtner reported also being seven weeks out on repairs with about 300 bikes in the queue, which is double the number of bikes they usually have backlogged. 

To adapt to the demand, Bikes@Vienna created heavier structure and discipline to better manage workflow. Fricker said they eliminated “while you wait” services with the exception of mid-ride issues such as a flat tire.

Additionally, they tweaked certain services due to the coronavirus pandemic. No customers are permitted in the store at any time, walk-in test rides are not allowed and payment is handled over the phone.

Fricker anticipates that typical bike stores will see a steep drop in sales once the pandemic begins to die down since the market will be “saturated.” Because of the specialty of his own store, however, he thinks Bikes@Vienna won’t be impacted as much and will have more returning customers.

Of the people who started biking because of the pandemic, some will likely continue riding when things return to normal, keeping business afloat. 

“I just don’t know what percentage will continue versus those who lose interest once the world gets back to something more normal. Time will tell.”

After noticing harm done by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vienna community members banded together to help D.C. residents in need.

Lydia Russo, who organized the fundraiser on the Vienna VA Foodies Facebook group, said that the group raised roughly $20,000 to support Martha’s Table, which works to support education programs, healthy food and family outreach.

Russo told Tysons Reporter that she was impressed with Martha’s Table’s work East of River and wanted to partner with them to benefit the Barry Farm neighborhood, which is near one of the centers for Martha’s Table.

“I wanted to go with a well-known charity because they have a well-organized program that is intertwined in the neighborhood and has a good system going,” Russo said.

In the first two days of the fundraiser, Russo said the effort raised $18,000 — far exceeding her expectations.

“My first ‘goal’ was only $1,000. Then it increased to $5,000,” she said. “Within the week, we’ve had hundreds and hundreds of people donate — children, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, people I’ve met, people I’ve never met, people who heard about the fundraiser from a friend.”

The check is set to be hand-delivered to Martha’s Table this week by Russo and both of Vienna’s incoming and outgoing mayors, Russo said.

“My hope was to show that we are all part of one larger community, and we should think of our neighbors and put our thoughts and words into action,” Russo said.

Though the fundraiser ended yesterday, Russo encourages people to organize their own fundraisers or donate to Martha’s Table directly, since the nonprofit accepts donations year-round.

Photo via Martha’s Table/Facebook

Park Party Is Over — “A video supplied by a local resident showed throngs of bathing-suit-clad youths cavorting and whooping it up and swigging alcohol at the park’s scenic waterfall… Fairfax County Park Authority officials are beefing up police presence at [Scotts Run Nature Preserve], and authorities soon will be prohibiting parking along Georgetown Pike and some nearby neighborhood streets.” [Inside NoVa]

Empty Offices — “Many companies in the county are likely to shrink their footprints to account for increased remote work, according to surveys the FCEDA has tracked, while others that may have been considering a move to Fairfax have put those searches on hold, [Victor] Hoskins said. The county’s office vacancy rate stood at 13.9% at the end of 2019, according to the county’s 2021 budget plan.” [Washington Business Journal]

Vienna Hit With Power Outage — Thunderstorms last night swept across Northern Virginia. Dominion Energy has now resolved a power outage that was affecting over 1,700 customers around 8 p.m. in the Vienna area. It was caused by a circuit outage, according to Dominion. [Dominion Energy]

ICYMI: Protest Held in McLean — “Hundreds of people chanted and marched in a Black Lives Matter protest led by six McLean High School students on Wednesday.” [Tysons Reporter]

Join our Executive Director @LJCarbonneau for this Community Conversation on how the arts & cultural organizations in the Tysons area are planning in this uncertain environment. @TysonsVAPatch @mcleanvacenter @TysonsReporter @sungazettenews @DranesvilleSup @artsfairfax https://t.co/Z9re3W3thV

— McLeanProjectForArts (@MP4A) June 10, 2020