[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6307692,"mediaKeyId","2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56","parentId",2429144,"title","Council narrows parklet naming to place‑based options; staff to return with refined list","audioSeconds",1957,"startMs",5911000,"endMs",7868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56&start=5911&end=7868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56/thumbnail_5911000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307692/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Council-narrows-parklet-naming-to-placebased-options-staff-to-return-with-refined-list","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307692-dca4fd1a84361b336a96e1b10fc60a74/orig.mp4?Expires=1774142364&Signature=GxSuJbXfEIVQrn~7c7U8wyQ~6hbv7byiO9rQQfm73UXtLlPqSUJQRj79MBOgdQgWkP6rsu-qYKWa5YIcKQxM2VWYNCoZI~zDPKYD9ZjE254JATGC88QOq~JuHJw57BeovBucttByV9~FMO2r5EtQdBR648~UFhxzAp7Nwuhuw0czO-B1c0d~2B~kl6ZWMzBLLse68IbdQ15qTynH3aoik7XNF4WCQryzT7uCOoepmPXi65SM1JuikRe~ySFkk6dNoLHeSlUlBGhJxrLZcacPo0y8W9r-MqaaorJwnH19-AKJ1eFgubjNSm1whM7IvB21ml3HB0QFJpzcqPlGCQ5TXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Falls Church Government","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","The City Council reviewed public and advisory‑board input on naming two newly completed parklets in the South Washington Street corridor and signaled a preference for place‑based names rather than naming the sites after individuals.

Staff lead Andrea Bazemore summarized outreach: staff solicited suggestions from the public and from the Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission, Historical Commission, Arts & Humanities Council and the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board. The public suggested many names; a recurring request was to recognize Christina Goodwin, a community volunteer and former chair of Aurora House who died in March 2024 and for whom a stone memorial plaza has been installed adjacent to the South Maple parklet.

Boards and commissions largely recommended geographic or history‑based names. The Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and the Planning Commission suggested names tied to the Cavalier Trail and the adjacent park for 430 South Maple Avenue; multiple commissions also recommended referencing local historic geography — for example, the nearby Rolling Road corridor — for the 190 South Washington Street site. The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation recommended recognition of African American heritage and indigenous presence in the area; the Historical Commission suggested the Foote family as a historic local name for the triangle site. Staff estimated new signage costs of roughly $10,000–$15,000 to be paid from the approved CIP Parklets project account.

Council response and next steps: several councilors said they preferred geographic names (for instance, “Cavalier Trail Plaza” or a “Rolling Road” name for the triangle) rather than memorializing an individual on the parklet itself, but several councilors and community speakers emphasized that Christina Goodwin’s contribution should be recognized. Council asked staff to narrow the list to place‑based names consistent with board recommendations and to ensure the memorial plaza that the Goodwin family funded is properly signed and interpreted so the public can see that recognition.

Ending: Staff said it would follow council direction, research the historic usage of “Cavalier” and return with a short list and background materials for the Feb. 24 public hearing and final council action.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Falls Church City Council Work Session February 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors signaled a preference for place‑based names for two South Washington Street parklets and asked staff to return with a narrowed list; they also asked that the Christina Goodwin memorial plaza be clearly signed and interpreted.","taxTitle","Falls Church City, Fairfax County, Virginia","taxId",59817,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307697,"Council gives first reading to ordinance banning hunting within Falls Church; public hearing set for Feb. 24",365,3174000,3539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56&start=3174&end=3539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56/thumbnail_3174000.jpg","/articles/6307697/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Council-gives-first-reading-to-ordinance-banning-hunting-within-Falls-Church-public-hearing-set-for-Feb-24","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307697-950f66f08b127f1e74a75b5e3dc28b80/orig.mp4?Expires=1774142364&Signature=cHrJRewcti8tkLDZzbfFRO2XC5pmRM~QQUMPC8Mfhw6cLwdnxndkjg9DMSH6bbsLPf20roPrmW9DzuW~4Ba9rw9FKEkEMtwgebPD5S0fStzuYGCtpRY7Gn9SgzyaxT-qRFn7UzbX6RJ5uCkHqpZgSPgoqUVQ273t6Wt9OTfN65nYjkdROKqHZvYwDVZGKxXUi5aa26gZ-0JOZKhMtRVumYCW4~0e0EDQXLpV9iV2JFxOO-3Ko6OFwn4sztdsz9GWTQSEQ~Ud8LmHZ~NQOp1OpYl3fVGmynv6ngWgIvynvqXrXKLhisimrAEgpoYOMGEJLJSOcbL1n7bqVP27PSajXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Falls Church City Council voted 7‑0 on Feb. 10 to grant first reading to an ordinance — TO25‑01 — that would prohibit hunting inside the city’s 2.2 square miles and would delete a subsection referencing lawful hunting in the code’s concealed‑weapons section.

Maria Rojas, executive assistant to the city attorney, presented the ordinance and said it was developed with the police department after hunting instances were reported on private property. Rojas noted that Virginia law recognizes hunting rights and requires that an ordinance prohibiting hunting inside a municipality be posted with clearly identified boundaries; she cited Virginia Code 15.2‑1113.1, which governs local prohibitions and signage requirements. The ordinance language has been written to avoid regulating traps and to preserve the city’s ability to request wildlife management assistance from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for deer‑population issues, Rojas said.

Fiscal and timing details: staff said signage will be required under state code and that the cost is expected to be nominal; if first reading is adopted on Feb. 10 the public hearing and second reading are scheduled for Feb. 24, 2025. After adoption the ordinance must be submitted to the state for inclusion in the Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest before May 1, 2025, staff added.

Council action: a councilor moved to grant first reading to TO25‑01 and schedule a Feb. 24 public hearing; the motion was seconded by Councilor Connolly. The clerk called the roll; the council recorded seven yes votes and the motion carried 7‑0.

Ending: Staff will return for the Feb. 24 public hearing and second reading; councilors and staff noted the ordinance is intended to address safety concerns raised by stray projectiles in the city’s densely populated area while preserving the city’s legal ability to pursue wildlife management options where appropriate.

","The City Council approved first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit hunting within the municipal boundaries of Falls Church, remove a related concealed‑weapons reference, and require signage as specified by state code; the measure passed 7‑0 and a public hearing and second reading are scheduled for Feb. 24, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307702,"Falls Church pilot suggests a full‑time behavioral health clinician to support police, schools and HHS",1965,3939000,5904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56&start=3939&end=5904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56/thumbnail_3939000.jpg","/articles/6307702/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Falls-Church-pilot-suggests-a-fulltime-behavioral-health-clinician-to-support-police-schools-and-HHS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307702-2eae64eecb188cc3f5e6947f35398a1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774142364&Signature=WLd8-IXh7wv7eI3w7--wA1ILwSciGX2m01F7754eeXIoRTgsekkY6Af-fH9kBstxqno0sSrcPhHP-HTzXFBBzDX16e4HeEEUxtjP8uoyePDNCLzT19hstM0OHPoWb0HLLkEFebflSmH2-0KQw5XgzcxvBXFcTh1BmqkGtKUhm2farSA0YNmJ4T4UzeFC6PZoHTLHgLoeIOX2wZ8IPOdYpzgOTidvQlQDoO3iVgtIZGv7wP0DFi5rtwHgh9CycZWQF-Exyny57~VbvG3q5uQDT9kjTpW37rwOegb3h9NTF-s6Ga8nDqHVA8FyyE1V-bDMBfKz2HS5sTTtOVvdD1DFDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented results of a year‑long co‑responder pilot on Feb. 10 and recommended the city consider hiring a full‑time behavioral health clinician to support the police department, schools and the Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS).

Dr. Tanisha Bracey, a clinical counselor at Aurora House who led the pilot, said the Marcus Alert framework requires coordinated responses to behavioral‑health 911 calls but that the city’s experience working under the Fairfax‑Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) left gaps the pilot exposed. The pilot provided clinician support on outreach to unhoused individuals, consultations with schools, and clinical advice during psychiatric crises, Bracey told council.

Bracey summarized what the pilot revealed: limited information‑sharing between behavioral‑health providers and police, obstacles created by differing legal jurisdictions, few direct referral avenues, and the fact that police case management of these situations is time consuming. Based on the work, staff proposed a single, full‑time clinician — licensed or licensure‑eligible — housed within HHS with clinical supervision provided by Dr. Bracey. The clinician would provide consultation, initial intervention, linkage to services, and case‑management follow‑up rather than function as a 24/7 emergency responder.

Police Chief Ford said Falls Church officers already use a crisis‑intervention model, with a high proportion of patrol and investigative staff trained in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) methods and continuing de‑escalation and refresher training. He said co‑response teams provide an alternative to arrest by supplying non‑law‑enforcement resources during crises.

Councilors pressed for more data to support a new full‑time position. Councilor Snyder questioned the volume of calls — noting a slide with roughly 81 behavioral‑health calls in a year — and asked whether that justified an FTE. Bracey and HHS Director Dana Jones responded that the pilot’s slide counts only incidents explicitly coded as “mental‑health” or “suicide,” and that many other calls for service include behavioral‑health elements that are not captured by that single category. Jones said HHS has more requests related to unhoused residents and that a dedicated clinician would free HHS staff and police to handle more cases without repeated follow‑up.

Several council members said they supported the pilot and the goal of reducing police burden and improving outcomes, but asked staff to return with more data: a clearer count of incidents with behavioral‑health involvement (including calls not coded exclusively as mental‑health), average officer time spent on such calls, and comparative models from similar jurisdictions such as Fairfax City.

Ending: Staff said the recommendation is a pre‑budget discussion point; any hiring would be considered alongside other priorities in the FY26 budget. Council asked staff to provide additional data on incident volume, time‑on‑scene and outcomes, and to benchmark models used by nearby jurisdictions.

","A city pilot pairing a clinician with police response to behavioral‑health calls found gaps in information sharing and follow‑up capacity; staff recommended considering a full‑time clinician housed in Human Services to provide clinical consultation, case management and linkages, with any hiring to be considered in the FY26 budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307706,"Retirement board reports solid returns, details $12.9 million ‘water sale’ reserve",1285,635000,1920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56&start=635&end=1920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2429144-9992a385b082377efbeab7697f998b56/thumbnail_635000.jpg","/articles/6307706/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Retirement-board-reports-solid-returns-details-129-million-water-sale-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307706-7263c35f99d652cd00a3a5b10c905772/orig.mp4?Expires=1774142364&Signature=FqVf6r7~~2Mfuz~xlACLIusEONymTRqvj6GDuTFgh8hsLpgR1SRb6KXZKSB4DZPJSsbwa1AOM3dsAmmuln3ZP~z7T8GZjgYiMbQq4rWSGeg2hJCJtVhoEV~O6otmff~5pT5yUoYVY1MtCvOJedpKBf9iw3b1AuB82i9V~ftb7KoC2GbaKcI95295986i-J2TKZTIGzYD4U29b53a4niVClG19gseqFZGiChX4PBgzikELs-IT6EhXiqdkOeflWTlGxYJ0sd9XrN06BKiOYlZUqwZw07~xawvLITjxsv7mBarhRkOSLYnus4R7gOwC945vHdt1tom163xGQ2bzw0RaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connie Rydberg, chair of the City of Falls Church Retirement Board, told the City Council on Feb. 10 that the board’s pension and post-retirement benefit plans finished FY24 with above‑assumption investment returns and steady funded status.

Rydberg said the combined market value for the two pension plans was about $135 million for the basic plan and $45 million for the police plan, and that FY24 returns for the pension plans were about 12.4 percent. The city’s OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) trust is smaller — about $21 million — and returned about 14.8 percent in FY24. She said the longer term, seven‑year average annual return across plans is roughly 8.7–8.8 percent, above the board’s 6.5 percent long‑term assumption.

The report highlighted the fate of proceeds from the 2015 sale of the city’s water system. Rydberg said the city invested $9.2 million of sale proceeds into the retirement plans as an endowment; the principal has grown to about $9.8 million and the city’s reserve account stands at about $3.1 million, for a total “water sale money” balance of approximately $12.9 million. The retirement board averages endowment earnings over five years when calculating the annual amount available to the city and noted a statutory or policy maximum annual draw of $825,000; the city typically uses about $640,000 per year, Rydberg said.

Why it matters: the board’s presentation framed the plans as financially steady and emphasized that the water‑sale endowment has provided recurring value to the city since 2015. Council members asked how the reserve is treated in city financial statements and whether the reserve counts toward general fund balances.

City Manager Bryn Shields and Rydberg explained administrative treatment: the water‑sale reserve is held within the pension plan itself and therefore is not part of the city’s unassigned fund balance, but it is reflected in the city’s financial reporting that bondholders and auditors review, which can make the city’s overall fiscal picture look stronger.

Council members questioned operational details and next steps. Councilor Underhill and others asked whether the annual $825,000 cap meant the city could not spend more than that amount in a single year even if the reserve had grown; Rydberg and staff confirmed the legal limit is $825,000, and decisions about use are a council responsibility, not a retirement‑board one. Councilor Snyder asked whether the board sees “storm clouds”; Rydberg answered that the board continues to monitor regulatory and market developments and that the board recently added outside counsel and advisors to help manage regulatory change.

Ending: Council thanked Rydberg and the retirement board for stewardship and stable investment results. No formal action by council was required during the presentation; the retirement board’s report will remain part of the city’s record and inform FY26 financial planning.

","The City of Falls Church Retirement Board told council its pension and OPEB plans produced strong returns in FY24 and that water-sale proceeds invested in the plans now total about $12.9 million, with a city reserve of roughly $3.1 million and an annual withdrawal cap of $825,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council narrows parklet naming to place‑based options; staff to return with refined list

Council gives first reading to ordinance banning hunting within Falls Church; public hearing set for Feb. 24

Falls Church pilot suggests a full‑time behavioral health clinician to support police, schools and HHS

Retirement board reports solid returns, details $12.9 million ‘water sale’ reserve