The Fairfax City Council on Oct. 14 unanimously adopted its meeting agenda and the consent calendar, took unanimous action enacting a change to the city retirement code for nonvested participants, and—after a public hearing on proposed amendments to the city’s firearms ordinance—voted unanimously to defer final action to the council’s Oct. 28 meeting.

Adoption of agenda and consent calendar
Council moved early in the meeting to adopt the agenda as presented and to approve the consent agenda, including minutes from the Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 meetings and scheduling a public hearing requesting that the General Assembly consider three city‑charter amendments related to transient occupancy tax, election timing, and compensation for boards and commissions. The consent agenda motions passed by roll call vote without opposition.

Retirement‑plan code amendment enacted
JC Martinez, the city’s chief financial officer, presented a staff proposal from the Retirement Administrative Committee addressing city supplemental retirement plan accounts for employees who separate before vesting (seven years). Under the new ordinance, if a nonvested participant does not elect a lump‑sum payout or a rollover within 90 days of separation, the city will automatically distribute accumulated employee contributions after 90 days subject to federal limits; balances above $1,000 will be rolled into an individual retirement account as required by the Internal Revenue Code. Martinez said the change responds to many separated participants who do not make an election and reduces administrative burden on HR and finance. The council voted to enact the ordinance unanimously.

Firearms ordinance public hearing; council defers action
Brian Lokeman, city attorney, reminded council that state law preempts local regulation of firearm purchase, possession and transfer except where the General Assembly has authorized enumerated prohibitions. He said the proposed city amendments would align the city’s prohibited locations with Fairfax County by adding city‑permitted events and adjacent sidewalks/rights of way and would increase penalties. The council held a public hearing at which seven speakers registered in advance and several additional residents spoke. Public comment included both opposition and support: speakers opposing broader restrictions emphasized training and background checks for concealed‑handgun permitting; speakers supporting the amendments said they would make city events safer and align the city with surrounding jurisdictions. After the public hearing the council voted unanimously to defer formal action on the ordinance to the Oct. 28 regular meeting, allowing additional time for deliberation.

Other items
The council received several proclamations and ceremonial items (Domestic Violence Awareness Month, support your local Chamber of Commerce Day, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month) and accepted a $250,000 donation presented by the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department toward refurbishment of a ladder truck. There was public comment on solid‑waste cart placement from residents of townhouse neighborhoods and a general‑comment speaker who urged continued sidewalk and code‑enforcement attention to maintain walkability.

Ending: next steps and timing
The retirement‑plan ordinance is enacted and effective per council action. The firearms ordinance remains under consideration; council set a date certain of Oct. 28 for final action and noted staff and the attorney will be available for follow‑up. The consent calendar items (including scheduling of the charter‑amendment public hearing) were approved and will proceed to the advertised hearing and required follow‑up steps.