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Votes at a glance: Falls Church council adopts hunting ban, authorizes retroactive contracts and reschedules accessory dwelling public hearing
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the council adopted an ordinance prohibiting hunting within city limits, approved two retroactive contract expenditures, rescheduled a second reading on accessory dwellings and approved the consent agenda. All measures passed unanimously (6-0).
Falls Church City Council took a series of formal actions on Feb. 24, 2025, approving several items by unanimous recorded vote (6-0). The actions include adoption of a hunting prohibition ordinance, two retroactive contract authorizations, rescheduling a public hearing on accessory dwellings, and standard consent items.
Hunting prohibition (TO25-01) Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 28 of the Falls Church City Code to prohibit hunting within municipal boundaries. Staff told council the change is intended to reduce the public-safety risk posed by stray bullets or arrows in the city’s dense urban environment. The ordinance removes a now-obsolete code subsection that previously referenced lawful hunting and concealed-carry exceptions. The ordinance was described as relying on the city’s authority under state law and will require signage to mark restricted areas; if adopted it takes effect 10 days after passage and staff said it must be submitted to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources by May 1, 2025 to be included in state regulations. Roll call: Miss Connolly — yes; Miss Downs — yes; Vice Mayor Shontes Hiscott — yes; Mister Snyder — yes; Miss Underhill — yes; Mayor Letty Hardy — yes. Motion carries 6 to 0.
Reschedule accessory dwelling public hearing (TO24-17) Council voted to reschedule the second reading and public hearing for the proposed accessory-dwelling ordinance to the regular meeting of April 14, 2025 (it had been scheduled for an April 7 work session). Multiple councilmembers made formal conflict-of-interest disclosures on the record saying they own residential property that could be eligible under the proposed ordinance but that they could participate fairly and objectively; Councilmember David Snyder confirmed his disclosure while participating remotely.
Retroactive contract approvals - Fire-suppression inspection: Council retroactively authorized an expenditure of up to $135,000 for FY2025 under the existing contract with Anne Arundel Fire Inspection Inc. Staff said routine inspections identified deficiencies that required repairs and replacement work; the city’s facilities maintenance budget will cover the item. Vote: unanimous (6-0). - Meridian High stadium turf: Council retroactively authorized an expenditure of up to $850,000 for FY2025 under an existing contract with FieldTurf USA Inc. Staff said procurement and contract steps were completed and the installation was finished in time for the start of spring sports; council was asked to retroactively approve the contract award. Vote: unanimous (6-0).
Consent agenda Council adopted the consent agenda, including appointment items listed in the packet. Vote: unanimous (6-0).
Record and next steps For the items above the council recorded each roll-call vote in the minutes. Where council approved retroactive expenditures staff said the work is complete or under way and funding will be covered in departmental budgets; staff also said it will work to avoid future retroactive approvals by tracking contract thresholds and scheduling council consideration in advance. The accessory-dwelling ordinance will return to council on April 14 for second reading and public hearing.
