Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure And Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fairfax council approves bridge contract, advances zoning changes and tightens rental‑inspection enforcement; dog‑park fees adopted
Summary
Council awarded the West Cemetery Road bridge construction contract and engineering services, held hearings on a pickleball courts project, advanced new multifamily zoning bulk standards for a second reading, approved multiple pay applications, adopted a dog‑park key‑card ordinance and discussed expanding enforcement of a new rental‑inspection program.
The Fairfax City Council on Jan. 13 adopted several resolutions and advanced zoning and inspection policies while managing a contentious personnel dispute.
Contracts and public works
The council awarded the construction contract for the West Cemetery Road bridge replacement to the low bidder, Schroeder Construction, after a public hearing and bid opening. City engineer Shane Wick reported the engineer’s estimate at roughly $1.33 million and stated the low bid came in under that estimate; council approved the award and later adopted a construction engineering services agreement for Origin/Hall (contracted services) totaling roughly $271,000.
The council also opened and closed a public hearing for the pickleball and tennis courts project, accepted the bidding schedule and will consider award recommendations after bids are opened as scheduled.
Budget and pay applications
Council approved multiple pay applications and purchase orders on roll call, including: the final pay application for the fire station addition (around $13,919.72), pay application No. 3 for the West Cemetery Road realignment (approx. $116,212.45), and pay application No. 4 for the Heartland Heights Park restroom/pavilion (about $24,400.33). The council also approved a purchase order for fire‑department equipment (~$10,613) tied to a new truck arriving in March.
Zoning and parks
Building administrator Eric presented proposed amendments to the Fairfax zoning ordinance to add 1RM and 2RM multifamily bulk zoning categories (smaller unit and lot minimums intended to create additional modestly denser housing options in limited locations). Council approved the ordinance’s first reading and opted not to suspend rules for immediate final adoption; staff will return with more examples and visuals at the next reading.
On parks policy, council approved revisions to the off‑leash dog‑park permit system and fees. The council adopted an access‑control key‑card system, set replacement and annual fees, and passed the ordinance after suspending rules to conduct all three readings in one meeting.
Rental inspections enforcement
Councilors discussed enforcement of a recently adopted rental‑inspection ordinance covering roughly 110–115 dwelling units in Fairfax. Eric said inspections have uncovered safety hazards—missing smoke/CO detectors, inadequate means of egress, unsanitary conditions—and asked council to empower staff to bring unregistered rental units into compliance. Council members asked to clarify exemptions, with several indicating they would limit variances to immediate family members (parents, siblings, children) and expect property owners with more than one parcel to be treated as landlords for inspection purposes.
What comes next
Staff will return with additional materials for the second reading of the multifamily ordinance, bid results and award recommendations for the park courts project, and more precise cost details for engineering and construction contracts. The council also asked the city attorney to review the legality of the clerk non‑reappointment and to report back at the January 20 meeting.
Quotes
"The engineer’s estimate was approximately $1.33 million; the low bid was below that figure," City Engineer Shane Wick said as he presented the bridge plans and bids.
"We found properties lacking basic safety items," Eric, the building administrator, said regarding rental inspections. "These inspections are vital for the health and safety of these folks living here."
