county government

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Wins Diversity Award — The National League of Cities has presented Arlington with its 2012 Cultural Diversity Award. The awards showcase “examples of how cities achieve excellence in diversity, promotes the positive results of ‘total community collaboration’ and honors community leadership in developing creative and effective programs to improve cultural diversity.” [Arlington County]

Hen Raising Critics Speak Out — Critics of a proposal to allow backyard hen raising in Arlington spoke out during Saturday’s County Board meeting. “Send it to the slaughterhouse,” civic activist Robert Atkins said of the proposal, which is supported by a group called the Arlington Egg Project. Critics say backyard hens could produce noise, odors and neighborly conflicts, among other ill effects. [Sun Gazette]

Hagel to Speak at Marymount Commencement — Arlington-based Marymount University announced yesterday that former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) will be its 2012 commencement speaker. Hagel will address Marymount grads at D.A.R. Constitution Hall on Sunday, May 20.

Flickr pool photo by Divaknevil

Planning Director Resigns Five Months After Hiring

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County planning director Peter Katz, an author and nationally recognized proponent of the New Urbanism movement, has abruptly resigned after less than five months on the job.

Katz resigned yesterday, effective immediately, according to Arlington County Director of Communications Diana Sun. The resignation was first reported by the Arlington Mercury.

In a prepared written statement, Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development Director Robert Brosnan suggested the resignation followed a realization that Katz was not the right person for the job.

Peter Katz is a well-known proponent of the New Urbanism (smart growth) movement, and has played a key role in shaping the movement.

Peter and we have come to a mutual agreement that his passion and energies are better suited to consulting than to staff work. Though we both worked hard to make it work, it just ultimately wasn’t the right fit, which we regret.

The role of Planning Director is a key one in Arlington and we will take immediate steps to fill the position.

We wish Peter all the best in his career and future endeavors.

Robert Brosnan, Director
Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development

Update at 4:25 p.m. — Arlington County Human Resources Director Marcy Foster says the standard salary of a planning director in Arlington is $150,000. That would put Katz’s to-date compensation at about $60,000. Foster could not say whether Katz would receive a severance package, citing privacy reasons. Former county manager Michael Brown’s $110,000 severance payment was revealed, she said, because Brown was under contract, whereas Katz was a county employee.

Affordable Housing Tips at “Housing 4 Hipsters” Event

By Katie Pyzyk

Trying to find affordable housing in Arlington can often seem like a daunting task. But Arlington County’s Housing Division wants to make it less intimidating with a “Housing 4 Hipsters” event.

This event is aimed at young professionals and those who employ young professionals. According to Doug Myrick with the county’s Housing Division, the goal is to show young people the many forms of housing assistance that are available. He stresses it’s not reserved just for those in low income brackets.

“We want people to understand there is housing assistance available across a wide range of incomes,” Myrick said. “When people see government assistance, they often think it must be for low income or they won’t qualify.”

Myrick said there are 6,500 units in Arlington that qualify for a rent price based on an individual’s income. There are also income-based deals available on mortgages with lower interest rates, in addition to money lending programs to help with down payment and closing costs.

Attendees can expect a casual, happy hour atmosphere where representatives from county and state housing agencies will be on hand to chat and give advice. Representatives from three mortgage lenders will also be available for assistance.

The event will be held on March 12 at Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill (2424 Wilson Blvd) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free food will be provided and $2,000 worth of door prizes, such as Redskins tickets and interior design services, will be given away.

This is the first event of its kind in Arlington, but the county hopes to hold one each quarter in different neighborhoods throughout the region. It is not necessary to currently live in Arlington in order to qualify for assistance, simply to want to move to the county.

The Housing 4 Hipsters event is free and no registration is required. For additional information, contact Doug Myrick at 703-228-3786 or [email protected].

Arlington Seeking ‘Streetcar System Manager’

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County is looking to hire a “Streetcar System Manager,” to help with the county’s $250 million Columbia Pike streetcar project. The full-time position is advertised as paying between $72,000 and $119,000 annually.

From a job posting on the county’s website:

Exciting, unique opportunity to be on the ground floor of a new multi-jurisdictional Streetcar System. Over the next decade, Arlington County, in partnership with Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria, will develop two streetcar corridors, which will ultimately operate as a unified streetcar system. The Streetcar System Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the County’s effort to design, finance, and construct the streetcar system including a wide variety of planning, project management and program management duties:

  • Leading the day-to-day development process within the County and coordinating legal and public processes required by jurisdictional partners and state and federal funding and oversight agencies;
  • Providing financial oversight to ensure that millions of dollars in public investment are spent in a responsible, cost-effective manner to ensure maximum grant-fund reimbursement, preparing budget requests for funding, and investigating additional funding sources;
  • Researching, analyzing, and recommending alternative methodologies, for funding, constructing, operating and maintaining the streetcar system;
  • Managing the contracting, contract administration and contract monitoring processes, including developing bid and proposal packages;
  • Directing and/or managing the work of, architectural and engineering consultants, construction management firms, and construction contractors ;
  • Building partner relationships and serving as primary spokesperson with news media and the general public; and
  • Developing systems, maintaining records and preparing written reports that provide for the proper evaluation, control and documentation of project activities.

Besides local funding, the project will also be funded through grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). The Streetcar System Manager shall have a thorough understanding of the requirements and processes of the FTA for project approval, funding and oversight. This employee leads the Streetcar Section within the Transit Bureau where project development and streetcar program work will be accomplished using internal and external matrix teams, including County employees and a wide variety of contractors. Depending upon the eventual partnership agreements, organizational structure, and federal requirements associated with funding streams, it is likely that the section will grow to include permanent county staff, especially as development moves toward the construction and operation stages.

The position reports to the Transit Bureau Chief within the Transportation Division of the Department of Environmental Services. The County’s proposed streetcar system is multi-jurisdictional and depending upon the evolution and development of the system, at some time in the future this position and its functions may be transferred to a separate entity created to manage the streetcar system.

As of September, county officials were hoping to begin construction on the Columbia Pike streetcar system in 2015 and have it up and running in 2017. Earlier this month officials gave a community presentation in which they discussed a number of alternative options to the streetcar, including building an articulated bus system along Columbia Pike.

Arlington County to Hold Government Career Fair

By Katie Pyzyk

If you’re looking for a job, maybe Arlington County has what you need. The County is holding a free career fair for positions within the county government and Arlington County Schools.

The career fair will take place on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the lower level auditorium of the Arlington Employment Center (2100 Washington Blvd).

Representatives from 22 agencies will be on hand to speak with job candidates. Some of the opportunities include law enforcement, administrative assistants, education, finance and IT.

Resumes will not be accepted at the fair, it is for informational purposes only. All of Arlington’s job applications are now accepted online. Representatives at the fair can answer questions about specific jobs and give guidance about applying to the County.

Click here to register in advance for the career fair, although attendees are welcome to just show up without pre-registering.

Facility Provides Housing to Seniors With Disabilities

By ARLnow.com

A new county facility recently opened to provide housing and care to low-income seniors with intellectual disabilities.

The Mary Marshall Assisted Living Residence first opened in November after $8.2 million in renovations. Officials held an open house this morning to show off the facility. Located at 2000 5th Street S. near Fort Myer, the residence boasts 52 apartments for adults 55 or older who meet low income criteria and who have a mental illness, or an intellectual or developmental disability.

The facility’s open house is coming at a time when Virginia is planning to close four of its five large state facilities for the mentally disabled, in favor of smaller, community-based residences (like Mary Marshall).

“We know smaller, community-based settings are the best places for people with intellectual disabilities and people with mental illness to receive the care they need,” said Mike King, president of Volunteers of America, a national faith-based nonprofit that’s helping Arlington County run the residence. “Mary Marshall is one of the first facilities of its kind in the United States, and we hope it will become a model of care for the growing number of seniors living with these kinds of disabilities.”

“Improved care has helped [intellectually disabled seniors] live longer, healthier lives than they could in the past,” noted Volunteers of America spokesman David Burch. “Today, as they’ve reached old age, these people now face their existing disabilities plus new issues, like limited mobility and vision, resulting from aging.”

Potential residents will be referred to Mary Marshall by the Arlington County Department of Human Services.

Duplicate Real Estate Assessments Sent Due to Error

By Katie Pyzyk

Real estate assessments were mailed out to Arlington residents several weeks ago, but there appears to be a glitch with some of them. A number of home owners reported being confused about why they received more than one assessment.

Assessor Tommy Rice explains that there were errors in some addresses, and unit numbers were erroneously omitted on some envelopes. Although the postal service managed to get some of the mailings to the correct recipients, not all made it to their destinations. Therefore, second notices with complete addresses were sent to all affected property owners. The actual assessments were not altered.

Blame apparently lies with the software used by the county’s print shop. Arlington will be recovering the costs of the duplicate mailings from the software vendor.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

General Assembly Votes to Lift Gun Purchase Limit — The Virginia General Assembly has voted to lift the state’s limit of one gun purchase per month. The limit, which has been in place since 1993, was intended to reduce gun trafficking and gun-related crimes. Sen. Janet Howell (D), who represents part of Arlington, said lifting the limit could turn Virginia into a “gun-runners’ paradise.” [Washington Post]

Arlington’s Triple-AAA Rating Reaffirmed — Arlington has once again received a top AAA rating from each of the three major bond rating agencies. “With these ratings, the County will be able to continue making critical capital investments at the lowest possible cost to residents and businesses,” said County Manager Barbara Donnellan. [Arlington County]

Library Launches New Web Site — Arlington’s library system revealed a newly-designed web site over the weekend. The new library site includes “fresher-looking pages… richer graphics… catalog browsing that might remind you of strolling the shelves… a friendlier study room reservation system… [and] a customized events calendar with more options to find what you want.” [Arlington Public Library]

New Leadership for BRAVO — The nonprofit Buyers and Renters Arlington Voice (BRAVO) has appointed a new Executive Director. Dennis Jaffe, a longtime community activist, says he’s looking forward to advocating for the rights and needs of tenants in Arlington County. “I have a personal mission… and that is to increase tenants’ connectedness to each other and to the Arlington community,” Jaffe said in a statement. Tenants make up about 57 percent of the Arlington County population, according to BRAVO.

Plea Expected in County Fair Embezzlement Case

By ARLnow.com

A plea is expected in the case of a former county employee accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from the Arlington County Fair.

Denise Marshall Roller, 48, is facing 11 felony charges including embezzlement, forgery and conducting unlawful financial transactions. The Fredericksburg, Va. resident worked as the fair’s event manager between 2005 and 2011, under a Memorandum of Understanding between Arlington County (her employer) and the nonprofit that runs the fair.

According to court records, Marshall Roller is expected to enter a plea in Arlington County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Jan. 31. She was indicted by a grand jury in September and was originally slated to stand trial on Monday, Jan. 23.

Photo courtesy Arlington County Sheriff’s Office

Arlington Property Values on the Rise

By Katie Pyzyk

For the second year in a row, Arlington’ assessed property values have gone up. Overall, 2012 real estate assessments increased by 6.6 percent.

Commercial property experienced significant growth, increasing by 13.5 percent. That puts the commercial tax base at its highest level ever, accounting for 49% of the county’s real estate tax base.

“Our commercial properties are in strong demand, particularly apartment and office buildings,” Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan said in a statement. “This is our second year of economic recovery — very good news for our community.”

Single family properties, including condominiums, town houses and attached homes, saw a more modest increase of 1.8 percent.

Real estate assessments will be mailed out today to all Arlington property owners. They will also be available online starting at 5:00 p.m.

The increase in property assessments will mean additional revenue for Arlington County, in the form of higher real estate tax payments, in Fiscal Year 2013. Donnellan’s proposed budget for FY 2013 will be presented next month.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Seeks Contractor to ‘Dump Bodies’ — Updated on 1/6/12 — This article has been corrected. Earlier: Among the “just in case” categories of contracting work for which Arlington County is seeking potential applicants is corpse handling. Listed under the heading “Dump Bodies,” the job would be awarded in the event of a disaster involving mass casualties. [Washington Business Journal]

Local Dems to Require Loyalty Oath, Too — The Republican Party of Virginia has been facing some scrutiny over its plan to require voters in the upcoming Republican presidential primary to sign a “loyalty oath.” Arlington Democrats, however, are planning to require something very similar for participants in their upcoming County Board caucuses. Caucus voters will be required to sign a statement pledging their support for the eventual Democratic County Board nominee. [Ode Street Tribune]

Cap City Launches Sunday Brunch Service — Capitol City Brewing Company in Shirlington is now serving brunch on Sundays. The brunch service, which features familiar brunch fare and “free-flowing” cocktails for a fixed price of $15.95, started on Jan. 1. [Facebook]

Obama to Visit Pentagon — President Obama is scheduled to visit the Pentagon around 10:50 this morning. While there, the president is slated to deliver a speech that will guide the Defense Department’s upcoming budget decisions. The speech comes as the Pentagon faces hundreds of billions of dollars in budget cuts. [Associated Press]

View More Stories