July 19, 2024

Dear Providence,


At Tuesday's Board meeting, we were thrilled to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the 85th anniversary of the Fairfax County Public Library. We also designated July 2024 as Park and Recreation Month in Fairfax County. After hearing from over 60 residents, the Board deferred the decision related to Data Centers to Tuesday, July 30th. The record will remain open for written testimony and we want to hear from you.


The first installment of real estate taxes is due soon! Since the usual due date falls on Sunday this year, the Dept. of Tax Administration extended it to Monday, July 29th. If you have not received your tax bills, you can request a copy to be sent via email by contacting our Revenue Collection Division at DTARCD@fairfaxcounty.gov. You can learn about the different ways you can pay here.


Lastly, food donations are at their lowest during the summer months. If you would like to support our FCPS food pantries and GMU's Mason and Partners Clinic by donating non-perishable food items and dental supplies, you can drop them off at the Jim Scott Community Center (Mondays - Saturdays) or during our summer concert series at Mosaic District on Saturdays and at Nottoway Park on Thursdays.


With gratitude,

In this week's Palchik Post:

> July 16th Board Meeting Highlights

> What's New in Providence?

> Health and Human Services Updates

> Public Safety Updates

> Nature's Notes

> Providence Palette

> Land Use and Transportation Updates

> Upcoming Events

July 16th Board Meeting Highlights

At Tuesday's Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board recognized the 60th anniversary of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and the 85th anniversary of Fairfax County Public Libraries, and designated July 2024 as Park and Recreation Month.


I was thrilled to introduce Miranda Baxter who has joined our team as an intern this summer as part of the Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program. In addition, I presented a board matter recognizing Judge Gayl Carr.


The Board also took the following actions:

Providence District

  • Approved a resolution endorsing projects being submitted for State funding through the Commonwealth Transportation Board's FY 2026-2031 Smart Scale Program including widening the Route 7 (I-495 to I-66) for Bus Rapid Transit.
  • Approved a resolution authorizing execution of a project agreement between the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and Fairfax County for Fairfax Connector Route 798 service between Tysons West Park Transit Center and Bethesda Metrorail station.


Countywide

  • Held a public hearing and approved the proposed Plan Amendment 2023-CW-1CP related to the For-Sale Workforce Dwelling Unit Policy and Program.
  • After hearing from over 60 residents on the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment related to Data Centers, the Board deferred the decision to July 30th with the record remaining open for additional written testimony.
Access the Board meeting materials here.

What's New in Providence?

Explore Tysons with Supervisor Palchik


The Tysons Get Around Guide, brought to you by the Tysons Community Alliance, offers four routes to help you navigate to unique destinations and convenient services in Tysons. I hope you can join me in walking the Blue Route on Wednesday, July 31st from 9 am to 11 am. Meet us at the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center to join the community walk!

Walk, Bike, or Roll to Explore Tysons this Summer.

Tysons Fall Mixed Market


The Tysons Fall Mixed Market returns to The Boro in August! Tysons Community Alliance and Diverse Markets Management offers a weekly public market of crafts, jewelry, prepared/specialty food products, and more on Wednesdays from August 21st to September 25th from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Get Ready to Shop Local.

Free Online Access to Case Information


Fairfax Circuit Court launched a new online service to revolutionize access to Circuit Court Case information. This innovative platform, eCaseSearch, is designed to offer free and efficient access to non-confidential case information, providing the public with transparency and convenience. This service aims to streamline the process of accessing Circuit Court Case information and seeks to eliminate barriers to information, empowering citizens with easy access to public records.

Read more and access eCaseSearch here.

Health and Human Services Updates

COVID-19 Summer 2024 Update


COVID-19 activity is increasing across the U.S. and Virginia, including the Fairfax Health District. Emergency department visits for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 have increased to 3.3% of all emergency department visits--up from 1.2% in early June. Although still low overall, this is the highest proportion reported since late January 2024.

Read prevention reminders.

Virginia SUN Bucks


Through Virginia SUN Bucks, some families will receive money to help with the costs of groceries at places that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT benefits. Each school-age child that meets the program requirements will get a one-time $120.

Learn more about Virginia SUN Bucks.

Public Safety Updates

Third Wave of Road Shark


Between June 17th and 23rd, the FCPD worked in conjunction with the Virginia State Police in completing the third wave of the 2024 Road Shark traffic safety campaign within Fairfax County. The results continue to set the stage for the rest of the year. Our offices halted reckless drivers, arrested drunk drivers, and issued 180 hands-free citations. Wave four of Road Shark will begin on August 5th.

Nature's Notes

Park and Recreation Month Celebrates Belonging


July is dedicated to celebrating more than 1,000 full-time Fairfax County park employees, along with thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers, who maintain our 420 parks, more than 334 miles of trails, rec centers, nature centers, athletic courts and fields, historic and cultural sites, and who provide camps, classes, and special events in our community.


This year's theme, "Where You Belong," celebrates the dynamic and enriching impact that our park system has on individuals, families, and communities every day.


Explore our Fairfax County park system with tools, such as the Park Amenity Locator, and our online class catalog and registration system – Parktakes. We also invite individuals and families to explore a wide variety of free and inclusive experiences, including:

Celebrate Belonging this Park and Recreation Month.

Pilot Program to Repurpose Latex Paint and Promote Job Training


Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, in partnership with Operation Stream Shield (OSS), initiated a pilot program aimed to reduce the amount of latex paint entering the waste stream. The paint collected will be repurposed, providing job training opportunities for OSS participants, then packaged and shipped to Honduras for reuse, supporting sustainability efforts. This 12-month pilot program is a significant step towards Fairfax County's sustainability and community support goals.

Learn more about the Latex Paint Pilot Program.

Land Use and Transportation Updates

Fairfax County Awarded $50.5 Million in Federal Funding for New Low Emission Buses


The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has been awarded $50,591,220 by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase new low-emission, diesel-electric hybrid buses. This significant investment will enable FCDOT to replace older buses as part of its ongoing fleet replacement plan, improving the efficiency and sustainability of public transportation in Fairfax County.

Read more here.

Oakmont Rec Center Facility Improvements


The Oakmont Rec Center will be closed from Monday, August 19th through Saturday, September 14th due to a number of facility improvement projects set to start after summer camps come to a close.


Oakmont Rec Center members may use any of Fairfax County Park Authority's other Rec Center locations or members can make a request to pause their membership by visiting the front desk before closure begins or by submitting an online request form. The Oakmont Golf Center and Oakmont Farmers Market will remain open throughout the project.

Learn more about the project.

Upcoming Events

Date

Time

Location

Event Name

Wednesdays

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Oakmont Rec Center

Oakmont Farmers Market

Wednesdays

2:00 - 7:00 pm

Jim Scott Community Center

Providence Produce

Thursdays

5:00 - 6:30 pm

Varying Tysons Metro Stations

Metro Musicians Series

Saturdays

6:00 - 9:00 pm

Mosaic District

Mosaic Live

Multiple Dates

9:00 - 11:00 am

Fairfax Animal Shelter (Lorton and Fairfax Campuses)

Vaccine and Microchip Clinic

Tue., Jul. 23rd

2:00 - 3:00 pm

Virtual

Online Safety for Teens

Thu., Jul. 25th

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Microsoft Teams

West Falls Church Quarterly Community Meeting

Thu., Aug. 8th

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tyler Park

Wonder Wagon

Sat., Aug. 17th

9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Mason District Police Station

Car Seat Inspection Event

Sat., Sept. 14th

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department

NOVA Family Fair 2024

Sat., Sept. 21st

10:30 am - 6:00 pm

Eileen Garnett Civic Space

Taste of Annandale

Stay Connected

Office Phone: (703) 560-6946

EmailProvidence@fairfaxcounty.gov

Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/providence

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