These minutes were approved at the September meeting. The minutes from the September meeting will be posted in October.
On June 17, 2008 at 7:32 PM, President Redmond called the June meeting of the Virginia Hills Citizens Association (VHCA) to order at the Old Virginia Hills School. The speaker scheduled for the June meeting was going to be late, so President Redmond began the business meeting immediately.
The minutes from the April meeting were approved as written.
Officer Reports
Vice President's Report: Vice President Boulter gave brief reports on upcoming Land Use items for Springfield Mall and BRAC, and discussed the status of various road improvements:
- Springfield Mall: The developer of the Springfield Mall area approached the Land Use Committee to discuss implementing Phase I of the mall upgrade. Many of the proposals are allowed by right, but bring with them concern of increasing the density and traffic near the Metro station. Vice President Doug Boulter advised the VHCA that a wait and see approach should be adopted for the second phase until the developer is finished with the initial phase to see how it affects traffic in the area. Meanwhile the Land Use Committee has put off any decision for Phase II until Fall 2008.
- Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC): Fairfax County is reviewing proposals for planning and zoning changes for the area related to BRAC. Currently, it appears that anything is eligible for BRAC. BRAC is looking at the warehouses near the Springfield Mall, an apartment complex in Jefferson Manor, and many sites near the Engineer Proving Grounds. The Land Use Committee will review all BRAC nominations this summer and many of the nominations could be downgraded. Vice President Doug Boulter advised that the committee will look at the nominations as a whole vice piecemeal, since this will definitely affect density and traffic.
- South Kings Highway at Harrison Lane: This project has been funded since 2004-2005 and was expected to be completed in 2008. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) now states that the project will start in the summer of 2008 and should be completed by the end of 2009. The work will entail creating a left turn lane going south on South Kings Highway as well as creating a right turn lane onto Harrison Lane going north on South Kings Highway. Additionally, VDOT may be raising South Kings Highway near Queen Street in order to increase visibility.
One resident raised the issue storm drains only being built along South Kings Highway in the vicinity of the new work instead of all the way up to Memorial Street. Vice President Doug Boulter advised that the VHCA residents living along South Kings Highway should reach out to Lee District Supervisor McKay and State Delegate Mark Sickles about this issue.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Dick Wright reported that the VHCA checking account balance was $7,779.78 and that the Dominion Power credit was $52.66.
Membership Report: Vice President Boulter reported that membership for 2007-2008, as of April 8th, was 166. He indicated that the new membership campaign would begin in August for the 2008-2009 year.
Echo Editor's Report: Editor Doug Boulter reported that the advertising revenues were $388.00. Actual printing costs were $381.52 for a net gain of $6.48. Mr. Boulter stated that the Echo has picked up a couple of new advertisers. Mr. Boulter reminded VHCA members to patronize our advertisers and to let him know if they knew of any small businesses that might like to advertise in the Echo. One resident raised the concern that Echo patron, Primo's, appears to be refusing to honor the discount once provided to VHCA residents. Secretary Ralph Zecca was asked to look further into this issue.
Old Business:
Election of officers: President Redmond presented the Executive Committee's slate of officers for the next term consisting of: for President, Doug Boulter; Vice President, Ralph Zecca; Treasurer, Dick Wright; Secretary, Esther Miraco; Membership Director, Andre Redmond; Echo Editor, Doug Boulter. President Redmond asked if there were any nominations from the floor. In the absence of any such nominations, a motion was made to close the nominations. It was then seconded and unanimously passed. The slate of officers was elected by acclimation.
New Business:
Meeting calendar for upcoming year. Vice President Doug Boulter suggested the following schedule for next year's VHCA meetings: September 9th, December 9th, February 10th, April 21st (moved from second Tuesday due to Easter), June 16th (moved from second Tuesday due to the primary election). A motion to accept these dates was made, seconded, and unanimously passed.
Neighborhood Watch: One VHCA member asked about reviving the Neighborhood Watch. The Executive Board advised that this is a good idea, but it would require volunteers to serve as block captains and watch personnel.
Announcements:
Vice President Boulter announced that VHCA will notify Fairfax County Public Schools that the playground needs maintenance, particularly the fill under the swings which has been worn away.
The Executive Board asked VHCA members to think about community-building activities that could be implemented to increase membership and a sense of community throughout the Virginia Hills area. Some ideas that were discussed included reviving the old Virginia Hills Halloween Parade and/or Summer Parade.
December VHCA Meeting: Due to low attendance at last year's Holiday Party, VHCA will look at the possibility of replacing this year's party with a speaker.
The Executive Board announced that it would try to get the following speakers next year: Delegate Mark Sickles (reschedule from the June meeting), Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, SFDC Director Laura Fritts, Fairfax County Strike Force, Fairfax County Consumer Protection.
There being no other business, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the business meeting at 8:45 PM. Following the business meeting, the speaker was Alex Lee of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph M. Zecca, Jr.
Secretary