Reston Association CEO Reflects on 2016

“There is much going in the organization at this time of year as we prepare our facilities for the cold winter months, respond to resident questions about the annual Assessment, and prepare for the 2017 program and services season,” she wrote.

Fulkerson then detailed a long list of achievements that she said took “a great deal of planning, collaboration and innovative thinking” on the part of directors, committees and staff to complete.

The report includes her reflections on the:

New capital projects management process. The managing of capital projects and funding has become a hot-button issue the past couple of years. Fulkerson praised the new process the RA board received in July. The plan consists of better ways to “plan, seek bids for, and track capital improvement projects undertaken annually,” including new processes for budget planning, expense tracking and forming detailed schedules, she said.

Roadways and lighting work. Fulkerson pointed out how crews worked over the spring and summer to service all 125 miles of curb throughout Reston, cleaning out the gutters and clearing curbs of debris. “With many years of unchecked growth, this edging work was done by hand,” she said, along with weeding and curb-side sweeping. In addition, a new Pedestrian Lighting Working Group was established this year to seek out bids to design a Comprehensive Lighting Plan that would prioritize safe lighting of all paths, walkways, transit areas and outdoor recreation areas throughout Reston.

Launch of the new RecTrac web system. The RA upgraded its online storefront from the long-standing Marketplace system to the new WebTrac system. All in one place, residents can register for programs, rent community buildings and pavilions, and purchase pool and tennis passes. Fulkerson said the new system is more user-friendly, and all staff have received extensive training on the new system. “[WebTrac] is one of the leading activity registration programs in the country, and will be a familiar interface for many of our members as several neighboring organizations in Fairfax and Loudoun County also use the system,” Fulkerson said. “[It] will provide easier navigation, a shorter registration process, and faster pass renewal process moving forward.”

Ethics. Fulkerson pointed out that a task force was formed this year to work with a consultant from Quantum Governance to develop a formal Code of Ethics for the association.

Opening of the Lake House. Though the purchase and renovation budget of the Lake House were mired in a certain amount of controversy, Fulkerson praised the opening of the RA’s newest facility. “In the fall, the Lake House Working Group, in collaboration with RA staff, hosted a very successful open house of the facility with over 650 in attendance during two day period,” she said.

Fulkerson’s entire report is available in the RA meeting report packet for tomorrow.

Photo via Reston Association