Fairfax County will receive an additional $34 million to provide emergency rental assistance to residents experiencing economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a budget policy committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget Director Christina Jackson told the county board of supervisors that the department has submitted a certification for the award, and the amount is expected to be confirmed today.
The money comes from a $25 billion emergency rental assistance program that the U.S. Treasury Department established using funds from the COVID-19 relief package that Congress passed at the end of December.
“This will be huge,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said. “I know we feel good about it, but obviously, there are a lot of folks out there struggling, and this will be a great opportunity to help those folks.”
Under the treasury program, renters may be eligible to receive assistance if at least one or more people in their household has experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, or have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income.
Applicants can receive up to 12 months of assistance, with the possibility of an additional three months if needed to ensure housing stability and funds are still available.
The treasury is allocating the funds directly to states and local governments with more than 200,000 residents.
Jackson says the treasury is required to disperse all of the program funds by the end of January, so the county should have “dollars in hand” by the end of the month.
“We’re working with staff to try to incorporate this funding with other awards that we’ve received to make sure we’re using all the resources to our advantage,” Jackson said.
Because of the incoming grant, the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget is recommending that the county increase its COVID-19 grants reserve by $50 million as part of its Fiscal Year 2021 mid-year budget review.
To offset anticipated revenue losses, the county plans to take $9.1 million out of a general fund reserve that the board of supervisors set up in May to support its coronavirus response efforts.
If the adjustment is approved, the COVID-19 reserve will have $16 million remaining, including roughly $12 million that the county mostly plans to use for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.
As part of the mid-year review, Fairfax County staff are also recommending that the county create 13 new positions in the health department to boost its pandemic response, especially when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccination program. The positions would be initially covered by federal stimulus funds.
“We’re in constant contact with the health department relative to the continuous pivoting in response to COVID,” Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro said. “There are a number of other activities that they’re undertaking to respond to…whether that’s the need for additional contact tracers, whether that’s the escalation of the vaccination requirements.”
The board of supervisors will hold a public hearing and take action on the FY 2021 budget mid-year review when it meets on Jan. 26.
Photo via Fairfax County government/Facebook
Reston Association is planning to refine its official position on Fairfax County’s Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project (zMOD), a major overhaul of the county’s zoning regulations.
The Board of Directors will meet on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. to formalize a response to the project. The special meeting, which will take place virtually via Zoom, follows concern from the board about the project.
In a Nov. 25 letter, the board highlighted areas of concern to Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.
Board President Julie Bitzer noted that the timing and approval of the project were of concern, especially since she said the public and other stakeholders did not have sufficient time to review and comment on the 741-page draft of the ordinance.
The letter also cited concerns about dropping some requirements surrounding home-based businesses that “will only create conflicts among neighbors regarding parking, access, and traffic.”
RA plans to submit a more detailed position to the Fairfax County Planning Commission ahead of a public hearing that’s set for Jan. 28.
Information on how to join the Zoom meeting is available online.
Image via handout/Fairfax County Government
As the population pool eligible to receive vaccinations expanded in Fairfax County on Monday, some local pregnant women are mulling whether or not to receive the vaccine amid limited data on its safety during pregnancy.
So far, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that pregnant women who are groups recommended to receive the vaccine — including healthcare personnel and frontline essential workers — can choose to get vaccinated. Pregnant women with COVID-19 have an increased risk of several illness.
But with limited data available on the effects of the vaccine on pregnancy, local obstetricians and hospitals are leaving the decision to expectant mothers.
Tina Dale, a spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Health Department, said that getting vaccinated is a “personal choice” for people who are pregnant.
“People who are pregnant and are eligible because they are in Phase 1a or 1b should consult with their OB/GYN in order to help make the best decision,” Dale told Reston Now.
The CDC has offered only general considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
A Herndon woman, who asked to remain anonymous because she has not announced her first pregnancy yet, says she is not convinced there is enough research about the possible risks associated with the vaccine.
For now, she’s buckling down on wearing a mask in all social settings and at the small business she owns. She plans to deliver at Reston Hospital Center.
“I am working in my business under limited hours. It is very challenging because as a business owner, you want to be hands-on, by now my role has to shift a bit and more responsibilities go to my staff.”
Reston Hospital Center is also encouraging pregnant women to turn to doctors for advice. Some offer clear-cut answers while others leave the final decision to their patients.
“The hospital would recommend that pregnant women seek input from their personal OB/GYN and primary care physician,” wrote Todd McGovern, the hospital’s communications director, in a statement to Reston Now.
Kathryn Wiard, a Reston mother, says her doctors have recommended getting the vaccine. Although she says she’s on the fence, her ‘gut instinct’ says that she should get it.
“I am less worried since the vaccine is mRNA based, and not a live virus strain. I will have an April delivery and with the covid numbers increasing, I am very anxious about going to the hospital in general, and while the vaccine isn’t perfect- it does provide a little bit more peace of mind,” Wiard said.
She plans to deliver at Reston Hospital Center in April. Whether she ultimately gets the vaccine or not, she plans to go through labor and delivery without the presence of her husband to protect her husband and toddler from COVID-19.
Her bigger worry is the safety risks associated with hospitals.
“Regardless of the vaccine, the entire pandemic has me very wary of medical facilities,“ she says.
The CDC plans to formally study the effect of the vaccine on pregnant and lactating women in the coming weeks.
Photo by Aditya Romasa/Unsplash
Local College Student Launches Tutoring Company — ‘In the wake of the coronavirus and its impact on students’ learning in Fairfax County Public Schools, a 2019 alumnus of South Lakes High School in Reston and second-year engineering student at Georgia Institute of Engineering recently founded S4S Tutoring.’ [The Connection]
Deputy Sheriff Dies from COVID-19 — Frederick Butch Cameron, a deputy sheriff with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, died in the line of duty yesterday due to COVID-19. [Fairfax Sheriff]
Customs Officers Revive Woman at Dulles Airport — ‘Customs and Border Protection officers helped to revive an unconscious woman who had stopped breathing Sunday morning at Washington Dulles International Airport. The 50-year-old Indian national had traveled to Virginia with her husband on a flight Sunday morning from New Delhi, India.’ [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A Herndon man has been arrested and charged with abduction in connecting with a barricade situation that happened on Saturday.
Fairfax County police believe Michael Von Husen, 38, threatened to harm a family member and then prevented the family from leaving their home on the 1500 block of Coat Ridge Road at around 6 p.m.
Officers assigned to FCPD’s special operations division were able to deescalate the situation through negotiations, according to Sgt. Hudson Bull.
One person was treated for minor injuries.
Following a flood of demand yesterday, Fairfax County plans to launch a new online vaccine registration system as early as tomorrow that will allow residents to schedule an appointment according to the county’s Information Technology Department.
On Friday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that the Fairfax Health District is one of several districts in the state to jumpstart the next phase of vaccinations — phase 1b. The first priority group in this phase is adults age 75 and older, followed by priority groups like police and grocery store workers.
The new system, which is currently under development, follows a pre-registration tool that was launched by the county on Monday after overwhelming demand for scheduling jammed county phone lines and flooded the overall system. The pre-registration form, which is currently open, includes pre-screening questions and was launched earlier than originally anticipated in order to shift demand from the county’s phone line to the online system. Pre-registered residents will likely be contacted via email by the county to complete the registration process.
At an IT committee meeting today, some members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors were dismayed by the initial rollout of the registration system and phone line. Overall, the county received nearly 1.2 million calls on its vaccine hotline yesterday. Within the first hour that the phone line went up, the system was jammed.
Jeff McKay, the board’s chairman, said that he was concerned the board did not receive information about the issues facing the county until around 6 p.m. yesterday.
“I know it is disappointing that we weren’t better prepared for this,” McKay said. “I will say that we need to be a lot quicker.”
He also noted that residents should be aware that phase 1b is not a first-come, first-serve system. Frontline essential workers will be vaccinated in a pre-determined order, with police, fire and hazmat workers on the top of the list.
The county is testing out the new system today in cooperation with the Fairfax County Health Department, according to Gregory Scott, director of the county’s Department of Information Technology.
His office also plans to implement a virtual system with automated chatbots and work with external vendors to help manage call volume. The county also routed some calls to a voice message that said to call back later due to busy phone lines.
“Everybody was in this predicament yesterday morning,” Scott said.
Staff noted that additional manpower may be needed to manage call volume and respond to registration forms to sort out missing or conflicting information.
For example, more than 286,000 voicemails were left on the county’s vaccination line yesterday alone. So far, the county hopes to automate as much of the registration process — including administration of the vaccine’s second dose — as much as possible.
Residents will likely receive an email about registering for the second dose, according to the county’s health department.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who chairs the IT committee, also encouraged the county to ensure the registration form is friendly for seniors. The first version of the preregistration form sent yesterday made providing a cell phone a required field, for example.
The new registration form is expected to be available as early as tomorrow, pending final testing and revisions.
The Town of Herndon’s plans for major upgrades to an 0.5-mile stretch from Old Spring Street to Herndon Parkway along Van Buren Street have been delayed.
The project, which would add curb-and-gutter, widen travel lanes to 11 feet, and add bike lanes in each direction, was originally set to be complete by the winter of this year. Now, the timeline is being revised.
Utility relocation, which was originally set to be completed by the end of 2020, will likely take place by March, according to Richard Smith, the town’s engineer on the project. The town is currently working on creating a revising project schedule for all contractors, he said, noting that utility relocation contractors have been delayed for ‘various reasons.
‘This is all contingent on the private contractors completing the relocation and the subsequent authorization by VDOT to allow the town to bid the project for construction,’ Smith told Reston Now in a statement.
Once completed, the project will also relocate overhead utility poles, add crosswalks and signals at Alabama Drive, upgrade stormwater management facilities, and add five-foot-wide sidewalks.
During the construction phase of the project, the town expects the asphalt pedestrian trail along Van Buren Street to be closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic from Spring Street Park to Aspen Drive.
Originally, the town estimated construction would begin in the fall of 2019 or early winter of 2020.
Photo via handout/Town of Herndon
Metro’s Revised Budget Avoids Major Cuts — “Metro will avoid many of the doomsday cuts and layoffs officials previously said would be needed to stem the financial impacts of COVID-19 — at least for now. The federal government will send $610 million in coronavirus relief to WMATA after a package was signed into law last month. But unless ridership returns to pre-pandemic levels or Congress approves another relief package this spring, service reductions and layoffs are planned starting January 2022.” [DCist]
Reston Man Charged with Possessed of Concealed Firearm — “An officer from the Reston District Station of the Fairfax County Police Department arrested Javonta Thaxton, 24, of Reston on a firearm violation, according to the weekly police report.” [Reston Patch]
Sterling Road Reopens After Accident — A westbound lane on the 1000 block of Sterling Road reopened last night. The road was closed to do an accident. [Herndon Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
With nearly 2.1 million Virginians now eligible to receive vaccines, Fairfax County is experiencing challenges handling the overwhelming demand to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations.
The county received more than 10,000 calls in the first ten minutes the call system went live.
An online vaccine registration system that was supposed to be operational this morning is still not available, prompting Fairfax County residents to turn to a hotline for support. The number experienced such high demand that phone calls were being dropped.
“Our vaccine call center is experiencing a high call volume today and we are asking residents to be patient,” Fairfax County Health Department spokesperson Tina Dale said.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said just before noon that the phone line had been reset and is now back online.
The county health department’s online pre-screening form for confirming eligibility for the vaccine is now also available. The department will call or email those who are eligible to set up an appointment “within a few days,” according to its website.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn says he understands concerns associated with the process for receiving a vaccination.
‘I share every’s frustration with this situation and appreciate the enthusiasm this shows by so many to get the vaccine as soon as possible,’ Alcorn wrote in a statement.
Alcorn, who chairs the board’s information technology committee, added that the county’s vaccine registration system will be the first agenda item for the committee meeting scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday).
Roughly half of the State’s population is now eligible for the vaccine and it will some time to get everyone an appointment. Rest assured everyone who is eligible will receive the vaccine, but we need your patience.” 2/
— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) January 11, 2021
Fairfax County is among several health districts in the state to begin phase 1b of vaccinations, which includes frontline essential workers, people age 75 and above, people in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps.
The state’s definition of frontline essential workers includes police, fire, teachers, food and agriculture, manufacturing, public transit, mail carriers, and other employees.
Adults above the age of 75 — who will be vaccinated first as part of phase 1b — can register by calling 703-324-7404. An online registration form was also launched this afternoon.
The Virginia Department of Health has also developed an online tool that people can use to find out when they will be eligible to get vaccinated.
Staff Photo by Jay Westcott
Fairfax County continues to set new records for the rolling weekly average of COVID-19 cases, a trend that comes as the county expands the vaccine to more segments of the population beginning today.
Last week, the county reported the highest number of COVID-19 weekly cases. The rolling weekly case average hovered between 472 and 480 over the last week consistently. On Jan. 2, the rolling weekly average broke a new record with 484 new cases.
After an all-time high of 897 new cases reported in a single day, the number of daily COVID-19 cases continues to increase. As of today, 741 new cases were reported — the second-highest number of daily reported cases since Dec. 21.
The increases come as the Fairfax Health District expands the vaccinations to the phase 1b population, which includes the following individuals:
- Vaccine frontline essential workers
- People age 75 and older
- People in correctional facilities, homeless shelters and migrant labor camps
- Police, fire, and hazmat
- Corrections and homeless shelter workers
- Childcare/pre-kindergarten-12 teachers and staff
- Food and agricultural personnel including veterinarians
- Manufacturing
- Grocery store workers
- Public transit workers
- Mail carriers
- Officials needed to maintain continuity of government like judges
The segments of the population will reach out to groups in the previously-listed order in order to administer the vaccine.
Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Inova to administer the vaccine to 40,000 teachers and staff of public and private schools and childcare programs beginning Saturday, Jan. 16. The county’s health department is currently finalizing logistics with Inova and hopes to complete the endeavor over the next three weeks.
‘The availability of this vaccine for our staff, coupled with the implementation of the five key mitigation strategies, strengthens our ability to gradually return to in-person instruction. Hope and help are now truly on the way,’ FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand wrote in a letter to the community last night.
The first phase of the vaccine program, which began in December, includes vaccinating health-care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff.
State officials say it could take months to vaccinate the roughly 1.2 million Virginians in phase 1b. So far, the federal government has allocated roughly 110,000 doses for the state on a weekly basis. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine requires two doses taken between 21 and 28 days apart respectively.
As of today, 20,794 people in Fairfax County have received at least the first dose of the vaccination.
Closed vaccination clinics are planned for police, fire and hazmat, and corrections and homeless shelter workers today through the county’s health department. These individuals are not required to contact the department to schedule appointments. Vaccinations for other frontline essential workers will be announced in the future.
The next phase of vaccinations — 1c — will include 2.5 million people who are essential workers in transportation, food service, utilities, adults above the age of 65, and people between the age of 16 and 64 with high-risk medical conditions.
“Getting Virginians vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to end this pandemic, rebuild our economy, and move our Commonwealth forward,” said Governor Northam.
Image via Unsplash, Virginia Department of Health
Comscore Secures Investment for Stock Deal — The Reston-based media measurement and analytics company is making a cash investment in order to change shares of convertible preferred stock. [Virginia Business]
Library Branches Switch to Curbside Services Only — Beginning Jan. 11, Fairfax County Public Library branches will switch to virtual and curbside services only. [Fairfax County Government]
County Board Asks State Legislators for Flexibility to Recover — “When it comes to what Fairfax County would like to see come out of this year’s state legislative session, flexibility is at the top of the list.” [WTOP]
Police Find Bullet Inside Home — Local police found a bullet lodged inside a home on the 11800 block of Breton Court on Jan. 2. A homeowner called police when they found a shattered glass door and a hole in their curtain. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A barricade situation that unfolded over the weekend on Saturday has been ‘peacefully resolved,’ according to Fairfax County Police Department.
Officers were in the 1500 block of Coat Ridge Road around 8 p.m. on Saturday for a barricade situation. The incident was resolved nearly an hour after it occurred.
A man was taken into custody. FCPD did not immediately release any other information about the incident.
No injuries were reported and the charges against the suspect were not made public.
UPDATE: The barricade has been peacefully resolved and a man is in custody. Follow our blog,https://t.co/PBMfNnRMp0, for updates when available. #FCPD https://t.co/fyA8AAlA9P
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 10, 2021
Before we head off into another weekend with COVID-19 abound, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- More County Residents Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
- BREAKING: Fairfax County Police Sent to Address Coup in DC
- FCPD Will Not Help DC Police in Protest Tomorrow
- Ten Reston Locations “Potentially Eligible” for the National Register of Historic Places
- EXCLUSIVE: Reston Town Center’s Vapiano at the Center of Alleged International Money Laundering Scheme
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your social distancing plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
Reston Association is honoring several employees for reaching career milestones and recognizing others as they leave the organization.
In a release from earlier today, RA recognized mechanic Dale Wilson for 20 years of service with the association.
Lily Melgar, a financial services supervisor, Sandy Behrs, a senior administrative assistant, and Ashleigh Soloff, the events supervisor, were also recognized for reaching 25 years of service respectively.
Several RA staff are also leaving the organization, including Dave Schumaker who has been with RA for nearly seven years as a construction supervisor.
Bret Nelson, also a construction supervisor, is leaving as well. RA described him as “one the of the most skilled craftsmen to ever work for RA’s Central Service facility.”
Claudia Thompson-Deahl, RA’s senior advisor on environmental resources, has also left the organization. She was instrumental in getting Reston to be recognized as a Tree City and an international Biophilic City.
Cesar del Aguila, the newly-elected vice mayor of the Herndon Town Council, is emphasizing the need for transparency and more long-term planning as he laid out his priorities for his 2021-2022 term.
At a recent Herndon Town Council meeting, Del Aguila said that all closed-door meetings should be recorded and the town should make an extra effort to record meetings with developers and special interest groups, as well as offer transcripts of work and public sessions. If needed, staff could submit a summary write up of discussions.
He also encouraged staff to keep a log of all records and make records related to all decisions available to the public. He also stressed the need to make public information requests ‘as inexpensive as possible.’
‘If the public records are available, let’s make them available,’ he said.
Institutional reform and reorganization was also encouraged by del Aguila. For example, he suggested the creation of an independent heritage preservation entity. He also hopes to create an independence office of code enforcement related to crowded streets and rental properties.
In order to improve longterm planning, del Aguilda also encouraged all departments to prepare a long-term, five-year plan and create a mechanism for quarterly roundtable meetings between departments.
With a newly-elected council now taking the lead, del Aguila also noted that there is no formal on-boarding process.
Other concerns include broad-level issues like speeding in neighborhoods, unkempt properties, traffic rules in the downtown area and gun safety.
He also suggested that the town create a multicultural board to manage events like Friday Night Live and the Multicultural Folk Festival. Other suggested ideas include expanded use of the community center and the creation of a business development office.
Del Aguila is serving his second term on the council. In the past, he has served on the town’s pedestrian and bicycle committee and the interview subcommittee.
The council member was also the town’s representative to the Dulles Area Transportation Association and the Phase II Dulles Rail Transportation Improvement District Commission Board.
