Attending the County Board

June 12, 2010

Madeline Jervis reports on June 12 County Board meeting

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Before the time for public comments, eight students were awarded Mary Marshall Memorial Scholarships, for a total of $1500.00. The scholarships are administered by the Arlington Co. Commission on the Status of Women, and are presented every year.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Among the many people who took the opportunity to speak to the Board were:

G. Goodrich, who expressed concern for immigrants who might be unfairly targeted under the "Secure Communities" program promoted by the Department of Homeland Security.

E. Guares, who noted that hostility toward immigrants was growing.

T. Stranger who wanted to see improvements in the processes of county services.

G. Denny, a student at H-B, speaking in favor of an improved playing field at that school.

C. Uriona expressed concern over child care standards and licensing if the proposed County Board Form of Government was chosen by voters.

S. Wade commented on the negative impact on communities this Summer when the branch libraries will be closed on Thursdays.

M. Balutes asked for a 25 MPH speed limit on N. Pershing Drive in Ashton Heights, instead of the current limit of 30 MPH.

E. Grayeb spoke about the `Gabriel Project" for abused women and families sponsored by Queen of Peace RC Church.

REGULAR HEARING ITEMS:

1. The Board passed an ordinance to amend the fare schedule for the Arlingon Transit System (ART) and the Specialized Transportation for Arlington Residents, (STAR), effective July 1, 2010. This action drew quite a bit of comment, especially from disabled users of the STAR system. The rise in fares was not strongly contested. Rather the plea was to make the system more reliable and helpful for the users.

2. An unconscionably long time was spent on the ordinance relating to removal of snow and ice from public sidewalks, before it finally was passed. Home owners, and Commercial and Business establishments will be required to make a path at least 35 inches wide on the sidewalk, (unless the sidewalks them- selves are narrower than this. Failure to comply will draw a fine from $50.00 for frontages of 200 feet or less, and $100.00 for longer frontages. Piling snow that has been plowed from parking lots onto sidewalks or streets will be penalized under the criminal code at $250.00. It was agreed that homeowners who had cleared their sidewalks, including pedestrian curb cuts, whose work was obliterated by county plows clearing the street, would not be fined.

The Board then broke for lunch at 1:30 PM

3. A number of enabling actions were taken so that the Army Navy Country Club could demolish their current clubhouse and build a new one, along with accessory buildings.

4. Columbia Pike Transfer. A Memorandum of Agreement between the County and the Commonwealth of Virginia was approved, to transfer portions of the Pike to the local road system of Arlington County. Transfer of permits issued by the Virginia DOT to County were also approved.

Respectfully submitted, Madeline Jervis