City Receives Grant to Reduce Older Adults' Social Isolation
Fairfax Village in the City has received a $10,000 state grant to help reduce social isolation among older adults in Fairfax City.
The funding will support a new volunteer training program focused on effective communication, identifying safety and well-being concerns, and building trust with Village members.
The grant is part of Aging Well with Virginia Villages, a statewide 2025–2026 initiative funded by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services and managed by the Virginia Villages Collective and the Washington Area Villages Exchange. The initiative aims to reduce the public-health risk of social isolation by expanding volunteer-run, aging-in-community Villages.
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Council Reporter for Feb. 10 Meeting and Work Session
 Pictured from left to right: Mayor Catherine Read and City Councilmembers Anthony Amos, Billy Bates, Stacy Hall, Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Rachel McQuillen, and Thomas Peterson.
The city council met on Feb. 10. A summary is provided below. View the full Council Reporter, with linked videos of the discussions.
Presentations and Proclamations
- Mayor Catherine Read presented a proclamation acknowledging February as Black History Month in the City of Fairfax. The proclamation was received by Dr. Michael (Doc) Nickens, leader of George Mason University’s Green Machine; Bobby Lacy II, associate director of Green Machine ensembles; and Stacey Claytor, founder and CEO of C4 Performing Arts.
- Kanti Srikanth, deputy executive for metropolitan planning, Washington Council of Governments, presented the history of COG and DMVMoves, a task force focused on long-term transit needs and the longstanding, systemic funding challenges facing Metro and the region’s other transit systems. View the presentation.
Consent Agenda
- Endorsed the DMVMoves funding proposal, with recognition that the city does not commit at this time to funding a specific amount of the recommended capital contribution. The plan recommends establishing a dedicated annual capital commitment of $460M for WMATA beginning in FY 2028. The estimated jurisdictional shares are $164M for Washington, D.C, $154M for Maryland, and $142M for Virginia. This strategy will be introduced as legislation during the 2026 General Assembly Session.
- Adopted an amended and restated resolution establishing for the Housing and Healthy Communities Advisory Board to include one member of the public-at-large appointed to serve as the city’s representative to the Fairfax–Falls Church Continuum of Care Board.
- Adopted a resolution to end the Seasonal Outdoor Dining Permit Pilot Program due to the program’s extremely limited use. Ending the program will not preclude restaurants from applying for outdoor dining.
- Approved donating the city’s Showmobile to the Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Department. Donating this surplus asset allows the city to improve storage capacity, reduce maintenance costs, and remove the item from the city’s insurance assets, while also supporting a neighboring jurisdiction’s community programming efforts.
- Approved introducing an ordinance amending the city’s noise regulations. A public hearing is scheduled for March 24, 2026. Read the details.
Public Hearings
- Adopted the city’s first Urban Forest Master Plan, which was recommended in the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. View the presentation.
Work Session
- Held a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss the draft FY 2027-31 Capital Improvement Program. View the presentation.
- Discussed the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, a joint-use facility that would bring together health, wellness, fitness, childcare, and the arts in a single, integrated facility to serve city and county residents. View the presentation.
A city council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17. View the agenda (subject to change). Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights in City Hall. Watch meetings live on Channel 12 (COX/Verizon) and online, or catch a replay at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visit the city meetings website.
Vote for Fairfax City's Art Scene
ArtsFairfax nominated Fairfax City for USA Today's 10 Best Small Town Arts Scene Award! Show your support by voting now! One click and done!
Fairfax, Virginia, blends small‑town charm with a vibrant arts scene. Local galleries, public art, and community‑driven programs flourish thanks to strong cultural support from organizations like ArtsFairfax, which expands access to diverse performances and visual arts across the region. Engaging events such as ARTScreen film nights and family-friendly programs at Old Town Hall help foster a warm, community-centered arts atmosphere that welcomes both locals and visitors to experience Fairfax’s creative spirit.
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Join the Global Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 13-16
Arbor Day Poetry Contest for Students
Calling all Fairfax City students! Submit an original poem on the theme "Protect the Environment Around You" for your chance to win $50 and be invited to recite your poem at the city's Arbor Day celebration.
The deadline to submit an entry is March 8. For contest details and to submit you poem, visit the city website.
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Who are Your Women of Influence? Call for Nominations
Do you know a woman making a powerful difference in our community — through leadership, service, advocacy, or dedication to others? Nominate her for the Fairfax City Commission for Women’s 2026 Women of Influence Awards.
The Commission for Women added a new award category, Rising Star, to recognize emerging leaders younger than 35.
View past winners.
Learn more.
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