OCCOQUAN DISTRICT DIGEST Community News From Supervisor Kenny Boddye Summer 2020
A message from the Supervisor
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE AS ONE Dear Occoquan Neighbors, I hope our first print newsletter finds you and your family healthy and safe. As I took office in January, none of us could have imagined that in just the first six months of the year, we would be facing a global pandemic, a Second Great Recession, and a renewed Civil Rights Movement sparked by the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others. All the while, our county endures. Our community has risen to this moment in ways that continue to inspire me. Residents from all walks of life have volunteered their time, talent and treasure to help their neighbors. Our Community Feeding Taskforce, a partnership between the County and ACTS, has delivered over 1 million Many contact-less food drives have sprung up as neighbors pitch in to help one another pounds of meals to food-insecure families, and it seems like every weekend I see contact-less food drives spring up. The County has also housed hundreds of unsheltered residents, and have tested and treated thousands for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Prince William businesses are giving back donating (Cont’d p2)
IN THIS ISSUE... ÂÂ Adopting an Equity Lens (5) ÂÂ Accelerating Economic Recovery (6)
KNOW MORE, SOONER
Learn more about your community, sooner. Visit occoq.org/email to ÂÂ County Services in Phase sign up for our email updates, III (7) Virtual and follow occoq.org/fb to Town Hall: ÂÂ Construction Starts on Animal Shelter (8) Healing & Justice join conversations on the July 30, 6:30pm latest community happenings. ÂÂ Neighborhood occoq.org/ Speeding (9) events Questions? Comments? ÂÂ Community Connections (10-11)
703.792.4643| OccoquanDistrict.net
ADJUSTING TO THE NEW NORMAL, CONT’D supplies for PPE and feeding frontline workers, even as they strive to innovate their processes to meet “the new normal.” Prince William staff and officials have continued the work of the county over these long months as well. My colleagues and I have navigated our first budget season together, where we made notable investments into Human Services; we have implemented new ways for the public to interact with the Board, and we have introduced vital new initiatives that will keep our County moving forward. Additionally, the Board committed $41 million in CARES Act funding toward direct benefits for our community, and my colleagues and I are advocating for more funding to help Prince William County weather this crisis. Our work is not confined to the Board Chambers, either. Since taking office in January, my
team has taken up and resolved hundreds of constituent service cases. These challenges have ranged from replacing street lights or securing speed tables to ease the traffic flow, to connecting residents with vital services, such as mental health or housing assistance. My office has also hosted several virtual town halls, bringing County staff directly to our residents to answer questions and listen to their concerns. Even with all of this activity, we’re just getting started. It is the honor of my life to serve as your Supervisor, and I have no doubt that we will make it through this turbulent period of our history. Prince William County is the most diverse community in Virginia, and that gives us the type of grit and resilience that no other locality can match. We will come out of the other side of this stronger than ever, and it’s all thanks to neighbors like you.
Shape Policy: Engage Your BOCS
Need Help?
ÂVisit  occoq.org/speakup to comment on agendas and sign up for virtual public comment (registration closes 5 pm day before meeting)
Have a neighborhood concern? Submit it to our Constituent Services Portal. You’ll get an initial response within 1 business day and updates on progress.
ÂEmail  the full Board at BOCS@pwcgov.org ÂAttend  Board meetings and sign up to speak during Public Comment Time 2
occoq.org/help
Building A Brighter Future, Together
YOUR COUNTY IN ACTION
June 2020 Legislative Highlights
Supervisors Take Action on Equity, COVID-19 Relief & More This June, the Board Chambers were a space for lively debate and heartfelt community input. Remote Public Comment has increased public engagement, in addition to enabling residents to physically distance. Visit occoq.org/bocsmeetings to view meetings, to see and comment on upcoming agendas and for other ways to give input on community issues. Following are highlights of some key actions and accomplishments that the Board took in the last month. Human Rights & Equity ÂÂ Committed to an equity and inclusion framework in Strategic Planning, COVID-19 Recovery, and all aspects of policymaking ÂÂ Updated PWC nondiscrimination policies and human rights ordinances to include sexual orientation and gender A Pride rally before the June 16 BOCS meeting offered identity—reflecting changes education and unity for those who participated to state code championed by Supervisor Boddye—as well as ÂÂ Authorized creation of a veterans and pregnant women, Cultural Diversity Commission to as protected classes. facilitate cross-cultural dialogue ÂÂ Moved to end the honoring of Confederate leaders in settings removed from historical context, COVID-19 Response ÂÂ Funded significant Coronavirus issuing directive to rename Relief, appropriating $25M Jefferson Davis Highway in CARES Act monies for ÂÂ Directed staff to craft state COVID-19 Testing and Logistical legislative package urging Support, Small Business Economic General Assembly to address Recovery, the Community criminal justice reform, equity Feeding Task Force, Community in healthcare in response to Partner Grants, and the County COVID-19, and capabilities for COVID-19 Emergency Relief localities to deliver infrastructure Fund. to vulnerable communities ÂÂ Fostered economic recovery ÂÂ Proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ by expanding criteria for Pride Month COVID-19 Small Business Relief ÂÂ Affirmed committment to civil Micro-Grant Program to reach rights with unimous passage of more local companies (Cont’d p5) Black Lives Matter proclamation Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net
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YOUR COUNTY IN ACTION
June 2020 Legislative Highlights, Cont’d
Board Approves Harbor Drive Speed Tables ÂÂ Hosted productive dialogue ÂÂ Condemned both police with School Board on reopening brutality and public looting, plans, including how to best while affirming support of share resources and collaborate our police department in its ÂÂ Enabled businesses to safely efforts to diversify and focus expand service under on community policing, via COVID-19 restrictions, passage of Supervisor Boddye’s approving temporary outdoor resolution seating permits with an ÂÂ Responded to long-standing affordable, expedited process traffic safety concerns of ÂÂ Moved to sign a joint letter Harbor Drive residents, crafted by Supervisor Boddye authorizing installation of a and School Board Member speed table ÂÂ Laid groundwork for “greener” Loree Williams, urging state to commercial construction, provide the additional $41M in directing research into creation CARES Act funds for which the of C-PACE program that would County is eligible give access to private capital ÂÂ Appropriated $10k COVID-19 for projects that incorporate Responder Support Donation energy efficienies from Williams Energy Company ÂÂ Authorized public hearing to on Government & Public Safety the Route 28 Bypass Project ÂÂ Ensured public input in Strategic ÂÂ Moved to improve walkability Planning, approving revised through sidewalk improvements process with virtual forums along Smoketown Road Find a list of businesses who have pledged to meet CDC & VA COVID Guidelines!
Businesses...let customers know you have pledged to keep them safer! 4
Building A Brighter Future, Together
YOUR COUNTY IN ACTION
Equity & The Path to Reconciliation Our community is shifting into an unapologetic anti-racist stance as we come together for peaceful vigils, marches and rallies, and taking a hard look at how County policies can be made more equitable so that they offer all of our residents equal opportunity and protection under the law. PWC Police welcomed members of a Black Lives Matter Children’s
March at the Central District Station in June. “Equality means treating everybody the same... County will participate. When you talk about equity, you’re supposed to provide access to Additionally, County Executive Chris everybody, access to conditions and Martino declared Juneteenth, which opportunities…based on what they commemorates the day the last need to succeed,” explained County enslaved people learned of their Director of Human Rights Raul Torres emancipation, a County holiday. during a recent Board meeting.
The Board directed development of a framework to weigh policies and actions through an “Equity Lens,” with a methodology to assess programs and processes for equity and inclusion, and to identify disparities. This allows mitigation of burdens that may be placed on people based on factors such as race, gender, age, health and sexual orientation. The Government Alliance on Race and Equity recently launched a regional race and equity initiative, in which our
Our Police Department is an important partner on this path toward reconciliation, as well. Already, we have seen the controversial 287g Program end. Next, look for more insight in department policies and records, along with opportunities for continued dialogue around fostering equity. Addressing longstanding inequities in our nation, and our County, will not be easy. But it is long overdue, and we are ready for the work at hand.
Virtual Town Hall: Racial Healing & Justice Reform Join Supervisor Boddye on July 30, 6:30-8pm, for a community dialogue with leaders from Prince William’s Office of Human Rights, Police, NAACP and Public Defender’s Office. Register online: occoq.org/healing_073020 Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net
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COVID-19 RESPONSE + RECOVERY
Accelerating Local Business Recovery The County teams at Economic Development and Tourism have been working tirelessly alongside the business community to support innovative practices in response to COVID-19, while also offering information and resources including: ÂÂCreating a Business Economic Recovery Task Force with local business leaders and community partners ÂÂAwarding $1.1M in first round of Small Business Relief Grants; a second round is underway ÂÂLaunching #PrinceWilliamStrong within days of shutdown, where businesses can promote services like curbside pick-up or virtual classes ÂÂProviding free one-on-one virtual consultations ÂÂCo-hosting Business Resiliency Webinars ÂÂSharing updates and insight on complex framework of Financial Assistance, Affected Worker Support, Tax Changes, Virginia Forward guidelines, more ÂÂWorking with Development Services to enable businesses to quickly expand outdoor capacity Businesses can connect to the resources above by calling 703.792.5500 or visiting visitpwc.com/dedresources, which also tracks the latest on state and federal recovery programs, along with the most current public health guidance.
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Building A Brighter Future, Together
COVID-19 RESPONSE + RECOVERY
Phase III for County Buildings & Programs
Pre-order books and our librarians will have them ready for pick-up when you arrive.
Thank you for helping flatten the curve! As we enter Phase III, we still need to take precautions like wearing face coverings and distancing to avoid the alarming spikes experienced in some states. Additionally, new data suggests that even some mild cases of COVID-19 are causing lingering symptoms (see occoquandistrict.net/covidlonghaul). Here’s how the County will gradually increase access to its facilities, with a focus on the health of staff and residents:
ÂÂ Facilities with public-facing counters open M-F, 8am-4 pm. Includes McCoart, Development Services, Sudley North and Hellwig. Disinfection protocols and plexiglass shields are in place. ÂÂ Masks are required in County buildings. Staff are happy to provide a mask should you need it. ÂÂ County summer camps will operate with smaller group sizes.
ÂÂ Libraries open by appointment only; scheduled contact-free pickups still available. ÂÂ PW pools will not open. ÂÂ Landfill and Compost Facility open Mon-Sat. Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics Recycling, Bulky Items and Construction Debris reopen at landfill only (with restrictions). ÂÂ Telework will be encouraged to accommodate physical distancing.
COVID-19 response continues to evolve; please visit coronavirus.pwcgov.org for the latest County information, including operational status for each agency and testing sites. You can also text COVIDPWC to 888777 for alerts.
You Are Not in this Alone... A number of federal, state and local services, along with offerings from nonprofits, are available to help those struggling financially during this time. Below are two resources for finding information on rental assistance, food banks, unemployment benefits, mental health services and more. coronanvirus.pwcgov.org/resources | commonhelp.va.gov Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net
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PROJECT UPDATES
Construction Starts on New Animal Shelter
Construction of Prince William County’s long-awaited “Option C” animal shelter has commenced! Thank you to the hundreds of residents who voiced support for a facility that will offer a haven for animals and a better working environment for staff. The Board originally allocated $15 million for the project. The lowest responsive bid exceeded that by 21 percent. County staff collaborated with the vendor, Taft Construction, to reduce costs while not affecting the programmed space or operations.
A $1.6M budget gap remained. On June 16, the Board voted to close that gap and fully finance “Option C,” the 27,200-squarefoot facility approved in 2017. The funding will also pay for demolition of the existing facility, furnishings, equipment, a new barn for large animals and site paving. Follow the project at occoq.org/ animal-shelter, or contact Acting Facilities & Fleet Management Director Matthew Villareale at MVillareale@pwcgov.org with questions.
Staff Maximize Downtime at K9 Gunnar Dog Park
County staff was busy at K9 Gunnar Memorial Dog Park during its closure. First is the smoother entry: Parks & Rec used the downtime to repair potholes, and is exploring grant opportunities for a pervious parking lot; an environmentally friendly, long term fix. Meanwhile, our Environment Services team tackled a stormwater issue that had been plaguing homeowners near the park. Additionally, Supervisor Boddye provided funds for that project to include a reforestation buffer of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, which will slow erosion and give homeowners additional privacy. Special thanks to Prince William Conservation Alliance Executive Director Kim Hosen, for inspiring the replanting! 8
Building A Brighter Future, Together
STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOODS
Slowing Down Neighborhood Speeding Some of our most passionate calls from residents revolve around speeding in neighorhoods. A good first step to addressing this is to build awareness within your community, through HOA meetings and speaking with neighbors directly. Next, contact PWC Department of Transportation (PWCDOT) at transportation@pwcgov.org or 703792-6825 to ask about a speed study, which documents the average speed and traffic count over a 48hour period. This is the first step in determining whether a road meets the criteria for a Residential Traffic Calming Program, which include: ÂÂ Documented average speed of 30+mph in 25 mph zone ÂÂ Two lane roadway
ÂÂ Average traffic volume of 6004,000 vehicles per day ÂÂ Documented community support Should a roadway qualify, PWCDOT will develop a traffic calming plan that may include speed tables, increased fines, crosswalks and polemounted speed displays. PWCDOT, often along with the Supervisor’s office, will then hold community meetings to gain input. Currently, speed studies and capital projects are on hold due to COVID-19, but our office is still working with neighborhoods so we will be ready for the next steps when the time comes. Residents may also call the Traffic Safety Hotline at 703-792-5919 to request police enforcement. Learn more: occoq.org/speeding.
FY 21-24 Strategic Plan: Share Your Vision for Prince William While in-person forums for the Strategic Plan are no longer possible due to COVID-19, your voice remains central to creating a long-term vision to guide policy and budget decisions for our community. Take the online survey now through August 30, and be on the lookout for virtual community conversations with Supervisor Boddye and the planning committee, along with other online forums. Take the Survey! occoq.org/strategicplan
Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Mark Your Calendar
Abrakadoodle - Virtual Paint Class July 25 | 11am-12:30pm |PWC Libraries Online Drive-in Movies at the Pfitz/LR Rotary July 30, Aug. 1, 15, 22| 8:30pm| Pfitzner Stadium Town Hall: Racial Healing & Justice Reform July 30 | 6:30-8pm | Virtual
Get Connected!
ÂÂ Visit OccoquanDistrict.net for local news & events ÂÂ Follow Occoq.org/fb to connect with the District team and the wider community
PWCS Non-Instructional Job Fair Aug. 8 | 9am-11am |Kelly Leadership Center
ÂÂ Sign-up for updates from Supervisor Boddye at Occoq.org/email
Food Distribution 2nd & 4th Sunday| 10am-2pm |Dar Al Noor
ÂÂ Sign-up for pwcgov.org/alerts
Dale City Farmer’s Market (Temp Location) Sundays | 8am-1pm |Pfitzner Stadium Potomac Mills Farmer’s Market Sundays | 8am-1:30 pm |Between Costco/Peir 1 Details: OccoquanDistrict.net/calendar Town Halls on COVID Response & Budget Now Online! OccoquanDistrict.net/town-halls 10
Building A Brighter Future, Together
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
A Generosity of Spirit
Ways to Give Back to Neighbors in Need There is so much generosity of spirit in the Occoquan District! Like four-year-old Logan, who makes homemade cards for veterans, seniors, and police in Occoquan. Or Woodbridge High teacher Carlos Castro making PPE on a 3D Printer. Businesses are stepping up too; like Patriot Scuba donating snorkel masks to be converted into respirators, Water’s End Brewery raising funds for INOVA, Madigan’s and Brittany’s feeding first responders. There’s also no shortage of community members sewing masks and holding food drives. If you would like to join in this spirit of generosity, check the ideas below: ÂÂ Visit volunteerprincewilliam.org, a database of volunteer opportunities that can be filtered by age, skills and more ÂÂ Text “IMPACT” to 36413 to donate to Prince William Area Disaster Fund ÂÂ Check on an older neighbor and offer to do their shopping ÂÂ Pick up food or do deliveries for the Community Feeding Task Force (download the Prince William Food App to get started) ÂÂ Join Medical Reserve Corps; medical experience is sought-after, but not required: there is a need for admin, comms, etc. (vdh.virginia.gov/mrc) Thank you to everyone in our community—residents, business owners and County staff alike—for your all you do to keep us #PrinceWilliamStrong!
Schools Explore Variety of Options for Reopening
Noting a lack of digital equity, and the value of in-person education, particularly for younger students or those with unique learning needs, Prince William County Public Schools plans to open in the fall. They are exploring distance learning, alternating schedules and telework—along with added health precautions—as they seek a balance between increasing access to in-person education while limiting risks. Learn more at pwcs. Find the Latest Community News at OccoquanDistrict.Net
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Occoquan District Office 2241-K Tackett’s Mill Drive Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
703.792.4613 | OccoquanDistrict.net
Community News From Supervisor Kenny Boddye
OCCOQUAN DISTRICT DIGEST