Human Services Advisory Council

MINUTES Human Services Advisory Council City of Falls Church PURPOSE OF MEETING: To advise the City Council on human services delivery to Falls Church residents. DATE OF MEETING: September 21, 2023 PLACE OF MEETING: In Person (Laurel Room) w/ Virtual Option MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY Alisa Macht at 6:30 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: City Council Representative: Alisa Macht Jeff Person Student Representatives: Nicole Newman Liz Rotherham Brian Bowden Jeff Ackerman Carter Williams Staff: Dana Jones CSB Representative: Cindy Mester (Virtual) Commission on Aging Representatives: Guests: Laura McNamara (Kindergarten Teacher from Mt. Daniel Elementary) Paul Boesen (Welcoming Falls Church) APPROVAL TO ADOPT THE AGENDA: The agenda for this meeting was adopted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the July 20, 2023 meeting were approved. NEW BUSINESS: Accessibility in the City of Falls Church – Cindy Mester provided an update on accessibility in the City. There is a request in the budget amendment, to conduct an accessibility update for the City. HSAC will support this and possible write a letter. Fairfax will be doing this type of study at the same time. It will be comprehensive and there is not a plan to fund the recommendations at this time. Hopefully it will be in the future. HSAC members agreed to write a letter of support. City of Falls Church Public Schools FCCPS Resident Concerns – Commissioner, Newman shared about an ongoing issue with Oak St. Elementary. There are issues with general population students being separated from the gifted students in classrooms. Students with special needs are separated into other classrooms. The questions is if the City is aware of and is supportive of this policy? The School Council is going to be discussing this. Cindy Mester said she is not involved and is not aware that the city is involved. The members agreed to discuss this topic in the future meeting. The need for additional daycare options in the event FCCPS (Mt. Daniel and Oak Street Elementary) schools remain half days on Wednesdays during the school year was also discussed. Welcoming Falls Church Update – Paul Boesen provided an update on the Welcoming Falls Church program. Mr. Boesen shared a presentation showing the progress of this program. There was also an update on the Community Services Fund – grantee - the Community Literacy Center, which he said is going very well. He added they have 55 adult students in the program currently. Quinn/Homestretch Council Referral to Boards and Commissions – Commissioner Bowden said he attended a planning commission meeting on this project to learn more about it. This project will have a senior living facility with 233 senior living residential units. There would be 145 independent living units, 56 assisted living, and 32 would be memory care units. The project will offer a one-time contribution of $1.9 million or allow for two residents at 60% AMI to live there and receive services. The proposal is for a ten-story building. There will be retail and restaurants on the ground floor, a publicly accessible rooftop, and possibly a community meeting room space. Underground parking is proposed. HSAC will write a letter by October 13, with comments to be drafted by Bowden. HSAC is in support of actual units with services as opposed to a payment. Commissioner Person asked if HSAC members can request more housing options for the disabled among other asks. OLD BUSINESS: Unity Club Substance Abuse Funds and Accessibility Update – Jeff Person informed members that the Unity Club canceled the meeting. The plan is to reschedule. Well Being and Seniors Accessibility and Affordable Housing Report – Jeff Person said he is going to meet with AARP and will report back. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternate format upon request. Call 703-248- 5005 (TTY 711).