Subject:
Title
Boards and Commissions: Annual Reports and Discussions, Part 1
Body
PURPOSE:
To hold annual discussions with boards and commissions to discuss priorities and initiatives.
KEY QUESTIONS:
1. What have been the key actions of each board/commission during FY 2025-2026?
2. What are expected activities and priorities of each board/commission for FY 2026-2027?
3. What areas of discussion or collaboration would be helpful between the Town Council and each board/commission?
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
In 2024, the Town Council decided to hold annual Work Session discussions with the Town’s appointed boards and commissions. 2026 will be the third time that these discussions are held. Holding them in the autumn will allow the Council to get any input in advance of the next budget cycle.
OVERVIEW:
This set of discussions is scheduled to be held over three meetings: on October 19th, November 16th, and December 14th. The boards and commissions are as follows:
• Town Business Liaison Committee (TBLC)
• Planning Commission (PC)
• Board of Architectural Review (BAR)
• Windover Heights Board of Review (WHBR)
• Conservation and Sustainability Commission (CSC)
• Transportation Safety Commission (TSC)
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is not included in these discussions because it is a quasi-judicial body whose members are, technically, appointed by the Fairfax County Circuit Court after receiving recommendations from the Vienna Town Council. Its role is to make decisions based on criteria established in the Town Code, under parameters established in State law.
The Vienna Public Arts Commission (VPAC) is not included because it is not currently functional.
Also not included in these presentations are subcommittees that report through Commissions. The activities of those subcommittees can be communicated through the Commissions.
The Chair of each board and commission is invited to make a 5-minute presentation on key points regarding the body that s/he represents, with a focus on key accomplishments of the past year and key initiatives for the coming year. Presentations are accompanied by annual reports, which are attached.
For the October 19, 2026, work session, the Town Council will hear presentations from the TBLC and PC. The TBLC Annual Report is included as Attachment 1. The PC Annual Report is Attachment 2.
The other boards and commissions are scheduled to present and hold discussions at a Work Session on either November 16th or December 14th.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
This annual discussion is an opportunity for the Town Council to discuss directly with Chairs of Boards and Commissions their activities of the past year, as well as their intentions and plans for the coming year. It may also be a good time for the Town Council to express their wishes for areas of focus by the Boards and Committees, and for the Chairs to express concerns or recommendations to the Town Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Staff recommend that the Town Council hear 5-minute presentations from Chairs of the Town Business Liaison Committee and Planning Commission. Staff further recommend that the Town Council hold an open dialog regarding priorities and initiatives with the respective Chair after each presentation.