Subject:
Title
9:00-9:15 Boards and Commissions: Annual Reports and Discussions, Part 3
Body
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
In 2024, the Town Council decided to hold annual discussions with the Town’s appointed boards and commissions. The first set of those discussions were held from the late summer of 2024 through the early winter of 2025.
During the new fiscal year (FY25-26), the Town Council elected to have the annual discussions be more concentrated, rather than over the course of many months; and to have them in advance of Town Council Operating Budget work sessions. Doing so in this manner would allow the Town Council to consider any input from the boards and commissions during its budget deliberations.
OVERVIEW:
This set of discussions is being held over three meetings, with the following boards and commissions:
October 20, 2025
• Conservation and Sustainability Commission (CSC)
• Transportation Safety Commission (TSC)
November 17, 2025
• Board of Architectural Review (BAR)
• Planning Commission (PC)
• Town Business Liaison Committee (TBLC)
December 8, 2025
• Windover Heights Board of Review (WHBR)
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, though subcommittee members/Chairs are certainly welcome to attend.
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 December 8, 2025, the Town Council will hear a presentation from the Chair of the Windover Heights Board of Review (WHBR). The WHBR Annual Report is Attachment 1. This discussion was originally scheduled for November 17th, but was rescheduled at the request of the Chair.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
This annual discussion is an opportunity for the Town Council to interact directly with the Chairs of Boards, Commissions and Committees regarding their activities of the past year, as well as their intentions and plans for the coming year. It may be a good time for the Town Council to express their wishes for areas of focus, and for the Chairs to express concerns or recommendations to the Town Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Town Council hear a 5-minute presentations from the Chair of the WHBR, and then hold an open dialog regarding priorities and initiatives for the coming year.