Board Meeting – On April 24, 2023, President Mulston called to order the meeting of the Board of Directors (Board) of Reston Citizens Association (RCA) at 7:30 pm. This was a ZOOM meeting.
Individual Attendees via ZOOM were Lynne Mulston, President; Gary Maupin, Vice-President; Joe Leighton, Treasurer; Shawn Endsley, Secretary; Vincent Dory; Connie Hartke; Dennis Hays; and Michele Silver. Scott Arwood, Director, was absent. President Mulston determined that a quorum of 8 of 9 members was present at 7:30 pm and the meeting could proceed.
There were no guests.
Adoption of Agenda – President Mulston asked for adoption of the agenda. Upon motion made by Director Hays, and seconded by Treasurer Leighton, the Board unanimously approved the proposed agenda.
Approval of Minutes – President Mulston asked for approval of the minutes of the April 4, 2023, Board meeting. Upon motion made by Vice-President Maupin, and seconded by Treasurer Leighton, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the April 4, 2023, meeting.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report – President Mulston then asked for approval of the Treasurer’s Report. Upon motion made by Vice-President Maupin and seconded by Secretary Endsley, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer’s Report.
Reston Comprehensive Plan (RCP) Task Force Updates – President Mulston, Vice-President Maupin and Director Hays were members of the RCP Task Force. President Mulston had worked on revisions to the RCP based on feedback received to date from the Fairfax County (County) Staff. President Mulston noted that Planning Commissioner John Carter had prepared copies of the revised RCP for possible discussion at the Board of Supervisors (BoS) Land Use Policy Committee meeting on April 25, 2023. President Mulston noted that the County Staff was continuing to make edits to the RCP and that these edits had not been reflected in the copy of the RCP on the County’s website. (The copy of the RCP on the County’s website is the only version that has been available for public review.) Director Hays noted that the expected procedure was that County Staff edits were to be provided to the RCP Task Force for review, discussion, and ultimate acceptance/rejection. That process apparently is not occurring. Vice-President Maupin hoped that Supervisor Alcorn would allow the revised RCP prepared by President Mulston to be presented to the BoS Land Use Policy Committee by Commissioner Carter. The anticipated outcome of the BoS Land Use Policy Committee meeting is that the revised RCP and the RCP reflecting County Staff changes would both be sent to the Planning Commission for its review and vote on the RCP recommendation. The recommendation would then be sent to the BoS for their approval. The RCP review process is continuing.
Reston Civic Center (aka Reston Town Center North (RTCN)/Bowman Towne Center (BTC)) Task Force Meeting – Vice-President Maupin noted that the next scheduled meeting for the RTCN/BTC Task Force is scheduled for May 9, 2023. Vice-President Maupin noted that he would be unavailable to attend that meeting and President Mulston agreed to attend on behalf of the Board. There is no current development action for RTCN or BTC.
Vice-President Maupin noted that the attention and pressure from the community seems to have caused maintenance issues to be addressed in BTC. That pressure would include attention from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Director Hartke brought to the Board’s attention that an alternate developer has sued the County for its procurement process related to RTCN/BTC. The developer, Norton Scott, alleges issues in the procurement process and that the current task force is not considering the Norton Scott proposal rejected by the County. (The original proposal from Foulger-Pratt was terminated in February 2023.) This litigation is in the discovery phase.
Secretary Endsley reported he had contacted Commissioner Richard Kennedy with the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) to set up a meeting with the Board. The purpose of that meeting was to provide Commissioner Kennedy with input from the Board on development in the RTCN/BTC area. Commissioner Kennedy indicated that he would get back with Secretary Endsley with dates and times for a meeting with the Board. Secretary Endsley will keep the Board informed.
Parking Reimagined Update and Board Action – Vice-President Maupin reported that the meetings to address Parking Reimagined are now on hold. Parking Reimagined would have been an amendment to the Amended County Zoning Ordinance (zMOD). The invalidation of zMOD by the Virginia Supreme Court means that Parking Reimagined cannot currently go forward. The BoS is working to fast-track approval of zMOD. Should fast track approval of zMOD occur, Parking Reimagined will be resurrected. Citizen input has been negative; however, County Staff has ignored this input.
President Mulston indicated that once zMOD has been approved, the Board needs to be ready for Parking Reimagined to move forward quickly.
Friends of Reston Inquiry – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Playground – President Mulston provided information to the Board from Ken Fredgren. Work is underway to obtain funding for an ADA compliant playground. Once completed this playground would be maintained by the Reston Association (RA). The process is in the earliest stages.
Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations (Federation) Citizen of the Year – President Mulston noted that she and Secretary Endsley would be attending the Federation Banquet on May 7, 2023, for the Citizen of the Year Award. Director Hays indicated that he was uncertain whether he would be able to attend.
President Mulston noted that the Board would not be a sponsor this year but would research whether to be a sponsor next year. Treasurer Leighton cautioned the Board to avoid circumstances that could jeopardize RCA’s 501(c)3 status.
Golf Courses Update – President Mulston noted that the Planning Commission has indicated that it will not change the designations of both golf courses as golf courses in the RCP.
Reston National Golf Course (RNGC) – Director Hartke noted there were no substantive changes in the status of RNGC.
Hidden Creek Golf Course (HCGC) – President Mulston reported there are no further updates on HCGC. She indicated that she had reached out to Wheelock for updates on HCGC.
Candidate Forum: 7th (previously 36th) District House of Delegates – A sub-group of the Board is working on the Candidate Forum. The sub-group consists of President Mulston, Secretary Endsley, Director Dory, Director Hartke, Director Hays (as Moderator) and Director Silver.
President Mulston reported the Candidate Forum is scheduled for May 2nd at the Lake Anne Reston Community Center from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. All four current Democratic candidates have agreed to participate. (There is currently no Republican candidate for delegate.) The room can accommodate 100 citizens. Director Hartke and Director Hays urged the Board to contact their professional circles and invite citizens to attend the Forum.
The next meeting of the sub-group is scheduled for April 25, 2023, at 7:30 pm via ZOOM.
Other Business – President Mulston noted the following items for the Board’s consideration.
Recognition for Larry Butler, RA Chief Operating Officer – Secretary Endsley proposed that the Board provide Larry Butler with a plaque and resolution signed by the Board recognizing his years of service with RA and to the Reston Community. Both the plaque and resolution need confirmation on Larry Butler’s years of service. Director Hartke agreed to contact Mac Cummins to determine Larry Butler’s years of service and to determine when Mac Cummins and Larry Butler would be available for recognition by the Board. Secretary Endsley asked the Board to provide any comments, edits or suggestions to the plaque or resolution. Attachments #1 and #2 are drafts of the plaque and resolution.
The date for this recognition will be determined based on the availability of Mac Cummins and Larry Butler.
Scott Arwood – President Mulston reported that due to Director Arwood’s family commitments he needed to resign from the Board. A replacement needs to be identified.
Guest Invitations – President Mulston identified Captain Mohammed Oluwa, Commander of the Reston Police Station; Mac Cummins, Reston Association (RA) Chief Executive Officer; and Supervisor Walter Alcorn as future guests of the Board. President Mulston will be contacting these individuals to attend future Board meetings.
Closing – President Mulston noted the next meeting of the Board would be on May 22, 2023, at 7:30 pm. (The nature of the meeting would depend on whether a guest would be attending.)
The summer dinner meeting at HCGC is suggested for June 22, 2023.
President Mulston then asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 pm. Upon motion made by Director Hays and seconded by Director Silver, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn.