Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

Yesterday the Board of Supervisors met virtually for a day of Board Committee meetings. I have highlighted key points from the Public Safety and Economic Initiatives Committees below.

In addition, this email includes information about staying safe as Virginia reopens, Solarize Fairfax, and a link to Dranesville District School Board Representative Elaine Tholen's recent newsletter which includes valuable schools-focused information.

Please share this email with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.

Sincerely,
John
Board Committees Update
Public Safety Committee
The Fairfax County Police Chief provided an overview of the County's use of force and body-worn camera policies.

Use of Force Key Points
  • Carotid artery restraints and chokeholds are not sanctioned force options.
  • De-escalation is required when possible.
  • Verbal warning is required before use of deadly force, when possible.
  • Shooting at moving vehicles is prohibited.
  • Officers are required to exhaust other reasonable alternatives before using force, when possible.

Police Body-Worn Cameras
The County's body-worn camera program will distribute over 1,200 cameras over three phases. The first phase of the program, which implemented cameras at Reston, Mason, and Mount Vernon district stations, was rolled out on May 1. The implementation of the cameras at the remaining six stations in phases two (2021) and three (2022) was initially cut from the County budget to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. At its June 9 meeting however, the Board voted unanimously to direct County staff to identify options for potential funding, as well as identify a timeline and implementation plan for the remaining phases of the body-worn camera program.

The presentation of use of force and the body-worn camera program is available online here.

In addition, the County's Chief Equity Officer, Karla Bruce, discussed community feedback on policing and the path forward using equity perspective. Her presentation is available here.

Economic Initiatives Committee 
County staff provided an update on the Fairfax RISE COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Grant Fund, which will offer financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits adversely affected by coronavirus-related shutdowns. Applications were accepted from June 8 through June 15.

Fairfax County received 6,281 applications. Some of the demographics of applicants were:
  • 95% businesses
  • 83% have 1-10 employees
  • 69% applications were from women/minority/veteran-owned businesses 
  • 41% women-owned; 49% minority-owned; 5% veteran owned

In addition, the Board discussed the creation of an economic recovery framework. The County's Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI) and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) are collaborating to develop a post-pandemic recovery framework and action plan. The goals of the plan are to support the retention of Fairfax County businesses and workers, mitigate economic impacts, and position the County for a just and resilient recovery through targeted and effective investments, and regulatory or programmatic adjustments. DEI and FCEDA will engage an experienced economic development strategy organization to assist in this effort.

The agenda and presentations from the Economic Initiatives Committee meeting are available online.

Video recordings of these meetings are available online here.
3 Steps to Stay Safe from COVID-19
As communities and businesses are reopening, it is important to remember that COVID-19 continues to spread in the community. Everyone is at risk, but older adults and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Below are steps you can take to protect yourself:

Step 1. Minimize Your Risk 
  • In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Therefore, you are safer at home and should limit in-person contact with others outside of your household. Let your family and friends know this is the time for social distancing but not social isolation.
  • Meet by phone or video chat.
  • Get groceries and medications delivered to your door. Learn more here.
  • Consider taking care of business, such as banking, online or by drive-thru. Click here for ways to conduct County business online.
  • Book services in advance and use online reservation systems and cashless payment options when possible.
  • If you go out, stay at least 6 feet apart from others and wear a face covering. A cloth face covering should not be used as a substitute for maintaining social distancing.
  • Choose outdoor activities and places where it is easy to stay 6 feet apart, like patios or lawns, parks, and open-air facilities.
  • Wash you your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds and do not touch your face.
  • Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.

Step 2. Make a Plan
  • Talk with family members now to determine who will help you if you get sick.
  • Recognize that caring for a sick family member puts you at greater risk for illness. Make a caregiving plan now for ill family members.
  • Keep extra medicines, cleaning products, and groceries on hand in case you need to stay home for a while.

Step 3. Follow Health Recommendations
  • Take care of your own health.
  • Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your coughs/sneezes with a tissue or into your elbow.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and things you touch often (tables, chairs, doorknobs) to remove germs.
  • Get rest and stay hydrated.
  • If you get sick with fever, cough, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call your doctor right away.
  • If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, stay home and follow guidance for isolation and quarantine.

For more information on these topics, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on resuming daily activities or Fairfax County’s COVID-19 page.
Solarize Fairfax 2020
The popular Solarize Fairfax County program is back again, providing County residents and businesses the chance to install solar arrays at a discount. Now through August 31, Solarize reduced rates will be available through a pre-qualified solar installer, Solar Energy World.
 
Over the past seven years, more than 370 solar contracts have been signed in Northern Virginia through the program, bringing solar energy to the community and advancing our commitment to clean energy. The Solarize program offers participants a streamlined process for exploring and pursuing solar power for their residences and places of business. The program is run by the Local Energy Alliance Program in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

All County residents and business owners are eligible for a free, remote assessment to evaluate if solar is appropriate for their home or commercial building. Those who decide to pursue solar through the program receive a 10-15% discount off current consumer rates for solar arrays and systems. This year, participants are eligible for a 26% federal tax credit, a rate that will fall to 22% in 2021. Fairfax County also has a solar energy equipment tax exemption that applies to program participants.

Additionally, residential Solarize 2020 participants are eligible for a complimentary, virtual home energy assessment to help improve their home energy performance holistically. Solarize participants can also bundle electric vehicle charging stations with their solar system purchase to realize additional savings.

If you are interested in learning more, attend one of four upcoming virtual information sessions:

  • Monday, June 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 30, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Newsletter from Elaine Tholen,
Dranesville District School Board Representative
Elaine Tholen, Dranesville District School Board Representative, distributed her newsletter earlier this week. In this newsletter, Elaine discusses the FCPS return to school planning timeline and ways to provide input, FCPS summer programs and opportunities, virtual graduation ceremony details, and more. Read it online here.
Stay Informed
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below: