[Archived] Official Announcements for the City of Alexandria: December 5- December 11, 2009

For Immediate Release: December 4, 2009

Saturday, December 5 – Fort Ward Park History Group Meeting
Interested participants are invited to the Fort Ward Park History Group meeting at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., from 10 a.m. to noon. Workgroup members are recording family history, identifying features such as graves, documenting historical photographs including family and landscape images, and helping with other projects related to the history of the site and in particular, to the African-American community that existed at Fort Ward. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, December 5 – Home Energy Audit Workshop
The City of Alexandria is partnering with the Virginia Sustainable Building Network to host a Home Energy Audit workshop from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. As part of the Eco-City Alexandria initiative, the event is an opportunity for participants to learn from licensed professionals how to assess the amount of energy your home consumes and evaluate measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Reservations are mandatory. Please reserve your space by contacting vsbn@vsbn.org or 703.486.2966. For further information, visit alexandriava.gov/Environment or contact Erica Bannerman at Erica.Bannerman@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4067.

Monday, December 7 – Flood Insurance Rate Map Information Meeting
Residents are invited to attend an informational meeting about the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This meeting convenes at 7 p.m. at the George Washington Middle School Auditorium, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/FloodMap or call 703.746.4045.  

Tuesday, December 8 – Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting
The City of Alexandria's Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group will hold its first meeting at the Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., at 7 p.m. The Advisory Group, established by City Council resolution in June 2009, will advise City staff on Fort Ward Park and Museum use and management. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator at 703.746.5493.

Wednesday, December 9 – Strategic Planning Forum on the Success of Children, Families and Youth
The City will hold a meeting with a panel of experts who have a specific interest in the success of children, families and youth groups in the City. At the meeting, a structured input exercise will be conducted regarding Goal #4 of the City Council Strategic Plan. The meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. The public is welcome to attend this meeting, but there will be no opportunity for public comment. For more information, contact Mr. Spengler, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.5500 or James.Spengler@alexandriava.gov.

Wednesday, December 9 – Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
The next meeting of the Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Sister Cities Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King St. The Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee’s role is to review preliminary development plan approvals for compliance with the Potomac Yard Urban Design Guidelines and to send its recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council for their consideration. For more information, contact Kristen Mitten at 703.746.3813.

Wednesday, December 9 – 2010 Census Complete Count Committee Meeting 
The 2010 Census Complete Count Committee Meeting will convene at 7 p.m. in Room 3-4 at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron Street. City Council established a Complete Count Committee to help develop a strategy to ensure an accurate count and promote participation by all residents in the 2010 Census. For more information, contact Ralph Rosenbaum at 703.746.3859.

Wednesday, December 9 – Strategic Planning Forum on Land Use and Economic Development
The City will hold a strategic planning forum on Goal #1 of the City Council Strategic Plan, which focuses on “quality development and redevelopment, support for local businesses, and a strong, diverse, and growing local economy. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Workroom, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 301 King St. For more information, contact Brandi Collins at 703.746.3854.

Wednesday, December 9 – Infill Task Force Meeting
The next meeting of the Infill Task Force will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Sister Cities Room 1101, City Hall, 301 King St. The Infill Task Force is studying the impact of large new housing construction and major residential additions in existing, established single-family neighborhoods and is analyzing City regulations on infill developments. For more information, contact Clair Gron at 703.746.3858.

Ongoing! 

FY 2011 Budget Process
The City of Alexandria expects Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 to be another challenging year based on early economic forecasts. As the City begins the budget process, we would like your input regarding the FY 2011 Operating Budget and Capitol Improvement Program. Residents are encouraged to submit their comments online at alexandriava.gov/Budget.

Alexandria Marketing Fund Now Accepting Applications 
Applications are now being accepted for the Alexandria Marketing Fund, a program administered by the Alexandria Marketing Committee. The program is designed to encourage public-private partnerships that promote the City as a destination for visiting, shopping, dining and doing business. City Council appropriates monies for the fund on an annual basis and the Marketing Committee reviews and approves applications for funding. Information, guidelines, and an online applications are available at alexandriava.gov/MarketingFund. The deadline for applications is Monday, January 18. For more information, contact Andrea Blackford at 703.746.3959 or andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov.

For more information, contact Natasha Duggal, Communications Intern, Office of Communications, at 703.746.3962 or natasha.duggal@alexandriava.gov.

PIO#279-09