Coraggio Consulting Manassas City Council 9/28/2026 Date: Monday, September 28, 2026 Place: Manassas City Council, Virginia Length: 3h 15m (video) Official meeting video (Wistia / RegionalWebTV): https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/3tz7mse7ii Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting. Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-16. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [00:00:04] Monday, September 28th. Good to see all of you out here tonight. Mr. Smith, can you please call the roll? This is my turn. That's Smith. Mayor Parks. Present. Vice Mayor Wolf. Here. Council Member Ellis. Here. Council Member Smith. [00:00:19] I'm here. Council Member Osina. Here. Council Member Vasquez Luna. Presente. Council Member Hudson. Here. McCormish, present. Thank you very much. If you're able to please stand with me for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Dear God, we thank you for another opportunity to gather to provide governance for the residents of the city of Manassas. [00:00:43] We are so very thankful that we are able to continue to safely come together as a community. Please continue to protect this council, our staff, and our community as we strive each and every day to make this community the best it can be. Continue to also protect the men and women in uniform who selflessly put their lives on the line for us each and every day. [00:01:04] we remain thankful for all things amen tonight we are so pleased to have mr t.j mckay who is representing troop 670 and he is going to lead us in the pledge of allegiance t.j attends parkside middle school and attends his troop meetings at grace united methodist church right here in the [00:01:24] city he is a second class scout t.j take it away thank you very much it's so great to see everyone out tonight there's some seats up front if anybody isn't afraid to come on down now everybody will [00:02:00] look at you when you come forward but there's plenty of seats up front if you want to move down um and and grab a seat that's fine I want to recognize the electeds who are here that I see and if I apologize I don't get everyone but I'm so happy to see a chair DeShundra Jefferson here from Prince William County Board of Supervisors thank you for being here next to her we have Madam Treasurer, Patricia Ritchie Folks is here. And Mr. [00:02:24] Tim DeMaria is walking in the door right now. So thank you for being our Commissioner of the Revenue. We have the chair of our school board, Jill Spall, here. And Councilwoman Yessi Amaya is also here from the great city of Manassas Park. Diana Brown from our school board is also here. And I think, is that everybody? [00:02:44] Oh, Dr. Newman, he's not elected, but we still love you. We can make it an elected position no just kidding thank you all so much for being here tonight um we do have a full agenda and i'll move through it pretty quickly of course i'll have my comments to make um being my last council meeting it is really wonderful to see so many smiling faces out here tonight and um and i've received so many texts and calls and well wishes already and i sincerely sincerely appreciate everything that everyone has said and done um leading up to this point so we will move forward with Council Time, and I have been asked, call on Ms. Councilwoman Ellis first tonight. [00:03:25] Hey, well, this is easy. Caught you off guard. No, I'm ready. No, I just wanted to thank the mayor for her leadership in our council and our city. We were elected to city council together. Yes. We ran together, stood out of that horrible early voting for 45 days together, and have served side by side and supported one another and made tough decisions together and I appreciate everything that she's done and I sincerely wish you well no matter what you do thank you so much that's all your comments [00:04:04] all your comments was about me I love it Councilman Smith the mic knows that my remarks will be brief but they certainly mean everything that I can say from my heart and an appreciation for the work that you've done, the dedication. [00:04:36] I've watched it close up, the things you've accomplished, the things you attempted to do and you're working with everyone. Things I would point out is that we welcome Chairman Jefferson here from Prince William County. And that's one indication. There's several leaders around this area that can attest to the fact of how you reached out and worked with them in coordination and so forth and your your accomplishment list would be quite long [00:05:08] so i won't go over them but but i do thank you and i wish you well and um i had comments in the connection newsletter they come from the heart and if i start recollecting on those it may get too emotional so thank you and the best to you in your future and like i've said to you a couple of times i want you and mr parks to live an intentional life and that life should be dedicated to your happiness in his congratulations and thank you thank you mr smith appreciate that [00:05:43] mr osina well mayor parks i had i do have a few of you of course i'm so shocked i'm so shocked i gotta make up for all the time you're gonna miss with me oh lord and i know you'll be tuning in Oh, my gosh. [00:06:01] Religiously every Monday night. No. Not. I see the other half of the family now. Okay. So a couple of what I would call housekeeping, first of all. First, I'd like to correct something I said to the Prince William Times in its recent article about the city's utility system. [00:06:21] I said that the city was planning an expansion of its wastewater plant where I should have said water treatment plant, and I want to make sure that correction is clear. i know there have been some questions from residents about increases in utility bills during the latter part of the summer so i hope it lasts monday's town hall where we heard an explanation of the factors contributing to those increases that that provided some additional clarity if you still have questions about your individual bill i do encourage you to contact the utility department sanna davis there is always happy to to pull up your account and [00:06:58] work with you on that another issue i wanted to make residents uh share with residents is uh is about our electric uh reliability given the number of outages we've experienced over the past several years the utility commission and utility staff are planning a reliability assessment of our electric system that assessment's about expected to cost about 25 000 and take approximately eight to 12 weeks but a time frame has not been scheduled at this point. There's also an important issue before the State Corporation Commission earlier this year. Dominion Energy announced [00:07:36] its proposed merger with NextEra Energy subject to State Corporation Commission approval. Last week on social media I shared information about opportunities for our residents and businesses to provide comments to the SCC. There is an in-person hearing on October 9th at the Fairfax County Government Center, and there will be telephone hearings that you need to sign up for if you wish to provide comments on November 5th, 9th, and 10th. Because this could have an impact on utility customers, I encourage residents and businesses who have concerns about affordability [00:08:13] to take the opportunity to make their views known to the State Corporation Commission. Just to make sure everyone's aware, City Council will be holding a public meeting next Monday, October 5th, 7 p.m., here in council chambers the purpose of that meeting is to give residents an opportunity to comment on the letters of interest and qualify of qualifications submitted by those seeking appointment as interim mayor the meeting will continue for as long as there are residents who wish to speak lastly mayor parks yes no housekeeping here before we conclude tonight i want to take a [00:08:53] few moments to recognize you as you prepare to conclude your service as mayor of the city of Manassas on September 30th. Serving as mayor is a significant responsibility. It means representing our city not only at this table, but throughout the community at events, meetings, ceremonies, and sometimes during difficult and challenging moments. It also means making decisions knowing that people will not always agree with you. That is part of public service, and anyone who accepts the responsibility of elected office deserves recognition for making that commitment. I've had [00:09:30] the opportunity to serve with you on City Council, and I appreciate the time and energy that you have devoted to Manassas. I respect the fact that you have stepped forward to serve and have given a considerable amount of your time to this community. As you depart, your tenure as mayor will be the standard that others who hold that post in the future will be measured, and that is quite a legacy. I wish you and your family all the best in your next chapter. Thank you. Thank you, Tom. I appreciate that. Councilman Hudson. I'm sorry, Sonia. I jumped over you. I apologize. Councilman Vasquez Luna. [00:10:43] Turn on my mic. Well, thank you for the times that you had a right not to show up. You were here and you were working really hard um when i joined one of my favorite things that you were always making sure that you know not only you uh name us but you know the uh we were there in the right place and you know uh you always did um many you know great things for each one of us i believe we all have different relationships but at the end we come together as one for manassas and and i appreciate [00:11:17] everything you have done i won't read it but i do have a thought for you and uh you know we do have couple of pastors, they always pray for us. And, you know, I will leave you with the blessing from the Bible, which is number 624 to 26. I believe as you start your new life, you know, as a private citizen, you know, I can't wait to continue to share with you. And, you know, congratulations to both of you. And thank you for what you have done. I believe being the first you know it's definitely you know breaking the ceiling and sometimes we forget about [00:11:57] how that you know has an effect on on the person who's doing it so I appreciate that you always did it with a smile I miss those Facebook lives with you here and so many great information that you provide us but you know thank you for enduring and and showing us how to be of great service even when, you know, not everybody is being professional or gracious to you. [00:12:24] So congratulations again. Looking forward to, you know, enjoying time, you know, outside of here. And we'll miss you. All right. Thank you. Now, Councilwoman Hudson. Thank you, Madam Mayor. [00:12:41] Good evening, all. Thank you for being here. As Councilman Osina said, a couple housekeeping items. Since our last regular meeting, the Transportation Planning Board met and discussed three pretty big items. The first being the DMV Moves Initiative is setting up regional guidelines so transit users can confidently navigate seamlessly across the region. [00:13:02] So keep an eye out on that if you are a bus user and any type of transit user. We received a presentation on travel time reliability targets on interstate roadways and that those had room for improvement as well. But most frighteningly, we've received a presentation on extreme heat in the region. [00:13:20] And the number of extreme heat days annually is certainly increasing every year. There were recommendations that were, you know, coming from the Transportation Planning Board perspective, there were recommendations for localities to reduce heat impacts on transit users. [00:13:37] So tree canopy in places, shaded seating, permeable pavement, and water features are among them. so um just you know for our city planners to note that as we um you know as the rising heat impacts us the other item being the northern virginia regional commission also met since our last meeting and we received a presentation on the vision for ferry service routes around the potomac on the dc border and as far south as woodbridge this was a very expensive vision so i would not say it's on the way but it's a good thought as our localities focus on more multimodal transportation strategies. So that was my housekeeping. I would also like to express [00:14:17] appreciation for our great mayor. I wrote you a note that I hope you will read in my appreciation for what you have done, but I've certainly learned from your leadership. There are certainly things that I'll take with me. One of the things that even inspired me to run was how accessible you've made yourself to the people of Manassas. I don't think that every locality can say that I run into my mayor out on the street and and she wants to have lunch with me and i can link up with her at any point in time so it's been very special to serve with you and i thank you for what you've done thank you vice mayor wolf i believe we have a veterans group that would like to present a [00:14:55] proclamation to the mayor please come to the podium i'm trying not to cry Oh, my gosh. [00:15:16] Oh, my gosh. Looks like it. Mayor Parks, on behalf of the American Legion, the disabled American veterans, the women's veterans, and the veterans of foreign wars, [00:15:51] and those of us who are involved with the Veterans Parade and other veterans' activities, we want to thank you for your dear and heartfelt support. You have set the standard, hopefully, for future mayors, in this community. We want you to know that this is not goodbye, but thank you for everything that you've done for us. You and Mr. Parks are always welcome with anything that we do, anywhere we are. So please remember that for us. And I'd like to present this proclamation [00:16:28] to you on behalf of the Mayor, Veterans Advisory Council, an organization that you were responsible before that have never existed in this community for over 100 years. So for that, we are gratefully thankful and wish you and Mr. Parks Godspeed and fair wins. Thank you very much. I'm coming down [00:16:53] there. All right. So I get to go last. I just wanted to say to you, Michelle, you have utterly [00:18:00] revolutionized what it is to be mayor of the city of Manassas. And I think back to those that went before you and the great service they gave our community, you have taken it to another level. And what you have done in bringing, opening up the office in our community and bringing people that would not normally be participating in our government, feel welcome here, be in this room, be engaged in our community is a legacy that will live forevermore. So we as a community have an undying gratitude to you for what you have done. So thank you. So very, very much. Mr. Smith, [00:18:37] we have a proclamation now you will understand my brief remarks earlier this is from the hearts of all of us collectively city and the staff and the council honoring mayor michelle parks for distinguished service to the city of manassas whereas michelle parks a proud daughter of manassas has devoted her life to the city that raised her and on september 30 2026 will conclude her service [00:19:16] as mayor after a tenure that changed both the face of local leadership and the landscape of this community and grabbed a swing whereas first elected to the monassas city council in 2018 she became the first black woman to serve on that body and in 2020 the voters entrusted her with the office of mayor making her the first woman the first black person and the first [00:19:50] Democrat elected mayor in the history of the city of Manassas. The people of Manassas renewed that trust in 2024, re-electing her to a second term, and throughout her service, she carried the hopes of families who, for generations, had not seen themselves reflected among those called to lead the city and whereas she treated that historic first not as an ending but as an opening lifting [00:20:23] as she climbed through the my mayor looks like me program midday with the mayor mayor on the move the farmer's market mayor's pick the if i were mayor essay contest the mayor's youth council a boy scout led pledge of allegiance at council meetings regular monastic school status presentations at council meetings in the city's first mayor's veteran advisory board so that young people, [00:20:57] veterans, students, and neighbors of every background might see that public service belongs to them. And in a mark of steadfast dedication, she never missed a regular meeting of the city council throughout her entire tenure as mayor and whereas under her leadership the city acquired the old town end for redevelopment a long-awaited step toward revitalizing historic [00:21:33] downtown and opening the way for a new chapter of hospitality housing and civic life at the heart of Manassas. Anne led the action to approve development of the first Wawa in the city of Manassas, expanding convenience and everyday amenities for residents and visitors. Anne Whereas, she championed the renovation and expansion of Dean Park, the city's largest park, [00:22:08] transforming community vision into courts, fields, and trails, and gathering places where families will play for generations, led the effort to open the Manassas Community Center on the grounds of the former Marstella School, the same halls she once walked as a student, so that the place that shaped her childhood might now shape the lives of those who come after her. She provided over [00:22:42] the renovations of City Hall, restoring and modernizing the people's building so that residents might be served with dignity in a place worthy of their trust. And during her tenure, the city completed and opened the John D. Conner III Public Safety Facility, strengthening the home of police, fire, and emergency communications, and honoring the sacrifice of those who protect this community. [00:23:17] And whereas, beyond any single project, she raised the visibility of Manassas, insisted that this city have a seat at every table, and govern with the conviction that leadership is not about holding power, but about building something durable enough to hand over. [00:23:39] And whereas the city council, city staff, and the people of Manassas honor her profound contributions, bury a breaking example in abiding love for this city, and will remember her not only as a historic first, but as a mayor who left Manassas stronger, more inclusive, and more complete than she founded. [00:24:08] Now, therefore, Mark D. Wolfe, the vice mayor of the city of Manassas, Virginia, and on behalf of the Manassas City Council, express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to Mayor Michelle Parks for her exceptional service to the city of Manassas and proclaim that she will always be regarded as a cherished member of our civic family, leaving a legacy of courage, compassion, and lasting progress [00:24:44] that will endure in the streets, parks, halls, and hearts of this city. [00:25:38] It's just going to keep going and going. [00:26:29] As part of my mayor time, I'll now call on Mr. Mark Olson to break it up a little bit, who has an announcement. And then I'm going to talk. He has an announcement about the Christmas parade this year. And after he speaks, I'll have my comments. Mrs. Claus is here. [00:26:45] Thank you, Mayor and Council. Yes, Mrs. Claus. Yay. All right. Mrs. Claus is here tonight. Yeah. And it's the 80th year of the Greater Manassas Christmas parade. Still slaying. Councilman Smith, if you could join us, please, down here. [00:27:01] Councilman Smith. Santa Claus. He's like, what? Ralph Smith's life is a remarkable story of perseverance, public service, and lifelong commitment to education, equality, and community. As a native of Prince Edward County, Ralph became of age during one of the most consequential periods in Virginia, civil rights history. [00:27:27] His experiences have been chronologically portrayed in the PBS documentary and featured in his college alumni magazine. Prince Edward County played a pivotal role in the struggle to disintegrate America's public education. [00:27:46] A student-led challenge to segregated schools, and the county became one of the most cases consolidated into the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. Several years later, rather than integrate its public schools, Prince Edward County closed its schools from 1959 to 1964, leaving many African-American children without access to formal education. [00:28:11] During these years, Ralph's parents made a difficult decision to send him away from home so that he could continue his education. He lived with families in different states before eventually attending school in Berea, Kentucky. He was later graduated from St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, a historically black college. [00:28:32] Those early experiences helped shape Ralph's lifelong commitment to civil rights and public service. As a young man, he participated in peaceful demonstration and took part in the Freedom Summer, helping register voters and teaching in freedom schools throughout the South. [00:28:50] Ralph went on to build a distinguished career in the federal government, rising to the Senior Executive Service and helping direct national policy for the Social Security Administration's hearings and appeals operations. He later continued commitment to public service as a member of the Manassas City Council. [00:29:10] Throughout his life, Ralph has been joined upon his challenges and experienced as a young man and not in business, not in bitterness, but with a determination to help create greater opportunity for others. His work is reflected in his enduring commitment to social justice, particularly in the areas of education, voting rights. [00:29:33] From a childhood interpretation to the closing of his community's public schools, a career in leadership, a service in local and national levels, Ralph Smith's life reflects the resilience, courage, and the power of service to others. The greater Mass's Christmas fave would like to announce you as the Grand Marshal of this year's praise. [00:30:12] Surprise! Surprise, surprise. [00:30:34] Got you good. We got you good. We got you good. Okay. Yes, there is a Santa Claus. Yes, there is a Santa Claus. Yes, Virginia, there's a Santa Claus. I want to go ahead and go ahead with part of my remarks. [00:30:50] I want to start. Is it okay for me to go now? Okay, he's giving me permission. Thank you, Vice Mayor Wolfe, for filling in for me last week for the work session and the town hall. I was out of town on the honeymoon, and I did watch the meeting when I came back. [00:31:06] And I got to say that I watched it and I heard words that I never thought I would hear from people out of the city. But I do want to thank everyone who came out and spoke at the town hall and shared their concerns about the recent tragedy that happened here in the city. [00:31:25] This being my final meeting, I do have words prepared. And thank you to those who have come out to say goodbye and wish me well and my next chapter. And even if you don't, I still appreciate every one of you, all of you. I'll give some of my comments now and I will have additional comments at the end of the meeting right before we adjourn. [00:31:46] So don't leave. Hang out. So hang with us after the closed session. But I want to make sure we get through the agenda. We have a lot to get through. I do have two more days left after this meeting. So I won't and didn't today. I didn't phone in the ribbon cutting. We welcomed Honey and Ivy. I'm sorry, not Honey and Ivy, Milk and Honey restaurant to the city with a wonderful ribbon cutting today. [00:32:10] And it was good to see them, see folks out there today. And I won't be phoning it in for the mural ribbon cutting on the 30th, which is at one of my favorite spots in the city. And one of my best friends ever, Miguel Perez Restaurant, the artwork that's being done on the wall there, that's been done there. [00:32:29] So we'll be cutting a ribbon on that John Hart mural there. For my farewell, I just want to start with a simple thank you to the residents of the city of Manassas. have to have my notes because I'll just go on and on if I don't stay on track. So thank you to everyone who came out tonight again and those that couldn't be here that called and sent texts and cards. I appreciate all of the love and the well wishes. What a once in a lifetime opportunity I was given eight years ago to be elected to council and then mayor. This has been [00:33:03] such a great experience. It most certainly has taught me a lot. I have laughed a lot. I have cried a lot, but most importantly, I learned a lot. A lot about people, and I learned a lot about myself. I never knew how strong I was until I became a mayor, right? It'll teach you real quick. [00:33:22] As I conclude my service to the city of Manassas, I do so with deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve this community and for the people who entrusted me with that responsibility. When I decided to run for mayor after serving for two years on council, I had so much excitement and so much hope to think that a little black girl who ran around on gravel and dirt roads with no shoes on, who drank straight from the water hose, yeah we did that back in the day, when we played outside all day picking blackberries so my grandma could make blackberry mush, the daughter of a janitor [00:34:00] and a maid. A single mom who could barely put food on the table at one time could actually be the mayor of the place I call home. I thought of all the wonderful things that I would bring to the job, how I thought everyone would be so proud and so welcoming and supportive. Most of the time that was true until re-election, but we won't focus on that today. I wanted to serve and I wanted to make a difference in the lives of people in this city who called it home. Public office is a temporary honor. The way we serve and how we treat others and the decisions we make while entrusted with [00:34:36] that responsibility are what endures. To those who follow me in leadership, may I remind you, titles may change, positions may end, but our actions and the impact we have on others remain. I certainly leave this seat having given my all, my heart, and my soul because I love this city so much and the residents in it. As I stated when I announced that I was leaving earlier this year, I committed to serving for two terms when I got elected to council. Two terms is eight years. [00:35:08] Never planning to run for mayor. And I'm just 90 days shy of a complete eight years, which would have been in December. Now I know that's the new math, but six plus two still equals eight. I'm so thankful and blessed to have reached the point of choosing myself and my family and have had my peace restored, and have finally come true. [00:35:33] Committed and lasting love that I am completely wrapped in by my now husband, Delbert, who is with me tonight. Thank you so much for being here and supporting me. I have been fortunate enough to begin a new chapter as Mrs. Parks, and I am looking forward to the new and exciting opportunities that await me. [00:35:57] Delbert, I'm so very proud of us and the dignity and the strength that we displayed over the last couple of years to rise above the fray and take the high road when folks tried their best to break us down and destroy us when we were tested and tried by the worst circumstances but we are blessed and we get to live out our story and have shown who and what we are made of and through it all we came out on the other side victorious as husband and wife and I am so grateful for you and what we will share in the years to come. [00:36:34] I thoroughly believe and have faith that Manassas will continue to move forward and receive everything it deserves and things will work out the way they are intended. I will always be so very thankful to have been the first woman, first person of color, and first Democrat to have ever held this seat. [00:36:53] No one can ever erase or take that away, ever. Please, if you remember nothing else that I share, Please remember that each and every day you all get up and you have choices to make. Make good choices and be kind. There are some folks who choose to tear one another down and have chosen to speak negatively against me or take negative actions against me and others along this journey. [00:37:18] I pray and will continue to pray for you. But I simply implore you to have the courage before you make that negative comment or keyboard bully someone or spread that rumor, Please examine your choices carefully and honestly. Karma is real and has a way of bringing actions into light. [00:37:39] Leadership should never be about tearing others down. It is about lifting a community up. I most certainly made mistakes, but I leave knowing that my intention was never ever to harm this city or any of its residents. I served because I believed in Manassas. [00:37:55] I work to bring people together to encourage progress and to help build a stronger and more united community. My goal was always to raise the profile of this city in a positive way as a welcoming community, moreover being a visible community mayor that was accessible and approachable. To the people of Manassas, my final request is simple. Do not disengage, do not become cynical, and do not surrender your voice to those who have nothing positive to add but please stay informed ask the difficult questions attend the meetings listen and ask [00:38:32] questions and carefully watch everyone's actions not just your mayor and council but those in senior leadership as well speak respectfully and hold each person entrusted with public service accountable to the same standards of fairness and integrity do not allow division to become the legacy of this community. We are in election time right now, so please carefully choose leaders who understand that public office is a responsibility, not a possession, that disagreement does not make us enemies, and that every resident deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. This includes [00:39:11] the mayor and council. They are not without feelings, and words absolutely hurt and have lasting effects. It's not just politics and being told they should just get over it and take it because they're elected is not fair. They have feelings, families, and hurt just like everyone else. Our community is bigger than any one person, any election, any disagreement or chapter in history. The future of Manassas belongs to its people and its people have the power and responsibility to shape that future. So as I leave City Hall, I leave you not with bitterness, [00:39:51] but with a challenge. Stay involved. Stand for what is right. Have conversations if you feel someone has done something to hurt you. Look out for one another and never stop believing that we can do better. Let us choose unity over division, service over self-interest, courage over complacency, [00:40:12] and hope over bitterness thank you so much one and all god bless you all yes yes sir may i request a 15-minute recess we have a reception to attend to okay we're recessed for 15 minutes then mr vice mayor may i just i don't make it a habit of speaking after our leader has spoken [00:40:51] but i do have something that's on my heart to say reverend earnest she did a good buddy and there's light refreshments in the community conference room for everyone the recess and the food and all that i really appreciate it um i will call on city manager burke for city manager tom thank you madam mayor uh the city invites you to attend hmi's fall [00:41:29] jubilee this saturday october 3rd from 10 a.m to 5 p.m in downtown manassas uh enjoy artisan vendors food chainsaw carving music and fall fun fall times and the city also invites you to the household hazardous waste and secure document disposal shredding event at the manassas transfer station on saturday october 3rd from 8 a.m to noon enjoy meeting our public works and public utility staff at their open house on saturday october 10th from 10 a.m to 2 p.m at the public Works Complex, located at 8500 Public Works Drive. City offices will be closed Monday, [00:42:08] October 12th, in observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. Weekend voting will be available at Old Town Hall on Saturday, October 18th. I'm sorry, Sunday, October 18th, Saturday, October 24th, Sunday, October 25th, and Saturday, October 31st. And please visit our website for more information about any of these events, as well as everything that's going on at the Community center and that's all i have okay thank you any questions for city manager burton okay if not we'll move forward in the agenda we have presentations we have the proclamation for [00:42:41] fire prevention week and for the proclamation for honduras honduras day and i'll go down front for that is anyone here for the fire proclamation okay i know they all had to run out so is somebody oh chief is here okay i didn't see you i'm sorry thank you so much for being here [00:43:14] hello hello okay right the proclamation reads whereas the city of manassas is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our city and whereas fire remains a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally nationally and the presence of lithium-ion batteries in many household devices introduces unique fire risks and whereas most of the rechargeable electronics used in homes daily, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, e-scooters, and toys are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which if misused, [00:43:54] damaged, or improperly charged can overheat, start a fire, or explode. And whereas the way lithium-ion battery devices are charged can make a difference in helping prevent home fires. And Whereas safe charging includes using the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer, charging on a hard, flat surface, watching for warning signs like devices that are very hot or start to swell, unplugging when fully charged or charging larger devices like e-bikes outside and away from exits. [00:44:27] And whereas residents are encouraged to understand that safe charging means making smart choices every time they plug in, and whereas the 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme, Charge into Fire Safety, safe charging is a superpower. [00:44:43] It serves to remind all residents that safe charging can help reduce the risk of fires in homes and communities. Now, therefore, I'm Michelle Parks, Mayor of the City of Manassas, Virginia, and on behalf of the Manassas City Council, do hereby proclaim October 4th to 10, 2026, as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Manassas, and urge all residents to learn about and practice safe charging habits. [00:45:07] Congratulations. Thank you. Well, thank you. Lithium-ion batteries are a big topic nationwide. [00:45:26] a lot of fires that have resulted in numerous deaths across the country because of the way the batteries explode. And as it said in the proclamation, that a lot of it is aftermarket chargers, improper charging, long duration. So you really need to be vigilant with them. [00:45:48] The chargers you buy from Amazon 7-Eleven, that's not designed for those devices. And And that is one of the largest causes of those fires that come out in the investigation is they were being charged with aftermarket chargers, which doesn't regulate the amount of electricity that goes through them. [00:46:12] And it constantly gets a full charge, and that's what caused them to explode. So be very vigilant in that, because when they explode, they create their own oxygen, and fires grow rapidly. And when they happen at night, it's well beyond stages that make it easy for people to get out of their homes. [00:46:37] Next up, we have the proclamation for Honduras Day. Because that's when you're going to be saying something. Okay, and you want me to do the English first? [00:46:54] Okay. Do you have people to come? Yeah. Come on. Welcome, welcome. If you're here for Honduras Day, bienvenidos. [00:47:15] Okay. All right. Honduras Day proclamation. Whereas the city of Manassas is strengthened by the diversity, resilience, and cultural richness of its residents, including a vibrant Honduran-American community whose families, workers, entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders contribute meaningfully to our city. [00:47:33] And whereas Honduran-Americans enrich Manassas through their language, music, food, art, traditions, family values, hard work, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, while strengthening the cultural connections between Honduras and the United States. [00:47:49] And whereas Honduran Americans throughout our region have demonstrated leadership and excellence in public service, media, education, business advocacy, and civic engagement, inspiring future generations to lead and serve. [00:48:05] And whereas Marvin Figueroa, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources and a proud Honduran American, has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service and improving the lives of Virginians. [00:48:20] And whereas Carla Melgar, a distinguished radio personality with La Mejor 98.1 FM in Manassas, has used her voice and platform to inform, connect, and uplift the community while inspiring future generations. [00:48:39] And whereas Gloria Martinez, former beauty queen representing Kosalva, has used her platform to celebrate Honduran heritage, empower women, and strengthen cultural connections within the Hispanic community. And whereas Cindy Benavides, a Honduran immigrant and daughter of David and Norma Benavides, has dedicated her career to public service and Latino advocacy, including leadership with LULAC, AQI, and the Honduran American Association. [00:49:13] And whereas Lillian Mass, a Honduran American journalist and community leader, has spent more than 15 years informing and empowering Hispanic and immigrant communities through her work with Univision, Washington, Telemundo 44, NBC4, and public agencies earning eight Emmy Awards. [00:49:32] And whereas Diana Brown, a proud Honduran-American and community leader, serves on Manassas City School Board and advocates for students, families, and the broader community, she also serves as NVCC as chair of the board representing Manassas. [00:49:48] And whereas the city of Manassas recognizes these honorees as representatives of the many Honduran Americans whose dedication, perseverance, cultural pride, service, and contributions continue to strengthen our city and reaffirms its commitment to inclusion, opportunity, mutual respect, cultural understanding, and shared prosperity. [00:50:09] Now, therefore, I, Michelle Parks, Mayor of the City of Manassas, Virginia, on behalf of the Manassas City Council, do hereby proclaim September 28, 2026, as Honduras Day in the City of Manassas, and encourage all residents to join in celebrating the rich heritage, culture, history, achievements, and contributions of Honduran Americans and their important role in strengthening our community. [00:50:35] Congratulations. Thank you. Felicidades. Well, welcome, welcome. It is my honor, you know, and we call on to Congress. [00:50:50] So hopefully they also will give us a day, but happy Hispanic Heritage Month and I'll read it in Spanish. Considerando que la ciudad de Manasa se ve fortalecida por la diversidad, la resiliencia y riqueza cultural de sus residentes, incluyendo una vibrante comunidad hondureña estadounidense cuyas familias, Trabajadores, empresarios, profesionales y líderes contribuyen significativamente a nuestra ciudad. [00:51:16] Considerando que los estadounidenses hondureños enriquecen amenazas a través de su idioma, música, comida, arte, tradiciones, valores familiares, duro trabajo, emprendimiento, compromiso cívico al tiempo que fortalece las conexiones culturales entre Honduras y los Estados Unidos. [00:51:36] Considerando que los estadounidenses hondureños en toda nuestra región han demostrado liderazgo y excelencia en el servicio público, medios de comunicación, educación, negocio en la defensa, en compromiso cívico, inspirando a las generaciones futuras a liderar y a servir. [00:51:53] Considerando que Marvin Figueroa, nuestro secretario de Salud de Recursos Humanos de Virginia y un orgulloso estadounidense hondureño, ha demostrado un compromiso de larga información con el servicio público y la mejora de la vida de los virginianos. [00:52:11] Considerando que Carla Melgar, una distinguida personalidad de la radio, Emanazas ha usado su voz y plataforma para informar, conectar e inspirar a nuevas generaciones. Considerando que Gloria Martínez, la primera reina de belleza que representa a Kosalva, ha utilizado su plataforma para celebrar a Honduras y su herencia, empoderar a las mujeres y fortalecer las conexiones culturales dentro de la comunidad hispana. [00:52:38] Considerando que Cindy Benavides, una inmigrante hondureña e hija de David y Norma Benavides, ha dedicado su carrera en el servicio público y la defensa de los latinos, Incluyendo el liderazgo con LULAC aquí y la Asociación de Hondureños Americanos. [00:52:57] Considerando que Lily Mas, una periodista hondureña, estadounidense y líder de la comunidad, ha pasado más de 15 años informando y empoderando a las comunidades hispanas de inmigrantes a través de su trabajo con Univision Washington, Telemundo 44, NBC4 y agencias públicas, ganando ocho premios Emmy. [00:53:20] Considerando que Diana Brown, una orgullosa estadounidense hondureña y líder de la comunidad, forma parte de la Junta Escolar de la Ciudad de Manassas y defensora de los estudiantes, las familias, la comunidad en general. También se desempeña en NOVA como la presidenta de la Junta y representa a la Ciudad de Manassas. [00:53:43] Considerando que la ciudad de Manassas reconoce a estos homenajeados como representantes de los muchos estadounidenses hondureños, cuya dedicación, perseverancia, orgullo cultural, el servicio y las contribuciones continúan fortaleciendo nuestra ciudad y reafirmando su compromiso al respeto mutuo, la oportunidad, la inclusión, la comprensión cultural y la prosperidad compartida. [00:54:10] Ahora, por lo tanto, nuestra alcaldesa Michelle Parks de la ciudad de Manassas en Virginia, en nombre de todos los concejales, hace por lo presente la proclama el 28 de septiembre de 2026 como el Día de Honduras en la ciudad de Manassas y animamos a todos los residentes a unirse a celebrar de la rica herencia, cultura, historia, de los logros, las contribuciones de los estadounidenses hondureños y su importante papel en el fortalecimiento de nuestra comunidad. [00:54:43] Muchas felicidades. ¿Quieren decir algo en inglés o en español? Tres minutos o rapidito. Buenas noches, good evening. [00:54:59] First and foremost, thank you to the mayor. Thank you for your legacy and your example of what inclusive representation in government looks like. To the entire council, thank you for serving. And just a reminder, to serve all of your constituents. The Honduran-American community in the U.S. is 2 million strong. [00:55:18] We are a percentage of the 70 million Latinos who live across the United States. Here in Northern Virginia, we are the third largest hub in the entire country. We contribute not only locally at the statewide, but nationally. [00:55:34] I'm also proud to say that I'm a proud sister of a U.S. Marine. I don't know if you know this, but Latinos are actually overrepresented in our military forces in the United States. I would also like to add that as we think of Latinos in this country and everything that we hear across the U.S., it is so important to have Honduras because we feel heard, we feel seen, and we feel valued. [00:55:59] And that goes a long way in welcoming all communities and showing them that they belong. If the Latino community in the U.S. was a country, we would be the fourth largest in the world, larger than Japan. We contribute $4.3 trillion to the U.S. economy every single year. [00:56:21] Today, we make up about 20% of the entire U.S. population. And in just a few decades, one in three Americans will be of Latino ancestry. And so as we think of the future, the policies, and everything that makes this community welcoming, let's think of all of our community members and let's remember that the foundation of this country was built on immigrants. Gracias. [00:56:47] As good as Cindy, but I wrote something. [00:57:07] I am truly honored to be here today and to witness this proclamation. But I'm even prouder to see the transformation of the city of Manassas. As you heard, for more than 15 years, I've covered this area as a journalist. And I had the privilege of serving the community in many different ways. [00:57:25] To stand here today to see a Latina representation on the city council and to witness this day being proclaimed as the Honduran Day say so much about how far this city has come. Manassas has become more welcoming, more inclusive, and more reflective of the community it serves. [00:57:47] And for someone who has watched that transformation over the years, it truly means a lot to be here today and to be part of this moment. Congratulations to the Honduran community and congratulations to the city of Manassas for continuing to recognize, celebrate, and reflect the people who make this city what it is today. [00:58:09] Thank you. [00:58:10] Thank you all for that. [00:59:08] I bet here. Next on the agenda, item two, public comment time. At this time, we welcome residents and community members who wish to speak about services, policies, and affairs of the city of Manassas. [00:59:26] Anyone who has not requested additional time four days prior to this meeting from the city manager, we have a timer and your comments will be limited to three minutes we appreciate the time you have taken to be here a reminder that council does not engage in back and forth conversation with speakers during this time the lack of an immediate response to your comments should not be taken as a lack of interest or concern as we have staff present taking notes and we will respond to your concern in a timely manner when you approach the podium please give us your name and we would appreciate it if you would state if you are a city resident and you may provide your address if you so desire it is not required we ask that you please be respectful when presenting your comments to not only council members but to those residents and [01:00:06] community members who are also present with that i have the sign-up sheet here and we'll call off the names but even if you have not signed up we will not miss anyone um and i'll go ahead and start the first person i have is zach murphy mr murphy good evening mayor and council mayor thank you for your service much appreciated um two i think more than two years ago uh we met about traffic on main street got a very productive conversation and i appreciate you listening [01:00:41] still talking about it still talking about it which is why i'm here and i that's what sucks um not just a process and i'm kind of here to talk about the process but thank you for your service it is much appreciated if i cause you heartache i am sorry it's the process it's not personal uh mayor and council i am zach murphy i'm a city resident uh i live on south main street with my family and i've tried hard to follow this project from the beginning i've gone to the meetings i've heard the reports listen to presentations and i've asked questions at each stage I'm not here tonight because I think nothing should ever be built I'm here because I live close enough to the project that whatever happens here will [01:01:19] become part of our daily lives and I'm referring to this industry project that you will vote on for the zoning tonight what I'm still struggling with is that I don't feel like I've seen the full picture in one place I understand the traffic consultants projections I understand the estimates for daily trips and peak to our our traffic I also understand the estimates for day but I I also know what it's like living on Main Street near Baldwin Intermediate Osborne and living through arriving and dismissal times. [01:01:50] Those aren't averages to the families that live here. There's school buses, parents, student drivers, kids walking across the street. I'd like to see a current school-specific safety review of this area. If MCPS Transportation or Safety has reviewed the project, I'd like to know what they found. [01:02:05] If they haven't, I think they should before we move much further with this project. I had the same concern about emergency response. I don't need to promise that an ambulance will always be at my house in a certain number of minutes. [01:02:21] I just want to understand what the actual response times are for this part of the city today, particularly during school traffic and what we expect after the apartments, garage, hotel, and other nearby developments are all operating at the same time. I don't think anybody's looked at the big picture and told us what it's going to be on, what the impact is to us. [01:02:41] I've raised pieces of these concerns with the ARB, the Planning Commission, city staff. Everyone's been respectful, but I've often been told that a particular question belongs somewhere else in the process. Every part of the process is always somebody else. That's probably what's frustrated me the most. [01:02:57] As a resident, I'm trying to understand one project that affects my family and our schools, And it feels like I need to know the entire structure of the city government just to figure out an answer to a simple question that we talked about two years ago. I'm not asking you to to assume the project that it's probably not probably great for everybody. [01:03:20] It needs to be developed. If the traffic, if the traffic, school safety, emergency response, and fiscal analysis already exists, please help us to understand it and show us where it's at so we can read it. If parts of it haven't been done yet, I just ask that we do them before you approve this because we're trying to live these out. [01:03:41] Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Tim DeMaria. Thank you, Mayor. Tim DeMaria, 8529 Burlington Court, city resident for a long time. [01:04:01] I just want to thank you for everybody's gone on and on about the things you've done. Plain and simple, I want to thank you for loving my city. I know that everything you've done is from the heart, right, wrong, or indifferent. In my book, vastly right, but always from the heart. [01:04:23] Thank you for being everybody's friend. Thank you for being my friend, my family's friend. I appreciate it deeply. To the rest of the council, thank you as well. We're talking about her all night long, but I also know the hard work you all do, and I appreciate it greatly. Yes, they do. [01:04:40] HIPAA doesn't apply to me. I just got out of the hospital after 18 days of 21. I was at Prince William Hospital. We have great departments in our city. We have the police department. [01:04:56] We have the fire. We have our rescue. We have social services. We have streets and utilities. And these people work so diligently that I love living here. [01:05:12] I'm thrilled to still be here after so many years, so many decades. I'm not supposed to be that old. What I want to talk about is Prince William Hospital. A lot of times it gets a bad rap. I was in for 18 days. [01:05:29] I did not have a single attendant that cleaned my floors or surgeon that cut me open that was not caring, that did not care about me. And being who I am, believe it or not, everybody that walked through that door that I didn't know, I asked them where they went to high school. [01:05:51] And so many of them went to Osborne High School. We have got a great CTE program. We've got great things happening in our hospital. I have crappy veins. [01:06:08] I'm a very hard stick. But these kids come in there and they get me. There was one or two that missed and they felt so bad because my body sucks. And it wasn't their fault, it was my fault. [01:06:25] And we hear bad things about things at Osborne. Well, I got news for you, the CTE program, where their nurses and their techs are coming out of there, they helped save my life. And I am eternally grateful to everybody in the CTE program over there and at Osborne High School. [01:06:45] And the hospital, even the ones that weren't from Osborne, you know, they were down a step for me, but they were still spectacular, absolutely spectacular, caring. And then I had Nancy, she was one of my nurses and she graduated in 13. [01:07:06] And I told her, go home and look at her diploma. The next night, she was a night nurse. She came in, she had gone through her diploma, and I had signed her diploma. And it comes full circle in this place. So whatever criticisms we get, a lot of them can be warranted. [01:07:26] We need to improve on everything always. If we don't, well, then we're stagnant. But good luck. But we have a great city. We have a great hospital. we have great schools and i am eternally grateful to everybody in this city and in that hospital whether they were osborne kids or not and let me tell you one thing that i'm going to tell sit a school board next week i asked those kids a lot of questions about their life and what they're doing the one question i didn't ask any one of them was did you pass your sols how'd you do on [01:08:06] your sols i don't give a good darn how they did on their sols i want to know if they can stick me and get my blood, and they can. So don't worry about the SOLs. Worry about the people who are graduating. Thank you, all. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [01:08:28] Mark Epstein. Hello, I'm Mark Epstein. [01:08:44] I live on Traveler Street, and a very happy resident of this great city. I want to thank each and every one of you. You showed up. Everything that Mr. Damaris said, I totally agree with. [01:09:01] The hospital, we have elderly relatives we look after, and they sure did do a great job looking after them. And the few boo-boos I had went there, they were great. All of our departments have been wonderful. [01:09:18] I was going to talk on an on-the-sheet topic, but I wanted to add the electric power in the city. We've had storms and storms, and we knew we were going to lose power like every other place we live, and that didn't happen. [01:09:42] And when we did lose power, it was back up, and it impresses us every time. The rates are a little bit more reasonable than some of the outside the areas. [01:09:59] On what I did want to cover was looking forward, please bring, this is controversial, budgets are tight, please bring the plans ahead, fast track them. [01:10:18] I'm referring to the parking garage, the extra housing that we very badly need. I see a city of 50,000, perhaps you all do. I see a city maybe of more than that. [01:10:35] And come here evenings, weekends, the parking lot where the hotel, it's full. People want to come here. They want to be here. We had an out-of-town company. We took them downtown, took them to Foster's and the trains. [01:10:52] They were delighted. So work through it and look at their plans and tweak them, make the changes you desire. But please bring those projects. You might get a little pushback, but for the children and the grandchildren, they'll thank the vision and the tough choices you had to make. [01:11:20] The children of this community, and their parents, but they amaze us every day. We were here in the 80s, and then we were in upstate New York 25 years, came back here to retire. [01:11:36] and like it so, so much more. It's such a better community. And thank you all. Thank you, Mr. Epstein. Judith Molinelli. Can anybody hear me? [01:12:03] I couldn't hear the other people very well. Okay. All right. So I asked for five minutes because I led the group called Preserve Historic Manassas in writing the comprehensive plan, which is relevant to today's discussion. And we had up to 80 people. [01:12:20] coming to meetings, as people know, who were on the city council. The comprehensive plan written by the city council, by Matt Arciaria and his group, and by us as citizens, we participated in that, limited the height of the tallest building in town to 55 feet. And I was sure, I remember Matt's word where you'll never see another 65 foot building in the historic district again. [01:12:50] Well, except for now. Now, the city owns that property, and they are being deliberately misleading, which I've seen before, by saying at every meeting I've been to, oh, well, we can go up to 65 feet as a matter of right. And it makes you think that, well, they have to. That's nonsense. [01:13:07] They don't have to. They could put a park there and a playground. It'd be perfectly fine. You don't have to go up to 65 feet. They want to go up to 65 feet. And when I talked to Tom Osina about it at it extensively. He said that there was no contractor who would ever work with Manassas and build on the hotel unless the garage were built first. I don't believe that. I didn't believe that then. I don't believe that now. It's the old boy network of contractors maybe won't do it, but believe me, there are other contractors around who want the work. And I [01:13:44] think that's ridiculous. Besides, since when do the contractors dictate and intimidate the city? I would have told them, well, nice knowing you, and we'll wait. First of all, there's also, the only reason to rush this through is that the council is very aware that they could be replaced in the next election. [01:14:05] There'll be a new mayor. The mayor doesn't vote on regular, you know, unless there's a tie. Well, there are going to be new council members, a new mayor. I think they're afraid that something might happen, that it won't go through, so they're trying to push it through and make you think that there's no choice, then there is a choice. [01:14:23] Also, both Mark Osina and a contractor representative who was at the ARB meeting that I was at, this should all be on the record, from the ARB anyway, that he stood up and said, no contractor is ever going to work with Manassas again for anything, unless you live up to your promises. [01:14:44] You have to realize that history is fine, but you need to move forward into the modern era. I thought that was arrogant as hell. And I really resented it. And the fact is, what promises are these? So I challenge and ask as a citizen, all of you on the city council and Matt and the contractors, I want to know what those promises were that were made before this has been finalized. [01:15:08] Because I think that that shouldn't be something done in secret. And I suspect that it was. There's other things to talk about, too. But to go again, they don't have to go that high. [01:15:24] they're giving themselves a waiver to do it. As Tom Alcina said, we can give ourselves a waiver and that's what we're going to do. We're going to go to the highest limit because we can do it as a matter of right and so on. They are, well, I shouldn't use anything, might be too offensive. [01:15:41] They are dumping on their own comprehensive plan and going against the recommendations that they voted on and helped make. And I think it's outrageous. At a time when the economy is changing the way they it is cost overruns are should be expected and this shouldn't be rushed through the new city council the new mayor are the people who should make this decision thank you [01:16:07] next we have um denise tamer good evening microphone pull the microphone oh you want to be able to come i'll stand on my tiptoes um i've lived here for um 42 years in an old house that We've restored and preserved, and I've seen a lot of changes in Manassas, and wonderful changes. [01:16:47] And the population has grown tremendously, and it's difficult for our roads to accept all these cars. And we want to preserve the quaintness, the charm of our old town. [01:17:05] And the Harris Pavilion added a lot to our town, And I think that we can come up with another idea for the MIFCO area that looks charming. And Williamsburg does it, different areas that I've gone to in different states. [01:17:27] It's wonderful. People want to see that. And I think we should limit it to three or four feet. I mean, I don't think there's a rush in getting this done. So I'm rejecting the 162 apartments, five stories on the 2.2 acres in the middle of the historic downtown. [01:17:51] And, you know, I've been paying taxes here for 42 years. So I feel that it's important, and I would like you to take your time and rethink it and maybe meet with other architectures. [01:18:13] I can't. And anyway, thank you for your time. Thank you, Ms. Tanya. Mr. Delbert Parks, we had you signed up for some reason. I don't know. That wasn't me. I had you on the list. I promise it wasn't me. [01:18:29] Your name's on the list, so that's okay. All right, thank you. Don't have anyone else signed up right now, but if there's anyone else that wishes to address counsel, come on down. Oh, that's for public hearing, or did you sign up on the wrong sheet? I have the public hearing. [01:18:45] Okay, there's a sign-up sheet. Right. That's the public. That's coming up, sir. Yeah. So this is just public comment time to talk about whatever. Okay. Okay. Thank you. So that's coming up, sir. So public comment time right now. And your public comment, Diana? Okay. Okay. Can you speak into the microphone, ma'am? You want to be able to hear? Thank you. I've lived in Manassas for [01:19:19] 41 years. And what's your name, ma'am? I'm sorry. Sia Linton. Okay. And I was here a few weeks ago and the first i heard of this and i think most people haven't heard of it because i think there's a serious breaking communications between the government of manassas and the people who live here that's what i said the last time but um i know you're trying a little harder and i'm glad but we still want more time before you make a firm decision on what's going to go on on center [01:19:55] Street. We want more time. There should not be such a hurry. We're not convinced that there is such a hurry. We think that if you have already made an agreement with contractors before we have made that agreement with you, then shame on you. And if you say, well, we've promised these people and we need to keep our promises, then I would say to you, you made promises to us before you made promises to them when you came up and took the jobs that you have so we don't want you to [01:20:29] vote and make everything firm right now because we don't know what you're doing we really don't know we need more time yeah lady who spoke before me who's my close neighbor and dear friend said um she had heard people say and she believes it halfway that um the reason there's such hurry is the new election coming up and this is your last chance to get in whatever you want to get in that doesn't matter it really doesn't matter when you've made promises to your town before you made [01:21:08] any promises to any contractors and we just ask you and beg you please don't move so fast we need more time but half of the plans are not even made according to all that we've received so good luck god bless you don't forget you're out here thank you thank you miss linton public comment time comments is brown thank you good evening mayor vice mayor council members and members of the [01:21:44] manassas community i'm diana brown city residents and proud manassas city public schools board member and proud chair of the northern virginia community college board i wanted to take a moment tonight to say thank you mayor not just for serving as our mayor but for what your service what your service has meant to the city of manassas and to all of us women as it was already mentioned tonight in 2020 you made history by becoming the first woman and the first african american to serve as mayor of the city that is something that will always be remembered and [01:22:18] celebrated not simply as a title but as a door that you open for those who will come after you And I think about that personally. As a Latina educator elected to serve on this dais, I understand in my own way what it means to sit in a place where perhaps someone who looks like you has never sat before. There is something powerful about being able to look at a city government and see more of the people who make up the city itself. But your legacy is about much, much more than being first. It is about the fact that you serve, you showed up, you made decisions, you faced [01:22:57] difficult moments, you celebrated our community, and you carry the responsibility of representing this city with grace. And as someone who grew up up here, you have a connection to the city that is very unique. You were simply serving a place, you were serving home. I hope when you look back on these years, you will remember not only the meetings and the votes, but the people. The young girls like my four-year-old Nevaeh who sees a woman sitting in the mayor's chair and realizes perhaps for the first time that they one day can sit there too. Whenever she looks at your picture [01:23:34] in the back, she always asks if you are the president of this city. And I say yes. Yes, yes. That is part of what leadership does. Sometimes we don't get to see all of the possibilities we have created through our presence and our work and the many lives that we impact daily. Mayor tonight you close one chapter of public service but you leave a mark on the history of manassas that cannot be erased as you mentioned. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for helping make this dais look a little bit more like the city we serve. I wish you and my [01:24:11] family wishes you peace, joy, and every good thing in the chapter ahead and tonight I simply want to close by saying thank you thank you for making history and thank you for leaving that door open for the ones that will be coming behind you i personally will miss you as my mayor thank you i do have a token of appreciation for you thank you diana thank you so much i appreciate that thank you thank you thank you so much [01:24:44] hi can you give us hello again my name is ian mcintosh manassas resident uh father of eleanor mcintosh the uh the seven-year-old uh that i think you've planted a seed and who looks to become mayor one day and uh and to your question who in their right mind would follow eleanor the correct answer is nobody well um on more serious matters um i find it interesting that transparency [01:25:21] trust and verification uh are an issue tonight with respect to city staff city planning um and it's the that's this core issue that uh my family and i uh continue to address with respect to the crosswalk addendum uh in the city the city's improvement planning um we have a number of questions that pertain to the issue. And again, we're about 50 days in, and we're asking the question several different ways, and we're never getting a succinct answer. And that is, who decides whether this crosswalk stays or goes in the final plan? Because in the salient questions that we've [01:26:00] asked, so we've been told, well, it's justified with respect to requests. It took almost 60 days to get a comprehensive reply on that front with a notification that we were looking into FOIA requests, and the implication was several people had requested it. Well, wouldn't you know, only five people, five emails were received since 2022, and one of them lives in the area. [01:26:28] The others, we don't know if they do, but we can assure you through our 30-plus emails and our investigation into a number of studies, I think we represent a much more concerned interest, mindful that the direct impact is negative on us. And while we absolutely applaud everybody's right to be able to get to downtown when they want to, a once-a-year occurrence doesn't justify the negative impact that our family would personally experience. [01:26:56] And so a second question is, what constitutes ample justification to add the crosswalk in the first place? Interestingly, Mattisari's email to a questioner said that like the Hastings Road example, Ewell and Weems represents a similar instance. [01:27:14] And I'm just gonna hold this up, just a crude prompt at the moment. So here you have Meade and Hunt and RK&K. And these represent the two firms that the city hired to discern each instance. At Meade and Hunt, Hastings was determined by way of specific attention it was rendered it was concluded that it would be ADA compliant they had someone sit out there and count the people in the bikes and the cars that actually crossed that area and they used they used numbers and attention and whatnot now for RK and K it seemed that there was a [01:27:51] proposition a presupposition involved that said well we need a side a crosswalk but there's there's no reference to the specific area the numbers they included were from the intersection away from Ewell and Weems. There's also no notice or recommendation by way in which ADA compliance is going to happen. [01:28:10] So when my wife and I noted the 2025 HAWC study from the UMass Amherst study, we found it curious that Matt Aceri forwarded the justification from an engineering perspective from a 2010 federal study. [01:28:30] So you mean to tell me that two disability rights advocates with eight hours investment of time can uncover a more recent salient study than the entire staff over a number of years and that the tip of the spear is a 2010 study versus a 2025 study. [01:28:49] Now this is interesting as well since when we're looking at tonight's proposals, another hawk beacon is being planned across another busy four-lane road at centerville road that apparently will be approved tonight we're asking the question where is where is the logic behind the reasoning we understand that there seems to be a kind of quid pro quo in which the authority of a council rests on the authority of the of the city planning but when two amateurs with limited hours can under [01:29:26] can uncover studies that contradict what the city represents is sound reasoning and when we have to over 20 and 30 emails ask for the same simple answer and when we're finally shown the answer we understand why it took so long because this crosswalk doesn't make sense it's unwanted and when someone is injured at the at this proposed crosswalk whether we win or lose that person who has to fight for their loved one will have a record and with that we remain at your at your [01:30:05] service and we look forward to um a further ongoing dialogue this to say and and second lastly lastly we pay ten thousand nearly ten thousand dollars a year in taxes we noted that Mr. Assari could address one email from 2024 by their first name. We have yet to be addressed in correspondence by our names. And so in the event that we've forgotten my family's name, my name is Ian McIntosh. My wife is Anne McIntosh. Our daughter is Eleanor McIntosh, and our son is Arthur McIntosh. Thank you very much for your time. [01:30:44] Thank you, Mr. McIntosh. Is there anyone else for public comment time? Please come forward. I thought I heard you. Oh, okay. Come. I didn't see you. I'm sorry. The flowers were blocking you. [01:31:00] I apologize. Good evening. My name is Diane Lane. I'm a resident of Manassas City. I spoke at the town hall and asked for some help as it relates to Center Street during early voting time and wanted to thank Chief Keene and those who made it happen. [01:31:17] We do have a sign there, a speed register camera or something that shows, hey, you're doing 32 miles an hour. You're doing 40 miles an hour. And adding a police officer there, as there was today and other days, has been helpful in slowing people down. [01:31:32] So I wanted to say thank you for that. Secondly, for folks talking about the Center Street development, I just want to provide a brief history lesson. The property was purchased in 2023. There were two publics community sessions held. [01:31:49] There were online surveys held. There were sessions held over at the community center. Over 300 people have provided comments over the course of time about this development and what they wanted to see there, what they wanted it to look like. So while I appreciate the residents' voices here this evening, there have been other voices that have been heard and that have contributed to the conversation who are not present and said, yes, this is what we want. [01:32:16] we do want a hotel, we do want a multifamily use, we do want a parking garage. We want to revitalize the other half of Center Street to allow filigree to thrive, to allow Creative Brush to thrive, to allow the sports pub to thrive, and any new developments that might come in, including in the two low-rise brick buildings that are currently for lease. Finally, I just wanted to say, Madam Mayor, it's been fun since the Leadership Development Academy all those years ago, driving you in 2020 to get you elected, and having a good time. [01:32:50] So thank you very much for your time and your service to the city. Thank you. Thank you very much. Liz? Thank you, Madam Mayor, and to all council members in our community and whoever is watching us out there. [01:33:08] All right. Good evening to every single one of you. I am here in front of you to say thank you for your leadership, Mayor, for being accessible to a little Latin me whom I was doing a middle of a facial sending you a text message about our past past the mic manassas season two which is coming out and I will be playing the videos I thank you so much for taking the time and for allowing me to get inspired and motivating on that beautiful office you have on the third floor such a great view of our city and [01:33:46] I fell in love with our city, the restaurants and everything. And the Season Pass of Mike Manassas is a heartfelt project that it's about interviewing the restaurants and going out and giving them the visibility and promoting them. I own a business in the city of Manassas. Yes, Beauty Spy and Wellness. Yes, Beauty Institute is about to open its doors to inform, educate our [01:34:15] beauty partners. And so my love is to serve and to create and to help our community. And I thank you for allowing me to do that. And again, this is a partnership with HMI. I volunteer. I will volunteer my entire life. And I think we have the heart of giving out. But I do have to pay my bills and everything. But I help whenever I can. So thank you for inspiring me to do that. I appreciate that and I know that all of you council members put your heart out here in day in day out showing [01:34:52] up to those events that we have at the pavilion or whoever is opening a business out there and it takes a sacrifice to be able to serve to be there for our community thank you again for doing that and I wish you all the best in the future whatever your heart desires I know it looks beautiful I can tell I can feel the energy thank you to all council members for all that you do once again and to our community and I will say this and I will look at you in in the eyes I like what you [01:35:28] said and I even shared with my brother tonight Captain Gio Barajona I said I liked what the mayor said to get involved at the end of your speech get involved show up if we want a seat at the table. We have got to learn and show up. And I'm hungry. I come hungry to learn more from you all when I show up to the meetings. I just need to step into the podium a little bit more [01:35:56] and I will do so. Thank you so much. Thank you. Anyone else? Brady? We're already telling you to sit down. Hello, Ms. Brady. Hi, Ray Brady. I'm also a proud city resident. First and foremost, [01:36:19] I just wanted to say congrats to you, and I know that there's been times when maybe we haven't agreed on everything that's going on in the city, but I do think that your heart was with us, and I just can't say enough about how much I disagree, though, with the height, the size, the traffic for either the, both, actually, the apartment complex that you were discussing and or the parking garage uh case in point the [01:36:56] parking garage we already have and this is not to point any fingers at our wonderful chief i love him however i don't feel safe going into that parking garage why is another parking garage going to make it any better um we all know that that you've been addressed before about problems there And I don't believe that a second one at this point is handleable unless we have to charge. [01:37:28] And I'd hate to see that happen. But there's something about charging per minute, per hour, that will, I think, keep people moving through it instead of, you know, just sitting there and possibly whatever. And I just hope that you take a little more time in making this decision. [01:37:51] I was at the community, whatever, when we first talked about a hotel. And I remember it was not presented to us, or to me anyway, as a citizen, as far as would you really like another hotel? Or what was presented to us was, this is preferably what we're going to do, so how would you like it to look? [01:38:14] I still have a problem that we don't always get an answer, and we don't get thought of in advance. And as I said at the other meeting a couple weeks ago, we have five major projects, we as the citizens, that we're either paying for or we have to endure the traffic phenomena of or whatever. [01:38:43] We can't fight everything, but I don't know if that's by design because we can't fight everything, and I feel rushed. I feel as a citizen that my tax dollar is being rushed through, and I don't appreciate that. [01:39:01] I don't think that my best interest, I've made myself known about what I like, what I don't like, but I know I'm not minority on this. I just know it. Too many people I talk to every day say, yep, can't believe that's going to happen. [01:39:19] And all of these done deals make me nervous about how our council is evolving. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Brady. Anyone else come forward? Good evening, Mayor Parks and Council. [01:39:40] I brought back to when I first met Michelle many years ago in a firehouse. Didn't know her, but I had tried to contact her, and we had that first conversation, and I knew that she was the one that I wanted to lead our city. [01:40:00] In 2020, when COVID hit, the mayor and her family opened up their homes to the Old Town restaurants and ordered food to support the restaurants that were suffering at that time. As the community liaison for East End Mobile Home Park, I reached out to the mayor and said, hey, we're going to have a fall festival. Are you coming? [01:40:22] Never knew that the mayor of Manassas would show up and not only show up, but participate and get on the hayride with kids. Through the years, I've seen you struggle with the death of your sister, your mother, your father, and you never miss a day. [01:40:42] You have strengthened me and so many others in this city with your leadership, your friendship, and your love. Madam Mayor, tonight when you walk out of that seat, I wish you well with Mr. Dale Park. [01:40:58] Thank you. And I am so, so excited to see your future. And I know that your father and your mother are looking down on all of you. So have a great life. We will be in contact. But please enjoy what you have already done for the city. [01:41:16] Sit back and look at what you've actually done. There is going to be so many people that are not going to realize what you have done until you're actually not there. But it's time for you to realize what you've done. Take a stroll through this beautiful city and look and see all the things that you have brought. [01:41:38] Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. Anyone else? [01:41:50] Hello, Lynn Forkel-Greem and as a city resident. Mayor, I just want to say thank you for your service. It was an honor to serve with you. And as I stated way back then, you forever changed the face of this position. And I hope you know it is for the better. [01:42:07] As you befriended lots of little girls throughout our city and my little granddaughter Alyssa is one of them as you very well know and I'm sorry she couldn't be here tonight to say her own little words in her own little way. So I'm sure when she sees you on the street I hope you take a few minutes and let her do that when she is able. [01:42:27] But it is meaningful to know that you've made the changes you have in the role that you have played as mayor and I would never ever want to have you leave us without knowing that we are grateful for that. We are grateful that you changed what people thought a mayor was and how a mayor would act and interact and how they would be fun and friendly and available. [01:42:50] So thank you for that very much. I really do appreciate it. And with that being said, I would also like to just pivot to the more unfortunate part, which is about the public hearing that's coming up. Many people spoke already, that seems, for that public hearing, so I hope those comments will be moved to the public hearing if they've had to leave for other reasons and they might have chosen to speak under citizen time so i hope we can make sure that that is reflected correctly that they were speaking also for the public hearing and finally i think as i normally say it is frustrating to be a resident who doesn't know when your voice matters and the policies processes and procedures of the city [01:43:30] continues to elude our residents the ones who come here and do what is told do it is what you say to do, which is come to every meeting, speak at the ARB, speak at the planning, speak at the council, and they still feel like their comments are not taken seriously at that time. That's what they mean by transparency, because there's never a time that resident feedback matters more than the plan at hand. And so that's what we're asking for, is something to change. That is what I have been advocating for that is why I ran for office that is why I continue to run for office is because [01:44:09] residents need to feel included in the decisions it is not just when they elect you it is along the journey that you're there for all the decisions that are being made when they can't be there and they want to trust you that you are hearing them so while Miss Lane mentioned about a history lesson in 2023 I do believe those community conversations were about the Old Town Insight in the hotel and they were not about the mifco site and so maybe those people in power knew that it might be connected those in the room likely did not so that was the those community conversations were [01:44:46] fantastic but they were with regards to the hotel site thank you thank you miss green anyone else hello hello government name bria stokes city resident today i just wanted to say thank you to the mayor and council but today i'm really speaking to the mayor um i really appreciate who you are to not only me but the whole city [01:45:25] affectionately known as mayor bestie um i like that you've always met me where i'm at when I had small events that no one showed up to you were there and when I was confused about something because I don't speak city jargon you responded to emails text messages phone calls and I just hope that whoever comes after you is prepared to get their nerves stepped on [01:45:57] and trampled on and i just hope that they're as accessible as you and as caring and um with that i'm gonna leave because it's dinner time but thank you very much thank you thank you maria anyone else good evening name is janet plebniak and i am a citizen of the city of manassas um thank you mayor i didn't start coming to the meetings until after you were already in the [01:46:36] seat. We've had our times together, and that's when I started paying attention. God didn't call me to be light. He called me to be light. And light, by its very nature, makes darkness uncomfortable. At the last meeting, as the roundabout and sidewalk projects were being discussed, Mr. Wolfe asked Mr. Arciera, and the amount of City of Manassas general funds that are [01:47:07] in this project? Which Matt replied, zero. And Mr. Wolf repeated, zero. Thank you. As if the citizens are not paying for this. Unless these projects are funded by private donors, the citizens are paying for this. If it is state funds or federal funds, we're taxed by both. The gaslighting needs to stop. The city needs to take a pause and provide safety to all the citizens. Pause first Friday until there's a new plan that works for businesses and citizens. Pause the rezoning of [01:47:46] properties and any additional projects. Heavenly Father, we pray for those in positions of power who may have strayed from integrity. Give them the courage to recognize their mistakes and the humility to repent. Soften their hearts to listen to wise counsel and to lead with honesty, justice, and mercy in all their decisions. Father God, bring harmony and understanding to our government. Remove the spirit of division and self-interest from our leaders. Grant them a receptive mind to collaborate peacefully and a compassionate heart that cares for the most [01:48:24] vulnerable among us. As our mayor departs and the elections occur, we will be having a lot of changes in leadership. An interim mayor will be appointed and a new mayor elected in November 2027. My prayer is for unity on our city council, school board, and in our community. Please keep Ashley and her family in the forefront of our thoughts and prayers as decisions are made moving forward. I pray this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen and amen. Thank you, Ms. Putney. [01:49:00] Anyone else? Mr. Naylor. My name is Larry Naylor, 10-370 Falcon Point Way, Manassas, Virginia. I've been in this city for 24 years now. I'm a retired Army officer working for Secretary Powell. I thought I was going to be here for three years, and here I am. I think it's important tonight, and I sat, and I fought with myself whether or not I was going to get up and say something, but I think it's very important. To you, Madam Mayor, your job, I cannot even imagine how it impacts, but you have [01:49:39] performed brilliantly to the citizens, and to the staff, to the council members, everybody that sits there I honor what you do in this space for these great citizens and to the citizens of this great city there is a huge responsibility in that we work together for the greater good of the city tonight I honor you specifically but also I would be remiss if I didn't honor every leader that is [01:50:19] within this room from you mayor to the council to Mr. Burke the police chief the fire chief and everybody in positions of leadership. You have done great, and thank you for supporting the city. [01:50:36] Without you, where would I be? I'm just a kid from North Carolina that ended up here in Northern Virginia, but you gave me an opportunity that I could have never paid for, and that was you saw me and you wanted me to use my skills, and because of that, I have met some great people. Every one of you up here, the love I have for you and what you have done for this city, as well as the leadership and a lot of people here, I owe every bit of it to you. Thank you for seeing me and [01:51:12] allowing me to be in this space. It is without reservation that I say that your job has well done, my good and faithful servant. Leadership is lonely. At the top, it's just you and many of you leaders sitting here, you know what it's like. Nobody understands, but at the top, you have a job to do and god has ordained you to lead with dignity and lead with respect to mr parks god bless you and thank you for taking care of this wonderful and beautiful woman as each man should [01:51:52] look out for the other spouse in this space it is very important that we do that so men a charge to keep you do have. Also, I want to make sure that you all have many, many years of happiness as you go through this space. I never thought I'd be at the three minutes. [01:52:15] You? You? I don't have a lot of words. Quickly, I apologize, Eric, for doing this, but to the city and the people of this great city, keep working to make this city everything that we know that it needs to be. As iron sharpens iron, it's going to hurt sometimes, but we have to come together as citizens of this city, not to complain, but to figure out a way to get to yes. So I challenge all of the citizens here as we sharpen against each other, do it with love, do it with [01:52:55] dignity, and do it with respect. And leaders, we're going to continue to pray for you that God gives you the right answers to lead and guide us we love you we value you and may god bless you and i'm going to miss you in this space thank you very appreciate that thank you love to speak now good lord okay you said no take you at the no eric you can start the clock uh my name is delbert parks what i live in 20112 area cove [01:53:33] It's no longer in Manassas, but Manassas I love and have grown to love it. And to all the council members across the board, I really want to thank you for all your support that you've given, you know, Micron and myself. I'm just the guy that grew up in Texas, very poor, you know, and I mean, very poor and never thought that I would run a billion dollar company and that things were going through to get to this point. [01:54:06] But meeting Michelle was one of the glories of my life to do that. And I want to say from when I met her dad and her mom, her dad was cool. He called me MB, and he said that, as a matter of fact, he even told me to move in the house because he liked me so much. [01:54:24] But I told him I wasn't going to do that. And her mom, you know, I think a couple of days before she passed away, took my hand and told me to take care of her daughter and to always look after her and her dad also. [01:54:43] I guess for me, you know, coming to Manassas was ordained by God to do that. My spiritual advisor, Rabbi Shmuley, basically said that your purpose was coming to Manassas, not just with Michelle, but with the entire city. [01:55:06] You know, what we do with the city, with Micron, is the love that we have. The love sign that we have outside is just a symbol of how much we love this city and what we continue to do as we move forward. Many people say that, well, Micron donates to the city because of Michelle, but it's not really because of her. [01:55:24] It's because of what we do in this city. We live, we grow here, we work here, and our goal is to continue to sustain this city as much as we can, and we'll continue to do that. So in closing, I just want to say that I love you very much, and you know that and always will. [01:55:43] And unlike all of y'all in the room, I'm so glad she's not mayor anymore. And so that's it. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else after that? [01:56:03] Thank you. Okay. All right. All right. Okay. If not, we'll move forward in the agenda. Next, we have the consent agenda. I'll call on Vice Mayor Wolfe for that motion. Madam Mayor, I move the adoption of the consent agenda and disposing with the reading of the ordinance. [01:56:22] Second. We have the motion by Vice Mayor Wolfe. seconded by councilman smith to approve our consent agenda any discussion hearing and seeing them mr smith please call the roll vice mayor wolf yes council member smith yes council member ellis council member of cena yes council member vasquez luna yes council member hudson yes motion carried okay thank you so much for that next on the agenda item four ordinances and resolutions item 4.1 resolution number r2026-1259 amending the fiscal year 2027 budget by budgeting and [01:56:59] appropriating 2 million 244 thousand dollars of state revenue for the monastas city public schools mr kelly is here welcome sir good evening everyone you're gonna make me follow this gentleman here right um good evening mayor parks vice mayor wolf members of the council and mr Burke. I want to start by saying just well wishes Mayor Parks and I wish you the best of luck as you move forward. With that being said we'll get into some business. The resolution before you budgets [01:57:31] and appropriates $2,244,000 in additional state revenue. This revenue is coming to the schools as a part of the governor's approved budget which took place on June 29th. The funding will be appropriated as or allocated as such if approved it will be two million one hundred and seventy one thousand to the operating fund and the remaining seventy three thousand dollars will go to the school food service fund and with that i will take any questions that you all may have thank you mr kelly any questions from mr kelly on this item is there a motion i may i move to make the [01:58:04] motion to uh for the resolution r2026 one two five nine second is that actually clear the motion by councilwoman vasquez luna and seconded by councilwoman hudson to approve resolution number r2026-1259 any discussion hearing and seeing none mr smith please call the roll council member vasquez yes council member hudson yes vice mayor wolf yes council member ellis yes council member smith yes council member osina yes the motion carried all right thank you so much for that moving forward to the public hearing item 5.1 is public hearing number oh 2026-1280 center [01:58:44] street parking garage and apartments rezoning um we do have the sign-up sheet we have a couple of people that have signed up but we will not miss anyone i'll go over the procedures for public hearings i read the newspaper ad certification for public hearings and staff will present the issue for consideration and council then has the opportunity to ask questions then i will open the public hearing for public comment we'll make sure not to miss anyone who wishes to speak regarding this public hearing item and then the public hearing is then closed or continued and action is scheduled to be taken by the council at the next regularly scheduled council meeting so with that i will read the newspaper certification for public hearing which says [01:59:22] as the mayor i certify that newspaper advertisements for the public hearings listed on tonight's agenda were published in conformance with the requirements of general law and sydney city ordinances as the mayor i further certify that an affidavit of publication is before me which is signed by an authorized representative of the prince william times newspaper which states that the advertisements appeared on the required dates and mr rc area is here smiling and ready to present good evening sir good evening council good evening mayor parks mayor it's been a fun ride for your consideration [01:59:57] this evening is rezoning 2026 0002 the center street parking garage and apartments this is the public hearing portion there is no action recommended this evening i'll get to that at the end of the public hearing. As an overview, we're talking about the property now known as 9007 Center Street. It's a request to rezone that property, which is currently the City Hall parking lot piece, B3, our downtown zoning, and then the Mythco property, which you'll hear a lot about this evening, I2, heavy industrial. The request is, of course, to rezone that to a downtown zoning district, B3.5. It is located in the downtown as part of our comprehensive plan as [02:00:36] well. As I mentioned, a little bit zooming in here to give you a little more vicinity of what we're talking about. Again, we're talking about the City Hall parking lot and the MIFCO property. It's surrounded by, it's within our downtown core, of course, adjacent to City Hall with other downtown development sites on the map. A little bit of background as to how we got here this evening. So as we all know, and I mentioned MIFCO, the large bulk of the project was the MIFCO property, improved from the years 1907 to 1995. The city purchased this property in 2025, and in [02:01:14] fall of 2025, the city received what is known as an unsolicited proposal, a PPEA, to develop apartments and a structured parking, along with a future phase for the hotel. So the background here basically gets you in order to proceed with that proposal, and I'll give you a little more time on a moment. The rezoning was actually formally submitted in May of 2026, but work on this project began before that. The development proposal that was received, again, eliminates the heavy industrial zoning and proposes at this point a 162-unit multifamily apartment building, [02:01:49] a five-story, 536-parking space garage, and the Old Town Inn property is included in the PPA proposal, but is not subject to rezoning this evening. So the hotel parcel, although you heard discussion of that, is already zoned for a hotel, part of the PPEA proposal, but it is not part of the rezoning this evening. So the rezoning this evening is focused on the city hall lot and the MIFCO property. Again, a little bit more background on the timeline. So the PPEA proposal was submitted in October, 2025. There was press releases, a lot of discussion about what the developer was suggesting could be built on the property. The interim development agreement, [02:02:28] you'll hear about that in May, 2026. That's actually the first time the city entered into an agreement to start some of the planning on the site. So the PPEA said, we're going to build a hotel we're going to build a parking deck we're going to propose apartments but it actually to start doing the development proposal the pre-planning if you will what we're seeing this evening the city council entered into interim agreement with mlg the developer who is by the way that is here this evening for any questions and then the real work began in terms of what the entitlement process so what that meant because we're in the downtown and subject to the historic district a heavy heavy lift by our architectural review board you can see the number of meetings that they've held with more meetings to come in the future they're already at nine meetings just [02:03:08] to get us to this night they did issue what's called a certificate of appropriateness in august for form scale and massing which is the critical piece and i'm going to get into some detail in a moment on that simultaneously the planning commission began their work began their work and did ultimately have their public hearing which i'll touch on in a little bit but planning commission also had three pc work sessions again all the meetings listed up here were open to the public both the arb and planning commission took comments at all of their meetings they were able to address some of them within the respected areas. The ARB deals with design, the planning commission with land use. So some comments, the ARB is not going to address a comment on land use. [02:03:42] The planning commission is going to defer to the ARB on design. But again, all meetings open to the public. All of this was imposed to the city's website. And that brings us to where we are this evening. As I mentioned, the heavy lift in the downtown is going to be by the architectural review board. The city of Manassas has a historic district with strict design guidelines that govern informed scale and massing. When you're talking about a property of this size, you cannot just drop one large building on the property. So the ARB spent many, many hours, many, many meetings going back and forth. And I think that's where some of the previous confusion may have from one of the speakers came to light. At one point, there was a lot of disagreement on how you properly [02:04:22] scale this building in order to respect the downtown. The city has to look at what is the appropriate step back in our guidelines, which is you take existing structures, you look at how tall they are, and then our guidelines have suggestions on what is the proper level to step back the building. So setback is how far off the street. Step back is at a certain height, the building needs to be stepped back further from the street so that you don't have a five-story straight building up against Center Street. The massing would not work. It would overwhelm the streetscape. [02:04:52] It would not be consistent with our historic district. So after many meetings, and there was some back and forth between the developer and the ARB, the consensus was reached that this building, and I think this will be something that will guide all of our projects going forward, is appropriately step back at the third floor. [02:05:09] So the design you're seeing here that was ultimately approved steps back the building at the third floor, so the fourth and fifth levels are a minimum six feet back along Center Street. And then another thing that the ARB spent a considerable amount of time on was the step back adjacent to Meredith House. [02:05:25] Meredith House is a historic landmark in the city of Manassas, and if you're not careful there, again, a five-story building is going to overwhelm one of our historic structures. You can see that there was a lot of consideration given to stepping back the building behind there, rotating some of the upper levels, really to try to minimize the scale. [02:05:42] Some of that is reflected in what I'm showing you here. You can see the building on your lower right-hand corner. You can actually see the Meredith House from the get-go. That part of the building was actually cut out to make sure you had appropriate sight lines. Again, you don't want to have a building jutting forward and blocking the merit of this house as you go down Center Street. [02:06:00] Additionally, the ARB worked with a planning commission in conjunction to look at the streetscape in this project. And you can see the consensus, and I'll cover this again in a little bit, was to widen the sidewalks out in this area. So typically, you're talking about six-foot sidewalks or less on this portion of Center Street. [02:06:17] In combination with the parking garage and the apartment building, we're actually talking about widening the street here, providing street trees and actually pulling the building even further off the street design and materials the ARB is wrapping up their work on design and materials and they'll be taking up another meeting in October 6th you can see there's been a lot of progress made here these are not finalized but again the idea here is to step the building back in on those higher levels use lighter color material and treatment to pull the higher floors back when you're on pedestrian the pedestrian scale is really intended to work at that three-story level this is a little [02:06:56] hard to read but every rezoning comes with a generalized development plan so i'm not going to dwell on this too much i think one thing to understand here and again a little hard to read but it's important for the community and the council to understand that what we're talking about here when we talk about a parking lot of the mifco site is a site that is almost 100% paved so one of the goals long-term goals of downtown when you redevelop is to remove some of that impervious cover and to introduce some green space again we're in a downtown so we're not going to have acres of parkland, but is to introduce some green space and get all the benefits of adding trees and green space. You can see the building is broken up in the rear [02:07:31] along the railroad track around a private courtyard. The green space I mentioned up before in front of the Meredith House is actually proffered and remain open to the public or the public access easement. And then the building itself, I didn't touch on this before, is actually broken up where the entrance, second entrance is the parking garage so that you don't have one long continuous building. It's actually broken up and designed to be given the impression of two smaller buildings along the center street frontage again this illustrates a little bit more that we're adding a significant number of trees and green space to an area that is currently paved the [02:08:07] traffic consultant is here this evening for any technical questions but the city did spend a lot of time looking at traffic we knew that traffic anytime you're talking about center street and church street and route 20 are going to be a consideration although it's technically not required the city did think it was important out of transparency purposes to do a traffic study and bring on a traffic consultant, and they did look at not only the apartment building, actually a larger version before the building was stepped back, but they also went ahead and took a look at what the hotel might do on the Old Town Insight. [02:08:35] So this is one situation, again, hotels not in the traffic study or not in the rezoning proposal, but we thought it was important not to ignore that there was the PPA calls for a hotel on this site. We looked at all the major intersections, Center Street at Grant, Main, and Zebedee. The traffic consultant assumed a 2% growth rate. [02:08:52] Actually, some of our streets aren't even growing at 2%. You'll see flat growth rates in the city in a lot of places these days. But we wanted to assume worst-case scenario. And, again, since we're dealing with residential, we get a lot of questions on where these numbers come from. The city of Manassas, like any jurisdiction, like any traffic study, uses something called the ITE, the Institute of Traffic Engineers. [02:09:15] That's a professional group in the United States that goes out and studies apartment buildings across the country and comes up with what's called average generation rates. So they can say a mid-rise apartment in a suburban, semi-suburban neighborhood is going to generate this many trips. So at 169 units, you get 803 daily trips. [02:09:33] You get the peaks, which are very important when you're talking about these busier streets. And also you get the generation from the hotels included as well, 100 keys. Again, we looked at volumes. We built on our modeling that we do every five years as part of the comprehensive plan. [02:09:49] And we looked at all the existing traffic counts, which again focuses on those a.m. and p.m. peaks. The City of Manassas Comprehensive Plan sets a goal that intersections, with the exception of the Liberia Corridor or the Godwin Corridor, need to operate a level of service C or better. [02:10:05] What level of service means is seconds of delay in this chart. Basically, it illustrates what traffic and engineers talk about. But within the downtown, we are talking about delays of 35 seconds or more are not acceptable. So we're always trying to maintain the intersections that let all of the service see for better. [02:10:24] And again, the conclusion with the traffic study, at least on the traffic piece, was the traffic added here does not have any significant impact on these existing intersections. We did spend a lot of time not only on, as I mentioned previously, not only on the road, but on recognizing that we're in a downtown on pedestrian mobility. [02:10:44] Working with the Planning Commission made a strong recommendation, which was incorporated in the plan to widen out the sidewalks here. there is a loss of five parking spaces in front of some of the existing commercial buildings along center street offset by the construction of a public parking garage again at 536 spaces the way this is going to work about 200 spaces approximately are going to be needed for the apartment that leads the bulk of the garage over 300 spaces available for public use of course also available for the redevelopment of the old town inside and that'll be worked into the master development agreement but the just to give the council and the public a little bit of math city [02:11:19] halls about 120 spaces the old town in parking lot is about 120 spaces you're about 240 so there's an increase but remember the most the way that parking works in our downtown currently city actually has about 1 500 parking spaces the bulk of those are on the south side with the old town in temporary lot what we were able to prove is that you're able to correct some of the imbalance by building more parking on the north side. [02:11:44] So we don't necessarily have a parking shortage. We definitely have a parking imbalance. The goal here with the new garage is to maintain some of the correction and that imbalance when the hotel goes away. You have 200-plus spaces in the city hall lot, some public, some available, all spaces, of course, available after 5 p.m. [02:12:02] We spent a lot of time on this project looking at pedestrian improvements. The proposal does recommend an additional pedestrian crossing with a RRFB signal, not a Hawk signal. An RRFB signal is one of those signals that flashes yellow when pedestrians enter it. It's actually not required because of some of the design considerations, but staff thought it was important to include it in this location. We know when you come out of the parking garage and you're not at the E Street crossing, you're not at the Zebedee crossing, people aren't necessarily going to walk down to those existing crosswalks. It was imperative that we added another pedestrian crossing in the location. Also, this project incorporates the beginning of the Manassas Rail Trail, although VRA says I can't call it that in this location. [02:12:42] It is the 10-foot-wide pedestrian promenade that will be extended. Right now it ends at Main Street. It will be extended behind this building, eventually to Fairview, and then one day all the way out to Manassas Park and beyond. Again, this is the RRFB. [02:12:58] We did do a pedestrian study. This is what an RRFB looks like. It flashes yellow when pedestrians hit the button. There's a similar one on Church Street serving the messenger place. It's definitely an added enhancement for pedestrian safety. Moving on to housing and neighborhoods, we did include some affordability. [02:13:17] So working with the Planning Commission, there is a proposed set-aside of 10 of the 162 units priced at 80% of AMI. That's looking at the metropolitan region's average median income. So that is included in the proffers. Again, the project also touches on a number of recommendations in your comprehensive plan for housing. [02:13:37] A little bit more on land use. Again, this is an important piece of the plan. The comprehensive plan makes a number of recommendations. Of course, it makes site-specific recommendations for this project. It makes then some additional recommendations for the entire city. A big one is the removal of industrial zoning within our downtown. [02:13:55] So out of that two-plus acre development, we have 1.4 acres of heavy industrial zoning. It actually has a 75-foot height limit, and this proposal will eliminate that. Also, again, we're talking about some of the other goals of the comprehensive plan to increase vibrancy and long-term health of the downtown by adding new residents and density. [02:14:17] So the comprehensive plan, the 2045 and the 2040 comprehensive plan, and the 2032 comprehensive plan that had the downtown sector plan all recognized that the MIFCO site was an opportunity area. That's the current terminology for redevelopment. So we didn't want it to stay as a gas station or a vacant gas station. [02:14:36] We knew it had a unique opportunity for redevelopment. The plan, starting in 2040, made the recommendation, again, relocating heavy commercial manufacturing and the development of vertical, mixed-use, and structured public parking specific to that site. So, again, your comprehensive plan, very specifically, through two comprehensive plans that said the MIFCO property should be redeveloped, and it's a good opportunity for mixed-use development and structured parking, again, recognizing that the city already owned the city hall lot. [02:15:06] Again, this meets the intent of that opportunity area almost to a T. economic development. Some of this will have to be carried forward when council considers the PPEA final proposal. But as you can imagine, you will be putting properties back on the tax rolls with short-term benefits for construction, longer-term benefits, including all the real estate taxes you'll get out of the apartment project, meals tax that would be more applicable to the hotel side, and then intangible benefits of removing a vacant, blighted industrial structure in the environmental remediation on this site underneath the MIPCO site. [02:15:46] I'm going to talk a little bit about community facilities next. It's important to understand on the next two slides, you're going to see a lot of not required. And why is that? First off, the city should be proud of its investments in infrastructure over the last 10 years. The city has built a public safety facility. [02:16:03] This city has built Fire Station 21. The city has built Dean Park. This city has built two elementary schools, Baldwin and now Dean School. What this does is not only address immediate capacity issues, but it builds long-term capacity for the city and to address growth. [02:16:20] So then when we look at that from an analysis, from a technical analysis, you're going to see a lot of things that say good news, the city was forward-thinking, we have a beautiful public safety facility. Therefore, from a facility standpoint, additional space cannot be provided by the development. And there's stuff in the state law when you deal with proffers that's very specific. [02:16:39] If capacity exists at the time of rezone, you cannot ask for more. And that applies even to our projects in some ways. Again, schools is a big one. I know there's a lot of conversation about schools. The number we use to calculate school impacts is 0.38 per student for an apartment building. [02:16:55] That's taking every existing apartment building in the city, both new and old, and then we average them together. We get this data directly from the National City Public Schools, and we come up with that calculation of 0.38. That generates approximately 62 students on the high end. I say that because downtown apartments, and again, we monitor every downtown apartment with Manassas City's public schools, typically had significantly fewer students. [02:17:18] So Messenger Place is an example. Last year, I had one student in the Manassas City public school system. Schools under current capacity, no cash profits can be calculated. The numbers here show you where the capacities are. We all know these are the numbers, and we all know that there's concerns about capacity in the school. [02:17:35] But in the end, we go with what the school system tells us is their building capacity and what the school system tells us their enrollment is. So there is sufficient capacity to support this development. I touched on this a little bit as the city has been very successful in advancing its capital projects. [02:17:51] That does create excess capacity for development. Utility infrastructure is addressed. Your developer always has to. If a sewer line has to be made larger, has to address that. There is a proffer that we've applied to all projects over the last few years in the downtown. [02:18:07] for off-site sewer system that goes into the main trunk main that feeds into our sanitary all the way down into dean park so ashbury paid that actually messenger place paid that and so that proper has been applied equally on this project that'll be calculated site plans a small capital contribution to the eventual repairs and upsizing that sanitary main anything directly impacted has to be addressed by the developer parks again we're in the downtown a developer cannot be expected in the downtown to provide all of the parkland that any new project generates however they are providing new publicly accessible space the promenade and they're providing significant [02:18:44] neighborhood equivalent parking of park space so if you think about the courtyard that i showed you previously it has a pool some of the rooftop amenities they're providing almost 15 000 square feet on a site that currently has zero square feet of open space again no developer is going to be able to provide community amenities so there is a cash profit calculated in here that's taking the look at what the cost is to improve some of our community and regional parks. So Annenberg, Baldwin, those are considered community parks, and a per unit contribution is included in the proffer statement. Environmental sustainability, again, no trees, 58 new trees, tree preservations [02:19:21] included. Shout out to the chairman of the ARB who's been advocating for one tree in particular that's included in the proffers. Stormwater, this is one we don't talk about a lot. This site, as I mentioned, it's a two-acre rezoning. This area is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to treat seven acres of area that currently has zero stormwater control, whether it's quantity or quality. All the stormwater in this area actually ends up in Winter's Branch, and Winter's Branch, believe it or not, has erosion because a lot of downtown uncontrolled stormwater. So there's an opportunity here through the stormwater enhancements providing those controls to make [02:19:56] improvements and mitigate stormwater on this site. Per proffers, green building requirements, are included to lessen its energy usage. The existing EV parking spaces will be relocated and beefed up. And of course, we don't talk about this one enough. Under MIFCO sits a lot of old petroleum. There is an environmental remediation is required that's actually being paid for in part by the state through existing funds. So the environmental remediation, the site will be included in the proposal. The proffers that come with any rezoning, I think I've talked about those at this point ad infinitum, but they are laid out here once again. Of course, we mandate and [02:20:33] require as part of the proffers, the GDP and all the ARB approvals. Those are substantial conformance. You have to come back to council to change those things. And again, all the other things I talked about have been captured in the proffers. Planning commission, the planning commission, as I mentioned, had three work sessions prior to December 2nd. They unanimously recommended approval with some additional recommendations, all of which have been incorporated in the proffers that are for your consideration this evening and last but not least this proposal is very clearly in conformance with when we're talking land use your 2045 comprehensive plan increased residential density eliminating heavy industrial and compatible with that opportunity zone designation staff does [02:21:11] recommend approval as proffered of course this evening our recommendation is to hold a public hearing do not take action that is appropriate for the first time in october and with that was a long one i stand ready to answer any questions thank you mr sarsier any questions for matt Any questions at all? [02:21:29] Teresa? Just a question, because we had some comments and public comment about the height. So across the street, Messenger Place is 55, is that right? [02:21:46] No, Messenger Place is 62 or 63 feet tall. 62 to 63, okay. And this one will be? 64 feet. 64. Maximum. I mean, the building is stepped back and there's variations, but it goes to maximum height is 64 feet. Okay. [02:22:02] On October 26th, are we voting on the rezoning? Is that the main reason for the vote for that particular? Right. So the decision that would come before you, assuming you take action on it this evening, would be the first reading of the rezone. [02:22:20] So that's just to change the zoning on the MIFCO City Hall site. It sets the apartments in the garage. You're going to have to have, and I think you're going here, some additional actions, obviously on the PPEA agreement, but the land use is moving a little bit ahead of kind of the final agreement. The land use can move independent in some ways because it's something that's consistent with your long-range plan. Okay. So October 26th is the first reading. Correct. Okay. And there'll be a second reading unless it's a unanimous first reading. Right. Okay. One other question now you [02:22:52] mention it so the final proposal uh with ppea so that when is that scheduled to be brought to council i don't think we have a specific date it's currently under review with the developer our city attorney's office um it'll be by the end of the year on the current schedule okay okay okay thank you that's all is there anyone else mr osina thank you um it may be for you and then may be for the developer. [02:23:28] So I was going back a little bit since history was referenced. So in October 2025, we received, we accepted an unsolicited PPA proposal. Did we receive any other proposal? [02:23:47] We did not receive any, to my knowledge, when we advertised. Yes, sir. Excuse me? Yes, sir, we did. Okay, but not more received. Correct. Is that correct? That is. So the one that we have now from MLG was the only one that we actually received, even though we did advertise for competing proposals. [02:24:06] Is that correct? Correct. We received an unsolicited proposal, then we advertised for competing proposals. Now we received, and the council chose to accept this proposal and move forward into the interim agreement stage. May I ask some specific questions about the building itself that maybe the developer could answer? [02:24:31] Yeah, absolutely. All right, but don't go too far. I was going to take a minute break here. I'll be back. So I'm just putting them in. So one of my things has been, particularly as of late here, the weather that we experience has gotten very different than what we used to have. [02:24:55] You know, much more violent thundershowers, you know, very extreme, a lot of rain all of a sudden as opposed to gentle thunderstorms like we used to. In wintertime, when we get very cold weather, the temps can be cold, but if we get precipitation, it can be, well, we remember what late January, early February was like there in this particular case. [02:25:22] And so looking at the site, I'm a big believer that we need to be thinking a little bit differently as we move forward in terms of development. And that is, I recognize that the area itself is a big heat island, the way it is, the Methville property in particular, and even our parking lot here and so forth. [02:25:44] And by constructing what's being proposed here obviously does reduce that. But can you, you know, what I guess I'm looking for is tree canopies are always great, but what's being considered for stormwater, particularly when we have these very violent thunderstorms with a lot, a lot of water, and how are you planning on, you know, adapting the property? [02:26:15] And also, are you considering the use, while we're talking about wider sidewalks, but on the property itself, are you looking at using a permeable brick in any way for walk that would allow rainfall or even snow to fall through? [02:26:38] Thank you. So for the record, my name is Greg Grimmie. I am principal and owner of MLG Construction Management. My partner, Andrew Marusek, is also in the room as well. Thank you for the opportunity to be our first hearing here with it being your last one. It's an honor for me. [02:26:58] I know we've worked over the past 18 months and met with several of you all to introduce the project and really work as a partner to the city and not simply a developer coming in front of you with an application. [02:27:15] And I think that's the part that, to address some of the comments before I wanted to put together into one, is to say that this project is a little bit unique. It is a public-private partnership in the true sense of that word. [02:27:31] So it's not just a term coined for law, but this is truly a partnership and an open book communication between the city and the private sector here. So with that said, we have done, I believe, as a developer, as a private sector expert witness, I would say that we have done everything possible and, in fact, gone beyond to address not only all of the engineering components, including stormwater that you mentioned, but also to really focus on some of the safety issues, traffic being probably primary in that list. [02:28:07] So to answer your question a little bit more directly, the stormwater component here right now is largely uncontrolled, right? The site is located at a low point along Center Street. I'm going to speak with a little bit of industry terminology. [02:28:26] I happen to be a civil engineer by professional background, so stormwater is certainly one that's close to what I look at when we first evaluate any property. It's the one thing that you cannot control, that and sanitary outfall. So that was one of the very early things that we looked at. [02:28:45] We can't change the fact that we're the low point in that drainage divide or in that sub-drainage divide in the area. What we can do is how we control it. So where today stormwater basically collects into that low point, which is located at the back of the parking lot, it ultimately goes underneath the rail by way of an existing culvert. [02:29:06] And then it dumps into Winter's Branch, right? So it's completely uncontrolled. There are no mechanical means or any kind of other controlling measures that are currently present. [02:29:22] So what we're doing is putting a detention system that's going to go underneath the garage effectively. It's going to collect the water at the 100-year storm event. Again, that is beyond what a normal stormwater management facility would be sized for. [02:29:38] But we're doing so because we're at a low point and because we understand that this is a very significant part of the drainage divide. And probably most importantly for me is that we don't want our apartments to flood when we're built. So the stormwater component has been looked at at a great detail. [02:29:56] There was another part of the building that you asked for. Forgive me, I forgot. So there's a number of different what we call stormwater quality measures, where the stormwater management is a quantity measure, meaning that it collects the quantity of stormwater. [02:30:19] The quality part of it is the measures that we use to clean the water, or at least to filter it as much as we can before we dump it into the public system again. And for that, we have a number of different ones. I don't know off the top of my head if permeable pavers are one, but there are things like filteras that we're adding. [02:30:38] There's going to be planter boxes throughout the site. So there's a number of different types of quality measures that officially count towards the state's mandated quality control. Aside from that, there's also green areas in the roof that certainly reduce the heat component and has some component of slowing down runoff, what we call is the typical runoff time between the farthest drop of rain to wherever the outfall is. [02:31:13] So those are all, in combination, measures that are going to be included in the forthcoming site plans, and are going to show that we, in fact, not only meet it, but we exceeded by quite a bit what the requirements of quantity and quality are. And these planters, are they going to be just on the ground level? [02:31:32] Are they going to be on some of the higher levels? A combination of both. And the reason why I can't answer that all specifically right now is because we haven't done the full design yet. But what's been done is at a conceptual level, identify the pieces that we're going to put together to meet and exceed the quality standards. [02:31:54] So there are the step back as we go. How far is it from the actual, from center street, the first floor, basically? [02:32:12] How far is that set? Do you want to answer that? I can take the first crack at it, and I'll speak generally about it, and maybe then Matt can come in with the specific numbers. But what I want to say is that the treatment of the facade of the building has been done so with a lot of great attention, not only from our team, but also from the city. [02:32:38] And I've spoken to many of the prior board members that we've worked with, and I commended their really involvement with making sure that this was done correctly. Where we started is at a 12-foot setback from face of existing Center Street curb to the beginning of any building, any ground-touching part of the building, [02:33:02] From that point, we've gone up to three levels, and then we're stepping back six feet in certain areas along the parallel facade or Center Street parallel facade of the building and up to eight feet in other sections of the non-parallel facade of the building. [02:33:21] So these step backs that we call them have been done so not only to meet the ARB comments that were brought forward, but also introduce an aesthetic quality to the building to sort of break it up a little bit from the street scale and the point of view of the pedestrian walking down the sidewalk on either side of the street. [02:33:42] So there's been great care that was taken to figure out exactly where the optimal location was placed of those step backs that would satisfy not only an architectural point of view, but also the historical point of view, as well as the actual operability and the marketability of the building. [02:34:01] And what kind of lighting will you be considering, especially at night, to help mitigate the higher strollers? Yeah, so the lighting, there's going to be, again, a combination of outdoor lighting and landscape lighting. [02:34:19] One of the important things that we identified here very early on in the process, in fact, it was presented at our early introduction meetings last year, is how are we going to pay homage to the historical significance of the Meredith House, right? [02:34:38] So the park that Mr. Arcieri mentioned earlier that's adjacent to the Meredith House was placed so strategically to sort of amplify the front yard, the existing front yard of the Meredith House and sort of present in a grander view using those outdoor landscape lighting and artistically position them in a way that highlight the main features of the building. [02:35:05] So I am not one of those artistic architects, so I can't tell you exactly where I will place it, but we have hired some very competent people that will do so. And I take it you have met with the owner of the Meredith House? [02:35:22] We have, yes. All right. Several times. Okay. Very good. Council member, to answer your specific question, so you have setbacks. so again from the edge of curb back to the building from 13 feet and greater almost i've seen up to 20 feet in certain places because the building is articulated it's not one flat right and then we spent a lot of time so just i won't go too long but we spent a lot of time trying to not repeat what happened to messenger place where the sidewalk ended up being too narrow once the building was in place so we spent a lot of time making sure even with the treatment placement in this project that you're always going to have that wide six foot plus clearance going down so [02:35:59] you're going to see a much wider sidewalk between the combination of pulling the building back those are some of the changes your zoning code made post passenger place and then bringing the street out another two to three feet is it the plan to plant trees along the sidewalk yes sir street trees will be added all the way from basically the driveway at old town hall a little bit beyond that all the down to the Meredith house and grid the Planning Commission had several additional requests along [02:36:31] the way and your reaction to them are are you agreeable to what they requested for for the most part everything that was presented is something that is acceptable to us as your partner again being that this is a public-private partnership there are impacts that are involved to the project that it's going to be open to the city staff and ultimately to this board to review. [02:37:00] But there were no concerns on our end for everything that was proposed. And did I read correctly in all this information that there is a publicly accessible park? Is that, if so, where would that be located? [02:37:19] So all of a lot of slides. So the green little straight, okay, this is a good one. So this is the design approval. You can see the light green strip is the street trees that you asked about before, Councilmember, and the green strip along the building. [02:37:35] And you can see in the corner there by the Meredith House that an entire cutout in the building will have a public access easement across it. So there'll be a nice little public addition. Those two things, it's obviously public green space, but it also opens up those sight lines to the Meredith House. And then we get into colors. [02:37:58] I don't think that's been cited by the AOB. Is that correct in this point? October 6, they're these colors that I showed you are what's being presented to the ARB. The ARB has had work sessions and provided feedback There'll be final action and on is currently scheduled for October 6th. Okay, very good Oh, there was a mention I think that when I read some of these things about whether solar panels could be put on top of the Building is is that still a possibility or is that? [02:38:33] The garage, as proffered, has the being proffered that it can support future solar. Of course, that would require additional conversations with council, which actually is partially publicly owned with our electric utility. But the idea was here to be solar ready. [02:38:49] Solar ready. Okay. I got you there. And ARB, you're comfortable with this green building certification that's been requested. Is that correct? That's correct. [02:39:04] Okay. Very good. Mr. Weissman, Mayor is back. Thank you. Hello. Hello. You good? Thank you for the opportunity. Thanks. Any other questions, Ms. Vasquez-Luna? Questions and comments. So, you know, the number one question, and I know I made a point earlier this year, is it in compliance, to start, is it in compliance with a 2045 comprehensive plan, which gives us the guidelines? [02:39:33] Yes, both the staff and the planning commission have found it in conformance with your comprehensive plan. Thank you. And I have served at the appointments committee for four years, and all I can say is there is a lot of applicants, a lot of great candidates, and I think most of them have come before the city council in the last four years. [02:40:01] And for me, this is important because I want the public to know we have appointed the most qualified people. And not only that, for the Planning Commission, they have to be sworn in and they have to go through the process. [02:40:18] So to me, it's very important what they say. And, you know, I know it's a long night, and I'm sorry for, you know, all these comments, but they are important to me in the process. And I truly appreciate the commissioners and the vice chair who's here tonight and the commissioners' extra writing when it comes to this because it gives me, you know, a little bit more comprehensive information in how they are coming about their decision. [02:40:54] And I have seen it evolve. It has changed a lot. And I do believe there might be more smaller changes coming about when, you know, the ARB has the next meeting. But I do, you know, appreciate the public input. [02:41:13] And at least for myself, I have tried to attend and to read the minutes when it comes to the older boards before it comes, you know, to us. But thank you, Madam Mayor. any other questions miss ellis thank you mayor um yeah a question about the environmental remediation so we will get like some kind of an update on that or do you have some kind of an update on that what is happening with that or do we have to get to a certain point before we can do that so the good news on this site is the petroleum distillates in the ground from its [02:41:52] operation the gas station are well known have been extensively documented by deq for many many years and deq has set aside dedicated state funding for many many years that is currently in the city's possession uh will be accessed as part of the ppea project for remediation um the plume hasn't moved it sits primarily under the large orange shed back there and then into the into the gas station site but um the developer is currently doing some additional subsurface investigation as we speak actually next week once we get through tax time didn't want to make the miss richie folks angry [02:42:27] at me so we're going to continue some subsurface investigation but what will happen then is the developer and the staff are going to work together on a remediation plan that'll all have to be approved by deq before we open up the site and start removing it but the goal is to remove as much if not all the petroleum distillates from the site or if it's under potentially some can be entombed under the parking garage depending on cost but of course when you're dealing with the apartment side we have to remove everything okay the only other thing that i'll add to that too is the um there is asbestos also in the existing buildings which it's part of the environmental remediation as well so that's going to be part of the work okay the buildings that [02:43:05] are there um so um most of the the remediation you believe will be under the parking garage most likely we don't know but that's mostly the site it's it's kind of it's between city hall and The MIFCO site, but the remediation is going to involve removing all the contaminated soil. [02:43:25] Okay. So another question about the stormwater, the detention system. So that is, is that like a vault? And is it similar to what's under Old Town Square, the old Van Meter, well, not old, Van Meter property? Probably more analogous would be what we have a public safety facility. [02:43:42] So a large facility like that, because we're talking about one sitting in a public, under public property. So they'll have to have, like, an infiltration system, like, I'm sure, regardless. It's going to pick up both the on-site water and it's going to pick up water from Center Street, as I showed on that one slide. [02:44:01] When you talk seven acres, it's much larger than just the site here, so it's going to pick up all that water. It's going to go into that detention system, and then it's great adventure. It holds it as opposed to just discharging it under the railroad, which is what happens now, and then it gets slowly discharged, which has downstream benefits. And that's for 100 years. [02:44:17] That will – okay. All right. I'm just curious. After 100 years, whoever owns a property, they have to figure out how to replace the vault? It's a 100-year storm. So it's an engineering term. Oh, is that what it is, a 100-year storm? It's the volume of water that was theoretically generated once every 100 years. [02:44:35] I understand. It's an engineering design. But what is the life of that vault? I mean, it's under the property, right? Like, how do they – Yeah, the vault is a concrete structure, so the life of it is as long as the garage itself stays. And it's got filtering capability that you can install, too, which is able to be maintained quite easily. [02:44:55] It'll be maintained by our stormwater department, our public works department, with a contribution from the apartment, which will be part of that final deal. Yeah, that's what I was concerned about, because of the way the site is, to make sure the stormwater is going to be, you know, safe. All modern stormwater facilities are subject to annual maintenance agreements, whether it's this project or any project in the city. [02:45:14] They have to be maintained. We enforce that through our stormwater division. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Ms. Vaskin. Thank you, Madam Mayor. And actually, it's one question and a comment. And as you know, we cannot forget all the work that you did. And even though we talk about the butter chicken, but it's more to me about the relationships and how you were able to accomplish that and leave Manassas better. [02:45:38] My question is, I do recall one of the biggest shortage in the city. It's apartments and condominiums. So how will these bring about, you know, the change? Because I believe it will make it positive since we are at about 70% when you are at all the single homes and townhomes. [02:46:00] So, sorry. My ask is, I believe this can also be positive. And if you can confirm if we do have a shortage in the condominiums or apartments part. Yeah, so the city does have it. [02:46:18] When you look at some of the affordability issues in the city in the greater Manassas, Prince William, and even the D.C. region, the shortage is definitely in the affordability. It's definitely in the rental market more so than in the for sale market. So adding any sort of supply, the region has a long-term goal of adding supply of affordable rentals throughout the entire region. [02:46:38] So Manassas, obviously, can do a small part, but any time you're adding rental product, you're helping with that supply deficit that the region is currently experiencing. And my last, I remember when all this started a while back, you know, having a partnership, regardless of who, but a private partnership like that. [02:47:03] It wasn't something that because of how small we are or the projects are smaller, It wasn't something that we could see, and to me, it's great that we are at this point, regardless of how everybody votes, but I just feel like, you know, we went from thinking that we didn't, you know, we wouldn't have that opportunity to now to continue to have that, so thank you. [02:47:26] Any other comments or questions? Thank you. The public hearing is now open, and I do have folks signed up if they're still here. I think Diana Brown left, but I have Mr. Richard Castaldo signed up. [02:47:48] Richard Castaldo, I'm a returning resident after living in the county for a few years. And I live on the corner of Prince William and Grant. You've created the perfect storm with a traffic kludge that has impugned the ability of the police and fire folks down Grant to make timely calls anywhere going north. [02:48:15] It's a disaster. don't believe the traffic study that was done and i did take the time to read about 200 pages of it it does not include the roundabout you plan to put in out 28 going north at the cvs you're going to have a ton of construction traffic you're going to have noise and it's just going to be worse and i i suggest you table this until you look at an integrated traffic study with lights and safety and start enforcing crosswalks as far as the where the police are in the fire trucks now in [02:48:49] south grant every day i hear them waiting in traffic with sirens blowing unable to get across prince william through the bridge it's unsafe i feel bad for the firefighters who have a responsibility and the police to go north on that road and answer emergency calls and to make it worse in the traffic plan that i read before you built down grant or allow that zoning issue you didn't take all that into effect that would be the people in the board or perhaps some of the [02:49:21] folks on the planning staff it's a mess and when you add another construction zone at mifco and the only other comment i'll have is i just heard a liability for remediation who's responsible if it overruns I'm gonna I'm gonna submit that it's gonna be y'all or whoever replaces you and I won't take any more of your time thank you sir thank you don't have anyone else signed up for the public hearing but if anyone else wishes to speak on the public hearing item and good evening Tim Plevniak [02:49:58] resident of Manassas we're at the Planning Board a meeting where they voted to send this off to you and I saw this presentation and my concern is the traffic the study they did it was mainly just the three intersections and they used general numbers for the intersections for the area so I just think I agree with this gentleman that something you need a more precise traffic [02:50:37] study not just for this area but for the whole city and I'll tell you my experience and now for the last five years i've worked at the postal service here and for the last two years exclusively in the city of manassas i know where all the tight spots are i do it every day so just a simple thing like uh wellington road being closed when they were doing the maintenance on the tracks so it was about 4 4 15 i was coming up grant coming into the city it was [02:51:12] backed up beyond the roundabout. I was about the fourth vehicle before the roundabout. I'm thinking this is crazy what's going on. Then I realized that was closed so people are going in different directions. So I took a picture of it and I thought this was interesting. It took me four or five lights to get through Prince William Street. The next day I was coming up center and I was stopped in traffic in front of All Saints Church coming into town. Both lanes full. Again it was because [02:51:45] Wellington Road is closed. My point is, are we that tight that one incident like that will affect the whole city? The study was done of these three intersections, very general. I think something, the whole city, you need something more. Like you said, the roundabout is going to change things. [02:52:08] We're going to be working on Mathis Avenue. It's going to affect us. And I don't see, and they use a general number of 2% increase a year. Okay, these people do this all the time. that's how they figure it and then they're telling us once the hotel and the um and the apartments are there it's only what 1648 vehicles added to traffic that's a lot I mean I I'm here on Center Street I'm on Fairview I'm on Prescott you know there's a lot of traffic and and when the [02:52:43] train comes and the streets are closed you're backing you're backed up from Fairview all the way to Centerville on Prescott at times. So you're adding stress to what we have. And like I said, one little thing like Wellington Road being closed throws the whole thing off. So now you're adding more to it. I think you need to do a more comprehensive traffic study to see how this is going to affect us. I know this is going through. I don't agree with the sides. And I know this part is a formality to move on, but I think you've got to have to spend more time [02:53:22] investigating how this is going to affect our traffic. I know it's been a problem for a long time, but it needs more conversation. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Plevniot. Anyone else wishes to speak on this public hearing item? Mayor, Council, City Manager. My name is Mark Olson. I'm the President of the Board of Directors of Historic Manassas. In the early summer, Historic Manassas met with 30 businesses and restaurants when it was in planning or ARB. There was all full support [02:54:00] of the project. Historic Manassas Board of Directors voted on the project and support the project fully. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Olson. Anyone else to come for the public? Mr. Muchnick. Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the council. Thank you for your service and particularly Madam Mayor. Thank you for your diligent service and your vision for moving Manassas forward and being the impetus for the old town in purchasing the old town in property I just want to say I'm very [02:54:39] much in favor of this project I think it's been through a lot of a lot a lot of meetings which I fortunately did not attend but I did review the presentation before I came here I think the ARB and the Planning Commission have gone through all these issues it's not a perfect project perhaps no nothing ever is I personally I would like higher density I think the amount of density and the scaling back and the height of the buildings is reasonable considering the historic nature of Old Town. I think they've done a good job with that. But yeah, I'd love a gold LED building. I'd like geothermal heat. There's a lot of things [02:55:19] I'd like, but being realistic and the economics of it, I think this is a great proposal. This is really critical for revitalizing our downtown, providing the parking garage that we very much need for our city. It's going to be good for the environment, less impervious service, more greenery, and it's going to revitalize the downtown. [02:55:38] If you go to any other locality in northern Virginia, go to Falls Church, go to Fairfax City, the town of Vienna, they're all building much higher densities. This is really bupkis, 162 units, 100 units, and it's nothing. I lived for a decade more on Columbia Pike in Arlington. [02:55:57] They were building 300-unit, 500-unit apartment buildings up and down that corridor. And they didn't have metro. They only had bus service. It's really not much, and it really brings people. It brings vitality. It supports the businesses. [02:56:14] So I hope this goes through. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. McNair. Anyone else? [02:56:27] That's fine. I just disturbed that we're going to keep adding more and more people to Old Town Monaster. this is great maybe if you don't live in the old town but there's a lot of people and we're just going to keep cramming them in and we do not want it to look like fairfax or false church or any of those um i mean i'm not against having an apartment but maybe a three-story something with [02:57:05] some architectural, you know, improvement. It dwarfs the mansion there. And there's a picture in this paper of it, and it looks like dominoes behind the old 100-year-old house. And I'm curious how close this building is to the railroad tracks, because how many people want to live right on the [02:57:41] railroad tracks. And it is true that the traffic is backed up constantly on Prescott, down past Sudley, Center Street, not Center Street, Centerville. And I just think that there should be more thought going into this and not rushing into it. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Long. Anyone else? [02:58:15] Yes. I saw on one of the slides that they are saying that everything complies with the comprehensive plan, and it doesn't. Although they can raise the height for an industrial zoning to 65 feet on your B3.5, that doesn't comport with the plan, which recommends nothing higher and forbids anything higher than 55 feet in the historic district downtown. [02:58:48] okay the city owns that property they don't have to go to 65 feet they choose to and they choose to disregard the resident the recommendations of the comprehensive plan and I think it should be corrected in the record when it says it complies with it because it doesn't it may be legal to go that high but it doesn't it is inconsistent with the height limits that were set and also I don't understand why an unsolicited proposal that's generated this much contrafers he is being rushed through so fast except that people are afraid of uh new people on the board or a new mayor you know not not pushing it through fast enough but it seems to [02:59:27] me that you should that you should slow down and and get some other proposals because this proposal doesn't look very good to me thank you anyone else hello mayor and council lynn brockham green Manassas City resident um you know I understand that this design has come a long way from what we were originally presented and I absolutely appreciate all the hard work from all the parties [03:00:00] involved along the way from staff to our volunteers on the various commissions and I feel like what I want to impress upon you all is once again every single board will say once this gets to council they will hear what the residents have to say and then it gets to council and council says but we trust staff in every commissioner that's sitting there and I think it's really important to understand why folks are asking you to slow down it's because we're not we're not ready for this [03:00:37] particular thing to be approved yet we understand a lot of work has been done we know that part of that work is our voices along the way pushing. You know, we had many residents several years ago fight for the preservation of Old Town, and you can see those footprints throughout all of this. [03:00:57] However, the one thing that you don't feel and hear is the resident voices in this particular moment. In this particular moment, we are still not 100% sold on this project, and there's various reasons one is the traffic study and i think we are very concerned that many projects are happening at the very same time and all the traffic studies are done in a little vacuum and it doesn't take into consideration the entire city but yet when you guys are talking about the planning of the entire city and the comprehensive plan you get to have that forward-thinking look but then when it [03:01:33] comes to approving it you're approving it in these little tiny vacuums and so quality of life is being affected. The quality of our life, the quality of our time in traffic, the quality of getting services to us that we pay a lot of money for and that we want to keep great. And when we keep putting more and more people in here, we're saying there's just no way that we don't need more police officers or more firefighters then. Golly, I am not even one who wants to spend tax money on more and more staff. You know that. But I don't know how we do not plan for more police officers with [03:02:11] your current vision for the city and I don't hear anything about that side of the ledger at all and I really would like to understand that especially when this project is with public money so that's what I'm asking for you to do is I understand this particular meeting is about the rezoning but if we keep approving the project in these piecemeal areas and we never stop and pause and have the conversations that need to happen then the messenger place 2.0 happens that's what happens that's how the messenger place got here the messenger building is here because people [03:02:47] thought it was going to be fine and then it wasn't fine and the fact that this building gets to be taller even if it's just some portion of it then that building is kind of wild because nobody wants it to be taller than that nobody so anyways in short i'll just take two more seconds in short i am asking for a real traffic study to be done just like everyone else and i would like for you So thank you for all of this presentation and for all of your comments and for all of the boards. [03:03:15] But I would like when you make your decisions, if you can explain when you listen to resident feedback in this, because the ARB is approving it on their guidelines, the developers learning about those guidelines through our staff. The planning commission is only approving the rezoning and you guys are supposed to represent us. [03:03:35] So if you're not representing us, then I don't even know why we have a city council and the staff can run the whole city. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Is there a motion to close the public hearing? Madam Mayor, move to close the public hearing and schedule for a vote on October 26th. [03:03:53] Second. We have the motion by Vice Mayor Wolfe, seconded by Councilwoman Vasquez Luna to close the public hearing on this item. Any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Smith, please call the roll. Vice Mayor Wolfe? Yes. Council Member Vasquez Luna? [03:04:10] Yes. Council Member Ellis? Yes. Council Member Smith? Yes. Council Member Osina? Yes. Council Member Hudson? Yes. Motion carried. Thank you very much for that. Next on the agenda is item 6, which is new business. Item 6.1 is a bid opening for terminal building development and ground lease for the provision of passenger airline service at the Manassas Regional Airport. [03:04:36] Let's see. Next on the agenda is a receipt of bids in response to requests for amended franchise proposals for the purpose of renovating, expanding, and managing the airport terminal building complex. for passenger airline service at the proposal's sole expense related to seven parcels owned by the city of Manassas and located at 10600 Harry Parish Boulevard at the Washington Manassas Airport for a term of up to 40 years. The city has duly advertised this franchise as required by law [03:05:12] for all franchises with a duration of more than five years the city has received one one sealed bid before i open the bid i'll ask if there's anyone that wishes to submit a bid for this franchise to please bring it forward at this time there being no more bids i will now open the bid received and mark it for identification as required by law something sharp here [03:05:38] I will now provide the bid to Mr. Rivera, the airport director, and ask if he has a recommendation. [03:06:06] Mr. Rivera. Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of council. Staff recommends that the bids be forwarded back to staff for our review and that we schedule a public hearing for this any questions or comments from members of council no okay I need a motion to refer the bids to the airport director second yeah the motion by vice mayor will second by Councilman Vasquez [03:06:45] Luna to refer the bids to the airport director and staff and to schedule a public hearing and the first reading on the ordinance granted granting the proposed amendment franchise at the next regular meeting of city council on october 26 2026 any discussion and seeing none mr smith please call the roll vice mayor wolf yes council member vasquez luna yes council member ellis yes council member smith yes council member rosina yes council member hudson yes motion carries all right thank you so much for that um next we have the authorization [03:07:25] of the closed meeting i'll call on attorney dawson 7.1 resolution r 2026-1297 good evening sir good evening madam mayor and members of council the next item on your agenda this evening is a closed meeting of the council there are two items for discussion both items for discussion involve specific city officers appointees or employees for the purpose of considering such person's assignment appointment promotion performance demotion salary disciplining or resignation [03:08:02] specifically the items involve the discussion of a the potential appointment of certain individuals to city boards or commissions and b the performance of a city council employee pursuant to virginia code section 2.2-3711 these discussions may take place in a duly convened close meeting of city council to be in a close meeting i recommend for your adoption resolution r2026-1297 resolution authorizing a close meeting of city council yes i shall move second we have [03:08:38] the motion by councilman osina seconded by councilwoman vasquez luna to approve resolution number r2026-1297 authorizing our closed meeting any discussion hearing and seeing none mr smith please call the roll councilman rocina yes councilmember vasquez luna yes vice mayor wolf yes councilmember ellis yes councilmember smith yes councilmember hudson yes the motion carried all right thank you [03:09:48] we had the motion by councilman osina seconded by councilman vasquez luna to approve resolution number r2026-1299 certifying a closed meeting any discussion hearing and saying long mr smith please call the roll council member osina yes council member vasquez luna yes vice mayor whoop okay if you must council member ellis council member smith yes council member hudson yes thank you so much for that i'll call on mr osina thank you madam mayor i move the adoption [03:10:23] of resolution r-2026-1298 where monasca city council approves the following recommendations sharon sykes to the parks and recreation committee as a regular member for term beginning september 28th 2026 and ending june 30th 2030 point daniel bonnie to the architectural review board as a regular member for a partial term beginning September 28, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029. [03:10:57] Appoint Gordon Baer Washington to the Historic Resources Board as a regular member for a term beginning September 28, 2026 and ending June 30, 2030. Appoint Jean Humbreck to the Criminal Justice Board as a resident member for a partial term beginning September 28, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027 and appoint Valerie Meal to the Manassas Business Council as a regular member for a partial term beginning September 28, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029. [03:11:37] Second. We have the motion by Councilman Lucina, seconded by Councilman Vasquez Luna to approve Resolution No. R-2026-1298. Any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Smith, please call the roll. Councilmember Alcina? [03:11:53] Yes. Councilmember Vasquez Luna? Yes. Vice Mayor Wolfe? Yes. Councilmember Ellis? Yes. Councilmember Smith? Yes. Councilmember Hudson? Yes. Okay, thank you. Before we close, as I said earlier, I did have a few comments at the end of the meeting, so just to make it a little bit longer, it has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve as your mayor. [03:12:13] I leave this office with my head held high with the utmost gratitude. my conscience clear, and a steadfast belief that Manassas can and will continue moving forward. I will continue to pray for all of you daily and hope that your next mayor has as much heart and love for the people in this community as I did, and that individual makes you proud and represents the city as I certainly tried to do. The common thread I think that everyone heard tonight and I hope can agree on whether you like me or not is simply this is that she showed up I think that's [03:12:50] what probably and hopefully would come to everyone's mind and when you think about showing up you think about everything that you that I had to show up through and what I had to show up for and when I think about the through part I had to show up through COVID I had to show up through tremendous loss of my immediate family members loss of friendships betrayal trust broken trust many tears uh gossip plots to discredit me and embarrass me schemes to remove me or silence me being bullied secretly having pictures taken of me being followed my home being watched to see who [03:13:28] was coming and going the character assassination and jealousy and I think most hurtful were the racist comments that I that I often heard but I showed up I kept showing up and so on the flip side of that, not to leave on a negative note, I showed up for finally getting rid of the Old Town Inn. Yay. And someone had mentioned earlier the Wawa, but it wasn't just the Wawa, the tie-breaking vote that I had. It's the million-dollar ticket selling Wawa, if y'all remember. They sold the million-dollar ticket. The teachers, I showed up for the students, the schools, the businesses, [03:14:05] the restaurants. You saw tonight the veterans, the seniors, the festivals and celebrations, the ribbon cuttings, the underserved and the voiceless, the late night Hello Nicole emergency calls to social services, sometimes 11, 12 o'clock at night, the grieving families, the churches, the sororities, the fraternities, the hospital visits, the home visits, and every constituent that reached out and even those that didn't. She showed up. That's what I need you to say. So when you're asked years from now, what did that mayor ever do? What did she ever do for the city? Please [03:14:44] just do me a favor and simply smile and say, she showed up. Thank you Manassas for allowing me to serve. Now it is your turn to protect this community, participate in its future and hold its leadership to account and keep moving our city forward together. I wish you all farewell and God bless you all. [03:15:05] Thank you so much. We are adjourned. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Coraggio Consulting · aguyonx.com