Live Blog: City Council Meeting (April 25)

6:40 p.m.— Neighborhood Services Manager Kisha Wilson-Sogunro updates council members on community revitalization and safety initiative.

Police Department Update:

Since reorganizing the entire police force to put more officers on the street, law enforcement officials have been able to restructure its community policing plan. This has allowed for more traffic enforcement as requested by local neighborhoods.

The ongoing effort has allowed local authorities to meet with 219 residents face to face.  A total of 449 extra patrols, including officers on foot and bikes, have been conducted.

Community Development Update:

• 559 active property code enforcement cases

• 310 closed cases since January- April

• Byrd Park and Bristoe Station Clean-ups conducted in month of April

Public Works Update:

• 731 complaint calls received so far this year

• 486  televisions collected so far this year

• 176 tons of debris collected via street sweeper so far this year

• 10 tall grass responses so far this year. This number is expected to dramatically increase as we progress through spring and into summer. 

Current situation in Georgetown South:

Property code enforcement:

• 136 rental properties identified for action

• 44 properties compliant, 12 properties in process of becoming compliant

• 8 cases referred to the city attorney for action

Public works:

• 63 complaints calls received

• 333 televisions collected

• 8 tons of trash collected

• 4 tall grass responses

Community Engagement:

 Georgetown South recruited and actively identified 40 neighborhood liaisons, who were trained by police on how to report a crime. The training took place on March 30.

These liaisons distributed 112 free scholarships for youth in the GTS community to attend the local Boys and Girls Club.

Police and liaisons join forces to plan community outreach events to include a Youth Engagement event in in June and National Night Out in August.

AmericRops Nat'l Service Workers grans submitted on April 11.

Youth Engagement:

Boys and Girls club hired three new full time staff members trained in youth development to handle the increase of membership

Teen career workshops offered Monthly at Boys and Girls Club. Next one is May 13.

Monthly open houses at Both GTS community center and Boys and Girls Club. Participation by a guardian to every open house will get a free membership at club. 

Upcoming Projects:

1 By Youth Project with Field of Dreams:

When: May 14, 8 a.m. to  6 p.m.

 Where: Point of Woods 1, 2, 3

What: Planting 13 community gardens

Other New Business Items Heard During Monday Night's Meeting:

6:30 p.m.—Presentation of the Virginia Milestone Achievement Award for Volunteerism to Historic Manassas, Inc. and the City of Manassas. Award presented by Mayor Harry J. Parrish ll.

7:15 p.m.—First week of May declared National Volunteer Week by Harry J. Parrish ll. 

7:30 p.m. Citizens' Time,  Public Hearing on Budget, Public Hearing on the proposed Effective Real Property Tax Rate.