Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the July 15 work session. Missed the July 8 meeting? Here's my preview of the important issues, and one of the decisions that will be sure to impact you.
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Happy Friday, Manassas!
As the Regional Editor for Manassas, I'll be starting a series where I preview each Manassas City Council meeting so you know what's going on, what to listen for, and how to talk about it later.
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As we get closer to the start of early voting for the Fall 2024 election, Potomac Local News is dedicated to informing the community about candidates vying for one of three open seats on the Manassas City Council and the mayor's seat.
To help voters make an informed decision, we are launching a new feature series, "One-Question Manassas City Council Candidate Survey." This series will run throughout the campaign season, offering insights into each candidate's stand on key issues affecting our city.
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Manassas City Hall has reopened after significant renovations.
The building, which had remained unchanged since 1987, now features upgraded windows, an HVAC system, plumbing, an elevator, and reconfigured office space. The renovation project, initiated in 2014, cost $15.9 million and included a new roof and generator installed in 2021.
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On Friday, June 14, Manassas leaders hosted a delegation of Chinese officials and business leaders from the City of Quianjiang in Hubei province. The Manassas Department of Economic Development organized the visit to encourage cultural and economic exchange. This was the first such visit since officials from the City of Shaoxing visited in 2015.
Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, who did not respond to a request for comment for this story, was initially scheduled to lead the delegation but dropped out at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict. Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky, along with Interim City Manager Doug Keen, took over the task.
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On Monday, May 13, 2024, the Manassas City Council voted to increase keep real estate tax rates flat. Councilmember Sonia Vasquez Luna motioned for approval, and Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky seconded it. The vote passed, with Councilmember Theresa Coates Ellis being the sole dissenting vote.
The new flat tax rate is set at $1.26 $1.28 per $100 of assessed value. Homeowners with a median home valued at $394,000 will see their average tax bill rise to about $5,070. Overall, real estate property assessments increased by an average of 5.19%.
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Manassas Town Council press release: Theresa Coates Ellis, Patron Manassas City Council Member of Manassas Bee Festival (June 22); Patricia Kouttab, Owner of Kerbobble Toys; Sherry Day, building owner of 9216 Center St.; Mark Olsen, Chair and Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director, Historic Manassas Inc., proudly announce the launch to create a new wall mural at an entrance to Historic Manassas on the wall of Kerbobble Toys celebrating the Bee City USA designation for the City of Manassas. On May 2021, the Manassas City Council voted unanimously to become a Bee City USA, initiated by Council Member Coates Ellis, a trained master gardener and beekeeper. With that designation, the City must hold public awareness activities to plant native and to save our pollinators, including bees. The 4th annual Manassas Bee Festival fulfills this requirement with a free family fun and educational event held on Saturday, June 22nd from 10am to 2pm.
Coates Ellis said, “We started a nonprofit organization, Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival, so we could give back to the community. Our goal was to contribute more public art and education to the city of Manassas with the important native plant and pollinator theme. Since 2019, we have visited many schools and groups and hosted workshops and demonstrations at the apiary at Liberia House and Grounds. This year, we are thrilled that a public art plan came together and the Friends of the Manassas Bee Festival will be donating funds for the wall mural project on Kerbobble Toys, to welcome visitors to our Historic Manassas, a Bee City USA.”
Patricia Kouttab, owner of Kerbobble Toys (opened December, 2019), is also an artist and designed the new mural. She will be painting her original work of art on the wall of her business. The building is owned by Sherry Day, who submitted her consent for the project to Kouttab.
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On Monday, May 20, 2024, the Manassas City Council will hold a joint meeting with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to discuss the pending purchase of the Manassas Shopping Center. The City and the EDA are entering into a cooperation agreement for the acquisition and future redevelopment of the property
Tonight's meeting will focus on finalizing the details of this cooperation agreement, ensuring both the city and EDA are aligned on the purchase and future plans for the Manassas Shopping Center. Overall, Mathis Avenue, on which the shopping center sits, has long been slated for redevelopment.
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Longtime Manassas business owner Xiao Yin (pronounced Shee-ow Yin) “Tang” Byrom has announced her candidacy for the Republican ticket for Mayor of Manassas. She will challenge incumbent Michelle Davis-Younger, the Democratic Party nominee.
Highlighting her priorities, Yin emphasized two key initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing needs of Manassas residents. First, she stressed the importance of tackling turnover in key roles within the city.
