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.

The EDA, established by the City Council, signed a contract with Four Taylor’s, LLC on March 13, 2024, to purchase the Manassas Shopping Center, located at 9002Mathis Avenue.

The City has committed funds to support the EDA’s acquisition, which aims to redevelop the property for mixed-use purposes. This redevelopment is intended to complement and protect community quality. Due to existing lease agreements, immediate redevelopment is not feasible, and the EDA will manage the property until redevelopment is viable.

The cooperation agreement outlines several key points:

1. Funding and Acquisition: The City will provide the funds for the EDA to purchase the property at the agreed price of $16 million
2. Contract Amendments: The city must approve any material amendments to the purchase contract, such as price increases.
3. Management and Operations: The EDA will retain a commercial property management firm to handle day-to-day operations and will maintain a separate operating account for revenues and expenses.
4. Financial Oversight: The EDA will produce an annual budget and monthly profit and loss statements. The city will cooperate with the EDA to address any financial deficiencies.
5. Property Maintenance: The EDA will ensure the property is maintained in accordance with City and State regulations and will pay for insurance and taxes if applicable.
6. Leasing and Use: The EDA has the authority to enter into commercial leases and use agreements for the property, with City approval required for long-term leases.

The agreement also includes provisions for the city to use the property for temporary needs and for cooperation in community engagement regarding the property’s future use and redevelopment. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the city’s Public Safety Facility, 9608 Grant Avenue.

In 2022, city officials said drivers on Mathis Avenue will see the center turn lane replaced with a landscaped median featuring trees and a raised concrete barrier. This $7 million project aims to reduce the road to one lane in each direction, which city officials hope will spur new development along the half-mile stretch between Sudley Road and Liberia Avenue.

 

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.

“Our city is currently suffering with turnover in key roles,” Byrom stated, expressing her determination to bring in the best talent to fill these positions and enhance the city’s management. Manassas uses a council-manager government model that provides for the city manager to handle all day to day operations, with the city council having more of a legislative role.

The city has faced an upheaval in its leadership. Notably, former City Manager Patrick Pate left to serve in a similar role in Winston-Salem, N.C., while Assistant City Manager Bryan Foster announced his departure at the end of 2023. Today, former police chief Douglas Keen is the Acting City Manager, creating a leadership shift in the police department as well.

The city also lost its long-time Utilities Director, Tony Dawood, replacing him in February with Tarek Aly. Ana Davis, a former billing coordinator, is currently acting as director for the Water and Sewer Department. Byrom highlighted the urgent need for education reform, acknowledging the challenges faced by the school system. “Our schools are failing our kids and community,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for a new approach to forge a stronger relationship between the School Board, City Council, and students’ needs.

In recent months, parents have been ringing alarm bells as Metz Middle School has shown signs of deep decline. All the while, the school board members have dug in their heels to keep a grading system, introduced during the pandemic, that makes it easier for students to pass and graduate.

Byrom, the owner of Tang’s Bridal and Alterations in the Canterbury Village shopping center, at 8675 Sudley Road, opened her Manassas store as an alteration shop in 1999. She eventually expanded her business to include bridal and formal wear. Her business currently employs 17 in the city.

Elected in 2020, Mayor Michelle Davis Younger has served one term on the council.

There are three open seats on the city council for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 Election, in addition to the mayoral seat.

City Council seats

Robyn Williams, who is nearing the end of her second four-year term on the Manassas City School Board, will run as a Republican. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from George Mason University and has found her background in Finance and Economics valuable on the MCPS School Board, in addition to her more than 10 years as Broker/Owner of Redstone Realty, specializing in residential real estate.

Williams’ public service in Manassas began with the Beautification Committee, serving as a member and eventually Chairperson. She volunteered as a teacher assistant at Haydon Elementary for several years and taught modules in schools through the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation Department.

She continues to serve the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Manassas.

Lynn Forkell Green, a Republican, is seeking to regain a seat on the council, where she served for 14 months, from Fall 2021 to December 2022. Forkell Green served the remainder of Davis-Younger’s city council term, a seat vacated when Davis-Younger was elected mayor.

Lynn Forkell Greene is running for re-election to the Manassas City Council for her first full four-year term. Forkell Greene won a special election in 2021 and served for 14 months, diligently fulfilling her campaign promises. Notably, Forkell Greene successfully advocated for a reduction in the personal property tax burden for all residents in 2022, demonstrating her commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Forkell Greene stood as an ally of the Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL) when the city inked a deal to sell a portion of its fields to the city’s largest employer, computer chip maker Micron, so it could expand its facility.

She’s also served as vice-chair of the Parks, Culture, and Recreation committee, and in a leadership role in Keep Manassas Beautiful, where she increased the number of volunteers before assuming the position of Chair.

Professionally, Forkell Greene currently serves as an Administrative Director for a nonprofit organization. Forkell Greene and her husband share four adult children and three grandchildren. Forkell Green has served as a freelancer for Potomac Local News since leaving the city council and will discontinue the role during her campaign.

Stephen Kent, a Republican, and Manassas resident since 2020 and candidate for Manassas City Council, has deep roots in the community. Kent holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UNC-Greensboro and has forged a career spanning public relations, broadcasting, advocacy, and political writing for a national audience. Notably, he authored the 2021 book “How The Force Can Fix The World” for Hachette, exploring the cultural legacy of Star Wars since 1977 and proposing how shared popular culture can mend political polarization.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Kent is deeply involved in community service. He serves as a dedicated Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 671G in Nokesville, VA, the most active all-girl BSA troop in Northern Virginia. Here, he imparts valuable skills to scouts, including communication, journalism, public speaking, backpacking, and rock climbing.

In his bid for Manassas City Council, Kent’s priorities include addressing affordability, enhancing mobility, and preserving the natural beauty and green spaces of Manassas. With his extensive community involvement and diverse background, Kent aims to bring a fresh perspective to local governance.

Kent, along with his wife Melony, who ran for Manassas School Board in 2022, and their daughter Sylvie, made the decision to settle in Manassas after relocating from North Carolina.

Because five candidates have successfully filed to be the Democratic nominee for the three Manassas City Council seats up for election this year, the voters will select the three nominees in the June 18 Democratic primary. The five candidates seeking that nomination are incumbents Tom Osina and Mark Wolfe and first-time candidates Ashley Hutson, Anthony McGhee, and Samantha Tungul.

Early voting for the June 18 primary began on Friday, May 3.

Alan Gloss is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!

Manassas City Council held a public hearing on the city's budget, as residents once again are facing the prospect of paying more in taxes.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.

The Manassas City Council has voted to adopt an advertised property tax rate of $1.28 per $100 of property value, a decision that could lead to increased tax bills for homeowners and potentially higher costs for renters as landlords pass on the additional expense.

During the council session Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Interim City Manager Douglass Keen suggested a proactive approach, recommending an incremental increase to allow for flexibility in adjusting the rate before final approval. Council members engaged in a thorough discussion regarding the potential impacts of the proposed rate.

Council member Pamela Sebeksy expressed concerns about future financial stability, citing declining revenue from gas taxes and the need to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Others, like Council member Theresa Coates Ellis, advocated for maintaining a flat tax rate, while Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna emphasized the importance of raising taxes to safeguard against future uncertainties, such as another pandemic.

Councilman Ralph Smith suggested the $1.28 rate, after the council failed to adopted an advertised rate that was a penny less. Ultimately, the council voted 4-2 in favor of the advertised tax rate, with Council members Wolfe and Ellis casting the dissenting votes.

The adoption of the advertised tax rate signals a potential increase in tax bills for residents, with the exact impact to be revealed during an upcoming work session on Wednesday, March 13. While the council may revisit the rate before final budget approval in May, the advertised rate serves as a baseline that cannot be exceeded.

Keen had previously presented a comprehensive budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025, addressing various community needs and priorities. The proposed budget aimed to balance essential services, employee retention, and targeted capital improvements while considering the city’s long-term financial stability.

Residents were already facing an average $266 in increase in the average tax bill, with a corresponding $7.71 increase in the monthly utility bill, under Keen’s budget proposal.

Interim City Manager Douglas Keen presented the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Manassas City Council on Monday, February 26, 2024, outlining a comprehensive plan to address various community needs and priorities.

During his presentation, Keen highlighted several key achievements from the previous fiscal year, including the successful establishment of businesses like Micron and Olde Towne Inn and the commemoration of Manassas’ 150th anniversary. He also referenced the findings of the 2022 Manassas Community Survey, which informed the strategic priorities outlined in the proposed budget.

Among the areas of concern addressed in the budget proposal were employee retention through competitive compensation and benefits, increased funding for schools by $1.8 million, rising shared service costs by $715,000, and targeted capital improvements, particularly within the utilities department focusing on parks and recreation enhancements and economic development initiatives. Keen also proposed adding two staff members to the Parks and Recreation department to bolster programming efforts.

The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 reflects a 6.7% increase over the previous year, totaling $330 million. Notable increases were earmarked for general services, social services, stormwater management, the airport, and information technology funds, while decreases were observed in the electric and cemetery trust funds.

Property taxes remain the primary revenue source, accounting for 34% of the budget. Keen recommended maintaining the real estate tax rate at $1.260 per $100 of assessed value. However, the average tax bill is expected to increase by $266, with a corresponding $7.71 increase in the monthly utility bill.

The average proposed increase to the residential tax bill is higher than in neighboring Prince William County, at $243.

Despite a lower overall real estate assessed value growth than the previous fiscal year (6.49% compared to 10.79%), the total taxable real estate assessed value increased to $7.35 billion from $6.9 billion.

The proposed budget for Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) includes $62.01 million in local contributions, representing an increase from $58.71 million in the previous fiscal year. Additionally, $6.38 million in debt service funds have been allocated as part of the funding strategy.

The budget proposal timeline includes a town hall meeting on March 18 and a public hearing on April 22, with first and second readings scheduled for May 13 and June 10, respectively.

Council members expressed appreciation for Keen’s transparent and informative presentation. Councilmember Mark Wolfe requested a comparison between the proposed FY25 budget and FY16, while others commended the proposal as a promising step forward for the city’s fiscal planning.

With the proposed budget now on the table, the City Council and the community will engage in further discussions and deliberations before finalizing the budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The council will spend the next month delivering the budget, holding a public hearing, and finalizing its spending plan in April.

Caitlyn Meisner documented the Manassas City Council meeting.

During the Manassas City Council meeting on February 13, 2024, three residents voiced their concerns about the use of horse-drawn carriages in the city, urging for a ban on the practice. The speakers, identified as Asteria, Moshe, and Prius Xena, presented arguments against the continuation of horse-drawn carriage rides, emphasizing both animal welfare and public safety.

“Horse-drawn carriages provide rides to Downtown Manassas visitors each year in December,” noted Asteria, a resident living off Liberia Avenue. “But every year, these rides pose significant risks to both horses and pedestrians. Horses are prey animals, easily spooked by the noise and commotion of city streets. It’s time for the council to prioritize safety and put an end to this dangerous practice.”

Echoing Asteria’s sentiments, Moshe, another concerned resident from College Park, Md., highlighted the frequent accidents involving spooked horses and the potential for serious injuries or fatalities. “We cannot ignore the dangers posed by horse-drawn carriages,” Moshe emphasized. “Cities around the world have recognized these risks and implemented bans. Manassas should follow suit.”

Prius Xena, a resident with ties to Prince William County, shared personal experiences and statistics to underscore the cruelty inherent in the horse carriage industry. “The use of horse-drawn carriages is not only outdated but also unethical,” Prius asserted. “These animals suffer physically and emotionally, and it’s time for us to take a stand against this exploitation.”

Horse-drawn carriages provide rides to Downtown Manassas visitors each year in December.

The Manassas City School Board and Council held a joint meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, to discuss future plans for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School following the Board’s design approval on Feb. 13, 2024.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Manassas City Public Works Director Steve Burke presented the annual report for the Public Works department to the Manassas City Council on February 13, 2024. The report highlighted the department’s achievements in 2023 and outlined plans for the future.

Burke, who started in his new role in January 2024, began by acknowledging the contributions of the department’s staff, including Scott Horan, assistant director Steve Schrank, fleet manager Mike Morgan, streets supervisor Doug McCauley, traffic control supervisor Glenn Martin, building and grounds manager Tim Fitzwater, and refuse and recycling coordinator Colleen Burroughs. He provided an overview of the department’s responsibilities, which include maintaining streets, fleets, buildings and grounds, solid waste, and traffic signals, with a total of 58 employees and a budget of approximately $24 million.

Highlights of the department’s accomplishments in 2023 included various street maintenance projects, improvements to sidewalks and trails, installation of pedestrian crossings and traffic signals, implementation of an intern program with Manassas County Public Schools, and efforts to pursue hybrid and electric vehicles for the fleet, resulting in significant fuel savings.

During the presentation, Council members could ask questions and provide feedback. Acting City Manager Douglass Keen commended the department’s efforts to partner with schools. At the same time, Councilman Ralph Smith praised the completion of the fiscal year 2023 paving schedule and asked for clarification on the city’s paving process.

Burke explained that the city works with VDOT’s contractor to assess the condition of streets and prioritize maintenance based on factors such as traffic volume and road conditions. He also outlined plans to include residential streets in future paving schedules, alternating between arterial and residential streets over five years.

Councilman Tom Osina inquired about the city’s capacity to handle increased electric vehicle usage and asked for updates on improvements to electric transmission lines. During the presentation, Councilman Tom Osina raised questions about the city’s capacity to accommodate the increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) and requested updates on improvements to electric transmission lines.

Burke outlined the city’s efforts to expand electric charging infrastructure. He mentioned that the city met with a contractor to determine the best location for charging stations at the public safety facility. He also confirmed plans to develop contracts with companies for additional charging stations at city facilities and public areas.

Burke also said that the police department had taken delivery of one electric vehicle, with plans for two more to be added to the fleet in the current year. He assured the council that the city is working to identify suitable locations for charging stations to support the growing number of EVs in the community.

Neighboring Prince William County is also looking to expand its EV charging stations, sparking debate among residents.

However, Burke clarified that Public Works does not oversee electric utilities and transmission lines. He deferred to Anna Davis, who previously presented to the council on electric infrastructure improvements. Davis had highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade substations and distribution lines to minimize disruptions and enhance reliability in the city’s electric service.

Councilwoman Pamela Sebesky expressed interest in the five-year paving plan and highlighted the importance of addressing residential road maintenance. Burke emphasized the department’s commitment to prioritizing streets based on need and provided details on crack sealing and future paving plans.

Councilwoman Sonia Vasquez Luna commended recent pedestrian improvements and traffic safety measures. “The new pedestrian improvement on Liberia and Centerville… I’m glad that things are better… So I think that is great for us and for the residents… I know people might be looking at their phone when they’re driving… but I’m glad that things are better,” said Vasquez Luna.

She also sought clarification on snow removal procedures. Burke explained the city’s snow-plowing priorities and emphasized the importance of accessing arterial and secondary roads before addressing residential streets.

Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis praised the department’s efforts in organizing events and maintaining public landscaping. She also inquired about the department’s efforts to promote native plantings and recycling initiatives. “Is there an effort to plant native plants in the public landscaping or drought-free at least plants pollinating?” asked Coates Ellis.

Burke confirmed the city’s commitment to native plantings and provided information on recycling drop-off locations.

If you rely on us for local news and haven’t already, please support us by becoming a member!

• Join our Locals Only Membership Today! In a world filled with everyday heroes and extraordinary tales, Potomac Local is your trusted source for news and stories that matter in our community.
• Our Local Spotlight Membership is perfect for businesses and non-profits to increase sales, donations, and branding awareness in the community.

On February 20, 2024, the Manassas City Council will meet to discuss matters regarding education infrastructure and the development of the Jennie Dean Elementary School.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.