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Meeting Schedule
Thursday, December 17
8:00 am
Community Development Committee
OHND, 107-C North East Lane
4:00 pm Board of Architectural Review
City Hall, Council Chambers
Tuesday, December 22
5:30 pm
Council Worksession
City Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, December 24
City Offices CLOSED
Social Services Advisory Board Meeting CANCELLED
Friday, December 25
City Offices CLOSED
Friday, January 1
City Offices CLOSED
Monday, January 4
7:00 pm
North End Citizen's Association*
Douglas Learning Center, 598 North Kent Street
Thursday, January 7
4:00 pm
Board of Architectural Review
City Hall, Council Chambers
7:00 pm
South End Citizen's Association*
Montague Avenue Methodist Church, 102 Montague Avenue
*North End Citizens Association and South End Citizens Association are private organizations whose meetings are open to the public and are listed as a convenience to the public. Their listings are in no way an endorsement by the City of Winchester of the specific activities of the organizations.
Monday, January 11
6:00 pm
Parks & Recreation Board Work Session
JBP, War Memorial Building
Tuesday, January 12
3:00 pm
Planning Commission Worksession
City Hall, 4th Floor Exhibit Hall
7:00 pm
Council Meeting
City Hall, Council Chambers
First Night Winchester 2010
Thursday, December 31
6:00 pm-Midnight
A community celebration of New Year's Eve providing a safe, non-alcoholic, cultural event for families. An eclectic mix of performing artists for all ages beginning at 6 pm and ending with a party under the stars at midnight for a countdown to the 2010 ball drop and watch fireworks. The entertainment line-up keeps getting bigger, better, more fun and more engaging. Don't forget the exceptional dining Old Town Winchester has to offer as part of your New Year's celebrations. Contact: 540-533-5561.
Announcements
1. As of Thursday, December 10, 2009, all activities in the Denny Lee Gymnasium in Jim Barnett Park have been canceled or moved to alternate sites until repairs on the gymnasium floor are complete. Officials expect that the gymnasium floor will reopen by February 1, 2010 however an update will be issued once officials have more information. Please contact the Winchester Parks & Recreation Department at 662-4946 for more information. Updates will also be posted in the City’s website at winchesterva.gov/parks.
Northeast Infrastructure Improvement Project (NEIP) Update
Work is wrapping up on Berryville Avenue between Fort Collier Road and Interstate 81. All existing water and sanitary sewer infrastructure is being replaced. During this phase of construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction where work is occurring, and traffic shifts and delays are expected. Every effort will be made to maintain access to properties in the project area. Construction on Berryville Avenue is expected to be complete by Wednesday, December 23. Construction will resume again on January 4 on Ross Street, between Berryville Avenue and the City limits.
Links
Next CitE-News Issue
Wednesday, December 30
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New City Manager Starts January 11, 2010
Over the past 25 years, James O'Connor has had the opportunity to combine his passion for local government with his educational training. As an MBA graduate of Wilmington College in Wilmington, Delaware, Mr. O'Connor has a way of getting the most out of every fiscal situation. As the current City Manager for the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, he has a gained a reputation of being good with a budget and in these tough economic times, his expertise will be greatly appreciated in Winchester.
Mr. O'Connor will start work on January 11, 2010. Within his first six months on the job he plans to get to know the community and the City organization. He and his wife, Sherry, plan to become a part of Winchester as quickly as possible and get to know the people he will be working with. Mr. O'Connor was intrigued by the Winchester City Manager position for many reasons: "The fact that Winchester is a full service and university city and has an outstanding educational system, regional medical center, and a regional urban center with areas such as the downtown walking mall." In addition, Winchester is also closer to the home of his son and daughter-in-law who lives in Morgantown, WV.
When asked what he is looking forward to doing most in his new position with the City, Mr. O'Connor stated: "We all know that the changing economy and the pressure on local government to continue to deliver quality services will mandate that we review how we do business and I look forward to this effort." Mr. O'Connor's diversified background, sound business practices and past accomplishments will be an asset in helping the City to move forward.
Mr. O'Connor would like to send a message to the residents of Winchester: "I want to be very reachable and involved in the community. It is very important to me that during my tenure that I add value to the City. I have a personal motto, 'together we can make great things happen' with emphasis on together."
Mr. O’Connor and wife Sherry also share a daughter who lives in California with her family.
Winchester Police Department Achieves State Accreditation
Since Kevin Sanzenbacher was hired as the Winchester Police Chief, one of his goals was to achieve accreditation from the state. On September 28 the accreditation team from Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) began the evaluation process. They reviewed over 170 different standards and sent a report back to the VLEPSC on their findings. On December 2, the Winchester Police Department (WPD) went before the cCommission to determine if accreditation was earned.
The City of Winchester and Chief Sanzenbacher is proud to announce that the VLEPSC unanimously approved the Winchester Police Department's request for accreditation. Now the WPD is one of only 27 police departments in the state that are accredited law enforcement agencies.
To maintain the accreditation, WPD will have to go through the accreditation process every four years after acceptance. Next, Chief Sanzenbacher and his team plan to pursue federal accreditation!
Winchester Social Services is Relocating
The Winchester Department of Social Services office located at 33 East Boscawen Street will close at noon on December 18 and will remain closed through December 22 to complete the move to their new office. The office will be open for business on Wednesday, December 23 at their new location: 24 Baker Street, Winchester. Phone and facsimile numbers will remain the same.
For the public’s convenience during this closure, we will have staff located on the first floor of City Hall to accept applications and information.
Phone service to the agency will be disrupted on Monday, December 21 while the phone system is moved.
During this temporary office closure, please report suspicions of child abuse/neglect to the CPS Hotline at 1-800-552-7096. To report suspicions of adult abuse/neglect/exploitation, please call the APS Hotline at 1-888-832-3858. After 5:00 pm and on weekends, please contact the Winchester Police Department at 540-662-4131.
Get Involved in Your Local Government
If you are looking for an opportunity to get involved in your local government, the best way to do that is to apply for a position on a City of Winchester Board or Commission. See below for a current list of vacancies and apply today!
• Four vacancies on the Fire Prevention Code Board of Appeals.
• One vacancy on the Tree Commission.
• Two vacancies on the Board of Building Code Appeals.
• One vacancy on the Winchester Parking Authority.
• One vacancy on the Lord Fairfax Emergency Medical Services Council.
• Two vacancies on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Two vacancies on the Industrial Development Authority.
• Two vacancies on the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority.
• Three vacancies for alternates on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• One vacancy on the School Board.
• One vacancy on the Win-Fred MPO Citizens Advisory Committee.
• Three vacancies on the Board of Real Estate Assessors.
• Two vacancies on the Planning Commission.
• Three vacancies on the Community Development Committee.
• One vacancy on the Northwestern Community Services Board.
To learn more about the above boards and commissions, please click here.
Boards & Commissions Application Form
Nominations will be accepted until the vacancy is filled and should be submitted to Interim City Manager Robert Noe, Jr., Rouss City Hall, 15 North Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
City of Winchester Holiday Schedule
City offices will be closed on:
Christmas Eve - Thursday, December 24
Christmas Day - Friday, December 25
New Year's Day - Friday, January 1
Refuse & Recycling:
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
- Friday’s Refuse collection is rescheduled for Wednesday,
December 23
- Yard Waste is cancelled this week
New Year’s Day – Friday, January 1
- Friday’s Refuse collection is rescheduled for Wednesday,
December 30
- Yard Waste is cancelled this week
Transit will not be operating on:
Christmas Eve - Thursday, December 24
Christmas Day - Friday, December 25
New Year's Day - Friday, January 1
Parking in downtown Winchester:
Street parking is always free on holidays and weekends.
All autoparks are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Planning Commission Honors Members' Dedicated Service
 On Tuesday, December 15, the City's Planning Commission honored two long-serving members concluding their terms. Phil Weber has served two full terms on the Commission for a total of 8 years. Susan Masters has served on the Commission for over 10 years and has been chair for an unprecedented 6 years. A reception honoring their service to the City was held immediately following the December 15 meeting. A ceremonial gavel was presented to outgoing Chairwoman Masters. Both Susan and Phil received framed resolutions.
The Planning Commission prepares and recommends a Comprehensive Plan for the City's long-range physical environment. It also makes recommendations to City Council on development proposals including land rezonings, zoning and subdivision ordinance text amendments, conditional use permits, and major subdivisions. The Planning Commission meets the third Tuesday of each month at 3:00 pm in the Council Chambers of Rouss City Hall and a worksession is held every second Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm in the 4th floor Exhibit Hall of Rouss City Hall.
Bridgeforth Field Work Nearly Complete
Believe it or not, baseball season is just around the corner! Shenandoah University baseball and softball will begin their seasons in January. As we near the start of the baseball season, we’re excited to be able to have a brand new infield and improved amenities at Bridgeforth Field.
The John Handley High School construction class is hard at work completing the improvements on the dugouts, backstop, stairs and decking, and support poles. The infield re-grading work was performed by a professional contractor and the sod will be completely in place within a week. WPRD Crew Supervisor Kevin Sine says it’s important to have this work wrapping up. “The ground will start to freeze very soon so it’s great to get this work done and let the field itself establish roots” said Sine.
Once the holidays are complete, the Handley construction class will then move inside the press box to perform interior work. Come spring and once baseball season gets in full swing, the facility should be in great shape.
FEMA Highlights Holiday Gifts That Increase Preparedness
Source: FEMA, December 8, 2009, www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50059
This year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared. Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencies in their area.
The most important thing any individual can do is take a few minutes to discuss with their family, friends and loved ones what they will do in the case of an emergency or disaster. This includes developing a simple family communications plan and identifying how you would get in touch with loved ones and where you might meet if you are separated when an emergency or disaster takes place.
Additionally, there are simple supplies that can go a long way in the case of an emergency or disaster that would make great gifts this holiday season.
A list of possible gifts that may assist in disasters includes:
• Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits; food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours; i.e., extra clothing, blankets, and flashlights).
• NOAA weather radios with extra batteries.
• Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class.
• Smoke detectors.
• Fire extinguishers (for kitchen, garage, car, etc.)
* Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire.
• Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags).
• Pet disaster kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate).
• Battery powered lamps
This year, consider at least one of these ideas. You just may save the life of a friend or family member. For more information and preparedness tips, please visit www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov.
For 2010, Resolve to Make a Plan
Source: Virginia Department of Emergency Management, December 2009 News Release
Here’s a New Year’s resolution that is easy to do and will make a big difference.
Everyone should have a family emergency plan, so resolve now to make yours. This is important because your family may not be together when an emergency happens. You need to plan in advance how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations.
How do you make a family emergency plan? Start here:
• Choose an out-of-town friend or relative as an emergency point of contact. During emergencies it is often easier to make a long distance call than a local call. An out-of-town contact can help communicate among separated family members. Be sure everyone in your family knows the phone number for that person.
• If you have cell phones, teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around cell network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
• Decide on a meeting place in case you cannot return home. Choose a neighborhood meeting place and another meeting place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return there. For example, your neighborhood meeting place may be a friend’s house on the next street. A meeting place outside your neighborhood may be a nearby church, store or another friend’s home.
• If you are a parent, ask your schools and daycare providers about their emergency plans. Find out how they will communicate with families during a crisis. Ask if they are prepared to “shelter in place” if needed and where they plan to go if they must leave.
• Talk with your family about the types of emergencies that could happen to you. Include weather emergencies, health crises and human-caused situations.
• Write down your family emergency plan. Get printable worksheets to make a plan at www.ReadyVirginia.gov. This Web site also provides information about emergency supplies and how to respond to all types of emergencies.
Research shows that families with written emergency plans are better able to handle and recover from unexpected situations. Making a family plan is simple, doesn’t cost anything, and could save you and your loved ones a lot of heartache. Resolve to make your family plan now.
Community Preparedness Toolkit
The New Year is fast approaching and for the sixth year the Ready Campaign is encouraging Americans to Resolve to be Ready by making a New Year's resolution to get prepared for emergencies. Available for your use is a Resolve to Be Ready Toolkit (PDF), a Resolve to be Ready Webinar Presentation (PDF), and the Resolve to Be Ready Webinar Presentation - Accessible Version (DOC).
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