September 16, 2025

Arlington Mill Civic Association Meeting –  Minutes

September 16, 2025 - Minutes

Attending:

Omari Davis

Darren Hildebrand

Linda LeDuc

Miriam Bolanos

Marie Fajardo

Gus Fajardo

Lilia Irizarry

Jeff Yeats– Via Zoom

Guests:

Lara Malakoff

Guest Speaker Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CDCAC)

Inspector Elmore Clark

Guest Speaker from Arlington County Code Inspection Services

1.    Welcome (7:33PM) - Attendees made brief self-introductions.

2. Old Business

a.    Parking Enforcement: Will send a link to report issues.

b.    Vision Zero:

                                               i. The new Stop signs (outside the Community Center at 9th Rd S, and at Dinwiddie and 8th Rd S) along with other and traffic calming measures were implemented as a result of Vision Zero input.

                                              ii. Member pointed out that there is a Curve on 7th Road South giving limited response time for non-area drivers to stop.  Can there be a warning sign installed?

                                            iii. Member wants speed humps installed along 8th Road South from Carlin Springs to Greenbriar to reduce speed.  The center line needs to be painted from Carlin Springs to Greenbriar.  She also noted that trees need to be trimmed that obscure the streetlights and stop signs.

c.     Arlington Neighborhoods Advisory Committee (ArNAC):  Omari Davis reported that ArNAC will install new street lighting 8th / Harrison, Harrison and 7th, and close to 7th and Carlin Springs Rd.  Sites previously discussed along Arlington Mill Drive do not fall under the purview of ArNAC and funding for those initiatives would come from other budget lines.

d.    Virginia Hospital Center:

                                               i. A general discussion of the VHC expansion on Carlin Springs, abutting Arlington Mill.  The clinic will focus on mental and health and physical recovery services.  The approval process is ongoing, with working groups from the surrounding civic associations.  AMCA will monitor for spillover effects into the Arlington Mill neighborhood.  The Campbell and Kenmore school students have to be kept from trespassing on the site. 

                                              ii. The back part of the property has been platted for a road, but Arlington County doesn’t want to sell the easement in perpetuity, so that may be a 99-year land lease.  Potential upgrades to the existing nature center are under consideration.  Some members raised security concerns about the outpatient mental health aspects being so close to the schools.  Other members proffered the counterpoint:  Mental Health treatment is important, and resources are needed.

3.    Neighborhood News  - Two Guest Speakers

a.    Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CDCAC) Presentation by Lara Malakoff – (LaraMalakoff@gmail.com)

                                               i. As Chair of the CDCAC, Ms. Malakoff is seeking volunteers from all civic associations to fill some vacancies for the CDCAC.  Looking for volunteers to serve on the committee to select projects from applications submitted by various organizations.

                                              ii. The job involves working with other members and county staff to evaluate grant proposals, especially in the “Low Income Interest” sector needs.  Grant proposals span a wide variety of needs, and the funding comes through several sources:  Community Development Fund, Block Grants, Health and Human Services, etc.  The funds are pooled, CDCAC reviews and rates the applications received and make recommendations to the County Board.  Typically, the grants awarded range from $30,000 to $50,000.  Successful applications must meet the County goals for homelessness, affordable housing, education/after school students, food security and other programs goals.  In the past, ASPIRE has been funded here at Arlington Mill. 

                                            iii. Requirements:  Willing to meet once a month, except in the autumn during proposal review when there are more hours needed for the review process. 

b.    Arlington County Code Enforcement presentation by Inspector Elmore Clark of Arlington Country Code Enforcement Services (BClark3@Arlingtonva.us)

                                               i. Inspector Clark told the association about efforts to ensure compliance with all zoning requirements.  Most of an inspector’s days are in the field, riding up to 6.5 hours a day conducting inspections, following up on reports, and looking for violations.

                                              ii. Recently an AM neighbor reported an abandoned house with trash and neglect.  The utilities were off, so there was a mold, gnat / mosquito infestation so extensive that neighboring homes were affected. Arlington County Code Enforcement contacted the owner, and the owner complied with mandates to clean up the property.   Members suggested that since the property was abandoned, potentially inquiring about buying it and having it converted to affordable housing.

4. Questions and Answers

a.    Parking in No Parking/FireHydrants:  No update on parking violations on 8th Road S.

b.    Food Scarcity/Food Drive:  Is there a way for AMCA to publicize food availability / pick up locations?  Other discussion points:  Some members may attempt to organize a food drive, with a list of foods that they prefer.  Flyers soliciting donations.  Streetside food pantry (“Little Library” style).

c.     Committees:  To ensure AMCA is the recipient of Arlington County funding, AMCA needs to be aware of the committees, funding deadlines, and funding opportunities provided by the county.  The AMCA Neighborhood Conservation Program funded the revitalization of Tyrol Hill Park, to ensure future opportunities are not missed, AMCA representative need to attend the meeting.

d.    Publicity and Recruitment Efforts:  Topics discussed –

                                               i. To reinvigorate the community a membership or recruitment drive with house-to-house canvassing. 

                                              ii. AMCA needs to revise the “Neighborhood Plan” which is currently over 10 years old. 

                                            iii. Announcement sandwich board(s) to announce meetings (but would be a cost borne by the AMCA). 

                                            iv. Small Grant ($1,000) applications in April. 

                                             v. The Arlington Mill Civic Association website should include links to County and non-profit resources.

5.    Next Meeting:  Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7:30pm

Addendum, September 29, 2025: The Neighborhood Conservation Program is now called ArNAC.  Our current representative is Miriam Bolanos, with Chanda Choun as an alternate.

Adjourned 8:37PM