Naila Alam

This Roadway Safety Action Plan for the Town of Herndon aims to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries within 12 years by making streets safer for all users. It outlines objectives and strategies across engineering countermeasures, improved data collection and analysis, enhanced communications, and the implementation of new safety measures authorized by law. The plan is guided by community input and a data-driven framework based on the USDOT's Safe System Approach, addressing both current challenges and future growth.

The Hernden Township Council held a public hearing which addressed several key items. Actions included considering an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan (CP No. 23-01) related to the Transit-Related Growth Area, which was approved. The council also addressed an ordinance to amend utility chapters concerning sanitary sewer rates and water service charges, intending to increase service and use charges effective July 1, 2024. This public hearing was continued until May 14, 2024. Furthermore, an ordinance to impose taxes for the fiscal year 2025 budget and a resolution to adopt a fiscal planning resolution for the 2025 budget were also continued to May 14, 2024. Finally, an ordinance allocating funds for the fiscal year 2025 budget was continued to May 14, 2024. Under the consent agenda, the council approved several items, including an ordinance to clarify language regarding animal noises in the Environmental Code, a temporary license agreement for portable toilets and an ice machine for Friday Night Life events, and an award of contract IFB No. 24-4 for Concrete Milling and Paving Asphalt. The council also approved amendments to the Herndon Golf Course fee schedule. Several minutes from previous meetings (February 13, February 20, March 5, March 12, and April 9, 2024) were rescheduled for a later date. The meeting concluded with a closed meeting to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose that could negatively affect bargaining strategy, and a related intergovernmental matter.

The Hearnen 2050 Comprehensive Plan serves as a detailed guidebook for the town, outlining priorities, goals, objectives, and strategies to guide its future development. It encompasses various community components, including general land use, cultural and natural resource management, recreation, and energy use. The plan involves a re-imagining and revisioning process, integrating economic development and sustainability plans. Its development is a public-driven process, actively seeking input from residents, business owners, and visitors. Designed as a living document, it is intended to evolve over approximately 25 years, allowing for continuous adjustments based on community needs.

The Herndon Borough Council held a public hearing and discussed several agenda items. Ordinance 24 was presented to amend the adopted budget for fiscal year 2024 for the General Fund, the Golf Fund, and the American Rescue Plan Fund. Resolution 24 was presented to approve Special Exception to allow a use of personal services consisting of cosmetic and aesthetic services within the multi-tenant commercial office building in a commercial office unification district. General Ordinance was presented to increase the number of times electronic participation may occur per year, refer to the ethical duty to attend meetings, specifying the responsibility for attendance and the corresponding process, but the motion failed. The council also discussed consent items and resolution to award contract for concierge services and minutes of previous meetings.

The town's proposed budget for FY2026 was discussed, emphasizing the importance of a balanced budget and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Key challenges include potential federal grant reductions and the conclusion of ARPA funding, necessitating trade-offs such as program cuts and potential tax increases. A proposed increase to the residential tax rate and alterations to fee structures were mentioned. The budget allocates a significant portion to human resources and addresses aging infrastructure through capital improvements and fleet replacement.