Dear Friend,

I write to update you on the work I have been doing on the Board since I lasted updated you on County issues on May 24th. The County has appointed our Independent Police Auditor, broke ground on our new bus operations and maintenance facility, been recognized as a platinum level walking community, and continued our work on our Capital Improvement Plan. The Board has also continued our engagement on missing middle housing types as part of our overall Housing Arlington work.
Mummi Ibrahim was selected as Arlington's First Independent Police Auditor on May 27th
Our community took a step forward as we work to build trust with our community as a whole and our police: we appointed an Independent Police Auditor who will engage with our Community Oversight Board in overseeing our police department. Ms. Ibrahim has already begun work, engaging with our oversight board. As one of two board liaisons to the Oversight Board, I am thrilled we have taken this step and eager for the next steps that will occur over the coming weeks and months to get the oversight board fully trained. We have started the work of providing added transparency and accountability with and for our professional, well- trained and well-regarded police department.
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Want to know what the County has been up to on infrastructure and behind the scenes: watch this 5 minute 42 second video on the projects from this year to date.
June also saw a ground breaking for our new ART bus operations and maintenance facility, which will be home to our electric buses and charging stations. This groundbreaking, along with the numerous projects we are working on this year that are described in the above "Projects to Watch" video, are part of the ongoing work we are taking via the Board and staff to strengthen our infrastructure. The ART bus facility is one I am particularly pleased with because it means we will be able to close a facility down 395 in Alexandria and will include charging facilities for the electric buses we have long hoped for.
With Freddie Lutz, Deputy Chief Vincent, and Officers for Pride with the Police in honor of Pride Month
Arlington was recognized as a platinum level walking community and we are continuing our work on the Capital Improvement Plan, part of the day to day recognition and work that we must do well as a community. On the platinum designation, we joined a handful of cities and communities across the country to receive the award as walk-friendly. More to do, but this award is recognition of work showing we are headed in the right direction:

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On the Capital Improvement Plan, our community's plan for the physical infrastructure we need to invest in over the next 10 years, the Board completed work sessions on stormwater, emergency response infrastructure, streets, parks, and energy efficiency improvements we need for the years to come. We held a public hearing as well and are now working on the adjustments to the plan proposed by the County Manager. I am busy working as I did with the budget to make progress on priorities that reflect our shared values as a community. Final action to come in the July meetings.

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Watch this 2 minute video on Missing Middle Housing

At the June Board meetings, we also received public comment on the missing middle in a full Board room with proponents and opponents of the direction the Board is considering on missing middle housing types. To be clear, the conversation has a lot left ahead of us: the Board has only received a draft framework, which is the first specific outline of the direction for proposals.

I am sharing the above 2 minute video that provides context for some of my thinking on this issue and the 6 minute video below, which addresses my view that the status quo simply will not do; it is not the right policy for Arlington to continue with our current policies, as is. I am listening to all and working to reach a well-crafted policy that recognizes the benefits and costs of all changes, and of inaction, and moves us forward in on affordability.
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6 minute video from Carmen Romero, President and CEO of APAH
on addressing the affordability challenges we face,
The advocacy at the June Board meeting was passionate, as you may have heard. I and we are reminded of the importance of civility, in addition to equity, as we work on these issues. I am also mindful that homes are so personal and often so much of the work people have put in over the course of their lives. It is also true that many Arlington residents do not have the ability to purchase a one bedroom condo or home. We cannot fix that problem completely, but we should have a system and set of policies that truly help encourage affordability. This will not be an easy issue over the coming months: I am working through the details of how we can craft new policy that makes a difference and is thoughtfully done.
At the Fairlington July 4th Parade.
Last, but certainly not least, I attended several July 4th parades on Monday. It was great to see neighbors and friends smiling and enjoying seeing each other. I was energized by the day, even as the events and the very difficult moment we are in as a country remain on each of our minds. We must be honest about the challenge and heed the sentiment that Senator Kaine shared:

"Happy Independence Day! On Fourth of July, I’m reflecting on our American values—freedom, democracy, justice, equality, and love of country. We must keep orienting by those values to build a more perfect union."

Thank you for reading and for your care and support as we work to make Arlington and our country a better place.

Matt
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Matt for Arlington . 4775 Williamsburg Boulevard . Arlington, VA 22207 . USA