Special Public Hearing Meeting
Tuesday, April 20, 1999 - - 4:30 p.m.
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Present: Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Vice Mayor William D. Euille, Members of Council William C. Cleveland, Redella S. Pepper, Lonnie C. Rich, David G. Speck, and Lois L. Walker.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Mrs. Lawson, City Manager; Mr. Sunderland, City Attorney; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget, and Members of her Staff; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Director of Financial and Information Technology Services; Ms. Plemmer, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. Cole, Director of Information Technology Services; Mr. Ransom, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Human Relations; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Mr. Caton, Legislative Director; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. Sudduth, Director of Personnel Services; Ms. Whitmore, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Mandley, Director of General Services; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. O'Regan, Director of Human Services; Mr. O'Brien, Director of Libraries; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Ms. Gattsek, Director of Office on Women; Fire Chief Hawkins; Police Chief Samarra; Members of the School Board; and Lieutenant Butler, Police Department.
Recorded by: Mrs. Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
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OPENING
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
(It was noted that a Notice of this Special Meeting had been previously served upon each Member of Council pursuant to a provision of the City Charter, a copy of the Notice certified by each member of Council being on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council.)
2. Public Hearing on The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 1999-2000 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2000-2005 (including the Schools CIP). (#2 3/16/99)
The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item:
Victor Glasberg, 121 South Columbus Street, spoke regarding the capital funding for schools;
Ralph F. Thompson, 1504 Oakcrest Drive, representing the Commission on Aging and Joint Working Group on Community Center, Ben Brenman Park, spoke in support of including $25,000 for preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station; a copy of Mr. Thompson's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of this item;
Lois Van Valkenburgh, 3512 Halcyon Drive, chair, Commission on Aging, spoke in support of including $25,000 for preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station;
Converse West, 200 North Pickett Street, #907, chair, Holmes Run Park Committee, spoke in support of including $25,000 for preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station;
J. Donald Edwards, 5851 Quantrell Avenue, #310, representing Joint Working Group on Community Center, Ben Brenman Park, spoke in support of including $25,000 for preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station;
Joanne Tomasello, 511 North Pickett Street, spoke in support of including $25,000 for preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station;
Kenneth Foran, 5001 Seminary Road, spoke in support of including $25,000 for preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station;
Councilwoman Pepper and Vice Mayor Euille requested that the $25,000 for the preliminary planning of the multi-purpose/multi-generational facility at Cameron Station be placed on the add/delete list.
Richard Fry, 3531 Martha Custis Drive, president, Charles Barrett PTA, spoke in support of full funding for city schools; a copy of Mr. Fry's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of this item;
John Porter, 3330 King Street, principal, T. C. Williams High School, spoke in support of full funding for the schools, and expressed concern about teacher retention and that salary/benefits must be competitive with neighboring jurisdictions;
Mayor Donley noted that the City Manager has been requested to provide Council with a report on comparison data for teachers from other jurisdictions with respect to salaries, benefits, etc.
Margaret Fitzsimmons, 406 Janney's Lane, president, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School PTA, spoke in support of full funding for the schools; a copy of Ms. Fitzsimmons' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of this item;
Joyce Woodson, 1407 Wayne Street, chair, Project Discovery Advisory Board, spoke in support of full funding of the School Board's budget;
Tracy Rickett, 23 West Glendale Avenue, chair, School Board's Budget Advisory Committee, spoke in support of full funding of the School Board's budget; a copy of Mr. Rickett's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 4 of this item;
Walter Kloetzli, 3705 South George Mason Drive, #A145, Falls Church, VA, spoke in support of funds for the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance (SAARA); a copy of Mr. Kloetzli's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 5 of this item;
Mark Eaton, 116 West Maple Street, spoke to public schools; a copy of Mr. Eaton's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 6 of this item;
Barbara E. Ramm, president, PTA Council of Alexandria, spoke to public schools; a copy of Ms. Ramm's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 7 of this item;
Rhonda Grisham, 2400 Commonwealth Avenue, president, George Washington Middle School PTA, spoke to the public schools;
Ned Bachman, 611 North Pegram Street, president, T.C. Williams PTSA, spoke in support of the School Board's budget; a copy of Mr. Bachman's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 8 of this item;
Ellen Balis, 2703 George Mason Place, representing George Mason Elementary School PTA, spoke regarding the School Board's budget and the COLA and step increases for teachers;
Marshall Cook, 2705 Mosby Street, president, Education Association of Alexandria Schools, spoke in support of the School Board's budget and the City Manager's compensation package, and stated that the teachers' salaries need to be addressed;
Jim McIntyre, 6022 Morgan Court, chair, Budget Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, cautioned the City Council not to become over reliant on uncertain intergovernmental revenue for future growth in the budget; spoke to the funding of the CIP over the next few years; and urged the City Council and the School Board to come together to find a mutually agreeable solution to the increased student population in the middle schools, to identify a funding plan for it and to move agressively to solving this looming financial problem;
Members of Council directed questions and made comments to Mr. McIntyre regarding his testimony.
Vice Mayor Euille asked Management and Budget Director Godwin where we are on establishing a strike force of City Council and staff, and the School Board and staff to begin to work in partnership on a solution with respect to the CIP and Operating Budgets. This will be discussed at the City Council Work Session with the School Board on Thursday, April 22, 1999;
Randy Kell, 4900 Seminary Road, chair, Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the budget in general and in opposition to the 5% admissions tax;
Lynn Hampton, 44 Canal Center Plaza, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the City Manager's recommended budget except was opposed to the admissions tax, and spoke to activities of a special task force of the Chamber which has been working with City staff regarding fiscal asset management, which report will be made public shortly;
Members of Council commented on Ms. Hampton's remarks.
Council Member Walker requested some assistance from the Chamber of Commerce with respect to the sales tax, which is based upon the merchandise sold rather than services, on what directions we can go.
Brigid Shea, 801 North Fairfax Street, representing the Chamber of Commerce, expressed willingness to work with the City with respect to sales tax issue, and waived her time in order to speak later in opposition to the 5% adminissions tax; [Note: Ms. Shea did not speak with respect to docket item no. 5.]
Jack Steele, 1605 Chapel Hill Drive, representing the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, introduced Tito the Chihuahua, who miraculously survived a crash on the Capital Beltway two weeks ago, and was reunited with his owner, Theresa Holtkamp, at the Alexandria Animal Shelter yesterday; Ms. Holtkamp expressed her sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Alexandria Animal Shelter in rescuing Tito, and spoke in support of a new animal shelter;
Councilman Speck noted that it is Council's intent to approve capital funding as proposed for the construction of a new animal shelter, and encouraged the supporters for the new animal shelter to continue their fundraising efforts for it.
Mr. Steele thanked the City Council, and thanked the City Manager for including this in her budget. It was noted, in light of Councilman Speck's comments, Richard Hawe, Kate Pullen, Jeanine Larsen, Charles Schotta, Ann Rector, and Thomas K. Cullen, waived their right to speak in support of the new animal shelter, and thanked the Council.
Steven E. Shulman, 3921 Charles Avenue, representing the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, spoke in support of increasing the grants budget amount by 10%;
Donna Bergheim, 4905 Maury Lane, representing the Commission for the Arts, spoke in support of a higher grants budget for the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; a copy of Ms. Bergheim's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 9 of this item;
Jim Wilson, 2507 Hayes Street, president, Cora Kelly Elementary PTA, spoke in support of the School Board's budget;
Don Simpson, 700 North Fairfax Street, president, Eisenhower Public/Private Partnership, thanked the Council for funding and commented on the future funding for the public/private partnership;
Michael Hobbs, 419 Cameron Street, representing the Alexandria Republican City Committee, spoke to the proposed budget; a copy of Mr. Hobbs' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 10 of this item; and
Lauren Leggett, 3801 Braddock Road, co-president, Minnie Howard PTA, spoke to the school's capital budget and the much needed expansion of the Minnie Howard Cafeteria.
City Council closed the public hearing. Budget adoption is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
3. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to establish the real estate and personal property tax rates for calendar year 1999. (#23 3/23/99)
(A copy of an Informal Memorandum explaining ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council present received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 3; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded.
City Council closed the public hearing. Second Reading and Final Passage will be on Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
4. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to reduce the transient lodging tax rate from 5.65%, to 5.50%, of the total amount paid for transient lodging, and to levy an additional transient lodging tax of $1.00 for each day of such lodging. (#24 3/23/99)
(A copy of an Informal Memorandum explaining ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council present received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 4; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded.
City Council closed the public hearing. Second Reading and Final Passage will be on Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
5. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to levy an admission tax of 5% on the gross admission fee paid to gain entry to events held within the City, with an effective date of September 1, 1999. (#25 3/23/99)
(A copy of the City Attorney's memorandum dated April 14, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 16, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 5; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of an Informal Memorandum explaining ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 5; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council present received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 4 of Item No. 5; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item:
Jim Matthews, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, spoke on behalf of Kevin Sheehan, 4615 Duke Street, West End Dinner Threatre, against the admissions tax; a copy of Mr. Sheehan's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council marked Exhibit No. 5 of this item;
Gary Oelze, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, representing The Birchmere, spoke against the admissions tax;
Ralph Capabianco, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, representing The Birchmere, spoke against;
Willem Polak, The Strand, owner of the Potomac River Boat Company, spoke against;
Jim Matthews, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, representing The Birchmere, spoke against;
Robert Jones, 5100 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., representing Old Town Theatre, spoke against;
Anne Lash, 600 Wolfe Street, Governor for Artistic Support, Little Theatre of Alexandria, spoke against; a copy of Ms. Lash's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 6 of this item;
Steven E. Shulman, 3921 Charles Avenue, spoke against;
Bob Gabriel, 1607 Commonwealth Avenue, spoke against;
Grant Fawcett, 3575 Jefferson Davis Highway, representing Hoyt's Theatres, spoke against; and
Pete Rose, 822 South Highland Street, Arlington, representing The Birchmere, spoke against; a copy of Mr. Rose's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 7 of this item.
There was considerable discussion on this item among Council Members and the speakers.
City Council closed the public hearing. Second Reading and Final Passage will be on Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
6. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to amend the City code to increase the ambulance transport fee to $200 for City residents and $250 for non-residents. (#26 3/23/99)
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 16, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of an Informal Memorandum explaining ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 6; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council present received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 6; 4/20/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded.
City Council closed the public hearing. Second Reading and Final Passage will be on Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
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WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council permitted Judy Guse-Noritake, 605 Prince Street, chair, Park and Recreation Commission, to speak to the Commission's recommendations pertaining to the budget.
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THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried unanimously, at 8:25 p.m., the Special Public Hearing Meeting of Tuesday, April 20, 1999, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
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APPROVED BY:
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KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
This docket is subject to change.
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Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council.
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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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Public Notice
There was a brown bag lunch featuring a discussion with Alexandria Landscape Architect Elliott Rhodeside on open space on Monday, April 19 at noon in the Council Workroom.
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Public Notice
There will be an Alexandria City Council and Alexandria School Board Joint Budget Work Session on the Proposed Budget on Thursday, April 22, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., at the Minnie Howard Ninth Grade Center Library, 3801 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia.
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend the City Council Work Session may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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