Special Meeting
Monday, March 30, 1992 - - 7:30 pm
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Present: Mayor Patricia S. Ticer, Vice Mayor William C. Cleveland, Members of Council Kerry J. Donley, Redella S. Pepper, Lonnie C. Rich, and David G. Speck.
Absent: Councilman T. Michael Jackson.
Also Present: Mrs. Lawson, City Manager; Mr. Sunderland, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Platky, Director of Management and Budget; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. Spears, Deputy Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Dr. Masem, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Services; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. Cyphers, Director of Human Services; Mr. Kauffman, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Ms. Gattsek, Division Chief, Office of Housing; Ms. Whiddon, Acting Division Chief, Office of Housing; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Mr. Brannan, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Marczak, Deputy Director of Management and Budget; Ms. Reynolds, Mr. Lee, Mr. Canellas, and Ms. Roomberg, Budget Analysts, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Garrity, Coordinator of Grants Management; Mr. Fertig, Director of Personnel Services; Dr. Lipsman, Director of Health; Police Chief Samarra; Fire Chief Beam; Sheriff Dunning; and Sergeant Corle, Police Department.
Recorded by: Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
OPENING
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Ticer, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present except Councilman Jackson.
(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 1992-93 (including Schools) and the Capital Improvements Program for FY 1993-98.
(Copies of communications received on this item are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 2; and are incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
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(The following persons participated in the Public Hearing:
Renee Y. Banks, 2704 Kenwood Avenue, President, Charles Barrett Recreation Center Advisory Board, spoke in support of capital funds for expansion of the recreation center;
Mark C. Dorin, 3420 Martha Custis Drive, representing the Charles Barrett Recreation Center Parents Advisory Board, spoke in support of the $50,000 for expansion of the recreation center;
Jonathan Clark, 2704 Kenwood Avenue, Vice President of the Charles Barrett Student Council, spoke in support of funds for expansion of Charles Barrett Recreation Center;
Jose Romero, 817 W. Glebe Road, #201, student, spoke in support of the expansion of the Charles Barrett Recreation Center;
Alexis Janicki, 3736 Gunston Road, student, spoke in support of the expansion of the Charles Barrett Recreation Center;
Thalia Doukas, 3736 Gunston Road, representing the Charles Barrett Recreation Center Parents Advisory Board, spoke in support of funds for the expansion of the recreation center;
Charlotte Corcoran, 3308 Circle Hill Road, representing concerned parents, spoke in support of the $50,000 for the expansion of the Charles Barrett Recreation Center;
(Councilwoman Pepper requested the City Manager to do a budget memo on the fiscal impact of the $50,000 request and the possibility of moving this up from FY '95. She indicated that staff may need to make reference to the implications that they might have for operational costs.
Councilman Donley indicated he had already requested a budget memo on this. He met with the parents and children and suggested that Council might possibly consider splitting the architectural and engineering phase which is always the initial phase of any construction project like this and move it into the current year.
Council Member Rich commended the parents and stated that the school system be encouraged to do everything it can to free up classrooms for the children to do their homework.)
Margaret R. Pfanstiehl, 35 University Boulevard East, Silver Spring, MD, President, The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc., indicated her support for funds for The Metropolitan Washington Ear; a copy of her statement, which was read by her husband, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference; and
Richard A. Estes, 2003 Mill Road, President, Alexandria Committee of Police Local 5, I.U.P.A., spoke in support of a COLA and insteps; a copy of his statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
AT THIS POINT, City Council considered Docket Item No. 6.2
6. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to establish a new trash collection program within the city, to define the required and permissive users of the program, to impose a user fee each year by resolution and to provide for the implementation and enforcement of the program. (#26 3/24/92)
(A copy of the substitute ordinance referred to in the above item, 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. 1 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, 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; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
Copies of communications received on this item are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, and are incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
(The following persons participated in the public hearing:
Walter M. Pickard, 729 W. Braddock Road, spoke against;
John K. McLean, 317 Mansion Drive, spoke against;
Gerald Little, 1510 Orchard Street, spoke against and also spoke on behalf of George Pickett, 501 Cathedral Drive, who is also opposed; copies of their statements are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 4 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Rod Kuckro 209 E. Alexandria Avenue, President of the Del Ray Citizens Association and representing the Federation of Citizen Associations, spoke against; a copy of the Alexandria Federation of Citizens Associations' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 5 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Dara Schumaier, 403 E. Custis Avenue, representing Del Ray Citizens Association, spoke against; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 6 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Sarah Becker, 1200 Princess Street, President, Inner City Civic Association, spoke against;
Ben Brenman, 4600 Duke Street, #1609, representing 4600 Duke Condominium, spoke against; a copy of his statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 7 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
(Councilwoman Pepper requested the City Manager to examine his suggestions and to respond to them.)
June Gilbert, 509 N. Armistead Street, #202, President, Saxony Square Condominiums, spoke against;
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James W. Cisco, 205 Yoakum Parkway, #207, representing Watergate at Landmark, spoke against; a copy of his statement, together with a petition signed by the residents, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 8 of Item No. 6; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Bob Richard, 121 Duke Street, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support;
Don Henry, 207 Aspen Street, President, Warwick Village Civic Association, spoke against;
Terry Snyder, 3242 Valley Drive, representing Parkfairfax Condominium and Alexandria Condominium Associations, spoke against;
Nick Bayus, 2600 Leslie Avenue, spoke against;
Jean D. Caldwell, 1117 Powhatan Street, representing the Alexandria Beautification Commission and Northeast Citizens Association, spoke against;
Carol Anderson, 313 Wolfe Street, spoke against;
William G. Anderson, 313 Wolfe Street, spoke against;
Mel Johnsrud, 6101 Edsall Road, representing Alexandria Knolls West Condominium Homes, spoke in support;
Joe Guiffre, 417 S. Fairfax Street, spoke in support;
Bruce McCarthy, 3912 Colonel Ellis Avenue, representing Seminary Hill Association, spoke against; and
Jack Sullivan 4300 Ivanhoe Place, representing Seminary Hill Association, spoke against.
(General Discussion. The Members of City Council and the City Manager participated in the discussion.)
WITHOUT OBJECTION, the public hearing was held and concluded. Second Reading and Final Passage of the ordinance will be on May 11, 1992.
AT THIS POINT, City Council returned to Docket Item No. 2 and continued the public hearing.
(The following persons participated in the public hearing:
J. Glenn Hopkins, 1224 Princess Street, Executive Director, Hopkins House, spoke in support of funds for AIDS education and also spoke on behalf of ALERT in support of funds for Human Services in Alexandria; copies of each of his statements are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 4 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and are incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Kim Pittman, Executive Director, AFSCME, spoke in support of funds for City employees and School employees;
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Christiane Perry, 1400 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA, Chairperson of Offender Aid and Restoration's Board of Directors, spoke in support of funds for OAR; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 5 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Linda Hopper, 1400 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA, Chairperson of the Finance Committee for Offender Aid and Restoration, also spoke in support of funds for OAR; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 6 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Phil Beck, 617 Melrose Street, spoke against restructuring of the schools;
Pat Severs, 5700 Sanger Avenue, President, Ramsay Elementary PTA, spoke against restructuring of the schools; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 7 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
John Smucker, 108 N. Quaker Lane, spoke to various issues concerning the budget;
Dagobert Soergel, 504 N. Quaker Lane, representing Community Network Preschool, spoke in support of funds for the preschool;
Robert A. Wiles, 608 S. St. Asaph Street, representing Northern Virginia Family Service, spoke in support of continued support of the effective public/private partnerships in the City; a copy of his statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 8 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Carolyn Kloetzli, 3112 Mount Vernon Avenue, President, Mental Association in Alexandria, spoke in support of funds for the Family Helper's Network and its Hot Line; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 9 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Beatrice Von Guggenberg, 3426 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA, representing Northern Virginia AIDS (NOVAA) Project of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, spoke in support of continued funding; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 10 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Tod Chernikoff, speaking on behalf of Raymond T. Johnson, Vice President, AFSCME Local #278, spoke in support of raises for the City employees; a copy of Mr. Johnson's prepared statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 11 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Alison Marshall, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., representing the AIDS Task Force, spoke in support of funds for NOVAA Project of the Whitman-Walker Clinic;
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Pablo Gavino, 10 N. Early Street, spoke regarding the school budget; a copy of his statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 12 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Vida Johnson, 3438 Haines Way, Falls Church, VA, President, Education Association of Alexandria, spoke in support of the school budget and urged both a cost of living increase and step increases for all City and School employees; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 13 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Georgia Cannady, 1103 Dartmouth Road, President of League of Women Voters, spoke to various issues; a copy of her statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 14 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Lottie Sneed, 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue, spoke in support of step increases and a cola for City employees;
Gia Adams, 2313 N. Chambliss Street, representing the Early Childhood Development Commission, spoke in support of child daycare fee subsidy program for at-risk four year olds;
Jim Mulligan, 4600 Duke Street, #1610, Chairman, Park and Recreation Commission, spoke in support of City Manager's recommendation and requested restoration of recreation for special needs and the Charles Barrett Recreation Center;
Loyd LaMois, 15 W. Uhler Avenue, Chairman, Community Services Board, urged Council's approval of the Manager's recommended operating budget; a copy of his statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 15 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
W. Michael Holm, 445 Old Town Court, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke to various aspects of the budget and urged Council to make tough decisions during tough times;
(General Discussion. Councilman Donley, the City Manager, and Mr. Holm participated in the discussion.)
Maria W. Eddy, 313 N. Royal Street, representing Carpenter's Shelter, spoke in support of an increase of funding for Carpenter's Shelter; and
James Snyder, 1907 Commonwealth Avenue, representing Mt. Vernon PTA and the Del Ray Citizens Association, requested support for funding for the replacement of the existing unsafe wooden playground equipment at Mount Vernon School; a copy of his statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 16 of Item No. 2; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WITHOUT OBJECTION, the Public Hearing was held and concluded. There was no action taken at this time. The adoption of the Budget will be on May 11, 1992.
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3. Public Hearing on the Proposed Community Development Block Grant Program for FY 1992-93.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated 3/25/92, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded.
(Council Member Rich asked questions of Ms. Davis, Director of Housing.)
WITHOUT OBJECTION, final action on this item will be on May 11, 1992.
4. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to establish the tax rates to be levied for calendar year 1992 as follows: (1) all real estate located within the territorial boundaries of the city, to be taxed at a rate of $1.095 on each $100.00 of assessed value; (2) all motor vehicles, trucks, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and semi-trailers owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs for taxation in the city to be taxed at the rate of $4.75 on each $100.00 of assessed value; (3) all tangible personal property, other than mobile homes, automobiles, trucks, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers, that is owned or held by residents or citizens of the city and located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise has a situs within the city, to be taxed at the rate of $4.75 on each $100.00 of assessed value; (4) all machinery and tools used in a mining or a manufacturing business, to be taxed at the rate of $4.50 on each $100.00 of assessed value; (5) all mobile homes owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs in the city subject to taxation, to be taxed at the rate of $1.095 on each $100.00 of assessed value; (6) all antique motor vehicles owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs for taxation in the city to be taxed at the rate of $0.01 on each $100.00 of assessed value; and (7) all motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped to be taxed at the rate of $3.55 per $100 of assessed value. (#24 3/24/92)
(A copy of the proposed ordinance referred to in the above item, 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. 1 of Item No. 4; 3/30/91, 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. 4; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated 3/18/92, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 4; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
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The City Clerk read the docket item.
It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, Second Reading and Final Passage of this ordinance will be on May 11, 1992.
5. Public Hearing on AN ORDINANCE to levy a tax at a rate of $0.25 per telephone line per month on the consumers of telephone services in the city to recover the capital, installation and maintenance costs associated with the city's enhanced 911 emergency telephone system. (#25 3/24/92)
(A copy of the proposed ordinance referred to in the above item, 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. 1 of Item No. 5; 3/30/92, 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. 5; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated 3/16/92, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 5; 3/30/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, Second Reading and Final Passage of this ordinance will be on May 11, 1992.
New Business Item No. 1: The City Attorney informed Council that the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for certiorari in our railroad case today which means that the Fourth Circuit decision that had been in our favor remains the decision in the case and the issue and the case will not go any further.
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THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Donley and carried unanimously by all those present, at 11:05 p.m., the Special Meeting of Monday, March 30, 1992, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Jackson absent
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
APPROVED BY:
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PATRICIA S. TICER MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
Legal Notice
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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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