Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting (11/23/1993)

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 23, 1993 - - 7:30 pm

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Present: Mayor Patricia S. Ticer, Vice Mayor William C. Cleveland, Members of Council Kerry J. Donley, T. Michael Jackson, Redella S. Pepper, Lonnie C. Rich, and David G. Speck.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mrs. Lawson, City Manager; Mr. Pessoa, Assistant City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Services; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget; Mr. Garrity, Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator; Fire Chief Hawkins; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Mr. McMahon, Deputy Director of General Services; Ms. Tyson, Division Chief, Accounting; and Lieutenant Crawford, 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.

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Robert Ross, Assistant to the Rector for Parish Life, St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

New Business Item No. 1: Councilman Donley requested a moment of silence in memory of President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated thirty years ago on November 22.

New Business Item No. 2: Mayor Ticer recognized Boy Scout Troop 1515 from Christ Church who were present earning another badge.

3. THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 9, 1993, as submitted. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Donley "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Jackson "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"

4. THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, upon motion by Councilman Donley, seconded by Council Member Rich and carried unanimously, City Council received the report of the City Clerk dated November 18, 1993, which is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Rich "aye" Jackson "aye"
Ticer "aye" Pepper "aye"
Speck "aye"

5. Presentation of a Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of November 1993 as Early Intervention Month. (Mayor Ticer)

(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

(Mayor Ticer presented the proclamation.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Jackson "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck out of room

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR 6 - 9

NOTE: City Council reconsidered Docket Item No. 8 after consideration of Docket Item No. 10.

6. Receipt of the Following Resignations from Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Old and Historic District
Peter T. Comey

(b) Alexandria Commission on Aging
David L. Woods

(c) Alexandria Commission on the Status of Women
E. Johnson Marits

(d) Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team
Carol Wase Aaron
Keith Mitchell

(Copies of the above resignations are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6(a-d); 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission
1 Member Representing the Alexandria Library System

(b) Alexandria Commission on Aging
4 Citizen Members

(c) Alexandria Early Childhood Development Commission
1 Representative from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory
Board

(d) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Representative of the Alexandria Emergency Medical
Services Council

(Material pertaining to the above appointments is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7(a-d); 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

8. Receipt of Annual Report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, 1992-1993.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 15, 1993, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

9. Receipt of the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission Annual Report for FY 1992-93.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 11, 1993, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 9; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Cleveland, seconded simultaneously by Councilwoman Pepper and Council Member Rich and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

6. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Peter T. Comey from the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Old and Historic District; (b) David L. Woods from the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (c) E. Johnson Marits from the Alexandria Commission on the Status of Women; and (d) Carol Wase Aaron and Keith Mitchell from the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team; and requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

7. City Council (a) appointed Marilyn Doherty as a Member Representing the Alexandria Library System to the Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission; (b) reappointed Ellyn Carpenter, Marion Stanton and Ethel Underwood and appointed Richard Indelicato as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (c) appointed Kimberly Koch as a Representative from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board to the Alexandria Early Childhood Development Commission; and (d) reappointed James Brayshaw as a Representative of the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.

8. City Council received the report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and recognized the volunteers for their outstanding service and generous contribution to the City.

9. City Council received the report and thanked the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission for its efforts on behalf of public health and the City.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

The voting was as follows:

Cleveland "aye" Ticer "aye"
Pepper "aye" Donley "aye"
Rich "aye" Jackson "aye"
Speck out of room

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

10. Consideration of Acceptance of a Federal Grant and Award of Funds from the Center for Mental Health Services and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to the Alexandria Community Services Board for the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 19, 1993, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 10; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council (1) decided to exceed its budget cap on the number of full-time and part-time City positions; and (2) accepted the federal grant totaling $221,826 awarded from September 30, 1993, through August 31, 1994.

Approval of this request will increase the number of grant-funded City positions by the following: 1.0 FTE Project Coordinator; 2.0 FTEs Psychological Counselor III/Psychiatric Social Worker II; .5 FTE Assistant Residential Coordinator; .5 FTE Secretary I; and .5 FTE Administrative Officer I.

These grant-funded positions would be working in the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse (MHMRSA) to provide the services stipulated in the grant application. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant. All persons who fill these positions will be notified of this condition of employment.

The voting was as follows:

Rich "aye" Donley "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Jackson "aye"
Ticer "aye" Pepper "aye"
Speck "aye"

THEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Donley, seconded simultaneously by Councilman Jackson and Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council moved to reconsider Docket Item No. 8 at this time. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Ticer "aye"
Jackson "aye" Pepper "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"

8. Receipt of Annual Report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, 1992-1993.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 15, 1993, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

(General Discussion. Members of City Council and the City Manager commended the members of the Volunteer Fire Department for its many hours of outstanding volunteer service to the City.

Members of the Volunteer Fire Department who were present were acknowledged.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Cleveland, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council received the report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and recognized the volunteers for their outstanding service and generous contribution to the City. The voting was as follows:

Cleveland "aye" Donley "aye"
Pepper "aye" Jackson "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"

11. Consideration of Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending October 31, 1993.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 8, 1993, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

(Councilman Speck directed questions to Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Services.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council accepted the Financial Report for the period ending October 31, 1993. The voting was as follows:

Rich "aye" Donley "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Jackson "aye"
Ticer "aye" Pepper "aye"
Speck "aye"

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper announced that Home Depot held an open house tonight. It is a new business located in the Trade Center on South Pickett Street. The ribbon cutting will be at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. She indicated that they are hiring 180 new employees, and she indicated about 100 of this amount are Alexandria residents. She passed out commemorative mugs and carpenter's pencils.

Councilman Donley stated that when Home Depot came forward they made representations to Council that they would go out of their way to hire Alexandrians. He was glad to note that more than half of the staff are from Alexandria.

Mayor Ticer stated that this is a wonderful anchor for the Trade Center.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper stated that she sits on COG's Human Services and Public Safety Policy Committee. This Committee has been talking about one of the problems that Alexandria has been experiencing which is aggressive panhandling. The Homelessness Task Force came back and felt that it was not a regional problem and indicated that each jurisdiction should handle it the best they can. She gave the information that was gathered by the Task Force to Assistant City Attorney Pessoa. She asked the status of the City's ordinance.

Assistant City Attorney Pessoa stated that they are preparing a memorandum on the panhandling options that the City has. Hopefully, it will be completed before the end of the year so that they can meet with the Police Department and come back to Council at one of the legislative meetings in January with some proposed legislation for the Council to address that problem.

Councilwoman Pepper stated that she would like to discourage a voucher program because that just increases the panhandlers. She suggested that if for any reason the D.C. ordinance could not apply to Alexandria, she would like to have some kind of suggestion so that Council could move forward on this.

(c) Vice Mayor Cleveland announced that on November 20, the Dance Theater of Harlem came to Nannie Lee Center. He stated that four brave "Untouchables" auditioned for the chance to study locally with principal dancers of the dance troupe. He was really proud because all four "Untouchables" were accepted.

(d) Council Member Rich announced that last night a group that is tentatively calling itself "Alexandrians for a Better Community and Schools" met at Westminster Presbyterian Church to begin a process of creating a platform for candidates for School Board to run on. He stated that he thinks the group has two goals: (1) is to create a platform and (2) is to field a slate of candidates that will run on that platform. In connection with both of those goals is a desire to have participation from a broad cross section of Alexandrians. He indicated that the next meeting will be held the week of December 6. Anyone who is interested can call either Vice Mayor Cleveland or himself.

(e) Councilman Speck announced for the last time the "Alexandria Holiday for Children" program which is being sponsored by the Police Department. It is being led by the resident police officers. They are now expecting about 500 children to participate on December 11. The deadline for collecting toys is December 1 if you are delivering toys to the Police Department. They need either new or in good condition unwrapped toys. You also can bring them to the City Clerk's Office by Monday, November 29. The Police will also come and pick them up.

(f) Councilman Speck announced that the Alexandria United Way has recently published its third edition of a catalog of community needs. It is called "Comfort and Joy". It is a terrific compendium of all of the community organizations in the City and the various needs that they have in terms of tangible objects as well as personnel. This publication is available through the Alexandria United Way and you can call them to get a copy. The telephone number is 549-4447. He complimented the United Way on its terrific effort on its part to help channel community resources.

(g) Councilman Jackson spoke to the problem of panhandling. He stated that it is very difficult to keep under control. He feels one of the reasons for the difficulty is that it is only a symptom of a much larger problem. He indicated that while he joins with everyone's efforts to find effective legislation that would help to prohibit the practice of panhandling, he thinks that realistically until we reach a solution to the much larger problems of homelessness and unemployment, we are going to find that we are going to have panhandlers with us regardless of how effective we are with legislation. He stated if we fail as a nation or as a society in solving this problem, if we don't recognize them for what they are and the threat they hold to basically our way of living, we are going to be in trouble in years in the future. He indicated that the incidents of panhandling have risen dramatically in every jurisdiction. He only mentioned this because it is very important that we do enact whatever legislation we possibly may to curb panhandling, but it is definitely not the solution to this minor facet of a very major problem.

(h) Councilman Donley announced that the Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot will be held in the Potomac West Trade Association area. It starts at 10:00 a.m. at Cora Kelly School. In order to participate in the 5-mile run, registration is $4 and 2 cans of food which will go to benefit ALIVE in Alexandria.

(i) Mayor Ticer announced the kick-off of the new parking validation program this morning. Shoppers and visitors will be able to get up to $2 off on their parking and there will be a tremendous amount of advertising as to where the parking is in Old Town.

(j) Mayor Ticer announced that the Mayor's Conference on Housing and Services Options for Seniors held on Saturday, November 20, 1993, was a success. Hopefully, it will be an annual event.

(k) Mayor Ticer announced that about a week ago the first Convention Center Task Force meeting was held at the Chamber Board Room. The members of the Task Force are: Co-Chairs, Shawn McLaughlin and herself; Les Proctor, the Economic Development Program Board of Directors representative; Robert Morrison, Hotel Association representative; George Ellmore, BFAAC representative; Marian Van Landingham, State representative; Mark Jinks, Director of Finance, Arlington County representative; Murray Bonitt, John Petersen, Sherman Ragland, and Peter Smirniotopoulis, Mayoral appointments; Toby Aaron, Lynn Hampton, Dennis Dix, and Ann Stone, Chamber appointments; Arthur Gitajn and Richard Flaherty are staff. A small subcommittee was appointed to look at how to make a proposal for a small feasibility study. This is the less costly, shorter term feasibility study, not to be site specific, but to see whether there is any financial feasibility for a convention center or something like a convention center in the City of Alexandria. The next meeting is on December 9. The subcommittee will meet either this or next week.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

None

OTHER

12. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 23, 1993, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

(General Discussion. Councilman Speck will be attending the special public hearing meeting on Monday, November 29. It previously had been announced that he would be unable to attend.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Jackson, seconded simultaneously by Councilwoman Pepper and Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council received the updated Council schedule and noted that Council will take a break during the December 11 public hearing meeting for the Holiday Program at the Police Department. The voting was as follows:

Jackson "aye" Ticer "aye"
Pepper "aye" Donley "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

13. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
2 Arts Consumer Members

(The following persons volunteered or were recommended for appointment to the above Commission:

NAME ENDORSED BY:

Lynne Burke Carol Ott Schacht

Tonda Phalen

Carol Reed*

Patricia Shea*

*Incumbent

(Material pertaining to the above appointments is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following results: City Council reappointed Carol Reed and Patricia Shea as two Arts Consumer Members to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. The voting was as follows:

Ticer - Reed, Shea
Cleveland - Reed, Shea
Donley - Reed, Shea
Jackson - Reed, Shea
Pepper - Reed, Shea
Rich - Reed, Shea
Speck - Reed, Shea

14. Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:

NAME ENDORSED BY:

Jane Erlandson

Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe

Suzanne Lubin

(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following result: No one received a majority of votes; therefore, there had to be a second balloting. The voting was as follows:

Ticer - Erlandson
Cleveland - Erlandson
Donley - Erlandson
Jackson - Lubin
Pepper - Ghartey-Tagoe
Rich - Ghartey-Tagoe
Speck - Lubin

Thereupon, ballots were again distributed, tellers were again appointed and the ballots again tallied with the following result: No one received a majority of votes; therefore, there had to be a third balloting. The voting was as follows:

Ticer - Erlandson
Cleveland - Erlandson
Donley - Lubin
Jackson - Lubin
Pepper - Ghartey-Tagoe
Rich - Ghartey-Tagoe
Speck - Lubin

Whereupon, ballots were again distributed, tellers were again appointed and the ballots again tallied with the following result: No one received a majority of votes; therefore, there had to be a fourth balloting. The voting was as follows:

Ticer - Lubin
Cleveland - Erlandson
Donley - Erlandson
Jackson - Erlandson
Pepper - Ghartey-Tagoe
Rich - Ghartey-Tagoe
Speck - Lubin

Thereupon, ballots were again distributed, tellers were again appointed and the ballots again tallied with the following result: City Council appointed Jane Erlandson as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission. The voting was as follows:

Ticer - Erlandson
Cleveland - Erlandson
Donley - Erlandson
Jackson - Erlandson
Pepper - Ghartey-Tagoe
Rich - Erlandson
Speck - Lubin

15. Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Board:

NAME ENDORSED BY:

Lenore Gorder

Jane Tilly

(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 11/23/93, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following result: City Council appointed Jane Tilly as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board. The voting was as follows:

Ticer - Gorder
Cleveland - Tilly
Donley - Tilly
Jackson - Tilly
Pepper - Tilly
Rich - Gorder
Speck - Tilly

New Business Item No. 3: Vice Mayor Cleveland indicated that he talked to Troop 1515 telling the scouts that he usually works with the troop and any boy who makes eagle scout he usually buys them a flag. He stated that he had already given out four and he heard that they have five already that have been appointed., He stated that he asked if this was an Alexandria Troop and the answer was yes. So, he will come up with five flags for them.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilman Donley, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, at 8:40 p.m., the Regular Meeting of November 23, 1993, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Jackson "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"

APPROVED BY:

______________________________
PATRICIA S. TICER MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk

This docket is subject to change.

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