Meeting Minutes for Special Meeting (05/03/1995)

Special Meeting
Wednesday, May 3, 1995 - - 7:30 pm

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Present: Mayor Patricia S. Ticer, Vice Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Members of Council William C. Cleveland, William D. Euille, Redella S. Pepper, Lonnie C. Rich, and Lois L. Walker.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mrs. Lawson, City Manager; Mr. Sunderland, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Brannan, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Services; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget, and staff; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Cyphers, Director of Human Services; Mr. Fertig, Director of Personnel Services; Mr. Schott, Director of General Services; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. Cole, Director of Management Information Services; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Mr. Kauffman, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse; Mr. O'Brien, Director of Library; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development; Ms. Federico, Director of Historic Alexandria; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Ms. Anderson, Deputy Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. McMahon, Deputy Director of General Services; Mr. Post, Deputy Director of Management Information Services; Ms. Hansen, Deputy Director of Housing; Police Chief Samarra and representatives of the Police Department; Fire Chief Hawkins; Dr. Berg, School Superintendent-designate; Chairman Digilio and School Board Members Kenealy, Linderman, and Eberwein; and Sergeant Rosboschil, Police Department.

Recorded by: Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.

There was a Work Session to go through the City Manager's Final FY 1996 Add/Delete List at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom. The Members of City Council went through the add/delete list and made comments. City Manager Lawson, Financial and Information Services Director Gitajn, and Management and Budget Director Godwin participated in the discussion.

The Work Session was concluded at approximately 6:50 p.m.

(A copy of Budget Memo #30: Final FY 1996 Add/Delete List dated April 27, 1995, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council and incorporated herewith as part of the record by reference.)

OPENING

The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Ticer, 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.)

New Business Item No. 1: Ruby Tucker and Ken Naser presented the 14th Annual ALIVE! Walk-a-thon T-shirts to City Council. The walk-a-thon will be held Sunday, May 7, 1995, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will start from the First Christian Church at 2723 King Street. Everybody is invited to participate.

2. Consideration of the Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 1995-96 (including Schools, and an increase in trash collection fees) and the Capital Improvements Program for FY 1996-2001 (including the Schools CIP and the new proposed main library capital project). (#2 3/27/95)

(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; 5/3/95, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the Final FY 1996 Add/Delete List is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 2; 5/3/95, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

The following motion was made and seconded. Following it the Members of City Council made comments with respect to the FY 1995-1996 budget adoption:

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried on a vote of 6-to-1, City Council approved the Manager's proposed budget with expenditures of $239,187,943, and proposed revenues of $231,269,000 with the following adjustments and amendments: change to the utility tax, reduction of $235,000; change in the sales tax, an increase in the projection of $677,000; increase in HB599 funding, net amount of $153,000; increase in Compensation Board funding, these are largely the result of the restored State Aid, of $488,000; reduction in revenue relative to a reform to the business and professional occupation license tax, of $102,000; a change to the proposed benefit packages to City and School employees which would be a 3 percent general salary adjustment (COLA) for all City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and for City Council aides, and the Mayor's aide, together with a 2 percent merit (in-step) increase for all eligible City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk whose eligibility for this increase shall be conditioned upon a satisfactory performance evaluation by City Council, this would be an increase in the expenditures of $1,791,000, an increase in the school budget of $1,155,139, this would be adjusted for the comparability of merit increase along with reduction due to State Grant funding; an addition on the expenditure side for the Campagna Center, as suggested by Mayor Ticer and Councilwoman Pepper, of $10,400; an additional expense increasing the Hopkins House allocation of $58,900 as suggested by Mayor Ticer, Councilman Euille and Councilwoman Pepper; an addition on the expense side of a $15,000 allocation to Ho-Ho-Ho as recommended by Councilman Euille andCouncilwoman Pepper; an increase in

the Companion Aide Program of $28,120 as recommended by Mayor Ticer and Councilwoman Pepper; an increase of one-time capital contribution to the YMCA for the construction of their new facility of $25,000 as suggested by Vice Mayor Donley, Councilman Euille and Councilwoman Pepper; increase in the contribution to the Alexandria/Arlington Coalition for the Homeless of $20,000 to be funded via a reduction in the TAP Program of a like amount as suggested by Vice Mayor Donley; increase allocation to Senior Citizen Employment Services $5,000 as recommended by Vice Mayor Donley and Councilwoman Pepper; increase in Tobacco Tax revenue up to 25 cents a pack as recommended by Councilman Euille, an increase in revenue of $89,000; reduction in expenditures relative to the error in allocation of merit increase of $839,000; increase allocation to the Eisenhower Avenue Partnership of $5,000 as recommended by Councilwoman Pepper; additionally, designated $250,000 in Contingent Reserves in the event that State funding for school technology cannot be used as originally planned as recommended by Vice Mayor Donley; a lot of these changes would be funded via revenue adjustments and the correction of the error in the merit allocation, the additional funding would be covered by an increase in the fund balance appropriation from the undesignated fund balance of $9,103,502; final totals would be as follows: the total general fund expenditure budget would be $241,442,502, with general fund revenues including a $9,103,502 appropriation from the fund balance would also be at $241,442,502 with an appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools of $74,167,532. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "no"
Walker "aye"

Council Member Rich suggested that there be some serious discussion among City Council, City staff and with City employees about a better way to compensate employees other than by automatic pay raises.

Councilman Euille stated that Council Member Rich suggested that we look at the COLA or some type of plan for how we handle salary compensations in the future and he agrees with that. He suggested that the Manager and staff give some consideration to a plan that's in depth and one that is in terms of dealing with the budget so that employees will always know at least two years in advance what will be anticipated to be put into the budget for salary adjustments rather than having to go through this exercise on an annual basis. He indicated that it may be impracticable but he thinks that it is something that we can work towards and he understands that it is probably a plan or program that existed a few years ago.

Councilman Euille stated that he wants to revisit the tax-exempt properties that we have in the City. He indicated that he still feels and believes that there is a way for us to generate additional revenues by taxing or reviewing the exempt status of a lot of businesses and organizations in this City with an eye towards generating additional revenues.

Councilman Euille indicated that with regards to our human services/social services budget that that is an area that staff and Council need to focus on and work with because he believes there is a duplication of service in terms of the programs that are currently being offered to service both youth and our housing programs. He indicated that he does not know what the potential savings may be, but he believes that if we were to initiate serious review that we probably could come up with some dollars that would be cost efficient.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried unanimously, City Council approved the adoption of the Capital Improvement Program for FY 1996-2001 as proposed by the City Manager with the exception of an additional $15,000 for the City's tree planting program which was Mayor Ticer's request. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"

3. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to establish the real and personal property tax rates for calendar year 1995. (#13 4/22/95; #3 3/27/95; #18 3/14/95) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

The City Clerk read the docket item.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council finally passed the ordinance upon its second reading and established the real estate property tax rate of $1.07 on each $100 of assessed value of real property in the City, and a personal property tax rate of $4.75 for every hundred dollars of assessed value in the City of Alexandria. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"

The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. 3792

AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 3-2-181 (LEVIED; AMOUNT) of Division 1 (REAL ESTATE), and Sections 3-2-221 (LEVIED ON 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; AMOUNT), 3-2-222 (LEVIED ON MACHINERY AND TOOLS USED IN MINING OR MANUFACTURING BUSINESS; AMOUNT), 3-2-223 (TAX LEVIED ON MOBILE HOMES; AMOUNT), 3-2-224 (TAX ON AUTOMOBILES, ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES, TRUCKS, TAXICABS, MOTORCYCLES, CAMPERS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS AND TRAILERS--LEVIED; AMOUNT) and 3-2-224.1 (TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES WITH SPECIALLY DESIGNED EQUIPMENT FOR USE BY THE HANDICAPPED) of Division 3 (TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND MACHINERY AND TOOLS), all of Article M (LEVY AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAXES), Chapter 2 (TAXATION), Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. That Section 3-2-181 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 3-2-181 Levied; amount.

There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1995 on all real estate located within the territorial boundaries of the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city a tax of $1.07 on each $100 of the assessed value

thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.

Section 2. That Section 3-2-221 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 3-2-221 Levied on 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; amount.

There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1995 on 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, owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs within the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $4.75 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.

Section 3. That Section 3-2-222 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 3-2-222 Levied on machinery and tools used in mining or manufacturing business; amount.

There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1995 on all machinery and tools used in a mining or manufacturing business taxable on capital and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $4.50 on each $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.

Section 4. That Section 3-2-223 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 3-2-223 Levied on mobile homes; amount.

There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1995 on all vehicles without motor power, used or designed to be used as mobile homes as defined in section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs within the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $1.07 on each $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.

Section 5. That Section 3-2-224 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 3-2-224 Levied on automobiles, antique motor vehicles, trucks, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers; amount.

There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1995 on all automobiles, antique motor vehicles, trucks, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and 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, a tax of $4.75 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.

Section 6. That Section 3-2-224.1 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 3-2-224.1 Levied on motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped.

There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1995 on all motor vehicles which are equipped with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped and which are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or are located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise have a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $3.55 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.

Section 7. That this ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.

Introduction: 3/14/95
First reading: 3/14/95
Publication: 3/16/95; 4/5/95; 4/6/95
Public Hearing: 3/27/95; 4/22/95
Second Reading: 5/3/95
Final Passage: 5/3/95

Councilman Euille noted for the record that by passing the tax ordinance this represents no increase in taxes from the previous year.

4. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to increase the fee for sanitary sewer service from $0.60 to $1.20 per calendar quarter. (#4 3/27/95; #19 3/14/95) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

The City Clerk read the docket item.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council finally passed the ordinance on its Second Reading setting the sanitary sewer service fee at $1.20. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"

The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. 3793

AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 5-6-26 (SEWER LINE MAINTENANCE CHARGE IMPOSED; PROVISIONS FOR COLLECTION; LIENS AND CESSATION OF WATER SERVICE FOR DELINQUENT CHARGES) of Article B (SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND DRAINS) , Chapter 6 (WATER AND SEWER), Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. That Section 5-6-26 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained as follows:

Sec. 5-6-26 Sewer line maintenance charge imposed; provisions for collection; liens and cessation of water service for delinquent charges.

(a) Pursuant to the authority contained in section 15.1-320(7) of the Code of Virginia, and as provided by section 15.1-321 of that Code, there is hereby imposed, upon all parcels of real estate from which sewerage is discharged into lines maintained by the city, a sewer line maintenance charge of one dollar and twenty cents ($1.20) per quarter or twenty cents ($0.20) for every 1,000 gallons of water supplied per quarter to such parcel by the Virginia-American Water Company, whichever is the greater sum; provided, that if the charge for water supplied to any parcel is billed on a monthly basis, the sewer line maintenance charge imposed on the parcel shall be forty cents ($0.40) per month or twenty cents ($0.20) for every 1,000 gallons of water supplied per month to such parcel, whichever is greater; and provided, further, that for any parcel of real estate having more than one meter for the measurement of water consumption attributable to that parcel, one or more of which meters measures only water which will not be discharged into the sanitary sewer lines of the city, that parcel shall be charged as provided herein on the total water consumption attributable to that parcel after subtracting the amount of water not discharged into the sanitary sewer lines of the city.

(b) For the purpose of this article, bills shall be considered monthly bills if submitted 12 times per year for periods of approximately one month each and quarterly bills if submitted four times per year for periods of approximately three months each.

(c) The sewer line maintenance charge shall in every case be collected by the Virginia-American Water Company from the owner, lessee or tenant of each parcel, or some or all of them, and remitted by the water company to the city in such manner and on such terms as shall be agreed upon by the water company and the city council, consistent with the provisions of this section. In the event any such charges are unpaid 30 days after the date they are billed by the water company as hereinabove provided, interest shall at that time begin to accrue thereon at the rate of one percent per month, and the owner, lessee or tenant, as the case may be, of the parcel of real estate on which the charge was imposed shall, until such charges shall be paid with interest to the date of payment, cease to dispose of sewage or industrial waste originating from or on such real estate by discharge thereof directly or indirectly into the sewer line maintained by the city, and is such owner, lessee or tenant shall not cease disposal within two months thereafter, the water company shall cease supplying water thereto unless the Director of the Alexandria Health Department shall certify that the shutting off of the water will endanger the health of the occupants of the premises or the health of others. Such charges and interest thereon shall constitute a lien against the property, ranking on a parity with liens for unpaid taxes.

Section 2. That this ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 1995.

Introduction: 3/14/95
First Reading: 3/14/95
Publication: 3/16/95
Public Hearing: 3/27/95
Second Reading: 5/3/95
Final Passage: 5/3/95

5. Consideration of a RESOLUTION setting the annual charge for the collection and disposal of solid waste, ashes and yard debris for fiscal year 1996 at $158.00, pursuant to city code § 5-1-34. (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

The City Clerk read the docket item.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council adopted the resolution setting the annual disposal charge for solid waste, [ashes and yard debris] at $158 for fiscal year 1996. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Walker "aye" Euille "aye"
Ticer "aye" Pepper "aye"
Rich "aye"

The resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 1741

WHEREAS, under section 2.06 of the city charter, city council has the authority to establish fees to be charged for services provided by the city; and

WHEREAS, city council has determined that it is necessary and desirable to increase the fee charged pursuant to section 5-1-34 for the collection and disposal of solid waste, ashes and yard debris;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

1. That the annual fee authorized by city code section 5-1-34 for the collection and disposal of solid waste, ashes and yard debris shall be $158.00.

2. That this resolution shall be effective July 1, 1995.

New Business Item No 2: Council Member Rich announced that his Administrative Aide, Marcia Ritchey, will be resigning soon due to the demands of her business. He also announced that a long-time friend, Judy Lowe, will be his new Aide.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded simultaneously by Council Member Walker and Councilman Cleveland and carried unanimously, at 8:30 p.m., the Special Meeting of Wednesday, May 3, 1995, was adjourned.
The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Walker "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Rich "aye"
Ticer "aye" Donley "aye"
Euille "aye"

APPROVED BY:

PATRICIA S. TICER MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk

Agenda

Memo

Proposed FY 1995 to FY 1996 City Operating Budget
Table of Contents

FY95/96 Approved Budget

Proposed Budget

Budget Memo #:

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

42 43

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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