Meeting Minutes for Special Meeting (03/27/1995)

Special Meeting
Monday, March 27, 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; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mrs. Godwin, Direction of Management and Budget, and members of her staff; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. Cyphers, Director of Human Services; Ms. Anderson, Deputy Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Ms. Federico, Director of Historic Alexandria; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Mr. Kauffman, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Fertig, Director of Personnel Services; Fire Chief Hawkins, Police Chief Samarra; Dr. Lipsman, Director of Health Department; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Ms. Gattsek, Director of Office on Women; Ms. Reichler, Special Assistant to the City Manager; Mr. McMahon, Deputy Director of General Services; Mr. O'Brien, Director of Library; Members of the School Board; and Lieutenant Crawford, Police Department.

Recorded by: Mrs. 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.

(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 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).

(The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item:

Joan Peterson, 109 East Taylor Run Parkway, spoke to the Library study and demographics; a copy of Ms. Peterson's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of this item;

Glenn Hopkins, 400 Madison Street, spoke to Hopkins House and Task Force on Minority Achievement; a copy of Mr. Hopkins' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of this item;

David E. Michael, P. 0. Box 7563, Arlington, Virginia, spoke to the Northern Virginia Hotline; a copy of Mr. Michael's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of this item;

Susan Johnson, 2918 North Rosser Street, Hammond Middle School PTA President; a copy of Ms. Johnson's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 4 of this item;

Victor Glasberg, 121 S. Columbus Street, spoke to the school budget and technology plan;

Barbara Ramm, 15 East Alexandria Avenue, President, Maury/Lyles Crouch PTA; a copy of Ms. Ramm's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 5 of this item;

Dorianne Morrison, 3218 Wellington Road, spoke on behalf of the T.C. Williams PTSA; a copy of Ms. Morrison's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 6 of this item;

Frank Fraser, 2705 Davis Avenue, Co-President of the George Mason Elementary School PTA; a copy of Mr. Fraser's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 7 of this item;

Marge Hurd, 309 West Myrtle Street, Teacher, Cora Kelly Magnet School; a copy of Ms. Hurd's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 8 of this item;

Margie Lyons, 316 Hume Avenue, Co-President, Mount Vernon PTA; a copy of Ms. Lyons' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 9 of this item;

Phil Beck, 617 Melrose Street, Parent; a copy of Mr. Beck's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 10 of this item;

Jennifer Smith and Lynda Gallagher, 2601 Commonwealth Avenue, Teachers at Mount Vernon School; a copy of their joint statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 11 of this item;

Marilee Pinkleton, 2936 Landover Street, Parent; a copy of Ms. Pinkleton's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 12 of this item;

Theresa Watson, 2917 Mosby Street, spoke in support of School Board's budget;

Barbara Harslem, 13 West Bellefonte Avenue, spoke in support of School Board's budget and funds for the Mount Vernon Recreation Center;

Betty Hobbs, 3600 Commonwealth Avenue, Principal, Cora Kelly Magnet School; a copy of Ms. Hobbs' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 13 of this item;

Margaret Walsh, 3801 West Braddock Road, Principal, Minnie Howard School; a copy of Dr. Walsh's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 14 of this item;

Rhonda Grisham, 2400 Commonwealth Avenue, Co-President, Cora Kelly Magnet School; a copy of Ms. Grisham's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 15 of this item;

Elliott Branch, 3830 Brighton Court, President, Principal's Advisory Council at Charles Barrett School; a copy of Mr. Branch's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 16 of this item;

Lynn Smith, 307 Virginia Avenue, Chair, School Board's Budget Advisory Committee; a copy of Ms. Smith's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 17 of this item;

Linda Holland, 206 Commonwealth Avenue, Parent, supports School Board's budget;

Edward Sheehy, 241 Tennessee Avenue, Chair, Commission on Aging; a copy of Mr. Sheehy's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 18 of this item;

Willie Hanner, 2409 East Randolph Avenue, Teacher, Mount Vernon School; a copy of Mr. Hanner's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 19 of this item;

John Porter, 3330 King Street, Principal, T.C. Williams High School; a copy of Mr. Porter's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 20 of this item;

Maryann McDermott Jones, 17 West Rosemont Avenue, Chair, School Board's Gifted and Talented Committee; a copy of Ms. Jones' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 21 of this item;

Anne Lowrey Bailey, 705 North Overlook Drive, President, Charles Barrett Elementary School PTA; a copy of Ms. Bailey's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 22 of this item;

Barbara J.B. Mullaney, 1501 Cameron Street, President, Jefferson-Houston PTA; a copy of Ms. Mullaney's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 23 of this item;

Mrs. T.J. Manning, 1501 Cameron Street, Parent representing Jefferson-Houston School, spoke in support of School Board's budget;

Judy Trozado, 1501 Cameron Street, Parent representing Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Trozado's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 24 of this item;

Nina Hillary-Bush, 1501 Cameron Street, Parent representing Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Hillary-Bush's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 25 of this item;

Kim Peele, 1501 Cameron Street, Parent representing Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Peele's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 26 of this item;

Ravi Srinivasan, 1501 Cameron Street, Parent representing Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Mr. Srinivasan's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 27 of this item;

Rene Cadogan, 1501 Cameron Street, Parent representing Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Cadogan's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 28 of this item;

Melissa Luby, 1501 Cameron Street, representing the Jefferson-Houston PTA; a copy of Ms. Luby's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 29 of this item;

Margaret D'Elia, 1501 Cameron Street, Teacher, Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. D'Elia's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 30 of this item;

Pam Walkup, 1501 Cameron Street, Teacher, Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Walkup's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 31 of this item;

Lois Berlin, 1501 Cameron Street, Principal, Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Berlin's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 32 of this item;

Carol Keller, 821 North Latham Street, President, James K. Polk PTA; a copy of Ms. Keller's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 33 of this item;

Robin S. Harper, 1530 Princess Street, representing Jefferson-Houston School; a copy of Ms. Harper's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 34 of this item;

Lyndon E. Murray, 66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 305, representing the Alexandria YMCA; a copy of Mr. Murray's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 35 of this item;

Mildred Cruz-Fridman, 5000 Polk Avenue, Principal, Polk Elementary School, spoke in support of the School Board's budget;

Pamela Kicak, 1104 Cross Drive, Parent; a copy of Ms. Kicak's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 36 of this item;

Peter Kuhmerker, 715 Grandview Drive, Vice President, Charles Barrett PTA; a copy of Mr. Kuhmerker's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 37 of this item;

Katherine Morrison, 418 South Washington Street, Executive Director, Campagna Center; a copy of Ms. Morrison's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 38 of this item;

Norman Draper, 502 Ivy Circle; a copy of Mr. Draper's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 39 of this item;

Clarence Sanders, 220 East Oxford Street, representing Mount Vernon Recreation Center Advisory Council; a copy of Mr. Sanders' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 40 of this item;

Michelle Reday Cook, 2724 King Street, representing MacArthur Elementary School; a copy of Ms. Cook's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 41 of this item;

Deborah Thompson, Principal, MacArthur Elementary School, stood and expressed support of Ms. Cook's statement;

Linda Cheatham, 1725 North Cliff Street, representing Mount Vernon Recreation Center Advisory Council, spoke in support of School Board's budget and capital improvements to Mount Vernon Recreation Center;

Ronald Webne, 209 East Custis Avenue, representing Mount Vernon Recreation Center Advisory Council, spoke in support of funds for capital improvements to Mount Vernon Recreation Center;

William Rivers, 15 Mount Ida Avenue, representing Mount Vernon Recreation Center Advisory Council, spoke in support of funds for capital improvements to Mount Vernon Recreation Center;

Theresa Watson, 2917 Mosby Street, representing the Mount Vernon Recreation Center Advisory Council, spoke in support of funds for renovation;

Rosemari Sullivan, 1701 North Quaker Lane, representing the Alexandria/Arlington Coalition for the Homeless; a copy of Reverend Sullivan's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 42 of this item;

Debbie Stroud, 1516 Commonwealth Avenue, spoke in support of funds for the Alexandria/Arlington Coalition for the Homeless;

Noel Johnson, 3617 Quantrell Avenue, spoke in support of funding for the Alexandria/Arlington Coalition for the Homeless;

Tim Gleeson, 2003 Mill Road, President, Alexandria Police Association, spoke to salary increase for the Police;

Sherry M. deVries, 240 North Payne Street, Inner City Civic Association, spoke in support of increased pay raise for Police Officers;

Richard Estes, 2003 Mill Road, President of the Alexandria Committee of Police Local 5; a copy of Officer Estes' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 43 of this item;

Rick Elkins, 2003 Mill Road, representing himself and fellow Police Officers; a copy of Officer Elkins' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 44 of this item;

Barry Shiftic, 2003 Mill Road, Alexandria Police Association, spoke in support of salary increase for Police Officers; a copy of statistics prepared by the Police Association, Commanders' Association and Cops Local 5 is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 45 of this item;

Wray Sexson, 3900 King Street, representing the Alexandria/Arlington Coalition for the Homeless; a copy of Mr. Sexson's statement is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 46 of this item;

Charles R. Kirk, 5691 Columbia Pike, #101, Falls Church, VA,, President, Education Association of Alexandria; a copy of Mr. Kirk's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 47 of this item;

R. Alan Caudill, 5691 Columbia Pike, #101, Falls Church, VA, Uniserv Director, Education Association of Alexandria; a copy of Mr. Caudill's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 48 of this item;

Leila Engman, 4643 Taney Avenue, Principal, Patrick Henry Elementary School; a copy of Ms. Engman's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 49 of this item;

Paul Bateman, 490 Fort Williams Parkway, representing Early childhood Commission, spoke for smaller class size and all-day kindergarten;

Martha Cassell, 5918 Lomack Court, President, William Ramsey Elementary School PTA, spoke in support of the School Board's budget;

Bruce Oliver, 6035 Burke Center Parkway, Burke, VA, representing Revilo Hill Association; a copy of Mr. Oliver's brochure on clean fuel vehicle system is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 50 of this item;

Cathy David, 1115 Martha Custis Drive, Principal, Charles Barrett Elementary School, spoke in support of the School Board budget;

James Wilder, 413 East Windsor Avenue, President, Board of Directors, Mental Health Association of Alexandria; a copy of Mr. Wilder's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 51 of this item;

Elizabeth M. Lay, 2059 Huntington Avenue, Treasurer, Mental Health Association of Alexandria; a copy of Ms. Lay's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 52 of this item;

Elizabeth Hanlin, 1712 Maple Hill Place, Friends of the Alexandria Library, Burke Branch; a copy of Ms. Hanlin's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 53 of this item;

Anne Haynes, 310 North Royal Street, Chair, Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission; a copy of Ms. Haynes' statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 54 of this item;

Helenmarie K. Shipp, 804 Timber Branch Parkway, representing George Washington Middle School PTA, spoke in support of the School Board's budget;

Lois Kelso Hunt, 310 Park Road, spoke in support of funds for more trees;

Mary Cheeks, 2729 Lynhaven Drive, representing Cora Kelly Magnet School, spoke in support of the School Board's budget;

Irone Bailey, 729 Reed Avenue, Parent, representing Cora Kelly Magnet School, spoke in support of the School Board's budget;

Chet Avery, 16 East Linden Street, Chair, Friends of the Alexandria Library Services for the Visually and Physically Handicapped; a copy of Mr. Avery's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 55 of this item;

Angela Gannon and Sharon Shackelford, 5 West Myrtle Street, Co-Presidents of the Alexandria PTA Council, spoke in support of the School Board's budget and presented petition which is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 56 of this item;

Dagobert Soergel, 504 North Quaker Lane; a copy of Mr. Soergel's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 57 of this item;

Lottie Sneed, 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue, representing AFSCME Locals 278, 2890, 802 and Black Firefighters; a copy of Ms. Sneed's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 58 of this item;

Ben Brenman, 4600 Duke Street, #1609, representing the Holmes Run Committee; a copy of Mr. Brenman's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 59 of this item;

Ellen Pickering, 103 Roberts Lane, spoke in support of funds for more trees and more parkland; and

Al Matthews, representing Local 2890, spoke in support of the City employees and salary increases.)
(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. 60 of this item.)

(General Discussion. The Members of City Council went through the issues for which they would like to receive budget memorandums; a copy of the verbatim transcript of the City Council discussion is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 61 of this item.)

The public hearing was held. The budget adoption will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 1995.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows:

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

3. Public Hearing of AN ORDINANCE to establish the real and personal property tax rates for calendar year 1995. (#18 3/14/95)

(A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 3/27/95, 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. 3; 3/27/95, 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.

(General Discussion.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Council Member Rich and carried on a vote of 6-to-1, City Council amended the proposed real estate tax rate from $1.07 to $1.12. [A public hearing will be held on April 22, 1995.] [Second Reading and Final Passage will be on Wednesday, May 3, 1995.] The voting was as follows:

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

4. Public Hearing of AN ORDINANCE to increase the fee for sanitary sewer service from $0.60 to $1.20 per calendar quarter. (#19 3/14/95)

(A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 3/27/95, 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; 3/27/95, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

It was noted that Paul Bynum, 6 King Street, representing Seaport Inn Restaurant, had been present earlier in the evening and was going to speak in opposition to this item.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded simultaneously by Council Member Walker and Councilman Euille and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. [Second Reading and Final Passage will be on Wednesday, May 3, 1995.] The voting was as follows:

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

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried unanimously, at 12:55 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 1995, the Special Meeting of Monday, March 27, 1995, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:

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

APPROVED BY:

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PATRICIA S. TICER MAYOR

ATTEST:

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Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk

Budget

This docket is subject to change.

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