Office of the City Clerk
December 11, 1996
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 10, 1996 - - 7:30 pm
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OPENING
1. Calling the Roll.
The Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present except Councilman Euille and Council Member Walker.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Lowell E. Schuetze, Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
2. Invocation. By:_____________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting upon the Minutes of the Following Meeting of City Council.
(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of November 16, 1996.
City Council approved the Minutes of the Public Hearing Meeting of November 16, 1996, as submitted.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
4. Report of the City Clerk.
City Council received the report of the City Clerk.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
5. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Lyndon Murray. (Councilman Speck; Vice Mayor Pepper, Council Member Rich, and Council Member Walker)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
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OPENING (continued)
6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming December 10, 1996, as Human Rights Day and the Month of December 1996, as Human Rights Month in the City of Alexandria.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
7. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing Christa Watters' Service at the Alexandria Gazette Packet. (Mayor Donley)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
8. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming December 31, 1996, as First Night Alexandria Day. (Mayor Donley)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
9. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Jefferson-Houston School Principal Blanche Hutchinson On Her Receipt of the Washington Post Distinguished Leadership Award. (Vice Mayor Pepper)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
10. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing Business Community Supporters for the ANGELS Program for At-Risk Girls.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (11-12) (25-31)
11. Receipt of the Following Resignation from Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
12. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
3 Citizens-at-Large
1 Representative From the Business Community
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
(b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member
(c) Alexandria Beautification Commission
3 Citizen Members
(d) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria School Board
(e) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
5 Citizen Members (Three Must Have A Disability)
(f) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Engineering
(g) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From Planning District II
(h) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Health Professional
1 Non-Health Professional
(i) Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Board of Commissioners
1 Representative From the Alexandria Landlord-
Tenant Relations Board
(j) Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission
1 Member of the Alexandria Traffic and Parking
Board
(k) Alexandria Youth Services Commission
1 Youth Member
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
11. City Council received the following resignation with regret: (a) Charlotte Gallagher from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letter of appreciation and to advertise the vacancy in the usual manner.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
12. City Council (a) reappointed David Lapan, Warren Master, and Bettina Sims as Citizens-at-Large and Mary Radnofsky as a Representative from the Business Community to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (b) appointed Judith Phillips as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) reappointed Jennifer Hollings and Marjorie Olson and appointed Marie Johnstonas Citizen Members to the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (d) appointed Bruce Johnson as a Member Designated by the Alexandria School Board to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (e) reappointed Chester Avery (has disability), Carlisle Bean, Eunice Fiorito (has disability) and Tom Sachs, and appointed Keith Pollanen (has disability) as Citizen Members (three must have disabilities) to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (f) reappointed Walter Beam as a Member from the Field of Engineering to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (g) reappointed David Peters as a Representative from Planning District II to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (h) appointed Deborah Bombard as a Health Professional and Nancy Saunders as a Non-Health Professional to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission; (i) appointed Debra Zusman as a Representative from the Alexandria Landord-Tenant Relations Board to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; (j) appointed Harold Curry as a Member of the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board to the Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission; and (k) appointed Micheline Diakite as a Youth Member to the Alexandria Youth Services Commission.
25. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
26. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
27. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
28. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
29. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
30. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
31. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
13. Receipt of Report on Queen/Lee Street Parking Lot and Setting It for Public Hearing on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
City Council (1) received this report and set it for public hearing on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
14. Consideration of Report on Taxi Cabs.
City Council (1) received this report; and (2) docketed it for further discussion on January 14, 1997 (when all Council Members are present) so that Council can determine if it wishes to hold a public hearing in January on the proposal to change taxicab regulations.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
15. Consideration of Extending the December 31, 1996, Deadline of the Agreement Between the City and the Arlandria/Chirilagua Housing Corporation Regarding the Conversion of the Potomac Village Apartments to a Resident-owned Cooperative.
City Council suspended the December 31, 1996 deadline in the current Agreement Between the City and the Arlandria/Chirilagua Housing Corporation, in order to allow time for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to consider and make a recommendation to City Council regarding proposed changes to the current requirements with regard to the $112,000 in share purchase assistance previously advanced to the Corporation.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
16. Consideration of the Jones Communications 1996 Annual Report.
17. Receipt of the Jones Communications 1996 Customer Service Survey Results.
Members of City Council directed questions to Citizen Assistance Director Boyd and Jones Communications General Manager Spiegleman.
City Council received the Jones Communications 1996 Annual Report, Plant Survey, and the 1996 Annual Subscriber Survey Report from Jones Communications, Inc.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
18. Consideration of Resolution to Set Rates for Basic Cable Service in the City of Alexandria. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council approved the staff findings and adopted, by a roll-call vote, the resolution which approves the Jones Communications rate filings that lowered the rate for monthly basic cable service from $11.00 to $9.79 effective September 1, 1993, raised the monthly rate from $9.79 to $10.42 effective September 1, 1995, and increased the monthly rate from $10.42 to $10.96 effective September 1, 1996, with the caveat that future rate increases will go to the Cable Television Advisory Commission prior to coming to City Council. RES. NO. 1812.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
19. Consideration of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Proposed Submissions for Federal and State Transportation Funds.
Mayor Donley directed questions to Deputy Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Anderson. The Mayor requested staff to look at and explore, be it either at TCC or through any other channel, possibly some source of funding for the interchange improvement at Seminary Road and Shirley Highway.
City Council (a) received this report on proposed submissions for state and/or federal transportation funds; (b) endorsed the list of proposed projects; and (c) authorized City staff to proceed with grant applications, as appropriate.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
20. Consideration of Approval of a Five-Year License Agreement with the Potomac Riverboat Company to Berth the Cherry Blossom at the City Marina.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council deferred this item until the December 14, 1996 Council Meeting.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
21. Consideration of Status Report on the Small and Minority Business Task Force Report Recommendations.
City Council received the status report.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Planning Commission
22. VACATION #96-0004
310 PRINCESS STREET -- PRINCESS STREET TOWNHOUSES
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for Vacation of a Public Easement; zoned RM/Residential. Applicant: Fairfax Land Company, by Richard S. Mendelson, attorney, and appointment of viewers for same.
City Council approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations, and authorized the Mayor to appoint Viewers; the Mayor subsequently appointed Paul Smedberg, Chair, and John Hines and Cathy Major as Viewers, and requested the City Clerk to contact the Viewers first thing Wednesday morning to request them to expedite this as soon as possible and to report back by Friday, December 13.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to vacate a public alley right-of-way located between North Fairfax and North Royal Streets and running in a southern direction approximately 83 feet in length from Princess Street, in the City of Alexandria.
City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Vice Mayor Pepper congratulated the Campagna Center on another successful Scottish Christmas Walk. She also spoke to the success of the recent Turkey Trot.
(b) Councilman Cleveland gave kudos to the Warwick Village Citizens Association for its display of 4000 candles throughout its neighborhood. It certainly adds to the spirit of the holidays.
(c) Mayor Donley reported on his recent attendance at the National League of Cities Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX.
(d) Mayor Donley reported that he had attended the recent United Way Reception and indicated that the campaign is up over last year by $880,000. The City's contribution is up 10 per cent. He congratulated Fire Chief Hawkins on his yeoman's service. It was noted that Chief Hawkins has volunteered to be next year's campaign chair.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
24. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Industrial Development Authority Revenue Bonds for Additional Financing for Saint Coletta School. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council adopted the resolution as recommended by the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority at its meeting and public hearing on November 12, 1996. RES. NO. 1813
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (25-31)
25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code by changing the name of John Tyler Building Election District to the Hermitage Building Election District.
26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance by changing the regulation of fences in secondary front yards on corner properties.
27. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Old Town Small Area Plan of the 1992 Master Plan for the City of Alexandria by changing the land use designation of the property 310 and 310A South Columbus from RM/Residential to CD/Commercial Downtown.
28. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance by changing the zoning designation of the properties at 310 and 310A South Columbus Street from RM/Residential to CD/Commercial Downtown.
29. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance by providing for a new procedure for special exceptions to be issued by the board of zoning appeals.
30. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way, for an awning and outdoor seating, at 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue, in the City of Alexandria.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (25-31)
31. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to make technical changes to Ordinance No. 3881, which vacated various rights-of-way located south of Duke Street and west of South Henry Street, to conform the vacated areas to the areas described in certain plats of vacation.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council introduced the ordinances on their First Reading; set them for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
OTHER
32. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council received the updated Council Calendar.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
33. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber
of Commerce
1 Citizen-at-Large
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed James Tew as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and reappointed J.W. Peyton Robertson, Jr. as a Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.
Council Action____________________________________________________________
34. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
1 Citizen Member
City Council appointed Linda Gilday as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
35. Alexandria Task Force on AIDS
1 Representative From Alexandria Hospital
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Sharon Selby as a Representative from Alexandria Hospital to the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS.
Council Action:___________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)
36. Alexandria Youth Services Commission
1 Parent Member
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Ann Marie Dineen as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Youth Services Commission.
Council Action:________________________________________________________
New Business Item No. 1: At 9:58 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time for the following purposes: first, to consult with legal counsel pertaining to a claim lodged against, and probable litigation against, the City, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7), and second, to consult with legal counsel pertaining to the following litigation involving the City, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7): Nova v. City of Alexandria, a case pending in the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria, which involves a claim for damages for personal injuries arising from a fall on a public sidewalk in the 200 block of North Washington Street.
At 10:05 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.
City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the suit identified in the motion to convene this evening's executive session, as well as the claim of Mr. D. Assaye, in accordance with the terms and conditions recommended by the City Attorney in the executive session.
City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session.
RES. NO. 1814
The Meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
This docket is subject to change.
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Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council. Meeting materials are also available on-line at https://alexandriava.gov/council.
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