Back to FY Dockets

Office of the City Clerk
November 27, 1996

There was a City Council Work Session
with the Affordable Housing Committee, at
6:30 p.m. in the Council Workroom.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 26, 1996 - - 7:30 pm


* * * * *

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.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

Councilman Cleveland provided the invocation.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________

3. Reading and Acting upon the Minutes of the Following Meeting of City Council:

(a) The Regular Meeting of November 12, 1996.

City Council approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 12, 1996, as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

4. Report of the City Clerk.

City Council received the report.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

5. Presentation to the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce of an Award of Merit Received from the Virginia Downtown Development Association for Its 1995 Holiday Promotion and Its 1996 Spring "Annie" Marketing Campaign for Old Town Alexandria. (Mayor Donley)

Mayor Donley congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on receiving the Award of Merit. John Maximuks of the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission presented the Virginia Downtown Development Association Award of Merit to Chamber Chair Andrew Blair and Chamber Vice Chair Ray Lewis.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
1

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the Campagna Center's Annual Christmas Walk to be Held on Saturday, December 7, 1996. (Vice Mayor Pepper)

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Videotape Produced by the Preservation Alliance of Virginia "Reinvesting in Virginia's Past," Documenting Rehabilitation of Older Buildings in Downtown Areas to Stimulate Economic Growth.

The videotape was presented to the City by Tom Hulfish, Rob Kauffman of TK Properties, and Dave Hawkins of McEnearney Realtors.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

NOTE: City Council went into Executive Session prior to Docket Item No. 8.

8. Discussion of Woodrow Wilson Bridge Design Alternatives. [#27 9/10/96; #2 9/7/96; WS 7/17/96; #14 3/23/96; #2 3/13/96] (Mayor Donley)

Congressman Moran gave a status report and overview of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project.

Mayor Donley stated that the Coordination Committee will be meeting in early December and after that meeting he would like to contact Congressman Moran's office about arranging a meeting for the staffs to get together to talk about the developments at the Coordination Committee meeting.

Mayor Donley stated that Council has developed a strategy of one that we want to lobby federal officials and Members of Congress about some of the funding issues. He further stated that we have also developed a strategy to mitigate, as best we can at any possible opportunity. any effect the interchanges or the number of lanes would have on Alexandria. At that time, they can talk about potentially what success we have had in terms of downsizing some of the interchanges, and what developments have occurred. Staff will communicate with Congressman Moran's staff sometime between the time the Coordination Committee meets and the first of the year.

Congressman Moran stated that we may want to bring the attention of the Coordination Committee to its last recommendation at its decision-making session. The last recommendation, as he recalls, was an acknowledgement that there does need to be a southern crossing and that the Regional Transportation Planning Board needs to consider that to begin planning for it.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

9. Convening of an Executive Session for the Purpose of Consulting with Legal Counsel and Others Pertaining to Actual and Potential Litigation Involving the City, Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(7).

At 8:06 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel and receiving a briefing by counsel, staff members and others, pertaiing to probable or potential litigation, or to other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7).

At 8:44 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting and Congressman Moran spoke. [See Docket Item No. 8.] [Resolution pertaining to this executive session was adopted at the end of the meeting.]
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-13)

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

(a) Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
James S. Powell

(b) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
Raymond Wm. Scheid
E. Duane Howard

(c) Alexandria Fair Housing Testing Advisory Committee
E. Duane Howard

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Beautification Commission
1 Citizen Member

(b) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber Commerce

(c) Alexandria Commission on Aging
4 Citizen Members (Two must be 60 years of age or older)

(d) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
2 Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities

(e) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
6 Citizen Members

(f) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. Receipt of the City's Monthly Financial Report for Period Ending October 31, 1996.

13. Receipt of the City's Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Period Ending June 30, 1996.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

10. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) James S. Powell from the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority; (b) Raymond Wm. Scheid and E. Duane Howard from the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities; and (c) E. Duane Howard from the Alexandria Fair Housing Testing Advisory Committee; and requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

11. City Council (a) appointed Dennis Lutz as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (b) reappointed William Rossello as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Board; (c) appointed Klara Guyton (Citizen Member who is Over 60 years of age) and Catherine Noe as a Citizen Member, and reappointed Violet Thompson as a Citizen Member and Ethel Underwood (Citizen Member who is over 60 years of age) to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (d) reappointed Gerald Fico and Amanda Lee as Citizen Members who Have Disabilities to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (e) reappointed Chris Beatley, Susan Brooks, Dale Brown, Frederica Dunn, Jacqueline Manley, and Shellyn McCaffrey as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; and (f) reappointed Ronnie Catipon as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.

12. City Council received the Financial Report for the period ending October 31, 1996.

13. City Council received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 1996.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

14. Consideration of the Design for the City's New Central Library. (#12 11/16/96)

Members of Council spoke to this item.

Councilman Euille suggested that we try to come up with some mechanism to create some type of nonprofit foundation, which could be called "The Alexandria Library Foundation." This would permit businesses, citizens and others to make physical contributions to support the needs of the finished product of the library for whatever they may be.

City Council (1) approved the Michael Graves design concept; (2) authorized the City Manager to request that the architects proceed with the development of construction documents for the new library; (3) authorized the City Manager to incorporate funding for brick facades into the design scheme, include the recommendations of the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities, and seek the voluntary cooperation of the new occupants of the former Sizzler Restaurant in developing a restaurant design compatible with the library; and (4) requested that staff study the cost and feasibility of the following project additions so that the cost implications can be reported on and discussed in the context of the Proposed FY 1998-FY 2003 Capital Improvement Program: (a) Diversion of water into the abandoned stream channel and performing restoration work of that natural feature; and (b) the addition of pedestrian/bicycle paths and bridges to enhance non-vehicle access and integrate the library with the Holmes Run Greenway Park.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

15. Consideration of Establishing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funded Business Development Loan Program. (Councilman Euille)

City Council authorized staff to analyze the development of a business loan program for Potomac West and docket a program proposal for consideration by Council in February.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Planning Commission

16. TEXT AMENDMENT #96-14 -- MOTOR VEHICLE PARKING AND STORAGE
COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 5-0

Councilman Speck requested staff to take another look at those specific concerns that some of the citizens in the community raised about notice and the opportunity to participate in a hearing on matters related to parking under the site

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

14. (continued) plan as opposed to the special use permit. This would be a request to look at the beefing up of the site plan or regulations as it relates to this.

Council Member Rich requested staff to send a notice of this deferral to the people who have written Council Members on this, particularly the Bryan Street neighbors, specifically with regard to this item.

City Council deferred consideration of this item to the Saturday, December 14 Council Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

17. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #96-0164 -- SOUTHWEST OF COMMONWEALTH AVENUE, EAST OF SUNSET DRIVE -- VEPCO SITE
COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 4-0-2

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission, as amended, and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations, with a change to the added Condition No. 5 to read as follows: "5. The applicant shall pursue alternative sites for the north terminal facility with WMATA, Arlington County and others to replace it prior to the expiration of 15 years and shall give the Planning Commission a status report on its efforts by February 1997.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Vice Mayor Pepper reminded everyone of the Turkey Trot, this Thursday, at 10:00 a.m. at Cora Kelly.

(b) Vice Mayor Pepper announced the City Hall Christmas Tree lighting is to take place on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m.

(c) Vice Mayor Pepper acknowledged the establishment of a new civic association, Old Town/Hunting Creek Civic Association, on November 20. Its president is Hollis Wickman.

(d) Councilman Speck spoke to a television interview of the president of the Insurance Institute who was citing a number of statistics that the problem of aggressive driving is a country-wide problem and is getting worse. The gentleman suggested the expansion and enhancement of all of the technology, particularly video technology, not just on red-light running, but also on other aspects of aggressive driving. He asked whether we want to have any further discussion about whether there may be a need for some legislative items for this upcoming session to modify some of the current limitations on the use of the red-light technology system which right now continues to require police activity as opposed
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

to contracting out the way some other jurisdictions have. He suggested that maybe Alexandria needs to take more of a leadership role and starting it ourselves to determine the effectiveness and the ability to work on this. Councilman Speck requested that we continue to be aggressively looking at that.

City Manager Lawson spoke to this issue.

(e) Councilman Speck read a letter that he received complimenting the refuse collectors with respect to contacting persons regarding recent holiday trash service. He requested that those responsible get noticed and complimented.

(f) Councilman Euille announced that he and Council Member Walker will not be present for the December 10, 1996 meeting as they will be at the NLC Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The Mayor also will be there but will return in time for the meeting.

(g) Councilman Euille spoke to the Alexandria Crime Prevention Christmas Party to be held on December 14 for kids. He presented Chief Samarra with a $500 check for the party.

(h) Mayor Donley congratulated Police Chief Samarra for the Police Department being ranked #47 in the Money Magazine city crime list.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

18. Consideration of the November 1996 Resolution from the Landlord-Tenant Relations Board Regarding the Voluntary Rent Guidelines. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution from the Landlord-Tenant Relations Board regarding the Voluntary Rent Guidelines which recommends that the City's Voluntary Rent Guidelines remain at 4.5% if the tenant pays utilities and 7% if the owner pays utilities. RES. NO. 1810
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________


OTHER

19. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council approved the Council schedule and (1) set the time and date for the Homeownership Fair for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at T.C. Williams High School; and (2) scheduled a meeting with the Alexandria Commission on Employment at 6:30 p.m. before the Tuesday, March 11, 1997 Council Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

20. Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Stephen Koenig as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

21. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
2 Members-at-Large Who Are Arts Consumers and Participants

City Council reappointed Robert Agnello and Leslie Herzog as Members-at-Large Who are Arts Consumers and Participants to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

22. Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Citizen Member

City Council reappointed Marjorie Stein as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

23. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Lawyer With Experience in Federal or State
Environmental Statutes, Regulations, and Procedures

City Council reappointed Thomas Tyler as a Lawyer with Experience in Federal or State Environmental Statutes, Regulations, and Procedures to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

24. Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Low-Income Tenant Member

City Council appointed Regina Kincaid as a Low-Income Tenant Member to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

25. Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Walter Van Dorn, Jr. as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

26. Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
2 Citizen Members

City Council appointed Ruby Tucker and Curtis Wagner as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

27. Alexandria Youth Services Commission
2 Members from the Professions, including Law, Medicine, or Education

City Council reappointed Nancy Van Gulick and appointed Mary Riordan as Members from the Professions, including Law, Medicine, or Education to the Alexandria Youth Services Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

At 10:22 p.m., Council convened an executive session at this time for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel pertaining to the following litigation involving the city, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7): Equity Bush Hill Associates, L.P. v. City Council of the City of Alexandria, a case pending in the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria, which involves real estate tax assessments for three years, 1992 through 1994, on two warehouse/office buildings 5150 to 5200 Eisenhower Avenue.

City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the suit identified in the motion to convene this evening's executive session, in accordance with the terms and conditions recommended by the City Attorney in the executive session.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the two executive sessions held this evening. RES. NO. 1811.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:31 p.m.

This docket is subject to change.

* * * * *

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.
* * * * *

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.
* * * * *