Office of the City Clerk
March 26, 1997
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 25, 1997 - - 7:30 p.m.
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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.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
Father John C. Cregan, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:
(a) The Regular Meeting of March 11, 1997;
(b) The Public Hearing Meeting of March 15, 1997; and
(c) The Special Meeting of March 18, 1997.
City Council approved the above minutes as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
4. Report of the City Clerk.
City Council received the report.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council considered Docket Item No. 15 at this time.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (5 - 8) (15)
5. Receipt of the Following Resignations from Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
Benjamin R. Justesen
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
(b) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
Reginald Foster
(c) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
Sue Blain
(d) Alexandria Youth Services Commission
Stephanie L. Buser
Mollie Danforth
6. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Representative From the Legal Community
(b) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Historic Alexandria Foundation
1 Citizen Member From Planning District III
1 Member-at-Large
(c) Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Representative From Among Recognized Area Businesses
Including Minority-Owned and Small Businesses
(d) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
1 Restaurant Owner/Manager Representative
(e) Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments
1 Citizen Member
(f) Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission
4 Representatives of the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board
7. Consideration of Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding under the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act Program to Support Delinquency Prevention Activities within the City.
8. Receipt of the City's Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending February 28, 1997.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented, with the exception of Docket Item No. 15 which was considered under separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
5. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Benjamin R. Justesen from the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (b) Reginald Foster from the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (c) Sue Blain from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; and (d) Stephanie L. Buser and Mollie Danforth from the Alexandria Youth Services Commission; requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.
6. City Council (a) reappointed Richard Edgecombe as a Representative from the Legal Community to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Sean Kelly as a Member from the Historic Alexandria Foundation, reappointed Bernard Brenman as a Citizen Member from Planning District III, and reappointed Pete Petersen as a Member-at-Large to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (c) reappointed Beth Fujishige as a Representative From Among Recognized Area businesses including minority-owned and small businesses; (d) appointed Todd Stallings as a Restaurant Owner/Manager Representative to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors; (e) reappointed Martha Feldkamp as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments; and (f) reappointed Harold Curry, Thomas Johnson, Gerald Tamanini and Converse West as Representatives of the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board to the Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission.
7. City Council authorized the City Manager to submit the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for $65,000 and execute all necessary documents that may be required.
8. City Council received the Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 1997.
15. City Attorney Sunderland and Deputy City Manager Steele explained the process for increasing the tax rate should Council desire to do so.
City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing on April 7, 1997; and Second Reading and Final Passage on May 1, 1997. (Separate Motion)
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
9. Consideration of Application to the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Funding for the Alexandria Community Services Board.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council noted the withdrawal of this item
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
10. Consideration of Application to the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, for Funding for the Development of Public Internet Access to City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Architectural Review and Board of Zoning Appeals Docket Materials.
Councilman Euille directed questions to Financial and Information Technology Services Director Gitajn regarding the new positions requested in the proposed FY 98 budget. Councilman Euille encouraged and suggested to the staff and the City Manager that wherever and whenever possible that consideration be given to employ recipients from the Alexandria Works! welfare reform program to assist in the implementation of this technology plan.
City Council authorized the City Manager (1) to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the total amount of $480,230, including $240,115 in City matching funds; and (2) to execute all documents that may be required.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Councilman Euille encouraged everyone to attend the basketball game between the Northern Virginia All Stars and the visiting basketball team from Russia, at T.C. Williams High School, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00.
(b) Councilman Euille announced that on Saturday, April 5, the Alexandria NAACP will be holding a youth summit at Minnie Howard School. The summit starts at 9:00 a.m. and is to be completed around 4:00 p.m. For further information, please call 684-6190.
(c) Councilman Euille announced that the Nannie J. Lee Cheerleaders finished third in the recent competition at Myrtle Beach, SC. Thanks to the citizens and the City Council they were able to compete and enjoy camaraderie with cheerleading groups from the United States and Canada. He and Council congratulated them on a job well done.
(d) Council Member Walker requested that a work session on transportation issues be deferred until the fall. This can be an item for consideration at Council's retreat.
Mayor Donley stated that the Regional Mobility Panel will be reporting back in September.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, Council deferred this to the fall.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
(e) Councilman Cleveland noted the level of commitment and dedication of City Clerk Bev Jett for attending the 5:00 p.m. meeting as well as the City Council meeting on her birthday. He wished her a Happy Birthday and thanked her for her commitment to this Council. Members of Council joined with wishing her a Happy Birthday and thanked her for all she does for Council.
(f) Councilman Speck complimented the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department on its quarterly publication regarding its events. This is a first-class effort and those responsible are to be commended.
(g) Councilman Speck noted that Assistant City Manager Brannan and Citizen Assistance Director Boyd were successful in getting the Washington Post to include an additional two items in the weekly community cable listing which are the broadcast and re-broadcast of the City Council meetings. He noted that this is a step in the right direction, and thanked them for a job well done.
(h) Council Member Rich stated that he serves on the Public Safety and Human Services Committee for COG. He reported that at its last meeting, the committee members adopted the subject of fair share with regard to housing as one of their priorities for the year. They are going to look at it regionally.
Mayor Donley thanked him for briefing Council on this matter during the Oral Presentations. This is the opportunity for Members of Council to report about the activities that a lot of their boards and commissions are undertaking, and it is a way to keep the Council informed.
(i) Mayor Donley noted that he had a lengthy conversation with City Manager Lawson who is recuperating at home. She sounds a lot better and plans to be back to work on Monday, March 31. He stated that he is certainly happy that she is doing much, much better and looks forward to her return.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
11. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code by increasing the fares that may be charged by taxicabs which are licensed by the City. (#22 3/15/97; #24 3/11/97) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council finally passed the substitute ordinance, as amended.
ORD. NO. 3920.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
12. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council updated the Council Calendar with the following additions since Council's March 11 legislative meeting: Saturday, April 26, Christmas In April, our annual volunteer project on April 26, exact time and place will be given in April; and Saturday, May 17, Earth Day Celebration at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center on May 17, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and added the Holocaust ceremony on Market Square on May 9, at Noon.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
13. Alexandria Commission for Women
1 Citizen Member
City Council deferred this appointment to April 8, 1997, so that Susan Butler's application can be considered in addition to the six applicants that are included on the ballot tonight, with the request that this not be readvertised to consider additional applications.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
14. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Ronald B. Jewell for His Contributions to the City of Alexandria. (Vice Mayor Pepper)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
15. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to establish the real and personal property tax rates for calendar year 1997.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
See the City Council action taken under the Consent Calendar.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 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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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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Public Notice
There will be a City Council Work Session on the Proposed Budget on Thursday, March 27, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom.
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend the City Council Work Session 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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