Office of the City Clerk
January 15, 1997
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 14, 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:_______________________________________________________________
Reverend Betty Jo Middleton of Unitarian-Universalist Church.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:
(a) The Regular Meeting of November 26, 1996;
(b) The Regular Meeting of December 10, 1996; and
(c) The Public Hearing Meeting of December 14, 1996.
City Council approved the above Minutes as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
4. Report of the City Clerk.
City Council received the report of the City Clerk.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
5. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring Mr. and Mrs. William Bailey for Their Donation of a Blue Spruce Tree at the Foot of King Street. (Vice Mayor Pepper)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
6. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring Mrs. Luella S. Smith for Her Donation of a Blue Spruce Tree at Market Square. (Vice Mayor Pepper)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
7. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing the Beverley Hills Garden Club for Its Assistance with the Holiday Decorations for City Hall and Market Square. (Vice Mayor Pepper and City Manager Lawson)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
8. Presentation of a Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of January 19-25, 1997, as Jaycee Week in the City of Alexandria. (Council Member Rich)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council considered Docket Item No. 37 at this time.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (9-16; 20-26)
9. Receipt of the Following Resignations from Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Ad Hoc Task Force on Information and Communication Technologies
Royce L. Dickens
(b) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Robert Goldberg
Marianne Weitz
(c) Alexandria Board of Architectural Review -
Parker-Gray District
Jeffrey Shrimpton
(d) Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission
Royce L. Dickens
(e) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association
Board of Governors
William A. Hirsch
(f) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
Ann L. Morrison
(g) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
Clarence L. Henley
(h) Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission
Jacqueline D. Urow
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR
10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Sister
Cities Committee
(b) Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission
1 Citizen Member
(c) Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Citizen Member
(d) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
3 Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission
on Aging
(e) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission
on Persons With Disabilities
(f) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Tenant Member
1 Minority Homeowner
(g) Alexandria Sanitation Authority
2 Citizen Members
(h) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
4 Citizen Members
(i) Alexandria Task Force on AIDS
1 Citizen Member
(j) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria
Archaeological Commission
11. Consideration of Transfer of Funding from Contingent Reserves for the City's Local Share of Operating Costs for the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home's Post-Dispositional Program for the Period January 1, 1997 through June 30, 1997.
12. Consideration of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Request to Add a Line Item to the FY 1997 WMATA Rail Capital Budget for Construction of the Branch Avenue Yard and the Procurement of Rail Cars.
13. Consideration of the FY 1997 Alexandria Community Services Board Plan of Services.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
14. Receipt of the 1995-1996 Annual Report from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.
15. Receipt of the Annual Report for Fiscal Years 1995 and 1996 from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.
16. Receipt of the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 1995-1996 from the Alexandria Volunteer Firefighters.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of Docket Item Nos. 9 and 25, which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Royce L. Dickens from the Alexandria Ad Hoc Task Force on Information and Communication Technologies; (b) Robert Goldberg and Marianne Weitz from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (c) Jeffrey Shrimpton from the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District; (d) Royce L. Dickens from the Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission; (e) William A. Hirsch from the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors; (f) Ann L. Morrison from the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (g) Clarence L. Henley from the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission; and (h) Jacqueline D. Urow from the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission; requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner. The City Clerk was requested to send a letter to Jackie Urow conveying Council's best wishes and expressing its appreciation for her years of service to the City. (Separate Motion)
10. City Council (a) appointed Chris Beatley as a Representative from the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (b) appointed Robert Cassler as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission; (c) reappointed John Williams as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (d) appointed Stefan Bonfiglio (Identified a Disability) and Joseph Bury (Identified a Disability) and reappointed Abbie Moore (Identified a Disability) as Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities and reappointed Violet Thompson as a Representative from the Alexandria Commission on Aging to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (e) reappointed Chester Avery as a Representative from the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; (f) reappointed Debra Zusman as a Tenant Member and Raymond Johnson as a Minority Homeowner to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; (g) reappointed Frances Ellen Pickering and Henry Thomas as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Sanitation Authority; (h) appointed Peggie Dill, Steven Dingledine, Huguette Guilbault and Barbara Poole as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; (i) appointed Barbara Clancy as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS; and (j) appointed Pete Petersen as a Representative from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
11. City Council approved the transfer of $49,500 from contingent reserves (account 103556-2606) to the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home (account 102954-2606) for the City's share of operating costs for the post-dispositional program from January 1, 1997, through June 30, 1997.
12. City Council concurred with the proposed revision. City staff will notify WMATA of City Council's action in advance of the January 16, 1997 meeting of the WMATA Board of Directors.
13. City Council deferred this until the January 28, 1997 Council Meeting.
14. City Council received the annual report of the Alexandria Waterfront Committee and thanked the Committee members for their efforts on behalf of the City.
15. City Council received the two annual reports of the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission and thanked the Commission members for their efforts on behalf of the City.
16. City Council received the report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and recognized the volunteers for their outstanding service and generous contribution to the City.
20. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
21. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
22. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
23. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
24. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
25. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997. (Separate Motion) Vice Mayor Pepper requested the City Attorney to clarify section ii with respect to hospital parking and whether hospitals are a permitted use in residential zones without a special use permit.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
26. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
17. Consideration of Report on Taxi Cabs. (#14 12/10/96)
Councilman Euille requested staff provide this information to the public in a format that the citizens will know more precisely what the issue is, and if it does affect them, how they need to address it.
Mayor Donley requested a more elaborate description for the docket item that is put forth on the January 25 docket.
Council Member Rich requested that staff put out a one page report that would explain what the basic question is. He requested that a decision be made on this issue.
City Council received the report and set it for public hearing on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
18. Receipt of the Watson Wyatt Report on Comparative Pay Practices and Compensation.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, Sheriff Dunning stated that he would specifically prefer that the consideration of pay parity for Deputy Sheriffs be considered separately and apart from the Watson Wyatt Report. He requested that a subcommittee of Council be appointed to consider this issue.
Councilman Speck stated that he has no objection to a committee of Council being formed. He requested since there is a specific disparity in salaries because it is a different classification, he would like to know specifically what costs would be for moving the deputies up to the comparable grade. Secondly, because the argument has been advanced that the disparity has created a higher turnover than would be desired or expected, the result of course is that there are greater training and hiring expenses associated with the higher turnover rate, in whatever way staff thinks appropriate, he would like information on what expenses the Sheriff's Department does incur because of the rate of turnover and new hiring and training that are related. If the argument were accepted that pay parity reduced turnover, how does that relate to reduced costs from hiring and training.
Sheriff Dunning stated that he has data that he thinks will be helpful to any committee of the Council and he does think that it is important that these issues be kept separate.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
18. (continued)
City Council created a committee of Council to examine the issues of pay parity for Deputy Sheriffs.
Councilman Cleveland would like to be considered to participate on the committee(s).
City Council (1) received the Watson Wyatt Report and (2) scheduled a work session on the report on February 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
19. Consideration of Update Report on Items Before the 1997 General Assembly.
Legislative Director Caton gave City Council an update.
City Council requested Director Caton to provide Council with a status report at the next Legislative Meeting on the progress VACO and VML have made on the Bell Atlantic Legislation.
City Council adopted the positions on legislation that has been (or is expected to be) introduced in the 1997 General Assembly Session as noted in the attached chart to the City Manager's memorandum dated January 13, 1997.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Vice Mayor Pepper spoke to another outstanding event sponsored by First Night.
(b) Council Member Walker congratulated Mayor Donley on being elected chair of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).
(c) Councilman Speck spoke to an article which appeared in today's Alexandria Journal, "Alexandria Drug Sting Nets 25 Arrests." He observed this operation and requested Chief Samarra to convey to all of the personnel who were participants in that operation how very impressed he was with the professionalism, the diligence, the seriousness and the competence of that effort.
(d) Councilman Speck spoke to red light video technology. He requested that this issue be docketed to bring Council up-to-date on what other jurisdictions are doing, but also to discuss specifically whether Council wants to proceed with this particular effort on some limited basis.
Council Member Walker requested that the report include some idea of what it would cost to do a test on two or three intersections to see how it would work.
Councilman Speck agreed that this would be a part of what he is asking the Manager to do.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
Councilman Cleveland indicated that he thinks that this would be a strain on our Police Department.
(e) Councilman Speck spoke to newspaper racks. There are no regulatory requirements whatsoever. The City Attorney was requested to do another legal review of this issue and to report back to Council within a month or so.
Mayor Donley spoke to a future CIP item to possibly create an attractive bank of these boxes.
Councilman Speck stated that while this is being worked on, we need to regulate under the rules that were agreed to.
City Manager Lawson stated that the City Attorney can look into the legal issues. Staff can contact the National League of Cities, New York and some others on what they consider to be some of the best looking newspaper boxes in the country and get pictures and information on that also.
(f) Councilman Cleveland spoke to a letter received from a young lady asking if the fish which were caught from Four-Mile Run were edible. She indicated that there are no warning signs posted. He suggested that signs be posted if the water is polluted.
Mayor Donley stated that there is a lot of monitoring which is taking place. He indicated that he has received another letter from Sean Doherty who has raised more questions. He stated that we need to do water testing to see what is there. He requested results of the tests so that they can be conveyed to Mr. Doherty.
Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane spoke to this issue and indicated that Mr. Skrabak from the Health Department can provide the requested information for Council. He stated that if there were a problem with Four-Mile Run there would be signs posted.
Council Member Rich spoke to a study done by a G.W. student as a science project at Four-Mile Run and found a number of impurities that were not insignificant.
Staff will report back to Council.
(g) Councilman Euille spoke to the Monticello Park issue. He stated that this issue needs to be brought to closure.
This was set for a work session before the April 8 City Council Meeting with the request that the issue be docketed for Council consideration the same night. Participants for the work session should include a designated representative of the Friends of Monticello Park, the North Ridge Citizens Association, and the Park and Recreation Commission.
The Mayor requested Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane let Council know if this needs to be considered prior to April 8.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
(h) Councilman Euille announced the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Telethon to be held on Sunday, January 19, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Channel 10. He invited everyone to tune in and participate in the program.
(i) Council Member Rich spoke to a recent news article regarding the gas explosion on Green Street.
City Manager Lawson indicated once the state review is finalized that staff will give Council an analysis of the report and send it to the residents of the affected neighborhood for their comments. If any Council action is necessary, staff will docket it for Council discussion.
(j) Mayor Donley urged Members of Council to attend the Annual Legislative Day on Thursday, February 6 in Richmond. He indicated it is another opportunity for Council to communicate with our Delegation.
(k) Mayor Donley congratulated City Attorney Sunderland on his ten years of dedicated, expert legal and fine service to the City.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (20 - 26)
20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code by changing the schedule of license taxes that are paid on motor vehicles not designed for the transportation of passengers.
21. Introduction and First Reading. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code by changing the regulations that prohibit certain types of conduct by persons while riding on DASH and Fairfax Connector buses and on METRO buses and trains.
22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code by incorporating certain sections of the Virginia Code that deal with the offense of driving while intoxicated, by increasing the penalty for violating the City Code's regulations governing travel in "high occupancy vehicle" lanes, and by increasing the penalty for violating the city code's regulation governing parking in spaces reserved for the handicapped.
23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Potomac West Small Area Plan Chapter of the 1992 Alexandria Master Plan to change the land use guidelines for development within Coordinated Development District No. 7 to allow, with a special use permit, the "automobile and trailer rental and sales" use within the portion of the CDD that is zoned OC.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance by adding "automobile and trailer rental and sales" as a use that is allowed with a special use permit within the portion of Coordinated Development District No. 7 that is zoned OC.
25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance to provide as follows: (i) that parking spaces for the occupants of or the visitors to a school or church located in a residential zone that exceed the number of required parking spaces shall require a special use permit; (ii) that parking spaces for the occupants or residents of, or the visitors to, any other principal use located in a residential or commercial zone that exceed the number of required parking spaces shall be permitted and shall not require a special use permit; (iii) that parking spaces that are not for the occupants or residents of, or the visitors to, a principal use located in a residential zone shall be prohibited; and (iv) that parking spaces that are not for the occupants or residents of, or the visitors to, a principal use located in a commercial zone shall, if 20 spaces or fewer, be allowed without a special use permit and shall, if more than 20 spaces, be allowed only with a special use permit.
26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way at four locations at 615 North Saint Asaph Street to allow entry canopies and bay windows to project over the sidewalk.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council introduced and passed the ordinances on First Reading; set them for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
27. (a) Consideration of the Sale of 138 Dale Street to Bessie M. McCargo.
(b) Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize the sale of the city-owned property at 138 Dale Street to Bessie M. McCargo.
City Council (1) approved the sale of the City-owned property located at 138 Dale Street to Bessie M. McCargo for $85,000; (2) introduced and passed on first reading the ordinance to approve and authorize the sale as described above, and set the ordinance for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, January 25, 1997; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
28. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement 11 of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 3904
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
29. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement 12 of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 3905
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
30. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement 50 of the Alexandria City Code. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 3906
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
31. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council (1) noted that the Virginia Municipal League (VML) Legislative Day in Richmond is scheduled for Thursday, February 6 at the Richmond Marriott; beginning at 2 P.M. The City's Annual Legislative Dinner will be held at the Marriott at the conclusion of the VML day activities; (2) scheduled a work session on the plans for recreation uses at Cameron Station with the Cameron Station Recreational Use Task Force and the Park and Recreation Commission at 6 P.M. before the Tuesday, February 11 Council Meeting. The chairs of the Commission on Aging and the Commission on Youth will be invited to the work session as requested by Council; (3) scheduled a work session on the Watson Wyatt Report in February. Staff will provide Council with possible meeting dates at the January 14 meeting; and (4) scheduled a work session with representatives of the Alexandria Hospital Board at 6:30 p.m. before the Tuesday, March 25 Council Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
32. Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Representative From the Arts With Expertise in Museum Exhibition
Work
2 Citizens-at-Large
City Council appointed Mary Ehlers as a Representative from the Arts with Expertise in Museum Exhibition Work and reappointed Rebecca Stapleton and appointed Donald Wells as Citizen Members to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
33. Alexandria Beautification Commission
2 Citizen Members
City Council reappointed Mary Hurlbut Seith and Chris Von Schoening as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Beautification Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
34. Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Citizen Member
City Council reappointed Constance McKenna as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Commission on Aging.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
35. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Urban Planning
1 Member From the Field of Intergovernmental Relations
City Council appointed Richard Cunningham as a Member From the Field of Urban Planning and reappointed Denis Borum as a Member from the Field of Intergovernmental Relations to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
EXECUTIVE SESSION
36. Convening of an Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing the Performance of Certain Public Officials Pursuant to Virginia Section 2.1-344(A)(1).
At 9:50 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time for the purpose of discussing the performance of the appointees of the City Council, pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.1-344(A)(1).
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
NOTE: This Item will be Considered at the Beginning of the Docket.
37. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming January 15, 1997, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the City of Alexandria.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:______________________________________________________________
At 10:23 p.m., City Council reconvened the Meeting and adopted the resolution pertaining the executive session. RES. NO. 1815.
At 10:25 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
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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