Special Meeting
Thursday, May 1, 1997 - - 7:30 p.m.
[Budget Adoption]
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Present: Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Vice Mayor Redella S. Pepper, Members of Council William C. Cleveland, William D. Euille, Lonnie C. Rich, David G. Speck, 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; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget, and members of her Staff; Mr. Brannan, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Technology Services; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Ms. Chis, Acting 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. Robinson, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Ms. McComish, Acting Director of Personnel Services; Fire Chief Hawkins; Dr. Lipsman, Director of Health Department; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Ms. Gattsek, Director of Office on Women; Ms. Fayne, Special Assistant to the City Manager; Mr. Eiffert, Director of Agency on Aging; Mr. Schott, Director of General Services; Mr. McMahon, Deputy Director of General Services; Police Chief Samarra; Mr. O'Brien, Director of Library; Members of the School Board; and Lieutenant Kaluta, Police Department.
Recorded by: Mrs. Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
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OPENING
The Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
(It was noted that 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. Consideration of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 1997-98 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 1998-2003 (including the Schools CIP). (#2 4/7/97; #2 3/18/97)
(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. 1 of Item No. 2; 5/1/97, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The following motion was made and seconded. Following it the Members of City Council made comments with respect to the FY 1997-98 budget adoption:
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded simultaneously by Councilman Euille and Council Member Rich and carried unanimously, City Council approved the City Manager's proposed FY 1998 Operating Budget in the amount of the expenditures of $264,791,139, and revenues of $254,936,000, adjusted as follows with revenue adjustments first: (1) an increase of $200,000 in the estimate of General Fund Sales Tax Revenue; (2) an increase of $61,000 in the estimate of General Fund Restaurant Meals Tax Revenue; (3) an increase of $49,000 in the estimate of General Fund Transient Lodging Tax Revenue; (4) and a reduction of $250,000 in the estimate of General Fund Personal Property Tax Revenue, to reflect the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed personal property tax relief program; [The net fiscal impact of the revenue adjustments noted in the four previous items is a net increase in General Fund Revenues of $60,000.]; and further approved the following expenditure adjustments: first, transfers and designations that as proposed have no additional fiscal impact on the total budget; an approval of a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment for all City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and for City Council aides and the Mayor's aide; approval of a 3 percent merit adjustment for all eligible City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk, whose eligibility for this increase shall be conditioned upon a satisfactory performance evaluation by City Council; approve a set-aside of $57,720 within the Children's Fund for the Mt. Vernon Program for Four-Year-Olds; approve the transfer of monies budgeted for Camp Cora Kelly After-School Program, pending a report on who shall be responsible for the program operation for School year 1997; further, with the additional City salary adjustments, approve a reduction of $1,600,000 in the Non-departmental contingent reserves to offset a portion of City employee compensation adjustments; approve a 3 percent Market Rate Adjustment for all City employees effective January 1, 1998, in the amount of $1,738,500; approve a reserve to address other City employee pay adjustments of $500,000 with instructions to the City Manager to begin the review of necessary adjustments at the Police Department; approve a reclassification of Deputy Sheriff and Fire positions effective January 1, 1998, in the amount of $215,000; approve additional career ladder opportunities in the Police Department of 62 slots, Office of Sheriff of 29 slots, and Fire Department the number of slots still to be determined in the amount of $191,550; approve an increase in City employee pay range maximums by 10 percent in FY 98 [this is included in the Manager's proposed merit funding amount and no additional fiscal impact will be incurred in the FY 98 budget over the Manager's proposed budget]; other general fund expenditure adjustments to include a reduction in the General Fund appropriation for Transit Subsidies based on a revised estimate of State aid to be credited to Alexandria at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission in the amount and a deletion of expenditures as $1,060,000; approve an Education and Tuition program budget to use for job-related course work as an addition of $96,200; approve an Award Program budget to recognize outstanding performance by City employees with one-time cash awards, to be implemented by October 1997, to enable employee representatives to have input into the procedures and guidelines for this program in the amount of $39,000 as an additional expenditure; approve $3,000 to the Recreation Department's budget for the Tennis Plus Program; increase funding in the Department of Human Services budget for the AmeriCorps Service to Alexandria Project operated by the Northern Virginia Urban League in the amount of $20,000; increase funding in the Department of Human Services budget for the St. Martin's Senior Center in the amount of $20,000; add funding to the Apothecary budget in the amount of $20,000 as a first half of the year funding contribution pending report to City Council in January for a long-term plan; further approved the appropriation from Fund Balance to make an appropriation from the General Fund balance necessary to balance the FY 1998 Budget as amended, which includes an increase of a $183,250 above the Manager's proposed appropriation to make a total adjustment appropriation from Fund Balance will be $9,978,389; further is the adoption of the FY 1998 General Fund Budget, as amended, with total expenditures of $264,974,389, and total revenues of $264,974,389, that includes a General Fund appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools of $85,934,818 with a real property tax rate of $1.07, and a personal property tax rate of $4.75; further is the adoption of the FY 1998 to FY 2003 Capital Improvement Program and funding plan as proposed by the City Manager and including the following amendments: approved the reappropriation of $90,300 from the Chinquapin Park capital budget to cover budget shortfalls in other recreation projects that has no net fiscal impact; deleted the Chinquapin restroom and outdoor drinking fountain project, and reallocated monies for recreation projects in the Capital Improvement Plan which is a deletion of $55,000; added capital project funding to install a playground at Montgomery Park which is an addition of $50,000; and added $5,000 in FY 2003 of the Cameron Station project for the future planning and development of a multi-use, multi-purpose, multi-generational recreation facility in the East End Park of Cameron Station. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Donley "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Rich "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Walker "aye"
General Discussion. Members of City Council made comments with respect to the Budget just adopted, and thanked staff for a job well done.
The City Manager was requested to docket the compensation pay philosophy which was considered by the Watson Wyatt Committee which includes the commitment to the establishment of a pay scale for public hearing on Saturday, May 17, 1997; and consideration on May 27, 1997.
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3. Consideration of the Draft One-Year Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development, and the City's Application for FFY 1997 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Program Funds (HOME) for the Period July 1, 1997-June 30, 1998. (#3 4/7/97)
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated April 23, 1997, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 5/1/97, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 27, 1997, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 3; 5/1/97, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Euille, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, City Council approved and authorized the submission of the One-Year Action Plan, which includes the budgets and funding applications for the CDBG and HOME Program for the City's Fiscal Year (FY) 1998, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich out of room
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
4. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to Establish the Real and Personal Property Tax Rates for Calendar Year 1997 (#4 4/7/97; #14 3/25/97). [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 20, 1997, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 5/1/97, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a ROLL-CALL vote of 6-to-0, City Council finally passed the Ordinance on its Second Reading which would set a rate of $1.07 for the real property tax rate, and $4.75 for the personal property tax rate, noting that this does not represent an increase. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Pepper "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Euille "aye"
Rich out of room
The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 3924
AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 3-2-181 (LEVIED; AMOUNT) of Division 1 (REAL ESTATE), and Sections 3-2-221 (LEVIED ON TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY OTHER THAN MOBILE HOMES, AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES, TAXICABS, MOTOR VEHICLES WITH SPECIALLY DESIGNED EQUIPMENT FOR USE BY THE HANDICAPPED, MOTORCYCLES, CAMPERS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS AND TRAILERS; AMOUNT), 3-2-222 (LEVIED ON MACHINERY AND TOOLS USED IN MINING OR MANUFACTURING BUSINESS; AMOUNT), 3-2-223 (TAX LEVIED ON MOBILE HOMES; AMOUNT), 3-2-224 (TAX ON AUTOMOBILES, ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES, TRUCKS, TAXICABS, MOTORCYCLES, CAMPERS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS AND TRAILERS--LEVIED; AMOUNT) and 3-2-224.1 (TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES WITH SPECIALLY DESIGNED EQUIPMENT FOR USE BY THE HANDICAPPED) of Division 3 (TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND MACHINERY AND TOOLS), all of Article M (LEVY AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAXES), Chapter 2 (TAXATION), Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. That Section 3-2-181 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-181 Levied; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1997 on all real estate located within the territorial boundaries of the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city a tax of $1.07 on each $100 of the assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 2. That Section 3-2-221 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-221 Levied on tangible personal property other than mobile homes, automobiles, trucks, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1997 on all tangible personal property, other than mobile homes, automobiles, trucks, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers, owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs within the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $4.75 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 3. That Section 3-2-222 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-222 Levied on machinery and tools used in mining or manufacturing business; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1997 on all machinery and tools used in a mining or manufacturing business taxable on capital and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $4.50 on each $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 4. That Section 3-2-223 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-223 Levied on mobile homes; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1997 on all vehicles without motor power, used or designed to be used as mobile homes as defined in section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs within the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $1.07 on each $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 5. That Section 3-2-224 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-224 Levied on automobiles, antique motor vehicles, trucks, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1997 on all automobiles, antique motor vehicles, trucks, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $4.75 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 6. That Section 3-2-224.1 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-224.1 Levied on motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1997 on all motor vehicles which are equipped with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped and which are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or are located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise have a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $3.55 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 7. That this ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.
KERRY J. DONLEY
Mayor
Introduction: 3/25/97
First Reading: 3/25/97
Publication: 3/26/97; 3/27/97
Public Hearing: 4/7/97
Second Reading: 5/1/97
Final Passage: 5/1/97
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5. Receipt of the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Award for the City's FY 1997 Budget Document.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated April 23, 1997, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 5/1/97, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Mayor Donley presented the Award to Management and Budget Director Godwin.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Walker, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council received the award. The voting was as follows:
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
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THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilman Cleveland, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, at 8:15 p.m., the Special Meeting of May 1, 1997, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
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APPROVED BY:
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KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 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.
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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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