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Office of the City Clerk
October 14, 1999

The Alexandria Commission on
Persons with Disabilities Reception
was held at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2000.


Special Meeting
Wednesday, October 13, 1999 - - 7:30 p.m.
[In lieu of the Regular Meeting of October 12, 1999]

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Please take notice that City Council held a Special Meeting on Wednesday, October 13, 1999 [in lieu of the Regular Meeting of October 12, 1999] beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia, for the purpose of considering the following items.

/s/Vola Lawson, City Manager
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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 the City Council were present with Councilman Speck arriving at 7:40 p.m.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Councilman Cleveland.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________

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

(a) The Regular Meeting of September 28, 1999.

City Council approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 28, 1999, 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 Proclaiming the Month of October 1999 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October 15 as Mammography Day.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of October 1999 as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of October 1999 as Virginia Archaeology Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (8 - 13)(15 - 21)

8. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
Melvin J. Nichols

(b) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
JoAnn Roosa

9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee
1 Member Nominated by the Alexandria Commission for Women

(b) Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation

1 Member Representing the Fine Arts

(c) Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee
1 Representative From Law Enforcement Personnel

(d) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Non-Health Professional Member

(e) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
1 Citizen Member

(f) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Citizen 18 Years of Age or Younger

10. Receipt of the Fiscal Year 1999 Annual Report of the Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.

11. Consideration of the Purchase of an Elephant Vac for Use by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. Receipt of the Listing of Delinquent Real Estate Taxes.

13. Consideration of Report on the Community Partnership Fund for Human Services Recommended Priorities for the FY 2001 Competitive Grant Cycle.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 12, 13 and 17 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

8. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Melvin J. Nichols from the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors and (b) JoAnn Roosa from the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission; and requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

9. City Council (a) appointed Christine Messina-Boyer as a Member nominated by the Alexandria Commission for Women to the Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee; (b) reappointed Robert C. Yakeley as a Member designated by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, and Gail Gregory as a Member representing the Fine Arts to the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission; (c) appointed Joseph Hilleary as a Representative from Law Enforcement Personnel to the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee; (d) reappointed Michael Gemmell as a Non-Health Professional Member to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission; (e) appointed Bruce Baky as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; and (f) appointed Samuel Dingman as a Citizen 18 Years of Age or Younger to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

10. City Council received the report.

11. City Council authorized the allocation of up to $25,000 in non-federal Office of Housing monies for the purchase of a litter vacuum to be owned and maintained by the City but reserved for exclusive use by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA).

12. Vice Mayor Euille encouraged those citizens on the delinquent real estate tax list to pay their real estate taxes promptly if they do not wish to have their names listed in the newspaper as being delinquent. He indicated that our Finance Department aggressively pursues all of the delinquent taxpayers.

Mayor Donley congratulated the Finance Department staff for its collection efforts.

City Council received the listing of delinquent 1994 through 1998 real estate taxes and authorized the list of 1998 delinquencies, less any payments received prior to publication, tax exemption appeals or real estate tax adjustments, to be published once in a newspaper having general circulation in the City. (Separate Motion)

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

13. Vice Mayor Euille noted that we have not received official comments from the Youth Policy Commission, and questioned staff whether or not it has received the Commission's comments and/or are they forthcoming. He spoke to the YouthMapping project that took place over the summer and was certain that it should be incorporated as part of the report and recommendation for citizen input and discussion.

City Manager Lawson stated that staff will certainly do that and report back to Council with a report on the inclusion of the items on which the Vice Mayor spoke.

Mayor Donley spoke to the YouthMapping report and indicated that it probably will be before the Youth Policy Commission at its next meeting. He stated that the goals that are talked about in the docket item are sufficiently broad enough to encompass anything that would come forward from the Youth Policy Commission, particularly anything related to the results of the YouthMapping project.

Vice Mayor Euille commented that an area that needs to be expanded upon is the English as a Second Language (ESL) initiative. He expressed concern that we need to be doing more in the area of the elderly population, job training, and the urgent need to insure that the computer technology training and services, etc. are made available across the board to all of our citizens. Vice Mayor Euille noted that he does not see enough emphasis in the overall prevention throughout the City through all of our programs, particularly those that affect health initiatives. He stated that he is eagerly awaiting public comment in regard to citizen concern about various programs and objectives with the opportunity, hopefully, to incorporate many of the concerns and his before we formally adopt the program format for FY2001.

Mayor Donley stated that we need to work with the Hispanic community, primarily in Arlandria and the West End, to consider outreach to help determine immigration status to get proper documentation which will aid in employment and a lot of other eligibility for City services and the like. He indicated that he doesn't want us to add things that are so specific that it potentially precludes application from a worthy program as well.

City Council docketed for public hearing on Saturday, October 16, the FY2001 priorities for the Community Partnership Fund, including the community input on priorities received this summer and staff's recommendations on priorities. Final Action on the FY 2001 priorities will be at Council's Tuesday, October 26 legislative meeting. (Separate Motion)

15. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.





REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

16. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.

17. Council Member Walker wanted to make sure that light rail not be precluded by development and wanted it noted in the ordinance. The City Attorney will bring back amendment for Saturday.

City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting. (Separate Motion)

18. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.

19. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.

20. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.

21. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

14. Consideration of Additional City Comments on the 2020 Transportation Plan.

Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the expanded DASH parking. She indicated that she sees DASH being locked in if we cannot find enough parking spaces for our buses. She stated that she felt that it is urgent that we acquire additional land because of the fact that we are going to have expanding needs and it's not just everywhere you can locate something like a bus terminal or a bus parking lot. Councilwoman Pepper noted that there is some kind of evaluation going on and she would hope that can be completed in a speedy fashion.

Mayor Donley offered a friendly amendment to add a fifth WHEREAS clause to read: WHEREAS, the City of Alexandria concurs with the increased emphasis on mass transit and transit investment found in the 2020 Transportation Plan.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

14. (continued) City Council adopted the resolution, as amended, endorsing the Northern Virginia 2020 Transportation plan with the following proposed amendment: Add the straightening of the Monroe Street Bridge and the proposed spine road that is included in the approved plans for Potomac Yard to the list of transportation projects included in the 2020 Transportation Plan. RES. NO. 1936
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Cleveland spoke to the recent letter from the Virginia-American Water Company indicating that it is going to the State Corporation Commission to ask for a rate increase. He stated that this Council should stand firm in doing whatever it needs to do to try to stop this rate increase. He indicated that he is willing to go down to Richmond and testify before the Commission in opposition to this increase.

Mayor Donley agreed with his comments. The Mayor requested that staff take a look at the financial elements which are largely the essential elements of the application, and that they prepare an official City response for Council to consider within the time schedule of the hearing before the State Corporation Commission.

Vice Mayor Euille agreed with Councilman Cleveland's concern. He stated that it is a little bit broader than just the rates increasing. Vice Mayor Euille expressed concern about the City's infrastructure and the need to address the issues of upgrading the infrastructure and the rate increase as one package.

Council Member Walker requested staff to ask adjoining jurisdictions for their support in addressing this issue.

City Manager Lawson spoke to this issue, and indicated that we should have staff and a Council representative testify before the State Corporation Commission strongly opposing the rate increase.

(b) Councilman Cleveland requested that the Environmental Policy Commission's resolution regarding telecommuting be included in the City's legislative package.

(c) Councilman Cleveland spoke to a letter Council received from the Virginia Department of Transportation regarding the King Street Bridge Replacement and the widening of King Street. He also spoke to the Braddock Road construction which is taking too long to complete the widening of the railroad bridge.





ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

Mayor Donley stated that we need to insist that the improvements with the King Street Metro Station should coincide with this so that it's all done at once and is coordinated. He indicated that he has requested the City Manager to schedule a meeting which will be held on October 26 with representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation and representatives of Joy Construction with respect to the Braddock Road project. He spoke to the complaints about delays, traffic congestion and the inappropriate behavior of the workers at this site. Mayor Donley reported that he will provide a summary report to Council after the meeting on October 26.

Councilman Speck stated that, with all of the logistic problems that are associated with moving the tracks temporarily and with all of the difficulties that will take place during the period on construction, this should be a noticeable and notable improvement and not just marginal widening. He indicated that we not only want the project to be more efficient, but we also want it to be a project that dramatically improves that intersection and the plans as currently suggested do not.

Council Member Walker spoke to our relationship and control over the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Councilman Cleveland noted that they were asking for comments by October 17, and he sent out a letter to the Taylor Run Civic Association, Rosemont Citizens Association and the Eisenhower Civic Association for their comments.

Vice Mayor Euille requested, with all of the construction in the King Street Metro corridor and the work at Braddock Road Metro station, staff needs to better coordinate the milling and asphalt paving so that it does not bottleneck the City. He spoke to the recent paving of Monroe Avenue from Mount Vernon to Jefferson Davis Highway which stalled traffic.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to today's groundbreaking for the AMC twenty-four-screen megaplex theater at the Hoffman property on Eisenhower Avenue.

(e) Councilwoman Pepper announced that on Thursday that Mayor Donley will be receiving the Community Builder's Award from the Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22.

(f) Council Member Rich spoke to his family moving to Del Ray. He disclosed that he is planning on doing a significant amount of work on the house before moving in and he will be seeking a variance from the City and will be making an application with the Board of Zoning Appeals.

(g) Vice Mayor Euille reported that he is the 1999 United Way Campaign Chair and encouraged the community's participation.






ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(h) Mayor Donley announced that on Friday, October 8, 1999, the Mark Winkler Company unveiled the Mark Winkler Botanical Preserve and the Catherine Lodge named in the honor of Catherine Winkler Herman. He noted that this was an incredible event and certainly was a symbol of their generosity to the City. He spoke to the video that summarized what's in the preserve, its programs, how it was created, where it exists in an urban environment. He requested staff to extend an invitation to the Winklers to make a presentation to the Environmental Policy Commission and also go ahead and show that video to the Commission. Mayor Donley encouraged them to take it out to civic associations as this is a preserve for the entire City. Civic associations and groups and business groups all over the City could certainly benefit from seeing the video presentation.

Mayor Donley announced that we are going to try to hold the Council Retreat at Catherine Lodge on the Winkler Botanical Preserve.

(i) Mayor Donley congratulated City Manager Lawson who has been named as one of this year's ten honorees of the Fifth Annual Toyota Tribute to Working Women Awards.

(j) Mayor Donley asked the City Manager to report on the City employees who have volunteered to go to assist the community of Franklin, Virginia, which has been devastated by Hurricane Floyd, and requested that they be recognized at a future Council Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (15 - 21)

15. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code by establishing a spot blight abatement program, under which the city may designate certain properties in Alexandria as “blighted” and thereafter, absent satisfactory efforts by the owners of the properties to eliminate the blighting conditions, to acquire and/or repair the properties and to collect from the owners the costs the city incurs in undertaking these actions.

16. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria City Code (1) to change the name of the Mt. Vernon School Election District to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Election District, and establish the voting place or this district at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, and (2) to change the name of the Fire Station 58 Election District to the Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library Election District, and establish the voting place for this district at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Central Library, 5005 Duke Street.

17. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the 1992 Master Plan of the City of Alexandria by revising the plan's Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens Small Area Plan Chapter, in accordance with the chapter changes approved by City Council on September 8, 1999.


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

18. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance by revising the regulations applicable within Coordinated Development District No. 10, Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens, in accordance with the text amendment approved by City Council on September 8, 1999.

19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance by revising the definition of convenience stores.

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize an existing fence to encroach into the public alley right-of-way adjacent to the properties at 206 West Monroe Avenue and 1509 Stonewall Road, in the City of Alexandria.

21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE making provision for the support of the government of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and for the payment of municipal expenditures by providing supplemental appropriations of amounts required to defray certain expenditures and liabilities of the city for fiscal year 2000, which began on the first day of July 1999 and ends on the thirtieth day of June 2000.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council introduced and passed the ordinances on First Reading; set them for public hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, October 16, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________






















OTHER

22. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council approved the City Council schedule and (1) scheduled a work session with the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership during Council's public hearing on Saturday, November 13, during the lunch break, as requested by Councilman Speck; (2) added to the Council Calendar the Wednesday, November 10, Student Forum on Race and Culture, planned as part of the City's Call to Community initiative at 10 a.m. at the Episcopal High School Field House. Participants will include a panel of students representing the Alexandria Public Schools, St. Stephens and St. Agnes, Bishop Ireton and Episcopal High Schools; (3) tentatively scheduled the ceremony recognizing the transfer to the City of the title to the Commonwealth Atlantic Properties parcel at Union Station for Saturday, December 18, the date of Council's public hearing meeting, pending a report from the City Attorney (staff will return with the time of the ceremony when the plans have been finalized); (4) scheduled a special meeting of City Council at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, in order to have an executive session on personnel matters for a briefing by the City's consultant, DMG Maximus, on the status of the recruitment for the City Manager position, as requested by Mayor Donley; and (5) added to the Council Calendar Alexandria Earth Day on Sunday, May 21, 2000, from noon to 4:00 p.m., at Four Mile Run Park.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

23. Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission

1 Resident of the City of Alexandria

City Council reappointed Michael Wilkosz as a Resident of the City of Alexandria to the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

24. Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Mark Baran as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

25. Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
1 Restaurant Owner/Manager Representative

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Patrick Gaffney as a Restaurant Owner/Manager Representative to the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association Board of Governors.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________






CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

26. Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
1 Citizen Member (#33 9/14/99)

City Council appointed Carlyle Ring as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

27. Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed James Boatner as a Representative from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

The meeting was concluded at 9:25 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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