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Office of the City Clerk
March 15, 2000

There was a Reception for
Technology Award Finalists at 6:45 p.m.
in Room 2000.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 14, 2000 - - 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 Council were present.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Mayor Donley.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley announced that we were joined tonight by Cub Scout Pack 602, from the Alexandria Country Day School. The Members of the Pack led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of February 12, 2000; and

(b) The Regular Meeting of February 22, 2000.

City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of February 12, 2000; and (b) the Regular Meeting of February 22, 2000, 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 Declaring March 13-17 as Alexandria Technology Achievement Week and Recognizing the Technology Achievement Finalists.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of March as Red Cross Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming March 12-18, 2000, as Tall Cedars Week.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2000-2001 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2001-2006 (including the Schools CIP).

City Manager Sunderland presented the proposed budget.

Councilman Speck spoke to a request Council received about doing some matching funds for some life safety alert systems.

Management and Budget Director Godwin indicated that this request is already contained in this year's budget.

Councilman Speck spoke to upgrading the City's soccer fields. He asked what it will take from a capital standpoint to accelerate that improvement schedule to make the soccer fields up to the level that they need to be for the level of soccer activity that is taking place?

Councilman Speck spoke to locations for youth to do skateboarding. He indicated that staff has identified some locations where it thinks skateboard facilities would make some sense. He stated that it would be useful to know whether this would be a relatively minor capital expense or is it something that is going to require a more substantial commitment.

Councilman Speck requested, for the work session next week at which open space will be discussed, that staff pull the memo that they did last year, update it if necessary, and asked that Council have some very focused discussion to go beyond the seed money and to talk about the concept of a land bank preservation trust fund to preserve open space.

Councilwoman Pepper stated she was interested in the fact that we did not have to raise the trash fee this time and indicated that we should have this as part of a discussion later on how we are actually paying for that when we talk about the waste-to-energy facility.

Councilwoman Pepper requested a cost estimate to make the red-light camera operational at Taylor Run Parkway and Duke Street.

Councilman Cleveland questioned the schedule for receiving budget memo requests from Council.


OPENING (continued)

Management and Budget Director Godwin stated that at the first budget work session staff will be going over the timeline that had been suggested in May and to make sure that everyone is clear on the process. If Council has any suggested changes, they can be discussed at that time.

Councilman Cleveland stated that he will have a budget memo with respect to saving the Burke Library.

Vice Mayor Euille stated that we may need to identify some other sources of funding. He indicated that he will request staff to focus on the E-911 phone tax. Vice Mayor Euille noted that the state legislature just recently approved a $3 cap on this tax which is waiting for the Governor's signature. He noted that we currently charge 25 cents per line. He stated that he is not suggesting in any way tonight that these are things that Council will do in the end, but merely looking at ways to pay for some of the ongoing initiatives and new initiatives. He would like staff to take another look at the tobacco tax as well.

Councilman Speck stated his recollection is when Council raised the tobacco tax the last time, Council had some agreement that it would not address it in the near future because if we were to raise it higher than was taking place in surrounding jurisdictions, what would happen is we would actually see a decline in revenue. He requested staff to look into this.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (9-14)(20-26)

Without objection, City Council withdrew docket item no. 12 from the consent calendar.

9. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
S. Kathleen Pepper

(b) Alexandria Commission on Aging
Eric Berenbaum

(c) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
James G. Boatner

10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage

1 Member From the Historic Alexandria Foundation

1 Member From the Alexandria Historical Society


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister Cities Committee
3 Citizen Members

(c) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
2 Members Who Have Identified Disabilities

(d) Alexandria Community Services Board
1 Consumer or Family Member of a Consumer

11. Consideration of Renewal of the Contract between the Office of Human Rights and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

12. Receipt of the Annual Report Regarding the Alexandria/Arlington Waste-to-Energy Facility.

13. Receipt of the Cameron Valley Limited Partnership Semi-Annual Reports.

14. Receipt of the FY 1999 Annual Report of the Economic Opportunities Commission.

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented except for docket item no. 12 which was considered under a separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) S. Kathleen Pepper from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) Eric Berenbaum from the Alexandria Commission on Aging; and (c) James G. Boatner from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee; requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of recognition and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

10. City Council (a) reappointed Margarette Cooper as a Member from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage, appointed Walter Hall as a Member from the Historic Alexandria Foundation, and Timothy Dennee as a Member from the Alexandria Historical Society to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) reappointed Helen Bertot and Michael Stevenson and appointed Francine Neville as Citizen Members to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) appointed Scott Moore and Eugene Toni as Members who have Identified Disabilities to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; and (d) appointed Joseph Skrzypczak as a Consumer or Family Member of a Consumer to the Alexandria Community Services Board.

11. City Council authorized the City Manager to extend the term of the contract with the EEOC for funding in the amount of $32,000 for the Alexandria Office of Human Rights to continue as a Fair Employment Practice Agency (FEPA).







REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. Mayor Donley requested staff to prepare a letter for his signature that would go to the appropriate congressional committees as well as the Northern Virginia Federal delegation endorsing pending legislation that would restore flow control to localities that have waste-to-energy facilities that were constructed prior to the date indicated in the legislation. He also suggested that staff contact Arlington to see if they would like to send a similar letter.

Councilwoman Pepper noted that NVPDC had sent a similar letter earlier or, at least, should be sending one now in support of such legislation.

City Council received the report and requested that a letter be prepared for the Mayor's signature. (Separate motion)

13. City Council received these reports.

14. City Council received the Annual Report, which covers the activities of the Economic Opportunities Commission from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, and thanked the Commission for its work on behalf of low-income residents of the City.

20. City Council introduced and passed the substitute Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 18, 2000.

21. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 18, 2000.

22. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 18, 2000.

23. City Council received the Viewers' Report.

24. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 18, 2000.

25. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 18, 2000.

26. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 18, 2000.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

15. Final Update Report on Items Before the 2000 General Assembly Session.

Legislative Director Caton provided Council with a final report on items before the General Assembly.

Delegates VanLandingham and Moran briefed Council on this year's session.

Members of City Council and the Delegates thanked Mr. Caton for a job well done.

City Council received this report.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

16. Consideration of Proposed City Testimony for the Commonwealth Transportation Board 2000 Preallocation Hearing.

A copy of a verbatim transcript of Council's discussion is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

City Council: (1) approved the list of transportation projects as reflected in Council's discussion, and requested staff to prepare testimony for presentation by the Mayor to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), for the Northern Virginia District at the March 24 pre-allocation hearing; and (2) requested that staff prepare letters for the Mayor's signature listing the City's priorities to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT), as appropriate.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

17. Consideration of Results of 1999 Fair Housing Tests.

City Council accepted the results of fair housing testing conducted in 1999, and released the report to the public.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

18. Consideration of Approval to Use City Facilities and Personnel for the Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival on June 9, 10 and 11, 2000.

City Council approved the use of City facilities and personnel for the 19th Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival on June 9, 10, and 11, 2000, and set conditions for their use. City costs associated with the festival are to be paid by the Red Cross, and include permits and license fees, facilities and equipment rental fees, and staff fees at the appropriate overtime rates. These fees are estimated to total $30,993 this year, and are not to be waived. The actual fees shall be determined by the City as of June 30, 2000. The Red Cross made a net total of $125,915 on the festival last year after paying $33,890 in City fees and costs for permits, licenses, facilities and equipment. (Please see the City Manager's memorandum dated March 6, 2000, for detailed recommendations.)
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________





REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

19. Consideration of Reconsideration of Council's Decision on Special Use Permit #99-0159 for property at 111 Franklin Street. (#8 2/12/00) (If Council approves reconsideration, the Special Use Permit will be docketed for Public Hearing and Decision at the March 18, 1999 Public Hearing Meeting.)

Council Member Rich stated for the record that he has a conflict of interest. After a discussion with the City Attorney, it was determined that he was precluded from participation in this and, therefore, recused himself.

Mayor Donley spoke to this item and requested that Council go ahead and move this, schedule it for reconsideration on Saturday. Staff will attempt to notify the affected civic groups so that they will have an opportunity to comment; we will not, however, have a full-blown public hearing; we will take comments from civic groups or interested citizens relative to the requested changes to the conditions and not on the entire application. The scope of consideration will be limited on Saturday.

Councilman Speck asked staff how we are going to make sure that we are communicating to everyone and also explaining to them how we want to have this semi-public hearing so that we don't have a public hearing on the entire subject all over again.

City Manager Sunderland stated that staff will go back to the associations that were involved and communicate to them the issue and scope of the testimony, as well as those who spoke at the public hearing. In addition, staff will post signs.

Councilman Speck requested that flyers be placed at each door in the neighborhood. He encouraged persons to submit written testimony if they want and try to have the representative groups speak.

The attorney for the applicant, Mr. Blair, volunteered to assist the City in providing notice to the people of Ford's Landing who supported the project.

City Council scheduled this for reconsideration on Saturday, staff will attempt to notify the affected civic groups so that they will have an opportunity to comment; Council will not, however, have a full-blown public hearing; Council will take comments from civic groups or interested citizens relative to the requested changes to the conditions and not on the entire application. The scope of consideration will be limited on Saturday, March 18.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________













ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to the sale of the Lee Boyhood Home. He directed the City Manager to work with and coordinate with other entities within the City government, the Office on Housing, the Historic Alexandria Office, and other groups to develop some type of process so that if and when something like this were to occur again that we would not be in a position to be reactive, but to be proactive. He emphasized that we need to have a process in place to hopefully prevent something like this to happen again in the future.

Council Member Walker noted that she had worked with some people previously about trying to see if some kind of foundation could be formed which could get money. She would hope that staff could get some of the historic groups together along with the owners of the historic houses in Alexandria to see if they can help us with some kind of a method for pooling resources, being able to share funding and information.

(b) Councilman Speck brought up issues regarding the Braddock Road project and the impact that it has had on the businesses. He provided Council and the City Manager with a copy of a list of the impacts.

City Manager Sunderland indicated that staff will see if there is something that can be done with respect to this.

Council Member Walker indicated that the Braddock area team and the AEDP and Paula Riley have talked about working with the different business owners in that area to see if they can come up with some kind of plan for the future. She spoke to the City-owned property at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road.

Vice Mayor Euille suggested that an economic loss impact statement be prepared and submitted to VDOT for recovery.

(c) Councilman Speck spoke to recent correspondence from a gentleman on Stonebridge regarding the damage to his home from some sewer overflow.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier spoke to the sewer inspection process.

(d) Council Member Walker noted that if the King Street overpass should move forward that we be proactive with the citizens and have the King Street Task Force reconstituted so they could be aware of what's happening in the neighborhood.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________










ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (20 - 26)

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to change the fares to be charged by taxicabs in the city.

21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the erosion and sediment control regulations, set out in Title 5, Chapter 4 of the City Code, to conform to changes in state law.

22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize an encroachment for two brick piers for entrance signs on the public right-of-way at the intersection of Kennedy Street and Mount Vernon Avenue.

23. VACATION #99-0008 -- 111 FRANKLIN STREET -- Receipt of Viewers' Report for a request for a vacation of the public right-of-way; zoned RM/Townhouse. Applicant Michelle J. Boggs, by Duncan W. Blair, attorney. (#9 2/12/00)

24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to vacate a portion of the public street right-of-way, consisting of 599 square feet, adjacent to the southern boundary of the property located at 111 Franklin Street.

25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way at 111 Franklin Street, to construct a two-step entrance stair and landing.

26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize the construction of a family mausoleum on private property in the vicinity of Eisenhower Avenue and Taylor Drive.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council introduced and passed the ordinances on their First Reading, and set them for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Public Hearing Meeting on Saturday, March 18, 2000.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

27. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading and Second Reading of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement No. 57 to the Code of the City of Alexandria, and to provide for the repeal of ordinances not included therein, except those saved from repeal by this ordinance, and for other purposes. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 4108
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

28. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading and Second Reading of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement No. 21 to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992, as amended, and to provide for the repeal of ordinances not included therein, except those saved from repeal by this ordinance, and for other purposes. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 4109
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

29. Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds by the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Alexandria for Institute for Defense Analyses. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution as recommended by the AIDA at its meeting on February 8, 2000. RES. NO. 1952
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

30. Consideration of Resolution Eliminating the Collection Fee for Bulky Metal Items. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution eliminating the special collection fee for bulky metal items and authorized the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) to continue the special collection service free-of-charge for City refuse customers. RES. NO. 1953
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

31. Consideration of Resolution Designating the Acting City Manager when the City Manager is Out of Town. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council repealed Resolution No. 1929, and adopted the resolution.
RES. NO. 1954
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

OTHER

32. Consideration of Appointment of Acting City Attorney.

City Council appointed Ignacio Pessoa as the Acting City Attorney.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________












OTHER (continued)

33. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

(General Discussion. There was discussion with respect to having a work session with the representatives of the living wage coalition. It was decided to have that at the end of the public hearing on April 15. Assistant City Manager Evans, Special Assistant to the City Manager Ransom, and Councilman Speck will meet with the living wage coalition to work out a docket.)

City Council added to the Council calendar: (1) Take Our Daughters to Work Day on Thursday, April 27, with a reception at 8:00 a.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall; (2) the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities annual awards reception at 7:00 p.m. in Room 2000 on Tuesday, June 13; (3) the 19th Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival at Oronoco Bay Park on Friday, June 9, Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11; (4) the dedication of the Ben Brenman Park and the West End Park on Saturday, June 17, at 8:30 a.m., and (5) added a work session with representatives of the living wage coalition at the conclusion of the public hearing on April 15, 2000.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

34. Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Representative from the Religious Community

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Ardith Collins as a Representative from the Religious Community to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

35. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large As An Arts Consumer and Participant

City Council appointed Jasmine Milone as a Member who represents the Public-at-Large as an Arts Consumer and Participant to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

36. Alexandria Commission on Aging
2 Citizen Members

City Council reappointed F. Jane Cotton and appointed Susan Dawson as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Commission on Aging.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

37. Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Representative of the INOVA Alexandria Hospital

City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Arek Tatevossian as a Representative of INOVA Alexandria Hospital to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

38. Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Representative of a Community Non-Profit Agency

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Tobie Hendricks as a Representative of a Community Non-Profit Agency to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

The Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 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

A City Council Work Session was held to discuss the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) Development on Monday, March 13, 2000, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 2400, City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA.

Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the Community 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

The Alexandria City Council will hold a Community Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia.

Please call the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council at 838-4500 for any available materials pertaining to this community meeting.
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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the Community 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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THE CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS ON CHANNEL 11 FOLLOWS:

As of 3/6/2000
CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ON
CHANNEL 11

MARCH 2000

March 7, Planning Commission Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

March 8, Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

March 10, Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay of the March 9 Meeting

March 15, Board of Architectural Review - Old & Historic District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

March 16, School Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

March 18, City Council Public Hearing, 9:30 a.m. - Live

March 22, Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

March 25, City Council Public Hearing, 9:30 a.m. - Replay of the March 18 Meeting

March 28, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

March 29, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay of the March 28 Meeting

March 30, City Council Budget Work Session with the Alexandria School Board, 7:30 p.m. - Live