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Office of the City Clerk
December 15, 1999

There was a Work Session
with the Legislative Delegation at
6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 14, 1999 - - 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:_______________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Lowell A. Williams, Pastor of Alleyne AME Zion Church.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley noted that today is the 200th anniversary of George Washington's death.

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

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of November 13, 1999; and

(b) The Regular Meeting of November 23, 1999.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of November 13, 1999; and (b) the Regular Meeting of November 23, 1999, as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

4. Report of the City Clerk.

City Council received the Report of the City Clerk.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________








OPENING (continued)

5. Presentation to City Council of the Oral History Project Tapes by Office of Historic Alexandria/Oral History Projects and Senior Citizens Employment and Services, Inc.

Susan Dawson, Executive Director, Senior Citizens Employment and Services, Inc., presented to Mayor Donley the oral history project tapes prepared by the Office of Historic Alexandria/Oral History Projects and the Senior Citizens Employment and Services, Inc. These tapes will become part of the City's archives.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming December 10, 1999, as Human Rights Day and the Month of December as Human Rights Month in the City of Alexandria.

Without objection, an unidentified lady spoke in support of a living wage ordinance.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming December 31, 1999, as First Night Alexandria Day.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of the National League of Cities 1999 Innovation Award Entitled Building a Nation of Communities-Starting a Community Conversation for the City of Alexandria Call to Community Program.

Vice Mayor Euille and Council Member Rich spoke to the Call to Community initiative. Vice Mayor Euille thanked all those involved to make it happen.

Mayor Donley and Councilman Speck provided comments.

City Council received the National League of Cities 1999 Innovation Award.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (9-13)(22-25)

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

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
Paula Massouh

(b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
William D. Morgan


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(c) Alexandria Community Services Board
Larry H. Hoffer

(d) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
Robert Rapanut

(e) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Patti Rivera

(f) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
Leslie Peterson

10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Representative of the Alexandria Redevelopment and
Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

(b) Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District
1 Architect

(c) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Society for the Preservation
of Black Heritage

(d) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
1 Citizen Member

(e) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member

(f) USS Alexandria Liaison Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Federation of
Civic Associations

(g) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Individual Who Has An Interest In Issues Affecting Youth In
the City [This position became docket item no. 31.]

1 Member of City Boards, Commissions or Other Organizations
Having An Interest In Youth Issues

11. Receipt of the 1998-1999 Annual Report from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.

12. Receipt of the Annual Report from the Alexandria Human Rights Commission.




REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

13. Receipt of the Potomac West Alliance Annual Report for Fiscal Year 1998 and Fiscal Year 1999.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of docket item no. 13 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) Paula Massouh from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) William D. Morgan from the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) Larry H. Hoffer from the Alexandria Community Services Board; (d) Robert Rapanut from the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (e) Patti Rivera from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; and (f) Leslie Peterson from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.

10. City Council (a) appointed Ruby Tucker as the Representative of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed John Savage as an Architect to the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District; (c) appointed Eugene Thompson as a Representative from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (d) reappointed Clarence Henley as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Committee; (e) reappointed Christopher Smith as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; (f) appointed John Hardin Young as a Representative from the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations to the USS Alexandria Liaison Committee; and (g) reappointed Susan Kellom as a Member of City Boards, Commission or Other Organizations having an interest in Youth Issues to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

11. City Council received the Annual Report from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee and thanked the Committee members for their efforts on behalf of the City.

12. City Council received the report and thanked the Commission for its work on behalf of the City.

13. Council Member Walker and Scott Mitchell spoke to this item.

Assistant City Manager Steele responded to questions.

City Council deferred this item until a time after the Board's January 27 public comment meeting. (Separate Motion)

22. City Council introduced the Ordinance upon its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 18, 1999.


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

23. City Council introduced the Ordinance upon its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 18, 1999.

24. City Council introduced the Ordinance upon its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 18, 1999.

25. City Council introduced the Ordinance upon its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 18, 1999.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

14. Consideration of the Proposed City Legislative Package for the 2000 General Assembly Session. (#12 11/13/99; #9 10/26/99)

Mayor Donley spoke to this item. He also noted that Council Member Walker and he will continue to serve as Council's Legislative Subcommittee.

Council Member Rich requested that staff transmit the Earned Income Tax Credit proposal to the Living Wage Coalition for its comment.

City Council (1) adopted items 1 through 26 in the City Manager's memorandum, as the positions to the City's Legislative Package for the 2000 General Assembly Session; and (2) did not include in the package a proposal from the Electoral Board (#27) or a proposal from the Task Force on AIDS (#28), and clarified Council's intent on the Earned Income Tax Credit, in lieu of the living wage, that Council wants to go not just for funding under the current state law, but for an extension of the state law that would make it more like the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

15. Report from the City's Naming Committee. (Councilwoman Pepper and Councilman Speck) [This will be a verbal report.]

Councilman Speck gave a report from the committee.

Councilman Speck introduced Mike Faber. Mr. Faber introduced the other people who have been a part of the effort to recognize Rocky Versace and who will provide assistance, including financial assistance.

Councilwoman Pepper indicated that this might be the City's opportunity to learn how many Vietnam veterans there are in the City, and how many actually died in the war.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

Councilman Speck said there are several issues to be addressed, obviously, the physical activities as well as design issues. He indicated that we could use City staff. Al Cox, for example, is someone who is very creative to work on developing the right recognition, signage, and all of the other things that are appropriate for the memorial. In addition, Rocky Versace's West Point class has already pledged $5,000 to provide support for a visual display that might go right inside the recreation center to identify some of the history.

City Manager Lawson stated that it would be referred to Park and Recreation because it will be on the Mount Vernon Recreation Center land, but also, it will be docketed for the next monthly meeting of the City Council/School Board Committee to make sure that they are aware of it.

Mayor Donley suggested that Councilman Speck and Councilwoman Pepper be the City Council representatives on the working group, asked that someone from the Park and Recreation Commission be included, as well as two representatives from the American Legion whose names, addresses and phone numbers will be provided to the Mayor by the veterans who were present. He requested the City Manager to let him know if she can think of anybody else who needs to be on the work group so that the appointments can be made as quickly as possible.

City Council, based upon a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission, named the boardwalk and grass area behind Ford's Landing on the water, "Ford's Landing City Park", to make clear that it is public facilities and available for the public; and renamed the plaza in front of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, "The Rocky Versace Plaza and Memorial to Vietnam Veteran's in Alexandria"; and requested the Mayor to designate a small working group that would work to design the appropriate memorial and recognition, with a goal to have the memorial unveiled on Veteran's Day 2000.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

16. Consideration of Report on a City-sponsored Development Office.

City Council: (1) approved proceeding with the establishment of a private, non-profit City-sponsored capital development office that would operate under a Council-appointed Board of Directors. The success of this project would be evaluated after a sufficient period of start-up and operation, which is recommended to be after five years; (2) adopted the resolution and authorized the Mayor to appointed a nine-member task force (eight citizens and one member of City Council) that shall serve as the initial Board of Directors and be responsible for preparing detailed plans for the operation of the capital development fund office, to be docketed for City Council consideration no later than June 27, 2000. The plans would include recommendations regarding the establishment of a full Board of Directors; the mission statement, incorporation documents and by-laws for the development office; guidelines for the solicitation, acceptance and recognition of donations; an annual revenue and expense budget for the office; performance measures; and other issues included in this memorandum; (3) authorized the City Manager to: (A) issue an informal Solicitation for Proposal for the service of a qualified consultant with private fund-raising expertise to assist the task force in its work; and (B) enter into a consulting services contract with the best qualified offerer; and (4) authorized the transfer of up to $100,000 budgeted in the FY 2000 Contingent Reserves account for such an effort to the non-departmental REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

budget to support the work of the task force (including up to $30,000 for consultant support) and for other costs associated with the establishment of the capital development office, such as recruiting for a permanent development director or other staff as recommended by the Board of Directors. Unexpended monies remaining at the end of the fiscal year would be carried over to offset the City's share of costs in FY 2001. RES. NO. 1942
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

17. Consideration of a memorandum from the city attorney addressing the subject of residential group homes, including the treatment of such homes by the city's Zoning Ordinance, Virginia law, and the federal Fair Housing Act.

Councilman Cleveland requested that the City Attorney take a look at Senator Ticer's proposed legislation that she spoke to in the work session tonight.

City Council referred this to the Planning Commission for processing as a text amendment regarding group homes licensed by the State Department of Social Services.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

18. Consideration of a Five-Year Lease Agreement with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation for Docking the Maritime Heritage Center at its Present Location at the Alexandria Marina.

City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a five-year (January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2004) lease agreement with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation for docking the Maritime Heritage Center at its present location at the Alexandria Marina (east of the office building at 201 North Union Street, north of Thompson's Alley, and south of Founders Park). City Council approved that the Alexandria Seaport Foundation pay a fee of $10 to be collected on January 1, 2000.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

19. Consideration of a Three-Year Lease Agreement with the Alexandria Boxing Club, Inc., to Lease Space and Equipment at the Charles Houston Recreation Center for Boxing Activities.

City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a three-year (January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2002) lease agreement with the Alexandria Boxing Club, Inc. to lease space and equipment at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, for boxing activities. City Council approved that the Alexandria Boxing Club, Inc. pay a fee of $10.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

20. Receipt of the Jones Communications 1999 Annual Report and Plant Survey.

City Council received the Jones Communications 1999 Annual Report and Plant Survey.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

21. Receipt of the 1999 Jones Communications, Inc. Annual Subscriber Survey Report.

City Council received the 1999 Annual Subscriber Survey Report from Jones Communications, Inc.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Cleveland spoke to a potential traffic danger. He suggested that a leading left-turn green signal be installed on Duke Street at South Quaker Lane.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to a visit she made last Thursday at Patrick Henry School to see how technology is being used in the schools.

(c) Councilwoman Pepper was happy to learn that the 4th, 6th and 9th graders have improved on test scores and surpassed the national average.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper mentioned that recently a report was released by the Human Services Department with respect to how recipients of welfare are faring once they leave the system. She commended Human Services Director O'Regan and her staff on a job well done.

(e) Council Member Walker noted that the Metro Board voted last Thursday to begin the process to allow the General Manager to sign a contract with the City of Alexandria to begin its King Street Station improvements, mainly, the mezzanine access improvements, the area sidewalk improvements, and the second mezzanine elevator and escalators.

(f) Council Member Walker noted that the Metro Board voted to not allow free fares on New Year's Eve after midnight for the first time in four years. She noted there are a lot of things going on in the area beginning the morning of December 31 through January 2. She spoke to the estimated number of people attending Alexandria's First Night as well as events in D.C. She urged our City's DASH system to try to meet some of the challenges by extending its service. Metro will be operating until 3 a.m.

(g) Council Member Walker spoke to the pedestrian hazard created by the construction at the Braddock Road underpass.

Acting Transportation and Environmental Services Director Ruller indicated that they have received various requests and will integrate the pedestrian issues into the process of planning for CIP work during the summer.




ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(h) Vice Mayor Euille reported on the National League of Cities' Annual Conference which Council Member Walker and he attended in LA. In addition, he spoke to how well our youth delegates, Patrice Green and Gregory Bilyk, were received. Their chaperon was Karen Parker-Thompson. He noted that the major highlight was the City's receiving the innovation award for the Call to Community Program.

Vice Mayor Euille indicated that Council Member Walker and he will be preparing some reports and will be collaborating with staff, the Manager and her various department heads, in the area of youth and education, recreation, and housing. They learned what we don't do enough of in the City is visioning.

(i) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to an issue that certainly caused some controversy earlier this week. He stated that the Planning Commission, in his mind, acted improperly again when the School Board was before them the other evening with regard to trailers. Unless his colleagues differ with him on this, he believed that the Planning Commission is an advisory board appointed by this Council and in no way should they be making mandates of any agency or organization in this City dealing with policy or political positions.

(j) Vice Mayor Euille noted a report in the Journal Newspaper with respect to the Durant Recreation Center which left the implication that there's been an ongoing discussion between the School Board and the Recreation Department with regards to the use of Durant Center.

Deputy City Manager Steele indicated that it was time to move forward to determine what would be a use for the Durant Center as well as moving ahead with the renovations. She stated that there are a number of things that they really need to go to the community with to find out for what exactly it is that the community wants to use this center.

(k) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to the recent study done by several non-profits, lead by the Alexandria United Way, on Hispanic Needs Assessment update. Council will be receiving that report and suggested that Council have a work session to discuss it.

Deputy City Manager Steele made comments.

(l) Mayor Donley gave an update report on the selection process for the new City Manager. It was determined that the Task Force would not be invited to sit in on the executive session on January 11, 2000.

(m) Mayor Donley appointed Vice Mayor Euille and Councilman Speck to the PTO Task Force and stated that they can devise the balance of the membership of the Task Force that they would like to appoint to discuss the PTO proposal accurately and in greater detail.

(n) Mayor Donley appointed Council Member Walker as the Council representative on the Washington Street Task Force. She will serve as its chair until such time the Task Force or Council Member Walker decides otherwise.



ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(o) Mayor Donley reported on the status of the Section 8 units at Foxchase.

Vice Mayor Euille encouraged the City Manager that, if necessary, wherein the City needs to ante up to the plate to help subsidize the difference between what the property owner is alleging that they will be losing in rental income versus what HUD is willing to appropriate that we not lose the opportunity to resolve this satisfactorily. He indicated if the City Manager needs to come back to Council and seek funding, he thinks it should be considered.

(p) Mayor Donley reported that the Mayor's Adolescent Task Force on Teen Pregnancy had an outreach meeting in the Hispanic community last week. Councilman Cleveland and he attended. He noted that an information gap exists and that we need to have a serious discussion of how we, as a community, do our outreach in the Hispanic community.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (22-25)

22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the city code to authorize city council, when considering special use permit applications for residential developments proposed to be located within residential permit parking districts, to deny or limit the eligibility of the proposed development's residents to receive district parking permits.

23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the city code to add one additional member to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee who shall be a resident of the city living east of Washington Street and north of Pendleton Street.

24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Alexandria West Small Area Plan Chapter of the 1992 Master Plan by changing the land use designation of a portion of the parcels at 5401 Seminary Road and 5188 Dawes Avenue from RL/Residential Low to I/Industrial.

25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the city zoning ordinance by rezoning a portion of the parcels at 5401 Seminary Road from R-20/Residential to I/Industrial with proffer, and 5188 Dawes Avenue from R-12/Residential to I-1/Industrial with proffer.

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, December 18, 1999.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________



ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement No. 20 to the City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance, 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 finally passed the Ordinance on its First and Second Readings.
ORD. NO. 4095
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

OTHER

27. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council: (1) noted that the dedication of the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, at 5005 Duke Street; and (2) added to the Council calendar: (a) Tuesday, February 8, a work session with Congressman James Moran at 6:00 p.m. before Council's regular meeting to discuss issues of interest to the City in the upcoming congressional session; (b) Wednesday, February 2, a reception to honor the volunteers and staff who worked on City 250th Anniversary events throughout the year, sponsored by the City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center; and (c) Saturday, May 20, the 6th Annual Homeownership Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

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

City Council appointed Tara Hardiman as a Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large as an Arts Consumer and Participant to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

29. Alexandria Commission on Information Technology
1 Member From and Representing the Alexandria Chamber
of Commerce

1 Member Representing an Institution of Higher Education
Located in Northern Virginia

City Council waived the residency requirements and appointed R. Mark McLindon as a Member from and Representing the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and David Babel as a Member Representing an Institution in Northern Virginia to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________


CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

30. Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Member Nominated By the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Quentin Tabscott as a Member Nominated by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

31. Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Individual Who Has An Interest In Issues Affecting Youth In the City

City Council appointed Virginia Johnstone as an Individual Who has an Interest in Issues Affecting Youth in the City to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 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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THE CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS ON CHANNEL 11 FOLLOWS:

As of 12/6/99

CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ON
CHANNEL 11
DECEMBER 1999


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

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

• December 9, Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

• December 14, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

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

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

• December 17, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay of the December 14 Meeting

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

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