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Special Meeting
Monday, May 7, 2001 - - 7:30 p.m.


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Present: Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Vice Mayor William C. Cleveland, Members of Council Claire M. Eberwein, William D. Euille, Redella S. Pepper, David G. Speck, and Joyce Woodson.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mr. Sunderland, City Manager; Mr. Pessoa, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Assistant City Manager; Mrs. Godwin, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Ms. Fogarty, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Ms. O'Regan, Director of Human Services; Ms. Federico, Director of Historic Alexandria; Legislative Director Caton; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. Baier, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; City Engineer Baker; Fire Chief Hawkins; Mr. McCobb, Deputy Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. Schramm, Acting Director of Personnel Services; Ms. Steele, Special Projects Coordinator; Director of Libraries O'Brien; Ms. Whitmore, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Eiffert, Director of Office on Aging and Adult Services; Director of Health Konigsberg; Police Chief Samarra; and Lieutenant Butler, 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 present being on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council.)

2. Consideration of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2002 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2002-2007 (including the Schools CIP). (# 2 4/17/01; #8 3/13/01)

(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, 5/7/01, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)




WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Councilman Speck, seconded by Council man Euille that City Council move approval of the City Manager's proposed FY 2002 General Fund Operating Budget with the following adjustments: (1) an increase of $400,000 in the estimate of General Fund Sales Tax Revenue, to reflect revised projections based on receipts through March 31, 2001, in the amount of $400,000; (2) an increase of $326,000 in the estimate of the Intergovernmental Revenues; (3) an increase of $300,000 in the estimate of General Fund Transient Lodging Revenue; (4) an increase of $100,000 in General Fund Restaurant Meals Tax Revenue; (5) a decrease of $1,000,000 in the estimate of the General Fund Business License Tax Revenue; (6) a decrease of $500,000 in the estimate of General Fund Personal Property Tax Revenue; (7) a decrease of $200,000 in the estimate of General Fund Penalties and Interest; (8) approve the 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and City Council aides and the Mayor's aide; (9) approve merit in-step increases for all eligible City employees. The eligibility of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk for this increase shall be conditioned upon a satisfactory evaluation by City Council, and the amount of any increase shall be set by Council, and there is no net impact as those monies are included in the FY 2002 Proposed Budget; (10) approve an increase in the employer share of health care benefits for active and retired City employees (from $106.83 to $120.00 per month), and there is no net impact as those monies are included in the FY 2002 Proposed Budget; (11) approve a vacancy factor adjustment to be applied to most City agencies and Departments, and there is no net impact as those monies are included in the FY 2002 Proposed Budget; (12) approve an adjustment to reduce the employer share of Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for City employees based on calculations, and there is no net impact as that's included in the Proposed Budget; (13) add funding for expanded park maintenance services to include four full-time staff, seasonal staff and a half-ton truck, the amount is $250,000, and that is [added to] Contingent Reserves; (14) [approve a designation of] $50,000 in Contingent Reserves for a feasibility study and start-up costs for a non-City teen center for 9th - 12th graders; (15) [approve a designation] in Contingent Reserves of $150,000 to create a subsidy to child day care provider maximum reimbursable rates. Funds to be used only if, and to the extent that, the State does not allow an increase in rates to those approved by the State for Arlington; (16) add $20,000 [to Cash Capital] for lighting along the paved pathway from the end of North Pickett Street to the Beatley Bridge (Holmes Run). This would [also] be an addition to the CIP; (17) add $50,000 into Contingent Reserves for the Alexandria Academy; (18) add $82,000 in additional funding for the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association; (19) add $35,000 in funding to be used to purchase replacement street trash cans; (20) add $35,000 in funding for a tractor with finish mower for the West End parks maintenance; (21) add $150,000 for Planning and Zoning for professional contract services for additional planning studies; (22) a designation in Contingent Reserves of $71,000 for an additional Urban Planner II position in Planning and Zoning; (23) add $35,000 to the Commission for the Arts for additional funding for Grant awards; (24) add $200,000 to the employer's share of health care benefits for retired City employees; (25) add $9,000 for Chinquapin Rec Center Saturday Youth Nights for Middle School students; (26) add $65,000 to enhance Therapeutic Recreation Mainstream programs; (27) add $400,000 to Contingent Reserves to be used for funding costs of school enrollment, if needed, if that enrollment exceeds the planned and budgeted 11,637 students; [Note: Although First Night is not a specific item, Council has stated its desire to have First Night appear before the Marketing Committee for its request for support, but if that is unsuccessful to return to Council.]; (28) delete $300,000 from the City Health Insurance contingent. Those savings are attributable to favorable contract negotiations with the City Health insurance carriers; and (29) delete $499,000 from the planned City subsidy of Metrobus and Metrorail for FY 2002. The decrease is attributable to higher than expected State transit and gas taxes received through the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. [Approve a deletion from the General Fund appropriation to the Schools due to lower VRS contribution rates in the amount of $1,100,000.] Those are all of the adds and deletes. The appropriation from Fund Balance is to make an appropriation from General Fund Balance necessary to balance the FY 2002 Budget, and that would be in the amount of $3,506,000. That would then result with the Manager's Fund Balance appropriation of total expenditures of $349,357,820 and a corresponding amount for revenues. That also includes a General Fund appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools of $107,269,189. Then to the adoption of the FY 2002 to FY 2007 Capital Improvement Program, that recommendation would be for the proposed five-year period a total of $197,306,214 with the following annual funding requirements: FY 2002 - $53,527,463; FY 2003 - $47,741,939; FY 2004 - $34,470,315; FY 2005 - $34,115,402; FY 2006 - $14,820,080; FY 2007 - $12,631,015.

There was Council discussion on the motion.

Mayor Donley asked Councilman Speck if the General Fund appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools was $107,269,189?

Councilman Speck responded that figure reflects that there was a VRS adjustment of 1.1 million dollars that will not be required as an appropriation by the City to the schools as a result of the VRS adjustment.

Mayor Donley stated that this basically reduces their expenditures. They will still, with this appropriation, be able to fund all items in their budget.

Councilman Speck responded that Council is not cutting the schools' budget but just reflecting that they had that increased appropriation.

Mayor Donley noted that when Councilman Speck mentioned the $71,000 for an Urban Planner II, he called that an add, and it should be a designation of Fund Balance. Mayor Donley wanted to clarify the intent. Mayor Donley indicated that Councilman Speck said add, but it should be a designation in Contingent Reserves.

Councilman Speck indicated that Mayor Donley was correct in his interpretation.

Councilwoman Pepper wanted to make sure that when Councilman Speck spoke to item no. 20, the funding for a tractor with finish mower for the West End parks maintenance, that he said $35,000 and not $30,000.

Councilman Speck stated it should be $35,000.

The Members of Council made comments and thanked the staff for a job well done.

WHEREUPON, Council returned to the main motion made by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried unanimously, City Council approved the City Manager's proposed FY 2002 General Fund Operating Budget with the following adjustments: (1) an increase of $400,000 in the estimate of General Fund Sales Tax Revenue, to reflect revised projections based on receipts through March 31, 2001, in the amount of $400,000; (2) an increase of $326,000 in the estimate of the Intergovernmental Revenues; (3) an increase of $300,000 in the estimate of General Fund Transient Lodging Revenue; (4) an increase of $100,000 in General Fund Restaurant Meals Tax Revenue; (5) a decrease of $1,000,000 in the estimate of the General Fund Business License Tax Revenue; (6) a decrease of $500,000 in the estimate of General Fund Personal Property Tax Revenue; (7) a decrease of $200,000 in the estimate of General Fund Penalties and Interest; (8) approve the 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and City Council aides and the Mayor's aide; (9) approve merit in-step increases for all eligible City employees. The eligibility of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk for this increase shall be conditioned upon a satisfactory evaluation by City Council, and the amount of any increase shall be set by Council, and there is no net impact as those monies are included in the FY 2002 Proposed Budget; (10) approve an increase in the employer share of health care benefits for active and retired City employees (from $106.83 to $120.00 per month), and there is no net impact as those monies are included in the FY 2002 Proposed Budget; (11) approve a vacancy factor adjustment to be applied to most City agencies and Departments, and there is no net impact as those monies are included in the FY 2002 Proposed Budget; (12) approve an adjustment to reduce the employer share of Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for City employees based on calculations, and there is no net impact as that's included in the Proposed Budget; (13) add funding for expanded park maintenance services to include four full-time staff, seasonal staff and a half-ton truck, the amount is $250,000, and that is [added to] Contingent Reserves; (14) [approve a designation of] $50,000 in Contingent Reserves for a feasibility study and start-up costs for a non-City teen center for 9th - 12th graders; (15) [approve a designation] in Contingent Reserves of $150,000 to create a subsidy to child day care provider maximum reimbursable rates. Funds to be used only if, and to the extent that, the State does not allow an increase in rates to those approved by the State for Arlington; (16) add $20,000 [to Cash Capital] for lighting along the paved pathway from the end of North Pickett Street to the Beatley Bridge (Holmes Run). This would [also] be an addition to the CIP; (17) add $50,000 into Contingent Reserves for the Alexandria Academy; (18) add $82,000 in additional funding for the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association; (19) add $35,000 in funding to be used to purchase replacement street trash cans; (20) add $35,000 in funding for a tractor with finish mower for the West End parks maintenance; (21) add $150,000 for Planning and Zoning for professional contract services for additional planning studies; (22) a designation in Contingent Reserves of $71,000 for an additional Urban Planner II position in Planning and Zoning; (23) add $35,000 to the Commission for the Arts for additional funding for Grant awards; (24) add $200,000 to the employer's share of health care benefits for retired City employees; (25) add $9,000 for Chinquapin Rec Center Saturday Youth Nights for Middle School students; (26) add $65,000 to enhance Therapeutic Recreation Mainstream programs; (27) add $400,000 to Contingent Reserves to be used for funding costs of school enrollment, if needed, if that enrollment exceeds the planned and budgeted 11,637 students; [Note: Although First Night is not a specific item, Council has stated its desire to have First Night appear before the Marketing Committee for its request for support, but if that is unsuccessful to return to Council.]; (28) delete $300,000 from the City Health Insurance contingent. Those savings are attributable to favorable contract negotiations with the City Health insurance carriers; and (29) delete $499,000 from the planned City subsidy of Metrobus and Metrorail for FY 2002. The decrease is attributable to higher than expected State transit and gas taxes received through the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. [Approve a deletion from the General Fund appropriation to the Schools due to lower VRS contribution rates in the amount of $1,100,000.] Those are all of the adds and deletes. The appropriation from Fund Balance is to make an appropriation from General Fund Balance necessary to balance the FY 2002 Budget, and that would be in the amount of $3,506,000. That would then result with the Manager's Fund Balance appropriation of total expenditures of $349,357,820 and a corresponding amount for revenues. That also includes a General Fund appropriation to the Alexandria City Public Schools of $107,269,189. Then to the adoption of the FY 2002 to FY 2007 Capital Improvement Program, that recommendation would be for the proposed five-year period a total of $197,306,214 with the following annual funding requirements: FY 2002 - $53,527,463; FY 2003 - $47,741,939; FY 2004 - $34,470,315; FY 2005 - $34,115,402; FY 2006 - $14,820,080; FY 2007 - $12,631,015. The voting was as follows:

Speck "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Eberwein "aye"
Donley "aye" Pepper "aye"
Woodson "aye"

3. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to establish the real estate and personal property tax rates for calendar year 2001. (#3 4/17/01; #19 3/27/00)

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 22, 2001, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 5/7/01, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.

Communications received on this item are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 3; 5/7/01, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council finally passed the ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Eberwein "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Woodson "aye"

The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 4196

AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 3-2-181 (LEVIED; AMOUNT) of Division 1 (REAL ESTATE), and Section 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), Section 3-2-222 (LEVIED ON MACHINERY AND TOOLS USED IN MINING OR MANUFACTURING BUSINESS; AMOUNT), Section 3-2-223 (LEVIED ON MOBILE HOMES; AMOUNT) and Section 3-2-224 (LEVIED ON AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, TRAILERS, SEMI-TRAILERS, ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES, TAXICABS, MOTORCYCLES, CAMPERS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS AND TRAILERS; AMOUNT) 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 2001 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 $1.11 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 2001 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 2001 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 2001 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 $1.11 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, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers; amount.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c) and (d), there shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 2001 on all automobiles, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, antique motor vehicles (as defined in section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, which may be used for general transportation purposes as provided in subsection C of section 46.2-730 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended), taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and boat 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.

(b) There shall be levied on and collected for the calendar year 2001 on all automobiles, trucks, trailers and semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more which are used to transport property for hire by a motor carrier engaged in interstate commerce, and are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city, are located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise have a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $4.50 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.

(c) There shall be levied on and collected for the calendar year 2001 on all automobiles and trucks which are equipped with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped and are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city, 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.

(d) There shall be levied on and collected for the calendar year 2001 on all privately owned pleasure boats and watercraft, which are used for recreational purposes only, and are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city, are located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise have a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $.01 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 this ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.


KERRY J. DONLEY
Mayor

Introduction: March 27, 2001
First Reading: March 27, 2001
Publication: March 29, 2001
Public Hearing: April 17, 2001
Second Reading: May 7, 2001
Final Passage: May 7, 2001
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New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley requested the City Manager to report back on the following:
City Manager Sunderland thanked the public, Members of Council, and the Members of the Budget staff for doing an excellent job on this year's budget.

City Manager Sunderland urged Council to let him know if it has any thoughts on the work sessions or the process for next year's budget process.
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THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilman Euille, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, at 8:10 p.m., the Special Meeting of Monday, May 7, 2001, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:

Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Eberwein "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Woodson "aye"
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APPROVED BY:


________________________________
KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR


ATTEST:


___________________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk




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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