Back to FY Dockets

Office of the City Clerk
September 26, 2001

There was a work session to discuss
the United Way subcommittee report, "Living
from Paycheck to Paycheck" at 6:00 p.m. in
the Council Workroom.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - - 7:30 p.m.


* * * * *

OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Donley and the Deputy City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present, with Vice Mayor Cleveland arriving at 8:30 p.m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Carla E. Thompson, Rector, Meade Memorial Episcopal Church.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(b) The Public Hearing Meeting of September 15, 2001.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Special Meeting of September 15, 2001 [in lieu of the Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001], and the Public Hearing Meeting of September 15, 2001, as submitted.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

4. Report of the City Clerk.

City Council received the report of the City Clerk.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

Councilwoman Pepper introduced some of the members of the T.C. Williams student council and commended them for their meaningful contribution in response to the September 11 tragedy. The students have raised over $3600 for the Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund by organizing a coin drive and ribbon sales. The Titans have proved they are proud to be Americans.

Vice Mayor Euille brought up an article in The Washington Post Style section of last Thursday, September 20, on perspectives from youth entitled "My Generation Growing Old Before We really Grew Up." There was a very touching article by a senior at T.C. Williams, Tyler Randolph Boyd, entitled "In a Moment Minds Can Be Changed," a reflection of what happened on September 11, and he encouraged everyone to read it.

Councilwoman Eberwein recognized four other schools, though there may be others: Jefferson-Houston School for Arts and Academics, John Adams Elementary and Charles Barrett, which are also holding penny drives for the elementary school children to raise money for the Red Cross; and G.W. 8th graders organized a car wash, and they raised $1239 for the Red Cross.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

5. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

6. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring Saturday, October 6, 2001, as Art on The Avenue Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Reaffirming Commitment to Racial Equality and Justice in the City.

Mayor Donley presented the proclamation stating that City Council is going to use every opportunity over the next few months to talk about our tolerance and celebration of diversity as an asset in this community and in this nation. Council firmly believes that in these times, given the particular events of September 11, that we need to, as leaders in the community, set the tone for what has to occur in this country because it has to start with us. The kind of violence and discrimination against individuals will not be tolerated in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (8-12)

Without Objection, City Council removed docket item nos. 11 and 12 from the Consent Calendar and considered them under separate motions.

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

(a) Alexandria Commission on Aging
Charles L. Cox

9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
1 Professional Skilled in Architecture

2 Members Representing the Potomac Yard Area

3 Representatives of Residential Neighborhoods and the Business
Community

(b) District Home Board
1 Representative From the City of Alexandria

(c) Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
1 Citizen Member

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

1 Non-Health Professional Member

10. Receipt of Financial Report for the Period Ending August 31, 2001.

11. Authorization of Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expenditures.

12. Receipt of Annual Committee Attendance Report.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council adopted the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 11 and 12 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

8. City Council received the following resignation with regret: (a) Charles L. Cox from the Alexandria Commission on Aging; requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letter of appreciation and to advertise the vacancy in the usual manner.


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

9. City Council (a) appointed Raphael Semmes as a Professional Skilled in Architecture, William Hendrickson and Stephanie Sechrist as Members Representing the Potomac Yard Area, and Peter Collard, Jr., Boyd Walker and Maria Wasowski as Representatives of Residential Neighborhoods and the Business Community to the Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Robert Eiffert as a Representative from the City of Alexandria to the District Home Board; (c) reappointed William Dickinson, II as a Citizen Member to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority; and (d) reappointed Deborah Bombard as a Health Professional Member and Richard Merritt as a Non-Health Professional Member to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.

10. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending August 31, 2001.

11. Councilwoman Eberwein removed this item from the consent calendar to inquire about the allocations for the Public Safety Building. General Services Director Mandley responded to her concerns. He participated in the discussion with Councilwoman Eberwein and Councilman Euille, as did the City Manager.

City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary.

12. Councilman Speck removed this item from the consent calendar to raise his concern about the number of appointed positions remaining vacant for long periods of time when members don't attend meetings and if there is a mechanism to flag that person for replacement before a year goes by. Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions Boyd explained that the requests to vacate appointments which Council sees on its docket during the year are a result of requests from the board chair or staff.

Councilwoman Woodson participated in the discussion, raising her concerns that these were contested appointments and when these appointees do not attend meetings, that leaves many interested citizens who apply and are not appointed to give up; and about the number of boards which did not submit attendance reports.

Mayor Donley directed the City Clerk to draft a letter for his signature to those board chairs who have not submitted their annual attendance reports, giving them until October 15 to submit them. This item will come back to Council at the second legislative meeting in October. He announced that this will be an annual practice of the Mayor to communicate with Council's appointees when they fail to submit their reports.

City Council: (1) received the report; (2) vacated the 17 positions listed on pages one and two of the report; and (3) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

13. Consideration of Report of the Community Partnership Fund for Human Services Recommended Priorities for the FY 2003 Competitive Grant Cycle. (#15 9/15/01sm; #17 9/15/01phm)

Councilman Euille stated that in light of the present economic situation, the committee reviewing these grants should be open-minded and provide some flexibility to ensure that those organizations that do apply if they have specificity to a particular type of program that that be taken into consideration as opposed to concluding that perhaps this is outside the purview of the requirements for the grant cycle.

City Council approved maintaining the priorities that have served the Community Partnership Fund in the past year for the FY 2003 competitive grant cycle.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

14. Consideration of Staff Recommendation on Brenman Park Drive in Ben Brenman Park.

Vice Mayor Cleveland arrived during discussion of this item.

Members of Council participated in discussion with the City Manager and Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier.

City Council: (1) received the report, which includes a preliminary recommendation that Brenman Park Drive continue in its current configuration as a two-way road open to vehicular traffic; and (2) requested the City Manager (a) to obtain the views of the Cameron Station Civic Association, the Cameron Station Community Association and the Park and Recreation Commission on the report, and (b) provide a supplemental report at the second legislative meeting in November that addresses any issues raised by the associations and contains a final recommendation on whether Brenman Park Drive should continue in its current configuration as a two-way road open to vehicular traffic.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

15. Report on the City's Response and How it Will Assist Following the Attack on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.

Presentations were made to Council from Human Services Director O'Regan, Assistant City Manager Jinks, Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association Director Mitchell, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce President Moore, and Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Executive Director Riley. These individuals answered questions and participated in an extensive discussion.

The reports included: (1) Discussion on how the City, the state and federal governments, as well as the private sector, are responding in (a) the human services and financial support areas (unemployment compensation, disaster unemployment assistance), and (b) how citizens can respond; (2) Economic Impact on Alexandria; (3) Virginia Post-Attack Economic Response Task Force; (4) Resolution related to the reopening of Ronald Reagan National Airport; (5) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA) plan of action; and (6) Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) plan of action (including discussion of SBA business loan program).


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

Councilman Euille requested that no later than the first of the year that staff needs to report back to City Council on the financial impacts to the City so the budget can be adjusted as necessary.

Councilwomen Woodson and Pepper volunteered to serve as the City Council coordinators/liaisons in this effort, if needed.

City Council received the report, thanked the Alexandria community for its generosity to date, and encouraged the continued support of those in need in our community.

City Council adopted the resolution. RES. NO. 2007
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

City Council considered docket items no. 16 and 17 together and under one motion.

16. Board of Architectural Review
Old and Historic Alexandria District

Public Hearing on and Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, on July 18, 2001, denying a request for re-approval of a permit to demolish portions of a dwelling at 105 Quay Street, zoned RM Residential. APPLICANT: Arnold Fink & Barbara Palmer APPELLANT: Arnold B. Fink. [CASE BAR2001-120] (#21 9/15/01sm)

17. Public Hearing on and Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, on July 18, 2001, denying portions of a request for re-approval of alterations to be made to the dwelling at 105 Quay Street, zoned RM Residential. APPLICANT: Arnold Fink & Barbara Palmer. APPELLANT: Arnold B. Fink. [CASE BAR2001-121] (#22 9/15/01sm)

Board Action: Approved portions, denied portions, 3-2

City Council upheld the appeals of the applicant and overturned the Board of Architectural Review.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper stated that she represents Council on the Council of Governments' Part One Fifty Study Advisory Committee to make recommendations on measures that would mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on nearby residential communities. They have suspended this committee, and it is not functioning at this time.


REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(b) Councilwoman Eberwein reported that the Alexandria Seaport Foundation has withdrawn its proposal with regard to the park on the waterfront at Windmill Hill. She stated that the Waterfront Committee met this morning where three plans were distributed, and she asked that the City Manager get them to Council. She expressed concern that with this withdrawal, some of the elements that Council tasked the task force to look at perhaps have fallen by the wayside. Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Director Whitmore responded to these concerns, and there was discussion of the educational component. City Council will let the process run its course.

Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Speck reported there have been some very thoughtful letters in the newspaper about King Street Park, and he stressed there is no proposal to demolish the sculpture, and there has never been any suggestion that the bricks be removed. The purpose of the public hearing in October is to invite people from the community on both sides of the issue to comment on what they like or dislike about the completed project to give Council some rationale for a definitive decision about what to do further. Staff was requested to carefully craft the wording for this docket item to make this a positive and constructive exercise.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper acknowledged the gift of $1000 that Vice Mayor Euille has contributed in honor of Council to the Project Discovery which has its Sixth Annual Walk for the Future this Saturday, September 29.

(c) Councilwoman Pepper announced there has been some comment about the water in the west end tasting musty. The Virginia-American Water Company explained to her that in the process of the "reservoir turnover" where
the water on the top and the water on the bottom shift, you get musty water.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper reported that the "Cop in the Box" isn't always at the 10 designated intersections from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. when officers are to patrol to keep cars from blocking traffic. She would also like to see Quaker Lane and Duke Street have a police officer at that intersection.

(e) Councilwoman Pepper brought up that the City's red light photo enforcement program is different from San Diego's program where a judge threw out 300 photo red light tickets on the grounds that police there had misused the services of the company processing the citations by paying a percentage of the fines. Alexandria does use the same company; however, we pay a firm fee and a police officer reviews the charges.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(f) Councilwoman Eberwein noted that she continues to receive complaints about dogs running at large in parks. People are becoming afraid to use the parks and have stopped reporting violations because they see no enforcement by the City. She asked that staff come back to Council and look at better enforcement. A substantial increase in the amount of the fine might be effective.

Mayor Donley and the City Manager participated in the discussion. Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Director Whitmore reported that there is a draft citation ready for City Manager approval, and seven Park and Recreation staff have been trained. Once those employees have been empowered to issue citations, this should help with enforcement in the parks. The City Attorney stated that the City's fine is a civil violation and fines can be raised if desired.

(g) Vice Mayor Cleveland apologized for his being late and to please bear with him.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

18. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 12-12-2 of the City Code to adopt an amendment to conform to the comprehensive services act regarding private provider membership on the Alexandria community policy and management team. (#24 9/15/01sm; #22 9/15/01phm) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council finally passed the Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. ORD. NO. 4219
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

19. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council: (1) received the updated calendar which includes the following events: Wednesday, October 10, Walk to Fight Breast Cancer Sponsor Appreciation breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Campagna Center, 418 South Washington Street; Sunday, October 14 - Tuesday, October 16, Annual Virginia Municipal League Conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Monday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m., the T.C. Williams High School Commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the State Championship and celebrating integration at T.C. Williams High School; and (2) confirmed that Council's annual retreat will be held on Saturday, November 3, a one-day event, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Catherine Lodge at the Winkler Botanical Preserve.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

None

EXECUTIVE SESSION

20. Consideration of The Convening of an Executive Session to Discuss Personnel Matters Pertaining to a Settlement of a Worker's Compensation Claim, Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(7).

At 10:47 p.m., City Council convened an executive session pursuant to Section 2.1-344(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel concerning a claim pending before the Virginia Worker's Compensation Commission, styled Flynn v. City of Alexandria.

At 10:55 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the Worker's Compensation Claim which was the subject of the executive session, along the lines discussed with City Council.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session.
RES. NO. 2008
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 p.m..

This docket is subject to change.

* * * * *

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.
* * * * *

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.
* * * * *