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Office of the City Clerk
March 14, 2001

At 6:45 p.m., there was a reception for
the Technology Award Finalists, in the Vola
Lawson Lobby.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - - 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 Chaplain John Poffenberger of Good News Mission, Alexandria Jail.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, February 24, 2001; and

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, February 24, 2001; and (b) the Special Meeting of February 28, 2001, 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 12-16, 2001, as Alexandria Technology Achievement Week and Recognizing the Technology Achievement Award Finalists.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________




OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of March as Women's History Month in the City of Alexandria.

Mayor Donley announced that in the April issue of Ladies' Home Journal,Alexandria came in first for this year's Top 10 list of America's Best Cities for Women.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of March 12-18, 2001, to be Tall Cedars Week in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2001-2002 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2002-2007 (including the Schools CIP).

City Manager Sunderland presented his Budget Message.

General Discussion. Members of Council made comments and congratulated staff for doing a good job. Since this is a new Council, the resolution pertaining to the budget will be reintroduced at the March 27, 2001 legislative meeting.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (9-14) (23-24)

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

(a) Alexandria Commission on the Arts
James Wilhoit

(b) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
Nancy Turner Thompson

(c) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Edward Raynolds

(d) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
Linda Schaefer







REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee

(b) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

(c) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Student Member Attending High School in the City of Alexandria

(d) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Representative of the Business Community Nominated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

(e) Northern Virginia Regional Commission
1 Citizen Member

(f) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
1 Citizen Member

(g) Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
1 Representative From the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board

11. Consideration of Funding Allocation for Alexandria Christmas in April Program.

12. Consideration of Funding Allocation and Community Development Block Grant Program Amendment for a Rental Accessibility Modification Program (RAMP).

13. Receipt of the FY 2000 Annual Report of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

14. Consideration of Grant Application to the Foundation of the Alexandria Bar Association to Support the Commonwealth's Effort to Establish a Kid's Court School.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the consent calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) James Wilhoit from the Alexandria Commission on the Arts; (b) Nancy Turner Thompson from the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (c) Edward Raynolds from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; and (d) Linda Schaefer from the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; and requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

10. City Council: (a) appointed Kenneth Cohen as a Representative From the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (b) appointed John Renner as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (c) appointed Jessie Morales as a Student Member Attending High School in the City of Alexandria to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (d) appointed Joseph Shumard as a Representative of the Business Community Nominated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (e) appointed Robert Rapanut as a Citizen Member to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission; (f) appointed Paul Pattak as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission; and (g) reappointed Debra Zusman as a Representative From the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

11. City Council approved the request from Alexandria Christmas in April for $33,000 for the purchase of supplies and materials for the rehabilitation of eleven homes owned by low- and moderate-income households, and authorized the use of Housing Trust Fund monies for this purpose.

12. City Council: (1) approved the establishment of a Rental Accessibility Modification Program that would provide grant funds for the rehabilitation of rental housing units in Alexandria, expressly for increasing accessibility for tenants with disabilities residing in those rental units; (2) allocated $75,000 for this program, as follows:

AmountSourcePurpose
$60,000CDBG - Business Assistance
Loan Program		Design and construction of accessibility modifications
$15,000Housing Trust FundMini-grants for minimal modifications

(3) authorized the City Manager to submit the program amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to amend the current year CDBG program to include the activity in Recommendation #1, above.

13. City Council received the report and thanked the Board of Zoning Appeals for its efforts on behalf of the City.

14. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) approve the submission of a grant application to the Foundation of the Alexandria Bar Association for $1,500 in support of costs for the establishment of a Kid's Court School at the Alexandria Courthouse. No new positions will be created with these grant funds; and (2) execute all documents that may be required.

It should be noted that the grant application was due on March 6, 2001. Due to the constrained time line for grant submission, staff submitted the grant application contingent upon City Council approval at its March 13 legislative session.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

23. City Council: (1) introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading and set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, March 17, 2001; and (2) received the report on monetary and non-monetary donations to the City in FY 2001, and thanked the donors for their generosity to City programs.

24. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading and set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, March 17, 2001.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

15. Consideration of Re-Study of the Alternatives for an Eisenhower Avenue-Duke Street Connector.

General Discussion. Members of City Council, Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier, City Attorney Pessoa, and City Manager Sunderland participated in the discussion.

Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the resolution identified as attachment 2 to the City Manager's memorandum and expressed concern about being so specific in paragraph 2 with the phrase "a distance of approximately .61 miles."

Mayor Donley suggested that the language be deleted and added the following after Duke Street: "or other primary arterial."

Mayor Donley asked if the City could get a letter from VDOT that outlines what its understanding is.

Councilwoman Pepper also expressed concern with the language after "project" in the fourth line of the resolved clause.

City Manager Sunderland stated that staff will redo the resolution and suggested that Council adopt the resolution with the revisions suggested. He indicated that staff will put a cover letter along with the resolution that says that we have changed the .61 miles to make it more general, and it was adopted with the understanding and the intent that the word "project" refers only to project as defined in the second paragraph.

After considerable discussion, Councilwoman Woodson indicated she had spoken to City Attorney Pessoa, and she inserted the following after the word project: "as referenced in paragraph two of this resolution,".....

At this point, there was discussion on the resolution identified as attachment 1 to the City Manager's memorandum.

Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the composition of the task force and suggested that Seminary Hills Civic Association be included as another category here.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

With respect to the business and civic association representatives, Councilman Speck indicated that he would prefer that the language be defined in general categories as opposed to specific association representation. That's true on the business side as well as the community side. He asked that Council change the language to reflect the way Council has been trying to do in past resolutions that established task forces or committees.

City Council approved the City Manager's recommendation with the changes that were suggested by Councilman Speck for different language so that the groups are not quite identified as they currently are and staff will insert the appropriate language; and the City Manager will forward to VDOT the resolution with a letter that explains what Council's intent is; and (1) approved the City proceeding with its own re-study of the Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street Connector (Phase II of the Clermont Interchange Project) using City Urban Transportation funds; (2) adopted, as amended, the resolution creating an ad hoc Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street Connector Task Force to review the proposed alignment (Alternative 5) for the Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street connector that was endorsed by City Council in 1993, and to explore other feasible alternative connections between Telegraph Road and Van Dorn Street, as well as a no-build alternative, and to recommend to City Council the most desirable alternative [RES. NO. 1995]; and (3) adopted the resolution, as amended, in which the City: (a) requests the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to establish an urban system highway project for the Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street connector; (b) states that the City agrees to pay the City's share of the costs associated with the Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street project, if built; and (c) agrees that, should the City decide to cancel the project, it would reimburse VDOT for the total costs expended by VDOT for Phase II of the Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street connector project up to the date that it is notified of the project's cancellation by the City [RES. NO. 1996]. Mayor Donley and Councilwoman Pepper will be City Council's representatives on the Task Force, and will serve as co-chairs.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

16. Consideration of Funding for Improvements to the Alexandria Boys and Girls Clubs Facility at 401 North Payne Street.

Councilman Euille disclosed that he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and he does not have any financial interest in this project.

City Council: (1) approved the request from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington for $148,954 to fund final architectural, engineering, and construction costs for modifications to the facility at 401 North Payne Street to create a second floor emergency egress; (2) authorized the transfer of $148,954 in CDBG monies from the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program to fund the activity in Recommendation #1; and (3) authorized the City Manager to submit the program amendment to the U.S. Department of Hosing and Urban Development (HUD) to amend the current year CDBG program to include the activity in Recommendation #1.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________







REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

17. Consideration of Amendments to the List of Blighting Influences in Potomac East and Potomac West.

City Council: (1) approved the deletion of four properties from the currently approved List of Blighting Influences in Potomac East and Potomac West; and (2) authorized the City Manager to enter into contracts for the purchase of properties on the Blighting Influences List if it becomes necessary to acquire such properties because of the failure of the owners to comply with the program's guidelines.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

18. Consideration of Additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Funding for the Renovation of Hopkins House. Councilman Euille disclosed that he is a member of the Board of Directors of Hopkins House, and he does not have any financial interest in this project.

City Council: (1) approved $42,500 in additional funding to complete the renovation of Hopkins House; and (2) authorized the transfer of $42,500 in CDBG monies from the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program to fund the activity in Recommendation #1.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Board of Architectural Review

19. CASE BAR-2000-0171 -- 608 CAMERON STREET -- Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, on November 15, 2000, denying a request for approval of a permit to demolish portions of a dwelling located at 608 Cameron Street, zoned CD Commercial. Applicant and Appellant: Richard Clausen by Harry P. Hart, attorney. (#10 2/24/01; #36 12/16/00)

BOARD ACTION: Denied 4-3

City Council remanded this back to the Board of Architectural Review with instructions that the design have less mass, less height and less square footage.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. CASE BAR-2000-0172 -- 608 CAMERON STREET -- Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, on November 15, 2000, denying a request for approval of an addition at 608 Cameron Street, zoned CD Commercial. Applicant and Appellant: Richard Clausen by Harry P. Hart, attorney. (#11 2/24/01; #37 12/16/00)

BOARD ACTION: Denied 4-3

City Council remanded this back to the Board of Architectural Review with instructions that the design have less mass, less height and less square footage.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________



REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Board of Architectural Review (continued)

21. CASE BAR-2000-0296 -- 608 CAMERON STREET -- Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, on January 17, 2001, denying a request for approval of a permit to demolish portions of a building located at 608 Cameron Street, zoned CD Commercial. Applicant and Appellant: Richard Clausen by Daniel C. York. (#12 2/24/01)

BOARD ACTION: Denied 3-2

City Council upheld the decision of the Board of Architectural Review and denied the appeal.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. CASE BAR-2000-0297 -- 608 CAMERON STREET -- Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, on January 17, 2001, denying a request for approval of an addition at 608 Cameron Street, zoned CD Commercial. Applicant and Appellant: Richard Clausen by Daniel C. York. (#13 2/24/01)

BOARD ACTION: Denied 3-2

City Council upheld the decision of the Board of Architectural Review and denied the appeal.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Eberwein made positive comments regarding Superintendent Berg's tenure. She wished Dr. Berg well and noted that he will be missed.

(b) Councilwoman Eberwein announced the initiation of new and expanded bus service from the City of Alexandria to Crystal City via the Potomac Yard Retail Center and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The new route, Metrobus 10P, will begin at Braddock Road Metro Station and use Mount Vernon Avenue and South Glebe Road to access the Potomac Yard Retail Center. Metrobus 11P will be restructured so that it too will provide service to Potomac Yard from Hunting Towers and use the George Washington Parkway, Slaters Lane, and Route 1 to access the Potomac Yard Retail Center.

(c) Councilwoman Woodson reported that the Affordable Housing Task Force will be providing a report at the next legislative meeting.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper thanked Councilman Euille for his pledge of $5000 towards building the new animal shelter. She noted that she won $500 from the Optimist Dinner and matched that herself and she will be donating $1000 towards the new animal shelter fund.





ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(e) Councilman Euille congratulated T.C. Williams High School Boys Basketball Team on its recent win in the Northern Virginia quarterfinals. They will be playing in the Group AAA State Semifinals against Salem on Thursday, March 15, in Lynchburg.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (23-24)

23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to make supplemental appropriations for the support of the government of the City of Alexandria for fiscal year 2001.

24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to incorporate the Water Quality Management Supplement as a chapter of the 1992 Master Plan of the City of Alexandria, Virginia (1998 ed.).

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council introduced and passed the Ordinances on their first reading, set them for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, March 17, 2001.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

25. Consideration of a Resolution to accept the dedication of land at the intersection of Ruffner Road and Timber Branch Parkway, in connection with the relocation of a fence on the property of the Ivy Hill Cemetery. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution to accept the dedication. RES. NO. 1997
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Consideration of School Board's Proposed Joint Resolution to Deed Land at Potomac Yard for Future Use as a School Site. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council deferred this item with the request that the City/Schools Subcommittee work out some language that reflects the recording of deeds, signage and any other designations that would identify this as a potential future site for a school.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________












OTHER

27. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council received the updated calendar and noted the additions as follows: (1) Tuesday, March 27, City Council work session with Congressman James Moran at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom, before Council's regular meeting; (2) Tuesday, April 24, City Council work session to discuss the JobLink program, the Metro Tech grant and the youth employment program at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom, before Council's regular meeting; (3) Wednesday, June 6, Special City Council work session to discuss plans for Windmill Hill Park at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; (4) Tuesday, June 12, City Council Work Session on Assisted Living for low-income seniors at 6:00 p.m. before the legislative meeting; and (5) Saturday, June 23, Open Space Summit from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lee Center.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

28. Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

City Council reappointed Candace Lightner as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

29. Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Member From and Representing the INOVA Visiting Nurses Association Home Health

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Frances Krizan as a Member from and Representing the INOVA Visiting Nurses Association Home Health to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

30. Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council
1 Representative of the Alexandria Medical Society Who Has Privileges at INOVA Alexandria Hospital

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Martin Brown as a Representative of the Alexandria Medical Society Who Has Privileges at INOVA Alexandria Hospital to the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

31. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Citizen-at-Large

City Council appointed Laura Hilden as a Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________







CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

32. Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee
1 Representative of A Community Group

City Council reappointed Bernard Kellom, Jr. as a Representative of a Community Group to the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

33. Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Non-Health Professional Member

City Council appointed Richard Merritt as a Non-Health Professional Member to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 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 3/05/2001
CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ON
CHANNEL 11

MARCH 2001



C March 6, Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m. - Live

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

C March 13, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 16, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay

C March 17, City Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. - Live

C March 21, Board of Architectural Review - Old & Historic District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 24, City Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. - Replay

C March 27, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 28, Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 29, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay

This Schedule is Subject to Change