Action Docket for Regular Meeting (01/09/2001)

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Office of the City Clerk
January 10, 2001

There will be a Work Session
with the Traffic and Parking Board
at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Workroom.

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 9, 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 Deputy City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Stuart D. Broberg, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of November 18, 2000;

(b) The Regular Meeting of November 28, 2000;

(c) The Regular Meeting of December 12, 2000; and

(d) The Public Hearing Meeting of December 16, 2000.

City Council approved the minutes for (c) the Regular Meeting of December 12, 2000, as submitted; and deferred to Saturday, January 13, for some minor edits: (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of November 18, 2000; (b) the Regular Meeting of November 28, 2000; and (d) the Public Hearing Meeting of December 16, 2000.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

4. Report of the City Clerk.

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

5. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the T.C. Williams High School Cheerleaders.

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

6. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the T.C. Williams High School Marching Band, Color Guard, and Jazz Band.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of a Proclamation Proclaiming January 15, 2001, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

8. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring the Beverley Hills Garden Club and the Alexandria Council of Garden Clubs for Funds, and for Creating the Wreaths at City Hall.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Presentation of a Proclamation of Appreciation to the Owens Family from Falls Church for the Donation of a Tree for This Year's Tree Lighting at Market Square.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-19) (21-24)

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

(a) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
Cynthia Maloney

(b) Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee
Thomas Freeman

(c) Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board
Charles Gregory Eden

(d) Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission
Charles Gregory Eden

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Citizen-at-Large

(b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(c) Alexandria Beautification Commission
2 Citizen Members

(d) Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Representative of A Supportive Service Provider

(e) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Member From and Representing the Alexandria Public Health
Advisory Commission

(f) Alexandria Community Services Board
1 Citizen Member

(g) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Intergovernmental Relations

1 Member From the Field of Urban Planning

(h) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association

(i) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission on Persons
With Disabilities

(j) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Tenant Member

(k) Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
1 Member From Planning District III

(l) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
3 Citizen Members

12. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Funding "The Eisenhower Greenway Project," Phase 1 of The Eisenhower Avenue Multi-Use Trail Enhancement Project, Through the Transportation Equity Act Program.

13. Consideration of the Spring 2001 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program for Two Areas of the City.

14. Consideration of the FY 2000 Annual Report from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.

15. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for Funding for Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site.

16. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for Funding for Gadsby's Tavern Museum.

17. Receipt of Annual Reports from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

18. Receipt of Annual Report from the Public Records Advisory Commission

19. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending November 30, 2000.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

10. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Cynthia Maloney from the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (b) Thomas Freeman from the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee; and (c-d) Charles Gregory Eden from the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board and the Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission; requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

11. City Council (a) appointed Billy Carlile as a Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (b) reappointed Marsha Oshima as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) reappointed Mary Hurlbut Seith and Chris Von Schoening as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (d) reappointed Anita Baker as a Representative of a Supportive Service Provider to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (e) appointed Deborah Bombard as a Member from and Representing the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (f) appointed Christopher Venner as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Community Services Board; (g) reappointed Douglas MacMillan as a Member from the Field of Intergovernmental Relations and Molly Theobald as a Member from the Field of Urban Planning to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (h) reappointed Elaine Johnston as a Representative from the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (i) reappointed Chester Avery as a Representative from the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; (j) reappointed Debra Zusman as a Tenant Member to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; (k) reappointed Joanne Tomasello as a Member from Planning District III to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission; and (l) reappointed Tatyana Schriempf and appointed Kenneth Cohen and Stephen Hunnius as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.

12. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation in the amount of $667,644, for "The Eisenhower Greenway Project," Phase I of the Eisenhower Avenue Multi-Use Trail Enhancement Project, through the Transportation Enhancement Program; and (2) execute all documents that may be required.

13. City Council scheduled the proposed 2001 gypsy moth suppression program for public hearing on Saturday, January 13.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

14. City Council received the Annual Report from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission, and thanked the Commission for its efforts on behalf of the City.

15. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) approve the submission of a General Operating Support Program grant application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the amount of $56,676 for the computerization of the museum's library holdings, to evaluate current museum programs and develop new programs; and (2) approve the establishment of one part-time (0.75 FTE) Curator I position to administer the grant-funded activities should the grant be awarded. This grant-funded position would terminate upon the expiration of the grant and the individual who would fill this position would be notified of this condition of employment at the time of hiring and would sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition. It should be noted that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended; and (3) execute all documents that may be required.

16. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) approve the submission of a General Operating Support Program grant application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the amount of $85,970; and (2) approve the use of IMLS grant funds, if awarded, for funding the part-time Curator I (.75 FTE) and the part-time Museum Aide II (.75 FTE) for the duration of the grant. These positions are currently funded by revenues produced through program activities at the museum. The grant funds are being requested to continue the work on care of collections and to plan and execute education programs. In the event the grant is not awarded, these two positions would continue to be funded through revenues; and (3) execute all documents that may be required.

17. City Council received the reports of the Alexandria Archaeological Commission and thanked the Commission for their efforts on behalf of the City.

18. City Council received the report of the Public Records Advisory Commission and thanked the Commission for their efforts on behalf of the City.

19. City Council received the report.

21. City Council received the Viewers' Report.

22. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 13, 2001.

23. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 13, 2001.

24. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 13, 2001.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

20. Receipt of the Interim Report of the Potomac West Task Force.

Councilman Euille inquired into the status the staff position for which funds were appropriated to plan and work with communities in the City.

Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Ross explained that Mr. Cox has been able to do a lot of work with Safeway and East Reed because part of what Council funded last year was the increase from a part-time to a full-time landscape architect who has worked with both groups as well as assisting Al in some of his other work. The second funded position for this type of work was a full-time architect, and they are in the process of hiring that person.

Councilwoman Eberwein asked about using CDBG funds to fast track some of the suggestions for this kind of project.

The City Manager responded that the City spent down a considerable accumulation of CDBG money last year. One of items going into this task was that the idea that the City was contributing three forms of value to the ultimate project: (1) staff work, (2) zoning modifications will be contributed when a plan is finally developed, and (3) if there are infrastructure items that we can handle, CDBG or other money will be contributed.

City Council received the report of the Task Force and thanked the members of the Task Force for their ongoing work on behalf of the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Euille conveyed to Council for Lillie Finklea, on behalf of the Friends of Freedmen's Cemetery, their thanks for the City Council's support to save the Freedmen's Cemetery.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper addressed her concerns about there being no First Night Alexandria New Years celebration this past year and urged volunteers to call David Martin, president of First Night Alexandria, to help in efforts for raising funds to ensure the continuation of First Night in Alexandria. She added that we also need to involve the Commission for the Arts and our Convention and Visitors Center staff.

Vice Mayor Cleveland stated that other jurisdictions contribute up-front funds to these celebrations, and he would like to work this out during the budget process this year.

(c) Councilwoman Woodson spoke to honor one of Alexandria's fallen youth, Krista Thornhill, who passed away just before the new year.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(d) Councilman Speck announced that Joan Gaskins has been named Washingtonian of the Year by The Washingtonian magazine, and he asked the Clerk to get with the City Manager's staff and invite Ms. Gaskins to be at a Council Meeting subsequently to be publically acknowledged for her accomplishments, the good things she's done for the City and the way she's represented Alexandria.

(e) Councilman Speck requested an update on the meeting held last week with CSX regarding the King Street underpass.

The City Manager gave a status report on the meeting with the Mayor, representatives of CSX and Congressman Moran. CSX has committed to pay, after the City's receipt of grant funds for the project, about half the remaining costs if the City will pay half.

(f) Mayor Donley congratulated the Alexandria Sheriff's office for being reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and asked the City Clerk to prepare a letter of congratulations from the City Council for the achievement of reaccreditation by COLEA and also to recognize the Sheriff's Department for their professionalism and their commitment to excellence.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (21-24)

21. Receipt of Viewers Report for a request for vacation of the public rights-of-way and easements which comprise access roads in the KMS townhouse subdivision; zoned RA/Residential. Applicant: City of Alexandria. (#21 11/18/00; VACATION #2000-0004)

22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to vacate public street rights-of-way and easements which comprise access roads in the KMS Townhouse development, along Van Dorn, Vail, Terrill and N. Pelham Streets, and Richenbacher Avenue.

23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the provisions of Title 3 of the City Code which establish real estate tax exemptions and deferrals for elderly or permanently disabled persons, to change the manner in which the maximum exemption is determined, and to change the income limits for total and partial exemptions and deferrals.

24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to vacate a portion of the public street and alley right-of-way adjacent to 930 South Saint Asaph Street.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council introduced and passed the Ordinances on their First Readings; set them for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 13, 2001.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Reading of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement No. 23 to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, as amended, and to provide for the repeal of ordinances not included therein, except those saved from repeal by this ordinance, and for other purposes. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 4181
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

26. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

The City Manager will get to Council a permanent schedule of committee meetings taking place on February 1 during VML Day; however, the schedules may be altered at the last minute.

Councilman Speck announced that he will out of town and will not be able to attend the February 13, 2001 Legislative Meeting.

Councilman Euille will be out of town and will not attend the February 24, 2001 Public Hearing Meeting.

City Council adopted the City Council Schedule, as amended: (1) scheduled a work session with representatives of the Virginia-American Water Company to discuss its infrastructure and capital improvement plans at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, before Council's regular legislative meeting; (2) scheduled the annual meeting of the Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, immediately after the work session with the representatives of the Virginia-American Water Company; (3) added to the Council Calendar the following events: (a) Thursday, January 18, the Alexandria City Student Forum on Race and Culture, a Call to Community Initiative, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, located at 905 Wythe Street; and (b) Tuesday, March 6, the City of Alexandria's Annual Employee Service Awards Program at 5:00 p.m. at the Lee Center, located at 1108 Jefferson Street; (4) noted that this year's Virginia Municipal League Legislative Day, which will be held on Thursday, February 1, will begin at noon with a brief meeting at the Marriott Hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is being left open so that local officials will be able to meet with legislators and attend General Assembly Committee meetings. There will be no reception this year, but the City will host a dinner with Alexandria's Legislative Delegation at 6:00 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel; and (5) moved the public hearing meeting of April 14 to April 21, 2001.

New Business Item #1. Councilwoman Eberwein brought up that she heard that Virginia-American Water Company is determining whether they need to keep the reservoir on Duke Street in service, and she wanted the City to talk to them about using those four acres for recreational uses. If the reservoir is retained and they cover it, there might be some ability to apply some funding to it which could allow us to have some use of the land above it.

Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier responded that Virginia-American Water Company does have an ongoing engineering analysis and report which isn't complete yet. They are doing a structural engineering review.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

27. Alexandria Building Code Board of Appeals
1 Citizen Member

City Council reappointed Thomas Downey as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Building Code Board of Appeals.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

28. Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Member From and Representing the Alexandria Redevelopment and
Housing Authority

Councilwoman Woodson posed questions to Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions Boyd pertaining to process.

City Council deferred this appointment.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

29. Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Anand Chokkavelu as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

30. Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
1 Member-at-Large

City Council appointed Darius Ligon as a Member-at-Large to the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

31. Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments
1 Citizen Member

City Council reappointed Andrea Dimond as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

32. Alexandria Sanitation Authority
2 Citizen Members

City Council reappointed F. Ellen Pickering and appointed Thomas Van Wagner as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Sanitation Authority.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

33. Consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating strategy of the City, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(3), and consultation with legal counsel with respect to such acquisition, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-342(A)(7).

The Executive Session was not held.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 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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