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Office of the City Clerk
March 28, 2001

The 6:00 p.m. Work Session
with Congressman James P. Moran in
the Council Workroom was canceled.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 27, 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 Rabbi Jonathan Baitch, Beth El Hebrew Congregation.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Regular Meeting of March 13, 2001; and

(b) The Public Hearing Meeting of March 17, 2001.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Regular Meeting of March 13, 2001; and (b) the Public Hearing Meeting of March 17, 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 Recognizing Sunday, April 15 through Sunday, April 22, 2001, as Days of Remembrance.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

6. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Public Health Advisory Commission.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (8-15) (19-20)

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
John S. Roberts
Esther White

(b) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Nancy M. Pomerleau

(c) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
Ludwig P. Gaines

(d) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
Ludwig P. Gaines

9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Financial Professional With Knowledge and Experience
In the Field of Finance as It Relates to Residential Housing

(b) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member-at-Large

(c) Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Citizen Member

(d) Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team
1 Parent Representative Who Is Not An Employee of Any
Public or Private Program Which Receives Funds From the
Comprehensive Services Act

(e) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Citizen Member

(f) Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission
5 Members From the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board

10. Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application of the Virginia Commission for the Arts for Funds for a Local Government Challenge Grant for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

11. Receipt of the City's Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending February 28, 2001.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. Consideration of Authorization of Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expenditures.

13. Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application for the Summer Food Service Program for Children.

14. Consideration of Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year License Agreement with the Potomac Riverboat Company for Use of Commercial Berth 7 at the City Marina.

15. Receipt of the FY 2000 Annual Report of the Economic Opportunities Commission.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

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

8. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) John S. Roberts and Esther White from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) Nancy M. Pomerleau from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (c) Ludwig P. Gaines from the Alexandria Human Rights Commission and (d) from the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; 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.

9. City Council: (a) appointed Amy Rose as a Financial Professional With Knowledge and Experience In the Field of Finance as It Relates to Residential Housing to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) reappointed Pete Petersen as a Member-at-Large to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (c) reappointed Margaret Neustadt as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (d) application withdrawn; (e) appointed Kelleen Griffin as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; and (f) appointed Rolando Gonzales and Tom Walczykowski and reappointed Thomas Johnson, Lawrence Ruggiero and Converse West as Members From the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board to the Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission.

10. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application, in the amount of $5,000, to the Virginia Commission for the Arts' Local Government Challenge grant program (Attachment #1 to the City Manager's memorandum); and (2) execute all necessary documents that may be required (Attachment #2 to the City Manager's memorandum).

11. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 2001.

12. City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary (Attachment 1 to the City Manager's memorandum).



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

13. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit the grant application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its continuation funding, in the amount of $105,000 in estimated program income; and (2) execute all necessary documents that may be required.

14. City Council approved and authorized the City Manager to execute a five-year license agreement with the Potomac Riverboat Company allowing it to berth a vessel at Commercial Berth 7 at the City Marina (Attachment #2 to the City Manager's memorandum). The execution of the license agreement by the City Manager shall constitute conclusive evidence of his approval, and that of the City Attorney, of any and all changes from the license agreement, in the form presented to Council.

15. City Council received the Annual Report, which covers the activities of the Economic Opportunities Commission from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2000, and thanked the Commission for their work on behalf of low-income residents of the City.

19. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading, set it for public hearing on Tuesday, April 17, 2001, and for second reading and final passage on Monday, May 7, 2001.

20. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading and set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Tuesday, April 10, 2001.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

16. Consideration of the Proposed Scope of Work for the Planned Study of Possible Locations for a New Visitors Center. (#8 3/17/01; #16 2/28/01)

Councilwoman Pepper directed questions to the City Manager on the docket memorandum and requested that the source of capital funds as stated on page 2 be clarified to better reflect that this money is available in a prior appropriation marked for visitors center development. She asked that at least one representative from the Federation of Civic Associations be added to the interview panel and to work with the consultant because of its broad representation.

Mayor Donley was concerned that this is a procurement process and appointing citizens to procurement panels is a bad precedent and slows down the process. City Attorney Pessoa stated that the procurement contract is signed by Jack Pitzer, the procurement officer, and if Council wished to appoint citizens to the advisory panel they could do so. It does raise policy implications for other procurement issues; however, there would not be a legal impediment.

Councilwoman Woodson stated that perhaps it's not so much needed as a procurement tool but in the continued advice provision. Councilwoman Pepper agreed that she wants ongoing input.

Members of City Council and the City Manager participated in an extensive discussion on the scope of the work.

16. (continued)

The City Manager will make changes in the document to reflect removing the assumption that Ramsay House will stay and to ask the consultant to come back and tell us: Ramsay only, Ramsay plus another location, or no Ramsay and another location. A number of changes may need to be made in the document

City Council moved approval of the RFP as presented by the City Manager as amended with the changes to clarify the language in II.C with regard to the number of meetings and asking the consultant to give Council a range of prices for the cost of additional meetings, and with the language in I.B.5 to add after the word "improving" at the end of the last sentence, "or discontinuing" so that it now reads: "as well as suggestions for improving or discontinuing service", and that I.C.4 be adjusted by deleting the language "(in addition to the current Ramsay House location in Old Town)" so that it is not predetermined that Ramsay House would continue and that the consultant be given the freedom to relook at the entire scope of the visitors center facilities within the City, with clarifying language by the City Manager.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Comprehensive Transportation Policy and Program for the City.

Councilwoman Woodson directed questions to Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier and City Manger Sunderland participated in the discussion.

Councilwoman Eberwein brought up the highest and best use of our Metro stations and requested a heavier emphasis on planning goals in Phase I with regard to Metro. The Members of City Council and Mr. Baier participated in the discussion on transit issues.


Councilman Euille raised his concern about the long implementation time of 2005, and he hoped that normal transportation initiatives will continue to be handled routinely without compromising the final comprehensive plan. Councilman Euille restated his recent suggestion that Council avail itself more of the Traffic and Parking Board on traffic and transportation concerns.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier reassured Council that all transportation projects would not be on hold until 2005. He explained that some of the very major programs will have to be prioritized through a very extensive process; however, programs such as the traffic calming program, expansion of the red light camera program, the countdown pedestrian signals and others are going to be developed and come forward over the next couple of years.

City Council: (1) received the memorandum of the City Manager dated March 22, 2001, and scheduled for public hearing on Saturday, April 21, 2001, the question whether the City should develop a comprehensive transportation policy and program, as proposed in the memorandum; and (2) at the conclusion of the public hearing, endorse the concept of, and authorize staff to proceed with the development of, a comprehensive transportation policy and program for the City, as proposed in the memorandum.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________





REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

18. Report from the Historic Alexandria Long Range Planning Committee.

City Council: (1) received the report of the Long-Range Planning Committee and thanked the members of the Committee for their efforts on behalf of the City; and (2) referred the report to staff for an analysis of the recommendations included in the report, and requested that staff return to Council with its analysis in the fall.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Donley thanked Council Members Woodson, Pepper, Euille and Eberwein along with the City Manager for their attendance at the successful Affordable Housing conference put on by the Washington Area Housing Partnership and COG. The economic analysis and the projections that Dr. Stephen Fuller made were intriguing. He described our affordable housing problem as one of supply and demand.

(b) Mayor Donley announced that there will be a change in the docket format to include a new section other than Oral Presentations for Council Members to report on their outside activities and to share information with each other, staff and citizens to bring more meaning to some of Council Members' outside roles.

(c) Councilwoman Woodson gave an update on the Affordable Housing Task Force on which she and Councilman Euille are working. The Task Force has met at least five times with members of the community, staff, and ARHA and it has been a very public process. The overall problems are not so easily solved and we will be working both locally and regionally. The Housing Summit is May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Task Force will be presenting at that time its findings. Everyone should come prepared to work to come up with solutions. This will not be a forum for testimony but will be a working session.

(d) Councilman Euille advised that the Housing Summit on May 19 is to be a working session and will come down to public commitment and political will in terms of how we end up resolving the situation in Alexandria.

(e) Councilman Euille has been attending a number of youth activities in the City within the past ten days. These are excellent programs with performances by our youth in our recreation centers and schools. Our youth have a lot of talent, and we need to expand the opportunities for a cultural arts programs for our kids to express themselves in a positive way.

(f) Councilman Euille announced that the Metro system celebrated its 25th anniversary yesterday, and there will be a month-long celebration taking place. Councilman Euille distributed copies of the commemorative book, Metro at 25, which is on sale for $14.99. There will be a big celebration program on March 30 at 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the National Museum in Washington. He reported that there are over 600,000 riders a day and that Metro will meet its ten-year projections within three years. The system needs to be expanded.


ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(g) Councilman Euille stated that he will be visiting parts of the City with Rich Baier to look at the signage, lighting, and infrastructure. He brought up his concern about the lack of cooperation from Dominion Power which has responsibility for maintaining our public street lights. On the right-hand side of the Monroe Avenue Bridge every single light is burned out and this is a City-wide problem which he wants Council to address.

City Manager Sunderland reported they have been working with Dominion Power, and Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier thinks things are getting better. He has been meeting with Mr. Conde, the Vice President and General Manager for Operations. Dominion is adding more crew members in Alexandria to spot and make repairs, and he reported an improvement in repair time down from 45 days on average to 9.5 days. The City now has access to a number of its corporate customers to be able to call in and get a more immediate response as with the communications program the City has with Virginia-American Water Company.

(h) Councilwoman Pepper stated that the City's drinking water tastes terrible.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier explained that the taste and smell is temporary and is not toxic. Extra chlorine is used to flush the water pipes of the sedimentation which occurs over time, especially in the smaller pipes. The flushing began on March 23 and should take three to four weeks to complete.

(i) Councilwoman Pepper congratulated the ten women honored at the Salute to Women Awards sponsored by the Commission on Women. It was a wonderful event. Their highest award went to Mollie Abraham, and Grace Lynch received the Vola Lawson award.

(j) Councilwoman Pepper announced that Pat Moran was honored at the Annual Burke Awards Ceremony and received their Burke Award.

(k) Councilman Speck participated in a discussion on traffic-related matters with Captain Hilleary and Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier. It was reported that the towing contract for Washington Street requires that a tow truck be stationed on or near Washington Street between 4 - 6 p.m. with another wrecker on standby to be able to respond to the area within 30 minutes. Councilman Speck asked that evaluate whether the hours need to be extended in both directions on Washington Street in the HOV lanes and determine if the fines should be increased from $35 by creating a separate category for rush hours zones.

Mr. Baier would like to take both those recommendations as part of the very beginning phase 1 of the transportation policy. On the issue with traffic leaving Old Town off of Washington Street as it goes west on Duke Street, they will be holding a public meeting at the end of April to talk with the residents between Washington and Patrick.

Captain Hilleary reported that two additional parking enforcement officers were added to the evening so they can start on the ticket sweep, and the wreckers have been instructed to tow the vehicles from the HOV lanes to Jones Point rather than to the impound lot.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(l) Councilman Speck asked that City Council consider King Street Gardens. City Manager Sunderland will come back to Council with a general history of King Street Gardens, go through what are the perceived problems, what if anything Council can do and make a definitive decision.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1. City Manager Sunderland distributed to Council the proposed FY 2002 budget on CD which is available for members of the public by calling the Budget Office at 703-838-4780. He also reported that the budget message has been translated into Spanish and is being distributed.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (19-20)

19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to establish the real estate and personal property tax rates for calendar year 2001.

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to modify the membership of the Alexandria Commission for Women.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

19. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading, set it for public hearing on Tuesday, April 17, 2001, and for second reading and final passage on Monday, May 7, 2001.

20. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading, and set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Tuesday, April 10, 2001.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Introduction and First Reading. Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement No. 24 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 finally passed the Ordinance on its first and second readings.
ORD. NO. 4193
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Consideration of Budget Resolution. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the budget resolution in order to provide a framework for budget consideration by the present Council. RES. NO. 1998
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

23. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Assistant City Manager Evans reported that there is a conflict of timing with Days of Remembrance and the Valor Awards, and the City employees service awards is being scheduled for April 30. Congressman Moran apologized for not being here for the work session this evening, but it will be rescheduled before the meeting on May 8.

City Council received the updated calendar and noted the additions as follows: (1) Tuesday, April 17, 2001, Days of Remembrance ceremony at noon on Market Square; (2) Wednesday, April 25, 2001, the annual National Youth Services Day reception at 6:00 p.m. before Council's scheduled budget work session; and (3) the Affordable Housing Task Force Summit on Saturday, May 19, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

24. Alexandria Ad Hoc Recreation Needs Assessment Steering Committee
1 Citizen Representative From Planning District II

City Council appointed Jane Harrington as a Citizen Representative From Planning District II to the Alexandria Ad Hoc Recreation Needs Assessment Steering Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

25. Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Homeowner In the City

City Council appointed Robert Freedman as a Homeowner in the City to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

3 Members Who Represent Arts Education or Business Expertise
Relative to Arts and Cultural Development, Including Such Perspectives as Marketing, Finance/Funding, Tourism Promotion and Organizational Development

City Council appointed Lauren Mays as a Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large As An Arts Consumer and Participant; appointed Mary Brooks and reappointed Alisa Carrel and Leslie White as Members Who Represent Arts Education or Business Expertise Relative to Arts and Cultural Development, Including Such Perspectives as Marketing, Finance/Funding, Tourism Promotion and Organizational Development to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTSCONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

27. Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board
Director of the City’s Court Service Unit

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Lillian Brooks as the Director of the City's Court Service Unit to the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

28. Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team
1 Parent Representative Who Is Not An Employee of Any
Public or Private Program Which Receives Funds From the
Comprehensive Services Act

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Antoinette Poindexter as a Parent Representative Who Is Not An Employee of Any Public or Private Program Which Receives Funds From the Comprehensive Services Act to the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

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

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 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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Public Notice

The Alexandria Hotel Association Reception for the Members of City Council will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Morrison House, 116 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
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Public Notice

There will be a City Council Work Session with the Alexandria School Board on the Proposed Budget on Thursday, March 29, 2001, at 7:30 p.m. at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia.

Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend the City Council Work Session 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 3/19/2001
CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ON
CHANNEL 11

MARCH 2001



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



As of 3/19/2001

CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ON
CHANNEL 11
APRIL 2001
(First Half of Month)



C April 3, Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 4, Board of Architectural Review - Old & Historic District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 5, School Board, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 10, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 12, Board of Zoning Appeals, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 14, City Council Public Hearing, 9:30 a.m. - Live

C April 14, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay