Action Docket for Regular Meeting (05/14/2002)

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Office of the City Clerk
May 15, 2002

At 6:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom,
City Council had a Work Session to
discuss the Eisenhower East Planning Study.

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - - 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 Council were present except Vice Mayor Cleveland.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

2. Invocation -- Moment of Silence.

City Council observed a moment of silence and then recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of April 13, 2002; and
(b) The Regular Meeting of April 23, 2002.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of April 13, 2002; and (b) the Regular Meeting of April 23, 2002, as submitted.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

4. Report of the City Clerk.

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

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

5. Presentation about Kids Helping Kids in Alexandria on September 28, 2002.

Councilman Speck introduced a group of young people who are developing a project called "Kids Helping Kids" to raise $5,000 for two City charities. They plan to sell lemonade at lemonade stands throughout the City on September 28, 2002. The group has made presentations to various organizations in their fund raising efforts and plan that all ingredients will be contributed. If anyone is interested in becoming involved, the e-mail address is: lemonaideaxva@hotmail.com.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of May 19-25, 2002, as National Safe Boating Week in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation. Flotilla Commander John Wenzel presented Council with a letter of appreciation and a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary ball cap.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring the Month of May as Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Awareness Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of May 25 through May 31, 2002, as Week of Remembrance of the Freedmen's Cemetery.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.

It was announced that the National Park Service has just included the Freedmen's Cemetery in its "National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom."
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-15) (25-30)

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

(a) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
Martha Harris

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Alexandria Society for the Preservation
of Black Heritage

(b) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
1 Citizen Member

(c) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Citizen Member

(d) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
2 Citizen Members

(e) Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission
3 Members of the Traffic and Parking Board

(f) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Alexandria School Board Member

12. Receipt of the FY 2001 Annual Report from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.

13. Receipt of the Annual Report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department for 2000-2001.

14. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Continue Community Corrections (Local Probation) and Pretrial Services under the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act and Pretrial Services Act (CCCA-PSA) for FY 2003 and FY 2004.

15. Consideration of a Grant Application for a School Resource Officer (SRO) under the Federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant Program.

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 resignation of Martha Harris from the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; 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)

11. City Council: (a) waived the residency requirement and appointed Wendell Brown as a member from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage, Inc. to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) appointed Geoffrey Baynard as a citizen member to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (c) reappointed Anne Haynes as a citizen member to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (d) appointed Alice Fierstein and Richard Peuser as citizen members to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission; (e) reappointed Rolando Gonzales and John Laychus and appointed Patrick Warren, Sr. as members of the Traffic and Parking Board to the Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission; and (f) appointed Gwendolyn Lewis as an Alexandria School Board member to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

12. City Council received the FY 2001 Annual Report from the Environmental Policy Commission and thanked the Commission members for their efforts on behalf of the City.

13. City Council received the report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

14. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for funding, in the amount of $424,097, under the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act-Pretrial Services Act (CCCA-PSA); (2) if the grant application is approved, continue the six full-time positions and one part-time position to deliver the services to be provided under the grant programs. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant and the individuals filling these positions will be notified of this condition of employment and sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition; and (3) execute all documents that may be required in connection with the grant application at the receipt of grant funds.

15. City Council: (1) approved the grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice for a total of $125,000 in federal funds for a 3-year period. The City share of funding is approximately $39,150 over the same period to fund part of salary and benefit costs, and $27,000 for one vehicle; (2) authorized the addition of one Police Officer position if the grant is approved; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required to receive the grant and release the grant funds to the City for expenditure.

25. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

26. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

27. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

28. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

29. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

30. City Council introduced the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, May 18, 2002.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

16. Verbal Report on the King Street Gardens Park.

Councilman Speck reported on King Street Gardens Park. He explained that a small work group had been formed following the public hearing to talk about the information received and try to reach a definitive decision on the future direction of this park. He explained that the park is subject to the federal statute on the Artists Visual Rights Act which establishes the park in its current form, and that we must accept the fact that, whether everyone is in agreement or not, this is a structure with which we will be living. He stated that Council just approved money for irrigation during the budget process, and this should enhance maintenance and landscaping. There has been discussion with the area communities to form an active friends or adopt-a-park to be a part of the ongoing maintenance and operation. Staff is looking at lighting, signage, education, and events for the park. There are some exciting programs being planned in an effort to draw people to the park.

Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Director Whitmore added that they have begun trimming back the foliage and will continue to do so.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Verbal Report on the Status of Proposed Improvements to the CSX Overpass at the King Street Metro Station.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier provided Council with a status report on the proposed improvements to the CSX Overpass. He stated that it appears CSX is still willing and wants to do the work. They are looking for a way around their procurement process by going through a third party, and it would be a couple of months before they would be able to do this painting. Director Baier reported that CSX has a list of more maintenance items, and they are still going to do those.

Councilman Speck requested that If we don't have a definitive commitment with a start date that we're confident in before the first legislative meeting in June, the sign is going back up.

Councilwoman Woodson joined in Councilman Speck's suggestion and requested that staff let CSX know we are putting the sign back up. She also suggested that other jurisdictions that have bridges in similar disrepair could be advised of the current situation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

18. Verbal Report on the Status of the Datatel Building on Mount Vernon Avenue.

City Manager Sunderland reported on the status of the Datatel Building.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

19. Public Hearing and Consideration of Support for Two Applications for Federal Funds to Replace the Old District Home in Manassas, and Adoption of a Resolution to Lease Two Parcels of Publicly Owned Land to Birmingham Green Adult Care Residence, Inc. (#13 4/9/02) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council: (1) held the public hearing on this item; (2) adopted the resolution to lease two parcels of publicly owned land to BGACR for the new facilities; (3) directed the City Manager to send a letter of support to BGACR for their two applications for federal funds to replace the District Home; and (4) authorized the City Manager to execute all leases and other appropriate documents. RES. NO. 2027
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Consideration of One-Year Action Plan for Housing and Community Development for City Fiscal Year 2003. (#9 4/13/02)

City Council approved the One-Year Action Plan for Housing and Community Development for the City's Fiscal Year 2003, which includes the City's application for Federal Fiscal Year 2002 funding for $1,241,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies and $671,000 in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) monies.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Consideration of Allocation of Housing Trust Fund Monies to Assist Wesley Housing Development Corporation to Purchase and Preserve the Lynhaven Apartments as Affordable Housing.

Councilman Euille directed that the City Manager and Housing Department work with the neighborhoods and make sure that everyone is fully aware of housing programs that we have, the types of funding that are available, and if there is something even more substantive than what's already available that this Council needs to address, let's do it.

Councilwoman Woodson requested that the City Manager and City agencies, particularly the Police Department and Transportation and Environmental Services, make sure that they communicate with this community and all the communities in this area so that they understand exactly what kind of response is occurring in other communities and what kind of response should be anticipated in their community.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

21. (continued)

City Council: (1) approved the allocation of $300,000 in Housing Trust Fund monies for a second trust residual receipts loan to the Wesley Housing Development Corporation (WHDC) to use in the acquisition of the Lynhaven Apartments, with the following conditions: (a) For the length of its ownership of the property, which is expected to be permanent, WHDC shall maintain 16 of the project's 28 units as affordable and exclusively available to households with incomes not exceeding 50% of area median income, to include four units master leased to Carpenter's Shelter for transitional housing, with the remaining units to be rented at market rates, based on the rents at comparable properties, to household with incomes up to 100% of the area median income. Both the transitional units and the market rate units, in that order, would be achieved through attrition so that no current residents in good standing would be required to move; (b) Representatives of WHDC and Carpenter's Shelter shall participate regularly in meetings of the Lynhaven Civic Association; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents in connection with this project.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Update on Establishment of a Temporary Fenced Dog Park at Rail Park at Potomac Yard.

City Council will not proceed with a temporary fenced dog park at Rail Park at this time; that staff continue the planning of the permanent three-acre fenced dog park at Rail Park with citizens and the developer, Crescent Resources; and that a temporary fenced dog park not be established on the City property at Bernard and Powhatan Streets.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

23. Receipt of Report on School Board Redistricting Options.

Councilman Euille requested that since the public hearing on the report is scheduled for Council's legislative meeting on May 28, and that Council wants to give justice to those present for the hearing, he asked the City Manager to take this into consideration when preparing the docket, perhaps excluding any proclamations.

Mayor Donley reported that a presentation by staff will be given at the Community Meeting on May 22.

City Council: (1) received the report; (2) scheduled a public hearing on the report for Tuesday, May 28, 2002; (3) at the conclusion of the public hearing, select a preferred school board redistricting option and request the city attorney to prepare the necessary implementing ordinance; (4) introduce the ordinance on Tuesday, June 11, 2002; (5) schedule the public hearing on the ordinance for Saturday, June 15, 2002; and (6) adopt the ordinance on Tuesday, June 25, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

24. Consideration of the Recommended Concept Plan for Windmill Hill Park. (#17 4/13/02; #18 4/9/02)

This item was deferred to City Council's second legislative meeting on May 28, at 7:30 p.m., and there will be no proclamations on that date.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Euille thanked Congressman Moran for his letter to Attorney General John C. Ashcroft as a result of his town meeting with Carlyle residents on security issues caused by the terrorist trials.

(b) Councilman Euille asked that the City Manager report back to Council on the status of the vacant commercial properties at the lower end of King Street before the end of the June.

(c) Councilman Speck requested with regard to the Senior Taxi program that the City Manager consult with the affected organizations such as Senior Services, Commission on Aging, Red Cross, as appropriate, and bring back a recommendation, as soon as possible but no later than September, on the monies that were earmarked in contingent reserves for expansion of that program.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper announced that the Virginia Downtown Development Association honored Mayor Donley at their annual conference on May 10, for his leadership and the redevelopment effort of Upper Potomac West.

(e) Mayor Donley stated that during the budget process, BFAAC suggested that the City should look to diversify its revenue base and revenue scheme. BFAAC was to examine or study the proposed sales tax increase referendum and give Council its recommendation. BFAAC was originally asked to come back in September, but he asked the City Manger to communicate with Budget staff to try to get BFAAC to make a recommendation to Council in June. The Mayor would like Council to take a position, as a Council, in June. He would prefer either the first meeting in June or the public hearing date; however, this will not be a public hearing item. The Mayor will call the chair of BFAAC about this.

Councilwoman Eberwein requested that the legislative delegation be invited to attend.

(f) City Manager Sunderland stated that there was a meeting held to review VDOT's six-year plan. Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier reported that the City came out pretty well and listed some of the projects (Monroe Avenue, South Van Dorn, WMATA capital, Dash acquisition, Mill Road) which are now considered safe. A written report will follow.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (25-30)

25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to grant a one-year extension of franchise rights to Verizon Virginia, Inc.

26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to increase the towing and storage charges for motor vehicles impounded by the City.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

27. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to assess a fee of $5 in certain court cases to fund the costs of courthouse security personnel.

28. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to require private trash haulers to report to the City solid waste and recycling tonnages collected each year.

29. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend the Master Plan to change the land use designation of the property at 111-119 East Reed Avenue to CRMU-M/Commercial Residential Mixed Use - Medium.

30. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to rezone the property at 111-119 East Reed Avenue to CRMU-M/Commercial Residential Mixed Use - Medium Zone, subject to a proffer.

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 May 18, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

31. Consideration of a Resolution for the Northern Virginia Regional Partnership Recertification. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution. RES. NO. 2028
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

32. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Assistant City Manager Evans reminded Council of the Law Enforcement Memorial Program on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Baptist Temple on Commonwealth Avenue.

City Council: (1) scheduled a joint public hearing with the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority on Monday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m., at 300 Wythe Street (Ladrey High Rise) on the proposed sites for the "off-site" relocation of 48 public housing units from the Samuel Madden Homes (Downtown) property as part of the redevelopment project (The City Manager will check with ARHA to see about starting at 6 p.m.); and (2) received the revised calendar which includes: (a) the 21st Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival from Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, at Oronoco Bay Park; and (b) the City Employee Picnic on Thursday, June 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

None

EXECUTIVE SESSION

33. Consideration of the Convening of an Executive Session, pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(7), to discuss the settlement of a pending worker's compensation claim against the City.

At 10:05 p.m., City Council convened in executive session at this time, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel and staff concerning the Worker's Compensation claim of Louis J. Farri.

At 10:14 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the Worker's Compensation claim of Louis J. Farri along the lines discussed with Council.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session.
RES. NO. 2029
Council Action:________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

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Note: The action docket is a summary of Council's meeting deliberations prepared largely for staff follow-up. Formal Minutes of the meeting, when approved by Council, become the official record of the meeting and of Council decisions made at the meeting.

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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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