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Office of the City Clerk
February 27, 2002

At 6:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom,
there was a Work Session to discuss
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Noise Mitigation.

At 7:15 p.m., in the Council Workroom,
the Annual Meeting of the Alexandria Transit
Company Shareholders was held.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 26, 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 City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of Council were present.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend John Poffenberger, Chaplain, Good News Jail Ministry.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1: Councilman Speck requested a moment of silence for Assistant City Manager Godwin who has recently taken ill.

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

(a) The Regular Meeting of February 12, 2002.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Regular Meeting of February 12, 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. Recognition of Alexandria Red Cross - Summer Youth Program Volunteers.

City Council commended the teenagers and preteens who participate in the summer YOUTH GIVE program. The Alexandria Red Cross Youth Program's "Bags of Cheer" program was one of only nine projects nationwide that was selected by Connect America/Join Hands Day award. Connect America is an initiative of the Points of Light Foundation.

Councilwoman Pepper also congratulated Benjamin Yale Cohen for achieving a gold medal in the novice category in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming March as American Red Cross Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming March 2, 2002, as St. Patrick's Day Parade Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming March 1, 2002, as Diversity Night at T.C. Williams High School.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (9-15)

Without objection, City Council withdrew docket item nos. 12 and 14 and considered them under separate motions.

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

(a) Alexandria Community Services Board
Mondre’ Kornegay

(b) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
John Kling






REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(c) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
Robert Taylor

(d) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
Dan Goldhaber

10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Homeowner

11. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending January 31, 2001.

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

13. Consideration of Proposed Plan for Spending the Remaining Portion of Funds Set Aside in Contingent Reserves in the FY 2002 Budget for Park Maintenance Operations.

14. Receipt of the FY 2001 Annual Report of the Economic Opportunities Commission.

15. Consideration of Renewal of Grant Application for Funding to Continue the Domestic Violence Intervention Program.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the consent calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 12 and 14 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Mondre’ Kornegay from the Alexandria Community Services Board; (b) John Kling from the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission; (c) Robert Taylor from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee; and (d) Dan Goldhaber from the Alexandria Youth Policy 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.

10. City Council reappointed Fletcher Johnston as a Homeowner to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.

11. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending January 31, 2002.






REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. City Council: (1) authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary; and (2) approved the allocation of $400,000 previously budgeted as a City General Fund School Enrollment Contingent in FY 2002 to the Capital Projects Fund in order to fund the planned window replacement element of the George Washington Middle School renovation and expansion program. (Separate Motion)

13. City Council: (1) approved the proposed spending plan as follows:
and (2) approved the transfer of the remaining $68,189 of $250,000 set aside in the FY 2002 contingent reserves account for park maintenance to the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities.

14. City Council requested the members of the Economic Opportunities Commission to take a look at the composition of the Commission's membership and to provide Council with its recommendation regarding any modifications that the Commission would like to make.

City Council received the Annual Report, which covers the activities of the Economic Opportunities Commission from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001, and thanked the Commission for its work on behalf of low-income residents of the City. (Separate Motion)

15. City Council: (1) approved the grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice for a total of $91,113, which requires no local matching funds; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. It was noted that there are no additional monies available in the City's budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

16. Consideration of Update Report on Items Before the 2002 General Assembly Session.

City Council: (1) opposed the funding cuts to public schools, constitutional officers, HB 599, and Virginia Justice Community Criminal Control Act (VJCCCA); and (2) seeks to have the General Assembly restore full funding for the Arlandria Clinic, the Healthy Families Program and Project Discovery.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________




REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

17. Consideration of Endorsement by City Council of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Resolution #R41-01 Concerning Regional Housing Issues.

City Council endorsed in its entirety COG Resolution #R41-01, a Resolution Endorsing Affordable Housing Principles and Policy Goals and Establishment of a Regional Housing Trust Fund, requested staff to communicate to the Council of Governments' Board of Directors the action that Council has taken relative to their goals Council has endorsed, asked that other jurisdictions in the region take similar action as it is important that the member jurisdictions represented on the COG Board know of the Alexandria action, and therefore, requested that the appropriate correspondence be drafted outlining the fact that Council has endorsed those goals.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

18. Consideration of a Planning Process for the Development of a Teen Center.

City Council: (1) requested that the City Manager designate staff and up to four youth volunteers and up to three adults recruited from the community, together with a member of City Council designated by the Mayor, to form an ad hoc planning group to proceed with a feasibility study for a teen center which would be operated and primarily financed by a non-City entity. The group would determine the possible program elements, evaluate alternative operational models, evaluate possible locations, develop estimated capital and operating costs, and identify funding sources for such a center and private entities that may wish to operate the center, in partnership with the City; (2) approved the transfer of $50,000 designated in the FY 2002 contingent reserves account to a non-departmental teen center study account for the costs associated with the planning process, with any unexpended planning monies to be carried over as a possible one-time funding source for a portion of the teen center start-up costs; and (3) requested that staff report back to Council with an interim report by June 2002, and with the caveat, that any other discussions regarding operation or funding would require further actions of the Council.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________




















REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

19. Consideration of Proposed Revisions to City Employee Retirement Plans as Required by Section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code: [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution which: (1) amends and restates the City of Alexandria Pension Plan for Firefighters and Police Officers, the City of Alexandria Retirement Income Plan for Firefighters and Police Officers, the City of Alexandria Retirement Income Plan for Deputy Sheriffs and Emergency Rescue Technicians and the City of Alexandria Supplemental Retirement Plan in order to make changes required to maintain the qualification of the Plans under the Internal Revenue Code; (2) authorized the City Manager to file a request for a favorable determination letter with the Internal Revenue Service; and (3) authorized the City Manager to make such changes to these four City pension plans and to take such other steps as are necessary or desirable for the Plans to meet the requirements for qualification under Section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code. RES. NO. 2017
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Donley announced that there will be a public information meeting of the Alexandria Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street Connector Task Force on February 27, 2002, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Samuel Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive.

(b) Mayor Donley reported that the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will hold a public Planning and Design Workshop for the Samuel Madden Homes (Downtown) redevelopment on Saturday, March 2, 2002, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel Old Town, 901 North Fairfax Street. If necessary, it will be continued to Sunday, March 3. There will be a follow-up meeting on Saturday, March 9, 2002, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel Old Town, 901 North Fairfax Street. Mayor Donley encouraged interested persons to attend and participate in the process.

(c) Mayor Donley conveyed that there will be a meeting to discuss the preliminary results of the feasibility study for multi-modal transportation options in the Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridor. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mount Vernon Elementary School, 2601 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria.






REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(d) Councilwoman Pepper reported that there is a new Council of Governments committee called the Ad Hoc Airport Policy Committee. She indicated that there may be a restructuring of the current committee known as CONANDA (Committee on Noise Abatement at Reagan National and Dulles Airports) which focuses on Airport Noise. The new Committee will be focusing on the broader perspectives pertaining to environmental, economic and transportation access to the three area airports which includes BWI.

(e) Councilwoman Woodson reported on the recent activities of the Library Board. She noted that the Burke Branch Library will be reopening for business on March 4. The official open house will take place on April 20.

(f) Councilwoman Eberwein stated that she is Council's representative on the Waterfront Committee and was absent from the meeting at which Windmill Hill Park was discussed. She has requested a verbatim transcript of the comments and will share them with the Members of Council.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Eberwein requested that the City Manager provide Council with an analysis of the Split-Tax System.

(b) As reported by Mayor Donley under Council reports, Councilwoman Pepper also spoke to the public information meeting of the Alexandria Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street Connector Task Force on February 27, 2002, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Samuel Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive.

(c) Councilwoman Pepper announced that there will be a "Sledge Hammer Party" at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9. This event will involve City officials and representatives of the neighborhood in the first steps of the demolition of the building before the contractors begin their work.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the number of e-mails that Council has been receiving regarding traffic problems along Morgan Street.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier reported that staff will be meeting with residents of the neighborhood to discuss what their desires are for this street and will try to come up with a solution to the traffic issues. He will report back to Council at a later date.

(e) Councilwoman Woodson announced that Alexandria Technology Achievement Awards Week is March 18 through March 22, 2002.

(f) Councilwoman Woodson conveyed to the Members of Council that having office hours every Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. has proven to be a success. Constituents do come to the office at City Hall to meet with her. She again noted that no appointment is necessary, and persons can call her as well. It truly is working well.





ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(g) Councilwoman Woodson reported that she has hired Brooke Keith as an intern for this quarter. Brooke is a senior at T.C. Williams High School and in the STEP program. Anyone interested in an internship should contact Ms. Woodson by calling 703-838-4500.

(h) Councilman Euille thanked everyone for their cards, flowers, acts of kindness and sympathy during the recent loss of his mother. All of the support was comforting for the family.

(i) Councilman Euille suggested that due to the recent increase in real estate assessments, and, if it is at all possible, that Council might want to consider reducing the real estate tax rate.

(j) Mayor Donley requested a report on the recent burglaries taking place at restaurants.

Police Lieutenant Uzzell spoke to this issue and will report back to Council with specifics.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of an Ordinance to adopt Supplement No. 64 to the City Code. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council introduced and finally passed the Ordinance on its First and Second readings. ORD. NO. 4241
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Consideration of a Grant Application and Resolution to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for FY 2003 Funding for the Continuation of the Alexandria Rideshare Program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution and authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application and the resolution to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for FY 2003 funding, in the amount of $176,167, for the continuation of the City's ridesharing service, ALEXANDRIA RIDESHARE; (2) approve the continuation of two full-time grant-funded positions (Transit Specialist I and Transit Services Assistant I) to administer the ongoing ALEXANDRIA RIDESHARE program. Continuation of these positions is contingent upon continuation of funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation or other non-City sources; and (3) execute all necessary documents that may be required under this program.
RES. NO. 2018
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Consideration of Resolution in Support of the Belle Haven Marina. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] City Council noted the deferral of this item to the Tuesday, March 12, 2002 legislative meeting.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________


ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

23. Consideration of Recommendations for Funding and Programmatic Changes Relating to the Final Report of the Affordable Housing Task Force and Adoption of Resolution to Amend the Rent Relief Program for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council: (1) allocated $400,000 from the Housing Trust Fund and $300,000 in General Fund monies, as part of a $1 million set-aside in FY 2002, for the development of rental and sales affordable housing projects (including feasibility studies, pre-development costs, and infrastructure subsidies), with the understanding that a recommendation for an additional $300,000 in federal HOME monies and matching funds will be docketed for public hearing and Council consideration on March 16, after the 30-day public comment period for a HOME program amendment is satisfied; (2) allocated $50,000 in Housing Trust Fund monies (in addition to the monies in Recommendation 1) for a Seller Incentive Fund to pay $1,000, on behalf of homebuyers assisted under the City's Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) and Moderate Income Homeownership Program (MIHP), toward the seller's real estate commission, to serve as an incentive to sellers to accept contracts from HAP and MIHP purchasers during periods of hot housing markets, as determined by the City Manager in consultation with the Director of Real Estate Assessments. This recommendation is designed to address the current housing market and would be implemented immediately; (3) increased the City's maximum homeownership assistance payment under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME-funded HAP program, from $25,000 to $35,000 per household; (4) increased the City's maximum homeownership assistance payment under the Housing Trust Fund-supported MIHP program from $15,000 to $20,000 to be funded from currently available MIHP monies; (5) amended the HAP and MIHP programs to allow a one-time rollover of City homeownership assistance for loan recipients (excluding purchasers of set-aside units in new developments who also have HAP or MIHP loans) who sell the home that the City assisted them to buy, and immediately purchase a subsequent home within the City. In order to qualify for the rollover, loan recipients would have to be income eligible for HAP and MIHP at the time of the sale, and must have resided in the assisted home for at least five years (the period of time required to avoid the anti-speculation surcharge imposed by the City's homeownership programs). In addition, authorized the use of MIHP funds to repay and replace a HAP loan in the event a HAP loan recipient (up to $54,400 for a four-person household) has become a MIHP-eligible recipient (up to $79,500 for a household of three or more persons) at the time of the roll-over; (6) approved a goal of maintaining a minimum Housing Trust Fund balance of $1.5 million, exclusive of any set-asides, in order to provide a continuing funding source for affordable housing activities; (7) agreed that the issue of increasing the standard $0.50 per gross-square-foot developer contribution to affordable housing will be considered in the context of forthcoming efforts to establish the appropriate levels for other development fees in the context of the FY 2003 budget deliberations, which will involve discussions with the development community; (8) approved the concept of allowing flexibility in the design, location and layout of affordable units, with the understanding that this may result in affordable unit designs that differ from, but are architecturally compatible with, the market rate units. Standards for the affordable units would be determined on a case-by-case basis, and spelled out in the special use permit or site plan conditions for specific developments; (9) adopted the resolution, as amended, to amend the Rent Relief Program for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons to do the following: (i) Increase the maximum income from $18,000 to $25,600, and keep the maximum income level equal to the maximum income, under the Tax Relief Program, for persons eligible to receive full tax exemption (up to the amount of the average real property tax bill); (ii) Increase the benefit level from $1,500 to a sliding scale from $1,800 to $2,400 per year based on income, with the maximum benefit level to remain equal to the average property tax bill for the calendar year in which the budget is prepared for each year's Rent Relief program expenditures. The increased benefit level is consistent with (but not specifically mentioned in) the Task Force recommendations, and the sliding scale is a new feature; (iii) Provide monthly rather than annual payments; (iv) Have year-round open enrollment for this program; however, participation will be limited by the annual budget appropriation for the program (i.e., if the budget appropriation is fully allocated, a waiting list will be maintained); and (v) Authorized the hiring of a part-time, 10 hour-per-week, eligibility worker to administer the revised program; and (10) approved the final report of the Affordable Housing Task Force, as amended by the recommendations set out above and as discussed in the memorandum. RES. NO. 2019
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

24. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Councilman Speck again noted that he will not be at the March 16, 2002 public hearing meeting because he will be out of town.

Councilwoman Woodson indicated that she will be out of town and unable to attend the March 9, "Sledge Hammer Party."

Assistant City Manager Evans indicated that staff will add the opening of the Burke Library on April 20, to the schedule.

City Council received the revised calendar which includes: (a) the "Sledge Hammer Party" to start the demolition of the vacant gas station located on the City-owned property at 401 East Braddock Road, at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9; (b) the rescheduled work session with Congressman Moran to discuss federal legislative issues at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, in the Council Workroom; (c) the Technology Achievement Week Kickoff Reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 18, at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 699 Prince Street; and (d) the City's Homeownership Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at T.C. Williams High school.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

25. Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia
1 Consumer Member

City Council appointed Linda Dwyer as a Consumer Member to the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Mark Williams as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________




CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

27. Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Landlord or Representative of a Landlord

City Council reappointed Joann Poladian as a Landlord or Representative of a Landlord to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

28. Consideration of The Convening of an Executive Session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Virginia Code, to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose.

At 10:15 p.m., City Council convened in executive session at this time, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of considering the acquisition of real property for a public use, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City.

At 11:00 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session.
RES. NO. 2020
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 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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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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