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Office of the City Clerk
February 13, 2002


The Work Session with Congressman James P.
Moran to discuss federal legislative items was
CANCELED.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 12, 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 City Council were present with Vice Mayor Cleveland arriving at 8:15 p.m. and Councilman Euille being absent.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No 1: Mayor Donley noted that Councilman Euille will be absent tonight due to the loss of his Mother. Mayor Donley expressed Council's, staff's and citizens' sympathy and condolences to Councilman Euille and his family.

Mayor Donley indicated that Vice Mayor Cleveland, in his capacity as a Capitol Hill Police Officer, may be absent from and late arriving for the meeting tonight due to his work responsibilities.
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The Invocation was pronounced by Councilman Speck.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Regular Meeting for January 22, 2002; and

(b) The Special Public Hearing Meeting for January 26, 2002 [in lieu of the Regular Public Hearing Meeting of January 12, 2002.]

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Regular Meeting for January 22, 2002; and (b) the Special Public Hearing Meeting for January 26, 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

City Council recognized a group of students from the STEP program and T.C. Williams High School who are members of the American Society of Black Engineers, Alexandria Student Chapter. They were recently highlighted in the recent issue of the society's magazine "Bridges." They were recognized because of their diversity. John Nunn is their advisor and is also a teacher at STEP. This after school program promotes careers in advanced math, science and engineering.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 2: Without objection, City Council recognized First Night Alexandria Executive Director Ann Dorman and President David Martin who thanked the City Council for its support. Ms. Dorman presented Mayor Donley with a framed poster for a thank you. The poster will be hung in the City Council office. In addition, Ms. Dorman provided Council with some statistics on the success of the December 31, 2001 First Night Alexandria celebration. (A copy of Ms. Dorman's memorandum is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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OPENING (continued)

5. Presentation of Proclamation in Memory of Long-time City Employee Gary Post.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (6-12) (17-20)

Without objection, City Council removed docket item nos. 9 and 11 from the Consent Calendar and considered them under separate motions.

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

(a) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
Nathan Monell

(b) Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia
Robert F. Haas

(c) Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
Laura Hatton

7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Beautification Commission
1 Citizen Member

(b) Alexandria Commission on Aging
2 Citizen Members

1 Individual With Leadership Experience in A Volunteer Organization

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(c) Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Business Representative

(d) Alexandria Commission on Information Technology
1 Member Representing the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs
Advisory Committee

(e) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Business Member

1 Local Consumer Action Organization Member

(f) Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission
1 Representative of Councilwoman Joyce Woodson

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

(h) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Archaeological Commission

(i) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission

(j) Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
1 Member From Among the High School Youth of the City

(k) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Citizen Who Resides East of Washington Street and South of
Pendleton Street

(l) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Parent From School Board District A

8. Consideration of Request to Vacate a Position on the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.

9. Receipt of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Annual Report.

10. Receipt of the Board of Zoning Appeals 2001 Annual Report

11. Receipt of the Proposed Alexandria Spring 2002 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program and Setting it for Public Hearing On Saturday, February 23.







REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. Consideration of the Request by the Alexandria Community Services Board to Create a Grant-Funded Interagency Council Coordinator Position.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 9 and 11 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

6. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Nathan Monell from the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (b) Robert F. Haas from the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia; and (c) Laura Hatton from the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority; requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

7. City Council (a) reappointed Walter Pickard as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (b) reappointed J. Donald Edwards and Justine Rowe as Citizen Members and Stefanie Reponen as an Individual with Leadership Experience in a Volunteer Organization to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (c) appointed Beverly Winterscheid as a Business Representative to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (d) appointed Mark Feldheim as a Member Representing the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (BFAAC) to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology; (e) appointed Todd Ruopp as a Business Member and reappointed Annette Cleckner as a Local Consumer Action Organization Member; (f) appointed Jeffrey Carpenter as a Representative of Councilwoman Joyce Woodson to the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission; (g) reappointed Lisa Edouard as a Member from the Field of Ecology to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (h) appointed S. Kathleen Pepper as a Representative from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (i) appointed Cecelia Godfrey as a Representative from the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; (j) reappointed Todd Knisley as a Member from among the High School Youth of the City to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission; (k) reappointed Robert Roland as a Citizen Who Resides East of Washington Street and South of Pendleton Street to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee; and (l) reappointed Darryl Francois as a Parent from School Board District A to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

8. City Council declared as vacant one of the citizen positions on the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancy.

9. City Council received the report and thanked the Alexandria Commission for the Arts for its efforts on behalf of the arts and the City. (Separate Motion)

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

11. City Council scheduled the proposed 2002 gypsy moth suppression program for public hearing on Saturday, February 23, 2002. (Separate Motion)


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

12. City Council approved the creation of a 0.5 FTE position for a Part C Interagency Council Coordinator. This grant-funded position would terminate upon the expiration of the grant. The individual who will fill this position will be notified of this condition of employment at the time they are hired, and will sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition.

17. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, February 23, 2002.

18. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, February 23, 2002.

19. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, February 23, 2002.

20. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, February 23, 2002.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

At 8:15 p.m., Vice Mayor Cleveland arrived.

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

With respect to its position regarding the allocation of any new sales tax revenue for education, City Council supported no less than 50% of point of sale as the City's distribution.

In addition, regarding the allocation of any new sales tax revenue for transportation, City Council supported 100% of point of sale with the project list which includes funding for Metro, urban system improvements, DASH, etc.

City Council approved the following as recommended by the City Council's legislative subcommittee: (1) adopted the positions on legislation that has been introduced in the 2002 General Assembly Session as noted in Attachment 1 of the City Manager's memorandum.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________






REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

14. Consideration of City Policy on Penalties for Late Filings and Late Tax Payments.

City Council participated in a discussion with and directed questions to Assistant City Manager Jinks and Finance Director Neckel. City Manager Sunderland also participated in the discussion. Staff will report back to Council on the issues that were raised.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

15. Consideration of Report on the Status of Chetworth Park's Fenced Dog Exercise Area Upon Completion of the New Rail Park Fenced Dog Exercise Area on Potomac Yard.

As a result of the Planning Commission's deferral of the SUP application, City Council consideration of the status of Chetworth Park's fenced dog exercise area was deferred until a future date.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

16. Consideration of Allocations and Program Changes to Support Employer-Assisted Housing Pilot Initiative and the Virginia Sponsoring Partnerships and Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Programs.

City Council: (1) allocated $50,000 in Housing Trust Fund monies to establish a matching fund as part of the Employer-Assisted Housing program to serve EAH-eligible employees who are ineligible for the City's Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) and Moderate-Income Homeownership Program (MIHP) for reasons other than income; (2) allocated $11,500 in Housing Trust Fund monies to provide homeownership counseling in connection with the EAH program; and (3) authorized the City Manager to establish and modify such procedures for the administration of the EAH and SPARC programs as may be necessary.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Woodson recognized Ramsay Elementary School for its success in parental involvement at the school.

(b) Councilwoman Woodson announced that there will be a special School Board election in District C on March 19, for a vacancy on the Alexandria School Board due to the resignation of Dan Goldhaber.

She also announced the joint work session with the Alexandria City Council, School Board and Electoral Board to discuss options for revising the School Board Election Districts as a result of population changes reflected in the 2000 Census. It will be held at Samuel Tucker Elementary School Cafeteria on Wednesday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m.




ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(c) Councilwoman Woodson noted that there will be a public information meeting to discuss plans for a proposed skatepark at Luckett Field on Duke Street on Thursday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street.

(d) Councilwoman Woodson provided kudos to our choral music director William Hubbard who was the writer/composer of much of the music in the production "Harlem Rose." She encouraged everyone to go see the performance of "Harlem Rose" which is being featured at Metro Stage.

(e) Councilwoman Pepper questioned the abundance of crows on the West End and the City's role in any baiting program. She wondered if the baiting program had anything to do with the death of a couple of hawks. She also asked questions about the sound cannons which were used in the past to scare off crows.

Environmental Quality Division Chief Skrabak responded to her concerns.

(f) Councilwoman Eberwein spoke to a recent article in The Washington Post's Alexandria Arlington Extra about T.C. Williams High School. It was a good article highlighting the needs of the school and the lack of alternative sites in the City, but it left the impression that the only option is renovation in place. Ms. Eberwein just wanted to let the public know, and she is hoping that her fellow Council Members share this opinion. Councilwoman Eberwein spoke to Superintendent Perry and Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Director Whitmore today, and the fact that this is the only option out there as stated in the papers is just not so. They are looking first, and she thinks very prudently, at renovating the existing building, but so much of it needs re-working that it may actually end up being cheaper to build a new school. And if that is so and if you were to go up in height, you could conceivably create more open space at that site. She stated that she thinks that what we want to assure students, citizens and the School Board is that we remain committed to working with them as they look at their options and that we will work with them on the whole Chinquapin site as an integrated piece of land with shared uses.

(g) Councilwoman Eberwein reported on an activity she attended on Friday, January 25, relating to the Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team exercise at the Vulcan Materials yard. She recognized Cornell Walker who is the sales yard manager at Vulcan. She commended Vulcan Materials for providing a practice site, donating supplies, providing storage areas, pointers on the use of heavy equipment and working very closely with our Fire and Rescue Team over the years. Ms. Eberwein thanked Fire Lieutenant David Bogozi. In addition, Councilwoman Eberwein shared some photographs of her experience.

(h) Councilman Speck expressed appreciation for the alertness of a City PEO who discovered and reported the recent fire on South Union Street. He was overwhelmed with the competence and the level of professionalism of those who fought the fire. Councilman Speck stated that this was a case to be made for regional cooperation with four different jurisdictions responding, all operating with their own systems and their own leadership all working together, all working in consort for an objective of putting out this fire and making sure it did not spread. He stated that it is another instance where we are so blessed in this City with the kind of abilities that are reflected in a lot of different levels, but certainly in this case in our public safety, Fire, EMT and Police.



ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(i) Councilman Speck requested a status report on the King Street CSX overpass.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier provided an overview of this issue and indicated that staff is reviewing CSX's suggested painting technique of both the King Street and Commonwealth Avenue overpasses.

(j) Councilman Speck asked staff to provide Council with a status report on the Datatel Building spot blighting issue.

City Manager Sunderland addressed this issue and reported that there is a potential buyer for this building.

Councilman Speck requested that a status report for both the CSX overpass and the Datatel building be docketed at the first legislative meeting of every month until resolution.

(k) Councilman Speck queried staff on the agreements for the schedule regarding the Mirant coal trains crossing the George Washington Parkway. He noted that recently one had blocked the flow of traffic prior to 7:00 p.m. which is still during the rush hour.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier and City Attorney Pessoa addressed his concerns.

Councilman Speck asked staff to sit down with involved parties to develop a voluntary agreement where there are some parameters to go by.

Mayor Donley noted with respect to Canal Center this is not only a convenience problem but also a public safety problem.

City Manager Sunderland stated that staff will have some discussions with Mirant, the owners of the power plant, and report back to Council.

Mayor Donley asked the City Manager to include in the discussions property owners at Rivergate, representatives of the Old Town North Civic Association and others who are impacted.

(l) In an effort to avoid some scheduling conflicts, Councilman Speck requested staff to consider the role of developing a central community calendar that would include city-wide events and would be posted on our website. It would be for information sharing, and the City would not become an arbitrator to resolve conflicts.

City Manager Sunderland noted that staff will look into it. It will take a lot of staff time to develop so there will be major costs involved in developing it.

(m) Councilwoman Pepper announced that the Alexandria Eisenhower Avenue-to-Duke Street Connector Task Force will hold a meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, at Samuel Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive.

(n) Mayor Donley spoke to a recent press release announcing that there will be increased traffic enforcement on West Glebe Road.


ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(o) Mayor Donley requested staff to review the issue of safety at the waterfront at Ford's Landing where a man had difficulty getting out of the river when he went in after his dog. Staff was asked to contact the Ford's Landing Homeowners' Association for its input in assessing the problem.

(p) Mayor Donley asked the City Manager to assess whether the City can close the first two blocks of King Street on May 7. National Teacher Appreciation Day is May 7, and it would be nice to do something special this year for our teachers. He requested that the Special Events Committee look into this and report back to him by February 26.

Councilwoman Woodson noted that the businesses might not embrace this idea; however, should they do so, First Night Alexandria would probably be requesting to do this also since it was raised at the meeting today.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (17-20)

17. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to change the membership of the Community Criminal Justice Board established by Section 2-4-10 of the City Code.

18. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to make supplemental appropriations for the support of the government of the City of Alexandria for FY 2002.

19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to authorize the City to participate in and purchase electricity through the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association.

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to authorize an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way for a display window at 1102 King Street.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council introduced and passed the ordinances on their First Reading; set them for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, February 23, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of an Ordinance to adopt Supplement No. 27 to the City Of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council introduced and finally passed the ordinance on its First and Second Readings. RES. NO. 4236
Council Action:_________________________________________________________


OTHER

22. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Councilman Speck reported that he will not be present for the March 16, 2002 public hearing meeting nor the Tuesday, April 23, 2002 legislative meeting.

City Council: (1) received the revised calendar which includes: (a) Christmas in April on Saturday, April 27 (time and location to be determined); (b) Alexandria's 2002 Successful Aging Expo and Awards Presentation at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 625 First Street, on Thursday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and (c) City Council's community meeting at Patrick Henry Elementary School at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22; (2) scheduled a work session to discuss Woodrow Wilson Bridge noise mitigation issues at 6 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, February 26 legislative meeting; (3) scheduled the annual meeting of the Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, in the Council Workroom, immediately after the proposed work session to discuss Woodrow Wilson Bridge noise issues; and (4) rescheduled the work session with Congressman Moran to Tuesday, March 12, at 8:00 a.m. in the Council workroom.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

23. Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Samuel Gyulnazarian as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

24. Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities
1 Representative From the Business Community Designated
by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Donald Misner as a Representative From the Business Community Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities.

Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

City Council reappointed Lara Swanson as a Non-Health Professional Member to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Johnnie Saunders as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________



CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

27. Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Representative of A Community Non-Profit Agency Having An
Interest in Youth Issues

City Council appointed Elizabeth Johnson as a Representative of a Community Non-Profit Agency having an Interest in Youth Issues to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 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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Public Notice

There will be a Joint Work Session with the Alexandria City Council, School Board and Electoral Board to discuss options for revising the School Board Election Districts as a result of population changes reflected in the 2000 Census. This Joint Work Session will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Tucker Elementary School Cafeteria, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive, Alexandria, Virginia.
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Public Notice

There will be a Samuel Madden Task Force Meeting to discuss the Samuel Madden Homes (Downtown) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Workroom, City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA.
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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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