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Office of the City Clerk
March 27, 2002



Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 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 Deputy City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
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 Meeting of City Council:

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

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Regular Meeting of March 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

It was noted that due to Spring Break, there would be no recognition of young people this evening.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

5. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing Sunday, April 7 through Sunday, April 14, 2002, as Days of Remembrance in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________


OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring the Month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (7-12; 17)

Without objection, City Council withdrew docket item nos. 10 and 17 and considered them under separate motions.

7. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees

(a) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
Barbara Rostosky Brygider

(b) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Douglas MacMillan

8. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Builder or Developer of Residential Property

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

10. Receipt of the FY 2001 Annual Report from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.

11. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending February 28, 2002.

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

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

City Council approved the consent calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 10 and 17 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

7. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Barbara Rostosky Brygider, and (b) Douglas MacMillan; 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.

8. City Council reappointed Stephen Weber as a Builder or Developer of Residential Property to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

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

10. In response to Councilwoman Woodson's inquiry, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Director Whitmore addressed the status of the Recreation Needs Assessment.

City Council: (1) received the Annual Report from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission; and (2) thanked the Commission for its efforts on behalf of the City. (Separate Motion)

11. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 2002.

12. City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

13. Consideration of City Policy on Penalties for Late Filings and Late Payments of Taxes.

Without Objection, City Council received this report, as well as the attached reports on Late Filing and Late Payment Penalties on City Taxes (Attachment 1 to the City Manager's memorandum). Staff was asked to come back with some recommendations for specific action: (1) to make the fines on late filing, within a certain time period, 10% or $500 as the maximum, whichever is less; (2) to make a specific recommendation on how to make an exception when someone has a late filing within a certain reasonable amount of time, and they have not been a late filer previously; (3) to have one penalty associated with a late filing and to have a stronger penalty for those who have not paid; (4) to make a recommendation on assessing the personal property penalty on the portion of the bill that the taxpayer is responsible for and not 10% of the full tax, but 10% of the 30% that the taxpayer pays; and (5) whatever is recommended to Council, what would the cost be to the City using FY 2001 figures.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

14. Consideration of Allocation of Housing Trust Fund Monies for Alexandria Christmas in April Programs.

City Council approved the request for ACIA for a grant of $42,000 in Housing Trust Fund monies, of which $30,000 will be used to purchase supplies and materials for National Rebuilding Day 2002, and $12,000 will be used to support the organization's new year-round Emergency Repair Fund.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

15. Consideration of the Alexandria Human Rights Commission FY 1999-FY 2001 Reports on Appointments of Citizens to City Boards and Commissions.

Councilwoman Woodson stated her belief that we need to encourage more applicants, and she requested to know the Commission's recommendations for achieving that.

Human Rights Commissioner Jenkins responded to Councilman Euille's questions about whether the Commission looked at: the frequency of vacancies and the deadline dates for filing that perhaps have become too burdensome and cumbersome and results in not enough applicants?; is there not enough time to apply?; or is the frequency of advertising confusing?

Councilwoman Eberwein asked that if there's not a statement now on the Personal Data form, that language should be added to forcefully state that this form does not need to be filled out, and that the applicant will still receive equal consideration with all other applicants.

City Council: (1) received the reports; and (2) scheduled this item for discussion at Council's Tuesday, April 9 Legislative Meeting so that Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions and Citizen Assistance Director Rose Boyd can participate in the discussion.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Planning Commission

16. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2001-0138
1400 DUKE ST
COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 5-0

City Council deferred this item, and the City Manager will give a written update.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Eberwein reported that the COG Metropolitan Development Policy Committee passed a proposal to have a regional activity map showing employment and housing in the metropolitan area. Those regional activity centers will allow a little bit more interjurisdictional cooperation for a lot more planned smart growth in the region.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Euille recognized honors achieved by: Patricia Spencer Favreau, the daughter of Doris Spencer, who was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer by New York Life Insurance Company; and Ludwig Gaines, a member of the Planning Commission, who was recently honored as one of Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area's 2002 Unsung Heroes, the only honoree from Virginia, and he extended congratulations to both of these young people.

(b) Councilman Euille reported on the very successful Eighth Annual Homeownership Fair on Saturday, March 23, at T.C. Williams High School. There were a large number of participants who attended and took advantage of the educational seminars being offered. This turnout demonstrates the need to encourage and expand homeownership opportunities as well as affordable housing opportunities, and the fact that Alexandria has provided a mechanism for our citizens to gain the knowledge relative to the availability of homeownership opportunities in our City.

(c) Vice Mayor Cleveland announced that Connie and Jane Ring received the prestigious Burke Award by the Alexandria Red Cross, and congratulated them for this recognition.

(d) Councilwoman Woodson welcomed the new school board member, Gwen Lewis, to her new role.

(e) Councilwoman Woodson commented on the very disappointing low voter turnout for the School Board special election. She encouraged everyone to take voting a little more seriously and to exercise their privilege to vote more often.

(f) Councilman Euille addressed the low voter turnout and suggested that the signage put up outside the polling places prior to an election be put up earlier and give more information than "Vote Here," in order to provide some assistance in getting people out for an election.

(g) Councilwoman Eberwein complimented the Women's Commission for the annual Salute to Women Awards on Monday, March 25. Betty Wright and Katherine Thompson were recipients of the Margaret Payez award, and she thanked them for their service to the City.

(h) Mayor Donley reported on the ribbon cutting on the City's first Transit Store in the King Street Metro area at 1775D Diagonal Road, and he congratulated the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services on the opening of this retail store which hopefully will get people out of their cars into buses and mass transit or walking.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier responded to Councilwoman Pepper's concern about the expense involved by explaining that the site was the most affordable, with a reasonable square footage cost, and it is a 100% grant-funded program to promote transit.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (17)

17. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to establish real estate and personal property tax rates for calendar year 2002.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Mayor Donley asked if after we get input from the public at the April 8 hearing, do we have the option of amending this ordinance at the Public Hearing and not upsetting the normal schedule. City Attorney Pessoa responded that the seven-day advance notice requirement could be met and the schedule adhered to with a change made on that date.

City Council Introduced and Passed the Ordinance on its First Reading at the $1.09 number; set it for Public Hearing on the budget and property tax rate ordinances for Monday, April 8, 2002; then a public hearing on the effective real property tax increase on April 23 [required by state law]; and set it for Second Reading and Final Passage on Monday, May 6, 2002, to coincide with the adoption of the budget. (Separate Motion)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

18. Consideration of Resolution from the Landlord-Tenant Relations Board Regarding the Voluntary Rent Guidelines. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution. RES. NO. 2023
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

19. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Councilman Speck advised that he will not be in attendance at the April 23 Legislative Meeting; therefore, the Public Hearing on Windmill Hill will be held April 13, with the final vote on the first meeting in May.

City Council: (1) scheduled a work session at 6:15 p.m., on the proposed plan for Windmill Hill Park on Tuesday, April 9, in the Council Workroom, with formal receipt of the plan on April 9, and public hearing on April 13; and (2) received the revised calendar which includes the following additions: (a) a community meeting on redistricting at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 3, in the T.C. Williams mini auditorium; (b) the Planning Commission work session on the Eisenhower East Planning Study at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, April 4, in the Council Chamber. (c) the annual Victim Witness Assistance Program ceremony to recognize crime victims at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, April 23, on Market Square; (d) the City Employee Service Awards program from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, April 25, at the Lee Center Exhibit Hall; (e) the annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day, sponsored by the Office on Women, on Friday, April 26 (Staff will check this date). Kick-off at 8:00 a.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby; (f) the 2002 City of Alexandria Health and Benefits Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 30, at Charles Houston Recreation Center; (g) the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Annual Meeting from noon to 2:00 p.m., on Friday, June 21, at Mango Mike's Restaurant, 4580 Duke Street; (h) the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities annual awards reception at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, June 25, in the Vola Lawson Lobby; and the Town Hall Meeting on security issues with Carlyle residents hosted by Congressman Moran on Monday, April 22, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. at the federal courthouse.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS


20. Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Representative of the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Lesley Buchan as a Representative of the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)


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

City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Cynthia Clare as a Landlord or Representative of a Landlord to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Citizen Member

City Council reappointed Carrie Jones as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 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

At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2002, the 8th Annual Homeownership Fair will be held at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA.

It is anticipated that more than two members of Council will be in attendance.
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Budget Calendar

Wednesday, March 20, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on the Revenue Overview; Fee Policy Changes; and Proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2003.

Monday, April 8, 2002, 4:30 p.m., Council Chamber -- Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2003 Operating Budget and FY 2003-2008 CIP.

Tuesday, April 16, 2002, 7:30 p.m. -- Joint Work Session with City Council and the School Board on the Schools' CIP and FY 2003 Operating Budget (location to be determined).

Thursday, April 18, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on Proposed FY 2003 Operating Budget and FY 2003-2008 CIP (topic to be determined).

Monday, April 29, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on BFAAC Report and Preliminary Add/Delete List.

Monday, May 6, 2002, 6:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on the Final Add/Delete List.

Monday, May 6, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Chamber -- Special Meeting on the Adoption of the Budget for FY 2003.

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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THE CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS ON CHANNEL 11 FOLLOWS:

As of 3/18/02

CABLECAST SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
ON
CHANNEL 11
MARCH 2002


C March 20, Board of Architectural Review - Old & Historic District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 21, School Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 23, City Council Public Hearing, 9:30 a.m. - Replay 3/16

C March 26, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 27, Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C March 28, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay 3/26

APRIL 2002

C April 2, Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 3, Board of Architectural Review - Old & Historic District, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 4, School Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 8, City Council Budget Public Hearing, 4:30 p.m. - Live

C April 9, City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 11, Board of Zoning Appeals, 7:30 p.m. - Live

C April 12, City Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - Replay 4/9

C April 13, City Council Public Hearing, 9:30 a.m. - Live