Action Docket for Regular Meeting (11/27/2001)

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Office of the City Clerk
November 30, 2001

At 6:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom, City
Council had a Work Session with the City's
General Assembly Delegation to Discuss the
City's 2002 Virginia General Assembly Package.

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - - 7:30 p.m.

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OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present except Councilwoman Pepper who arrived at 7:45 p.m. and Vice Mayor Cleveland who arrived at 8:10 p.m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Robert Friend, Pastor, Del Ray United Methodist Church.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Regular Meeting of November 13, 2001.

City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Regular Meeting of November 13, 2001, 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 Rebecca Sklepovich, a Senior at T.C. Williams High School and a Red Cross Volunteer, Who is a Recipient of an Award from the Points of Light Foundation.

In the Council's effort to acknowledge the accomplishments of the City's youth, City Council recognized Rebecca Sklepovich as a recent recipient of The Daily Points of Light Award.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation by General Jackson, Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, to the Alexandria Fire and Police Departments for their Participation at the Pentagon on September 11, and thereafter.

General Jackson presented to Fire Chief Hawkins and Police Chief Samarra plaques signed by the Army Chief of Staff General Shinseki and Secretary of the Army White to recognize the Fire Department Technical Rescue and Police Department for their heroic participation from September 11 on.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming December 1, 2001, as Scottish Christmas Walk Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring December 1, 2001, World AIDS Day in the City of Alexandria.

Councilman Euille advised that in addition to the Saturday, December 1, 7:00 p.m. interfaith service at the Church of St. Clement, other churches in the community will be having programs and events on that day as well, and he encouraged all citizens to participate.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

At this time, 8:10 p.m., Vice Mayor Cleveland arrived.

9. Presentation of Proclamation in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the State Football Championship and Integration at T.C. Williams High School.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

10. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring the Accounting Division for Early Implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 34.

City Council presented to the Accounting Division a Certificate of Excellence in Finance Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association which the City has received for 24 years in a row. Also presented was a Certificate of Recognition from GASB for the City's early implementation of GASB Statement No. 34 for its 2000 CAFR. Alexandria was the first city in Virginia and one of the first in the nation to implement GASB Statement No. 34. Council congratulated Accounting for a job well done.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

11. Presentation to Alethea Taylor Camp Thanking Her for Her Service to the City of Alexandria.

Members of City Council and City Manager Sunderland commended Ms. Camp for her many years of service to Warwick Village and to the City. She will be sorely missed.

City Council presented Ms. Camp with a key to the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (12-17)

Without Objection, City Council removed docket item nos. 15 and 16 from the Consent Calendar and considered them under separate motions.

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

(a) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
Samuel Gyulnazarian

(b) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
Ilona S. Savage

(c) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
Lisa Carr
Lori L. Cole

13. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

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

(b) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large As An Arts
Consumer and Participant

(c) Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Member Who Is 60 Years of Age or Older

(d) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Student Who Currently Attends T.C. Williams High School

(e) Alexandria Commission on Information Technology
1 Member Representing the Alexandria Library Board

(f) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission for Women

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(g) Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
1 Representative From the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board

(h) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chief of Police

(i) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission

1 Member of A City Board, Commission or Other Organization Having An Interest In Youth Issues

14. Receipt of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2001.

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

16. Consideration of Allocation of City Funding to First Night Alexandria.

17. Consideration of Waiving the Docking Fees at the City Marina for the 2001 Annual Festival of Lights and Parade of Boats.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 15 and 16 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

12. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Samuel Gyulnazarian from the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee, (b) Ilona S. Savage from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, and (c) Lisa Carr and Lori L. Cole from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; and requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

13. City Council (a) appointed Stephen Weber as a Builder or Developer of Residential Property to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Justine Walden as a Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large As An Arts Consumer and Participant to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (c) reappointed Donald Fowler as a Member Who Is 60 Years of Age or Older to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (d) appointed Zarah Burstein as a Student Who Currently Attends T.C. Williams High School to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (e) reappointed Patrick O'Brien as a Member Representing the Alexandria Library Board to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology; (f) appointed Jenny Wade as a Representative From the Alexandria Commission for Women to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; (g) appointed Fletcher Johnston as a Representative From the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; (h) appointed J. Barry Schiftic as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Chief of Police to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; and (i) reappointed Robert Sennewald as a Member of A City Board, Commission or Other Organization Having An Interest In Youth Issues to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

14. City Council received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.

15. Councilwoman Eberwein stated her pleasure in seeing that the City is implementing a permit-processing plan that involves computers, and that she assumes this will vastly speed and simplify the process for building permits. She requested staff to return to Council if they are hearing any comments from homeowners and from building professionals about speeding up what is sometimes a very daunting and time-consuming process.

City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary. (Separate Motion)

16. Councilman Speck removed this item from Consent to allow a representative from First Night Alexandria to address the Council.

Without objection, First Night Alexandria Executive Director Dorman addressed City Council and asked them to please wear their First Night buttons for the next 30 days in order to promote First Night Alexandria. Ms. Dorman advised that at the level of funding given by the City, it was entitled to receive 240 badges. However, it was the consensus of Council to have First Night sell the badges instead of presenting them to Council for distribution. Ms. Dorman advised that there will be a full program with about 25 different venues from Jefferson Houston School down to Christ Church, including the train station, and the Masonic Temple for fireworks at Midnight.

City Council allocated $10,750 from the General Fund Contingent Reserve to First Night Alexandria, Inc. (Separate Motion)

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

17. City Council: (1) approved waiving the docking fees for up to a maximum of 20 transient boats participating in the Annual Festival of Lights and Parade of Boats, from Friday evening, December 7, through Sunday morning, December 9, 2001, to serve as an incentive for boaters to participate in this event; and (2) approved waiving the docking fees for two nights during the 2002 summer boating season for a boat 40 feet or less, as part of a weekend package for the winner of the "Dockside Competition" for the best decorated boat, subject to the conditions discussed in the City Manager's memorandum.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

18. (a) Consideration of the Proposed City Legislative Package for the 2002 General Assembly Session. (# 10(a) 11/17/01; #18 10/23/01)

(b) Consideration of the City of Alexandria's Proposed 2002 Charter Bill. (#10(b) 11/17/01; #18 10/23/01)

Mayor Donley went over the changes to the legislative package discussed at Council's Work Session with the members of the City's legislative delegation this evening. There was discussion among the Members of Council about deferring this Charter Bill to allow Council to come to an agreement on the proposed School Board elections legislation.

Legislative Director Caton advised that the General Assembly, starting last year, adopted deadlines for having bills drafted so all requests have to be in by December 10; however, the Charter Bill could be filed drafted one way and amended once it came up, or we could ask one of the Delegation to use their small number of requests which they can submit later.

Councilman Speck stated that Council doesn't want to use up any "chits" on getting this in if there's something else that might come up. He suggested going forward with some language that gives Council the opportunity to make any final changes it wishes, getting the bill in before the December 10 deadline, and modifying it after the deadline rather than run the risk of not being able to get it in at all.

City Attorney Pessoa explained that the language as drafted gives the Council maximum flexibility in terms of the organization of the School Board: to elect between seven and nine, whether they're from districts, and how many districts, whether there's a mix of some districts, some at-large. He feels that unless Council wants to discard one or more of those items of flexibility in drafting the bill, he is not sure we're in a position at this point or by December to make that decision.

The Mayor clarified that one option, as we've had a public hearing and had discussion, would be to adopt this as presented with the understanding that it's going to come back to us potentially with some changes on December 11. Council can make changes after the bill is submitted.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

The Members of Council participated in an expansive discussion on the Charter Bill filing and the proposed School Board election amendment with City Attorney Pessoa, City Manager Sunderland and Legislative Director Caton.

Councilwoman Woodson will provide language to the City Manager, and the School Board election item will be docketed for the first legislative session in January 2002.

Councilman Euille requested staff to make this particular matter relative to the proposed changes to the School Board as part of the City's Charter bill be distributed to various organizations such as the School Board, PTA's and other interested parties to solicit their comments.

City Council: (a) adopted the positions in the City's Legislative Package for the 2002 General Assembly Session with the following amendments: item 31 -- VHDA Loan Eligibility will be changed to Support Legislation, and a letter will be written to the governor requesting changes to some of their regulations regarding loan eligibility; item 37 -- Exemptions from the Virginia Landlord Tenant Act will be changed to Support Legislation rather than Proposed Legislation; item 38 -- Notice of Termination of a Lease will be changed from Proposed to Support Legislation, should any such legislation be introduced; and item 40 -- School Board Elections is not in the package at this time. Staff will tighten up the language a little bit and potentially bring something back for further Council consideration; and (b) adopted the City's Proposed 2002 Charter Bill, as presented.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

19. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending October 31, 2001.

Council received a briefing by staff relative to the events of September 11. Presentations were made by: Assistant City Manager Jinks on City revenue impacts and actions; Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association Director Mitchell on efforts to date by ACVA; Alexandria Economic Development Program Executive Director Riley on AEDP's work with local businesses; Alexandria Chamber of Commerce President Moore and Small Business Development Center Director Regan on their activities; Human Services Director O'Regan on increased caseloads; and JobLink Director McKinney on service impacts.

Councilman Speck requested that the Chamber of Commerce, in particular, regularly remind businesses about the importance of not having their employees tie up parking spaces on the street.

Councilman Speck asked staff to report on how the Marketing Fund is being used to stimulate different activities and events and to make a recommendation on whether funding needs to be increased.

Councilman Speck inquired if there is a need to increase the DASH ABOUT service and to what extent. Staff will report back on the status of DASH ABOUT, the length of the grant and whether or not services should be expanded.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

Mayor Donley requested a report by mid-January from JobLink Director McKinney regarding the results of their outreach activities, especially the actual number of placements made.

City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending October 31, 2001.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Consideration of Supplemental Report on Brenman Park Drive in the Ben Brenman Park.

City Council: (1) received the supplemental report on Brenman Park Drive, and (2) approved keeping Brenman Park Drive, in Ben Brenman Park, in its current configuration as a two-way road open to vehicular traffic.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Receipt of the 2001 Annual Report and Plant Survey of Comcast Cable Communications.

City Council received the Comcast Cable Communications 2001 Annual Report and Plant Survey.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Receipt of the 2001 Annual Subscriber Survey of Comcast Cable Communications.

City Council received the 2001 Annual Subscriber Survey Report from Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Eberwein announced that she attended the Sister Cities meeting, and there is going to be a reception for the Lord Provost of Dundee, Scotland. She encouraged everyone to attend the Scottish Walk Parade and greet the Lord Provost on Saturday, December 1.

(b) Councilwoman Woodson reported that the Commission on Information Technology Awards Week is being celebrated March 18-22, 2002, and it will be taking nominations until January 18. Citizens can visit the City's web site, the Chamber of Commerce web site or the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership web site for information and to make nominations.

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(c) Mayor Donley reported that the Council of Governments endorsed the concept of a regional housing trust fund, a recommendation brought to it by the Washington Area Housing Partnership. They are not expecting local governments to capitalize that trust fund. They will try to raise $5 million in the first year and $15 million in the first three years to assist affordable housing programs in the region, and are looking to get the first $5 million from the federal government. Congressman Moran has agreed to meet with a delegation from the Washington Area Housing Partnership, and the Mayor will keep Council informed.

(d) Councilwoman Pepper, as a member of the Council of Governments, announced that COG is considering whether to send a letter to the Redskins asking them to change the team's name because it is offensive, and she would like to hear people's opinions on that.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper shared the 2000 Ozone Action Days award plaque presented to the City by Clean Air Partners, in conjunction with the COG Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, for its outstanding program on ozone days.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper reminded everyone of the Alexandria Animal Shelter Imprint Party fund raiser at 9 a.m. - Noon on Saturday, December 8, 2001, to assist the Animal Welfare League in raising its share of the funds for the new animal shelter. With a contribution of $100 or more, you can have your hand or a paw print put in the cement there. Proxy paws will also be available for use.

(c) Vice Mayor Cleveland requested the City Clerk to send a letter conveying Council's congratulations to Tucker School principal Cathy David who received a Washington Post Principal of the Year award.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

23. Consideration of a resolution to extend temporary vending operations in the King Street Gardens Park through December 31, 2002. [ROLL-CALL]

City Council adopted the resolution to extend permission through December 31, 2002, for a food cart vendor on the site who will sell prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverage items during concerts and special events held in the park, as authorized by Section 6-104 of the Zoning Ordinance. RES. NO. 2011
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

24. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council (1) received the revised calendar, as amended, which includes the following additions: (a) the Kevin Shifflett Reward Fund presentation ceremony on Thursday, November 29, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center; (b) the 25th Annual Hanukkah Celebration at INOVA Alexandria Hospital on Tuesday, December 11, 2001, at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium (prior to the Council Work Session with ACVA scheduled for 6:00 p.m. before the Council meeting); (c) the passing of the Olympic torch through Alexandria on Friday, December 21, 2001, time and location to be determined; (d) the George Washington Birthday Parade on Monday, February 18, 2002, at 1:00 p.m.; (e) the Alexandria Commission for Women's Annual Salute to Women Awards on Monday, March 25, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. (location to be determined); (f) the Animal Welfare League Imprint Party fund raiser at the new Alexandria Animal Shelter site, 9 a.m. - Noon on Saturday, December 8, 2001; and (2) staff will return to Council on December 11 with a date for the joint meeting of the City Council, the School Board, the Electoral Board and appropriate City staff to discuss potential electoral changes and various election options for School Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

25. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Has Expertise in the Arts, Either As A
Practitioner of Various Art Disciplines or As A Professional
Administrator

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Betty Anderson as a Member Who Has Expertise in the Arts, Either As A Practitioner of Various Art Disciplines or as a Professional Administrator to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Alexandria Commission on Information Technology
2 Citizens-at-Large

City Council reappointed Justin Wilson and appointed David Lantzy as Citizens-at-Large to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

27. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Robin Hays as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

This docket is subject to change.

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