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Office of the City Clerk
March 13, 2002

At 8:00 a.m., in the Council Workroom,
there was a Work Session with Congressman
James P. Moran to discuss federal legislative items.

The Technology Achievement Awards Reception
was held at 6:45 p.m., in the Vola Lawson Lobby.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 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.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley spoke to the recent death of Assistant City Manager Lori Godwin. He reported that she was a very, very outstanding, dedicated, bright and enthusiastic City employee and will be sorely, sorely missed.
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The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Christopher Esget, Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, February 23, 2002; and

(b) The Regular Meeting of February 26, 2002.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, February 23, 2002; and (b) the Regular Meeting of February 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

5. Recognition of Alexandria Cub Scouts.

City Council recognized Cub Scout Pack 129, Den #1.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring the Week of March 18-22, 2002, as Alexandria Technology Achievement Week and Recognizing the Technology Achievement Award Finalists.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of March as Women's History Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring the Week of March 17-23, 2002, as Tall Cedars Week in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming Saturday, March 23, 2002, as Homeownership Fair Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

10. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming Saturday, April 27, 2002, as Earth Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

Senators Ticer and Saslaw, Delegates Van Landingham and Moran spoke regarding this year's General Assembly Session and responded to questions.

Legislative Director Caton participated in the discussion.

City Council authorized the Mayor to send a letter to Governor Warner indicating that Council would want him to veto the bill that has come forward that denies us the right to have safety in our recreation and other public buildings.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

Mayor Donley noted that he has also talked with all of his colleagues from Fairfax, Fairfax City, Arlington, Falls Church, Prince William and Loudoun and has gained commitments to support a common letter from all of the mayors and chairs in Northern Virginia to also support a veto of this legislation. He reported that the chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors has not signed off, everyone else did.

City Council authorized the Mayor to write a letter to Governor Warner requesting that the General Assembly have a special session that will deal with the issue of a referendum for both education and transportation.

Mayor Donley stated that the mayors and chairs of Northern Virginia will be writing, again with the exception of Prince William County, going on record asking for that same special session.

Councilwoman Pepper stated that somewhere, somehow we have to communicate to the Governor that we don't want him to go ahead just alone with an amendment to the Hampton Roads Bill that includes Northern Virginia. She stressed that this needs to be specified. It was the consensus of Council to go forward with this and the Mayor will contact the Governor.

City Council received the report.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

12. Presentation of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2002-2003 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2003-2008 (including the Schools CIP).

City Manager Sunderland presented his Budget Message.

Staff was requested to report back with respect to accelerating its schedule for going to the bond market.

General Discussion. Members of Council made comments and congratulated staff for doing a good job.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (13-14) (20-22)

13. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
Amy E. Wilson

(b) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Commission
Beverly Winterscheid







REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

14. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Representative of a Civic Association

(b) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Representative from the Business Community

(c) Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Representative of Older Persons

(d) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
2 Citizen Members Who Have Identified a Disability

(e) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
Business Member

(f) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member

(g) USS Alexandria Liaison Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

(h) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Member of the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

13. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Amy E. Wilson from the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; and (b) Beverly Winterscheid from the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Commission; authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

14. City Council: (a) appointed Mariella Posey as a Representative of a Civic Association to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Christopher Schultz as a Representative from the Business Community to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (c) appointed Ralph Smith, III as a Representative of Older Persons to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (d) appointed Hope Harrison and reappointed Eugene Toni as Citizen Members Who Have Identified a Disability to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (e) reappointed Alan Dubow as a Business Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (f) appointed Amy Haberman Gomez as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; (g) appointed Martha Welch as a Representative from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the USS Alexandria Liaison Committee; and (h) reappointed Lori Cooper as a Member of the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Committee to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

20. City Council Introduced and Passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

21. City Council Introduced and Passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

22. City Council Introduced and Passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, March 16, 2002.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

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

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier provided Council with a status report on the proposed improvements to the CSX Overpass at the King Street Metro Station. Staff was requested to communicate to CSX that June 15, is the goal for completion of the improvements.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

Councilwoman Eberwein requested that the City/Schools committee consider the issue of the possible relocation of the School Administration Building to the Datatel site.

City Manager Sunderland and Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Ross gave Council a status report of the Datatel Building on Mount Vernon Avenue.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Consideration of Amending the Status of Chetworth Park in the City’s Master Plan for Dog Exercise Areas and Fenced Dog Parks.

City Council: (1) effective May 30, 2002, rescinded the designation of Chetworth Park as a dog exercise area, thereby requiring that dogs using the park be on leash, and authorized and directed the City Manager to take all actions necessary and desirable to carry out this rescission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

18. Presentation of Alternative Redistricting Options for Future School Board Elections.
City Council received the report and made public the eight alternative redistricting alternatives and the schedule for community input and Council consideration of redistricting options.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

19. Consideration of Amendments to the List of Blighting Influences in Potomac East and Potomac West.

City Council approved the deletion of one property from the currently approved List of Blighting Influences in Potomac East and Potomac West.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper requested staff to move forward and pursue regulation of adult uses within the City.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper reported on a conversation she had with Seminary Hills Civic Association president Dickinson about the possibility of dedicating a room at the new Burke Library in memory of Lori Godwin.

City Manager Sunderland reported that staff will be thinking about ways of recognizing Lori.

(c) Councilwoman Pepper noted that Burke Library will be having its opening on Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m.

(d) Councilman Speck requested a report regarding an increase in the number of pit bulls in the City.

(e) Councilwoman Eberwein congratulated the George Washington Middle School's symphonic band and its director for receiving a grade of one from all four judges at last week's district 10 festival competition.

(f) Councilwoman Woodson encouraged Council Members to take a tour of T. C. Williams High School and note its condition which is clearly dated. It is seriously dated. She stated that as Council thinks about the funding of this, it also needs to be cognizant of the need for flexibility and design so that we will be able to deal with change in the use of that building as we have change in the population. She requested that when the designs are considered that they will work closely with the Recreation Center and create a flexible usage of that building, whether it's the existing building or additions or perhaps a total replacement.

(g) Councilwoman Woodson announced her internship for the fall semester. Further information please contact her website, at Council@joycewoodson.net or call 703-838-4500 and ask for Barfonce Baldwin.

(h) Councilwoman Woodson reported on her recent attendance at the NLC Congressional City Conference held recently in Washington, D.C.

(i) Assistant City Manager Evans announced that in the April issue of the Ladies' Home Journal, Alexandria came in second for this year's Top 10 list of America's Best Cities for Women. She provided Council with a copy of the article.


ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(j) City Manager Sunderland announced visitation for Lori Godwin will be on Thursday, March 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Demaines Funeral Home, 520 South Washington Street. Services and interment are private.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR ( 20- 22)

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend the provisions of Title 3 of the City Code which establish real estate tax exemptions and deferrals for elderly or permanently disabled persons.

21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend the provisions of Title 4 of the City Code which establish the fire prevention code for the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend the Zoning Map adopted by the City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance to change the zoning of the property at 4320 Seminary Road (Alexandria Hospital) from R-12/Residential to R-8/Residential, subject to proffers.

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, March 16, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)

23. Consideration of Resolution in Support of the Belle Haven Marina. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution, as amended, and forwarded it to the Members of the City's Congressional delegation. RES. NO. 2021
Council Action:_________________________________________________________














OTHER

24. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Councilwoman Woodson announced that she will be out of town on Saturday, April 27, and will be unable to attend Earth Day 2002, and Christmas In April.

City Council received the revised calendar which includes: (a) a reception hosted by the Community Advisory Committee on Child Welfare Services in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:00 p.m., in the Vola Lawson Lobby; (b) the rededication of the Burke Library at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 20; (c) Alexandria Earth Day 2002 on Saturday, April 27, at 9:00 a.m. on Four Mile Run Park; and (d) a reception hosted by the Robert S. Rixse Foundation to honor 25 past recipients of Rixse scholarships, and to announce additional community grants on Tuesday, June 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the Vola Lawson lobby.
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 reappointed Taylor Wells as a Member who has expertise in the arts, either as a practitioner of various arts disciplines or as a professional administrator to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Alexandria Community Services Board
2 Consumers (Current Direct Recipients of Public or
Private Mental Health, Mental Retardation, or Substance
Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Services) or Family
Members (Immediate Family Members or the Principal Caregivers Who Are Not Paid)

City Council appointed Robert Bovey and David O'Brien as Consumers to the Alexandria Community Services Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

27. Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Kimberley Moore as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________










CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

28. Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
1 Member From Among the High School Youth of the City

Staff was requested to talk with the Park and Recreation Commission members to look at the possibility if there is an alternative arrangement, i.e., have two student representatives, but have one designated as a junior or a sophomore who could fulfill their whole term. This way we would not only get the longer term, but also get some continuity.

City Council reappointed Kimberly Dawkins as a Member from among the High School Youth of the City to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

29. Consideration of City Policy on Penalties for Late Filing and Late Payments of Taxes.

City Council deferred this item to the Tuesday, March 26, 2002 legislative meeting.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

30. 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 11:33 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 11:48 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council authorized the City Manager and the City Attorney to initiate the acquisition of the property which was the subject of the executive session, along the lines discussed with Council.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session.
RES. NO. 2022
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 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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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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