WHEREAS, in response to these attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration closed all the nation's airports; and
WHEREAS, several days later, most airports were allowed to reopen with enhanced security measures; and
WHEREAS, only one major airport -- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport -- has not been allowed to reopen; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has not indicated when the airport will be allowed to reopen; and
WHEREAS, the region's economy, and especially the economies of Alexandria, Arlington, and the District of Columbia, are very dependent on travelers who use the airport; and
WHEREAS, the airport generates over $5 billion in economic activity annually, as well as $2.1 billion in personal income; and WHEREAS , the airport employs over 10,000 people directly and another 6,000 indirectly, while almost 70,000 visitor and tourist industry jobs in the region are dependent on the airport's continued operation; and
WHEREAS, there are over 600 taxicabs, with over 1000 drivers, licensed in the City, and these drivers have seen a sharp drop in their business as a result of the airport's closure; and
WHEREAS, the City's 22 hotels have seen their occupancy rates fall to less than half their normal rates since Reagan National Airport was shut down; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is an indispensable asset that must be reopened as quickly as possible with appropriate security measures in place;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alexandria City Council supports the expeditious reopening of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with the appropriate security standards; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to President George W. Bush and to the members of the region's congressional delegation.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Councilman Speck reported there have been some very thoughtful letters in the newspaper about King Street Gardens Park. He stressed that there is no proposal to demolish the sculpture, and there has never been any suggestion that the bricks be removed. The purpose of the public hearing in October is to invite people from the community on both sides of the issue to comment on what they like or dislike about the completed project to give Council some rationale for a definitive decision about what to do further. Staff was requested to carefully craft the wording for this docket item to make this a positive and constructive exercise. (b) Councilwoman Pepper acknowledged the gift of $1000 that Councilman Euille has contributed in Council's honor to the Project Discovery, which has its Sixth Annual Walk for the Future this Saturday, September 29. (c) Councilwoman Pepper announced there has been some comment about the water in the west end tasting musty. She explained that the Virginia-American Water Company responded to her that in the process of the "reservoir turnover," where the water on the top and the water on the bottom shift, you get musty water. (d) Councilwoman Pepper reported that the "Cop in the Box" isn't always at the 10 designated intersections from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. when officers are to patrol to keep cars from blocking traffic. Councilwoman Pepper stated that she would also like to see Quaker Lane and Duke Street have a police officer at that intersection. (e) Councilwoman Pepper brought up that the City's red light photo enforcement program is different from San Diego's program where a judge threw out 300 photo red light tickets on the grounds that police there had misused the services of the company processing the citations by paying a percentage of the fines. She explained that Alexandria does use the same company; however, we pay a firm fee and a police officer reviews the charges. (f) Councilwoman Eberwein noted that she continues to receive complaints about dogs running at large in parks. People are becoming afraid to use the parks and have stopped reporting violations because they see no enforcement by the City. She asked that staff come back to Council after taking a look at better enforcement and suggested that a substantial increase in the amount of the fine might be effective. Mayor Donley and City Manager Sunderland participated in the discussion. Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Director Whitmore reported that there is a draft citation ready for City Manager approval and seven Park and Recreation staff have been trained. She advised that once those employees have been empowered to issue citations, this should help with enforcement in the parks. The City Attorney stated that the City's fine is a civil violation and fines can be raised if desired. (g) Vice Mayor Cleveland apologized for his being late and to please bear with him as all law enforcement personnel are stretched almost to its limit. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 18. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 12-12-2 of the City Code to adopt an amendment to conform to the comprehensive services act regarding private provider membership on the Alexandria community policy and management team. (#24 9/15/01sm; #22 9/15/01phm) [ROLL-CALL VOTE] (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated August 31, 2001, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 18; 9/25/01, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.) The Deputy City Clerk read the docket item. It was noted that there were no speakers on this item; therefore, the public hearing was concluded. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council finally passed the Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye" Eberwein "aye" Donley "aye" Speck "aye' Woodson "aye" The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION 20. Consideration of The Convening of an Executive Session to Discuss Personnel Matters Pertaining to a Settlement of a Worker's Compensation Claim, Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(7). WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Woodson, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, at 10:47 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time pursuant to Section 2.1-344(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel concerning a claim pending before the Virginia Worker's Compensation Commission, styled Flynn v. City of Alexandria. The voting was as follows: Woodson "aye" Eberwein "aye" Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye" Donley "aye" Pepper "aye" Speck "aye" THEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried unanimously, at 10:55 p.m., City Council reconvened its meeting of this date which was recessed for the purpose of conducting an executive session. The voting was as follows: Speck "aye" Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye" Eberwein "aye" Donley "aye" Pepper "aye" Woodson "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Woodson, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the Worker's Compensation Claim which was the subject of the executive session, along the lines discussed with City Council. The voting was as follows: Woodson "aye" Eberwein "aye" Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye" Donley "aye" Pepper "aye" Speck "aye" THEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Woodson, seconded by Vice Mayor Cleveland and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session. The voting was as follows: Woodson "aye" Eberwein "aye" Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye" Donley "aye" Pepper "aye" Speck "aye" The resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Section 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the city council that such executive session was conducted in accordance with Virginia law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city council does hereby certify that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters that were identified in the motion by which the executive session was convened, and that are lawfully exempted by the Freedom of Information Act from the Act's open meeting requirements, were heard, discussed or considered by council during the executive session.