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Office of the City Clerk
January 24, 2002

At 6:00 p.m., there was a Work Session
to Discuss the Final Report from the Upper
Potomac West Task Force in the Council
Workroom.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 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:_________________________________________________________

The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Tom Holiday, Pastor, Alexandria Presbyterian Church.
2. Invocation. By:____________________________________________________

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

(a) The Regular Meeting of January 8, 2002.

City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Regular Meeting of January 8, 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 the King Street Singers -- High School Madrigal Group Under the Direction of Karen Randall.

City Council recognized the T.C. Williams King Street Singers, a 17-member group of students, grades 9 through 12, on their many achievements. Under the direction of Karen Randall, the group performed a number of selections.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of February as George Washington Birthday Celebration Month in Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of February 2002, as Black History Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring the Week of February 4-8, 2002, as Consumer Affairs Week in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the T.C. Williams High School Football Team.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-16)

Without objection, City Council withdrew docket item nos. 13, 14 and 16 from the consent calendar and considered them under separate motions.

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

(a) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
Arthur Mosley

(b) Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission
Arthur Mosley

(c) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Jessie Morales

(d) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
Sheeba Ahmed


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

(b) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
1 Representative of Councilman David G. Speck

(c) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
The President of the Alexandria Hotel Association

(d) Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission
1 Representative of Councilman William D. Euille

(e) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
1 Representative of the Alexandria School Board

12. Receipt of the FY 2001 Annual Report from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.

13. Consideration of a Grant Submission and Acceptance of Federal Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Funds for City Economic Development Efforts.

14. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2001.

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

16. Receipt of Report on the Purchase of Land For a New Dash Facility and Setting it for Public Hearing on Saturday, January 26, 2002.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar with the exception of docket item nos. 13, 14 and 16 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

10. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Arthur Mosley from the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (b) Arthur Mosley from the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission; (c) Jessie Morales from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; and (d) Sheeba Ahmed from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; 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)

11. City Council (a) appointed Kenneth Hill as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (b) appointed Holly Hemphill as a Representative of Councilman David G. Speck to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (c) appointed Bryan Thompson as the President of the Alexandria Hotel Association to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors; (d) appointed Karen McRae as a Representative of Councilman William D. Euille to the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission; and (e) appointed Elaine Crowley as a Representative of the Alexandria School Board to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.

12. City Council received the Annual Report from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee and thanked the Committee for its efforts on behalf of the City.

13. Councilman Euille expressed his concerns with respect to these funds and directed questions to Planning and Zoning Director Fogarty. Ms. Fogarty addressed his concerns.

For the record, Councilwoman Eberwein stated that she is adverse to spending additional monies to a regional tourism promotion of $60,000 when we already have $150,000, plus ACVA's regular budget going into tourism promotion. Ms. Eberwein stated her support for the other three issues as she sees the money as better used to either support continuing the DASH service which runs up and down our streets and supports our businesses or to revitalize some of our own commercial districts on Duke Street.

City Council: (1) authorized the grant submission and acceptance of $400,000 in federal economic development funds to support the activities detailed in this report; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required. (Separate Motion)

14. Councilman Euille requested staff to come back to Council with a more formal report in terms of what measures need to be implemented as a result of the effects of September 11, which will reduce our revenues tremendously, and the ongoing financial crisis that we face as a state and what impacts that will have on the budget process plan for FY 2003.

City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending December 31, 2001. (Separate Motion)

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


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

16. Councilman Euille removed this item from the consent calendar and questioned why there are no dollar amounts noted in this report. City Manager Sunderland responded to his concern.

For the record, Councilwoman Pepper noted that one of the proposed land acquisitions is owned by Pepper Lane Property, and that she has no association with them in any way, shape or form.

City Council received the report and scheduled it for public hearing on January 26, 2002. (Separate Motion)

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

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

Legislative Director Caton provided an update on items before the 2002 General Assembly.

Council stated its preferences: legislation to increase the sales tax and use the revenues for transportation and education, to get as much funding as we can for Metrorail capital improvement, DASH and the urban system, and for allocation of education funds based on point of sale. We realize things are going to change as this goes along, and Legislative Director Caton will report back to Council on a regular basis. If it comes to the point where we need to take a position specifically on a transportation bill only, then he will come to Council or, if necessary, to the Legislative Subcommittee, and they can communicate to the Members.

Councilwoman Woodson raised a Point of Order about accepting anything that Council has not had time to read. It makes her uncomfortable to vote on something she has not had an opportunity to read, and she would prefer to defer this action.

Legislative Director Caton advised that what he does if he doesn't have an official Council position is rely on the Legislative Subcommittee, so if Council wants to defer action to Saturday, anything that comes up between now and Saturday, he would still go with what is in Attachment 1 as the Council's recommendation at this time. This can be reaffirmed on Saturday.

City Council deferred action until the Saturday public hearing meeting when the Council formally adopts the positions in the Legislative Subcommittee recommendation, and the earlier discussion Council had will stand in terms of instructions to Mr. Caton.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

18. Consideration of the Second Status Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations from the Child Welfare League of America.

Human Services Director O'Regan introduced the staff members who will be going forward with implementing the changes recommended in the report. These include Suzanne Chis, Division Director, Diane Cabe, former public information officer for the City and now the Project Manager for the education committee and the education project in the City, and Dorothea Peters, who is a guardian ad litem, who also serves on the Community Advisory Committee.

Members of Council, City Attorney Pessoa, Human Services Director O'Regan and the City Manager participated in a discussion of the Status Report. Director O'Regan and Attorney Pessoa responded to questions raised concerning the requirement of criminal records checks and the "New Eyes" policy.

The Mayor understands that the Community Advisory Committee is still debating the "New Eyes" policy but requested that Director O'Regan report back to the Committee not so much Council's concern about the smaller kind of injury but concern that we've established a policy regarding "New Eyes," and we're only now going to direct it at the reunification, and are we overlooking a potential area where abuse could occur and not being consistent in how we are applying the policy? Mayor Donley requested that once the recommendation comes forward from Human Services through the Advisory Committee that it come before the Council for discussion.

Councilwoman Woodson questioned Director O'Regan about training in private schools and institutions, and on the definition of "residing in the home," and Ms. O'Regan responded to her queries.

City Manager Sunderland reported that six months since the report came to Council the people in the Human Services Department have done a fantastic job and lots of progress has been made. This is a genuine good-faith effort to make a difference, and he appreciates what everybody has done during this enormously difficult time.

City Council received the report.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Board of Architectural Review
Old and Historic District

19. CASE BAR-2001-291
815 PRINCE STREET
Consideration of Remanding Back to the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, the subject matter of an appeal of the BAR's decision on December 5, 2001, approving, as amended, a request for approval of alterations to the dwelling located at 815 Prince Street, zoned RA Residential. APPLICANT AND APPELLANT: Edward B. Murphy by Duncan W. Blair, Esquire.

BOARD ACTION: Approved as amended, 4-3

Duncan Blair, attorney for the applicant, stated that he believes they can resolve all the issues, both on the windows and the doors, if they are remanded back, and that these issues can be disposed of at the BAR.

City Council remanded the appeal back to the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic District, for BAR hearing on February 6, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Speck announced the good news that President Bush signed the defense authorization bill which included an authorization for Captain Rocky Versace to be awarded posthumously the Congressional Medal of Honor. He is the only member of the Army to be awarded a medal of honor for actions that took place as a POW and is only the second Alexandrian to be awarded a medal of honor. The memorial park dedication is planned for July 6, 2002, the morning of Alexandria's birthday celebration. There will also be a ceremony at the White House for his family.

(b) Councilman Speck distributed a diagram showing the land at Jones Point Park which is now being used for community gardens and inquired why the Park Service did not include this land as part of the Jones Point parcel during Council's deliberations of the park. He would like to consider this land during the ongoing discussion of the Jones Point configuration because of the new security requirements, and he requested staff to determine whether this land can be included in Council's consideration of any revisions in utilization of the entire Jones Point parcel.

Councilwoman Pepper also requested to know exactly how safety issues are going to be affected, because we will be losing a lot more land than originally planned.

Mayor Donley advised that a study on safety is being done by VDOT and consultants right now. The bridge consultants are to come back to Council to go over the impacts on what happens at Jones Point Park.


ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(c) Vice Mayor Cleveland, as a matter of regional involvement and to bring the City into compliance with the rest of the region, requested to start the process of an ordinance to prohibit x-rated movie houses in Alexandria. He stated that to his knowledge this theater is the only one in existence in the area, and he would like to see ordinances of other jurisdictions. The City Attorney will survey the law in the surrounding jurisdictions, report back to Council and will get with Vice Mayor Cleveland.

(d) Councilman Euille announced that on January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Minnie Howard Middle School, the Alexandria Democratic Committee will hold a community discussion/debate on whether or not there should be a regional sales tax. He stated that questions will be taken from the audience.

(e) Mayor Donley requested from staff a written update on where we stand with the replacement plan for the dog park at Chetworth Park relative to items like safety, lighting and pedestrian improvement needs.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

20. Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds by the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Alexandria for the American Type Culture Collection. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution as recommended by the AIDA at its meeting of January 8, 2002. RES. NO. 2015
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

21. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

Vice Mayor Cleveland announced he has a training exercise and will miss the Saturday, February 23, 2002 public hearing meeting. He will advise Mayor Donley if there is anything of note which he wishes to have deferred until his return.

City Council: (1) received the revised calendar which includes: (a) the Wednesday, February 13 joint meeting with the School Board and the Electoral Board at 7:30 p.m. at Samuel Tucker School; (b) the Saturday March 2 St. Patrick's Day Parade (time to be determined); (c) the Tuesday, March 12 Alexandria Technology Achievement Awards reception at 6:45 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby; (d) the Thursday, March 21 Alexandria Technology Achievement Awards breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Mark Center Hilton; and (e) the Friday, March 22 Alexandria Technology Achievement Awards luncheon at noon at the Old Town Hilton; and (2) scheduled a community meeting at Patrick Henry School at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

22. Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team
1 Representative of A Private Organization or Association of Providers
of Children’s or Family Services Which Provides Such Services
Within the City on A Continuing and Consistent Basis

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Francesca Creo as a Representative of a Private Organization or Association of Providers of Children’s or Family Services Which Provides Such Services Within the City on a Continuing and Consistent Basis to the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

23. Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
1 Attractions Representative

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Linda Jeffries as an Attractions Representative to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

24. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Lois Walker as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority.
Council Action:________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1. At 10:24 p.m. , City Council convened in executive session at this time, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel and staff regarding the compliance by the City and its employees with established law, policy, procedures and norms of social service practice in Virginia, in placing and retaining Katelynn Frazier with her natural mother in the latter part of 2000, and considering the advice of counsel with respect to such matter.

At 12:21 a.m., City Council reconvened its meeting of this date which was recessed for purpose of conducting an executive session.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session.
RES. NO. 2016

The Meeting was adjourned at 12:22 a.m., January 23, 2002.

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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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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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