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Office of the City Clerk
February 26, 2003

At 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber,
there was a City Council Work Session
to Discuss the Taxicab Task Force Report.

The Annual Meeting of the Alexandria
Transit Company Stockholders was
held at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Workroom.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - - 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:_________________________________________________________

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 February 11, 2003 Regular Meeting.

City Council approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 11, 2003, 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 T.C. Williams High School "Young Stars Success Program" (YSSP).

City Council noted the importance of the "Young Stars Success Program." The Mission of this program is to create a cadre of academically and socially successful young males who can serve as role models in the school and community. It is expected that whatever successes these young men have in this program will become guides for a bright and happy future. It is also expected that while these students are participating in this program their attendance and academic progress will improve.

City Council recognized the group of young men and their adult mentors and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring March 2003, as the Rotary Club of Alexandria 75th Anniversary Month.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming March 2003, as American Red Cross Month in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamations Recognizing The Chart House of Alexandria and Mango Mike's Restaurant for Their Loyal Support of the Alexandria Foster Parent Program in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamations.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring Saturday, March 1, 2003, as St. Patrick's Day Parade Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-14)

10. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees

(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Catherine Traffanstedt

(b) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
Penelope M. Bridges


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(c) Alexandria Community Services Board
Carol Holmes

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member-at-Large

(b) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Environmental Sciences

(c) Alexandria Juvenile Detention Commission
1 Citizen Member

(d) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Minority Resident of the City Who Is Not A Landlord or A Tenant

12. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending January 31, 2003.

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

14. Consideration of Proposed City Testimony for the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Year 2003 Regional Financial Planning and Programming Meeting.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

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

10. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Catherine Traffanstedt from the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) Penelope M. Bridges from the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; and (c) Carol Holmes from the Alexandria Community Services 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.

11. City Council (a) reappointed William Tabor as a Member-at-Large to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) reappointed Kenyon Larsen as a Member from the field of Environmental Sciences to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (c) reappointed Marvin Wagner as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Juvenile Detention Commission; and (d) reappointed Raymond Johnson as a Minority Resident of the City who is not a landlord or a tenant to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.

12. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending January 31, 2003.




REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

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

14. City Council: (1) approved the priority listing of transportation projects discussed in the memorandum for presentation by the Mayor to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for the Northern Virginia District at the March 6, 2003 financial planning meeting; and (2) directed staff to prepare letters for the Mayor's signature listing the City's priorities to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT), as appropriate.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

15. Consideration of Update Report on Items Before the 2003 General Assembly Session.

Senator Ticer, Delegates Van Landingham and Moran spoke regarding this year's General Assembly Session.

Legislative Director Caton participated in the discussion.

City Council received this report.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

16. Consideration of Rescinding or Amending the Approved Windmill Hill Park Concept Plan.

Councilwoman Eberwein made a motion, which was seconded by Councilman Speck, to accept all of the revisions on the list, and that the dog access area be, as recommended by staff, on the northern end of the park. The items on the list are as follows:

1. Relocate the basketball court to allow for the completion of the sidewalk on Gibbon to Union.
2. Construct the sidewalk as noted in #1 above.
3. Relocate the volleyball court adjacent to the basketball court.
4. Remove the asphalt parking lot on the east side of Union, clean that area, seed and install family-oriented equipment and furniture.
5. Remove the gates that restrict access to the area in #4 above.
6. Reseed the area between Union and the basin, provide additional plantings and install family-oriented equipment and furniture.
7. Remove the curb cuts on the east side of Union at the Gibbon extended area.
8. Begin the restoration of the area immediately north of the current dog area by trimming some of the overgrowth, removing dead and decayed trees, and planting appropriate new materials.
9. Make the necessary improvements at the north end of Windmill Hill Park to safely allow for dog access to the river from the existing ramp.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

10. Increase the wattage or number of fixtures or adjustments to the lighting in the Wilkes Street Tunnel.
11. Install pedestrian crosswalks across Union at the north end which is the terminus of the new pathway from the Wilkes Street Tunnel and the south end which is Gibbon extended.
12. Complete the construction of the new dog exercise area including fencing and landscaping.
13. To instruct the City Manager to report back to Council with cost estimates, work schedule, and any additional details as needed.
14. Schedule a public hearing on these final revisions.

The above motion carried on a vote of 4-to-3. (Vice Mayor Cleveland, Councilwomen Pepper and Woodson voted no.)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Speck reported on an issue that he had raised at an earlier meeting regarding a community calendar. He indicated that he received a report from the City Manager and Citizen Assistance Director Boyd that the Chamber of Commerce has expanded its community calendar to make it more widely available to the community. Councilman Speck noted that the Chamber is doing the following with respect to its community calendar: making it available for all major events to do advance scheduling; sending a letter to all civic associations advising them of this; and encouraging these groups to post their scheduled events. PIO Gordon is going to issue a press release announcing this so that we may be able to actually create a coordinated structure for some of the conflicts that have been coming up in the past. He stated that this looks like a nice program that the Chamber is going to provide for the whole community.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Speck spoke to a previous discussion about the ability to use the African-American Heritage Park and the difficulty of accessing it. He reported that there have been some staff discussion in conjunction with the Traffic and Parking Board about parking availability in the area.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier reported that there are 14 spaces available on Jamieson Avenue. The Traffic and Parking Board approved the installation of a two-hour parking area on the 1600 block of Jamieson Avenue for the 14 parking spaces.

Councilman Speck requested that the signage be clear and encourages people to stop and use the park.





ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(b) Councilman Speck shared his thoughts about parking concerns on Mount Vernon Avenue, particularly sort of the heart of Mount Vernon. He noted that Council talked about it at the last public hearing when there was an application for the Yoga Studio, and Council was just talking about the continued pressure on parking and that the Avenue has become something sort of a victim of its own success. As more and more people are attracted to come there, it becomes more and more difficult for people to be able to find parking because it’s a popular area and the parking is being used. One of the issues that has come up, and this has been raised by people both at the civic and the business association level, is to try to get a clearer picture of really what the current parking conditions are and the impediments to maximizing some of that parking, i.e., guidance, both educational information for the retailers and the consumers, and better signage, kind of survey the conditions, look at some of the past requests, check with the businesses, get some feedback from the community, look at the pedestrian and vehicular safety. This could be a fairly large project, but he suggested that the Mount Vernon Avenue community is one of our shining stars in constructive community activism and between the civic association and the PWBA, his impression is that they would very much like to be in a position of providing volunteers to help gather this information and get us a more comprehensive picture of the current parking conditions and the impediments to utilizing and maximizing the use of parking. Mr. Speck just wanted to put that out on the table. He indicated that he thinks that the City really does need to get on this parking. It looks like we got some resources that want to be available. He noted that there are a lot of people who he thinks would like to be participating in helping with this. We just need to channel them correctly to be sure we get all of the information that we need.

(c) Councilwoman Woodson requested that a peace resolution regarding the proposed war in Iraq be docketed for Council discussion soon. It would be sent to the federal elected representatives as well as to the President of the United States.

(d) Councilwoman Eberwein requested Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier to provide Council with an overview of meetings that they and Councilman Speck have been having with citizens in the area of Quaker Lane to address traffic issues on Quaker, Seminary and Janney's. Mr. Baier provided overview to the Members of Council and will report back.

(e) Mayor Donley announced that on Friday, February 28, there will be an open house sponsored by the Alexandria Small Business Development Center along with the Chamber of Commerce regarding an emergency preparedness expo. It will be held at the Radisson on North Fairfax Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no cost to attend.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________













REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

(a) City Manager Sunderland and Community Services Board Chair Bradbury introduced and welcomed the new Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse, Michael Gilmore.

(b) Assistant City Manager Jinks and Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Ross provided Council with a positive report on the three corners of King and Union Streets. The sale of the Corn Exchange did occur. Starbucks is coming to the Seaport Inn property and will be requesting some outside seating. There has been active interest to purchase the vacant Fish Market building.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

17. Consideration of Grant Application for FY 2004 Funding for the Continuation of the Alexandria Rideshare Program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution and authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit the grant application and resolution to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for FY 2004 funding, in the amount of $175,419 for the continuation of the City's ridesharing services through ALEXANDRIA RIDESHARE; (2) approve the continuation of two full-time grant-funded positions (Transit Specialist I and Transit Services Assistant I) to administer the ongoing ALEXANDRIA RIDESHARE program. Continuation of these positions is contingent upon funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation or other non-City sources; and (3) execute all necessary documents that may be required under this program. RES. NO. 2060
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

18. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council received the revised calendar which now includes the work session with Department of Human Services staff on child welfare issues and the viewing of the "Our Kids-Our Business: Protect, Foster, Adopt Alexandria's Children" video at 6:00 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, March 25 legislative meeting.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

19. Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Citizen-at-Large

City Council appointed Patricia Chapla as Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Tenant Member

City Council reappointed Richard Sforza as a Tenant Member to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

21. Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board
4 Citizen Members

City Council reappointed Thomas Johnson, Lawrence Ruggiero, Tom Walczykowski and Converse West as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

22. Consideration of the Convening of an Executive Session to discuss with legal counsel and staff probable litigation, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(7).

At 10:25 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 with respect to the claims against the City of Millard Sailor, pending before the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, and of Brigitte Nixon, pending before the Workers' Compensation and Alexandria Human Rights Commission.

At 10:40 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the claims which were the subject of the executive session along the lines discussed in the executive session.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session.
RES. NO. 2061
Council Action:_________________________________________________________
The Meeting was adjourned at 10:44 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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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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Individuals who require translation services to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500. We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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