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Office of the City Clerk
March 26, 2003

At 6:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom, there
was a Work Session on Child Welfare Issues.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 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 Deputy City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present with Vice Mayor Cleveland arriving at 8:45 p.m.
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 Meetings of City Council:

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of February 22, 2003;

(b) The Regular Meeting of March 11, 2003; and

(c) The Public Hearing Meeting of March 15, 2003.

City Council approved (a) the Minutes of the Public Hearing Meeting of February 22, 2003; (b) the Regular Meeting of March 11, 2003; and (c) the Public Hearing Meeting of March 15, 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 Alexandria Youth Lacrosse Club.

City Council recognized Coach McCue, who explained the program, and the members of the Alexandria Youth Lacrosse Club introduced themselves.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued)

6. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring Saturday, March 29, 2003, as Homeownership Fair Day in the City of Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Alexandria. Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming March 22 through April 7, 2003, in Recognition of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Presentation of Appreciation for 10 Years of Support of An Evening in the Heart of Alexandria by the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau to the Mayor and Members of City Council.

The Alexandria Volunteer Bureau presented red heart-shaped balloons to the Mayor and City Council as tokens of their thanks for Council's support over the past ten years of their annual fund raising event, An Evening in the Heart of Alexandria. AVB Board Member Crosby reported that each Council Member has contributed to this year's silent auction. She described those gifts and invited everyone to attend the event being held this Friday at the Virginia Theological Seminary. For more information contact AVB at 703-836-2176.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-19) (24)

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

(a) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
David J. McGrath

(b) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Susan Anderson

(c) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
Joseph Youcha

(d) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
Sherry M. deVries

(e) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
Miriam A. MacDonald

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology

(b) Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Business Representative From Among Recognized Area Businesses, Including Minority-Owned and Small Businesses

1 Citizen-at-large

(c) Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team (ACPMT)
1 Parent Representative Who Is Not An Employee of Any Public or Private Program Which Receives Funds From the Comprehensive Services Act

(d) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board

(e) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Representative From the Pleasure Boat Lease Holders At the
Alexandria Marina

12. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending February 28, 2003.

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

14. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Commission for the Arts for Funds for a Local Government Challenge Grant for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

15. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Office on Women's Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA) Program.

16. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the Fire Department to Set Up a Community Emergency Response Team.

17. Consideration of Submission of a Letter of Agreement to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the State and Local All-Hazards Emergency Operations Planning Grant Program.

18. Receipt of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report.


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

19. Receipt of the Semi-Annual Update on the Blighting Influences Program and Consideration of an Amendment to the List of Blighting Influences.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented, with the exception of docket item no. 16 which was considered under a separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

10. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) David J. McGrath from the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (b) Susan Anderson from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (c) Joseph Youcha from the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (d) Sherry M. deVries from the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; and (e) Miriam A. MacDonald from the Alexandria Waterfront Committee; 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 reappointed (a) Sandra Nail as a Member from the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) reappointed Jacqueline Woodard as a Business Representative from Among Recognized Area Businesses, Including Minority-owned and Small Businesses, and appointed Benjamin Klein as a Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (c) reappointed Antoinette Poindexter as a Parent Representative Who is not an Employee of any Public or Private Program which Receives Funds from the Comprehensive Services Act to the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team (ACPMT); (d) reappointed Raymond Johnson as a Representative from the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; and (e) Appointed Wout Coster as a Representative from the Pleasure Boat Lease Holders at the Alexandria Marina to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.

12. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 2003.

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 authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application, in the amount of $5,000, to the Virginia Commission for the Arts' Local Government Challenge grant program; and (2) execute all necessary documents that may be required.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

15. City Council approved: (1) the submission of the grant application to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DSJS) for funding in the amount of $212,296 that would result in the continued funding of the Office on Women's Sexual Assault Response & Awareness (SARA) Program; (2) approved the continuation of one full-time Social Worker, one part-time Volunteer Developer and one part-time Outreach and Prevention Specialist for the Office on Women's SARA Program. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant and the individuals who fill these positions would be notified of this condition of employment at the time that they are hired, and would sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition. It should be noted that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds expire; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.

16. Councilman Euille asked that Sergeant Watson and Captain North participate in the marketing and public relations efforts to reach a broader audience by contacting Alexandria civic associations to advise them that this program is available.

City Council: (1) approved the grant application to VDEM, totaling $56,839, which would allow the Fire Department to set up a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required. (Separate Motion)

17. City Council: (1) approved this letter of agreement for an allocation from VDEM, totaling $28,913, for the State and Local All-Hazards Emergency Operations Planning Grant Program; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.

18. City Council received the report from the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and thanked the volunteers for their contributions to the City.

19. City Council received the report and approved the deletion of one property, 329-1/2 North Henry Street, from the currently approved List of Blighting Influences.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Consideration of Establishment of the Lori Godwin Public Services Learning Award.

Councilman Euille proposed that since there will not be a plaque with Lori's name on it for the public or City personnel to see, that these awards be formally presented during a Council meeting.

City Council established an annual award to honor Lori Godwin and her contributions to the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

21. Presentation on Police Department Mobile Computer Technology.

Councilwoman Woodson requested that Police Chief Samarra provide Council with a memo on the overall return on investment and improvements made as a result of the mobile computers.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Consideration of Approval of the Articles of Incorporation of the Alexandria Development Foundation. (#15 3/11/03)

Councilman Speck noted for the record that it is the intention of the Board to not draft by-laws until most or all of the Board members are appointed, including the representative from the nonprofits.

City Council (1) received the Articles of Incorporation; and (2) requested that the City Attorney file the Articles of Incorporation with the State Corporation Commission, and in the filing to include the language that indicates that minimum contribution amounts for solicitation or acceptance would be $25,000 for single gifts or $50,000 for pledges.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS of the City Manager (continued)

23. Consideration of Request to Permit an Exception to the Major Events Policy for the Alexandria Festival of the Arts, sponsored by the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA).

Councilwoman Pepper asked that ACVA work with the local arts community to determine who the jurors are going to be.

Councilwoman Pepper requested that if this event is to become an annual event, she would like to have it come back to Council before that actually occurs.

City Council approved an exception to the Major Events Policy to allow the Alexandria Festival of the Arts, sponsored by the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association, to occur on Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None
REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Speck, Council's representative on the Transportation Planning Board of COG, provided information and statistics from recent census data regarding traffic and congestion in the metropolitan area which are important to know as Council discusses issues related to development and congestion.

(b) Councilman Euille explained the dilemma faced by WMATA now during the budget process on whether to raise fares for both bus and rail in addition to parking lots and garages. The concern is if we raise fares, then we'll probably lose ridership, and the intent of the mass transit system is to encourage people to get out of their cars and use mass transit.

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)

(c) Councilman Euille has had some discussion with Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier and his staff about an initiative for a ride-on program for youth up to age 20 so that they may ride both Metro and Dash buses throughout the City for free by displaying the proper ID. That is one way to at least remove some of the cars off our busy streets.

(d) Vice Mayor Cleveland reported that on March 12, the Alexandria Police Department started its Citizens Police Academy. People will attend weekly classes in order to learn about the City and the Police Department. At the end of the eight-week course, the Department has a little get-together and a graduation ceremony with the Chief in attendance.

(e) Mayor Donley advised that he delivered the City's testimony to the Commonwealth Transportation Planning Board and the testimony for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. He delivered the plea that the state as part of the Governor's Congestion Mitigation Plan, not divert funds that were already allocated to Northern Virginia into various projects located throughout the state. The Authority did approve a list of projects that was forwarded to VDOT as part of the Governor's Congestion Mitigation program with the request that if the funding is not sufficient for all of the projects that it come back to the Authority for further consideration. Alexandria had three programs that were part of that allocation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper announced that the City has become a Tree City USA for the 20th year in a row, and she hoped we will do something special about this, perhaps in conjunction with Earth Day.

(b) Councilwoman Pepper, who serves on the Commission on Aging, reported that at the last meeting John Curran had a heart attack. She recognized Debbie Ludington, staff for the Commission, and Lisa Wright, an INOVA representative in the audience, who resuscitated him and kept him alive long enough for medical help to arrive. She also recognized the medics, Jeffrey Woolsey and Frederick Koerner. Fire Deputy Chief Whitmore will transmit this on to the Fire Department employees.

(c) Councilman Speck spoke on real estate taxes and their impact on property owners on a fixed income, even when we are not looking at a significant increase. He asked if procedures could be established for those who want to be able to pay their taxes so their payments are spread over the year. Finance Director Neckel reported that taxpayers can make any form of payment though there is no formal program. Mr. Neckel reported that they are looking into a system that would allow the electronic payment of taxes. Staff will follow up on ACH and look at potential options.

(d) Councilman Euille asked about the status of the request from him and Councilwoman Woodson, as co-chairs of the Affordable Housing Task Force, about forming a community development corporation. Staff will return with a plan to implement such a partnership arrangement within the City within ten days to two weeks.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

None

Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

CONSENT CALENDAR (24)

24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to establish real estate and personal property tax rates for calendar year 2003.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading and set it for public hearing on Tuesday, April 22, and for Second Reading and Final Passage on Tuesday, April 29, 2003.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

25. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

The Mayor announced that Councilman Speck will not be attending the May 13, 2003 legislative meeting, and he will not be participating in Christmas in April because he is going to be a participant in the citizen fire academy.

City Council: (1) scheduled a work session at 6:00 p.m. before its Tuesday, April 22 legislative meeting to receive a presentation on the Alexandria Visitors Center consultant study; and (2) received the revised schedule which includes: (a) a work session on the programs provided by the Alexandria Small Business Development Center at 6:00 p.m., before Council's Tuesday, May 27 legislative meeting; (b) the groundbreaking for the Dr. Oswald Durant Center at 8:30 a.m., before Council's Saturday, May 17 public hearing meeting, 1605 Cameron Street; (c) Christmas in April on Saturday, April 26 (time and location to be determined); and (d) the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities annual award reception at 6:00 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, June 24 legislative meeting in the Vola Lawson lobby; and added a work session on Open Space at 6:00 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, May 13, legislative meeting.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

26. Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Licensed and Practicing Attorney

City Council reappointed John Corrado as a Licensed and Practicing Attorney to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________


CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)

27. Alexandria Real Estate Assessments Review Board
1 Citizen Member

City Council reappointed Martha Feldkamp as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Real Estate Assessment Review Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

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

At 10:03 p.m., City Council: (1) 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 a lawsuit filed against the City by Eric West now pending in the Alexandria Circuit Court; (2) convened in executive session at this time pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for the purpose of discussion and consideration of the continued service of a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals; and (3) convened in executive session at this time pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for the purpose of discussion, consideration or interviews of prospective candidates for appointment as City Clerk.

At 10:58 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting and adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session. RES. NO. 2063

City Council will convene in executive session at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2003, and at 12 o'clock noon on Friday, April 11, 2003, in the Council Workroom, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for the purpose of discussion, consideration or interviews of prospective candidates for appointment as City Clerk.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

At 11:00 p.m., City Council recessed the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, March 25, 2003, until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2003.
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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

Wednesday, March 26, 2003, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Budget Work Session. The topics are still to be determined.
Tuesday, April 1, 2003, 7:30 p.m., Samuel Tucker Elementary School cafeteria, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive -- Joint Work Session with City Council and the School Board on the Schools' CIP and FY 2004 Operating Budget.
Wednesday, April 2, 2003, 4:30 p.m., Council Chamber -- Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2004 Operating Budget and FY 2004-2009 CIP.

Monday, April 21, 2003, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on BFAAC Report and Preliminary Add/Delete List.

Tuesday, April 29, 2003, 6:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on the Finalization of Add/Delete List.

Tuesday, April 29, 2003, 7:30 p.m., Council Chamber -- Special Meeting on the Adoption of the Budget for FY 2004 and Tax Rate adoption.

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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