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Office of the City Clerk
June 25, 2003

At 6:30 p.m., there was a Work Session
on the T.C. Williams High School Renovation Plans.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 24, 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, with the exception of Councilwoman Eberwein.
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 Regular Meeting of June 10, 2003.

City Council approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 10, 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. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the St. Stephens/St. Agnes Girls Lacrosse Team for Its Outstanding Season.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OPENING (continued) 6. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing T.C. Williams Crew Coach Mike Penn upon His Retirement.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

NEW BUSINESS ITEM NO. 1: City Council presented a plaque to retiring City Clerk Beverly Jett and former City Clerk Helen Holleman, representing their years of service to the City of Alexandria.

7. Presentation of Proclamations Honoring the Outgoing Members of City Council.

City Council presented proclamations honoring Mayor Donley, Vice Mayor Cleveland and Councilman Speck.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (8-19)

Without objection, City Council removed items 10, 11 and 13 from the Consent Calendar.

8. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees

(a) Alexandria Beautification Commission
Greta Stovall

(b) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
Amy Haberman Gomez
Barbara Rudin

(c) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
Otis G. Weeks

9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District
1 Architect

2 Citizen Members

(b) Alexandria Carr/Norfolk Southern (Carlyle) Design Review Board
1 Citizen Member

(c) 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
Working in the Field

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

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

(e) Alexandria Community Services Board
3 Citizen Members

2 Consumers (Current or Former Direct Recipients of Public or Private
Mental Health, Mental Retardation, or Substance Abuse Treatment
Rehabilitation Services) or Family Members of the Consumer Immediate
Family Members or the Principal Caregivers Who Is Not Paid)

(f) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
1 National or International Trade or Professional Association Executive

(g) Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council
Alexandria’s Operational Medical Director

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

(i) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From the Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

(j) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
2 Citizen Members

(k) USS Alexandria Liaison Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations

(l) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Archaeological Commission

1 Representative From the Pleasure Boat Lease Holders

1 Representative From the Founders Park Community Association

1 Citizen Representative Who Resides East of Washington Street and
South of King Street

1 Citizen Representative Who Resides East of Washington Street and
North of King Street

10. Consideration Proposed Lease Between the City and the American Trucking Association (ATA) for Office Space at the ATA Headquarters on Mill Road.

11. Consideration of Submission of FY 05 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Im- provement Program and Regional Surface Transportation Program.

12. Consideration of the FY 2002 Annual Report from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.

13. Consideration of a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Justice for Funds to Help Pay for Security Upgrades and Deputy Sheriff Overtime at the Alexandria Public Safety Center.



REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

14. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Department of Homeland Security for Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

15. Consideration of Early Childhood Commission Proposal Review Committee Rec- ommendations for the Use of the FY 2004 Children's Fund Monies.

16. Consideration of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending May 31, 2003.

17. Authorization of Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expend- itures.

18. Consideration of Approval of Contract Enabling JobLink to Participate in the Social Security Administration's Ticket-to-Work Program.

19. Consideration of a One-Time Special Request Fund for Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Selected State Agencies for Radio Equipment for the Office of Sheriff.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar, except for items 10, 11 and 13, which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

8. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Greta Stovall from the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (b) Amy Haberman Gomez and Barbara Rudin from the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; and (c) Otis G. Weeks to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; and requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.

9. City Council: (a) reappointed David Zuckerkandel as the architect representative to the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Parker-Gray District; (b) reappointed Patrick McDonald as the citizen representative to the Alexandria Carr/Norfolk Southern (Carlyle) Design Review Board; (c) appointed Sharon Ksander as the member with expertise in the arts, either as a practitioner of various art disciplines or as a professional administrator working in the field to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (d) reappointed James Shank as the business representative from among recognized area businesses, including minority-owned and small businesses, to the Alexandria Commission on Employment (residency waiver given); (e) reappointed Phillip Bradbury and Mary Riley and appointed Stuart Ellis, Sr., as the citizen members and reappointed Harry Hart and David O'Brien as the consumer or family members of the consumer representatives to the Alexandria Community Services Board; (f) reappointed B. Hudson Riehle as the national or international trade or professional association executive representative to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors; (g) reappointed James Vafier as the Alexandria's Operational Medical Director representative to the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council (residency waiver given); (h) reappointed Cynthia DeGrood as the member from the field of Environmental Sciences representative to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (i) reappointed Jean Oseth as the Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum representative to Historic Alexandria Resources

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Commission; (j) reappointed Martha Crawley and Michael Strutzel as the citizen representatives to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission; (k) appointed William Dickinson as the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations representative to the Alexandria Liaison Committee; and (l) reappointed Ernest "Pete" Petersen as the Alexandria Archaeological Commission representative, Wout Coster as the Pleasure Boat Lease Holders representative, Charles Hamel as the Founders Park Community Association representative, David Olinger as the citizen representative who resides east of Washington Street and South of King Street, and Andrew Palmieri as the citizen representative who resides east of Washington Street and North of King Street representative to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.

10. City Council authorized the City Manager to execute, on behalf of the City, and to deliver a lease between the City and the American Trucking Association for office space at the ATA headquarters on Mill Road in substantially the form presented to the Council with such changes as are approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. (separate motion)

11. City Council approved the priority listing of transportation projects as those Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality and Regional Surface Transportation Projects that the City will pursue for FY 2005 and to commit the City to provide the match in FY 2005 for any of the funded projects that require matching funds from state or local transit funds. (separate motion)

12. City Council received the FY 2002 Annual Report from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and thanked the Commission and its members for their efforts on behalf of the City.

13. City Council approved a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Justice for $1,529,990 for funds to help pay for security upgrades and Deputy Sheriff overtime at the Alexandria Public Safety Center and authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required to receive the grant and release the grant funds to the City for expenditure. (separate motion)

14. City Council approved the submission of a grant application for $463,944 to the Department of Homeland Security for Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and authorized the City Manager to submit the application for Federal assistance.

15. City Council approved the Early Childhood Commission Proposal Review Committee recommendations for the use of the FY 2004 Children's Fund Monies as follows: $35,000 set-aside for continuation of funding for the Mount Vernon Head Start site; $50,000 set-aside for the Virginia Preschool Initiative; $25,000 set-aside for early childhood training programs; $5,000 set-aside toward the costs of a comprehensive resource guide for children, youth and families to be published by the Social Services Advisory Board; $888,632 to be designated to fund seven projects that provide quality child care and comprehensive services to at-risk children; and any unexpended funds from the FY 2004 Children's Fund programs be reallocated to the Crisis Aid Child Care Fund or the Child Day Care Fee System.

16. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending May 31, 2003.


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

17. City Council authorized the Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expenditures for the capital projects.

18. City Council approved a Contract Enabling JobLink to Participate in the Social Security Administration's Ticket-to-Work Program and authorized the City Manager to execute all documents as may be required.

19. City Council approved a grant application to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice for a one-time special request fund for local law enforcement agencies and selected state agencies for radio equipment for the Office of Sheriff and authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

20. Consideration of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Work Group Recommendations Regarding a Memorial to Dr. King in the City of Alexandria. (#18 6/14/03; #17 5/13/03)

City Council approved the placement of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in Market Square and the installation of an interactive display with in-depth information about Dr. King at the Black History Resource Center, requested the City Manager to appoint a Martin Luther King, Jr. Work Group to prepare a request for proposal for a memorial to Dr. King, who would recommend to Council a memorial design for placement in Market Square, and authorized a City contribution of $10,000 to be used to initiate the fundraising campaign for the memorial.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Consideration of Referral to the Planning Commission of a Text Amendment for Potential Changes to the Political Sign Regulations.

City Council requested staff to draft changes to the political sign regulations and referred the revised regulations to the Planning Commission as a text amendment, with an amendment that #3 in the proposal be voluntary, and that the Planning Commission be informed that the City Council is thinking about the change and has not signed off on it as the final word, and to meet with representatives of the local Democratic and Republican parties and the League of Women Voters to obtain their input for inclusion in the staff report on the amendment.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Consideration of Approval in Concept of Defined Benefit Pension Plan for Fire- fighters and Police Officers.

City Council approved in concept a defined benefit pension plan for firefighters and police officers and authorized the City Manager to proceed over the summer with the development of a detailed plan and conversion process, to obtain from firefighters and police officers whether they wish to convert to the proposed defined benefit plan, to report to Council in the fall on these decisions and whether they impact the feasibility of establishing the proposed defined benefit plan, and, if appropriate, present the


REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

proposed plan to Council for final adoption. Staff was asked to develop a frequently asked question and answer pamphlet for communication.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

23. Consideration of the Alexandria Community Services Board's Amended FY 2004 Plan of Services, which includes the FY 2004 Performance Contract with the State, and the Proposed FY 2004 to FY 2008 Housing Plan.

City Council approved the Alexandria Community Services Board's amended FY 2004 Plan of Services and the Board's FY 2004 to 2008 Housing Plan and authorized the Board to seek funding to implement the plan subject to City Council approval of any effort to seek such funding.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

24. Consideration of Authorization for Grant Submission to the United States Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Fund Building Renovation and Operating Costs of a Proposed Safe Haven Facility in the City.

This item was withdrawn to further study the item.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

25. Consideration of an Amendment to the Special Regulation for City Council and Administrative Aides.

City Council amended the special regulations to offer members of City Council and Administrative Aides the opportunity to purchase computers and office equipment at fair market value.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Consideration of an Allocation from Contingent Reserve Funds for the Campagna Kids and Tucker Campagna Kids Before and After School Programs.

City Council approved an allocation in the amount of $245,000 for the Campagna Kids and Tucker Campagna Kids Before and After School Programs.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

27. Consideration of Report from the City Naming Committee.

City Council received the report.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

28. Consideration of a Report on Proposed Mechanism to Modify the Allowable Density for Properties Proposed for Development in Eisenhower East if Methane Gas Makes Underground Parking Impractical.

City Council received the report and maintained the Eisenhower East Plan as adopted.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

29. Consideration of Methods for Advising Homeowners of Future Development Plans.

City Council received the report and indicated that staff would continue to include notice requirements, and development approvals and continue to study the issue.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

30. Consideration of Providing Preliminary City Council Support of the Tenants' and Workers' Support Committee Proposal for a Multi-Purpose Community Center in Alexandria and Request Staff to Provide Further Analysis of the Request.

City Council endorsed the concept of the proposal and to continue to evaluate the program and the potential construction of a community center in Arlandria, and Council requested staff to continue to work with the Tenants' and Workers' Support Committee regarding the construction and programming, evaluate it and bring back to the new Council in the fall.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper reported on the skateboard park groundbreaking, and the City being the first in the region to use positioning technology for cell phone use for the 911 system.

(b) Councilwoman Woodson reported on the Virginia Municipal League Finance Steering Committee meeting discussion of the Public Education Funding Options.

(c) Councilman Euille asked staff to report on the flooding problem. Staff responded by giving a report on the problem. Mayor Donley asked staff to look at potential improvements to be made on the stormwater side to clear the problems short-term, and the City Manager has the support if decisions need to be made over the summer.

(d) Mayor Donley said that as a result of the work session held earlier this evening on T.C. Williams, Council spoke of the need for a potential change in zoning and a text amendment change to the R-8 zone to accommodate the potential reconstruction of T.C. Williams and Minnie Howard, and he asked staff to develop a text amendment to the R-8 zone to permit height in FAR modifications for public schools with a special use permit, and the text amendment, at the request of Council, would go to the Planning Commission; he presented a check to the Department of Social Services for the Fund For Alexandria Children in the amount of $1,000 from the St. John the Baptist Day celebration today; and earlier this evening, at the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities, he presented a $500 check for the Pie Program at the Community Services Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER

The City Manager reported on (a) the T.C. Williams graduation and scholarships; (b) the Friends of Rocky Versace made a contribution of $6,100 to the Mt. Vernon Rec Center; (c) the meeting June 25 at the Salvation Army on the Mt. Vernon Avenue land use study; (d) the meeting June 26 for the Duncan Library Review in the cafeteria at Mt. Vernon School; and (e) he asked for support to the Council of Governments of Federal legislation for the immunity problem for D.C., Maryland and Virginia.



REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (continued)

City Council endorsed the Council of Governments Federal legislation to fix the issue of sovereign immunity when responding to Virginia, Maryland and D.C.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

31. Consideration of a Transfer Resolution for the FY 2003 Operating Budget. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted a resolution for transfers for the FY 2003 operating budget.
RES. NO. 2075
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

32. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council received the schedule, which included adding the Duncan Library Expansion meeting for June 26 at 7:30 at Mt. Vernon Community School. Councilwoman Woodson said she would be out of town on July 12 and 13.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

33. Alexandria Board of Architectural Review - Old and Historic District
2 Citizen Members
City Council reappointed Oscar Fitzgerald and Lynn Neihardt.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

34. Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
3 Citizen Members
City Council reappointed Lisa Chimento, Mark Feldheim and Matthew Tallmer.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

35. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
2 Citizen Members
City Council reappointed Victor Addison, Jr., and appointed Jill Bennis.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

36. Consideration of the Convening of an Executive Session for consultation with counsel regarding actual or probable litigation and other specific legal matters requiring the advice of counsel, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, and for discussing the annual performance review of the City Manager and City Attorney, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1).

At 11:30 p.m., City Council convened in executive session, 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 settlement of a property claim by FCR, Inc., against the City; and pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of discussing the performance during the past Fiscal Year of the City Manager and the City Attorney.


EXECUTIVE SESSION (continued)

At 11:45 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the property damage claim which was the subject of the executive session along the lines discussed in the executive session; and approved receipt of the performance reviews, authorized the Mayor to meet with the City Manager and the City Attorney for the purpose of reviewing performance, and authorized the Mayor to negotiate a merit increase of five percent in either salary or non-monetary compensation.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session.
RES. NO. 2076
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 11:47 p.m.


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.


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 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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