12. Alexandria Beautification Commission 1 Citizen Member City Council appointed Kenneth Basta as the citizen member. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 13. Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS 1 Citizen Member City Council reappointed John Wertman as the citizen member. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 14. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority 2 Citizen Members City Council reappointed Scott Humphrey and Lois Walker as the citizen members. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 15. Northern Virginia Regional Commission 1 Citizen Member City Council appointed Natalie Mosher as the citizen member. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER 16. Consideration of Application for an Amendment to an Existing Federal Environmental Protection Agency Grant to Provide an Additional $650,500 for the Four Mile Run Sewer Service Area Excessive Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) Remediation Project. City Council authorized the City Manager to apply for the grant amendment and additional federal assistance and authorized the City Manager to execute an amended grant agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the total amount of $1,523,500 for the project. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 17. Consideration of a Request to Permit an Exception to the Major Events Policy to Allow the Addition of Four Specific Venues East of Washington Street for First Night Alexandria. City Council permitted an exception to the Major Events Policy to allow for the addition of four specific First Night Alexandria venues. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 18. Report on the Community Partnership Fund for Human Services Recommended Priorities for the FY 2005 Competitive Grant Cycle. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued) City Council docketed the item for public hearing for September 13, 2003, with final action on the priorities at the September 23 City Council meeting. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 19. Consideration of a Resolution Requesting Matching Funds for the Old Town Congestion Mitigation Project. City Council adopted a resolution authorizing local matching funding of $40,000 and authorized the City Manager to submit an agreement for the use of $160,000 of federal CMAQ funding to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Old Town Congestion Relief Project, and to execute all necessary documents that may be required under the program. (RES. NO. 2077) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 20. Consideration of a Resolution Requesting State Funds for the Alexandria Rideshare Program and Authorizing Matching Funds for the Rideshare Program. City Council adopted the resolution and authorized the City Manager to (a) submit an agreement and matching funds to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for Federal CMAQ funding in the amount of $160,000 for the Alexandria Rideshare media program; the agreement is contingent upon the matching funds in the amount of $40,000 from City sources already budgeted for this purpose; and (b) execute all necessary documents that may be required under this program. (RES. NO. 2078) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 21. Consideration of a Resolution Requesting State Funds For An Employer Match Incentive to Promote Alternative Transportation Modes and Authorizing City Matching Funds. City Council adopted the resolution and authorized the City Manager to (a) submit an agreement and matching funds to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for Federal CMAQ funding in the amount of $80,000 for the Alternative Transportation Program Transit Match Employer incentive; the agreement is contingent upon the matching funds in the amount of $20,000 from City sources; and (b) execute all necessary documents that may be required under the program. (RES. NO. 2079) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Mayor Euille said he visited six schools on opening day, and the addition at George Washington Middle school is marvelous. There is still the challenge and support to education, especially with the President's initiative on the No Child Left Behind Act. (b) Mayor Euille said he participated in a national press conference at the National Press Club on affordable housing and the cost of housing being out of reach, and there is a need to keep advocating for the issue and to keep the dollars going out of the country to stay in the country. (c) Mayor Euille noted the programs in the area for the September 11 Remembrance, including a community resilence organization hosting a Labyrinth Peace Walk at Ben Brenman Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (d) Mayor Euille noted the docket item dealing with a time change for the Council meetings, to start the meetings at 7:00 p.m., so the business can be completed ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued) at a reasonable hour. There will also be, from time to time, staff presentations on docket items. Appointments are now early on the docket. Work sessions will be part of the legislative meeting, instead of before the meeting, from time to time. (e) Vice Mayor Pepper said she hoped to be at the September 11 Remembrance Walk in Ben Brenman Park. (f) Vice Mayor Pepper said she attended the Cambodian Community Day Festival August 10 at Ben Brenman Park, in which she was given a neatly folded scarf, which she presented it to the City. (g) Vice Mayor Pepper said there was a groundbreaking June 16 for the Alexandria Skate Park, and this past Sunday it was opened for anyone who wanted to come. (h) Vice Mayor Pepper said there will be Comprehensive Transportation Policy and Program meetings at Tucker Elementary School on September 16, and Minnie Howard School, on September 17, at 7:45 p.m. (i) Vice Mayor Pepper said she would like to receive a written report on how the City of Alexandria is doing on drug activity and preventing illegal use, as well as gang activity. (j) Vice Mayor Pepper asked for information and guidance on flag protocol. (k) Councilwoman Woodson said the skateboard park is a wonderful opportunity to stay away from the drugs. That success is what will give the impetus to do other things, such as a roller rink or ice rink, and that will happen with parental support that it received for the skatepark. (l) Councilwoman Woodson said she is interested in creating a citizens academy by either January or next Fall, in order to help citizens who are interested in being involved in City government. (m) Councilwoman Woodson spoke about the establishment of a citizen police review committee, which could be a standing committee of the Human Rights Commission. Mayor Euille said he wants staff to check the records from 1994 or 1995 when he brought up the matter for consideration, and it had a three hour work session on it, in which it was never brought to a vote. (n) Councilman Gaines said he would support exploring the possibliity of establishing a citizen police review committee. (o) Councilman Gaines thanked the City Manager and staff for its briefings on a host of issues, and he found staff to be accessible and responsive to its inquiries. (p) Councilman Gaines said he toured satellite facilities and City Hall, and he was impressed with the employees and the use of technology. (q) Councilman Gaines announced his office hours at City Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, on the second floor. There will also be community office hours monthly at Beatley Library, and is working on having community office hours at Charles Houston and Lee Recreation Centers. He said he has also instituted an intern program and will be soliciting applications from local high school students and also from the senior community. ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued) (r) Councilman Gaines congratulated the Grandfather's Group, who recently received a recognition from the Points of Light Foundation for its hard work in the community mentoring young children. (s) Councilman Gaines said Alexandria has its first national Hall of Famer in Earl Lloyd, and he was responsible for integrating the National Basketball Association. (t) Councilman Gaines said they are aware of the incident on First Street involving the Police Department, as well as an individual. He asked when the findings will come to Council, and he and other members of Council spoke with the residents. He said he hoped it might have the City Manager arrange a joint session with ARHA to remediate those concerns. Mayor Euille said the City honored Earl Lloyd approximately four years ago. Mayor Euille said the City Manager is awaiting the investigative report on the Police incident, which will be followed by a review by the Commonwealth Attorney, and Council will then be briefed on those findings. (u) Councilman Macdonald said he is interested in the environment, and there is a great deal of effort going on to reevaluate what it needs to do to protect the water quality and other resources of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, and all communities will have to figure out a better way of protecting the important resource. It needs to think about open space preservation and green buildings and things to improve its quality of life. There will be a meeting of the Environmental Policy Commission on September 22 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. (v) Councilman Macdonald said there will be an open house soon at the Carlyle House. The archeology group will have a day when one can go and work. (w) Councilman Macdonald said the Art League has a wonderful new building at Duke and Union where it offers classes. (x) Councilman Macdonald said he will have office hours at City Hall on Tuesdays and Wednesday, and he will meet with citizens at their convenience. (y) Councilman Krupicka echoed the encouragement of citizens to attend the Peace Walk on September 11. (z) Councilman Krupicka echoed Councilman Gaines comments on appreciating the time and effort staff put into tutoring and bringing the new members of Council up to speed over the summer. (aa) Councilman Krupicka said the Del Ray Artisians have a member show going on at the Colasanto Center on Mt. Vernon Avenue, and he has a painting in the show. (bb) Councilman Krupicka said he would have interns to work with him on a variety of projects. (cc) Councilman Krupicka said he is proud to serve on the IT Commission, and the City has brought on a new individual, Craig Fifer, who will do a lot to make the City's website more accessible. (dd) Councilman Krupicka asked Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier to talk about the stormwater and sewer issues. Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier updated Council on the sewer issues. ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued) (ee) Councilman Smedberg thanked the City Clerk and Clerk of Council and her staff for the help it has given. He also thanked the City Manager and Assistant City Manager for the work done on the briefings, and he said he was impressed with the level of professionalism and the depth and understanding the staff has. He also recognized Sheriff Jim Dunning, who gave them a tour of the City Detention Center. (ff) Councilman Smedberg said on the Police incident on First Street, there are other neighborhood concerns that have come up. (gg) Councilman Smedberg asked if the Council appointments to boards and commissions are on the City's web site. City Manager Sunderland said he didn't know, but if it wasn't on there, it would be put on. (hh) Councilman Smedberg said a report will be forthcoming on neighborhood concerns on air quality issues surrounding the Mirant Plant in North Old Town. Two individuals, Elizabeth Chimento and Poul Hertel, have worked for two years putting together the report. City Manager Sunderland said he has given it to the Environmental Quality area and he has asked for a review and will then discuss it with the Mayor, and will also bring the authors back in. Vice Mayor Pepper said she represents the City on the MWAQ Committee of the Metropolitan Region, and will probably give a report at the next meeting. She said she has brought to the attention of staff the whole issue of the Mirant Plant, and there has been a very dismissive attitude on the part of the City. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER City Manager Sunderland reported on: (a) the demolition of the old Alamo began this week at King and Union, and it will have progress on that; (b) Starbucks is in the old Seaport Inn, and there is a lease with a Thai Restaurant for the restaurant space between the river and the coffeeshop, and it needs a BAR approval and encroachment from Council to allow seating on King Street; (c) there is a contract on the building at 101 and 103 King Street, and the proposal is retail on the first floor, restaurant on the second floor; (d) the skateboard park opened at Luckett Field at Duke Street and Quaker Lane; (e) there are new signs up and down King Street, as part of the comprehensive across the City revisiting sign program; (f) the mentor program on North Columbus opened in late August; (g) he thanked Code Enforcement Director Art Dahlberg and his crew on getting George Washington Middle School open; (h) Transportation and Environmental Services brought their trucks and equipment to the parking lot at T.C. Williams High School, and 400 students showed up; (i) there was a $554,000 grant given to ANHSI, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., which is a great accomplishment; and (j) there will be a public meeting on T.C. Williams at 7:30, September 15, in the cafeteria, on the new building, put on by the Schools and City staff. Councilman Macdonald asked the City staff to provide an explanation, before September 15, on how it manages contracts, for example, the School projects, and if there is anything it needs to do to improve the management of contracts, both for the quality of the workmanship and for saving money and other attributes. City Manager Sunderland said the Schools manage their own contracts. The schools at Hammond, T.C. Williams and G.W. are going to have a dual contract management system and are hiring an in-house project manager. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ WORK SESSION 22. Update on the Duke Street Concourse and Opening of the First Two Patent and Trade Office (PTO) Buildings. City Council heard a report on the Duke Street Concourse and opening of the Patent and Trade Office buildings. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS CONSENT CALENDAR (23) 23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to authorize landscaping and decorative features to encroach into the public sidewalk rights-of-way with the Potomac Greens development. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading; set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, September 13, 2003. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading and Second Reading of an Ordinance to adopt Supplement 70 to the City Code.(ROLL-CALL VOTE) City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on first and second readings. (Ordinance No. 4311) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 25. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to authorize the conveyance of certain land to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Transportation. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading; set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, September 13, 2003. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend the City Code to change the regular time for City Council legislative meetings, and related matters. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its first reading; set it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, September 13, 2003. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ OTHER 27. Consideration of City Council Schedule. City Council adopted the schedule of Council's regular City Council meetings for September 2003 through June 2004, and added the 9th Annual Walk for Breast Cancer on October 25 at 8:30 a.m., the joint meeting at T.C. Williams in the cafeteria to provide a status update on the new T.C. Williams High School on September 15 at 7:30 p.m., the 24th Annual Salute to Women Award Banquet on March 29, 2004, and the Council Retreat on November 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., November 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and November 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., (if needed) to the schedule. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION 28. Consideration of convening an executive session closed to the public for consultation with counsel and staff regarding actual or probable litigation and other specific legal matters, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, and for discussing the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia. At 11:17 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 briefing by staff with respect to probable litigation concerning the proper application of public trust proceeds, and under Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of real property for a public purpose. At 11:55 p.m., the City Council reconvened the meeting. City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. (RES. NO. 2080) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 p.m.