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Office of the City Clerk
February 5, 2004

There was a Work Session
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council
Workroom to Discuss the
Transportation Plan
and Program.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - - 7:00 p.m.

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Due to inclement weather, the meeting of January 27, 2004, was postponed until February 3, 2004.


OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

2. Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

City Council observed a moment of silence and 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 January 13, 2004.

City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Regular Meeting of January 13, 2004.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

4. Recognition of Students in the Drama Group of the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center's After School Program.

City Council recognized the students.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

PROCLAMATIONS

5. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring February as George Washington Birthday Month.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

6. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring February 1-7, 2004, as National Consumer Protection Week.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (7-13)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

(a) Alexandria Commission on Aging
Ralph C. Smith, III

(b) Alexandria Community Services Board
Ryan A. Allain

(c) Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council
Michael Carrasco

(d) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
Jacqueline McClain

8. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Alexandria Historical Society

(b) Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission
1 Representative of Councilman Andrew Macdonald
1 Representative of Councilman Ludwig Gaines

(c) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission for Women

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

9. Consideration of a Request to Vacate Two Positions on the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.

10. Consideration of Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2003.

11. Consideration of Authorization of Recommended Capital Allocations and Planned Expenditures.

12. Consideration of Receipt of the FY2002-2003 Annual Report of the Economic Opportunities Commission.

13. Consideration of a Request to Refer to the City Council Naming Committee the Proposed Change of the Name of the Alexandria Black History Resource Center to the Alexandria Black History Museum.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar, with the removal of items 10 and 11 and considered them under separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:

7. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Ralph C. Smith, III, Alexandria Commission on Aging; (b) Ryan A. Allain, Alexandria Community Services Board; (c) Michael Carrasco, Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council; and (d) Jacqueline McClain, Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.

8. City Council (a) appointed William H. Tabor as the member from the Alexandria Historical Society to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) appointed Matthew Natale as the representative of Councilman Macdonald and Lorenzo Esters as the representative of Councilman Gaines to the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission; (c) reappointed Jenny Wade as the representative from the Alexandria Commission for Women to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission.

9. City Council declared as vacant two of the citizen positions on the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies.

10. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending December 31, 2003. (separate motion)

11. City Council authorized the recommended capital project allocations and planned expenditures. (separate motion)

12. City Council received the report, which covers the activities of the Economic Opportunities Commission over a two year period from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003.

13. City Council referred the proposal to change the name of the Alexandria Black History Resource Center to the Alexandria Black History Museum to the City Naming Committee for consideration and submission of a recommendation to Council.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

14. Incorporators of Proposed Alexandria Housing Development Corporation
5 Residents and Qualified Non-Residents Who Possess One or More of the Following Attributes: Background/Experience in the Housing Industry, e.g. Development, Real Estate, Architecture, Construction, Affordable Housing Programs, etc.; Background/Experience in Financing Industry; Background/Experience in Other Areas of the Private Sector; Active Involvement in the Faith Community, As Evidenced by Endorsement By a Faith Institution or Other Faith-Based Organizations; and Active Involvement In Community/Civic/Service Organizations

City Council appointed Daniel Abramson, Candace Baldwin, Michael Caison, Joseph Langhorn and Catherine Pharis to the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

15. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents Arts Education or Business Expertise Relative to Arts and Cultural Development, Including Such Perspectives As Marketing, Finance/Funding, Tourism Promotion and Organizational Development

City Council appointed Deborah Thomas-Campbell as the member who represents arts education or business expertise relative to arts and cultural development, including such perspectives as marketing, finance/funding, tourism promotion and organizational development to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

16. Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Citizen-at-Large

City Council appointed Lillian Thompson as the citizen-at-large representative to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
1 Representative From Planning District II

City Council appointed William Hendrickson as the representative from Planning District II to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

18. Consideration of Recommendations and Status Report on Legislation Introduced at the 2004 General Assembly Session.

City Council approved the following legislative positions as recommended by City Council's Legislative Subcommittee: 1. Recommended positions on bills of importance to the City, January 23, 2004; 2. Regional position on General Principles for Northern Virginia Transportation issues; and 3. A change to the City Charter Bill - House Bill 472 to remove the COLA provision for Council members. City Council adopted a resolution in concept outlining the City's justifications for the existing Living Wage outlining its benefits to the City to contract employers as well as to living wage earners and that the resolution be distributed to the Governor and appropriate committees. City Council also adopted a resolution related to the vacancy on the Alexandria Virginia Circuit Court and recommended as read prior their findings and communicate those appropriately. The Mayor was also asked to send a letter to the Attorney General to act on the recommendations on the Mirant Plant.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

19. Update on the Duke Street Concourse Project. (verbal report)

City Council received the verbal report.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Consideration of Report on City Enforcement of Special Use Permit Conditions and the Inclusion of Project Impact Statements in City Staff Reports on Development Special Use Permit Reports

City Council endorsed staff's efforts to refine the special use permit system in the following ways: 1. Include project impact statements in development SUP reports; 2. Include specific triggers in conditions for infrastructure requirements; and 3. Enhance SUP enforcement by (a) increasing outreach to the community on SUP enforcement; (b) increasing fines for repeat SUP violators; (c) eliminating necessity of a hearing for minor infractions; and (d) providing Council with an annual report on enforcement.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Consideration of the Visitors Center Study Report. (#22, 12/8/03, and #9, 1/24/04)

City Council received the report and 1. Removed the Market Square and the expanded Ramsey House Visitors Center options from further consideration; 2. Maximized the benefit of Ramsey House for visitors by improving its interior programming of space; 3. Pursued initiatives regarding improved signage, marketing, kiosks, parking, tour bus management, and a new King Street Metrorail station visitor information area; and 4. Pursue the possibility of 132 N. Royal Street being studied and reviewed for leasing. (The spirit of the motion is to have a workgroup that might study items Ramsey House and items 2, 3 and 4, and leave it to the City Manager and the Mayor to understand the spirit of who Council would like on the workgroup and to make those appointments.)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Vice Mayor Pepper said the George Washington Birthday Celebration breakfast is at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 16 at the Holiday Inn and Suites on First Street.

(b) Vice Mayor Pepper said the Public Information Officer needs to speak to the newspapers about the fact that not everyone who claims to be in Alexandria lives within the City limits of Alexandria.

(c) Vice Mayor Pepper said it was hard to be a pedestrian in Old Town during the recent snow and ice, as people hadn't shoveled their sidewalks.

Mayor Euille said the snow removal problem wasn't just in Old Town, as Council had e-mails and phone calls from citizens all over the City for places that weren't cleared of snow and ice. There is a policy and the City should endeavor to get that message out that it is the property owner's responsibility to clear the snow.

(d) Councilman Gaines said he distributed a memo on adding regional analysis to staff reports so it can see if development in Fairfax, Arlington and Prince George's County and that developments impact on projected projects within the City. He said it will add an extra level of analysis.

Mayor Euille said Councilman Gaines has asked the City Manager to come back to the Council with a response and recommendation to his suggestion.

(e) Councilman Krupicka said the D.C. Federal Appeals Court today said that the Federal EPA's plans as relates to air quality in the region are not in keeping with the Clean Air Act. He said it is an encouraging sign that the Courts may help them do what the Federal Government has failed to do, which is to move on cleaning up the air.

(f) Councilman Krupicka said he was encouraged on the memo on the Duncan Library as relates to putting a green roof on the library. He asked for an update on where that was.

Peter Geiling, Deputy Director of General Services, gave the update.

(g) Councilman Krupicka said he spent the day with the Code Enforcement staff a few weeks ago and he complimented them on the hard work and creativity they bring to the day-to-day operations.

(h) Councilman Krupicka said Council had previously asked for a report on the number of boards and commissions and which commissions are still in good standing, and he asked when Council would get that feedback.

City Manager Sunderland said it will come to Council in a few weeks.

Mayor Euille said that will be a policy of Council to make those choices.

(i) Councilman Macdonald thanked staff for doing the analysis on the green roof at the Duncan Library.

(j) Councilman Macdonald said snow and ice removal is an issue around the City and is something it needs to keep abreast of.

(j) Councilman Macdonald said he appreciated the meeting last evening with the Planning staff and Planning Commission on planning objectives.

(l) Councilman Macdonald noted the kids who sled down the hill and the steps at the Masonic Memorial. He said it is a great open space and asset to the community.

(m) Mayor Euille said there was a record setting time for the public hearing last Saturday, and Council needs to look at and reflect upon the speakers process and the allotment of three minutes and whether people have the right to pass their time on to other people.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Sunderland reported on: (a) Historic African-American sites were added to the National Registry of Historic Places. They are Alfred Street Baptist Church, Beulah Baptist Church, Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church, Dr. Albert Johnson House, Odd Fellows Hall, the Moses Hepburn Rowhouses, and George Lewis Seaton House; (b) The City received an allocation of $3.8 million in SPARC funding, and in 2003 it received $4.43 million; (c) the City's United Way contributions went up 29 percent, for a total contribution of $65,000; (d) The James Duncan Estate settled on $980,000 for the Duncan Library; (e) Samuel Madden finally closed the other day and it will have a celebration March 10th; and (f) he introduced Tom Fairchild, the City's new Business Facilitator.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

22. Consideration of a Grant Application and Resolution for FY2005 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 a grant application and the resolution to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for FY 2005 funding, in the amount of $175,419 for the continuation of the City's ridesharing services through Alexandria Rideshare; 2. Approved the continuation of two full-time grant-funded positions (Transit Specialist I and Transit Services Assistant I) to administer the on-going Alexandria Rideshare program. Continuation of these positions is contingent upon continuation of funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation or other non-City sources; and 3. Executed all necessary documents that may be required under this program. (Staff was asked to look at the ad for the Alexandria RideShare, as the photos in the advertisement are very dated looking.)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

23. Consideration of a Resolution and Contract of Sale to Purchase the Building Located at 2900 Business Center Drive for Current and Future City Uses. (ROLL- CALL VOTE)

City Council: 1. Approved the City's acquisition of the property at 2900 Business Center Drive; 2. Ratified and confirmed the attached contract for the acquisition of this property which has been executed by the City Manager conditional upon Council's approval; and 3. Authorized the City Manager to re-execute and amend the contract to make needed clarifications, if any, and to execute any additional documents that are necessary to complete the transaction.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

24. Consideration of a License Agreement to Extend For Three Years the Authorization Previously Granted WilTel Communications (formerly Williams Communications) to Utilize the Public Right-of-Way of Metro Road For Telecommunications Facilities.

This item was deferred at the request of the City Attorney.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

25. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council adopted the schedule of Council's regular City Council meetings for January 2004 through June 2004, with the following additions and changes: 1. Scheduled a brief Alexandria Transit Company Stockholders meeting at 6:45 p.m., before Council's Tuesday, February 10 legislative meeting in the Council Workroom; 2. Scheduled February 19 at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom for continued discussion of Council's Retreat vision materials; 3. Changed the date of the work session with the Public Health Advisory Commission from March 9 to March 23 at 6:00 p.m. to enable Council to attend the DASH 20th Anniversary reception on March 9; and 4. Received the revised calendar which includes the DASH 20th Anniversary reception on March 9 at 6:00 p.m., in the Vola Lawson Lobby and the City's annual employee service awards program scheduled for April 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 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 703-838-4500. We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.