23. Alexandria Beautification Commission 3 Citizen Members City Council appointed Candace Beane, Noel Sengel, Bette Jo Sullivan to the Alexandria Beautification Commission. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 24. Alexandria Commission on Information Technology 1 Citizen Member City Council appointed Brian Hunt to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 25. Update on the Duke Street Concourse Project. (verbal report) City Council received an update on the Duke Street Concourse Project from Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier, who updated City Council on the progress of the construction of the Concourse and the initial opening of the PTO campus. Bill Cox, President, Corman Construction reported on the construction progress of the Concourse. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 26. Consideration of Tying Future PTO Certificates of Occupancy to Completion of the Duke Street Concourse. City Council approved tying future PTO Certificates of Occupancy to completion of the Duke Street Concourse with the following conditions: (1) progress of the construction will continue to be monitored and monthly written reports will be provided to Council by staff; (2) if appropriate, at the May 25, 2004 second legislative meeting, because of insufficient progress in the Concourse construction and related PTO campus support infrastructure, measures would be taken to offset the effects of further delay of Concourse completion, including additional mitigation measures and delay of certificates of occupancy issuance for the PTO buildings; (3) no issuance of any certificates of occupancy prior to the May 25, 2004 second legislative meeting unless the tunnel is completed prior to the meeting. This condition excludes the issuance of certificates of occupancy for buildings C and E and the East Parking Garage; (4) receipt of monthly transportation reports for at least six months following the final occupation of the PTO buildings indicating the impacts of PTO on transportation and infrastructure in the City; and (5) submission to City Council of a final report from staff reviewing all the elements of the project, including a transportation analysis and comparison data of the original projection. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 27. Consideration of Amending the Lease for the Torpedo Factory Arts Center With The Torpedo Factory Artists Association and Extending the Lease For a Period of Five Years. This item was deferred. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 28. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Provide For an Advanced Decal Process for Motor Vehicles Within the City, and to Discontinue the Proration of Vehicle Decal Fees. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on first reading, set it for public hearing and second reading and final passage on Saturday, January 24, 2004. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Councilman Gaines reported that the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission elected Mayor Euille as Chairman of the Commission at the last meeting. (b) Vice Mayor Pepper requested that citizens go to the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee website, www.mwcog.org, review the two plans, "Plan to Improve Air Quality in the Washington, Virginia, Maryland Region and "Air Quality Gold Book," and comment about the information prior to January 22. Vice Mayor Pepper also requested staff to link the website to the City's E-News. (c) Councilwoman Woodson reported that the Metropolitan Policy Development Committee of Council of Governments (COG) has completed its Smart Growth video and will review it tomorrow for approval. Councilwoman Woodson noted that the video would be available to all local governments and citizens once the COG Board has approved the video. Councilwoman Woodson said that there might be a work session from COG staff in the spring to further explain Smart Growth to Council. (d) Councilman Smedberg reported that the Northern Virginia Regional Commission just received a sizeable grant to provide dental care to those who do not have acess to dental care. (e) Councilman Macdonald requested that parking policies for caregivers and tradesmen working in the City be reviewed by the City Manager. (f) Councilman Macdonald reported that he and Councilman Krupicka hosted a meeting to explore ways to better protect trees and expand the tree stock in the City. Councilman Macdonald requested that the City Manager look at creating a citizen advisory group to develop an urban forestry plan. (g) Mayor Euille congratulated Councilman Gaines on his appointment to the Alternative Transportation and Land Use Strategies Task Force, a subcommittee of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. (h) Mayor Euille said he attended two meetings in Richmond last Friday, including a Virginia Municipal League (VML) Legislative Committee to discuss the Governor's proposed budget and proposed tax restructuring plans. Mayor Euille stated that the consensus was to initially endorse the budget and hopefully that through lobbying efforts, the legislators will be able to come up with a reasonable budget for the State. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Mayor Euille said that the Washington Metropolitan Region is experiencing a severe blood shortage and asked everyone to consider donating blood. (b) Councilwoman Woodson said she met with Paul Hymer, a volunteer involved with the Earned Income Tax Credit and he hopes to expand the opportunities into the Alexandria community. Councilwoman Woodson reported that Mr. Hymer met with Human Services Director Collins and the Human Services Department will start a program and are seeking volunteers to help disseminate information about the Earn Income Tax Credit. Human Services Director Collins participated in the discussion. (c) Councilman Krupicka thanked Councilman Macdonald for organizing the meeting on tree preservation and tree canopy growth in the City. (d) Councilman Krupicka said that he, Mayor Euille, and Vice Mayor Pepper attended a kickoff for a transportation program related to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project called "Bridge Bucks" and he encouraged Virginia residents to take advantage of the pilot program to alleviate traffic while the bridge is under construction. (e) Councilman Krupicka congratulated the City Staff on the second issue of FYI Alexandria and that he hopes the informative booklet continues. (f) Councilman Krupicka said he was a judge at the George Washington Middle School science fair. Councilman Krupicka noted that the entire school community did a great job with the fair and the award ceremony would be held on Thursday. (g) Councilman Krupicka said that the Del-Ray Civic Association had their Second Annual State of the Schools Meeting about the progress and activities in Alexandria schools. (h) Councilman Krupicka said that Council members had received a number of messages about activities related to a development project in the Seminary Hill area. Councilman Krupicka requested that the City Manager arrange for a forum in the community to inform the citizens about the project. (i) Councilman Gaines reported that he attended a briefing for city staff by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Councilman Gaines said that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was launching a campaign targeting the African-American and Latino communities and he would like Alexandria to become more involved with their work. Councilman Gaines requested a proclamation in April during Stop Child Abuse Month to recognize the work of the center. (j) Councilman Gaines said that there will be a homeownership fair sponsored by the Alexandria Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women on January 24 at 10 a.m. at the Alexandria Black History Resource Center. (k) Councilman Gaines thanked the citizens who come to his community office hours each month at Beatley Library and Burke Library. Councilman Gaines mentioned that he has been able to create a work group with the Quaker Villlage community and developer to discuss construction issues. (l) Councilman Gaines congratulated Mayor Euille on receiving an award from the Pigskin Club of Washington for his leadership and philanthropy throughout Alexandria. Councilman Gaines presented Mayor Euille with the award. (m) Vice Mayor Pepper requested a memo from the City Manager summarizing the efforts concerning the development of the property in the Seminary Hill area. (n) Vice Mayor Pepper said she attended the Woodrow Wilson Bridge event concerning Bridge Bucks and she hoped citizens would consider the impact of the construction on travel in the area. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER City Manager Sunderland reported on: (a) a drop in the teen pregnancy rate in Alexandria of approximately 14% and Council would receive a detailed memo about the issue; (b) the Department of Human Services raised over $12,500 to distribute Christmas gifts to over 500 families in the community; (c) the City issued bonds in amount of $64.7 million with an interest cost of 3.74% and Council would receive more information during the budget process; (d) retreat followup would be scheduled along with a community forum in March; and (e) Sandra Whitmore, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities announced her resignation effective March 5 and a replacement process was underway. Councilwoman Woodson reported that she attended a wonderful play on teen pregnancy at the Lee Center on January 12 and she has invited the participants to a future Council meeting. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS None OTHER
29. 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: note the change on the calendar that the Tuesday, June 8 legislative meeting is moved to Wednesday, June 9; an open house event at Charles Houston Center at 11 a.m - 3 p.m., on January 31; schedule the follow-up work session with the Planning Commission on Monday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; the annual George Washington Birthday Parade on Monday, February 16 at 1:00 p.m.; the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce State of the City breakfast on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 625 First Street; the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m.; the annual "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day," sponsored by the Office on Women, on Thursday, April 22. Kickoff at 8:00 a.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby, City Hall; and the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities annual award reception at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22 in the Vola Lawson Lobby, City Hall. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION 30. Consideration of Convening an Executive Session Closed to the Public Pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia For the Purpose of Discussing the Acquisition of Real Property for a Public Purpose. At 10:45 p.m., City Council convened in executive session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia for the discussion of the acquisition of real property for City facilities. At 11:05 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting. City Council moved to authorize the City Manager and the City Attorney to acquire the property which was the subject of the closed executive session, along the lines discussed in the session. City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. RES. NO. 2090 Council Action:_________________________________________________________