13. Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee 1 Representative From the Business Community City Council appointed Patrick Butler to a two-year term as the one representative from the business community to the Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 14. Consideration of a Reciprocal Agreement Between the City of Alexandria and the County of Fairfax Regarding Police Escorts and Motor Vehicle Processions. City Council approved the proposed reciprocal agreement, authorizing members of the City of Alexandria and the County of Fairfax Police Departments to exercise police authority in the other's jurisdiction while in the performance of their duties when escorting vehicles or processions. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 15. Consideration of Termination of the Blighting Influences Program. City Council (1) approved the removal of the following two properties from the currently approved list of Blighting Influences: 2930 Hickory Street and 622 1/2 North Alfred Street; (2) authorized staff to remove the remaining six properties from the Blighting Influences List upon completion of their rehabilitation; (3) approved the termination of the Blighting Influences Program once the remaining six properties are removed from the Blighting Influences List; and (4) in preparation for the termination, add no more properties to the Blighting Influences List, but treat all properties that otherwise would have been added to the list as potential candidates for the Spot Blight Program. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 16. Update on the Duke Street Concourse. City Council received an update on the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) construction and Duke Street Concourse, including an explanation of the mitigation package presented to the developer, changing traffic patterns on Duke Street, and certificate of occupancy. This item was docketed for a future meeting relating to issuance of the Certificates of Occupancy at the PTO complex as it relates to the pedestrian concourse. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL None. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Councilwoman Woodson said that there would be a series of events upcoming to commerate the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. She said Alexandria's involvement in the commeration would have a tremendous impact on the tourism in the city and she would continue to be involved in the planning process for the commeration events. (b) Councilwoman Woodson said that the Washington Post ran an article that ranked Alexandria as the 26th most expensive community for a four bedroom, two-car garage home in the country, and she noted that particular type of home is expensive in the Alexandria because there are not many available but not a correct reflection of the real estate market in Alexandria. (c) Vice Mayor Pepper congratulated five recipients of awards from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. (d) Vice Mayor Pepper noted that Council received the Annual Report from the City Manager and stated that the report will analyze how Council was progressing toward the goals set at the Council Retreat. (e) Vice Mayor Pepper congratulated Samuel Tucker Elementary School for receiving the Dispelling the Myth Award from the Education Trust for scoring high on its achievement test with low-to-moderate income students. (f) Councilman Smedberg thanked City Manager Sunderland for his report on the Mirant Plant and said that he was pleased with the steps that the City staff was taking to correct the problem and not politicizing the issue. (g) Councilman Smedberg reported that he and Councilman Krupicka were meeting with representatives of Alexandria INOVA Hospital about the potential closing of the psychiatric unit at the hospital. Mayor Euille asked the status of the joint breakfast meeting with INOVA administration and City Council. In response, Assistant City Manager Evans stated that the meeting would be scheduled after the series of the meetings concluded. (i) Councilman Krupicka stated that Alexandria City Government had joined the Green Building Program to address the City's use of energy and energy conservation. He reported that General Services had appointed two staff members to the Green Building Council to learn the practices for sustainable green buildings. (j) Councilman Krupicka reported that the Youth Services Commission had its retreat and had an excellent strategic discussion to help the youth in our community move forward in a positive way. (k) Councilman Krupicka recognized Mayor Euille for receiving an award for service to the community from the Harris Masonic Lodge. (l) Councilman Krupicka noted that he had received a number of concerns from citizens about bus shelters in disrepair throughout the city. Councilman Krupicka requested that the staff find some alternatives to get some of the key shelters repaired, particularly during the upcoming winter months. Mayor Euille stated that the shelter issue was a system-wide concern and there are ongoing discussions relative to bus shelters throughout the entire system and to study the safety and durability of the shelters. Mayor Euille said he would make sure the operations status report of WMATA be provided to the members of City Council for the next meeting. (m) Vice Mayor Pepper stated for the record that she recused herself from the discussion of Alexandria INOVA Hospital Psychatric Ward. (n) Councilman Gaines thanked Council and the citizens of Alexandria for their attendance at the rally for Judge Nolan Dawkins at the Courthouse and for the message of judicial fairness and local sovereignty sent to public. Councilman Gaines stated that a grassroots campaign would continue on these issues. (o) Councilman Gaines recognized Veterans' Day and stated that he attended two events in honor of Veterans' Day at the Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home and a Veterans' Day Program at the Black History Resource Center. (p) Councilman Gaines reported that he and his wife participated in a clean up in Holmes Run Park and pointed out there was not a lot of litter there because students from Episcopal High School had already cleaned the park the prior week. (q) Councilman Gaines announced that he would be holding community office hours at Beatley Library, November 18, for citizens. (r) Councilman Gaines bid a fond farewell to Roland and Carmen Gonzales who moved to Texas and thanked them for their work in the Alexandria community. (s) Councilman Macdonald acknowledged Veterans' Day and mentioned the upcoming Freedmen's Cemetery. (t) Councilman Macdonald thanked the City Manager and City staff for all their hard work on last week's Council retreat. (u) Councilman Macdonald mentioned the newest edition of FYI Alexandria, a newsletter about the happenings in the City and City government. (v) Councilman Macdonald thanked the City Manager for the information on the Mirant Plant. (w) Councilman Macdonald mentioned energy conservation and how he was proud that the City was involved in the working to save energy and money. (x) Mayor Euille thanked everyone for the Council retreat and said the dialogue would continue and citizens would be allowed to participate in the near future. (y) Mayor Euille reported that City Manager Sunderland, Finance Director Neckel, Assistant City Manager Jinks, Budget Director Johhson, and Budget Analyst Coleman and he visited rating agencies in New York City to promote and market Alexandria and its financial situation to maintain its AAA bond rating. Mayor Euille said he felt confident that Alexandria would maintain its current rating. (z) Mayor Euille reported that on November 28, 2003, there will be the Christmas Tree Lighting on Market Square and he encouraged everyone to join in the festivities. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL REPORT BY THE CITY MANAGER The City Manager reported: (a) the success of the Council retreat and thanked all the staff members who made the retreat a success; (b) he commended the Mayor on a job well done in New York at the bond agencies and thank Assistant City Manager Jinks for organizing the trip for the participants; (c) reported that the City raised $127,000 from the Breast Cancer Walk and thanked the Office on Women and all the participants; (d) the Alexandria Titans Youth Football League had four teams in the Fairfax County finals, with three teams winning titles; (e) the Halloween Splash Party at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center was a success with 275 children attending; (f) Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) has been going to the schools talking with the students about recycling; and (g) FYI Alexandria will be mailed later this week and will be posted on the website along with the Annual Report, as well as with distribution to the boards and commissions and other civic organizations. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ WORK SESSION 17. Discussion of Standards and Procedures for Council Consideration of Board of Architectural Review Appeals. Planning and Zoning Staff made a presentation on the standards and procedures for Council consideration of Board of Architectural Review Appeals. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 18. Consideration of a Resolution on the U.S.A. Patriot Act. (ROLL-CALL VOTE) City Council adopted the resolution on the U.S.A. Patriot Act with the deletion of item (c) authorize the indefinite detention of citizens and non-citizens in solitary confinement as "material witnesses," without counsel, and without a right to be heard. RES. NO. 2086 Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 19. Consideration of a Resolution Reaffirming the City's Policy in Support of Taxation of All Real and Personal Property, Including That of Not For Profit Owners. City Council set a public hearing for January 24, 2004 for the resolution reaffirming the City's policy in support of taxation of all real and personal property, including that of not for profit owners. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ OTHER 20. Consideration of City Council Schedule Councilwoman Woodson suggested one of the work sessions be changed to allow Council to have a reception and special presentation with the Buffalo Soldiers to celebrate Black History Month. Councilman Smedberg noted that he would be out of town November 15, 2003, and he requested that after Council have the public hearing on Quaker Ridge, it defer adoption until the November 25, 2003 meeting so he could have an opportunity to review the tapes and the minutes. Council agreed to the request. City Council adopted the schedule of Council's regular City Council meetings for November 2003 through June 2004, with the following additions and changes: (1) schedule the annual breakfast work session with Congressman James Moran to discuss federal legislative items for January 9, 2004 with January 12, 2004 as the alternate date; Please note: The meeting schedule in #2-#4 is tentative and is likely to be changed at Council's November 25 legislative meeting (2) schedule a work session with the Planning Commission at 6:00 p.m. before Council's January 27, 2004 legislative meeting; (3) schedule a work session with the City's Transportation Plan and Program at 6:00 p.m. before Council's February 24 legislative meeting; (4) schedule a work session with the Public Health Advisory Commission at 6:00 p.m. before Council's March 9 legislative meeting; and to receive the revised schedule which includes the Walk to School Day 2003 Celebration on Friday, November 14, at Cora Kelly Elementary School, kickoff at 7:30 a.m.; the Mentor Foster Home Open House/Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m. at 716 North Columbus Street; the Alexandria Adoption Saturday Celebration on Saturday, November 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Circuit Court, 520 King Street; and the City's 10th Annual Homeownership Fair on Saturday, April 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street. Council Action:_________________________________________________________