None. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 20. Update on the Duke Street Concourse Project. (verbal report) Ms. Baker and Mr. Baier made a presentation of the Duke Street Concourse Project and answered questions of Council. New Business Item No. 2: An update was given by Health Department Director Charlie Konigsberg on the flu season. 21. Oral Report on the Alexandria Arson Linked to the Multiple Arsons In Prince George's County, Maryland and Tips on Arson Prevention. Fire Chief Mesaris gave a report on the arson fire in the City and those in neighboring jurisdictions. 22. Receipt of Staff Recommendations of the Visitors Center Study Report, and Scheduling the Report for Public Hearing for January 24, 2004 With Action at the January 27, 2004 Legislative Meeting. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 4, 2003, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 22,12/8/03, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council received the report and the following recommendations and docketed the report for public hearing on Saturday, January 24, 2004 and consideration on Tuesday, January 27; removed the Market Square and the expanded Ramsay House Visitors Center options from further consideration; maximized the benefit of Ramsay House for visitors by improving its interior programming of space; pursued initiatives regarding improved signage, marketing, kiosks, parking, tour bus management, and a new King Street Metrorail station visitor information area; and did not pursue the leasing of a retail site in the Market Square area at this time. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye" Woodson absent 23. Consideration of a Request to Reconstitute the Alexandria Citizen Corps Council to Enhance Citizen Involvement in Emergency Preparedness. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 3, 2003, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 23,12/8/03, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, City Council approved the reconstitution of the Citizen Corps Council as the vehicle to increase citizen involvement in the emergency preparedness process. The voting was as follows: Gaines "aye" Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye" Woodson absent 24. Consideration of Proposed City Policy for Vacating City Rights-of-Ways. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 4, 2003, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 24,12/8/03, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) A motion was made by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper, to receive the City Manager's recommendation, with an amendment to grandfather all projects currently in the pipeline from any new policy regarding the valuation of vacations and any new application of existing policy regarding the valuation of vacations. WHEREUPON, a substitute motion was made by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried 4-2, to include the amendment by Councilman Smedberg, with the addition of setting the item for public hearing. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Pepper "no" Gaines "aye" Macdonald "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "no" Woodson absent The vote on the main motion, as amended, was recorded as follows: Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye" Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye" Woodson absent 25. Deferral from November 15, 2003 - VACATION #2003-0006, 700 SOUTH ROYAL STREET AND A PORTION OF FRANKLIN STREET
28. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 1, 2003, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 28,12/8/03, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Council schedule for the period of December 8, 2003 through June 30, 2004, as follows: the National League of Cities Annual Conference from December 9 through December 13 in Nashville, Tennessee; there will be a reception February 10 at 6 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby to recognize Black History Month and the Buffalo Soldiers; the meeting with Congressman Moran should be on Monday, January 12 at 8 a.m.; and the 27th Annual Hanukkah celebration at Alexandria Hospital is Monday, December 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium. Mayor Euille noted that Councilwoman Woodson has an excused absence for this meeting, as she left today to go to Nashville for the start of the National League of Cities Conference. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye" Woodson absent New Business Item No. 3: City Manager Sunderland mentioned the Energy Share Program, run by Virginia Dominion Power, which is a program for those who in colder weather come upon a desperate need for continuation of heating utilities and is a source of money to keep those utilities going. The contributions go into a fund that is then distributed throughout the Metropolitan area. * * * * * * WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:47 p.m. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye" Woodson absent * * * * * *