Action Docket for Special Meeting (05/02/2005)

Office of the City Clerk
May 3, 2005

Special Meeting
Monday, May 2, 2005 - - 7:00 p.m.

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OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the City Clerk called the roll; all the members of City Council were present.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

2. Consideration of the Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2006 (including Schools) and the Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2006-2011 (including the School CIP.)

City Council adopted the proposed operating budget of expenditure levels of $467,829,951 and revenue levels of $467,829,951, with the following amendments to the City Manager's proposed budget: Reflecting revenue reestimates as specified in budget memorandum #49, dated April 16, 2005 and reflecting additions and deletions, fund balance designation changes, and cash capital reductions as proposed in budget memorandum #48, dated April 16, 2005.
The first group of amendments are Revenue changes due to changes in set-aside for Affordable Housing Purposes: reduce set-aside of Recordation Tax for affordable housing purposes and increase General Fund Revenue by the same amount for an increase of $1,110,185.
Additional Expenditure Adjustments are: add funds for the dedication of $0.01 of the real property tax rate of $0.915 for affordable housing purposes for an Increase of $2,760,185; add funds to the Department of Human Services for the Senior Taxi Program for an Increase of $14,000; add funds to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association for an increase of $50,000; add funds to the Alexandria Small Business Development Center for an increase of $60,000; add funds to the Non-Departmental account for the Marketing Fund for an increase of $35,000; add funds to the Non-Departmental account for First Night Alexandria for an increase of $25,000; add funds to Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for a one-time grant for Carlyle House for an increase of $10,000; add funds to the Department of Human Services for Campagna Center’s Head Start for improving employee compensation for an increase of $150,000; add funds to the Department of Human Services for a Preschool Review Project for an increase of $5,000; add funds to the Fire Department for the “Be Ready, Alexandria” Campaign for an Increase of $20,000; add funds to the Office of Historic Alexandria for additional funding for the Pipes and Drum Band for an increase of $3,000; and add funds to the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services for Election Sign Recycling for an increase of $1,500.
The following changes in the Contingent Reserves were made: delete $373,500 from Contingent Reserves; designate $50,000 within the Contingent Reserves for the Arts Commission to plan for and implement a study on the establishment of a public arts initiative and related activities.
The motion further includes: approval of a COLA of 2.0 percent for City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and for City Council Aides and the Mayor’s Aides; approval of merit step increases for all eligible employees; approval of an increase of employer share of health care benefits; approval of the funding needed to implement the results of the Pay Benchmark Study in accordance with Council’s adopted compensation philosophy; approval of an increase in employer share of the Supplemental Retirement System, and the old pension plan for Fire and Police; and approval of adjustments to the salary scale to add a “P” step to the City’s salary scale.
The proposed amendments result in no change in the appropriation from Fund Balance in the amount of $4,330,000. The elements of the motion result in a real property tax rate of $0.915, with $0.01 being designated for the cash capital contribution to the capital projects fund for Open Space, and with $0.01 being designated for affordable housing purposes; and a personal property tax rate of $4.75.
City Council adopted the proposed FY 2006 to FY 2011 Capital Improvement Program of $324,751,567 in total, with $67,811,626 in FY 2006; $66,866,582 in FY 2007; $83,469,735 in FY 2008; $52,255,654 in FY 2009; $31,117,384 in FY 2010; and $25,255,476 in FY 2011, with the following changes to the City Manager’s proposed Capital Improvement Program: reflecting revenue reestimates as specified in budget memorandum #49, dated April 16, 2005; and reflecting additions and deletions, fund balance designation changes, and cash capital reductions as proposed in budget memorandum #48, dated April 16, 2005.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

3. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Establish the Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Rates For Calendar Year 2005. (#18, 3/22/05 and #13, 4/16/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council set the City's 2005 real property tax rate at $0.915 (91 1/2 cents) on each $100 of assessed value, a reduction of $0.08 (8 cents) from the 2004 rate. Personal property tax rates remain unchanged from 2004. The sum of $0.01 (one cent) on each $100 of assessed value, out of the $0.915 real property tax rate, continues to be dedicated to the Open Space Trust Fund account. In addition, the sum of $0.01 (one cent) on each $1.00 of assessed value, out of the $0.915 real property tax rate, will be dedicated for affordable housing purposes, beginning July 1, 2005. (ORD. NO. 4396)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

4. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Increase Real Estate Tax Relief For Senior, Disabled and Limited Income Residents. (#17, 4/12/05 and #24, 4/26/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council finally passed the ordinance to increase the real estate tax relief for senior, disabled and limited income residents, by providing a prorated exemption or deferral for residents who become 65 or disabled during a tax year, and to increase the maximum household income limit for eligible households by increasing to $10,000 the amount of income of each relative in the household which is excluded in calculating household income. In addition, the ordinance increases the City's Affordable Home Ownership Preservation program for owner/occupants with limited incomes, but who are not elderly or disabled, by increasing the maximum grant to be applied against the residents real estate tax bill to $275, $475 or $675, depending on household income, and increasing the maximum assessed value of an eligible residence to $442,000. (ORD. NO. 4390)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

5. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Establish a Monthly Tax, Not To Exceed $3.00, on Each Cellular Telephone Number. (#18, 4/12/05 and #25, 4/26/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council finally passed the ordinance to impose a monthly tax on cellular telephone service in the City, at the rate of 10 percent of the monthly gross charge for each cellular telephone number, not to exceed $3.00 for each such number. (ORD. NO. 4391)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

6. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Increase the Cigarette Tax to 70 Cents Per Pack. (#19, 4/12/05 and #26, 4/26/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council finally passed the ordinance to increase the City's tax on the sale of cigarettes from $0.50 to $0.70 per pack. (ORD. NO. 4392)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Increase the Monthly Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Fee to $1.00 Per Thousand Gallons on Water Used. (#20, 4/12/05 and #14, 4/16/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council finally passed the ordinance to increase the sewer line maintenance charge assessed with the water bill for each premises from $0.60 (60 cents) per thousand gallons of water supplied to $1.00 per thousand gallons. (ORD. NO. 4393)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

8. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Increase the Fees Charged for New Connections to the Sanitary Sewer System. (#21, 4/12/05 and #15, 4/16/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council finally passed the ordinance to increase the sewer connection fees in the city, from $4,456 to $6,684, for each single family and townhouse dwelling, and for each unit in a duplex or semi-detached dwelling. For multi-family dwellings, the rate increases from $2,228 to $3,342 per unit. For commercial structures the rate increases from $4,446 to $6,684 for buildings with a 30 gallon per minute water supply, with proportionate increases for large capacity water supplies. (ORD. NO. 4394)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Establish a Tax on Admission Charges for Certain Events, Not to Exceed 50 Cents Per Ticket. (#17.1, 4/16/05 and #27, 4/26/05) (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council finally passed an ordinance to establish an admission tax of 10 percent, but not to exceed $0.50 (50 cents) to be levied on the charges paid for admission to certain events in the City, except where exemptions have been proposed. (ORD. NO. 4395)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

10. Consideration of a Resolution to Increase the Residential Refuse Fee to $229.00 Per Household Per Year. (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council adopted the resolution to increase the residential refuse fee, to $229 per household from $205 per household, to continue the City's policy of 100 percent cost recovery of the full cost of residential refuse collection and disposal. (RES. NO. 2148)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

11. Consideration of a Resolution Relating to the Planned Dedication of the Sum of $0.01 (One Cent) on Each $100 of Assessed Value, Out of the $0.915 (91.5 Cents) Real Property Tax Rate For Affordable Housing. (ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council adopted the resolution relating to the planned dedication of the sum of $0.01 (one cent) on each $100 of assessed value, out of the $0.915 real property tax rate for affordable housing. (RES. NO. 2149)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

12. Consideration of a Resolution Regarding the FY 2007 Budget Process.
(ROLL-CALL VOTE)

City Council adopted the resolution to establish a fiscal expenditures guideline and a framework and schedule for consideration of the FY 2007 operating budget and the FY 2007 to FY 2012 Capital Improvement Program. (RES. NO. 2150)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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The meeting adjourned at 8:12 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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