1. Calling the Roll. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the Deputy City Clerk called the roll; all the members of City Council were present, except Councilwoman Joyce Woodson, who had an excused absence. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ NEW BUSINESS ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Euille wished the all the citizens of Alexandria Happy Holidays and hoped everyone enjoyed the season. 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 Minutes of November 22, 2005. City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of November 22, 2005. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL 4. Recognition of Youth From City Year and Key Club Members Who Participated in the Clean-Up at Jefferson Houston Elementary School. City Council recognized youth from City Year and Key Club Members who participated in the clean-up at Jefferson Houston Elementary School. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 5. Recognition of Thomas Carpenter, from Tomorrow's Black Man and Laverne Short, from the Nannie J. Lee Center. City Council recognized Thomas Carpenter from Tomorrow's Black Man and Laverne Short from the Nannie J. Lee Center. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ PROCLAMATIONS 6. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring Good Weather on December 31, 2005, for First Night Alexandria and a Presentation by the First Night Alexandria Board of Directors. City Council endorsed the proclamation. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ NEW BUSINESS ITEM NO. 2: City Council endorsed a proclamation honoring Office of Historic Alexandria Director Jean Taylor Federico on the occasion of her retirement at the end of the year. 7. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring December as Human Rights Month in the City of Alexandria and Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the Passage of the Alexandria Human Rights Ordinance. City Council endorsed the proclamation. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER CONSENT CALENDAR (8-20) (Resignations and Uncontested Appointments) 8. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee Gia Miele William T. Murphy, Jr. (b) Alexandria Waterfront Committee Andrew F. Palmieri 9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 1 Representative of an Employer in the City Who Employs At Least 100 Employees (b) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee 1 Citizen Members (c) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee 2 Citizen Members (d) Alexandria Commission on Employment 1 Representative From Such Organizations As Educational Agencies, Organized Labor, Rehabilitation Agencies, Community-Based Organizations, Economic Development Agencies, and the Public Employment Service (e) Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team 1 Parent Representative Who Is Not An Employee of Any Public or Private Program Which Receives Funds From the Comprehensive Services Act (f) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission 2 Citizen Members (g) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee 1 Member Nominated by the Masonic Fraternity (h) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission 1 Non-Health Professional (i) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission 1 Citizen Member (j) Alexandria Waterfront Committee 1 Representative From the Old Town Civic Association (k) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission 1 Member of the Alexandria City School Board’s Advisory Committees (Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager) 10. Consideration of Grant Submission to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources For Funding in the Amount of $40,000 for Alexandria Archaeology. 11. Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application to the State Department of Criminal Justice Services for a Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program Grant for the Police Department. 12. Consideration of Report on Benchmark Job Analysis for Public Safety Positions. 13. Receipt of the Annual Report From the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission. 14. Receipt of the Alexandria Community Services Board FY 2005 Annual Report. 15. Receipt of the 2005 Annual Report and Plant Survey From Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. 16. Receipt of the 2005 Comcast Cable Communications, Inc., Annual Subscriber Survey Report. 17. Consideration of FY 2006 Budget Request From the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC.) 18. Consideration of National Capital Region Mutual Aid Agreement. (Ordinances for Introduction) 19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Establish Civil Penalties For the Violation of the City’s Storm and Ground Water Disposal Regulations. 20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Provide a Cost of Living Increase, Effective July 1, 2006, to the Members of City Council, Equivalent to That Received by the City’s Employees in the Three-year Period Since the Last Adjustment to Council’s Compensation. 20.1 Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Revise Taxicab Fares. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR City Council approved the Consent Calendar, with the exception of docket items #12, #17, #20 and #20.1, which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows: 8. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Gia Miele and William T. Murphy, Jr., Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; and (b) Andrew F. Palmieri, Alexandria Waterfront Committee. 9. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed Christopher Ballard as the representative of an employer in the City who employs at least 100 employees to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Heidi Quist as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (c) appointed Alex Aliferis and waived the residency requirement and appointed Ruben Harutunian as the two citizen members to the Alexandria-Gymuri Sister City Committee; (d) appointed Cynthia Perry as the representative from such organizations as educational agencies, organized labor, rehabilitation agencies, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, and the public employment service to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (e) appointed Mary Giordamo as the parent representative who is not an employee of any public or private program which receives funds from the Comprehensive Services Act to the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team; (f) reappointed Harry Mahon and appointed Elias Voces as the two citizen members to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (g) waived the residency requirement and reappointed George Seghers as the member nominated by the Masonic Fraternity to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (h) appointed Jerome Cordts as the non-health professional to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission; (i) reappointed Clarence Henley as the citizen member to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission; (j) reappointed Susan Pettey as the representative from the Old Town Civic Association to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee; and (k) appointed Bobbie Norris as the member of the Alexandria City School Board's Advisory Committee to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission. 10. City Council approved the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) for a cost-share project in the amount of $40,000 that would result in the creation of GIS layers as a part of the Alexandria Archaeology Digital Atlas project and authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required. 11. City Council approved the grant award from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for a total of $300,601 for one year, for which the Police Department will provide a match from seized asset funds up to $250,000 and authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to expend the grant allocation. 12. City Council: (1) received the report; (2) concurred with the following proposed change in City pay policy: In conducting the City's Benchmark Job Analysis for public safety positions, use 100% of the average midpoint on the salary scale instead of current 90% of the average midpoint salary as the basis of comparison with comparator jurisdictions used by the City, and (3) authorized the expenditure of the monies set aside in the FY 2006 budget and appropriated by Council on November 12, 2005, to implement public safety pay changes as outlined. (separate motion) 13. City Council received the reports of the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission and thanked the Commission for their efforts on behalf of the City. 14. City Council received the Alexandria Community Services Board's FY 2005 Annual Report. 15. City Council received the Comcast 2005 Annual Report and Plant Survey. The Commission on Information Technology reviewed the results of the reports at its November 14 meeting and approved the staff analysis. 16. City Council received the 2005 Annual Subscriber Survey Report from Comcast. The Commission on Information Technology monitored the survey interviews during its July 11 meeting, reviewed the results of the Comcast 2005 Subscriber Survery report at its November 14 meeting, and approved the staff analysis. 17. City Council approved the allocation of $125,000 from the Housing Opportunities Fund to the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) for FY 2006, to augment approximately $194,000 remaining from the FY 2005 budget. (separate motion) 18. City Council authorized the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required and authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute specific operations plans for each function or discipline. 19. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on December 17, 2005. 20. City Council tabled the ordinance and withdrew it from the docket for the December 17, 2005 public hearing. (separate motion) 20.1 City Council passsed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on December 17, 2005. (separate motion) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS None. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 21. Verbal Presentation by Staff on Historic Preservation. City Council received the staff report. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 22. Request for Grant-Funded Social Worker II Position to Provide Additional Child Welfare Services. City Council approved a grant award from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) in the amount of $111,090 for Fiscal Year 2006 and authorized the establishment of a new full-time, grant-funded Social Worker II position in the Department of Human Services. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 23. Designation of 403 West Masonic View as a Valuable Open Space for Conservation Easement Status. City Council, at the request of its owner, designated the property at 403 West Masonic View as valuable open space that should be preserved in the City of Alexandria and requested that the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities work with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and the property's owner to pursue a voluntary conservation easement to be placed on this property. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 24. Consideration of Transfer of $889,815 in Real Estate Recordation Tax Monies into the Moderate Income Homeownership Program (MIHP). City Council approved the allocation of up to $780,000 in one-time real estate recordation tax revenues from the Affordable Housing Initiatives account into the Moderate Income Homeownership Program (MIHP), with the stipulation that repayments of loans made from these funds will be returned to the Affordable Housing Initiatives account. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Councilman Smedberg reported that he and Vice Mayor Pepper attended a joint meeting of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, where a presentation was made and a discussion was held on a study of HOT lanes and other transportation issues for the region. (b) Councilman Gaines reported that he, Mayor Euille and Councilwoman Woodson attended the National League of Cities Congress of Cities Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina last week and he participated in the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, which held a session covering issues relating to emergency preparedness, FEMA and the growing methamphetamine problem throughout the Country. Councilman Gaines noted that he attended other sessions on emergency preparedness, homeland security and facility sharing. (c) Councilman Krupicka reported that he and Councilman Smedberg attended a Hospital Task Force Meeting recently at INOVA Alexandria Hospital, which was very productive. Councilman Krupicka reported that the Community Service Board has been successful in finding beds for consumers in the community. Councilman Krupicka noted that the Hospital received a grant that will add a new staff member at the Carpenter's Shelter that will attend to the health care needs of the customers. Councilman Krupicka also reported that the Governor announced setting aside money in the State budget for mental health services in Virginia. (d) Councilman Smedberg reported that the INOVA Alexandria Hospital and the Fire Department received special designations for treating people who have suffered a stroke and he reported that funds would not be available from the Federal Government for public health access programs like the one supporting mental health services, but monies will have to come from other sources, like grants. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Mayor Euille reported that he was invited by Governor Warner to participate in a press conference in Richmond announcing the inclusion in the FY07 State budget of funds for the clean-up of the Chesapeake Bay in the amount of $200 million. (b) Mayor Euille thanked Councilman Gaines and Councilwoman Woodson for attending the National League of Cities Conference in Charlotte last week. Mayor Euille announced that the City received an award for being a digital community with a WiFI system. Mayor Euille noted that there were three students from T.C. Williams High School attending the Youth Conference portion of the NLC Conference. (c) Mayor Euille reported that a community meeting was held last night to discuss the plans for the demolition of the existing Monroe Avenue bridge and the construction of a new bridge. Mayor Euille noted that there would be a citizens advisory group formed to address questions and concerns from the surrounding community about the upcoming project. Mayor Euille pointed out that the decision was made two years ago to build a new bridge and the meetings being held are to discuss the impacts of the construction and timetables for completing the new bridge. (d) Vice Mayor Pepper reported that she attended a ceremony to deliver the titles of donated buses to the City of New Orleans and she spent some time with employees from the New Orleans Bus Authority discussing the process of rebuilding the City after Hurricane Katrina. (e) Vice Mayor Pepper stated that she hoped the City staff and all those involved in the upcoming Monroe Avenue Bridge project would consider all the options and think outside the box to help the process be as smooth as possible. (f) Councilman Macdonald stated that the community response to the meeting suggests there is concern about the upcoming Monroe Avenue Bridge Project and he was impressed by the questions citizens posed about the project including pedestrian movement, mass transit, bike trails and traffic impacts by neighbors. Councilman Macdonald stated that the project needed to be examined carefully, particularly the management and operations of the project. Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier responded to concerns and questions from Council about the upcoming Monroe Avenue Bridge Project. (g) Councilman Macdonald thanked staff for all the work being done on the restoration study of Four Mile Run with Arlington. (h) Councilman Macdonald mentioned a request to save the piece of land between Ivy Hill Cemetery and Woodbine and suggested the possibility of creating a pocket park in the area. Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities Kincannon gave an update of acquisitions of land for use as pocket parks. (i) Councilman Smedberg pointed out that the citizens should be notified earlier of the changing bus routes along Route 1 during construction and there should be an addition of an express bus dedicated to getting passengers to the Braddock Road Metro Station. Councilman Smedberg stated that special attention should be given to the shopping center along Slaters Lane so that the businesses do not suffer adversely during construction of the bridge. (j) Councilman Gaines stated that communication would be of the utmost importance during this construction project. (k) Councilman Krupicka thanked Mr. Baier and City staff for all the work on this project. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER NONE Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 25. Consideration of a Resolution Supporting Additional Funding For Foster Care. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] City Council approved the resolution that request that the General Assembly increase foster care payments in Virginia to at least the national average. (RES. NO. 2170) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 26. Consideration of a Resolution Designating the Acting City Manager When the City Manager is Out of Town. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] City Council repealed Resolution 2138 and adopted the resolution designating the Acting City Manager when the City Manager is out of town. (RES. NO. 2171) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 27. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Supplement Number 77 of the City Code. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] City Council passed the ordinance to adopt Supplement Number 77 of the City Code. (ORD. NO. 4432) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ OTHER 28. Consideration of City Council Schedule. City Council adopted the City Council Schedule for the months of December 2005 through June 2006, with the following additions and changes: schedule a tour for City Council of the City's Archives and Records Center on Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m., when the Public Records Advisory Commission has its meeting; received the revised calendar which includes: a reception and dinner sponsored by Andrew Jackson Lodge #120 of the Masonic Order on Thursday, December 15 at 6:15 p.m., at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, to honor the City's first responders and others who traveled to the Gulf region to assist in the response and recovery after Hurricane Katrina; the 29th Annual Hanukkah Celebration on Wednesday, December 28 at 5:00 p.m. in the INOVA Alexandria Hospital Atrium, 4320 Seminary Road; the Community Martin Luther King, Jr. program on Sunday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1427 W. Braddock Road; the reception sponsored by the City Hall Art Committee recognizing the opening of the City Hall art exhibit with juried art selected in coordination with the Torpedo Factory artists and Del Ray Artisans on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. in room 2000, City Hall; and the City's Gang Prevention Summit on Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cora Kelly Magnet School, 3600 Commonwealth Avenue. Council noted that they would consider the FY 2006 Budget Work Session/Budget consideration schedule and schedule an Arlandria community meeting with Council, businesses and area residents. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION 29. Consideration of Convening An Executive Session Closed to the Public For Discussion of Actual and Potential Litigation, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia. City Council convened in executive session at 10:15 p.m., pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of real property for public park and recreation and affordable or workforce housing, purposed, and pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7), for the purpose of discussing actual and probable litigation concerning the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan. At 10:37 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting. City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. (RES. NO. 2172) Council Action:_________________________________________________________