Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting (09/13/2005)

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - - 7:00 p.m.

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Present: Mayor William D. Euille, Vice Mayor Redella S. Pepper, Members of Council Ludwig P. Gaines, K. Rob Krupicka, Andrew H. Macdonald, Paul C. Smedberg and Joyce Woodson.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mr. Hartmann, City Manager; Mr. Pessoa, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Boyd, Director, Citizen Assistance; Mr. Kincannan, Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities; Ms. Barnett, Deputy Director of Program Operations, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities; Mr. Blakeley, Deputy Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities; Ms. Vosper, Landscape Architect Supervisor, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities; Ms. Laura Durham, Urban Planner/Open Space Coordinator, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities; Mr. Culpepper, Deputy Director, T&ES; Mr. Skrabak, Division Chief, Environmental Quality, T&ES; Ms. Maslanka, Division Chief, T&ES; Mr. Garbacz, Division Chief, T&ES; Dr. Gilmore, Director, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Ms. Collins, Director, Human Services; Ms. Fogarty, Director, Planning and Zoning; Mr. Farner, Planning and Zoning; Mr. Phipps, Planning and Zoning; Ms. Davis, Housing Director; Ms. Smith-Page, Director, Real Estate Assessments; Mr. Fairchild, Business Facilitator; Mr. Mason, Acting Public Information Officer; Fire Chief Mesaris; Deputy Fire Chief Whitmore; Mr. Penn, Emergency Management Coordinator, Fire Department; Police Chief Samarra; Police Lt. Uzzell; Ms. Niebauer, Director, Human Rights; Mr. Johnson, Director, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Robinson, General Services; Mr. Neckel, Director, Office of Finance; Ms. Santos, Division Chief, Information Technology; and Mr. Farid, Telecommunications Coordinator, Information Technology.

Recorded by: Jackie M. Henderson, City Clerk and Clerk of Council

OPENING

The following item was heard out of turn:

3. Recognition of Town Crier William North-Rudin.

Town Crier William North-Rudin opened the meeting. Council recognized Mr. North-Rudin as the newly appointed Town Crier.

1. Calling the Roll.

Mayor Euille called the meeting to order and the City Clerk called the roll; all the members of City Council were present.

2. Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

City Council observed a moment of silence and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

* * * * * *

New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Euille welcomed everyone back from the summer recess and said they look forward to the next year. He said there will be a special work session in the Chambers, which will be televised, on a status update on the City's emergency preparedness initiatives.

* * * * * *

4. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:

(a) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of June 21, 2005;

(b) The Special Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2005; and

(c) The Regular Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2005.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the public hearing minutes of June 21, 2005, the special public hearing minutes of June 27, 2005, and the regular meeting minutes of June 28, 2005, with the inclusion as part of the record of Ms. Crenshaw's statement at the June 27, 2005 meeting, as prepared by the City Clerk. The voting was as follows:

Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

PROCLAMATIONS

5. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Heather Buchanan as City Employee of the Month for June.

(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:

Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

6. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Leroy Baker as City Employee of the Month for July.

(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Councilman Macdonald presented the proclamation.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:

Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

7. Presentation of a Proclamation for the March for Awareness, Resources and Commitment in Richmond.

(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Woodson, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:

Woodson "aye" Gaines "aye"
Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

8. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring September as Save a Life Month.

(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:

Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Woodson "aye"

9. Recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau.

City Council recognized Mr. North-Rudin, executive director, from the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-16)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

10. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Commission on Aging
Kathryn Edwards

(b) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
Cynthia Bees
Jerome Vincent Guss, Jr.

(c) Alexandria Community Services Board
Victoria Almquist

(d) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
Michael Carrasco

(e) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association
Board of Governors
Leonard Gregory Brown

(f) Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
Patrick Butler

(g) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
Kenneth Hill
Sanjay Murty
Carlos Probus
Jeffrey Swedberg

(A copy of the above resignations is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 10(a-g); 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Representative of the City’s Faith Community

(b) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
2 Citizen Members

(c) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

(d) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Member From and Representing the Alexandria Human
Rights Commission
1 Citizen-at-Large

(e) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
1 Representative From the Business Community At-Large

(f) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Local Consumer Action Organization Member

(g) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors
1 Hotel Owner/Manager Representative
1 Retail Business Owner/Manager Representative
1 National or International Trade or Professional Association
Executive
The Hotel Association President
1 Member-at-Large

(h) Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia
1 Health Care Provider

(i) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Member-at-Large From Planning District II

(j) Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
1 Qualified Professional Skilled in Architecture

(k) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Archaeological
Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Environmental Policy
Commission

(A copy of the above appointments is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11(a-k); 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

12. Vacation #2002-0041(b) - 1514-1602 King Street and 1602 Dechantel Street. Receipt of Viewers' Report For a Request For Vacation of the Public Right-of-Way at 1514-1602 King Street and 1602 Dechantel Street, Zoned Mixed Use. Applicant DSF Long King Street I, LLC. (#11, 4/16/05.)

(A copy of the viewers report dated July 30, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

13. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation for Funding to Acquire a Public Access Easement Along the Mt. Vernon Waterfront Trail on the Hunting Towers Site.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

14. Consideration of Submission of a Grant Applicant to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the City's Domestic Violence Intervention Project.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

15. Receipt of the Annual Committee Attendance Report for Fiscal Year 2005.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

(Ordinances for Introduction)

16. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Grant a Full Exemption From the Residential Refuse Fee to Elderly or Disabled Taxpayers Who Have Obtained a Deferral or Exemption of Real Estate Taxes.

(A copy of the informal memorandum explaining the ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 16, 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 16, 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Macdonald and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Consent Calendar as follows, with the removal of items 12, 13 and 15 and considered them under separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

10. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Kathryn Edwards from the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (b) Cynthia Bees and Jerome Vincent Guss, Jr., from the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (c) Victoria Almquist from the Alexandria Community Services Board; (d) Michael Carrasco from the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (e) Leonard Gregory Brown from the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors; (f) Patrick Butler from the Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee; and (g) Kenneth Hill, Sanjay Murty, Carlos Probus and Jeffrey Swedberg from the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.

11. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed Marilyn Patterson as the representative of the City's Faith Community to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Julie Huebsch and Jacqueline Schenkel as the two citizen members to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (c) appointed Gerard Yoest as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (d) appointed Karen Gautney as the member from and representing the Alexandria Human Rights Commission and reappointed Lillian Thompson as the one citizen-at-large representative to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (e) waived the residency requirement and appointed Robyn Fitzgerald as the one representative from the business community at-large on the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (f) appointed Edward Susan as the one local consumer action organization member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (g) waived the residency requirement and reappointed Mary Anne Russell as the one hotel owner/manager representative, waived the residency requirement and appointed Robert Lorenson as the one retail business owner/manager representative, reappointed Gayle Reuter as the one national or international trade or professional association executive, waived the residency requirement and appointed Robert Canady as the hotel association president, and waived the residency requirement and appointed Charlotte Hall as the one member-at-large to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA) Board of Governors; (h) appointed Michael Spatz, M.D. as the one health care provider to the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia; (i) appointed Jennifer Hall as the one member-at-large from planning district II to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (j) appointed Stephen Koenig as the one qualified professional skilled in architecture to the Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee; and (k) reappointed Ernest (Pete) Petersen as the one representative from the Alexandria Archaeological Commission and appointed Joshua Dickinson as the one representative from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.

14. City Council: (a) approved the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for funding in the amount of $73,431 for continued funding of the City's Domestic Violence Intervention Project; (b) approved the continuation of one full-time grant-funded Victim-Witness Specialist II position, and one part-time grant-funded Law Clerk position. The Office on Women and the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office will directly supervise these positions. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant. The individuals who are in these positions have been notified of this condition of employment and have signed an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition. It should be noted that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expired; and (c) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.

16. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on September 20, 2005.

The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Macdonald "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

13. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation for Funding to Acquire a Public Access Easement Along the Mt. Vernon Waterfront Trail on the Hunting Towers Site.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Councilman Macdonald asked questions about acquiring the easement, the benefits of it and the need to buy the easement, which were answered by Mr. Kincannon, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities and Mr. Jinks, Assistant City Manager.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Macdonald, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council authorized the City Manager to: (a) submit the grant application to the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) for funding in the amount of $500,000 to assist in the acquisition of a public access easement along the Mt. Vernon Trail waterfront; and (b) execute all necessary documents that may be required. The voting was as follows:

Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye"
Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

15. Receipt of the Annual Committee Attendance Report for Fiscal Year 2005.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Councilwoman Woodson asked questions about attendance from the citizen on the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and whether it was an access issue. Ms. Boyd, Citizen Assistance Director, said she didn't believe it was an access issue, but she would double-check.

Mayor Euille asked if there was flexibility in terms of people making the required percentage of meetings, to which Ms. Boyd noted that it is a Code requirement, but noted that all are eligible to reapply and be reappointed.

Vice Mayor Pepper asked that the person who made 70 percent attendance could be told Council discussed the attendance and that it was possible for them to reapply.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Woodson, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council (a) received the report; (b) vacated the ten positions listed on page one of the report; and (c) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies. The voting was as follows:

Woodson "aye" Pepper "aye"
Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

17. Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

Raighne Delaney
Christi Hicks
Raymond McKeough

(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 9/13/05 and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following results: City Council appointed Raighne Delaney as the citizen member to the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Delaney
Pepper - Delaney
Gaines - McKeough
Krupicka - Delaney
Macdonald - Delaney
Smedberg - Delaney
Woodson - Delaney

18. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
2 Citizen Members

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

Agnes Artemel
Craig Romm
Donald Simpson, Sr.

(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 18; 9/13/05 and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following results: City Council appointed Agnes Artemel and reappointed Donald Simpson, Jr., as the two citizen members to the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Artemel, Simpson
Pepper - Artemel, Simpson
Gaines - Artemel, Simpson
Krupicka - Artemel, Simpson
Macdonald - Romm, Simpson
Smedberg - Artemel, Simpson
Woodson - Artemel, Simpson

19. Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

Patricia McBride
Sabrina Wear

(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 19; 9/13/05 and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following results: City Council appointed Sabrina Wear as the one citizen member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Wear
Pepper - McBride
Gaines - Wear
Krupicka - McBride
Macdonald - McBride
Smedberg - Wear
Woodson - Wear

20. Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Citizen-at-Large Representative Who Resides West of Washington
Street

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

H. Scott Johnson, Jr.
Lynda Noggle
Marc Sukolsky
John (Jack) Sullivan

(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 20; 9/13/05 and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following results: City Council appointed John (Jack) Sullivan as the citizen-at-large representative who resides west of Washington Street to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Sullivan
Pepper - Sullivan
Gaines - Sullivan
Krupicka - Sullivan
Macdonald - Sullivan
Smedberg - Sullivan
Woodson - Sullivan

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

21. Verbal Report on City's Efforts to Respond to Hurricane Katrina.

Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Penn gave a verbal report on the City's efforts to respond to Hurricane Katrina and answered questions of Council.

Ms. Julie Wright, executive director of the Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross, gave an overview of the Red Cross's efforts in Louisiana.

Councilwoman Woodson asked staff to look into the possibility of doing a blood drive at City Hall.

22. Receipt of Update on the Proposed King Street Business Improvement District.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 7, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 22; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Mr. Jinks made a presentation of the status update and answered questions of Council.

Ms. Lois Walker, on behalf of the BID Steering Committee, outlined the activities of the committee.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council received the report. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Gaines "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

23. Consideration of Continuing the Deferral of City Action of the Acquisition of Property From the Old Dominion Boat Club.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 23; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council continued to defer action on the acquisition of the Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) building property, including the ODBC parking lot, as the discussions and review of alternatives continue between the City and the ODBC. The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye"
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

24. Consideration of the Fiscal Year 2007 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Projects.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 24; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines, that City Council: (a) approved the priority listing of transportation projects discussed as those CMAQ and RSTP projects for which the City of Alexandria will request grant funding for FY 2007; and (b) authorized the City Manager to apply for these grants, and give him permission to enter into agreements with the State to accept any of these grants which are provided by the Commonwealth.

Vice Mayor Pepper said Council received an email from Larry Grossman on page 6 about rebuilding the King Street Metro Station and would like Council to keep in mind using CMAQ funds for redesigning the bus facilities there, to take into consideration the pedestrian crossing and access needs, as well as places for bicycles.

Councilman Gaines outlined the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission's outreach to legislators invited and had several officials join for a tour of the City, which was part of a regional tour on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.

The voting on the motion was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Gaines "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

25. Receipt of the Open Space Steering Committee Pocket Park Nominations and Setting the Report for Public Hearing on September 20, 2005.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 7, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 25; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Councilman Krupicka and seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper that City Council: (a) receive the Open Space Steering Committee's 2005 pocket park ranked list; and (b) schedule and conduct a public hearing at Council's September 20 public hearing meeting on the Committee's pocket park rankings, including the list of all nominated sites.

Mayor Euille noted that there are two properties listed for pocket parks. One of them is from the State of Virginia, the Alcohol Beverage Control Board property at 901 N. St. Asaph Street, and he received a letter and phone call expressing their disenchantment that the state property was on the list and request that the property be removed from consideration from the program. Mayor Euille also noted that his private residence at 106 E. Nelson Avenue is also on the list, and he personally would not want it up for consideration.

Councilman Smedberg expressed concern about maintenance of the parks and said it should reconsider the possibility of taking a very small percentage of the open space fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the parks.

Councilman Macdonald said maintenance should be much less of a pressing factor than the quick purchase of the pieces of land.

Councilwoman Woodson asked about the criteria and item c, the neighborhood commitment, as she was concerned that the criteria gives weight to communities that have time and resources, energy and ability, whereas there are other communities that may have equal need, but do not have the energy or the time. She said she was concerned that it was not one community pitted against another community over something like financial resources.

Councilman Smedberg recommended that Council ask the City Manager to docket the discussion of park maintenance as relates to the open space fund and how that is addressed.

Mayor Euille noted that could be done after the acquisition of land is done first and the proper venue could be done in the budget process.

The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye"
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Vice Mayor Pepper said the BRAC Committee met last Monday where it discussed that the BRAC Commission had voted on what they were going to do with the Department of Defense recommended closures and realignments. Their report was sent to the President, where he has 10 days to make a decision, and it is the understanding that he will accept whatever report came out of the BRAC Commission, and then it goes to Congress. She noted that the City has three major properties and 7,000 employees that could be affected, and the Commission did recommend that they would be moving elsewhere. The City has to face what it means for office vacancies.

Mayor Euille noted that the Committee has been working and has been on the Hill prior to the BRAC Commission taking its vote and submitting its recommendation to the President. He and staff have lobbied the Congressional Delegation and the BRAC Commission, and have sent letters to the Commissioners, and the next step is to lobby the White House, and they are making every effort to be able to do that.

Vice Mayor Pepper noted that the next meeting is October 3.

(b) Councilman Smedberg said the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, principally Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax, came together to help rectify a health crisis that could have impacted several hundred people in the region by the possible closure of the Whitman-Walker Northern Virginia office. That will now be kept open for a period of 18 months, and the working committee has already had their first meeting to look at alternatives to come up with a regional solution long-term for taking care of people with HIV/AIDS.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Woodson thanked the Hoffman family, as the Carpenter's Shelter announced that the Hoffman family was donating $1 million for the prevention of homelessness. It is to be used for education and is an enormous step on the part of the community to acknowledge that affordable housing is an issue and that the community can do something about it.

(b) Councilwoman Woodson reminded everyone of the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer on October 22, and if anyone has questions, they can contact the Office on Women.

(c) Councilman Gaines acknowledged the Be Ready Alexandria campaign for emergency preparedness. There was a launch event last week co-hosted by PBS and the City of Alexandria and it was a tremendous turnout. The City has prepared packets which have been delivered to about 10,000 homes throughout the City and contain emergency information, contact information and information about making a plan for its own home. The City also partnered with the National Capital Region and their emergency preparedness campaign and provided t-shirts and other literature.

(d) Councilman Gaines commended Alexandria residents Victoria and Jerry Hubert, who coordinated a Katrina Hurricane Relief dinner, in which they raised several thousand dollars.

(e) Councilman Gaines said he thought the Arts Festival was phenomenal.

(f) Councilman Gaines commended the City Attorney's Office about the Gateway sanctions and said he was glad they pursued those sanctions against the developer in the Gateway development case, and the developer was required to pay court costs and fees.

(g) Councilman Gaines said he took a working trip this summer, which was a leadership mission to Israel, sponsored by the Greater Washington Jewish Community Relations Council, and it was a trip of a lifetime and he noted all the events he attended and participated in.

(h) Councilman Macdonald thanked the Arts Commission who put on the Arts Festival last week, the Police who did a lot of the work at intersections and City staff that put on an art exhibit for staff members and Council. He thanked them for their hard work.

(i) Councilman Macdonald thanked City staff for its work to date on trying to find a solution to keeping Gunston Hall, both somewhat affordable and standing in its current form.

(j) Councilman Macdonald said the Mayor received a letter from John Liss asking about the taxicab ordinance and the implementation of some of the issues, and he hoped they would be able to implement it sooner than 2007.

Deputy Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Culpepper said the response has gone out.

(k) Councilman Macdonald said there is a lot of construction along South Washington Street near Gunston Hall where they are doing a lot of work and he had concerns from neighbors on the tight parking in the area and he asked if some of the staff of the businesses are using the shuttle and using the off-site parking area to reduce pressure on the local parking spots.

(l) Vice Mayor Pepper said that in May she sent a memo to the City Manager and other members of Council asking if they could have a memorandum from T&ES concerning the possible withdrawing of the $16 million that's been set aside by VDOT for the construction of the connecting road. She said she has not heard anything about that and it doesn't appear that any time soon they will be building the connecting road and it looked like the funds may be released.

Mr. Culpepper said it is in process.

(m) Vice Mayor Pepper said there apparently has been a decision by the Census Bureau that the City's population is not what they thought it was, that they are claiming the City's 2004 population was 128,000 whereas the City has been saying it was more like 137,000. The City Manager has sent a letter to the Census Bureau giving good reasons why that is a true underestimation of who they are and how many people there are, and one of the points made was that they had built 4,200 housing units since 2000 when the official census was made and only 450 houses have been demolished.

(n) Vice Mayor Pepper said the Hoffman Center has been renamed the Hubert N. Hoffman, Jr. Center for Homeless Families.

(o) Councilman Smedberg thanked the community groups and residents who worked with the City staff and Mirant monitoring group to get the City to the point where it is now. The Mirant Plant temporarily suspended its operations a few weeks ago and a lot of congratulations goes around the table. He particularly thanked Elizabeth Chimento and Poul Hertel for all their great work over the past four years, and he thanked the City Manager's Office and the City Attorney's Office for its work in assisting the group.

Mayor Euille noted that there have been on-going meetings with his office, the staff and with Congressman Moran's Office and they have actually invited representatives from Pepco and the District government to participate in those meetings and discussions, and Pepco has chosen not to come to the table. They had a conference call last week with Congressman Moran and D.C. Mayor Williams and there will be a follow-up conversation and meeting when Mayor Williams returns back to the country from travel.

Councilman Smedberg acknowledged all the residents who have submitted their own letters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where the decision currently is.

(p) Councilman Krupicka said Councilman Smedberg and Vice Mayor Pepper should also be complimented for their work on the Mirant and the task force.

(q) Councilman Krupicka said Jeff McAllister had passed away very suddenly a week or so ago, and he had just been sworn in as chair of the Commission on Disabilities, and his passing is sad and their hearts go out to the family, the Commission on Disabilities and the community, as he was a fantastic advocate, an extraordinary person and he will be deeply missed.

(r) Mayor Euille said the City Gospel Choir had an opportunity to represent the City as its ambassadors to their Sister City in Caen, France, and that trip commenced June 30 and returned July 12. There were a lot of accolades for their five performances in the Paris region and the Normandy area. The group was scheduled for the last three days to go from Paris to London, but two days prior to their departure they were shaken by the first bombings that took place in the transit system in London. There was a lot of apprehension on the part of their choir members and others about making the trip to London, but calm nerves prevailed and they went to London and had a wonderful few days. He sent kudos to the choir and to Rose Boyd and others for such a wonderful job. There will be an exchange visit of the Mayor of Caen, France coming at the end of the month, along with members of her delegation and the City will be hosting them in the City. The Caen University Choir will be in the City in July, 2006, to spend at least a week in the area, and the City will host them.

(s) Mayor Euille said that some time within the next month or two, he will be collaborating with his colleagues to launch a Healthy Alexandria initiative. One of the issues that evolved from the recent City-wide health assessment was a need to address obesity in youth and the physical fitness of the citizens in general. He said he has had the opportunity to be a celebrity make-over at the YMCA this summer, and he started May 3 and worked out with a personal trainer, set a goal to lose 10 pounds and as of a week ago had lost 21 pounds. The initiative will be launched to get the message out, and when the citizens are healthy, the City is healthy.

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Council heard docket item #12 at this time.

12. Vacation #2002-0041(b) - 1514-1602 King Street and 1602 Dechantel Street. Receipt of Viewers' Report For a Request For Vacation of the Public Right-of-Way at 1514-1602 King Street and 1602 Dechantel Street, Zoned Mixed Use. Applicant DSF Long King Street I, LLC. (#11, 4/16/05.)

(A copy of the viewers report dated July 30, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Planning Director Fogarty made a presentation of the staff report.

In response to questions from Council, City Attorney Pessoa explained the institution of viewers and what the emphasis of the report is to be. The viewers report is just one factor in the governing body's decision to vacate the road and ultimately it is up to the Council to make that decision. The action this evening is to receive the report and normally next month he would docket an ordinance to carry the vacation into affect, but in this case, he would await the direction of Council as to whether it wishes to proceed with the vacation.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council received the report of the vacation of right-of-way at 1514-1602 King Street and 1602 Dechantel Street and directed the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance. The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye"
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

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City Manager Hartmann announced that Mike Herway has been appointed the new Director of Information Technology. Mr. Herway had been the interim director for the past year.

Councilwoman Woodson asked where it is in the filling of the position of Public Information Officer.

Mr. Hartmann said they are in the process and the position is open until filled.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

26. Consideration of a Resolution to Amend the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan to Provide That the Current Fire Chief is Not Part of the Plan. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 6, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 26; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council adopted a resolution which amends the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan and has the effect of formally changing the Pension Plan to the Plans that the current Fire Chief participates in. The voting was as follows:

Gaines "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Woodson "aye"

The resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 2159

WHEREAS, the City of Alexandria maintains the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan (the “Plan”); and

WHEREAS, the City of Alexandria desires to adopt and incorporate certain amendments to the Plan as set forth in the “Third Amendment to the City of Alexandria Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Plan” (the “Plan Amendment”) attached hereto; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alexandria City Council does hereby recognize, adopt, approve and restate the Plan to incorporate the Plan Amendment attached hereto and incorporated fully herein by reference; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Resolution shall be effective immediately; provided, however, that the amendments hereby approved shall be effective as stated in the Plan Amendment.

OTHER

27. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 7, 2005, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 27; 9/13/05, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council adopted the schedule of Council's regular City Council meetings for September 2005 through June 2006, with the following additions and changes: changed the date of the Tuesday, November 8 Council legislative meeting to Wednesday, November 9 as a result of Election Day; and made the following additions to the calendar: Dinner with the mayor of our Sister City Caen, France on Thursday, September 29, at 7:00 p.m. at the Morrison House, 116 South Alfred Street; community workshop on Livable Communities and Smart Growth featuring Urban Land Institute Senior Resident Fellow Ed McMahon on Thursday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m.; grand opening and ribbon cutting for Duncan Library on Saturday, October 22 from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 2501 Commonwealth Avenue; the Apothecary Museum re-opening celebration on Friday, October 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 105-107 South Fairfax Street; Community Workshop on Walkable/Livable Communities featuring Daniel Burden, Executive Director of Florida's Walkable Communities, Inc., on Monday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m.; and the Salute to Women Awards Banquet on Monday, March 27, 2006, at 6:00 p.m.; and noted that the official retreat is Saturday, October 29, location to be determined.

Councilman Smedberg said he will be out of town the week of the 9th, as he has his organization's annual meeting around that time, and he will get with Ms. Evans on the dates he will be gone.

The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Gaines "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

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WORK SESSION

Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Penn gave a briefing on the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan and responded to questions of Council.

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THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, the regular City Council meeting of September 13, 2005, was adjourned at 10:53 p.m. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Woodson "aye"

APPROVED BY:

__________________________
WILLIAM D. EUILLE MAYOR

ATTEST:

___________________________________
Jacqueline M. Henderson, CMC City Clerk

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.

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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.

City Council meetings are closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.

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