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Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - - 7:00 p.m.

* * * * *

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

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mr. Hartmann, City Manager; Mr. Pessoa, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES); Ms. Boyd, Director, Citizens Assistance; Mr. Kincannon, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Mason, Special Assistant to the City Manager; Mr. Skrabak, Division Chief, T&ES; Mr. Johnson, Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Mr. Owens, Communications Officer, City Manager's Office; Ms. Davis, Director, Office of Housing; Ms. McIlvaine, Deputy Director, Office of Housing; Ms. Baron, Division Chief, Office of Housing; Mr. Neckel, Director, Finance; Mr. Cochran, Division Chief, Office of Housing; Mr. Lambert, Bicycle Coordinator, T&ES; Mr. Hannigan, Director of Communications; Mr. Chesley, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Winslow, Engineering, T&ES; Mr. Espinoza, Office of Housing; Mr. David, Office of Housing, Ms. Pettus, Grants Coordinator, City Manager's Office; Ms. Vosper, Landscape Architect, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Police Lt. Uzzell; Mr. Colevas, ITS; Mr. Saenz, ITS; and Mr. Lloyd.

Recorded by: Gloria Sitton, Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of Council

OPENING


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 the Council were present.

2. Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

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

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

(a) The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2006; and

(b) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of September 16, 2006.

WHEREUPON, upon motion Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Macdonald and carried unanimously, City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of September 12, 2006 and the public hearing meeting minutes of September 16, 2006. The voting was as follows:

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

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

9. Introduction of Visitors From Alexandria's Sister City Caen, France.

City Council welcomed the visitors from Alexandria's Sister City Caen, France.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Vicente Espinoza and Tom David as City Employees of the Month for September.

(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. 4; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of the record by reference.)

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

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

5. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.

(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; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of the record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Gaines "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

6. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness 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. 6; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of the record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

7. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring October 4, 2006, as Walk to School Day.

(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; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of the record by reference.)

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

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

8. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring October 12, 2006, as Lights on After School Day.

(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. 4; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of the record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Gaines "aye" Lovain "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (10-18)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

(a) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
Leon Scioscia

(b) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
Lester (Grev) Hunt, III

(c) Alexandria- Commission on Information Technology
Marc DeCourcey

(d) Alexandria District Home Board
Mary Ann Griffin

(e) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
Nancy A. Farrington

(f) Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments
Daniel K. Macklin

(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-f); 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Citizen Member

(b) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS
1 Member From and Representing the Alexandria Community
Services Board

(c) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
1 Citizen Member

(d) Alexandria Community Services Board
1 Licensed Physician

(e) Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council
1 Representative of the Hospital Administration at Inova
Alexandria Hospital

(f) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From the Carlyle House
1 Representative From Planning District I
1 Representative From Planning District II

(g) Alexandria Woodrow Wilson Neighborhood Task Force
1 Representative From A Civic Association Impacted by the
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Construction

(h) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Member of City Boards, Commissions or Other
Organizations Having an Interest in Youth Issues

(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-h); 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

12. Consideration of Designation of City Manager as the City's Agent and Authorization to Submit Application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the June 2006 Flood Damages.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

13. Consideration of Authorization of Submission of a Letter to the Natural Resources Conservation Service Requesting Federal Assistance for the June 2006 Flood Damages.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 19, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

14. Consideration of Authorization of Submission of a Request to the Federal Highway Administration for the June 2006 Flood Damages.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

15. Consideration of Acceptance of $74,042 Federal Earmark Grant Through the Department of Justice for the Technology Updated and Modernization of the Security at the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

16. Consideration of the Annuall Committee Attendance Report for FY 2006.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 16; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

17. Consideration of an Authorization of Recommended Capital Allocations and Planned Expenditures.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 13, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

18. Consideration of Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending August 31, 2006.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 18; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Consent Calendar, with the exception of docket items #12, #13 and #14, which were considered under separate motions after docket item #23. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

10. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Leon Scioscia, Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (b) Lester (Grev) Hunt, III, Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (c) Marc DeCourcey, Alexandria Commission on Information Technology; (d) Mary Ann Griffin, Alexandria District Home Board; (e) Nancy A. Farrington, Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; and (f) Daniel K. Macklin, Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments.

11. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed Charles (Tony) Gee as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (b) appointed James Gladden, IV as the member from and representing the Alexandria Community Services Board to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (c) appointed Tamara Dunlap as the one citizen member to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (d) appointed Robert Pinney as the one licensed physician to the Alexandria Community Services Board; (e) waived the residency requirement and appointed Kathleen Barry as the representative of the hospital administration at INOVA Alexandria Hospital to the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council; (f) appointed Douglas Thurman as the representative from the Carlyle House, reappointed Kleber Masterson, Jr., as the representative from Planning District I and appointed Patrick Butler, III as the representative from Planning District II to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (g) appointed Boyd Walker as the representative from a civic association impacted by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction to the Alexandria Woodrow Wilson Neighborhood Task Force; and (h) appointed Laura Zabriskie Martin as the member of city boards, commissions or other organizations having an interest in youth issues to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

15. City Council: (1) approved the submission of the $74,042 grant application to the Department of Justice; and (2) authorized the City Manager to complete the necessary paperwork.

16. City Council: (1) received the report; (2) vacated the five positions listed on page one of the report; and (3) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies.

17. City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary.

18. City Council received the following Monthly Financial Report for the period ending August 31, 2006.

The voting was as follows:

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

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

19. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large As An
Arts Consumer and Participant

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

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

Barbara Boehm Margaret C. Whitesides
Amelie W. Cagle
Patti North-Rudin
Margo J. Williams

Eileen O'Brien

1 Member Who Has Expertise in the Arts, Either As A
Practitioner of Various Art Disciplines or As A
Professional Administrator Working in the Field

Matthew Harwood Betsy Anderson
Marian Van Landingham

Lynn O'Connell
(Residency Waiver Required) Diane Charles
Kimberly Mullins
Beth Lovain
Marga Fripp
Russell Wyland

Victoria Walchak

(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; 09/26/06, 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 Barbara Boehm as the member who represents the public-at-large as an arts consumer and participant and appointed Matthew Harwood as the member who has expertise in the arts, either as a practitioner of various art disciplines or as a professional administrator working in the field to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Boehm, Harwood
Macdonald - Boehm, Harwood
Gaines - Boehm, Harwood
Krupicka - Boehm, O'Connell
Lovain - O'Brien, O'Connell
Pepper - Boehm, O'Connell
Smedberg - Boehm, Harwood

20. Alexandria Environmentall Policy Commission
1 Citizen-at-Large

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

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

Carol Braegelmann
Jerome Casagrande

(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; 09/26/06, 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 Jerome Casagrande as the citizen-at-large to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission. The voting was as follows:
Euille - Casagrande
Macdonald - Braegelmann
Gaines - Braegelmann
Krupicka - Casagrande
Lovain - Braegelmann
Pepper - Casagrande
Smedberg - Casagrande

21. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
1 Citizen Member

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

NAME: ENDORSED BY:

Brent Eastwood
Roger Machanic
Timothy Ramsey

(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. 21; 09/26/06, 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 reappointed Roger Machanic as the citizen member to the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority. The voting was as follows:
Euille - Machanic
Macdonald - Eastwood
Gaines - Machanic
Krupicka - Machanic
Lovain - Machanic
Pepper - Machanic
Smedberg - Machanic

PUBLIC HEARING:

22. Receipt of Staff Report and Public Hearing on the National Park Service 2006 Environmental Assessment of Jones Point Park.

Director Kincannon Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities gave a brief presentation on the Environmental Assessment of Jones Point Park.

The following persons participated in the public hearing:

(a) Teresa Whisenant Miller, 808 South Lee Street, spoke in support of the National Park Service (NPS) alternative four placing one field south of the bridge and stated that the City should seek more money in its mitigation agreement for park development elsewhere.

(b) Richard Miller, 808 South Lee Street, spoke in support of the NPS alternative four and stated that the City should seek more in its mitigation agreement with NPS.

(c) Kenneth Sharperson, 2701 Park Center Drive, representing the Parks and Recreation Commission, spoke in support of the alternative one placing two fields north of the bridge, helping the shortage of fields in the City.

(d) John Belshe, 600 South Royal Street, spoke about the failure of the NPS to address comments made during the public meeting process of October 2005 and a lack of balanced comparison in the four alternatives presented in the environmental assessment currently under review.

(e) Karen Simon, 809 South Royal Street, spoke in support of the NPS alternative four.

(f) Ellen Stanton, 2600 King Street, representing Historic Alexandria Resources Commission, spoke in opposition to the NPS alternative four and its effects on the historical resources in the park.

(g) Michael Nielson, 4110 Fort Worth Place, spoke in support of alternative one, addressing the shortage of playing fields in the City.

(h) Bill Rossello, 502 Fontaine Street, representing the Alexandria Soccer Association, spoke in support of alternative one, addressing the shortage of playing fields in the City.

(i) Stephen Frerichs, 507 Cathedral Drive, spoke in support of alternative one, addressing the shortage of playing fields in the City.

(j) John Wilson, 819 South Lee Street, representing the Yates Garden Civic Association, spoke in support of the NPS alternative four.

(k) Jane Antone, 704 South Fairfax Street, spoke in support of the NPS alternative four.

(l) Janice Magnuson, 905 Peele Place, spoke in opposition to the NPS alternative four and the visual effect it will have on the surrounding neighborhood and impact it will have on the history of the area.

(m) John Ladd, 806 Enderby Drive, spoke in support of alternative one.

(n) Glenn L. Archer, 3208 Circle Hill Road, spoke in support of alternative one.

(o) Engin Artemel, 218 Madison Place, planning consultant for St. Mary's School, stated the school has no position on which alternative would be best and wanted to be sure that as a stakeholder in the community, their needs and concerns were addressed during this discussion.

(p) Katy Cannady, 20 East Oak Street, requested that the City seek a way to retain the natural environment in the Jones Point area and be fair and equitable to all those affected by the decision.

(q) Jon Fleuchaus, 506 West Braddock Road, spoke in support of alternative one and he addressed the conditions of the playing fields in the City.

(r) Jon Wilbor, 310 South Lee Street, spoke in support of alternative one and requested that the City look for a way to create a sports complex with more playing field options.

(s) Boyd Walker, 1307 King Street, spoke in support of the NPS alternative four but noted that he preferred not placing playing fields in the area in order to preserve the historical character of Jones Point.

(t) Bill Tabor, 4905 Maury Lane, representing the Archaeology Commission, spoke in opposition to alternative four because it does not protect the cultural and historic resources of the park and outlined some requests that the Commission would like the Council to present to the NPS.

(u) Joe Parimucha, 211 Lee Court, expressed his concern for the change of the character of Jones Point Park and the effects on the surrounding neighborhoods. Mr. Parimucha also noted that the addition of two fields was only a short term solution to a much greater problem.

(v) Peter M. Page, Jr., 506 Lloyds Lane, spoke in support of alternative one.

(w) Janice Wolk Grenadier, 15 West Spring Street, spoke in support of more playing fields in the area and supported alternative one.

City Council: (1) received the staff report; (2) received public comment on the Jones Point Park (JPP) Environmental Assessment 2006; and (3) will consider at its October 10 legislative meeting comments for incorporation into a City report to be sent to National Park Service (NPS) as Council's formal final position on the environmental assessment.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

Please Note: Docket Items #12, #13 and #14 were considered along with Docket Item No. 23.

23. Presentation by Staff on City of Alexandria Response to the Flooding Events of Late June and Early July 2006.

Members of City staff made a presentation on the City of Alexandria's response to the flooding events of late June and early July 2006. City staff also responded to questions and comments from members of Council.

12. Consideration of Designation of City Manager as the City's Agent and Authorization to Submit Application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the June 2006 Flood Damages.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) designated James K. Hartmann, City Manager, as the designated agent on behalf of the City for the purpose of filing application with federal agencies; (2) authorized the City Manager to sign the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Application for Federal Assistance for the June 2006 Flood; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents for the recovery effort. The voting was follows:

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

13. Consideration of Authorization of Submission of a Letter to the Natural Resources Conservation Service Requesting Federal Assistance for the June 2006 Flood Damages.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 19, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) authorized the City Manager to submit the letter to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to request financial assistance (This letter was submitted in August to meet deadlines with the understanding the staff would request Council to endorse the letter in September); and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents for the recovery effort. The voting was follows:

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

14. Consideration of Authorization of Submission of a Request to the Federal Highway Administration for the June 2006 Flood Damages.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) authorized the reimbursement submission to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the June 2006 flood; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents for the recovery effort. The voting was as follows:
Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Pepper "aye"

24. Consideration of Application for Federal Defense Economic Adjustment Program Grant Funds.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 21, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 24; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Macdonald and carried unanimously, City Council authorized the City Manager to file a first-year grant application with the Federal Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) in the amount of $260,000. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Macdonald "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper reported that as the representative to the City's Mirant Work Group Task Force, she attended a hearing before the State Air Pollution Control Board, along with City staff and a group of constituents, to offer testimony about the air quality surrounding the plant. Councilwoman Pepper noted that Environmental Quality Division Chief Skrabak gave a presentation on Mirant and the effects their operations has had on the City's air quality. Councilwoman Pepper also noted that outside counsel, John Britton, presented a resolution which outlined the City's requests of the Board. Councilwoman Pepper noted that the Board passed a resolution stating that it will take direct control of the permitting process and consider the three points in the resolution presented by the City. Councilwoman Pepper requested that a work session be scheduled before the Board meets again in December to review the resolution and consider its passage.

Division Chief Skrabak gave Council gave an abbreviated version of his presentation before the Board.

City Attorney Pessoa reviewed the legal aspects of the hearing and noted that the resolution was a summary of the City's position and the City's request to the Board to exercise its legal authority.

Councilman Smedberg requested clarification on what would be the next steps that Council needed to take concerning the Board's action. City Attorney Pessoa responded that the only further action required by Council could possibly be the nomination of a local individual to the committee to monitor air pollution and report to the State Air Pollution Control Board. City Attorney Pessoa noted that Council could formally endorse the steps the Board has taken.

Councilman Smedberg noted that the presentation was well done and how the members of the Board commented on the involvement of the citizens in the process.

(b) Councilmember Lovain reported that the Council of Governments (COG) Transportation Planning Board were asked to add to the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) on a feasibility and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study on extending a High Occupancy Travel (HOT) lane from Arlington to Spotsylvania County and he noted that the concerns from Northern Virginia included degradation of existing transit services, incident management problems and with the additional need for access and egress for ramps, particularly at Seminary Road, which could lead to the increase of cut-through traffic through Alexandria. Councilmember Lovain also reported that Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has agreed to form a stakeholders committee to address some of the concerns.

(c) Councilmember Lovain reported that the COG Health and Human Services Committee will be sponsoring a conference on obesity and its effects on public health on November 16.

(d) Councilman Gaines announced that the Citizen Corps Council will be sponsoring an Emergency Preparedness Expo on Saturday, October 2 on Market Square.

(e) Councilman Gaines reported that he and Councilman Krupicka met with the Gang Prevention Task Force a week ago to follow up on suggestions from the Gang Summit last spring. Councilman Gaines noted that there has been a great amount of follow up work and meetings held to help to shape the planning process for policy and goals.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilwoman Pepper announced that the City is seeking a holiday tree for Market Square and the City will remove the tree and grind the stump free of cost.

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

None.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

25. Consideration of a Resolution Establishing the Processes to be Used to Adopt Operating Budgets and Capital Improvement Programs During the Term of This Council. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the City Manager’s memorandum dated September 18, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 25; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Deputy City Manager Jinks and Office of Management and Budget Johnson gave a brief overview of the proposed resolution and participated in a discussion with Council on amendments to the proposed resolution.

City Council deferred action on this item until the October 10 legislative meeting.

26. Presentation and Consideration of a Resolution Supporting the Designation of Exclusive Transit Lanes on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 12, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 26; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council adopted a resolution supporting the designation of exclusive transit lanes on the reconstructed Woodrow Wilson Bridge and completion of an alternative analysis for this transit corridor as was authorized by the 2005 six-year Federal Transportation Bill (49 USC 5309). The voting was as follows:
Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2204

WHEREAS, in the Spring of 2000, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the federal government launched the Wilson Bridge Project to replace the aging original six-lane span; and

WHEREAS, in total, each of the twin spans of the new bridge will have six lanes for a total of twelve lanes, including ten automobile lanes: eight general purpose automobile lanes, matching the number of lanes on the Beltway, plus two merge/diverge lanes connecting the adjacent Maryland and Virginia interchanges; and two inner lanes of each bridge that await a designated mode; and WHEREAS, the new bridge spans were designed and are being constructed to be “transit ready”; and

WHEREAS, dedicated public transit on the Wilson Bridge will facilitate a new connection between Virginia and Maryland; and

WHEREAS, in its Ten Year Capital Improvement Program (Sept. 2002) the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority included a proposed MetroRail expansion using the Woodrow Wilson to connect existing MetroRail lines in Virginia and Maryland; and

WHEREAS, dedicated transit lanes will greatly increase the capacity of the bridge, provide Alexandria residents more transportation choices, help prepare for National Harbor traffic, and ease the traffic burden in adjacent Old Town Alexandria and other Beltway communities; and

WHEREAS, investments that improve and expand our region’s world-class public transportation system provide ample returns by driving economic development in the existing developed areas of our region, and fostering greater transportation fuel efficiency that mitigates regional air pollution, curbs global warming gas emissions, and assures our communities a sounder financial footing in an era of rising energy costs; and

WHEREAS, under the 2005 six-year Federal transportation bill (49 USC 5309), the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts Program authorizes funding for alternatives analysis and preliminary engineering of a transit route over the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge (HR 3-506, page 10, line number 259); and

WHEREAS, the authorization for federal funding expires in 2009.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexandria City Council supports designating the inner lane of each span of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge for exclusive public transit use to improve connections between Virginia and Maryland, and supports efforts to secure federal funding to begin the Alternatives Analysis and other appropriate studies to begin the process.

OTHER

27. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum date September 21, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 27; 09/26/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council adopted the City Council Schedule for the months of September 2006 through June 2007, with the following additions and changes: schedule a joint work session with the Planning Commission on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council work room to discuss Planning priorities; schedule a work session with the Board of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA) at 5:30 p.m., before Council's Tuesday, December 12 legislative meeting in the Council work room and received the revised calendar which includes: the location and time of the Council's November 4 Retreat (Samuel Tucker Elementary School Multi-Purpose room at 8:30 a.m.); the Archaeology Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Party on Saturday, December 9 (revised date) at 6:00 p.m. at the Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union Street; and the 13th Annual Homeownership Fair on Saturday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m., at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Avenue. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

28. Consideration of Convening An Executive Session Closed to the Public For Discussion of Potential Litigation.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, in lieu of an executive session, City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the Branson workers' compensation claim along the lines discussed in the memorandum from the City Attorney to Council. The voting was as follows:
Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

*******
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, the regular City Council meeting of September 26, 2006, was adjourned at 10:56 p.m. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye"
Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

APPROVED:

___________________________
WILLIAM D. EUILLE MAYOR

ATTEST:

__________________________________
Gloria Sitton, CMC Deputy City Clerk


This docket is subject to change.

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