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. Caton, Legislative Director; Ms. Boyd, Director, Citizen Assistance; Mr. Johnson, Director, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Routt, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Webster, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Taylor, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Doku, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Eisinger, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Moore, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Murphy, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Salerno, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Stewart, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Wheel, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget; Ms. Smith-Page, Director, Real Estate Assessments; Mr. Page, Deputy Director, Real Estate Assessments; Ms. Barnett, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Blakeley, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. McCobb, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Hannigan, Communications Director; Ms. Davis, Director, Office of Housing; Mr. Bedwell, General Services; Ms. Triggs, Acting Director, Finance Office; Ms. Collins, Director, Human Services; Ms. Maldonado, Human Services; Ms. Baker, Director, Office on Women; Ms. Harris, Office on Women; Sheriff Lawhorne; Police Lt. Gibson; Mr. Herway, Director, Information Technology; Ms. Niebauer, Director, Office on Human Rights; Emergency Operations Manager Penn; and Mr. Lloyd. Recorded by: Jacqueline M. Henderson, City Clerk and Clerk of Council OPENING
1. Calling the Roll. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the City Clerk called the roll; all the members of 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 Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2007; and (b) The Regular Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2007. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the public hearing meeting minutes of January 20, 2007 and the regular meeting minutes of January 23, 2007. The voting was as follows: Gaines "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL None. PROCLAMATIONS 4. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Gladys H. Davis' 60 Years of Service to the Alexandria Library. The proclamation was presented at an event earlier in the day. 5. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing the Work of the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Staff. (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; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" The following item was taken out of turn: OPENING 7. Recommendations and Status Report on Legislation Introduced at the 2007 General Assembly Session. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 12, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Legislative Director Caton made a presentation of the status report and responded to questions from Council concerning Mirant and the reenacting legislation and the transportation bills. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the legislative positions included in attachment 1 (recommended positions on bills of importance to the City) as recommended by City Council's Legislative Subcommittee (Mayor Euille and Councilman Smedberg.) The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye" 6. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Ricardo Drumond, with the Department of Human Services, as City Employee of the Month for February. (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; 2/13/07, 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 endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye" Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" 8. Presentation of the Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2008 (Including Schools,) Calendar Year 2007 Real Property Assessments, and the Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2008-2013 (including the Schools CIP.) City Manager Hartmann presented the proposed annual operating budget for fiscal year 2008, calendar year 2007 real property assessments, and the proposed Capital Improvement Program for fiscal year 2008-2013. 9. Receipt of the Calendar Year 2007 Real Property Assessment Information. Real Estate Director Smith-Page made a presentation of the 2007 real property assessment information. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER CONSENT CALENDAR (10-14) (Resignations and Uncontested Appointments) 10. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals Mary S. Lyman (b) Alexandria Commission on Aging Merry Dawson Bown (c) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS Chanel Johnson (d) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission Charles H. Nelson, Sr. (A copy of the above resignations is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 10(a-d); 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee 1 Representative From the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee (b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister Cities Committee 1 Citizen Member (c) Alexandria Beautification Commission 2 Citizen Members (d) Alexandria Commission on Employment 1 Citizen-at-Large (e) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS 1 Member From and Representing An HIV/AIDS Service Organization 1 Member From and Representing the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) (f) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission 1 Member-at-Large (g) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission 1 Member From the Field of Urban Planning (h) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee 1 Citizen Member (i) Alexandria Human Rights Commission 1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities (j) Alexandria Library Board 2 Citizen Members (k) Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission 1 Member From Planning District II 1 Member From Planning District III (l) Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee 1 Citizen Representing the Potomac East Area (Northeast and Inner City) (m) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee 2 Citizen Members (n) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission 1 Member of the Alexandria City School Board’s Advisory Committees (o) Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. (AEDP) 1 At-Large Member (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-o); 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) (Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager) 12. Consideration of a Grant Application in the Amount of $7,500 to the Family and Children's Trust Fund For a One Year Project to Enhance Youth Community Education Services. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 7, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 13. Consideration of Authorization of Grant Application in the Amount of $5,000 to the Alexandria Rotary Club For a One Year Project to Enhance Youth Community Education Services. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 7, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) (Ordinances for Introduction) 14. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Make Clarifying Amendments to the City's Recycling Regulations. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 6, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference. 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. 2 of Item No. 14; 2/13/07, 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. 3 of Item No. 14; 2/13/07, 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 #11(o), 12 and 13, which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows: 10. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Mary S. Lyman, Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals; (b) Merry Dawson Bown, Alexandria Commission on Aging; (c) Chanel Johnson, Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; and (d) Charles H. Nelson, Sr., Historic Alexandria Resources Commission. 11. City Council made the following appointments: (a) reappointed Jacqueline Manley as the representative from the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (b) reappointed Samuel Gyulnazarian as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) reappointed Jennifer Pugh and Mary Seith as the two citizen members to the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (d) reappointed Martin Kormanik as the citizen-at-large to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (e) waived the residency requirement and appointed Tomas Cabrera as the member from and representing an HIV/AIDS service organization and waived residency requirement and appointed Steven Hazel as the member from and representing the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (f) reappointed Carol Freeman as the member-at-large to the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (g) reappointed Carol Braegelmann as the member from the field of Urban Planning to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (h) reappointed Anne Haynes as the citizen member to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (i) reappointed Chester Avery as the representative from the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; (j) reappointed Louise Forstall and Brooke Stoddard as the two citizen members to the Alexandria Library Board; (k) appointed Robert Moir as the member from Planning District II and reappointed Kaj Vetter as the member from Planning District III to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission; (l) reappointed Teri Webster as the citizen representing the Potomac East Area (Northeast and Inner City) to the Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee; (m) reappointed Matthew Mueda and William Philipp as the two citizen members to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee; and (n) appointed John Chapman as the member of the Alexandria City School Board's Advisory Committees to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission. 14. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and set it for public hearing and second reading on Saturday, February 24, 2007. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye" Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" 11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (o) Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. (AEDP) 1 At-Large Member (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-o); 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Councilman Smedberg said he was disappointed in the application, as it is a little thin, along with Ms. Bennett's reason for applying, which didn't say much, and he said it would be helpful to have more explanation in the application. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council appointed Barbara Bennett as the at-large member to the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. (AEDP.) The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye" The following items were heard together: 12. Consideration of a Grant Application in the Amount of $7,500 to the Family and Children's Trust Fund For a One Year Project to Enhance Youth Community Education Services. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 7, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 13. Consideration of Authorization of Grant Application in the Amount of $5,000 to the Alexandria Rotary Club For a One Year Project to Enhance Youth Community Education Services. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 7, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Councilman Smedberg said he had some policy related questions as to how much interaction or oversite has come from the Youth Policy Board, how many hits it has had on the website, is it worth investing in, is it the proper office to do this, and also, particularly for #13, should a City department be allowed to apply for a grant and directly compete with the non-profit community when they have so many more advantages than other people do. City Manager Hartmann said pressure is put on department heads to find grants that have little or no matches to enhance the services. Office on Women Director Baker also responded to questions from Council and explained the grants and the program. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council authorized the grant application to the Family and Children's Trust Fund in the amount of $7,500 and authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents (docket item #12) and City Council authorized the grant application to the Alexandria Rotary Club in the amount of $5,000 and authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. (docket item #13.) The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye" CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS 15. 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: Terry Burcham Jean Downey Morgan Hilton Robert Kraus Annmarie Pittman Margaret Townsend Anita Winsor-Edwards Margaret Wohler (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. 15; 2/15/07, 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 Margaret Wohler as the member who represents the public-at-large as an arts consumer and participant to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. The voting was as follows: Euille - Wohler Macdonald - Pittman Gaines - Burcham Krupicka - Wohler Lovain - Wohler Pepper - Wohler Smedberg - Wohler 16. Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council 2 Citizen Members (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Pamela Copley Robert Rapanut W. Scooter Slade (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. 16; 2/15/07, 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 Pamela Copley and Robert Rapanut as the two citizen members to the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council. The voting was as follows: Euille - Copley, Rapanut Macdonald - Slade, Rapanut Gaines - Copley, Rapanut Krupicka - Copley, Rapanut Lovain - Copley, Rapanut Pepper - Copley, Rapanut Smedberg - Copley, Rapanut 17. Alexandria Law Library Board 1 Citizen Member (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:) NAME: ENDORSED BY: William Campbell Nicholas Sciullo (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; 2/15/07, 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 William Campbell as the citizen member to the Alexandria Law Library. The voting was as follows: Euille - Campbell Macdonald - Campbell Gaines - Campbell Krupicka - Campbell Lovain - Campbell Pepper - Campbell Smedberg - Campbell 18. Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee 1 Citizen Member (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Sarah Conrad Virginia Record Christopher Vadnais (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; 2/15/07, 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 Sarah Conrad as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee. The voting was as follows: Euille - Record Macdonald - Conrad Gaines - Conrad Krupicka - Conrad Lovain - Conrad Pepper - Record Smedberg - Conrad REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 19. Consideration of Appointment of an Alexandria Poet Laureate. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 6, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 19; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Vice Mayor Macdonald and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) appointed Mary McElveen as the City of Alexandria's Poet Laureate based on the recommendation of the panel of judges; (2) at the City Council meeting on April 10 during National Poetry Month plan to issue a proclamation (to include a poem by the Poet Laureate); (3) authorized the City Manager to execute a letter of agreement to Mary McElveen to serve as the Alexandria Poet Laureate from March 1, 2007 through March 1, 2010; and (4) expressed sincere appreciation to the members of the Alexandria Poet Laureate's Panel of Judges and Steering Committee for their efforts and request that the Panel of Judges and Steering Committee remain in place to act as an advisory body for the Alexandria Poet Laureate. The voting was as follows: Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper absent Smedberg "aye" * * * * * * (Vice Mayor Macdonald left the meeting at this time - 8:32 p.m.) * * * * * * 20. Consideration of Recommended Interim Location and License Agreement Revisions for the Proposed Alexandria Water Shuttle Service. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 9, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 20; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Deputy City Manager Jinks responded to questions of Council. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council received the revised report approving a revised license agreement (attachment I) between the Potomac Riverboat Company (PRBC) and the City, and scheduled it for public hearing and consideration on Saturday, February 24, 2007. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Macdonald absent Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye" REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None (The following two items were heard together) ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Councilman Smedberg said the Alexandria Inova Hospital Task Force met a week and a half ago and one of the issues on the agenda was the hospital is looking at a review of its pediatric unit and he wanted to make sure the City Manager and Deputy City Manager was aware of it and they will be monitoring it. (b) Councilman Smedberg said that at the Virginia Municipal League Day in Richmond, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission participated in the joint press conference of the Northern Virginia delegations on transportation issues and he thought it went very well. He said it was a big step for the group, particularly NVRC, where all the groups are cooperating on those issues. Councilwoman Pepper said there is a good conversation that will be held about possibly closing the pediatric unit at Inova Alexandria Hospital, and if it is closed, that would mean two departments that are very important to the City and to the hospital, and it means they are not a community hospital, but are just part of the Fairfax Inova Health System. She said she hoped there would be a major effort by staff and the representatives on the Board to protect that pediatric clinic, as it needs to have the unit. (c) Councilwoman Pepper said Philadelphia is looking at having rubber sidewalks and Chicago has some already. She said that years ago, she made the effort of trying to get the City to consider having the entrance to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge rubberized to cut down on the amount of noise that the neighborhood would be experiencing. She said they use recycled tires and they don't crack and last longer than concrete. She asked if the City could look into it. Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier said whisper concrete was installed on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and that is a branded name for a type of pavement to reduce noise, and they are looking at information on rubber sidewalks and said there is a 3-4 times cost difference. Councilwoman Pepper asked that they look into the maintenance when it looks into the cost. (d) Councilwoman Pepper said T.C. Williams is offering the opportunity, since they are having a new school and a new auditorium, to buy plaques to put on the back of the seats in the auditorium, and they are $200 each. The number to call is 703 824-6635. (e) Councilwoman Pepper said she and Councilman Smedberg sit on the committee that monitors the activities of the Mirant Plant. She said they met February 6 and there were two different reports given, and one came from Health Department Director Dr. Konigsberg, who had written to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a Federal agency, and asked for their input. She said the Agency had found that there was a serious issue, they needed more information before they called it a hazard to everyone's health, but felt it was severe enough that they ought to be out there educating the vulnerable populations. She said it was said that the evidence suggested that even a short-term exposure could have a major impact. In addition to that, she said, Rebecca Baskum, a professor at Penn State University, who reviewed the Eastman Environmental Services Report and found that the Eastman Report showed that coal, soot, fly-ash, coal-ash and coal-dust is pervasive in the communities around the Mirant and the particles they had tested inside and outside residences were coming from the coal that is found at the Mirant Plant. She said they are using the reports as they pursue the efforts to close down the Mirant Plant. (f) Councilwoman Pepper said there were a couple of editorials in the Washington Post where the person writing was saying that the problem with Carlyle was that it is dead and there is a reason for that - there is no place to park. She said there have been articles recently about why the area around the Patent and Trademark Office are so dark and dead, and this is apparently one of the answers, and she said they need to be looking into that. She said the public parking does not seem to be adequate. Mayor Euille said on the PTO and Carlyle area, they have had discussions recently as a Council in terms of the lack of retail and lack of vibrancy and that is being reviewed and worked on. He said he is a member of the Marketing Committee and was able to get the Committee to take it on as a side task, since most of the representation of the Committee are members of retail establishments throughout the City. He said they will spend the next three months focusing their attention solely on what it needs to do to improve the quality of life and vitality there and will add parking to that laundry list. (g) Councilman Smedberg said he wanted to compliment and say thank you to the Parks and Recreation Department for trimming the trees on the Monroe Avenue Bridge and made them look like real trees. (h) Councilman Gaines said as the new Charles Houston Center project came before Council, Council expressed desire that it incorporate elements of public art. He said the Public Arts Committee of the Commission for the Arts, as well as City staff have had a number of meetings on the topic and have set forth a prospectus that they look forward to sharing with Council. It is modeled after the Rocky Versace memorial at Mt. Vernon and covers a number of elements including budgeting and funding, which would be grants and private donations, the selection process, the selection panel, including the community in the selection process, as well as a project timeline. He said more specifics are to come. (i) Mayor Euille said he has appointed a workgroup to review the election process for both Council and the School Board, and he has appointed the following citizens to serve on the committee to review the election process, to include: moving elections from May (spring) to November (fall), consider staggered terms versus all at one time, and compensation comparability to others in the region, and has appointed: Lynwood Campbell, Christopher Campagna, Honorable Robert Calhoun, Anna Leider, Iris Henley, and the Honorable Bill Cleveland. The committee will report the recommendations to the Mayor and Council for review and consideration no later than June 30, 2007. The timetable is if there is a need for Council to make it part of their legislative package, the change from electing all at one time to staggered terms requires a charter amendment, and moving the election from May to November is something they can do now. He said on the issue of compensation comparability, Alexandria used to be in the middle but is now at the tail end of compensation and they had agreed that they would review it once every three years. (j) Mayor Euille said the second committee is the President Gerald Ford Memorial Committee, the purpose of which is to see how to memorialize former President Gerald Ford, who was a thirty-plus year resident of the City. He said he has appointed David Speck, Ferdinand Day, Pat Troy, Jessica Gibson and Donnie Wintermute to the Committee. He said the committee will report their recommendations to the Mayor, at which time appropriate action by Council and the Naming Committee will commence. (k) Mayor Euille noted the award given to the City as being selected as one of America's Best Communities for Young People by the National Child Advocacy Group, which is a group founded by Colin Powell and America's Promise Alliance. He said Alexandria received the award because of its strong partnership that it built with City agencies, the Alexandria City Public Schools, and several non-profits, including the Campagna Center, the Urban League and the Art League, and it also made mention of the success of the Project Discovery Initiative. He said there will be a reception March 27 and they have extended an invitation to Mrs. Alma Powell, Colin Powell's wife, the current chair of America's Promise. (l) Mayor Euille said many have already received from the City Attorney a draft proposal to consider a smoking ban in bars and restaurants in the City, and while there is legislation pending in Richmond, both a House and Senate version, he thought it was time to address the matter. He thanked Mr. Pessoa, Ms. Evans, and Mr. Caton for participating in helping to draft the language. He said the intent tonight is to gauge Council feelings on if it is a matter to move forward, and if so, they will formally ask the staff to docket it for a future legislative meeting to be received for first reading, go through the steps for a public hearing, and since it is a special use permit, the Planning Commission must first weigh in on it. He said it is an opportunity to get it out in the public and act at the appropriate time. Mayor Euille said he asked the Governor while in Richmond several weeks ago at VML day if a smoking ban bill hit his desk, would he sign it and he said yes, so they know there is support from the Governor's office to do so. More recently, since the draft, however, he has spoken to restaurateurs in the City and there is broad-based support from many of the restaurateurs who in the past were skeptical about it. He said he outlined to them that it is under the special use permit process and what it says is that if they are an already existing restaurant, they are grandfathered in and any new restaurants would have to comply in the special use permit process and if an existing restaurant made any changes to their operations which required a special use permit, then they would have to come in and it would be made mandatory. He said the feedback he received from the restaurateurs is it should be made mandatory for all restaurants, as they can all live with it. Mayor Euille said he felt this was a move in the right direction and the City can send a strong message throughout Northern Virginia and state-wide. He said if there is support tonight, it would be docketed and brought back at a later date. Councilman Krupicka commended Mayor Euille, the City Attorney and staff for the effort they put into looking at this. He said what is unique about the approach the City Attorney put forward is it highlights there is an economic development benefit from having a smoking ban in a community, and it has been proven that communities prosper under smoking bans. Mayor Euille said all members of Council over the last several years have raised the issue, and Councilman Gaines and former Councilwoman Woodson brought the issue forward first, that led to working with the Health Department to have the voluntary non-smoking compliance. This is the next step to carry this forward. Councilman Smedberg said he strongly supported this effort, and he looked at the success of the program of those restaurants that voluntarily signed up and it bodes well for this. Councilman Gaines said they have had a very successful voluntary program with dozens and dozens of restaurants participating and doing well economically. The challenge had always been convincing the business community that it wouldn't hurt their bottom line, and studies show nationally that it does not, and it has an opposite effect. Also, he said, the challenge has been the political hurdle in Richmond, and Mayor Euille's recommendation is a logical next step and is appropriate. He commended the City Attorney for finding a creative way to see their policy realized. ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER None. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 21. Consideration of a Resolution Adopting the Northern Virginia Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 8, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 21; 2/13/07, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Councilwoman Pepper said one of the things mentioned was that $60 million that they have left to do for separating the sanitary and storm sewers. She asked where they are on all that. Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier said he would send a memo, as it is a complex answer. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried 6-0 by roll-call vote, City Council approved the resolution adopting the Northern Virginia Regional Mitigation Plan as amended and authorized the Mayor to execute all necessary documents that may be required. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald absent Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" The resolution reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 2217 WHEREAS, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, as amended, requires that local governments develop and adopt natural hazard mitigation plans in order to be eligible for funding under the Pre-Disaster and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs; and WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) awarded a grant to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) in 2004 to develop a comprehensive Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Northern Virginia; and WHEREAS, NVRC has coordinated this planning in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (which includes representatives from local planning and emergency management staffs as well as VDEM) and with professional assistance from the consulting firm Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan; and WHEREAS, the plan outlines actions designed to address and reduce the impact of a full range of natural hazards facing the region, ranging from hazards as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and drought; and WHEREAS, VDEM and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have approved the Northern Virginia Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, pending approval by each local governing body. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Alexandria that the Northern Virginia Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan dated March 2006, is hereby approved and adopted as amended for the City of Alexandria; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Alexandria City Council calls on emergency management to work with NVRC and VDEM to assure continued compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and such additional regulations and/or certifications that may be identified to guarantee local and regional preparedness for all potential hazards and disasters. OTHER 22. Consideration of City Council Schedule. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 8, 2007, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 22; 2/13/07, 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 February 2007 through June 2007 with the following additions and changes: schedule a work session with the Transportation Task Force at 5:30 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, March 13 legislative meeting; hold a reception in recognition of the City's selection as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in America's Promise at 6:00 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, March 27 legislative meeting in the Vola Lawson Lobby; schedule an added budget work session to receive the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee's (BFAAC) comments on the proposed budget at 7:00 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room on Wednesday, April 18 and received the revised calendar which includes: the welcoming ceremony for the USS Alexandria on Friday, February 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room, Room 1101; the City's Days of Remembrance program at noon on Wednesday, April 18 at Market Square; the annual City Employee Service Awards on Thursday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lee Center Exhibit Hall, 1108 Jefferson Street; and the 6th Annual Student Forum on Friday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King Street. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Macdonald absent Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" * * * * * * City Council recessed the regular meeting at 9:09 to go into a work session on the Budget. Council reconvened the regular meeting at 10:30 p.m. * * * * * * 23. Consideration of Convening An Executive Session Closed to the Public To Discuss Pending Litigation and Real Estate Acquisition. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, at 10:30 p.m., City Council convened in executive session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of discussing the status of pending litigation, and pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(a)(3) for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of real property for a public purpose. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald absent Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Pepper "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council reconvened the meeting at 11:14 p.m. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald absent Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Pepper "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 6-0 by roll-call vote, City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald absent Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Pepper "aye" The resolution reads as follows: