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Office of the City Clerk
May 14, 2008



Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - - 7:00 p.m.

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OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

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

2. Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

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

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

(a) The Special Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2008; and

(b) The Regular Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2008; and

(c) The Special Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2008.

City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of April 14, 2008, April 22, 2008 and May 5, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring May 7, 2008 as Excellence in Education Day.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

5. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Mary T. LaMois.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

6. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring May 2008 as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring May 18-24, 2008 as National Public Works Week, The Future is Now.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (8-24)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

10. Consideration of the One-Year Action Plan For Housing and Community Development for City Fiscal Year 2009. (#4, 4/12/09)

11. Consideration of Installation of a Pedestrian-actuated Hybrid Traffic Signal at the Intersection of North Van Dorn Street and Maris Avenue.

12. Consideration of Grant Application to the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Continue Community Corrections (Local Probation) and Pretrial Services Under the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act and Pretrial Services Act For FY 2009-2010.

13. Consideration of Application for Grant Funds to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for Hazardous Materials and Emergency Equipment to Support the NOVA Regional Hazardous Material Team.

(Ordinances for Introduction)

14. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Provide For the Establishment of Fees Not Otherwise Provided For in the City Code, and For the Publication of a Compendium of Fees.

15. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase Towing/impound fees.

16. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase Fees For Work Permits in the Public Right-of-way.

17. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase Fees For Overweight/oversize Vehicle Permits.

18. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase the Fee Charged For Presenting a Bad Check to the City.

19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Authorize the Issuance of General Obligation Capital Improvement Bonds in the Estimated Maximum Amount of $78,800,000, and to Provide For Reimbursement to the City From Bond Proceeds.

20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Revise the Membership of the Consumer Affairs Commission.

21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Authorize a Vacation of, and Encroachment Into, the Public Right-of-way at the Northeast Corner of Duke Street and Reineker’s Lane.

22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Authorize Outdoor Restaurant Seating in the Public Sidewalk at 220 North Lee Street.

23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Supplement No. 85 to the City Code.

24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Supplement No. 45 to the Zoning Ordinance.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the consent calendar, with the exception of docket items #12, 13, 17, 18, 23 and 24, which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

8. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) H. Scott Johnson, Jr., Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; and (b) Lourdes Quinteros, Alexandria Community Services Board.

9. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed Sean Kennedy as the one citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee; (b) reappointed Caroline Faiella as the one citizen member to the Alexandria Citizen Corps Council; (c) appointed Miriam Leiva as the one business member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (d) appointed David Kaplan as the one citizen member to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (e) appointed Donna Fossum and J. Lawrence Robinson as the two Planning Commission Members nominated by the Commission, Kevin Posey as the one Traffic and Parking Board Member nominated by the Board, Carol Braegelmann as the one Environmental Policy Commission Member nominated by the Commission, and Sean Kumar as the one Transit Company Board of Directors Member Nominated by the Board to the Alexandria Transportation Commission; and (f) appointed Henry Brooks as the one member from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.

10. City Council: 1. approved the one-year action plan for Housing and Community Development for FY 2009, which includes the City's application for Federal Fiscal Year 2008 funding for $1,233,389 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies and $830,534 in Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) monies; 2. as included in the action plan, approved a change in the income limits for the Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) to the mathematical 80 percent of area median (currently $79,200 for a four-person household), rather than the traditional capped HUD 80 percent of median (currently $61,500 for a family of four); 3. approved the following transfer of HOME and matching funds in order to establish the budgeted carryover for FY 2009:
From Program: To Program: Amount:
Home Rehabilitation Homeownership $412,844
Loan Program Assistance Program

and 4. Authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

11. City Council authorized the installation of a new pedestrian-actuated hybrid traffic signal at the intersection of North Van Dorn Street and Maris Avenue.

12. City Council authorized the City Manager to: 1. approve the grant submittal of FY 2009 funding of $459,208 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for continuation funding for the current biennial grant cycle (FY 2009,) under the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act-Pretrial Services Act (CCCA-PSA); 2. approved the continuation of six full-time positions to deliver the services to be provided under these grant programs. These grant funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant, and the individuals who fill these positions have been notified of this condition of employment; and 3. executed all documents that may be required. (separate motion)

13. City Council: 1. authorized the submission of the grant application (due May 15, 2008,) not to exceed $140,923; and 2. authorized the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required. (separate motion)

14. This item was deferred to June 10, 2008.

15. This item was deferred to June 10, 2008.

16. This item was deferred to June 10, 2008.

17. City Council approved the ordinance on first reading and set it for second reading and final passage on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with the proposed fee increase to be effective July 1, 2008. (separate motion)

18. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 20, 2008. (separate motion)

19. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 20, 2008, authorizing and empowering the issuance, sale and delivery of bonds up to $70.0 million to finance various public improvements, including up to $12.2 million for affordable housing.

20. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 20, 2008.

21. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 20, 2008.

22. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on May 20, 2008.

23. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first and second reading. (ORD. NO. 4537) (separate motion)

24. City Council approved the proposed ordinance on first and second reading. (ORD. NO. 4538) (separate motion)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

25. Alexandria Commission for Women City Council reappointed Susan Butler, Tina Games-Evans and Elizabeth Johnson as the three citizen members to the Alexandria Commission for Women.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Alexandria Transportation Commission City Council appointed Jennifer Mitchell as the one citizen member possessing qualifications in land-use, transportation and/or municipal finance who resides east of Quaker Lane and is a resident of the City, and appointed Jayme Blakesley as the one citizen member possessing qualifications in land-use, transportation and/or municipal finance who residents west of Quaker Lane and is a resident of the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

27. Northern Virginia Health Center Commission (Birmingham Green) Board of Directors
1 City of Alexandria Alternate Member

City Council appointed Leticia Lacomba as the one City of Alexandria alternate member to the Northern Virginia Health Center Commission (Birmingham Green) Board of Directors.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

28. Staff Presentation on the City of Alexandria/ACAP Efforts to Reduce Teen Pregnancy.

City Council received the report.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

29. Consideration of a Report on Changing the Election of the Mayor, Members of the City Council and Members of the School Board From the May General Election Cycle to the November General Election Cycle, and of a Resolution Proposing an Advisory Referendum On This Issue During the November 4, 2008, General Election. (#31, 3/11/08, #12, 4/12/08, #17, 4/22/08)

City Council deferred this item to May 27, 2008, to provide opportunity for public comment at that meeting on the final list of referendum questions, and to schedule a joint work session with the Electoral Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

30. Transmission of the Affordable Housing Initiatives Work Group Initial Recommendations to City Council.

City Council received the report and directed staff to bring forward a work plan to implement the preliminary recommendations that have been laid out.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

31. Receipt of Report of the Naming Committee on the Proposal to Name the Duke Street Bridge Near the Beatley Library in Honor of the Late Richard Leibach and Setting the Report for Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

City Council received the report and set the report for public hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

32. Consideration of the City's Requests for Funding in the Commonwealth Transportation Board's FY 2009-2014 Six-Year Improvement Plan.

City Council: 1. approved the funding requests for transportation projects totaling $52.74 million discussed in the memorandum as the City of Alexandria's official request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for funding in the FY 2009-2014 Six-Year Improvement Program; and 2. directed staff to transmit the City's requests as approved by City Council to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Euille said they are making progress with Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority on the Old Town Royal Street bus barn facility, and there seems to be a commitment to make it happen sooner rather than later, it is in the CIP program, and they are working with Fairfax County relative to a site location to relocate the buses. He said that hopefully by early Fall they will be able to report that they have something more substantive on this project.

(b) Mayor Euille said the City was one of six U.S. cities to receive an award from the National Association of Realtors as being chosen as a 2008 Ambassador City, which was in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayor's. The purpose is to encourage cities and local realtors to form partnerships with local homeownership in the communities.

(c) Vice Mayor Pepper said they had an Eco-City Cafe on March 8 with 120 people and from the input they received, Virginia Tech, the Environmental Policy Commission, the Steering Committee and staff were able to put together the Charter which was presented to the City on April 26. From there, that Charter was brought to a major event on Saturday, May 10 at T.C. Williams, where it held the Eco-City Summit, which was attended by 150 people. She said it was a wonderful opportunity to learn about Alexandria's vision for what they want their community to look like in the years to come in terms of the environment. They had an outstanding speaker - Mayor Bob Harvey, from New Zealand. She said the point of the Summit was to talk about a lot of the items in the Charter. They will take that input and will form an action plan, which will be done over the summer and that will come back to the Council in the Fall.

Councilman Krupicka said staff did a great job, and the thing that was most important was to not just have one department in City Hall leading environmental issues, but to have every department in City Hall focussed on what they can do to help the environment. The most gratifying aspect of the Summit was that at every single event, every major department was represented. He applauded the way staff has gotten enthusiastic about it and has jumped into with full energy and enthusiasm. He said that to meet their goal, they will need every single department working and will need the community doing it. For them to fulfill the vision, they need every individual citizen leading on the issue and they made a huge step in that direction on Saturday.

Vice Mayor Pepper said they have to remember the four R's - reuse, recycle, reduce and retool.

(d) Councilman Krupicka said there has been news in the press that Capitol Hill is once again looking at ways to expand the number of slots available at National Airport, and the unanimous opinion in the region is that expanding capacity is not something to do. He said it looks like the Senate will not move forward with the action, but it is not dead yet. He said it is unthinkable that expanding National Airport would be on the table when the facility at Dulles Airport is available, has the adequate infrastructure and is better equipped to handle the capacity expansion items.

(e) Councilman Smedberg said that earlier this year, the State passed legislation expanding the membership of the State Air Pollution Control Board from the current five to seven members. The state is now accepting applications to that panel, and there is a desire among certain individuals in the community in support of Bob Burnley, who is the former Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Director, who was head of that organization when the Mirant Plant was shut down for violations. He asked Council to consider drafting a letter in support of Mr. Burnley's nomination to that board.

Mayor Euille said a letter went out two days ago on behalf of City Council.

(f) Councilman Gaines updated Council on the tourism and the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association. The ACVA spring-summer advertising campaign is running in five different markets, and since March, visits to the ACVA website has increased by 76 percent. Since www.visitalexandriava.com added Travelocity to the website, there have been 30 reservations worth over $12,000 in bookings. The King Street trolley numbers are staggering - it went from 8,000 boardings in the first week, to 9,000 riders in the second week, to 11,000 in the third week and to 13,000 in the fourth week, which is a little over 40,000 boardings. He said the trolley is exceeding expectations.

Councilman Smedberg said he and Councilman Krupicka chair the Economic Sustainability Task Force, and it is great that the numbers are up, but there is another way to measure it - that is how are the businesses and restaurants, particularly in the upper part of King Street, benefitting and measuring.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Hartmann introduced Tony Castrilli, the City's new Communications Director.

Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier gave an update on the small embankment failure on Telegraph Road.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

33. Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Increase the Business Professional and Occupational License Tax Rate Applicable to Pay Day and Car Title Lenders. (#3, 4/14/08, #31, 4/22/08, #12, 5/5/08)) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

This item was deferred to May 27, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

34. Consideration of a Resolution for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act, the Pretrial Services Act and the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board Under Current Code Provisions. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

This item was deferred to May 27, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

35. Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt Code Enforcement Fee Increases. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution to adopt Code Enforcement Fee Increases. (RES. NO. 2275)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

36. Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt Fee Increases for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities for FY 2009. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution for the recommended RPCA fee increases of non-programmatic fees, fees for youth sports participation, and youth sports field use, effective July 1, 2008. (RES. NO. 2276)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

37. Consideration of Resolution to Increase the Solid Waste Hauler Permit Fees. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution increasing the solid waste hauler permit fees as approved in the FY 2009 budget. (RES. NO. 2277)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

38. Consideration of a Resolution to Establish a Fee for White Goods Pick-up Service. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution authorizing the establishment of a fee for residential white-goods pick up as approved in the FY 2009 operating budget. (RES. NO. 2278)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

39. Consideration of a Resolution to Establish New Planning and Zoning Fees. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution to establish new Planning and Zoning fees.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

40. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council: 1. scheduled a meeting of the Capital Development Foundation Members (City Council) at 6:45 p.m. before Council's May 27, 2008 legislative meeting; scheduled a work session on Arts Issues at 5:30 p.m. before the June 10, 2008 legislative meeting in the Council Work Room; and scheduled the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Wilkes Street tunnel at 8:30 a.m. before Council's Saturday, June 14, 2008 public hearing meeting; 2. received the revised calendar which includes the following events before Council's Tuesday, May 13 legislative meeting: 5:00 p.m., The Duke Townhomes and Flats groundbreaking ceremony, 1300 block of Duke Street; 5:30 p.m., Art in City Hall Reception, Room 2000; 5:30 p.m., Reception for commission for the Arts grant awardees; 6:00 p.m., Work Session with the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Council Work Room; the Virginia Municipal League Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday, October 19 through Tuesday, October 21; and the 15th Annual Walk to Fight Breast Cancer on Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 a.m. Also added tentatively was a work session on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 6:00 or 7:00 for a work session with the Electoral Board, with a final decision to be made on May 27.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.


Note: The action docket is a summary of Council's meeting deliberations prepared largely for staff follow-up. Formal minutes of the meeting, when approved by Council become the official record of the meeting and of Council decisions made at the meeting.




This docket is subject to change.

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Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council. Meeting materials are also available on-line at alexandriava.gov/council
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