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Office of the City Clerk
January 23, 2008

There was a Work Session With
the Planning Commission at 5:30 p.m.
in the City Council Work Room.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 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 Regular Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2008; and

(b) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2008.

City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of January 8, 2008 and the public hearing meeting minutes of January 12, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing the Beverley Hills Garden Club For Holiday Decorations at City Hall.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

5. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing and Thanking Pacers Running Store and the Farley Family.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (6-9)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria Marketing Committee
1 Member Who Has Experience or Expertise In Marketing/
Communications, Advertising Agency/Public Relations, Media
Buyer, Graphic Design/Production or Media Relations/
Media Outlets

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

8. Consideration of a Renewal Grant Application for Funding to Continue the Domestic Violence Intervention Project.

9. Consideration of Authorization of Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expenditures.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the consent calendar, with the exception of docket item #9, which was considered under separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

6. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Patrick O'Brien, Alexandria Commission on Information Technology; and (b) David Kois, Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission.

7. City Council made the following appointment: (a) appointed Joanna Pineda as the one member who has experience or expertise in marketing/communications, advertising agency/public relations, media buyer, graphic design/production or media relations/media outlets to the Alexandria Marketing Committee.

8. City Council: 1. approved the grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice for a total of $84,190, which is due on January 23, 2008, and requires no local matching funds; and 2. authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

9. City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary. (separate motion)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

None.

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

(The following item was taken out of turn:)

10. Recommendations and Status Report on Legislation Introduced at the 2008 General Assembly Session.

City Council: 1. approved the legislative positions included in attachment 1 (recommended positions on bills of importance to the City); and 2. supported the budget amendment for rental assistance proposed by the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness and SALT.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9.1. Consideration of Report from the Alexandria Commission on the Arts Regarding the City's Acceptance of a Sculpture by Artist John Van Alstine from the Alexandria Sculpture Festival Committee.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Alexandria Commission of the Arts on a sculpture by John Van Alstine presented as a gift to the City by the Alexandria Sculpture Festival. If necessary approvals are obtained, the work would be displayed in the plaza at the southwest corner of South Fayette and King Streets in a manner that meets the conditions set forth by the donor.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________

11. Consideration of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2007.

City Council received the monthly financial report for the period ending December 31, 2007.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

12. Receipt of Report of the Naming Committee Proposing the Naming of the Open Space at the Corner of Janney's Lane and Quaker Lane in Honor of the Late President Gerald R. Ford and Setting the Report for Public Hearing on Saturday, February 23, 2008.

City Council: 1. received the report; 2. set it for public hearing and consideration on Saturday, February 23; and 3. thanked the members of the Gerald R. Ford Memorial Committee for their work on behalf of the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

13. Receipt of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts Report, Prepared by the Lord Cultural Resources, Inc. and Setting the Report For Public Hearing on February 23, 2008.

City Council: 1. received the Alexandria Commission for the Arts Report prepared by Lord Cultural Resources Inc., and the summary of the recommendations; 2. set the report for public hearing on Saturday, February 23; and 3. thanked the members of the Commission for the Arts for their efforts on behalf of the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

14. Consideration of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Report on "Greening the Washington Metropolitan Region's Built Environment."

City Council concurred with the recommendations in the Council of Governments report and evaluated them for potential incorporation into the City's Environmental Action Plan.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Euille reported that a committee has been appointed to deal with Council's action to pass an ordinance for a commercial tax, and funds from the revenues from that tax will be used for transportation projects. The committee has been appointed and will commence work shortly and will do outreach and education, perhaps conducting a work session or forum for property owners and retail businesses so everyone can understand what the tax is about. The Committee will come back at the end of February with a recommendation. The final recommendation will be part of the budget process, so at the time they adopt the budget, they will be factoring in whether to do the tax or not.

(b) Mayor Euille noted that the Economic Sustainability Implementation Workgroup has been appointed and that Committee will commence its work very soon.

(c) Mayor Euille noted the positive movement on the WMATA Board and staff and with the D.C. Government with the Old Town Bus Barn Garage and hopefully he will be able to report on something soon on a positive outcome and a timetable for when that long-awaited facility can be closed, shut down and the site redeveloped.

(d) Councilmember Lovain said he represented Mayor Euille at the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority meeting January 10 and then he attended the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board meeting. He said that at the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, it approved the first set of projects to be funded. There were 34 projects, in addition to funding for WMATA and Virginia Railway Express (VRE.) He said he was pleased that of the 34 projects, they all received a score, and the two projects approved for Alexandria were in the top 10 projects, including tying for first, the rebuilding of the King Street Metro Parking Lot and Bus Loading Area for $2.24 million, and the Holmes Run Greenway Shared Use Path Improvements received $560,000. He said they also listed projects that didn't quite make the cut but that could be funded from additional tax revenues if it became available, and the number one project there was the Crystal City/Potomac Yard Transit Way, which received a good enough score to be 5th or 6th in the scoring project. Councilmember Lovain said another project that got some criticism is the Arlington/Columbia Pike Streetcar Project, which was the third highest in score and will be a wonderful example of what can be done. He said he hoped it would some day connect up with the City's busway project in Potomac Yard and maybe extend it even further.

(e) Councilmember Lovain said the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved projects for inclusion in the TIP and Constrained Long Range Plan, and two of the three big projects that were added to the TIP were in Alexandria - the busway/transit way in Potomac Yard and the I-95/395 HOV Hotlanes. In the end, he said, he decided it was worth supporting as designed as it is well designed and will bring in $200 million in toll revenues that will be rolled back into transit improvements in the corridor, and he thought it has the real potential to increase transit share in the corridor, to increase car pool and van pool use and to improve the through-put on the general purpose lanes.

(f) Councilmember Lovain said they got a letter back from the Commonwealth Department of Rail and Public Transportation to their concerns about the Seminary Road exit ramp, and the Department promised the City that they would carefully consider the considered judgement of the City and it will carry significant weight, and they have asked the City for patience as they make an informed decision. He said it will be difficult to confine that ramp to buses only, as it will be tempting for HOT lane users to head for the first exit they can. He said it seems to be for certain that it will be for buses only if it is constructed. He said the most urgent thing was to make sure they not have a transit station at Seminary Road.

(g) Councilman Smedberg said that this past week, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Task Force meeting had several milestones in terms of bridge completion, and there has been talk of the possibility of organizing a bridge walk and those plans are on-going. He said the State is soon to approve the Telegraph Road interchange project, which would be the largest VDOT single-contractor project ever.

(h) Councilman Smedberg said the newly constituted Alexandria Marketing Committee will be meeting this Friday.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Euille thanked School Superintendent Rebecca Perry for her five years of service to Alexandria. He said that during her tenure, she was successful in overseeing the opening of the new T.C. Williams High School, rising SAT scores, equalizing access to technology for all children, and increased exposure for students across the board to Advanced Placement classes and many other positive outcomes, and he wished Superintendent Perry the best.

(b) Mayor Euille said outside dining has been an issue and has been played out in the press, and the Council will be getting a recommendation at the second meeting in February, it will go to the Planning Commission and then Council will discuss how it can improve the outside dining and they want to make it year round. He noted that staff will be coming back with recommendations with modifications to the ordinance that was adopted some months ago.

(c) Mayor Euille said the Education Forum will be held on Saturday, February 9 at T.C. Williams High School from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the keynote speaker will be Warren Williams from National Public Radio. Topics of discussion will be student engagement, academic excellence and positive youth development and school readiness. He encouraged everyone to participate in the forum.

(d) Councilman Krupicka said Council heard a BAR appeal case a month or so ago and it was deferred to a Council meeting in February, relating to a subdivision case at 219 South Royal Street.

Councilman Krupicka moved that City Council vacate the decision of the Planning Commission with respect to Subdivision No. 2007-0006, 407 Duke Street and 219 South Royal Street, which is currently pending on appeal before the Council, and remand the matter to the Commission for further proceedings.

Councilman Krupicka said the property owners have requested the disposition of the appeal and the Planning Commission's representative and City staff concur with the request. He said the City Attorney has advised him that Council has the authority to take this action tonight, although the matter is not on the docket, as it will expedite the amicable resolution of the matter.

(City Council adopted the motion.)

(e) Councilman Krupicka said Council has received numerous communications from Cameron Station residents about trash cans and their proximity to neighbors. It appears that the master plan for the Cameron Station area specifically identifies the location for the trash cans and as a result, there have been tensions with people living next to the trash cans not wanting to have a trash can by their back yard or fence or patio. If the master plan for Cameron Station says they should be next to the residents, they should make the appropriate changes to the master plan. If they can move the trash cans across the street without changing the master plan, that is fine too. Councilman Krupicka said it seemed a very simple issue to resolve.

Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Josephson said they are aware of the issue and will do their best to resolve it without having to come back to Council or to amend the SUP.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Hartmann reported and congratulated the Alexandria Police Department for receiving reaccreditation for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

15. Receipt of Phase I of the Eco City Project, a Green-ventory of the City Environmental Policies, Plans and Programs and Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City to Join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council: 1. received the Green-Ventory of City Environmental Policies, Plans and Programs report prepared by Virginia Tech. The report will be made available, primarily through the City's website, and will issue a press release to highlight the City's environmental accomplishments and ongoing activities; 2. adopt the resolution authorizing the City to join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives; and 3. note upcoming Eco-City project events including Alexandria Earth Day scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2008, and the Environmental Summit scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2008. (RES. NO. 2265)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

16. Consideration of a Resolution Establishing an Advisory Group for the Braddock East Plan. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council: 1. adopted a resolution establishing an advisory group for the Braddock East Plan; and 2. authorized the Mayor to appoint the members of the Advisory Group. (RES. NO. 2266)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Consideration of Grant Application and Resolution for FY 2009 Funding For the Continuation of the Alexandria Transportation Demand Management Program (Formerly Rideshare) and For a Public Transportation Intern Position. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council: 1. adopted the resolution and submitted a grant application by February 1, 2008 to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) for FY 2009 funding: a. in the amount of $228,240 which will be matched by $57,060 of City funds, for a total program of $285,300, for the continuation of the City's Transportation Demand Management Services; and b. in the amount of $26,600, which will be matched by $1,400 of City funds, for a total of $28,000 to hire a public transportation intern; 2. approved the continuation of two full-time grant-funded positions (Transit Specialist I and Transit Services Assistant I) to administer the ongoing Alexandria Transportation Demand Management program. Continuation of these positions is contingent upon continuation of funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation or other non-City sources; and 3. execute all necessary documents that may be required under this program. (RES. NO. 2267)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

18. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council: 1. scheduled a work session with the Planning Commission and the Infill Task Force to discuss the potential recommendations of the Infill Task Force before its Tuesday, April 8 legislative meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Work Room; and 2. received the revised calendar which includes: the City of Alexandria's 11th Annual City Employee Black History luncheon on Wednesday, February 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King Street; the Mayor's Annual State of the City Address on Wednesday, March 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street; the City's annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive (rain location: Samuel Tucker Elementary, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive); and Council's Environmental Summit on Saturday, May 10, at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street (time to be determined.)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

19. Consideration of Convening An Executive Session Closed to the Public To Discuss the Acquisition of Property for a Public Purpose.

At 9:57 p.m., City Council convened in Executive Session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) and 2.2-3711(A)(29) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and the terms and conditions of a loan agreement therefore.

At 10:22 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. (RES. NO. 2268)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________


The meeting adjourned at 10:22 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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