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 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 Meeting of City Council: (a) The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 11, 2007; and (b) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2007. City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of September 11, 2007 and the public hearing meeting minutes of September 15, 2007. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL None. PROCLAMATIONS 4. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring October 2007 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Alexandria. City Council endorsed the proclamation. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 5. Recognition of Fire Department Medics of the Quarter. City Council recognized the Fire Department Medics of the Quarter. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER CONSENT CALENDAR (6-12) (Resignations and Uncontested Appointments) 6. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission William Tabor (b) Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors Stephanie Pace Brown (c) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission Samantha Ahdoot (d) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission Rika Maeshiro Robert Younes (e) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board Sabrina B. Wear 7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee 1 Representative of Councilman Justin M. Wilson (b) Alexandria Commission for the Arts 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 (c) Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board 1 Representative of the Business Community Recommended by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (d) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission 1 Representative From the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association 1 Representative From the George Washington Masonic Memorial 1 Representative From the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors (e) Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee 2 Representatives From the Potomac West Area (f) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission 1 Non-Health Professional Member (Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager) 8. Consideration of Submission of Application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Grants Program for the Development of the Four Mile Run Stream Restoration Demonstration Project. 9. Receipt of the Annual Committee Attendance Report for FY 2007. 10. Consideration of Acceptance of a Funding Allocation from the National Capital Region (NCR) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI.) 11. Consideration of Authorization of Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expenditures. 12. Consideration of a Request to Hold the King Street Mile Race on King Street from Market Square to Union Station on Monday, December 31, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. to Open First Night Alexandria. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR City Council approved the Consent Calendar. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows: 6. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) William Tabor, Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) Stephanie Pace Brown, Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors; (c) Samantha Ahdoot, Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (d) Rika Maeshiro and Robert Younes, Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission; and (e) Sabrina B. Wear, Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board. 7. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed H. Scott Johnson, Jr., as the representative of Councilman Justin M. Wilson to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Terry Ann D'arcy 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; (c) waived the residency requirement and reappointed Ashley McNeff as the representative of the business community recommended by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board; (d) appointed Harry Mahon as the representative from the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association, waived the residency requirement and appointed Mark Tabbert as the representative from the George Washington Masonic Memorial and waived the residency requirement and appointed Stephanie Brown as the representative from the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (e) reappointed William Henderickson and Sandy Modell as the two representatives from the Potomac West Area to the Alexandria Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee; and (f) reappointed Richard Merritt as the non-health professional member to the Public Health Advisory Commission. 8. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) funding in the amount of $716,800, to be matched by City funding in the amount of $586,472, for the development of the Four Mile Run Stream Restoration Demonstration Project (There is no formal application deadline); and (2) execute all necessary documents and agreements that may be required to receive this funding under this grant program. 9. City Council: (1) received the report; (2) vacated the 10 positions listed on pages one and two of the report; and (3) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies. 10. City Council: (1) authorized the City Manager to accept funding through the Urban Area Security Initiative in the amount of $250,000; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents. 11. City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary. 12. City Council permitted an exception to the Major Events Policy to allow First Night Alexandria to sponsor the King Street Mile Race in Old Town scheduled for December 31, 2007, to open the annual First Night Alexandria celebration. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS 13. Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee 1 Citizen Member City Council appointed Vikash Mohan as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 14. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority 1 Citizen Member City Council reappointed David Pritzker as the citizen member to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 15. Consideration of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending August 31, 2007. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending August 31, 2007. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 16. Consideration of FY 2009 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Project Funding Requests. (#14, 9/11/07) City Council: (1) approved the transportation projects discussed as those projects for which the City of Alexandria will request Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Regional Surface Transportation Program grant funding for FY 2009; and (2) authorized the City Manager to apply for these grants, and give him permission to enter into necessary agreements with the state to accept any of these grants that are provided by the Commonwealth. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 17. Consideration of an Operating Agreement Among the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership and the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority. City Council: (1) approved the Agreement which restates the relationship between the City, the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Vice Mayor Pepper reported that she and Councilman Smedberg attended a session at the Lee Center before the State Air Quality Control Board on September 13, as the co-chairs of the committee monitoring the Mirant Plant. Vice Mayor Pepper stated that the issue before the board was whether Mirant required a permit to began merging the stacks. Vice Mayor Pepper reported that the Board decided that Mirant needed a permit to merge the stacks and a future date was set when the Board would hear the issue again. Vice Mayor Pepper noted that the date for the meeting was October 10, 2007, in Richmond at 10 a.m., in the General Assembly Building (9th and Broad St.), House Room C. (b) Vice Mayor Pepper reported that Mayor Euille gave her an article from the Washington Post about coal power plants and the oppositions that they facing from communities and environmental groups across the country. Vice Mayor Pepper distributed copies of the article to members of Council. (c) Councilman Krupicka reported that he and Mayor Euille met with the City Council/School Board Sub-Committee last night and he highlighted some of the topics discussed during the meeting. Councilman Krupicka stated that Mayor Euille suggested that a Citywide Education Summit be held to discuss the schools and how to improve academic achievement and the School Board was receptive to the idea. Councilman Krupicka noted that the asbestos issue and the resolution of the issue was discussed. Councilman Krupicka reported that a long time was spent discussing the Capital and Operating Budgets for the Schools and the Chair reiterated that she would work closely with Council to make sure there is constructive communication during the process. Councilman Krupicka stated that the issue of Jefferson-Houston came up during the meeting and the School Board would be discussing those issues surrounding that school at their upcoming retreat, with an update for Council and the community following the retreat. Councilman Krupicka also reported that the superintendent search process will begin soon, with an online survey that anyone in the community will be able to complete, including Council members. Vice Mayor Pepper stated that she hoped that Council would be offered a chance to offer suggestions about what qualities would be desired in a new superintendent. Vice Mayor Pepper also stated that many in the community were questioning why the asbestos was not found earlier and asked for a definitive answer. In response to Vice Mayor Pepper, Mayor Euille explained that asbestos samples cannot be obtained while the building is occupied and the initial calculations were based on a formula used prior to evacuations. Mayor Euille noted that the asbestos was found following the move and the actual cost was determined at that time. (d) Councilman Smedberg reported that he attended his first meeting of the VRE Board meeting this week as the representative for Alexandria. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (a) Mayor Euille reported that on Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., "Be Ready" activities will be held throughout the City at three locations including: the Farmer's Market at City Hall from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Home Depot on South Pickett Street from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Target on Jefferson Davis Highway from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayor Euille stated that the purpose was to help the community be ready for the next emergency and disaster. (b) Mayor Euille noted that the City's Economic Sustainability Town Meeting will be held Saturday, September 29, 2007, at 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel, with registration and continental breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. Mayor Euille stated that this meeting was open to all citizens to contribute to the discussion on the draft report of the Economic Sustainability Workgroup. Mayor Euille also stated that the purpose of the meeting was for the committee to complete the report for Council to discuss at its October 27 Retreat. (c) Mayor Euille reported that last week he met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, who have expressed an interest in collaborating with the City, particularly using the new high school as a lead participant and example of use of energy efficiency practices, as well as discussing many of the other energy saving initiatives the City has started. Mayor Euille noted that there will be follow up meetings with the City Manager and staff in the near future. (d) Mayor Euille reported that the 8th Annual ENERGY STAR - Change Your Light, Change the World Campaign, will be starting October 3, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Energy. Mayor Euille noted that the intent of the campaign is to encourage citizens throughout the country to become more energy efficient, simply by changing a light bulb to an energy-efficient bulb. Mayor Euille reported that City staff would be participating in the campaign during the week of October 3, with different planned events and the City was working with major retailers to distribute information and energy efficient light bulbs on Market Square. Mayor Euille stated that Governor Kaine has declared a sales tax holiday on ENERGY STAR products during October 5 through October 8. (e) Mayor Euille offered congratulations to Pat Miller and Maria Wasowski, owners of A Show of Hands, a business in the Del Ray neighborhood, for being chosen as the Virginia Retail Business of the Year. (f) Vice Mayor Pepper reported that the appearance of Jamieson Street, near the Federal Courthouse, was changed drastically during some of the high profile trials of the past few years. Vice Mayor Pepper stated that she met with residents and other parties affected by the changes (e.g., guardhouses, jersey barriers, steel plates in the street) to discuss a concept plan to remove the jersey barrier and install more attractive barriers, as well as removal of the steel plates. Vice Mayor Pepper had a copy of the concept plan to give to a representative of the Planning and Zoning Department for review. (g) Vice Mayor Pepper congratulated Suzanne Lank, a teacher at Maury Elementary School, on being named Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year. (h) Councilman Krupicka requested a change in the City ordinance concerning City Boards and Commissions that would allow Council members to designate a representative to attend board meetings on their behalf. Councilman Krupicka requested that the City Attorney Pessoa and Rose Boyd, Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions, work together to create the appropriate ordinance for Council consideration. (i) Councilman Krupicka stated that there will be a Kickoff Fundraiser for the Soft Playroom at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center on Saturday, September 29, 2007, at 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Councilman Krupicka noted that the racquetball courts will not be affected by the planned Soft Playroom. (j) Councilman Krupicka requested an update on the murder over the weekend in the Inner City area during the City Manager's Oral Report. (k) Councilman Wilson reported that he circulated a memorandum to the City Manager and other members of Council requesting consideration and a recommendation to be docketed for future action by Council on several changes regarding the enforcement of the Personal Property Tax. Councilman Wilson highlighted the five areas he would like staff analysis for the recommendation including: elimination of the decal, automatic registration, periodic billing/combined billing, annual certification, and DMV Local Vehicle Registration Program. In response to Councilman Wilson, City Manager Hartmann stated that City staff is in the process of reviewing the memorandum and will present something to Council in the near future. (l) Councilman Wilson congratulated T.C. Williams graduate and Executive Chef Rock Harper for winning the Hell's Kitchen competition on FOX. (m) Councilman Wilson noted an article from the Washington Post, ("Md. Officials Plan To Expand MARC As Region Grows," Washington Post, September 25, 2007) discussing the plans of the Maryland Transportation officials to expand the MARC commuter train into Virginia, particularly into Crystal City. (n) Councilman Lovain reported that "Walk to School Day" will be held on October 3 and he encouraged citizens to take part in the event. (o) Councilman Lovain offered condolences to the family of Nancy Sparks, the former principal of George Mason Elementary School, who passed away recently. (p) Councilman Lovain also requested that a couple of issues with boards and commissions be reviewed, specifically the lack of turnover on the boards and commissions. Councilman Lovain suggested looking at ways to offer new people a chance to serve, including having an emeritus status for long-standing members. Councilman Lovain also suggested looking at other issues with boards and commissions, such as usefulness of some of the boards and commissions and the possibilities of consolidation. Mayor Euille noted that he would be designating two members of Council to work with staff on reviewing the boards and commissions process next week. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (a) City Manager Hartmann introduced the new Communications Director, Jeanne Bonds, and welcomed her to City staff. (b) City Manager Hartmann requested the Police Department give an update on the murder that occurred in the Inner City area over the weekend. Deputy Police Chief Corle gave an update on the sixth homicide in the City and responded to questions and concerns from City Council. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 18. Consideration of Alexandria Human Rights Commission Resolution on Immigration Issues. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] City Council thanked the Human Rights Commission for their work on the proposed draft resolution and requested that two members of City Council (Councilmen Krupicka and Gaines) take the draft resolution, using resolutions from Arlington and Fairfax counties, and craft a new proposed Human Rights Resolution on Immigration Issues to be presented for consideration at the next legislative meeting. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ OTHER 19. Consideration of City Council Schedule. Mayor Euille requested that the Mayor's Annual Unity Breakfast on November 21, 2007, at 7:30 a.m., be added to a subsequent calendar. City Council adopted the City Council schedule for the months of September 2007 through June 2008, with the following additions and changes: (1) schedule a work session with the Early Childhood Commission at 5:30 p.m. before Council's Tuesday, December 11 legislative meeting; and (2) receive the following schedule for the proposed FY 2009 budget following budget presentation at Council's February 12 legislative meeting. Council will docket the schedule for Council action at the October 9 legislative meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 7:00 p.m., Revenue Budget Work Session; Wednesday, February 20, 7:00 p.m., Personnel Compensation Budget Work Session; Monday, February 25, 7:00 p.m., CIP Budget Work Session; Monday, March 3, 7:00 p.m., Joint Work Session with School Budget Work Session (tentative); Monday, March 10, 7:00 p.m., Transportation and Environmental Services Budget Work Session; Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m. Public Safety Budget Work Session; Tuesday, April 1, 7:00 p.m., Budget Work Session (topics TBD); Monday, April 7, 7:00 p.m., Budget Work Session (topics TBD); Monday, April 14, 4:00 p.m., Budget Public Hearing; Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 p.m., BFAAC Budget Work Session; Monday, April 28, 7:00 p.m. Work Session on Preliminary Add/Delete List Review; Monday, May 5, 6:00 p.m., Work Session on finalization of Add/Delete List; and Monday, May 5, 7:00 p.m. Budget and Tax Rate Adoption Special Council Meeting; and (3) receive the revised calendar which includes: the Beasley Square groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, September 28 at 9:00 a.m., at 1323 Duke Street; the "Coming Together for Change" Tenants and Workers Support Committee educational forum on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue; and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Westin Alexandria on Thursday, November 1 at 11:00 a.m., 400 Courthouse Square. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ New Business Item #1: Executive Session At 8:50 p.m., City Council convened in Executive Session, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) and (A)(29) for the purpose of discussing the acquisition and disposition of property for public housing and other purposes, and the award of a public contract for the development of public housing. At 9:46 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting. City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. (RES. NO. 2245)