Absent: None.
Also Present: Mr. Hartmann, City Manager; Ms. Evans, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Spera, Acting City Attorney; Ms. Orr, Director, Human Resources Department; Ms. Schramm, Deputy Director, Human Resources Department; Ms. L. Baker, Director, Office on Women; Mr. Trobridge, Deputy Director, Information Technology Services (ITS); Mr. Caton, Legislative Director, City Manager's Office; Mr. Mason, Special Assistant to the City Manager, City Manager's Office; Mr. Gates, Assistant City Manager, City Manager's Office; Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES); Dr. Gilmore, Executive Director, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Ms. Smith-Page, Director, Real Estate Assessments; Mr. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Mr. Stewart, Budget Analyst, OMB; Mr. Catlett, Director, Code Administration; Ms. Boyd, Director, Citizen Assistance; Mr. Lambert, Pedestrian/Bicycle Coordinator, T&ES; Ms. Triggs, Director, Finance; Ms. Hamer, Director, Planning and Zoning (P&Z); Mr. Moritz, Deputy Director, P&Z; Mr. Rosenbaum, Demographer, P&Z; Fire Chief Thiel; Police Chief Baker; Mr. McPike, Division Chief, General Services; Mr. Coleman, Division Chief, General Services; Ms. Davis, Director, Office of Housing; Ms. Mcllvaine, Deputy Director, Office of Housing; Mr. Cochran, Division Chief, Office of Housing; Ms. Story, Division Chief, Human Resources; Ms. Stephens, Division Chief, Human Resources; Mr. Castrilli, Director, Office of Communications; Police Captain Uzzell; Mr. Outlaw, ITS; and Mr. Lloyd.
Recorded by: Gloria Sitton, Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
1. Calling the Roll. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the Deputy City Clerk called the roll; all 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 Regular Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2009; (b) The Special Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2009; and (c) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2009. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of March 10, 2009, the special public hearing meeting minutes of March 11, 2009 and the public hearing meeting minutes of March 14, 2009. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye" Wilson "aye" RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL 3.1 Recognition of Miss Alexandria, Erika Elaine Thomas. Mayor Euille and City Council recognized Miss Alexandria, Erika Elaine Thomas. PROCLAMATIONS None. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER CONSENT CALENDAR (4-9) (Resignations and Uncontested Appointments) 4. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Kerry-Ann T. Powell (b) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS Elizabeth Clarey (c) Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission Michael D. Casey (d) Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council Brian Hricik (e) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission Daniel Cassidy (A copy of the above resignations is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4 (a-e); 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 5. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee 3 Citizen Members (b) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee 1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (c) Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS 1 Member From and Representing the Alexandria Commission for Women (d) Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments 1 Citizen Member (e) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission 1 Member of City Boards, Commissions or Other Organizations Having An Interest in Youth Issues 1 Parent Member From School Board District C (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. 5 (a-e); 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) (Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager) 6. Submission of Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2010 to the Virginia Department of Social Services for the Office on Women's Domestic Violence Program. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 16, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 7. Consideration of Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending February 28, 2009. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 17, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 8. Submission of a Grant Application From the Office of the Sheriff to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding to Continue Local Probation and Pretrial Services. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 19, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 9. Acceptance of $75,000 in Ongoing State (Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse) Funding for the Expansion of Mental Health Peer Support Specialist Services. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 17, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No.1 of Item No. 9; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) END OF CONSENT CALENDAR WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Consent Calendar. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows: 4. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Kerry-Ann T. Powell, Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) Elizabeth Clarey, Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (c) Michael D. Casey, Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission; (d) Brian Hricik, Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council; and (e) Daniel Cassidy, Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission. 5. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed James Broman, Khalil Gueye and Adil Rasti as the three citizen members to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee; (b) reappointed Dennis Auld as the member designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (c) appointed Patty Donmoyer as the member from and representing the Alexandria Commission for Women to the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS; (d) reappointed Joseph Grouby as the citizen member to the Alexandria Board of Review of Real Estate Assessments; and (e) appointed Laverne Thomas as the member of City Boards, Commissions or other organizations having an interest in youth issues and appointed Janice McLaury as the parent member from School Board District C to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission. 6. City Council: (1) authorized the submission of a grant application to the Virginia Department of Social Services (due April 6, 2009) for funding, in the amount of $174,760 for Fiscal Year 2010; (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents for the grant that may be required; and (3) because of severe City budget constraints, affirm that no additional City funds would be available to fund this program in FY 2010 or future years. 7. City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 2009. 8. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) approve the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for continuation funding for the current biennial grant cycle (FY2010), in the amount of $459,209 under the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act-Pretrial Services Act (CCCA-PSA); (2) approve 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; (3) because of severe City budget constraints affirm that no additional City funds would be available to continue this program in future years should grant funding not be available; and (4) execute all documents that may be required. 9. City Council: (1) accepted the State funds in the amount of $75,000; (2) authorized the use of $38,435 of State funds to convert two 0.5 FTEs from local funding to State funding; (3) authorized the use of $27,283 of State funds to convert a current 0.5 FTE Peer Support Specialist (Grade 5 Program Aide I) to a 1.0 FTE benefited Peer Support Specialist (Grade 5 Program Aide I); and (4) authorized the use of $9,282 for the purchase of contract Peer Support Specialist services. The voting was as follows: Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye" Wilson "aye" CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS 10. Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 1 Licensed and Practicing Attorney (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: John Corrado Shejal Desai (Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 10; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following results: City Council reappointed John Corrado as the licensed and practicing attorney to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The voting was as follows: Euille - Corrado Pepper - Corrado Gaines - Corrado Krupicka - Corrado Lovain - Corrado Smedberg - Corrado Wilson - Corrado 11. Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team 1 Designee of the Director of the Alexandria Juvenile Court Services Unit (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Ronald Lemley Lillian Brooks, JD Director of Court Services (Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11; 03/24/09, 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 waived the residency requirement and appointed Ronald Lemley as the designee of the Director of the Alexandria Juvenile Court Services Unit to the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team. The voting was as follows: Euille - Lemley Pepper - Lemley Gaines - Lemley Krupicka - Lemley Lovain - Lemley Smedberg - Lemley Wilson - Lemley REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION Public Hearing: 12. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Authorize the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Bonds to Finance the Construction of Various Public Improvements. (#16, 3/10/09) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 18, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 03/24/09, 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. 12; 03/24/09, 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. 12; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows: Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye" Wilson "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council: (1) approved the ordinance on second reading and final passage authorizing and empowering the issuance, sale, and delivery of up to $106.7 million in general obligation bonds to finance various capital projects; and (2) authorized the City Manager to notify the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) of the City's intent to "opt-out" of WMATA's upcoming $468 million bond financing. The voting was follows: Wilson "aye" Gaines "aye" Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" The ordinance reads as follows:
Replacement Bonds (the “Replacement Bonds”) may be issued directly to beneficial owners of the Bonds rather than to DTC or its nominee but only in the event that:
(i) DTC determines not to continue to act as securities depository for the Bonds; or (ii) The City has advised DTC of its determination not to use DTC as a securities depository; or (iii) The City has determined that it is in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the Bonds or the City not to continue the book-entry system of transfer. Upon occurrence of the event described in (i) or (ii) above, the City shall attempt to locate another qualified securities depository. If the City fails to locate another qualified securities depository to replace DTC, the City Council shall execute and deliver Replacement Bonds substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A to the Ordinance to the Participants. In the event the City Council, in its discretion, makes the determination noted in (iii) above and has made provisions to notify the beneficial owners of the Bonds by mailing an appropriate notice to DTC, the appropriate officers and agents of the City shall execute and deliver Replacement Bonds substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A to this Ordinance to any Participants requesting such Replacement Bonds. Principal of and interest on the Replacement Bonds shall be payable as provided in this Ordinance and in the Bonds and Replacement Bonds will be transferable in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Ordinance and the Bonds.
6. Appointment of Bond Registrar and Paying Agent. The City Manager and the Director of Finance, or either of them, are authorized and directed to appoint a Bond Registrar and Paying Agent for the Bonds and as long as the Bonds are in book-entry form, either of such officers may serve as Paying Agent. The City Manager and the Director of Finance, or either of them, may appoint a subsequent registrar and/or one or more paying agents for the Bonds upon giving written notice to the owners of the Bonds specifying the name and location of the principal office of any such registrar or paying agent.
7. Execution of Bonds. The Mayor and the Clerk of the City are authorized and directed to execute appropriate negotiable Bonds and to affix the seal of the City thereto and to deliver the Bonds to the purchaser thereof upon payment of the purchase price. The manner of execution and affixation of the seal may be by facsimile, provided, however, that if the signatures of the Mayor and the Clerk are both by facsimile, the Bonds shall not be valid until signed at the foot thereof by the manual signature of the Bond Registrar. 8. CUSIP Numbers. The Bonds shall have CUSIP identification numbers printed thereon. No such number shall constitute a part of the contract evidenced by the Bond on which it is imprinted and no liability shall attach to the City, or any of its officers or agents by reason of such numbers or any use made of such numbers, including any use by the City and any officer or agent of the City, by reason of any inaccuracy, error or omission with respect to such numbers. 9. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. Upon surrender for transfer or exchange of any Bond at the principal office of the Bond Registrar, the City shall execute and deliver and the Bond Registrar shall authenticate in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Bond or Bonds of any authorized denomination in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Bond surrendered and of the same form and maturity and bearing interest at the same rate as the Bond surrendered, subject in each case to such reasonable regulations as the City and the Bond Registrar may prescribe. All Bonds presented for transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or authorization for exchange, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the City and the Bond Registrar, duly executed by the registered owner or by his or her duly authorized attorney-in-fact or legal representative. No Bond may be registered to bearer. New Bonds delivered upon any transfer or exchange shall be valid obligations of the City, evidencing the same debt as the Bonds surrendered, shall be secured by this Ordinance and entitled to all of the security and benefits hereof to the same extent as the Bonds surrendered.
10. Charges for Exchange or Transfer. No charge shall be made for any exchange or transfer of Bonds, but the City may require payment by the registered owner of any Bond of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge which may be imposed with respect to the transfer or exchange of such Bond. 11. Non-Arbitrage Certificate and Tax Covenants. The City Manager and the Director of Finance, or either of them, and such officers and agents of the City as either of them may designate are authorized and directed to execute a Non-Arbitrage Certificate and Tax Covenants setting forth the expected use and investment of the proceeds of the Bonds and containing such covenants as may be necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), including the provisions of Section 148 of the Code and applicable regulations relating to “arbitrage bonds.” The City Council covenants on behalf of the City that the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Bonds will be invested and expended as set forth in the City's Non-Arbitrage Certificate and Tax Covenants, to be delivered simultaneously with the issuance and delivery of the Bonds and that the City shall comply with the other covenants and representations contained therein. 12. Revocation of Authorization for Previously Authorized Taxable Bonds. On October 15, 2005, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4423 (the “Prior Ordinance”) authorizing the City to issue certain amounts of taxable and non-taxable bonds. All authorization under the Prior Ordinance for the issuance by the City of taxable bonds is hereby revoked and rescinded to the extent such bonds have not been issued as of the date of this Ordinance. 13. Disclosure Documents. The City Manager and the Director of Finance, or either of them, and such officers and agents of the City as either of them may designate are hereby authorized and directed to prepare, execute, if required, and deliver an appropriate notice of sale, preliminary official statement, official statement, continuing disclosure agreement or such other offering or disclosure documents as may be necessary to expedite the sale of the Bonds. The notice of sale, preliminary official statement, official statement, continuing disclosure agreement or other documents shall be published in such publications and distributed in such manner, including electronically, and at such times as the Director of Finance shall determine. The Director of Finance is authorized and directed to deem the preliminary official statement “final” for purposes of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 15c2-12. 14. Further Actions. The City Manager and the Director of Finance and such officers and agents of the City as either of them may designate are authorized and directed to take such further action as they deem necessary regarding the issuance and sale of the Bonds and all actions taken by such officers and agents in connection with the issuance and sale of the Bonds are ratified and confirmed. 15. Reimbursement. The City Council adopts this declaration of official intent under Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2. The City Council reasonably expects to reimburse advances made or to be made by the City to pay the costs of the Projects from the proceeds of its debt. The maximum amount of debt expected to be issued for the Projects is set forth in paragraph 1 above. The City hereby authorizes the Director of Finance, on behalf of the City, to specifically declare the City's official intent to reimburse portions of the cost of the Projects with Bond proceeds. 16. Effective Date; Applicable Law. In accordance with Section 15.2-2601 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, the City Council elects to issue the Bonds pursuant to the provisions of the Public Finance Act of 1991. This Ordinance shall take effect at the time of its enactment. 13. Presentation by Jim Copple of the Alexandria Gang Prevention Task Force's School Drop-out Prevention Subcommittee. Mr. Copple presented the findings and offered recommendations from the Alexandria Gang Prevention Task Force's School Drop-out Prevention Subcommittee. Mr. Copple, Ms. Walsh, Executive Director of Secondary Program for the Alexandria Public School System, and Ms. Brooks, Director, Court Services Unit, responded to questions from Council. 14. Consideration of Recommendations of the Traffic and Parking Board in Regard to Motorcoach Parking and the Conversion of the Unit Block of King Street into a One-way Street. (#10, 3/14/09, #20, 2/24/09) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 19, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier gave a brief presentation on the recommendations from the Traffic and Parking Board and responded to questions from Council about alternative solutions for motorcoach parking. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Traffic and Parking Board's recommendation to request to change the unit block of King Street to one-way westbound and to install motorcoach loading and unloading spaces on Washington Street and to defer the request to install short-term motorcoach parking on Jamieson Avenue until April with the provision that staff would return to the Traffic and Parking Board with at least two alternate locations and a no-park alternative. Council also issued a proviso that the recommendation goes back to the Motorcoach Task Force in April for further review. The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Wilson "aye" 15. Presentation of the Efficiency Study of the Personnel Services Department (now the Human Resources Department.) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 20, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council received the report and chart prepared by the consultant and the Director of Human Resources. The voting was follows: Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye" Wilson "aye" 16. Consideration of Evaluation Criteria for Capital Grants to Nonprofit Organizations. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 19, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 16; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Chief Financial Officer Johnson responded to questions and concerns from Council about the criteria for capital grants to nonprofit organizations. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried 6-0-1, City Council referred the City Manager's evaluation criteria for Capital Grants to Nonprofit Organizations to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (BFAAC) for review and a recommendation. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye" Pepper "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg abstain Wilson "aye" 17. Consideration of Authorization of Recommended Capital Project Allocations and Planned Expenditures. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 18, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously, City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye" Gaines "aye" Lovain "aye" Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye" Wilson "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) Councilmember Lovain reported that the Transportation and Planning Board (TPB) of the Council of Governments (COG) reached a compromise on the widening of I-66, allowing the first spot improvement to proceed because full funding had been secured. Councilmember Lovain stated that the other two spot improvements on I-66 cannot move forward until the multimodal study is completed. (b) Councilmember Lovain reported that the TPB recently completed a survey of over 10,000 households in the Washington Metropolitan Region about household travel. Councilmember Lovain pointed out that the transit share has grown from 15% to 17.6% in the region, with the highest growth in the outer suburbs. Councilmember Lovain noted that Alexandria has had one of the largest commuter transit share growth from 22.5% to 26.9% and Alexandria has doubled the number of commuters who walk or bike to work from 4.5 % to 9%. (c) Councilmember Lovain reported that the COG Chesapeake Bay Program Planning/Water Resource Committee has discussed reducing the use of plastic bags, focusing on an ordinance that District of Columbia Councilman Tommy Wells introduced, which posed a five cent fee on all plastic and paper bags dispensed by retailers and restaurants. Councilmember Lovain stated that the ordinance would give the retailers one cent back for the tax and two cents if they offer a rebate for reusable bags. Councilmember Lovain noted that both the Virginia and Maryland legislatures were working on a plastic bag ban and plastic bottles and bags are one of the two leading types of litter in the Anacostia River, with the litter ending up on the Alexandria waterfront. (d) Vice Mayor Pepper noted the passing of Jim Cisco, the former president of the Watergate at Landmark and a very active citizen of Alexandria. Vice Mayor Pepper reported that funeral services will be held Friday at Alfred Street Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. (e) Councilman Krupicka reported that on Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m., Earth Hour will be held around the world to raise awareness about climate change, environmental awareness and global warming. Councilman Krupicka stated that the goal is to designate one hour when cities will turn off their lights to raise awareness. ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier gave an update on the availability of a drop off space for shuttles at the Van Dorn Metro Station. Mr. Baier reported that the interim plan will allow the longer buses to stop in the right turn lane on Eisenhower Avenue servicing the Van Dorn bus bay to load and unload onto the sidewalk and will allow the smaller buses turn right into the short term Kiss and Ride lot for loading and unloading. Mr. Baier stated that for the long term plan the Metro Kiss and Ride lot will be utilized in a different way to provide for stacking on site. Mr. Baier noted that the lot will be restriped with the possible removal of the metered spaces and the possible reconfiguration of Metro Road to allow for sidewalk widening and the storage of the large buses in the Metro lot. Mr. Baier responded to questions and comments from members of Council. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 18. Consideration of a Resolution Regarding the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) I-95/395 HOV/Bus/HOTLanes Project. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 20, 2009, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 18: 03/24/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council adopted the resolution regarding the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) I-95/395 HOV/Bus/HOT Lanes Project. The voting was as follows: Gaines "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Wilson "aye" The resolution reads as follows: