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Office of the City Clerk
September 25, 2008


A Work Session was held at 5:30 p.m.
in the Council Work Room With the Alexandria
Economic Development Partnership on
Reorganization, Strategic Direction and
Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) Issues.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 23, 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 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 Meetings of City Council:

(a) The Regular Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2008;

(b) The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2008; and

(c) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of September 13, 2008.

City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of June 24, 2008 with amendments and modifications to docket item #30 as follows, "The Council determined that moving forward with the Eisenhower West plan as quickly possible is a very high priority and agreed to determine the best way to accomplish that, including moving the timing of other studies on the planning department work plan, as soon as the industrial study is completed," the regular meeting minutes of September 9, 2008 and the public hearing meeting minutes of September 13, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Alexandria.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

5. Presentation of a Check From the Del Ray Citizens Association From National Night Out to the Alexandria Police Foundation and Community Partners for Children.

City Council received the check from the Del Ray Citizens Association and the Warwick Village Citizens Association from the National Night Out to the Alexandria Police Foundation and Community Partners for Children.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

6. Presentation of a Proclamation Recognizing Chief Deputy Sheriff Timothy T. Gleeson as City Employee of the Month for August.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

7. Recognition of the Selection of Healthy Families Alexandria For Program Expansion.

City Council recognized Healthy Families Alexandria for Program Expansion.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (8-18)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

Lorenzo Esters

9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (b) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From Planning District II

(c) Virginia Paving Community Liaison Committee
1 Representative From Cameron Station Community Association

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

10. Consideration of Proposed Funding for the Eco-City Initiatives.

11. Consideration of FY 2010 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Project Funding Requests.

12. Consideration of a Grant Application For a Training Mini-Grant From the Virginia Fire Services Board.

13. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation for Funds to Continue the "Al's Pals Kids Making Healthy Choices" Tobacco Prevention Program.

14. Consideration of a Renewal Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles For an Aggressive Driving and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Interdiction Program in 2009.

15. Consideration of Continued Delegation of Head Start Program Responsibilities to the Campagna Center.

16. Consideration of the Proposed Change to the Route of the 2008 Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

17. Consideration of Application for Federal Defense Economic Adjustment Program Grant Funds.

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

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar, with exception of docket item no. 11, which was considered under a separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

8. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) John Bramer, Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and (b) Lorenzo Esters, Northern Virginia Community College Board.

9. City Council made the following appointments: (a) waived the residency requirement and reappointed Catherine Hogan as the member representing a provider of local telephone communications services in the City to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology; (b) reappointed Patrick Butler, III as the representative from Planning District II to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; and (c) appointed Michael Kuhl as the representative from Cameron Station Community Association to the Virginia Paving Community Liaison Committee.

10. This item has been deferred until the Tuesday, October 14 legislative meeting.

11. City Council: (1) approved the projects outlined and detailed in Attachment 1 as those projects for which the City of Alexandria will request Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding for FY 2010; and (2) authorized the City Manager to submit this funding request to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and to enter into necessary agreements to accept those funds that are provided by the Commonwealth. (separate motion)

12. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit this grant application to the Virginia Fire Services Board (VFSB) which is due on September 30, 2008, in the amount of $9,484 for the purchase of fire training equipment; and (2) execute all the necessary documents that may be required.

13. City Council authorized the grant application which is due on October 8, 2008 to Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF), in the amount of $75,000 annually for FY 2010 through FY2012, to continue the Al's Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices program.

14. City Council: (1) approved the grant application to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is due on September 30, in the amount of $42,925, which will provide funds to the Police Department to operate a DUI/aggressive driving interdiction program in the City; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.

15. City Council: (1) delegated the daily operation of the Alexandria Head Start program to the Campagna Center and the responsibilities of the governing body to the Campagna Center Executive Board; and (2) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

16. City Council approved the requested change to the 2008 parade route for the Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade scheduled for December 6, 2008.

17. City Council authorized the City Manager to file an initial second-year grant application with the Federal Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) in the initial amount of $152,000. (There is no specific due date for the application.)

18. City Council authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

19. Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Kathleen Barnett as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Alexandria Beautification Commission
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Andrew Scarcella as the citizen member to the Alexandria Beautification Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Alexandria Early Childhood Commission Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
City Council appointed Nicole McGrew as the representative from Planning District I to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

23. Consideration of the Monthly Financial Report For the Period Ending August 31, 2008.

City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending August 31, 2008.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

24. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2008-0020
4007 MOUNT VERNON AVENUE
24 EXPRESS STORE
Consideration of a request for a special use permit amendment to increase the hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages; zoned NR/Neighborhood Retail. Applicant: UAC Land and Building t/a 24 Express by William Thomas, Jr., agent
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0
(Deferred from the June 24, 2008 meeting, Item #32)

City Council approved the amendments to the existing SUP for 24 Express to: (1) allow alcohol sales until midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with off-duty police or sheriff deputies providing security from 6 p.m. until midnight; (2) post clear no loitering signs on the property and require that 24 Express execute an agreement with the Alexandria Police Department (APD) that allows APD to enforce no loitering on the property; (3) return to the Planning Commission and City Council in six months for review of the SUP; and (4) allow the delivery of milk/dairy products from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

25. Council Discussion of a Request From Community Members For an Independent Inquiry of Actions Related to the Norfolk Southern Ethanol Transloading Facility.

City Council authorized an independent inquiry into City staff actions related to the Norfolk Southern Ethanol Transloading Facility related to the siting, opening and operation of the Norfolk Southern Ethanol Transloading Facility. The independent inquiry will be lead by Vice Mayor Redella Pepper and Councilman Ludwig Gaines who currently serve as co-chairs of the (Alexandria) Norfolk Southern Community Monitoring Group (NSCMG). To help bring focus to the independent inquiry, Vice Mayor Pepper and Councilman Gaines will serve as the principle liaisons to the independent third party reviewer and will seek guidance from the NSCMG in the initial stage of the inquiry as they select specific issues for review, develop a series of questions and frame a report format. The recommendation included the following: (1) authorize Vice Mayor Pepper and Councilman Gaines, to direct the activities of the independent reviewer in consultation with the NSCMG. Due to personnel confidentiality reasons, Vice Mayor Pepper, Councilman Gaines and the independent reviewer will protect employee confidentiality; (2) authorized Vice Mayor Pepper and Councilman Gaines, in consultation with the NSCMG, to develop for Council's consideration, the necessary qualifications for a candidate that would be best suited to conduct such an inquiry, as well as recommend the scope of the work that is to be covered; (3) authorize Vice Mayor Pepper and Councilman Gaines, in consultation with the NSCMG to review the candidates' applications and make a recommendation for Council's final approval; (4) the City Staff shall provide the independent reviewer access to all relevant information, including information produced because of FOIA requests and make available for interview City employees and Council members. He/She should have access to other applicable documents, such as results of the City Manager's consultant efforts; (5) Due to personnel confidentiality reasons, some information may need to be summarized. All identifiable employee information will remain confidential; and (6) set November 30, 2008, as the target date for the report completion, with the possibility of extending the period to the end of December 2008. City Council agreed to exclude the fiscal impact until a third party reviewer has been decided upon by Vice Mayor Pepper, Councilman Gaines and the NSCMG and a budgetary statement will come before Council for consideration and final approval.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

26. Receipt of Update on Industrial Land Use Policy and Planning Study For Eisenhower West.

City Council: (1) received the staff update on the study; and (2) approved the summary scope of work.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

27. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2008-0048
3406 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE (Parcel Address: 3400 Commonwealth Ave.)
RESTAURANT
Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant; zoned CSL/Commercial Service Low. Applicant: Shahzad Kiani
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0
(Deferred from the September 13, 2008 meeting, item #6)

City Council approved the SUP subject to the revised conditions including the following additions: Condition #31. Any rooftop exhaust fan or HVAC unit shall be installed with a visual mechanical screen/noise deflector and submitted for review and approval by the Directors of Planning and Zoning, Code Administration and Transportation and Environmental Services. The output (noise and odor) from any rooftop exhaust fan shall be directed away from the residences located to the north and west of the restaurant. An internal exhaust fan is required in place of a rooftop exhaust fan to the satisfaction of the Directors of Planning and Zoning, Code Administration and Transportation and Environmental Services and Condition #32: The applicant shall locate exhaust fan(s) as far away as possible from residential property and in a manner as to not impact the intake vent of adjacent businesses or properties. (T&ES)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

28. Consideration of Proposed Addition of the Small Area Plan for Potomac Yard to the Department of Planning and Zoning Work Program.

City Council: (1) directed staff to begin work on A Small Area Plan for Potomac Yard this fall, to be completed by the end of calendar year 2009; and (2) agreed that no items shall be added to the Special Studies and Projects category of the work program until the completion of the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan, which will also incorporate looking at the proposed school site and the Route 1 Corridor.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Euille announced that there would be a Film Festival starting Thursday, September 25 - Sunday, September 28, with the kickoff at City Hall.

(b) Mayor Euille noted that there is information concerning voter registration and absentee voting on the front page of the City website. Mayor Euille encouraged everyone to participate in the upcoming elections.

(c) Councilman Smedberg noted that there have been a few incidents in the Old Town Area that have raised concern among the residents. Councilman Smedberg stated that he hoped that the Police and the neighborhood associations could work together to get the correct and appropriate information out to the public.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Mayor Euille stated that the staff working with the Motor Coach Task Force would give a brief update on the process and activities of the task force over the past few months. Mayor Euille referred the discussion to Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier for a presentation.

Director Baier gave an overview of the task force and its mission, reviewed the process and highlighted the key issues facing Alexandria concerning motor coaches, and outlined the next steps that would be taken by the task force.

Councilman Smedberg noted that City staff has done an excellent job in review this issue and has made significant progress on Motor Coach Task Force.

(b) Councilman Krupicka reported that the School District has more students this year than they projected putting pressure on their budgets. Councilman Krupicka also reported that the School Board will begin on working on its 3-5 year Strategic Plan shortly, with lots of community meetings and outreach. Councilman Krupicka noted that the School Board also pointed out their hope to put an emphasis on math and science in the schools this year.

(c) Councilman Krupicka reported that there will be a Green Job Fair in Fairfax County on Saturday, September 27 and he will be speaking during the fair.

(d) Councilman Krupicka reported that there will be two planned Safe Routes to Schools events in the City this year. Councilman Krupicka noted that the first day will be at Mount Vernon Community School from 7:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008. Councilman Krupicka noted that the second day for events will be October 8, 2008, with the primary events being held at Lyles Crouch, James Polk and George Mason Elementary schools.

(e) Vice Mayor Pepper reported that she attended a musical concert at the Lyceum recently that focused on the environment and recycling.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

Please note: The following item was heard before Oral Reports and Presentations by Members of City Council.

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

29. Presentation of the Winners of the Contrabands and Freedmen's Cemetery Memorial Design Competition.

City Council congratulated the winners of the Contrabands and Freedmen's Cemetery Memorial Design Competition.
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Mr. Mason, Special Assistant to the City Manager, reported that a City of Alexandria patrol officer making a routine traffic stop on I-395 north at Glebe Road was shot in the chest by the occupant of the vehicle. The officer was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital and appeared to be in good condition. The suspect who fled the scene shot himself and crashed at the Memorial Bridge.

Mr. Pessoa, City Attorney, announced that he would be retiring from his position effective December 31, 2008.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

30. Consideration of a Resolution to Restate the City's Policy Regarding Contributions on Behalf of City Employees to the Virginia Retirement System. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution which the City reaffirms that it will pay required employee contributions as it has since 1982. (RES. NO. 2295)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

31. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council adopted the City Council schedule for the months of September 2008 through June 2009, with the following additions and changes: (1) change the date of the first legislative meeting in November from Tuesday, November 11, to Wednesday, November 19 because of a conflict with Veterans Day and the annual National League of Cities Conference; (2) schedule a work session on the DASH Long Range Plan at 5:30 p.m., before the first legislative meeting in November; and (3) received the revised calendar which includes the Spring for Alexandria Community Service Day on Friday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a celebration Market Square from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p. m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________
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The meeting was adjourned at 11:04 p.m.

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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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