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Office of the City Clerk
April 15, 2009

There was a Work Session at 5:30 p.m. in
the City Council Work Room With the Alexandria
Convention and Visitors Association and the
Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - - 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 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 March 24, 2009.

City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of March 24, 2009.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation by Poet Laureate Mary McElveen.

Poet Laureate Mary McElveen announced that Poem-in-Your-Pocket Day would be held throughout the City of Alexandria on April 30, 2009 and invited everyone to participate in the poetry events throughout the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (5-13)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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


6. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee (b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
2 Citizen Members

(c) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Historic Alexandria Foundation

(d) Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Citizen Member

(e) Alexandria Commission on Information Technology
1 Member Representing the Holder of the City’s Cable
Television Franchise (f) Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council (g) Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia 1 Health Care Provider

(h) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Business Representative

(i) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Dentist Practicing in the City, Nominated By the Northern
(j) Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board
1 Citizen Member

(k) Alexandria Transportation Commission
1 Member From the Alexandria Environmental Policy
Commission

(l) Alexandria Urban Design Advisory Committee
1 Resident Representing Old Town North

(m) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Representative of A Community Non-Profit Agency
Having An Interest in Youth Issues
1 Member of the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

7. Submission of a Grant Application to the U.S.D.A. for the Summer Food Service Program for Children.

8. Submission of Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Office on Women's Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA) Program.

9. Consideration of Report on the Proposed Police Memorial and the Design Process for the Public Art for the New Police Headquarters Facility.

(Ordinances for Introduction)

10. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Extend Validity Periods of Approved Site Plans and Development Special Use Permits.

11. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance Making Supplemental Appropriations For FY 2009.

12. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Change the Eligibility and Income Limits and Authorize the Sunset Date for the Affordable Homeownership Preservation (AHOP) Grant Program.

13. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Initiate and Establish the Process for Granting a Franchise by the City of Alexandria, Virginia, to Use the Public Rights-of-way to Provide Telecommunications Services, Excluding Cable Services, in the City.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar, with the exception of docket item #10, which was considered under separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

5. City Council accepted the following resignations with regret: (a) Sueko Kumagai, Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (b) Stefan Cline, Alexandria Citizen Corps Council; and (c) Miriam Katie Leiva, Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.

6. City Council made the following appointments: (a) reappointed Joseph Slye as the citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee; (b) reappointed Jane Coughran and Forrest Wilhoit as the two citizen members to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) appointed Seth Tinkham as the member from the Historic Alexandria Foundation to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (d) appointed Nicole Liffrig Molife as the citizen member to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (e) reappointed Marie Schuler as the member representing the holder of the City's cable television franchise to the Alexandria Commission on Information Technology; (f) reappointed Thomas Clark as the emergency room physician from INOVA Alexandria Hospital as the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council; (g) appointed Caryn Hederman as the consumer member and appointed Barbara Cohoon as the health care provider to the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia; (h) reappointed Florence King as the business representative to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (i) appointed Jessica Hill as the dentist practicing in the City, nominated by the Northern Virginia Dental Society to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission; (j) appointed Anthony Norwood as the citizen member to the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board; (k) appointed Keith Freihofer as the member from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission to the Alexandria Transportation Commission; (l) reappointed Marie Tavernini as the resident representing Old Town North to the Alexandria Urban Design Advisory Committee; and (m) appointed Shawn Fludd as the representative of a community nonprofit agency having an interest in youth issues and appointed Stephen Mercer as the member of the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.

7. City Council authorized staff to: (1) submit the grant application (due May 8, 2009) to the United States Department of Agriculture for continued funding and an estimated reimbursement amount of $112,000 for program expenses; (2) because of severe City budget constraints affirm that no City funds will be available to fund this program in FY 2010 or future years; and (3) execute all necessary documents that may be required.

8. City Council: (1) approved the submission of the grant application to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for funding in the amount of $326,016 that would result in the continued funding of positions within the Office of Women's Sexual Assault Response & Awareness (SARA) Program; (2) approved the continuation of two social workers, one volunteer developer and one outreach and prevention specialist for the Office on Women's SARA Program. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant. The individuals who fill these positions were notified of this condition of employment at the time they were hired. They signed an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition. It should be noted that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds expire; (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required prior to the grant application due date of April 17, 2009; and (4) because of severe City budget constraints, affirm that no additional City funds beyond those proposed for FY 2010 would be available to fund this program in FY 2011 or future years.

9. City Council: (1) endorsed the concept of incorporating public art memorializing Alexandria's fallen police officers into the new Police headquarters facility; (2) authorized the City Manager to appoint a selection panel to oversee the design process as outlined in this report; and (3) requested staff and the Commission for the Arts to proceed with the fundraising and design competition for the Police Memorial.

10. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading, and final passage on Saturday, April 18, 2009. (separate motion)

11 City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading, and final passage on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

12. This item was deferred.

13. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading, and final passage on Saturday, April 18, 2009.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

14. Alexandria Commission on Aging City Council waived residency requirement and reappointed Robert Breiner as the representative of a health care provider to the Alexandria Commission on Aging.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

15. Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Citizen-at-Large

City Council reappointed Hector Huezo as the citizen-at-large to the Alexandria Commission on Employment.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

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

City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Mary Ann Griffin as the City of Alexandria alternate member to the Northern Virginia Health Center Commission (Birmingham Green) Board of Directors.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Andrew Snead as the director of the Alexandria Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services division to the Alexandria Emergency Medical Services Council.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

18. Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Citizen Member

City Council appointed Gail Gordon as the citizen member Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

19. Alexandria Urban Design Advisory Committee
1 Representative of the Old Town North Business Community

City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Bruce Machanic as the representative of the Old Town North Business Community to the Alexandria Urban Design Advisory Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION
Please note: This docket item was heard before Item #14.

20. Receipt of Report on Proposed Special Events Policies and Setting the Report for Public Hearing on Saturday, May 16, 2009.

City Council: (1) received the report and the revised proposed Special Events Policies, the letter from the Park and Recreation Commission and comments from the Park and Recreation Commission Public Hearing held on December 11, 2008; and (2) deferred the public hearing and requested that staff revisit the report and include the concerns raised by Council and bring it back to Council for reconsideration.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Receipt of the Alexandria Urban Forestry Master Plan.

City Council: (1) received the draft proposed Alexandria Urban Forestry Master Plan, submitted by the Urban Forestry Steering Committee; (2) authorized staff to distribute this draft plan to the Planning Commission, the Park and Recreation Commission, the Environmental Policy Commission, the Open Space Advisory Group, and to the public for comments; (3) requested that the draft plan be docketed for Planning Commission and City Council public hearing and consideration in June of 2009, as an amendment to the City of Alexandria Master Plan; and (4) thanked the members of the Urban Forestry Steering Committee for their efforts on behalf of the City.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Oral Presentation by Staff on Use, Planning and Cultural Resources Issues Related to Fort Ward Park.

Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Kincannon and Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria Mallamo made a presentation to Council about the programming and cultural resources in Fort Ward Park.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

23. Consideration of a City Loan to Enable the Redevelopment of Glebe Park to Proceed.

This item has been deferred.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

Please note: The following items were heard together.

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilmember Lovain reported that as a member of the advisory committee for the Trash Free Potomac Watershed Committed for the Alice Ferguson Foundation, he participated in the Annual Potomac cleanup on April 4 and collected a massive amount of trash, separating the nonrecyclables from the recyclables. Councilmember Lovain noted that there were at least six to eight sites around Alexandria that were collecting trash on that day.

(b) Councilman Gaines reported that he was serving as the honorary Walk-A-Thon chair for Project Discovery Alexandria and he announced that the Walk-A-Thon, "Striding Toward Success," will be held Saturday, April 25 at Fort Ward Park at 8:00 a.m., with a college fair followed by the walk.

(c) Councilman Krupicka requested that staff review the fee structure established for sign installation in the Old and Historic District. Councilman Krupicka also requested that the sign installation process be reviewed and possibly turned into an administrative process.

(d) Councilman Krupicka requested that the City Attorney review the ordinance that establishes fines for late tax payments for businesses and residences. Councilman Krupicka stated that he would like to see a gradation of fines be put in place during these tough economic times. Councilman Krupicka requested that the ordinance be brought back to Council with suggestions for a gradation scale and the policy on tax payment extensions.

(e) Councilman Krupicka stated that he has received an email from a citizen concerning vehicle sales on the public right-of-way. Councilman Krupicka requested that the City Attorney explore a modification of the rules for vehicle sales in the public right-of-way.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Legislative Director Caton gave Council an update on the Economic Stimulus money that the City is requesting for various projects. Mr. Caton requested that Council grant permission to the City Manager to sign grants once they are completed and he noted that Council will be provided with a monthly update on the progress of the grant submission.

City Council requested that the City Manager and the Legislative Director return to Council on Saturday, April 18 with a written docket item for consideration outlining the proposed process for grant submission for economic stimulus money.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

None.

Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

24. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council received the revised calendar which includes: a Community Forum on Parking strategies on Wednesday, May 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Masonic Temple Memorial Theater, 101 Callahan Drive; the Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival on Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park; and the Women Mean Business Silent Auction to Support the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer on Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 625 First Street.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

25. Consideration of Convening an Executive Session Closed to the Public to Update Council on Pending Litigation; to Discuss Potential Settlement of a Disability Claim; to Discuss Potential Investment of Public Funds; to Discuss with Legal Counsel Potential Litigation; and For City Council Discussion of Certain Personnel Matters.

At 9:56 p.m., City Council convened in Executive Session, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1), (A)(6), and (A)(7) for the purpose of updating Council on pending litigation; to discuss potential settlement of a disability claim; to discuss potential investment of public funds; to discuss with legal counsel potential litigation and for City Council discussion of certain personnel matters.

At 11: 22 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. (RES. NO. 2329)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________
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The meeting was adjourned at 11:24 p.m.

Note: The action docket is a summary of Council's meeting deliberations prepared largely of 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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City Council meetings are closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.
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