Back to FY Dockets

Office of the City Clerk
April 14, 2010

There Was a Work Session on the Parking
Study at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Work Room.


Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - - 7:00 p.m.

* * * * *

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 Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2010; and
(b) The Regular Meeting Minutes of March 23, 2010.

City Council approved the public hearing meeting minutes of March 13, 2010 and the regular meeting minutes of March 23, 2010.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

None.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring April 24, 2010 as Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

5. Presentation of a Proclamation To Brooke Sydnor Curran For Her Work and Commitment Toward the City of Alexandria Women and Children's Charities.

City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

CONSENT CALENDAR (6-15)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

(a) Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Herb Cooper-Levy

7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Financial Professional With Knowledge and Experience
in the Field of Finance as it Relates to Residential Housing

(b) Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority
1 Citizen Member

(c) Commission on Aging
1 Citizen Member (Who Shall Be 60 Years or Older)

(d) Commission on Employment
1 Business Representative From Among Recognized
Area Businesses, Including Minority Owned and Small
Businesses

(e) Commission on Persons with Disabilities
1 Citizen Member

(f) Emergency Medical Services Council
1 Citizen Member

(g) Public Records Advisory Commission
1 Citizen Member

(Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager)

8. Consideration of a Grant Award from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Purchase of Equipment for the Police Department.

9. Consideration of Grant Application to the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to Fund the Expansion of the Family Drug Treatment Court through the Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB).

10. Consideration of Application for Grant Funds from the Avon Foundation for Women for the Office on Women’s Sexual and Domestic Violence Program.

(Ordinances for Introduction)

11. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Make Supplemental Appropriations For the Support of the City Government for Fiscal Year 2010.

12. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Clarify the Subdivision Variation Process.

13. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Infill Regulations.

14. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend City Code 9-12-164 to Require Parking Permits For Sight-seeing Buses To Use Certain Designated Parking Spaces Within the Right-of-way.

15. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend City Code 2-4-116 to Amend the Membership of the Commission on HIV/AIDS.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council adopted the consent calendar, with the removal of items #7b, 9 and 10,and considered them under separate motion. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows:

6. City Council accepted the following resignation with regret: (a) Herb Cooper-Levy, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

7. City Council made the following appointments to boards and commissions: (a) appointed Ana Sota as the one financial professional with knowledge and experience in the field of finance as it relates to residential housing to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) appointed Merrick T. Malone as the one citizen member to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (separate motion); (c) appointed Patricia A. McBride as the one citizen member to the Commission on Aging; (d) appointed Michael R. Crawford as the one business representative from among recognized area businesses, including minority owned and small businesses, to the Commission on Employment; (e) appointed James J. Lewis as the one citizen member to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (f) reappointed W. Scooter Slade as the one citizen member to the Emergency Medical Services Council; and (g) reappointed Jeanine Jeffrey as the one citizen member to the Public Records Advisory Commission.

8. City Council: 1. approved the grant award from the Virginia DCJS in the amount of $40,000, which will provide funds to the Police Department for the purchase of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive related equipment; and 2. authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.

9. City Council authorized the City Manager to: 1. submit the grant application (due April 27, 2010) and if awarded, accept up to $350,000 over a three-year period from the United States Department of Justice for an expansion to the City's Drug Court. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse will serve as the fiscal agent for administering the grant; 2. affirm that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended; and 3. execute all necessary documents that may be required. (separate motion)

10. City Council authorized the City Manager to: 1. authorized the submission of the grant application to the Avon Foundation for Women in a request for the funding of one staff position (.75 FTE) to coordinate the Empowerment Self-Sufficiency Program and deliver services; and 2. execute all documents that may be required. (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 17, 2010.

12. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

13. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

14. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

15. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, April 17, 2010.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

16. Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Residential Tenant in the City

City Council appointed Patrick McCreesh as the one residential tenant in the City to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

17. Commission on Employment
1 Representative From Such Organizations as Educational Agencies,
Organized Labor, Rehabilitation Agencies, Community-based
Organizations, Economic Development Agencies and the Public
Employment Service

City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Christopher Applegate as the one representative from such organizations as educational agencies, organized labor, rehabilitation agencies, community-based organizations, economic development agencies and the public employment service to the Commission on Employment.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

18. Emergency Medical Services Council
1 Representative of Nursing Homes Located in the City

City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Holly Heislup as the one representative of nursing homes located in the City to the Emergency Medical Services Council.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

19. Consideration of Appointment of the Alexandria Poet Laureate.

City Council: 1. appointed Amy Young as the new Poet Laureate for the City of Alexandria, based on the recommendation of the select committee; 2. authorized the City Manager to execute a letter of agreement with Amy Young to serve as Alexandria Poet Laureate from April 14, 2010 through April 14, 2013; 3. expressed appreciation to the current Poet Laureate, Mary McElveen, for her three years of service to the City and her contributions in developing a poetry program for the City; and 4. thanked the members of the Alexandria Poet Laureate selection committee and requested that they remain in place as an advisory body for the Alexandria Poet Laureate.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

20. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending February 28, 2010.

City Council received the monthly financial report for the period ending February 28, 2010.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

21. Receipt of a Progress Report on the City’s Environmental Action Plan 2030.

City Council received the progress report and recognized the Environmental Policy Commission, Virginia Tech, concerned Alexandria residents and City staff for their participation in the development and implementation of this comprehensive environmental action plan.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

22. Consideration of Proposal to Hold the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon in Old Town on September 19, 2010 (#19 3/9/10).

This item was deferred to April 27, 2010.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

None

ORAL REPORTS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
and
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

(a) Councilman Krupicka said he and Mayor Euille sit on the Youth Policy Commission and he said he acts as an informal liaison to the Early Childhood Commission, and he and the Mayor are both on the Campaign Against Adolescent Pregnancy as well. He said the Early Childhood Commission, the Campaign Against Adolescent Pregnancy and the Youth Policy Commission have all in the last month had discussions about what they can do as boards to help begin the process of implementing their draft strategic plan for children, youth and families. As part of that conversation, the Early Childhood Commission and the Youth Policy Commission both have voted to have City Council disband them and start a process to reincorporate them as one commission. He said his expectation is that after they speak to the other youth related commissions that sometime in June they will bring something forward to Council to formally start the process of creating a new framework for a commission related to these issues, as well as the process to disband the other organizations.

(b) Councilman Krupicka said the triangle property on Mt. Vernon Avenue, the new apartment building, is coming in faster than expected and the work with staff has been great and positive in addressing the issues, and he complimented staff and the property owner for bringing that project in as quickly as it has and as well as they have. It really is transforming that corner. The Planning effort that went into changing the zoning to enable that to happen deserves credit, but the developer working closely with staff deserve a lot of credit for the project coming in as quickly as it has.

(c) Councilman Krupicka said compliments to Governor McDonnell as he announced that he line itemed out a proposal in the General Assembly which would have essentially put them on a path to government employees having to pay into their pensions, and Governor McDonnell eliminated that item. He applauded the Governor's willingness to be bold, as the employees deserve to know that they are not going to start digging them when it comes to their compensation.

(d) Councilman Krupicka said today they had the Remembrance Ceremony for the Holocaust and he complimented the organizers who put it on, as it was a beautiful event. He said if it goes back a few weeks, a revision to a proclamation was issued by the Governor about the Civil War, as a certain aspect of the Civil War was not remembered in the first draft. It is important as a community that they always be striving for remembrance of the things in their past that they don't appreciate but that help define who they are and where they will go as a community. Alexandria does not have a perfect history when it comes to remembering their past, and they are now discovering that they built a Civil War fort in Alexandria and they did it by hiding the graves of African-American citizens of the community. They are uncovering and rebuilding a Freedman's Cemetery that had been turned into a gas station for years and years, forgetting and trying to hide a history that they didn't want to be honest about or to face. Councilman Krupicka said even Market Square does not have an acknowledgement in any way to the fact that there used to be a site where it auctioned off slaves. He said Alexandria is trying to get smarter about how it remembers its past and it can be proud of the steps it has taken to be better at remembering. Councilman Krupicka said he applauded the Mayor for his comments in reaction to the Governor's misstep in remembering the past and he asked that Councilmembers who are interested to join the Mayor in writing a letter to the Governor applauding the fact that he made the correction he did, but also acknowledging the fact that they can't move forward as a society if they keep trying to forget the past. He said he would hope that when it got to the Civil War ceremonies over the next year or so to remember the anniversary of the Civil War, that they make sure those ceremonies include remembrance of both the things they can proud of as well as the things they need to learn from. Councilman Krupicka said he knew the Governor talked about tourism as part of his statement as relates to Civil War history, and he would be happy to entertain a visit of the Governor to Alexandria, walking the Governor around to the sites around the City that remind them of the homes they can be proud of in the past as well as things they need to learn from.

(e) Councilman Smedberg said the new Marketing Committee has been in existence for about a year and a half, and it held a meeting this morning. The group is coming together well and some minor recommendations for changes to the committee will be coming forward. He said the City Clerk gave an update and briefing on the rules that apply to the committee. He said they really appreciate Communication Officer Andrea Blackford's contribution to the Committee.

(f) Councilman Smedberg said there was an article today in the Metro section about VRE and the transition to the new operator of the VRE system, Keolis North America. It is going well and there is a board meeting on Friday. He said things are on track and the teams are working well together to make a smooth transition.

(g) Councilwoman Pepper said she was also going to point out the Holocaust Remembrance event at noon today was excellent and very well done. She said one of the most inspirational speakers that appears each time is Charleen Schiff, who tells stories of her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. Councilwoman Pepper said Ms. Schiff is writing a book and all of the various times she's spoken will be put in the book.

(h) Councilwoman Pepper said this week was Virginia Architecture Week and last Sunday there was a two hour walking tour that Al Cox from Planning and Zoning led, and there were 60 participants. She said the annual tour was very interesting. She said Al was asked many questions and he knew his stuff.

(i) Vice Mayor Donley reminded everyone that the Carpenter's Shelter cook-off is coming up on Sunday, April 25 from noon to 3:00 at the Birchmere. All the proceeds go toward supporting Carpenter's Shelter.

(j) Vice Mayor Donley said that on April 24, Rebuilding Alexandria Day, he and his aide have secured a project and if anyone can come by for an hour or two to do painting or yard work it will help an Alexandria homeowner.

(k) Mayor Euille said he, the City Manager and Emergency Operations Manager Mark Penn attended COG's snow emergency forum last week and it was well attended from leaders throughout the Washington Metropolitan region. The take away from that forum was that they all acknowledge that it was the largest snow storm they have ever seen and there were a lot of best practices and things they shared amongst themselves and learned and there were slip-ups. Mayor Euille said the Director of the Office of Personnel Management set the tone in his opening comments on the Federal workforce and the challenges they met. He said they all concluded that they need to be leaning more on the Federal government for funding for a unified effort to have the heaviest duty snow equipment that man makes to have it available in the region. It needs equipment, supplies and personnel. He said there will be follow-up groups and task forces that will be reviewing many of the recommendations and will hopefully be able to get the Federal Government to be a strong financial partner in the future.

(l) Mayor Euille said that last night at the Charles Houston Rec Center, it had the 2010 Census Regional Tour, and Alexandria had the largest crowd they have had on the tour. He said the City of Alexandria's return response rate was 68 percent.

Transportation and Environmental Services Director Baier, along with Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Manager Lambert, gave an update on the new motorcoach plan that is in effect.

(m) Councilwoman Hughes said she participated in the conference earlier for the the National League of Cities as part of the Aviation Policy Summit that was held, and she spoke and shared great things about Alexandria.

(n) Councilwoman Hughes said the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, in association with an organization called NOISE, had a summit on noise abatement and information was shared from those representing different jurisdictions across the country. She said she was interested in the things going on in Georgia and she gave a brief presentation on some of the concerns the City has. They also had a conversation about the Apollo 13 type event that a Congressman is trying to advance while it is looking at green technologies, as it should be able to look at having green plains.

(o) Councilwoman Hughes said she missed two activities being out of town, and that was the Days of Remembrance and the Census event. She said she was grateful to live in a community that is so tolerant and people who are emphathetic and sympathetic to the causes. She said they have gotten some things wrong over the course of time, but if it can't look forward and put forth the effort to make the corrections to things that have not gone as they would have them go, they wouldn't be as well off as they are.

(p) Councilwoman Hughes said the Northern Virginia Urban League Celebrates 20 years of existence and service April 30, and the Gala will be at the Hilton McLean in Tysons Corner.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

None.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Supplement Number 51 of the Zoning Code. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council passed the ordinance on first and second reading to adopt supplement No. 51 to the Zoning Code. (ORD. NO. 4650)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

24. Consideration of a Resolution for Adoption of Plan Review Fees for Review of Plans for Aquatic Facilities, Reinspection Fees for Preoperational Inspections Beyond the First One, and Permit Fees for Pool Management Companies. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council adopted the resolution which 1. imposes a $750 plan review and construction inspection fee on swimming pool owners submitting plans for new swimming pools or swimming pools undergoing major remodeling; 2. imposes a $375 plan review and construction inspection fee on spa pool owners submitting plans for new spa pools or spa pools undergoing major renovation; 3. imposes a $150 plan review and construction inspection fee on the owners of swimming pools or spa pools undergoing minor renovations; 4. imposes a $100 re-inspection fee for each preoperational inspection required beyond the first one; and 5. imposes a $25 annual license fee for pool management companies. (RES. NO. 2393)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

OTHER

25. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

City Council received the revised calendar which includes: the ribbon cutting for Safe Haven on Wednesday, April 21 at 6:00 p.m; the 17th annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 22 (kickoff at 8:15 a.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby); the 2010 Flora Krause Casey Public Health awards reception on Tuesday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby; the annual wreath laying ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 10 at the Police Memorial in Waterfront Park, east side of 100 Strand Street; and the annual Police and Sheriff memorial service on Tuesday, May 11 at noon at Commonwealth Baptist Church, 700 Commonwealth Avenue with a luncheon following at 1:00 p.m.

Deputy City Manager Evans noted that they will not be ready on May 11 for the Sanitation Sewer work session, and it will be deferred to the Fall.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

26. Consideration of Convening a Closed Meeting To Discuss Pending Litigation Matters.

At 9:13 p.m., City Council convened in executive session, pursuant to Sections 2.2-3711(A)(3) and (A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body and for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body and for consultation regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice.

At 10:00 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.

City Council adopted a resolution pertaining to Executive Session. (RES. NO. 2394)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

*******

The meeting adjourned at 10:02 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.

* * * * *

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
* * * * *

Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 703-746-4550 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.

City Council meetings are closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.
* * * * *