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. 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 Meeting of City Council: (a) The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2009. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of September 22, 2009. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL None. PROCLAMATIONS None. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER CONSENT CALENDAR (4-14) (Resignations and Uncontested Appointments) 4. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
25. Consideration of a Resolution on the Need for Transportation Solutions that Protect Virginia’s General Fund For Education, Mental Health Public Safety and Other Core Services. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] (A copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 25; 10/13/09, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Councilman Krupicka and seconded by Councilwoman Pepper, that City Council adopt the resolution on the need for transportation solutions that protect Virginia's general fund for education, mental health, public safety and other core services. Councilman Smedberg suggested in the third "Whereas," that the words "great recession" be changed to "current recession." The amendment was accepted to the maker and seconder of the motion. The motion carried unanimously by roll-call vote and was recorded as follows: Krupicka "aye" Donley "aye" Pepper "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Hughes "aye" Smedberg "aye" The resolutions reads as follows:
WHEREAS, we applaud Governor Kaine's leadership in protecting the funding for K-12 education, but understand that continued weakness in Virginia’s economy puts the continued protection of K-12 funding at risk; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Virginia requires the Commonwealth to properly fund quality elementary and secondary education services that ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed in school and life; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Stimulus dollars will not last forever and can’t be counted on to prop-up education and other essential funding; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth and local governments have long-standing partnerships for the provision of education, health services, social service programs, mental health services, conservation programs and public safety services; and WHEREAS, continued service cuts reduce our chance at a sustainable economic recovery as weakened crime, drop-out and other preventive programs will cause higher future costs to society through increased crime and a less prepared work-force; and WHEREAS, essential transportation maintenance as well as system improvements throughout our Commonwealth are essential to a lasting economic recovery, but VDOT has been reduced to essentially a very limited maintenance organization threatening the Commonwealth's ability to sustain an improving economy; and WHEREAS, city streets, bridges, bike paths, the DASH bus system and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation System are critical to our regional economy and the quality of life of our residents; and WHEREAS, the lack of a sustainable State transportation funding is causing Alexandria and communities throughout the Commonwealth to struggle to keep up with basic transportation maintenance, let alone improvements; and
WHEREAS, in upcoming years, it will be impossible, using existing resources, to maintain basic City services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexandria City Council ask the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly: