Absent: None. Also Present: Mr. Hartmann, City Manager; Mr. Banks, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Caton, Legislative Director; Mr. Gates, Assistant City Manager, City Manager's Office; Mr. Trobridge, Director, Information Technology; Mr. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer; Ms. Triggs, Director, Finance Office; Ms. Boyd, City Manager's Office; Mr. Castrilli, Communications Director; Police Captain Ogden; Mr. Lerner, Deputy Director, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Grover, Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. Marks, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Ortiz, Transportation and Environmental Services; Fire Chief Thiel; Mr. Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Browand, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Dr. Gilmore, Director, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; and Mr. Lloyd. Recorded by: Jacqueline M. Henderson, City Clerk and Clerk of Council. * * * * * * City Council held a work session at 5:30 p.m. with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership and the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association in the Council Workroom.
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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 January 11, 2011. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously, City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of January 11, 2011. The voting was as follows: Hughes "aye" Fannon "aye" Donley "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL None. PROCLAMATIONS 4. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring February as George Washington Birthday Celebration Month. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Fannon "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER CONSENT CALENDAR (5-11) (Resignations and Uncontested Appointments) 5. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Community Services Board Amber Nightingale (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. 5 (a); 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 6. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee 1 Citizen Member (b) Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force 1 City Elementary School Representative (c) Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee 1 Member Designated by the Alexandria School Board (d) Commission on Aging 1 Citizen Member (e) 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 (f) Commission on HIV/AIDS 1 Citizen Member (g) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission 1 Representative From the Old Presbyterian Meeting Housing (h) Landlord-Tenant Relations Board 1 Landlord or Representative of Landlords (i) Sister Cities Committee 1 Citizen Member (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. 6 (a-i); 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) (Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager) 7. Consideration of Authorization of Recommended Capital Allocations and Planned Expenditures. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 12, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 8. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Family and Children’s Trust Fund (FACT) for Serving Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 12, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 9. Consideration of a Grant Award from the Department of Homeland Security for an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Program for Personal Protective Equipment for the Fire Department. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 14, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 9; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 10. Consideration of Acceptance of a Grant Award from the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) Grant Program, Virginia Department of Health for the Purchase of a MedSTAT Mini-Ambulance for the Fire Department. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 14, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 10; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 11. Consideration of an Application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Program for a Fire Protection and Safety (FP&S) Grant for Smoke Detectors and Training. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 13, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) END OF CONSENT CALENDAR WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the consent calendar. The City Manager's recommendations were as follows: 5. City Council accepted the following resignation with regret: (a) Amber Nightingale, Community Services Board. 6. City Council made the following appointments: (a) appointed Charlene Campbell as the one citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee; (b) appointed Susan Stickles as the one City elementary school representative to the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force; (c) appointed Margaret Fitzsimmons as the one member designated by the Alexandria School Board to the Budget and Affairs Advisory Committee; (d) appointed Laura Macone as the one citizen member to the Commission on Aging; (e) appointed Hayley Gefell 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; (f) appointed David Hoover as the one citizen member to the Commission on HIV/AIDS; (g) appointed Junius McElveen, Jr. as the one representative from the Old Presbyterian Meeting House to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (h) appointed Mellenie Runion as the one landlord or representative of landlords to the Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; and (i) appointed Travis Brown as the one citizen member to the Sister Cities Committee. 7. City Council authorized $380,000 for capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Expenditure Summary. 8. City Council authorized the City Manager to: 1. submit the grant application to FACT in the amount of $15,000 (due January 25, 2011); and 2. execute all documents that may be required. 9. City Council approved the acceptance of the grant allotment and authorized the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required. 10. City Council: 1. accepted the grant awarded by the Virginia Department of Health; and 2. authorized the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required. 11. City Council approved the partnership of the Assistance to Firefighters (AFD) and Institution of Fire Engineers (IIFE) for the application to the Fire Protection and Safety (FP&S) grant program (due February 4, 2011); and authorized the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that be required (noting the revised docket item.) The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Donley "aye" Pepper "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Hughes "aye" Smedberg "aye" CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS 12. Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 1 Representative Who Is Employed by or Affiliated With an Organization That Promotes and Maintains Affordable Housing (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Katharine Medina Eileen Ahern, Board President, Rebuilding Together Alexandria (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. 12; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Katharine Medina as the one representative who is employed by or affiliated with an organization that promotes and maintains affordable housing to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The voting was as follows: Euille - Medina Donley - Medina Fannon - Medina Hughes - Medina Krupicka - Medina Pepper - Medina Smedberg - Medina 13. Board of Zoning Appeals 1 Citizen Member (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Tim Bako David Shattls Charles Sumpter Meighan Towne Eric Zander Gaver Nicols, architect Sean Crumley, president, Del Ray Citizens Association Amy Slack Pat Miller (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. 13; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council reappointed Eric Zander as the one citizen member to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The voting was as follows: Euille - Zander Donley - Zander Fannon - Zander Hughes - Zander Krupicka - Zander Pepper - Zander Smedberg - Zander 14. Commission for Women 1 Citizen Member (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Allison Frisbee Reina Malakoff (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. 14; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council appointed Reina Malakoff as the one citizen member to the Commission for Women. The voting was as follows: Euille - Frisbee Donley - Malakoff Fannon - Malakoff Hughes - Frisbee Krupicka - Malakoff Pepper - Malakoff Smedberg - Frisbee 15. George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee 1 Member Nominated by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Thomas Smith Mark Plourde, president, First Virginia Regiment (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. 15; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Thomas Smith as the one member nominated by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line to the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee. The voting was as follows: Euille - Smith Donley - Smith Fannon - Smith Hughes - Smith Krupicka - Smith Pepper - Smith Smedberg - Smith 16. Planning Commission 3 Citizen Members (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Misty Benson Robert Duffy Lisa Edouard John Komoroske Mary Lyman Phillip Voorhees Eric Wagner (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. 16; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council reappointed John Komoroske, Mary Lyman and Eric Wagner as the three citizen members to the Planning Commission. The voting was as follows: Euille - Komoroske, Lyman, Wagner Donley - Komoroske, Voorhees, Wagner Fannon - Komoroske, Voorhees, Wagner Hughes - Voorhees Krupicka - Komoroske, Lyman, Wagner Pepper - Komoroske, Lyman, Wagner Smedberg - Komoroske, Lyman, Wagner 17. Sanitation Authority 1 Citizen Member (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Joshua Dickinson Elisa Fulstone (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. 17; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council appointed Joshua Dickinson as the one citizen member to the Sanitation Authority. The voting was as follows: Euille - Fulstone Donley - Dickinson Fannon - Dickinson Hughes - Dickinson Krupicka - Fulstone Pepper - Fulstone Smedberg - Dickinson 18. Waterfront Committee 1 Alexandria Seaport Foundation Representative (The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Robert Taylor Joe Youcha, Executive Director, the Alexandria Seaport Foundation (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. 18; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots were tallied with the following results: City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Robert Taylor as the one Alexandria Seaport Foundation representative to the Waterfront Committee. The voting was as follows: Euille - Taylor Donley - Taylor Fannon - Taylor Hughes - Taylor Krupicka - Taylor Pepper - Taylor Smedberg - Taylor REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 19. Consideration of Recommendations and Status Report on Legislation Introduced at the 2011 General Assembly Session. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 24, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 19; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Mr. Caton, Legislative Director, made a presentation of the report and responded to questions of City Council. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council: 1. approved the legislative positions included in attachment 1 (recommended positions on bills of importance to the City), as recommended by City Council's Legislative Subcommittee (Vice Mayor Donley and Councilman Smedberg); and 2. approved the positions on budget issues included in attachment 2 (recommended positions on budget issues of importance to the City) as also recommended by City Council's Legislative Subcommittee. City Council authorized the Mayor to sign a letter in opposition to the legislation that would combine NVTA, NVTC and PRTC, and noted the removal of HB 1531 (gas tax) on page 13 and HB 2016 (Northern Virginia Transportation Authority) on page 23 so they could be voted on separately. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Smedberg "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 6-1, City Council moved to adopt HB 1531. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Smedberg "aye" Hughes "no" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 6-0-1, City Council moved to oppose HB 2016. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Smedberg "aye" Hughes abstain Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" 20. Oral Report on the Base Realignment and Closure Project (BRAC -133) in Alexandria. Mr. Grover, Transportation and Environmental Services, made a presentation of the report on the BRAC-133 and responded to questions of City Council. 21. Oral Report on the Upcoming Proposed Potomac Yard Metro Station Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping Project. Ms. Marks, Transportation and Environmental Services, made a presentation of the report and responded to questions of City Council. 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) Mayor Euille noted that two things have occurred at WMATA. The interim CEO last Thursday released the proposed 2012 operating and capital budget that reflects a $72 million shortfall, with the make up of that shortfall being made up by the local jurisdictions, and there are no proposed fare increases or reductions in services. Mayor Euille noted that this Thursday, January 27, the WMATA board will also formally vote to hire a permanent CEO/General Manager. The Board has selected the interim CEO Richard Sarles to become the permanent CEO. (b) Councilwoman Pepper presented Mayor Euille with a framed picture from the Alexandria Times of him with his crutches and foot stool after his accident on the Metro. (c) Councilwoman Pepper said the holiday lights that line King Street will be turned off at the end of the month, and she hoped there would be support on Council for staff to docket it at the next legislative meeting so they could have a discussion on whether it would like to go forward with keeping the lights on all year. Staff was asked to docket the item for the next legislative meeting. (d) Councilwoman Hughes asked that there be an item to be considered for the next legislative meeting on the City making an additional appropriation in the amount of $52,000 to cover the Sunday delivery of Meals on Wheels for Senior Services. After discussion, it was decided that this item could be brought back and Council will act accordingly at that time in response to Councilwoman Hughes' request. (e) Councilman Krupicka said the task force Mayor Euille appointed last summer to recreate the Early Childhood Commission and the Youth Policy Commission to a new Children, Youth and Families Group is making good progress. The group continues to meet and is on track to go to Council sometime in February or March. He said if any member of Council wanted copies of the draft, he would be glad to get them copies and to also talk with the task force for an update. (f) Councilman Krupicka noted that the Four Mile Run Farmers Market has been accepted as a food stamp recipient and that is the first Farmers Market in the City to accept food stamps. That is consistent with the goal of making healthy local food available to everyone. (g) Councilman Krupicka noted an article in the Washington Post last week about a chemical that may or may not be in the City's water, hexavalent chromium. He said it is difficult to test for, so Alexandria's water hasn't been tested. Councilman Krupicka asked to ask Virginia American Water to work with the City to find a way to test the water. (h) Mayor Euille noted that the local newspaper misquoted him regarding the program for the Martin Luther King poster contest that took place in the Chambers, regarding a comment made as to the school demographics, and he stated three factors. However, he said, the quote in the newspaper was taken out of context and listed just one of the three factors. He clarified that his response was that his belief personally was the reason why the City demographics are different is the black, white and latino population is much higher than that of the public school system and parents are concerned about the lack of quality education at certain schools so they chose to opt out of the school in their neighborhood. He also noted that others may not feel comfortable having their child in a fully integrated environment in their early stages. ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER None. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 22. Consideration of a Resolution Establishing an Ad Hoc Retirement Benefit Advisory Group. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 20, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 22; 1/25/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Chief Financial Officer Johnson made a presentation of the report and responded to questions of City Council. WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Councilman Smedberg and seconded by Councilman Fannon that City Council adopt the resolution to establish an Ad Hoc Retirement Benefit Advisory Group as called for in Section 14 of Resolution 2426 setting guidance for the FY12 general fund operating budget and CIP for FY12-21. After discussion, Vice Mayor Donley offered a friendly amendment to Section 6 (a) to add the words "unless the Advisory Group petitions the City Council for an extension and that request is approved by City Council." The amendment was acceptable to the maker and seconder of the motion and becomes part of the original motion. WHEREUPON, an amendment to the motion was made by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Fannon, on page 5, Section 2(a) to strike the words "compensation subcommittee." After discussion, no vote was taken on this amendment. The main motion carried by a roll-call vote of 6-1 and is as follows: Smedberg "aye" Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "no" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" The resolution reads as follows: