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Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - - 7:00 p.m.

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Present: Mayor William D. Euille, Vice Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Members of Council Frank H. Fannon, Alicia R. Hughes, K. Rob Krupicka, Redella S. Pepper and Paul C. Smedberg.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mr. Johnson, Acting City Manager; Mr. Banks, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Deputy City Manager; Police Captain Ogden; Fire Chief Thiel; Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Grover, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Caton, Legislative Director; Ms. Boyd, Special Assistant to the City Manager, City Manager's Office; Mr. Routt, Office of Management and Budget; Mr. Cochran, Office of Housing; Mr. McPike, Director, General Services; Mr. Wanamaker, Deputy Director, General Services; Mr. Castrilli, Director, Office of Communications; Mr. Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Ms. North, Planning and Zoning; Mr. Colevas, Department of Information Technology; and Mr. Lloyd.

Recorded by: Jacqueline M. Henderson, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.

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City Council held a work session at 5:30 p.m. with the General Assembly Delegation on the City's 2012 Legislative Package.

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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 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 Meetings of City Council:

(a) The Regular Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2011; and

(b) The Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2011.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of November 9, 2011. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Fannon "aye"
Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried 6-0-1, City Council approved the public hearing meeting minutes of November 12, 2011. the voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Fannon "aye"
Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Smedberg abstained

RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

City Council recognized Scout Troop 129, who were in the audience working on their citizenship in the community merit badges.

PROCLAMATIONS

4. Presentation of a Proclamation Declaring December 3, 2011 as the 41st Anniversary of the Campagna Center's Scottish Christmas Walk.

(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

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 (5-9)

(Resignations and Uncontested Appointments)

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

(a) Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Eric Bonetti

(b) Alexandria Gang Prevention Task Force
Saira Cabrera

(c) Commission on Employment
Bishop Garrison

(d) Commission on Persons with Disabilities
Beverly R. Hoffman

(e) Sanitation Authority
Joshua Dickerson

(f) Sister Cities Committee
Susan Doherty

(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-f); 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

6. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:

(a) Archaeological Commission
1 Member from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

(b) Building Code Board of Appeals
1 Citizen Member

(c) Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public at Large, as
an Arts Consumer and Participant

(d) Commission on Aging
1 Citizen Member

(e) Commission on Persons with Disabilities
1 Citizen Member
1 Commission on Aging Representative

(f) Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
1 Member Representing the Potomac West Area

(g) Sister Cities Committee
1 Citizen Member

(h) Torpedo Factory Art Center Board
2 torpedo Factory Artists Association Representatives

(i) Waterfront Committee
1 Representative from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
1 Representative from the Park and Recreation Commission

(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); 11/22/11, 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 November 14, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

8. Receipt of the Alexandria Head Start Annual Report Submitted by the Campagna Center.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 10, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

9. Consideration of Acceptance of a Funding Allocation from the National Capital Region, Urban Security Initiative (UASI) for Emergency Management Planning.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 14, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 9; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, 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 resignations with regret: (a) Eric Bonetti, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) Saira Cabrera, Alexandria Gang Prevention Task Force; (c) Bishop Garrison, Commission on Employment; (d) Beverly Hoffman, Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (e) Joshua Dickerson, Sanitation Authority; and (f) Susan Doherty, Sister Cities Committee.

6. City Council made the following appointments to boards and commissions: (a) reappointed Ellen Hamilton as the one member from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Archaeological Commission; (b) appointed Joseph Berchenko as the one citizen member to the Building Code Board of Appeals; (c) reappointed Margaret Wohler as the one member who represents the public at large, as an arts consumer and participant, to the Commission for the Arts; (d) reappointed Laura Macone as the one citizen member to the Commission on Aging; (e) reappointed Douglas Goist as the one citizen member and reappointed Mary Parker as the one Commission on Aging representative to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (f) reappointed Jennifer Taylor as the one member representing the Potomac West area to the Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee; (g) appointed Bruce Marsh as the one citizen member to the Sister Cities Committee; (h) appointed Rosemary Covey and reappointed Marian Van Landingham as the two Torpedo Factory Artists Association representatives to the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board; and (i) reappointed Charlotte Hall as the one representative from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and appointed Gina Baum as the one representative from the Park and Recreation Commission to the Waterfront Committee.

7. City Council authorized $4,255,000 for capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Program expenditure summary.

8. City Council received the Alexandria Head Start annual report as submitted by the Campagna Center.

9. City Council authorized the City Manager to: 1. accept the funding through the Urban Area Security Initiative in the amount of $125,000; and 2. execute all the necessary documents that may be required.

The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Donley "aye"
Pepper "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS

10. Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Henry Brooks
Susan Doherty
Jennifer O'Brien

(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. 10; 11/22/11, 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 Henry Brooks as the one citizen member to the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Brooks
Donley - Brooks
Fannon - Brooks
Hughes - Brooks
Krupicka - Brooks
Pepper - Brooks
Smedberg - Brooks

11. Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Peter Melkonian

(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. 11; 11/22/11, 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 Peter Melkonian as the one citizen member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Melkonian
Donley - Melkonian
Fannon - Melkonian
Hughes - Melkonian
Krupicka - Melkonian
Pepper - Melkonian
Smedberg - Melkonian

12. Commission on Information Technology
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Phillip Acosta
Alan Shark

(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; 11/22/11, 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 Phillip Acosta as the one citizen member to the Commission on Information Technology. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Acosta
Donley - Acosta
Fannon - Acosta
Hughes - Acosta
Krupicka - Acosta
Pepper - Acosta
Smedberg - Acosta

13. Community Criminal Justice Board
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Jason Bruno
Raighne Delaney

(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; 11/22/11, 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 Raighne Delaney as the one citizen member to the Community Criminal Justice Board. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Delaney
Donley - Delaney
Fannon - Delaney
Hughes - Bruno
Krupicka - Delaney
Pepper - Delaney
Smedberg - Delaney

14. Environmental Policy Commission
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Peter Pennington
Alison Rausch

(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; 11/22/11, 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 Peter Pennington as the one citizen member to the Environmental Policy Commission. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Pennington
Donley - Pennington
Fannon - Pennington
Hughes - Pennington
Krupicka - Pennington
Pepper - Pennington
Smedberg - Pennington

15. Waterfront Committee
1 At-Large Citizen Representative Other Than From Any Group or
Area Already Listed

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Nathan Macek
Thomas Walczykowski

(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; 11/22/11, 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 Nathan Macek as the one at-large citizen representative to the Waterfront Committee. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Macek
Donley - Macek
Fannon - Walcyzykowski
Hughes - Macek
Krupicka - Macek
Pepper - Macek
Smedberg - Macek

16. Torpedo Factory Art Center Board
1 Citizen Member

(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission)

NAME: ENDORSED BY

Charlotte Hall

(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; 11/22/11, 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 Charlotte Hall as the one citizen member to the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board. The voting was as follows:

Euille - Hall
Donley - Hall
Fannon - abstained
Hughes - Hall
Krupicka - Hall
Pepper - Hall
Smedberg - Hall

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION

17. Consideration of the Proposed Legislative Package for the 2012 General Assembly. (#11, 10/25/2011, #4, 11/12/2001)

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandums dated November 14, 2011 and October 18, 2011, are on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 11/22/11, 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 6-0-1, City Council adopted the Legislative Package, with the removal of item #6, which will be voted on separately. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Fannon "aye"
Smedberg "aye Hughes abstained
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"

Pepper "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 5-2, City Council moved to oppose #6, eminent domain, as written. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Fannon "no"
Smedberg "aye" Hughes "no"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye"

18. Oral Report on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC-133) Project at Mark Center. (Staff Presentation)

Mr. Grover, BRAC Coordinator, Transportation and Environmental Services, made a presentation of the report and he, along with Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services, responded to questions.

19. Receipt of Staff Update on Proposed Disposal of City Real Estate.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 16, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 19; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Mr. McPike, Director, General Services, and Mr. Wanamaker, Deputy Director, General Services, made a presentation of the report and responded to questions of City Council.

City Council asked that when it puts anything out for the 912, 916 and 920 King Street properties that it list the need for a parking facility.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 6-0, City Council received the report. The voting was as follows:

Donley "aye" Fannon absent
Smedberg "aye" Hughes "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye
Pepper "aye"


20. Consideration of Proposal to Modify the City’s Proposed Use of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant Funds and Energy Management Capital Improvement Funds and the Financial Model for the City’s Revolving Loan Fund Project for Use of These Funds.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 15, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 20; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Mr. Cochran, Office of Housing, responded to questions of City Council.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved: 1. the transfer of $91,800 of federal energy efficiency and conservation block grant revolving loan funding to the City's energy management Capital Improvement Program project account; 2. transferred $91,800 of City funds from the City's energy management Capital Improvement Program project account to the previously approved energy conservation revolving loan program; and 3. the change of the revolving loan fund to a loan loss reserve, and authorization for the City Manager to execute an amended agreement with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission consistent with the terms outlined in the report. The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Donley "aye"
Pepper "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Hughes "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

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 invited Gayle Terry, vice chair of the Commission on HIV/AIDS, to make a presentation requesting the immediate appropriation of funds.

Ms. Terry, vice chair, Commission on HIV/AIDS, along with Debby Dimon, Public Health Supervising Nurse at the Alexandria Department of Health, spoke of being charged with developing a feasible way to reach the African-American gay and bisexual male population. She said they hope to present a budget memo to Council in the budget cycle, and their current recommendation is to fund a part-time outreach worker from the community who will reach out to the men in the community. She spoke of the events and actions they will take.

(b) Councilman Krupicka wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

(c) Councilwoman Pepper reminded everyone that on Thanksgiving Day there will be the Alexandria Turkey Trot, which will be at the George Washington Middle School. The Turkey Trot is a five-mile race with registration at 8:30, the race begins at 10:00, and the beginning of the awards is at 11:00. She said Jay Johnson is being honored as the grand marshal, and he has worked 25 years on the Turkey Trot.

(d) Councilwoman Hughes said she went to the William Ramsay PTA Thanksgiving luncheon and open house. She said they are having student council elections.

(e) Councilwoman Hughes said she learned that there will be a new opening of the ACPS Center for the Performing Arts, and they are having a performance starting on November 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

(f) Councilman Fannon said a reminder that tomorrow morning is the Mayor's Annual Unity Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Mark Center.

(g) Councilman Fannon said this Friday will be the annual tree lighting on Market Square and all the parking garages will be open for free for shoppers on Friday. Saturday is Small Business Saturday, and they encourage citizens to support the small businesses on Saturday.

(h) Vice Mayor Donley reported from the Transportation Planning Board meeting at COG, noting that at the last meeting they considered amendments to the constrained long-range plan, they were asked to approve the revised hot-lane project. He said he proposed an amendment to the approval requesting that VDOT undertake additional studies to include more bill alternatives, including additional transit options and an alternative that would include a D.C. terminus. Vice Mayor Donley said the amendment was passed unanimously by the TPB.

(i) Vice Mayor Donley thanked Acting City Manager Johnson and staff for a fairly professional and thoughtful analysis of the alternative Waterfront Plan. He said they need to have information on fiscal impacts, legal opinions, and comments on land use implications and ultimately it is Council's decision. He said he was disheartened to read in the Washington Postin the article on the City's analysis a quote attributed to former vice mayor Andrew Macdonald regarding the re-election of members based upon their vote on the Waterfront Plan. He said it is important to consider all elements of the various alternatives. Council has worked with staff to eliminate a lot of the more objectionable aspects. He said it is unfortunate that it has to inject political threats into the equation. Vice Mayor Donley said they know about accountability, which is why they have elections. He said that perhaps Mr. Macdonald might want to take a lesson from his own comments and be accountable to the citizens about why he resigned from Council and cost the City probably $100,000 in a special election to find his replacement.

(j) Councilwoman Hughes noted that Saturday was Adoption Day and it had eight families adopting children, and she said thanks to the families involved.

(k) Councilwoman Hughes noted the dedication of Thurman Alley on Saturday.

ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Acting City Manager Johnson said an issue has come up about the three parades and the City's support for those parades. The Campagna Center people has asked that they waive the requirement that 50 percent of the cost of the parade by borne by the Campagna Center and 50 percent by the City and want it to be 100 percent by the City. There are two other parade requests, the George Washington Birthday Parade and the St. Patrick's Day Parade. He asked for Council guidance from small changes to back to 100 percent.

City Council did not change the policy but requested information from the Acting City Manager.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

21. Consideration of a Resolution Establishing FY 2013 Budget Guidance for the Alexandria City Government and the Alexandria City Public Schools. [ROLL-CALL VOTE

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 18, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 21; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Acting City Manager Johnson went over the resolution and responded to questions of City Council.

WHEREUPON, a motion was made Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper, City Council moved adoption of the resolution establishing FY 2013 budget guidance for the Alexandria City Government and the Alexandria City Public Schools, to add an additional #19 to the resolution to read: Given the expectation that City revenues will be constrained for a number of years and a concern that year by year tightening runs the risk of lowering City service quality into the future, the Council requests that the City Manager propose significant reforms, consolidations, reorganizations, or program changes that would enable us to maintain the quality of core services into the future.

WHEREUPON, Vice Mayor Donley asked for a friendly amendment to amend #15 to read: The City Manager shall preserve operating budget allocations at current levels for public infrastructure improvements, such as street paving, street maintenance and sidewalk maintenance.

The amendment was acceptable to the maker and seconder of the motion and becomes part of the original motion.

WHEREUPON, Councilman Smedberg asked to amend #5 to clarify and put in parenthesis several of the other taxes/parentheticals.

The amendment was acceptable to the maker and seconder of the motion and becomes part of the original motion.

WHEREUPON, Councilman Smedberg asked to amend Councilman Krupicka's new #19, to read, in the third line: "the Council requests that the City Manager evaluate and propose significant reforms to City departments that may include consolidations, reorganizations, or program changes that would enable us to maintain the qualify of core services into the future.

The amendment was acceptable to the maker and seconder of the motion and becomes part of the original motion.

The motion, as amended, carried unanimously by a roll-call vote and is recorded as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Donley "aye"
Pepper "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Hughes "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

The resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 2480

Setting Guidance for FY 2013 General Fund Operating Budget
and Capital Improvement Program for FY 2013 – FY 2022

WHEREAS, the City Council of Alexandria passed Resolution 2368 on November 10, 2009, that established the process to be used for formulating the budget during the term of this Council and requires that City Council set budget guidance for the City Manager and the School Board for the FY 2013 budget; and

WHEREAS, the City Council held a public hearing on the FY 2013 budget on October 15, 2011; and

WHEREAS, the City Manager and the Alexandria City Public Schools presented to City Council at its October 17, October 18, November 1 and November 7 budget work sessions preliminary forecasts of revenues, expenditures and capital needs in lieu of a one-day retreat; and

WHEREAS, the City Council’s deliberations on the budget each and every year reflect a balancing of the needs of the community, with the community’s ability to afford services to meet those needs; and

WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to continuously improving City government effectiveness and efficiency, and expects the City Manager and City staff to focus on managing for results; and

WHEREAS, the City Council expects the City Manager to continue to identify and implement cost saving measures and efficiencies in all City operations; and

WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to continue performing fully its obligations to provide the core services expected of a municipal government and to continue to provide quality services and facilities for the residents and businesses of Alexandria; and

WHEREAS, the national economy is growing very slowly and there still remains considerable uncertainty about the economic future; and

WHEREAS, real estate assessments in the City are expected to increase only slightly in CY 2012 and CY 2013; and

WHEREAS, given the political environment in Richmond and Washington, D.C., there are still potential losses in State and Federal revenues for both the City General Fund budget and the Schools operating budget; and

WHEREAS, considering all these factors, the best current estimate is for an increase of 2.24% in total General Fund revenues of the City at current tax rates;

WHEREAS, this amount of increase is expected not to be sufficient to maintain current services and policies in City and School operations and fund the previously approved multi-year Capital Improvement Program; and

WHEREAS, the budget must contain sufficient funds for all contractual commitments, including debt service; and

WHEREAS, the City Council will not make any material changes that may threaten the City’s AAA/Aaa bond rating; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a multi-year strategic plan in June 2010; and

WHEREAS, the City Council understands that it will be a challenge to achieve all the strategic goals, objectives and initiatives in the constrained fiscal environment facing the City; and

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need to prioritize programs and activities in support of the strategic plan, to deemphasize lower priority, low yield programs and activities, to identify efficiencies, and emphasize a multi-year plan to link future budgets to focus available, limited resources on the achievement of key strategic goals and objectives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA THE FOLLOWING:

1. No increase in the Base Real Estate Tax Rate: The City Manager shall propose in the Base Budget a blended base real estate tax rate in CY 2012 no greater than that levied in CY 2011 ($99.8 cents per $100 assessed value, including all dedications necessary for Storm Water, Transportation, Affordable Housing and Open Space purposes). An alternative tax rate increase for additional operating costs and capital projects deemed appropriate for Council consideration above those specified in the base budget may be proposed as provided in section 6 below.

2. Total Base Budget Limitations: Total General Fund expenditures in the Base Budget shall be no more than General Fund revenues provided under the various sections of this Resolution. These sections provide that the City Manager shall submit a proposed FY 2013 General Fund Operating Base Budget that does not increase any tax rates. An alternative tax rate increase for additional operating costs and capital projects deemed appropriate for Council consideration above those specified in the base budget may be proposed as provided in section 6 below.

3. Schools Transfer: The City Manager shall include in the Base Budget a General Fund transfer to the Schools for operating expenses of an amount equal to the transfer provided in the Approved FY 2012 General Fund Operating Budget increased by the same percentage as the percentage increase in General Fund revenues available under the provisions of this resolution and proposed in the City Manager’s FY 2013 General Fund Base Operating Budget.

4. Other Dedicated Portions of the Real Estate Tax Rate: The City Manager shall propose continuation in CY 2012 of the reservation of 0.5 cents per $100 to Storm Water Infrastructure Improvements, 2.2 cents per $100 to Transportation improvements) and sufficient amounts from Real Estate Tax revenues to provide funding for existing debt service payments for the Open Space Trust Fund and for Affordable Housing purposes.

5. Other Taxes: The City Manager shall not propose an increase in any other tax rates (such as those for personal property, business licenses, transient lodging, and utilities) in the Base Budget except as provided in section 6 below.

6. Options for Additional Operating and CIP Expenditures: The City Manager may propose whatever additional operating costs and capital projects deemed appropriate for Council consideration above those specified in the base budget, together with appropriate sources of revenue available within the constraints imposed by the Code of Virginia, so long as those operating costs and capital projects can be demonstrated as necessary to meet strategic goals and objectives, and/or can be demonstrated to diminish risks to community. These additional items if any, shall be clearly designated as above the base budget and prioritized by the City Manager on an individual operating activity and project basis, based on considerations that may require a particular scheduling or sequencing of action items in support of strategic initiatives, objectives and goals.

7. Fees, Fines and Service Charges: The City Manager may propose changes to whatever
combination of fees, fines and service charges that are equitable, fair and administratively
feasible provided that these proposals are within the constraints imposed by the Code of
Virginia. The City Manager should exercise caution by considering fee increases recently adopted in previous years.

8. City Merit/Step Pay: The City Manager shall include in the base budget funding for merit/step increases for eligible employees. The City Manager may propose at his discretion a phase-in of the implementation of Total Compensation Reforms described at the November 1 work session. The City Manager also may propose at his discretion necessary and appropriate changes in the City’s General Schedule pay schedule. These changes may or may not be a part of the base budget.

9. Market Rate Adjustment: The City Manager shall not include an across-the-board market rate adjustment for either City or Schools staff.

10. City Employee Health Benefits: The City Manager shall continue to implement the multi-year plan to phase-in a 20% minimum employee contribution for health care premiums in FY 2013.

11. City Employee Retirement Contributions: The City Manager shall continue in FY 2013 funding for current City retirement plan policies and employee contributions to various City retirement programs. City Council will await and review changes that may be proposed and adopted by the General Assembly to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) in which the City participates.

12. Post Employment Benefit Contributions: The City Manager shall continue to provide sufficient funds to the Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) Trust Fund so that the City will gradually be able to contribute 100% of the Annual Required Contribution (ARC). In FY 2013 the plan is to contribute at least 89% of the ARC from current General Fund sources.

13. Fire Station #210: The City Manager shall include sufficient operating funds in the FY 2013 Base Budget to hire, train and equip staff to open Fire Station #210 in the Eisenhower Valley when construction is completed in FY 2014.

14. Public Safety Operations Rate of Growth: The City Manager shall maintain at least the same rate of growth as specified for the Schools in Section 3 for the specific public safety operations of Police, Emergency Communications, Fire and Emergency Medical Services and the Sheriff.

15. Public Infrastructure: The City Manager shall preserve operating budget allocations at current levels for public infrastructure improvements such as street paving, street maintenance and sidewalk maintenance.

16. Resources for Core Services: The City Manager shall focus other available resources, at his discretion, on other core services identified in the Strategic Plan and identify non-core programs and activities that deserve extra scrutiny given the expectation of years of slow growth in the City’s revenues.

17. Capital Improvement Program (CIP): The City Manager’s proposed base CIP shall include:
18. Sale/Lease of Capital Assets: The City Manager may propose measures to sell or lease excess City capital assets as appropriate in the base budget and use those proceeds to fund the CIP as additional cash capital.

19. Fiscal Year 2014 Special Analysis: The City Manager shall prepare a special analysis that shows the projected expenditures and revenues for FY 2014. That analysis shall contain:
20. Maintain Quality of Core Services: Given the expectation that City revenues will be constrained for a number of years and a concern that year-by-year tightening runs the risk of lowering City service quality into the future, the Council requests that the City Manager evaluate and propose significant reforms to City Departments that may include, consolidations, reorganizations, or program changes that would enable us to maintain the quality of core services into the future.

22. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Right of First Refusal Granting the Alexandria Sanitation Authority the Right to Purchase Certain City Property Located at 801 and 910 South Payne Street If the City Decides to Sell the Property. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 16, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 22; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Mr. Jinks, Deputy City Manager, responded to questions of City Council.

Councilman Smedberg asked that something be put in the memorandum of right of first refusal of how the value of the property will be done to be sure the City is getting a fair price.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council adopted the resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a right of first refusal granting the Alexandria Sanitation Authority the right to purchase certain City property at 801 and 910 South Payne Street. The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Fannon "aye"
Donley "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

The resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 2481

Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a right of first refusal granting the Alexandria Sanitation Authority the future right to purchase certain city property located at 801 and 910 South Payne Street
WHEREAS, the City owns two parcels adjacent to the Alexandria Sanitation Authority (ASA) facility to the east: the former animal shelter at 910 South Payne Street (0.56 acres) and the incinerator at 801 South Payne (1.2 acres) (“Properties”); and

WHEREAS, the ASA has expressed a concern about future constraints on their ability to expand should the need arise in response to future capacity needs or regulations; and

WHEREAS, should the City choose to sell the Properties in the future, ASA should be considered first as a potential purchaser in the event that the Properties could be used to fulfill their expansion needs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA:


23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt Supplement Number 99 of the City Code. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the informal memorandum explaining the ordinance is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 23; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 23; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council passed the ordinance to adopt Supplement Number 99 to the City Code. The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Fannon "aye"
Donley "aye" Hughes "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

The ordinance reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 4745

AN ORDINANCE adopting supplemental pages for The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, and providing for the repeal of ordinances not included therein, except those saved from repeal by this ordinance, and for other purposes.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. That the sections and portions thereof set forth in the supplemental and replacement pages for The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, each of which pages is identified in the lower left-hand corner by the notation "Supp. No. 99," are hereby adopted as and shall constitute "The Ninety-Ninth Supplement to The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981."

Section 2. That the sections and portions thereof set forth in "The Ninety-Ninth Supplement to The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981" shall be in force and effect on and after the effective date of this ordinance, and all ordinances of a general and permanent nature which were adopted between June 28, 2011 through September 17, 2011, inclusive, and which are not included in such supplement or in The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, are hereby repealed, except as otherwise provided in section 3 of this ordinance.

Section 3. That the repeal provided for in section 2 of this ordinance shall not affect any offense or act committed or done, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any contract established or accruing prior to the effective date of this ordinance; nor shall it affect any prosecution, suit or proceeding pending or any judgment rendered prior to said date; nor shall it affect any ordinance adopted after June 28, 2011, which amends the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992, as amended; nor shall it affect any ordinance saved from repeal by Ordinance No. 1250; nor shall it affect any ordinance listed in appendices A through J, both inclusive, of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, or any pages supplemental to such appendices; nor shall it affect any provision of any ordinance adopted between June 28, 2011, through September 17, 2011, inclusive, and which is inadvertently omitted from or erroneously incorporated into "The Ninety-Ninth Supplement to The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981," or any other supplement to the code; nor shall it affect any ordinance adopted after the effective date of this ordinance.

Section 4. That one complete set of pages comprising "The Ninety-Ninth Supplement to The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981," shall be stapled or otherwise permanently fastened together, shall be manually signed on the front sheet by the mayor and the city clerk, and shall be filed in the office of the city clerk and made available to any person desiring to inspect the same. In addition, one complete set of the supplemental and replacement pages of such supplement shall be properly inserted into the copy of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, which bears the manual signatures of the mayor and the city clerk, and such code, as amended and supplemented, shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk and be made available to any person desiring to inspect the same.

Section 5. This ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.

OTHER

24. Consideration of City Council Schedule.

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 18, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 24; 11/22/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council: 1. received the updated calendar which includes the December 1 World AIDS Day event including a reception and the screening of The Other City at INOVA Alexandria Hospital sponsored by the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS and the hospital; 2. scheduled the following FY 2013 budget meetings: Wednesday, February 29, 7:00 p.m., joint budget work session with the School Board; Monday, March 5, 4:00 p.m., budget public hearing; Monday, May 7, 6:00 p.m., budget work session and 7:00 p.m., budget adoption. The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Donley "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye"

EXECUTIVE SESSION

25. Consideration of Convening a Closed Meeting For the Purpose of Consulting With Legal Counsel Regarding Potential and Pending Litigation.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council convened in closed executive session at 10:09 p.m., pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of consultation with counsel and briefing by staff pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where consultation in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigation posture of the public body, and for consultation regarding specific legal matters that require legal advice. The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Donley "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council reconvened the meeting at 10:27 p.m. The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Donley "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Donley "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye"

The resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 2482

WHEREAS, the Alexandria City Council has this 22nd day of November 2011, recessed into executive session pursuant to a motion made and adopted in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and

WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the city council that such executive session was conducted in accordance with Virginia law;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council does hereby certify that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters that were identified in the motion by which the executive session was convened, and that are lawfully exempted by the Freedom of Information Act from the Act's open meeting requirements, were heard, discussed or considered by council during the executive session.
********

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council adjourned the regular meeting of November 22, 2011 at 10:28 p.m. The voting was as follows:

Hughes "aye" Donley "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye"



APPROVED BY:

_______________________________
WILLIAM D. EUILLE MAYOR


ATTEST:

_______________________________________
Jacqueline M. Henderson
City Clerk and Clerk of Council



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.
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