Absent: None.
Also Present: Mr. Hartmann, City Manager; Mr. Banks, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES); Mr. Lerner, Deputy Director, T&ES; Ms. Hamer, Director, Planning and Zoning (P&Z); Ms. Ross, Deputy Director, P&Z; Mr. Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities; Ms. Collins, Assistant City Manager, Community and Human Services; Mr. Gates, Assistant City Manager, City Manager's Office; Mr. Johnson, Chief Financial Officer/Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Mr. Routt, Assistant Director, OMB; Ms. Taylor, Assistant Director, OMB; Mr. Stewart, Budget Analyst, OMB; Mr. Elliott, Budget Analyst, OMB; Mr. Touhill, Budget Analyst, OMB; Mr. Doku, Budget Analyst, OMB; Mr. Bever, Budget Analyst, OMB; Mr. Castrilli, Communications Director, Office of Communications and Public Information; Police Chief Cook; Fire Chief Thiel; Ms. Boyd, Special Assistant to the City Manager, City Manager's Office; Dr. Gilmore, Executive Director, Mental Health/Mental Retardation/ Substance Abuse (MH/MR/SA); Ms. Triggs, Director, Finance; Ms. Orr, Director, Human Resources; Mr. Mason, Assistant Director, Human Resources; Ms. Niebauer, Director, Human Rights; Ms. Dawson, Director, Library; Mr. Page, Acting Director, Real Assessments; Mr. Trobridge, Director, Information Technology Services (ITS); Mr. Caton, Legislative Director, City Manager's Office; Ms. Wheel, Police; Mr. Grover, BRAC Coordinator, T&ES; Ms. Luddington, Office for Aging Services; Ms. Griffith, Office for Aging Services; Mr. Coleman, General Services; Ms. Mellott, T&ES; Police Captain Ogden; Mr. Saenz, ITS; Mr. Martinez, ITS; and Mr. Lloyd.
Recorded by: Gloria Sitton, Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the Deputy 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 Public Hearing Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2011; and (b) The Regular Meeting Minutes of January 25, 2011. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilwoman Hughes and carried 6-0, City Council approved the public hearing meeting minutes of January 22, 2011. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg abstain WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilwoman Hughes and carried unanimously, City Council approved the regular meeting minutes of January 25, 2011. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" RECOGNITION OF YOUTH BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL None. PROCLAMATIONS None. OTHER 4. Presentation of the Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 2012 (Including Schools) Calendar Year 2011 Real Property Assessments, and the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for FY 2012-2021 (including the Schools CIP). City Manager Hartmann presented the FY 2012 Proposed Annual Operating Budget (Including Schools) Calendar Year 2011 Real Property Assessments, and the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for FY 2012-2021 (including the Schools CIP). Chief Financial Officer Johnson also gave a presentation on Real Property Assessments and Proposed Capital Improvement Program and responded to questions from Council. 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) Community Criminal Justice Board Mark Sossa (b) Community Services Board Dana Payne (A copy of the above resignations is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5 (a-b); 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 6. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees: (a) Commission on Aging 1 Citizen Member (b) Emergency Medical Services Council 1 Citizen Member (c) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission 1 Business Representative 1 Business Representative Endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce (d) Park and Recreation Commission 1 Member From Among the High School Youth of the City (e) Sister Cities Committee 1 Citizen Member (f) Social Services Advisory Board 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-f); 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) (Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager) 7. Receipt of Annual Reports from Council-Appointed Boards and Commissions. (THIS ITEM IS BEING DEFERRED.) 8. Receipt of Report of the City Council Naming Committee on the Proposal to Name the City Park at 3500 Jefferson Davis Highway in Honor of Ruby Tucker and Setting the Report for Public Hearing and Consideration on Saturday, February 12, 2011. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 1, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) (Ordinances for Introduction) 9. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of An Ordinance to Amend and Reordain Section 13-1-17 (Indecent Exposure) of Chapter 1 (General Offenses) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as Amended To Specifically Exempt Breastfeeding From the Ordinance Regarding Indecent Exposure. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 3, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 9; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference. 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. 2 of Item No. 9; 02/08/11, 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. 3 of Item No. 9; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) END OF CONSENT CALENDAR WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, 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) Mark Sossa, Community Criminal Justice Board and (b) Dana Payne, Community Services Board. 6. City Council made the following appointments to boards and commissions: (a) reappointed Lewis Simon as the citizen member to the Commission on Aging; (b) reappointed Robert Rapanut as the citizen member to the Emergency Medical Services Council; (c) appointed Daniel Schweihs as the business representative and reappointed George Kostel as the business representative endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; (d) appointed Mollie Timmons as the member from among the high school youth of the City to the Park and Recreation Commission; (e) appointed Dylan Colligan as the citizen member to the Sister Cities Committee; and (f) reappointed Deann Hughes as the citizen member to the Social Services Advisory Board. 7. This item was deferred. 8. City Council: (1) received the recommendation of the City Council Naming Committee to name the property located at 3500 Jefferson Davis Highway Ruby Tucker Park; and (2) set the proposal for public hearing and consideration on Saturday, February 12. 9. City Council passed the ordinance on first reading and scheduled it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on Saturday, February 12, 2011. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS 10. Community Services Board 1 Consumer (Current or Former Direct Recipient of Public or Private Mental Health, Mental Retardation or Substance Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Services) or Family Member (Immediate Family Member or the Principal Caregiver Who Is Not Paid) of Consumer (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Leslie Hagan Kimberly Lewis (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; 02/08/11, 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 Leslie Hagan as the one consumer (current or former direct recipient of public or private mental health, mental retardation or substance abuse treatment rehabilitation services) or family member (immediate family member or the principal caregiver who is not paid) of consumer to the Community Services Board. The voting was as follows: Euille - Hagan Donley - Hagan Fannon - Hagan Hughes - Hagan Krupicka - Hagan Pepper - Hagan Smedberg - Hagan 11. Environmental Policy Commission 1 Citizen-at-Large Member (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Holly Carr Jennifer Hovis Amos Desjardins Mara Zimmerman (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; 02/08/11, 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 Jennifer Hovis as the one citizen-at-large member to the Environmental Policy Commission. The voting was as follows: Euille - Hovis Donley - Hovis Fannon - Zimmerman Hughes - Hovis Krupicka - Hovis Pepper - Hovis Smedberg - Desjardins 12. Library Board 2 Members Appointed by City Council (The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission) NAME: ENDORSED BY: Gwendolyn Day-Fuller Brooksie Koopman, Alexandria Library Board Thom Downing Hillary Hoffman-Peak Kathleen Schloeder Judy Miller League of Women Voters Cheryl Juneau Eileen Bradley, President, Burke Library Brooksie Koopman, Alexandria Library Board Anthony Springer Martha-Helene Stapleton (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; 02/08/11, 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 Gwendolyn Day-Fuller and appointed Thom Downing as the two members appointed by City Council to the Library Board. The voting was as follows: Euille - Day-Fuller, Downing Donley - Day-Fuller, Downing Fannon - Downing, Schloeder Hughes - Day-Fuller, Downing Krupicka - Day-Fuller, Downing Pepper - Day-Fuller, Schloeder Smedberg - Day-Fuller, Downing REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 13. Consideration of Recommendations and Status Report on Legislation Introduced at the 2011 General Assembly Session. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 7, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Legislative Director Caton gave Council an overview of the General Assembly actions and responded to questions from Council about legislation being considered, particularly concerning funding for transportation in Northern Virginia. Mayor Euille requested that the City Manager prepare a letter to send to the delegation stating the sentiment of Council concerning funding for the transportation project in Alexandria. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, City Council approved the legislative positions included in Recommended Positions on Bills of Importance to the City, as recommended by City Council's Legislative Subcommittee. The voting was as following: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Krupicka "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Hughes "aye" Smedberg "aye" 13.1 Receipt of Staff Report on the Proposal from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to Construct a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Ramp (Alternative F) at Seminary Road and I-395 and Scheduling the Report for Consideration by City Council on Saturday, February 12. (Please note that VDOT Representatives will make their presentation to Council on their proposal at the Saturday, February 12, Council meeting, not on Tuesday, February 8, as noted previously.) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 4, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13.1; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier gave a brief presentation of the proposal and noted that VDOT representatives will be present at Saturday's public hearing meeting to answer more specific questions. Mr. Baier responded to questions from Council about the proposal. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council received the report and scheduled it for consideration on Saturday, February 12, following a briefing by Virginia Department of Transportation representatives. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Smedberg "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR DISCUSSION 14. Consideration of the Monthly Financial Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2010. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 1, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, City Council received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending December 31, 2010. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Krupicka "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Hughes "aye" Smedberg "aye" 15. Staff Presentation of Quality of Life Indicators Project. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 3, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Assistant City Manager Gates gave a brief presentation and introduced members of the committee. Mr. Gates and members of the committee responded to questions from Council about the project. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Hughes and carried unanimously, City Council received the report on the development of the Alexandria Quality of Life Indicator effort. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" 16. Consideration of Proposal for Continuation of the King Street Light Display. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 3, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 16; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Spengler responded to questions from Council about the cost of the lights and the maintenance of the tree lights on King Street. A motion was made by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Fannon, to approve option number 3 to maintain the tree lighting program through the end of June 2011. Councilman Krupicka offered an amendment to the motion to approve option number 2 maintaining the tree lighting program through the end of March 2011 ($9000). The maker and the seconder accepted the amendment. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Fannon and carried 6-1, City Council approved option number 2 which maintains the tree lighting program through the end of March 2011 ($9000). The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "no" 17. Consideration of Update on the Vending Carts Pilot Program in Market Square. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 31, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Council asked questions of staff about participation in the pilot program and the possibility of expanding to other areas of the City. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously, City Council received the report. The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" 17.1 Consideration of a Proposal to Extend Meals on Wheels Service to Seven Days a Week to Include the Provision of a Sunday Meal. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 3, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17.1; 02/08/11 and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) A motion was made by Councilwoman Hughes, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley, to appropriate from contingent reserves an amount not to exceed $20,000 to fund meals on Sunday through Meals on Wheels Service between now and the end of the fiscal year. WHEREUPON, upon substitute motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 6-1, City Council postponed the proposal indefinitely and will discuss it more in-depth during the FY 2012 budget process. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Donley "aye" Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye" Euille "aye" Hughes "no" Pepper "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 noted that February is Black History Month and he highlighted events happening in the City of Alexandria to commemorate the month, including Sunday, February 13 at 5:00 p.m. at the Carlyle Club, a program honoring the life of Paul Robeson and on Monday, February 28, Agenda Alexandria will host a forum entitled, "Alexandria and the Civil War- Pride and Shame in Black and White." (b) Mayor Euille reported that City Council has received a letter of resignation from City Manager James "Jim" Hartmann on January 31, 2011. Mayor Euille requested a motion from Council to formally accept the letter of resignation. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council formally accepted the letter of resignation with regret from City Manager James Hartmann. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" (c) Mayor Euille reported that the 2010 U.S. Census results have been released and staff will present the report at the February 22 legislative meeting. (d) Councilwoman Pepper reported that there was a Norfolk Southern train involved in an accident in Ohio. Councilwoman Pepper noted that residents in Cameron Station have expressed concern, pointing out that the train was carrying ethanol and could have possibly been traveling through Alexandria. Councilwoman Pepper asked staff to comment on the incident. In response to Councilwoman Pepper, Fire Chief Thiel stated that Norfolk Southern trains do no travel at full speed through the City and he noted that he did not know the exact route of the train involved in the Ohio incident. (e) Councilman Fannon thanked staff for all the work on the commemoration event for President Reagan's 100th Birthday and he noted that the event was well attended. (f) Councilman Fannon noted that he would be sponsoring the Third Annual Alexandrians Have Heart Food and Clothing Drive, to be held on February 19, from 8 a.m to 1 p.m, in the 200 block of South Henry Street, to benefit ALIVE! and Christ House. (g) Councilwoman Hughes reported that the Alexandria Community Trust (ACT) has launched a new website that encourages civic engagement in the community. (h) Councilwoman Hughes recognized participants in the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) who were present at tonight's meeting. ORAL REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER None. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 18. Consideration of Resolution to Extend the Term of the BRAC-133 Advisory Group for an Additional Year. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 1, 2011, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 18; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council approved the resolution to extend the term of the BRAC-133 Advisory Group for an additional year. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" The resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, this BRAC-133 office building will entail 1,380,000 square feet of office space, house approximately 6,400 employees, and provide approximately 3,900 parking spaces; and
WHEREAS, this proposed BRAC-133 office building, while similar in overall square footage to the Mark Winkler office buildings the City approved for this site in 2004, is substantially different in overall design; and
WHEREAS, there are transportation improvements that can potentially mitigate the impact of transportation and traffic issues associated with the BRAC-133 office project on the nearby neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the creation of an advisory group can create a forum for developing ideas and recommendations relating to transportation improvements and other issues associated with the BRAC-133 office building, as well as to serve as a communications forum among all parties; and
WHEREAS, there are significant issues with the BRAC-133 project that still remain unresolved.
2. This Advisory Group’s original membership shall be expanded by one to consist of members appointed by the Mayor, including 11 representatives nominated by the following groups and civic associations:
Brookville-Seminary Valley Lincolnia Hills/Heywood Glen Parkside of Alexandria Seminary Heights Seminary Park Seminary Ridge Seminary West Seminary Hill Beauregard Heights Civic Association Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) West End Business Association (WEBA)
3. In addition, the Mayor shall request the participation in the Advisory Group of one representative of the DoD and one representative of Duke Realty.
4. In addition, the Mayor shall appoint to the Advisory Group one member of the Alexandria Planning Commission, one member of the Alexandria Transportation Commission, and one to two at-large members.
5. Additional members representing stakeholder organizations in the geographic area of the BRAC-133 project may be added to the group, if requested by the Advisory Group Chairperson, with the agreement of the City Council.
6. The Advisory Group shall meet periodically, as it deems necessary, with its meetings open to the public.
7. Administrative and technical staff assistance to the Advisory Group shall be provided by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, the Department of Planning and Zoning, and supplemented by staff from other City agencies, as necessary. 19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Reading of an Ordinance to adopt Supplement Number 54 of the Zoning Ordinance. (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. 19; 02/08/11, 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. 19; 02/08/11, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Hughes and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council adopted an ordinance to adopt Supplement Number 54 of the Zoning Ordinance. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" The ordinance reads as follows: