Special Meeting
Tuesday, March 17, 1998 - - 7:30 p.m.
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Present: Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Vice Mayor William D. Euille, Members of Council William C. Cleveland, Redella S. Pepper, Lonnie C. Rich, David G. Speck, and Lois L. Walker.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Mrs. Lawson, City Manager; Mr. Pessoa, Assistant City Attorney; Ms. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget, and Members of her Staff; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Technology Services; Mr. Brannan, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. Cole, Director of Information Technology Services; Mr. Ransom; Special Assistant to the City Manager; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Mr. Sudduth, Director of Personnel Services; Mr. Simmons, Acting Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Schott, Director of General Services; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. Caton, Legislative Director; Ms. O'Regan, Director of Human Services; Ms. Gattsek, Director of Office on Women; Mr. O'Brien, Director of Library; Mr. McMahon, Deputy Director of General Services; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Fire Chief Hawkins; Police Chief Samarra; School Board Chair Kenealy and Members of the School Board; Superintendent of Schools Berg; and Lieutenant Butler, Police Department.
Recorded by: Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
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OPENING
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
(It was noted that a Notice of this Special Meeting had been previously served upon each Member of Council pursuant to a provision of the City Charter, a copy of the Notice certified by each member of Council being on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council.)
2. Presentation of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 1998-99 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 1999-2004 (including the Schools CIP).
(A copy of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, Fiscal Year 1999 Proposed Operating Budget, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 2; 3/17/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City of Alexandria, Fiscal Year 1999 Capital Improvement Program Proposed Budget, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 2; 3/17/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City of Alexandria Fiscal Year 1999 Executive Summary, Proposed Budget, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 2; 3/17/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
City Manager Lawson presented the Budget Message.
General Discussion.
Vice Mayor Euille suggested that representatives from Northern Virginia, in a united effort, must get together to start talking about what can be done to expand our revenue base in the terms of a local income tax.
Councilman Speck requested a budget memorandum with respect to what our comparator jurisdictions are doing with respect to compensation. He also requested, as simply as possible, an outline of what defines the reserves, what's designated, what isn't designated and in an effort to try to explain to the general public and anyone that's interested, what those monies are for, why they are there, and what they mean in terms of the City's ability to utilize them for operating expenses.
Mayor Donley suggested that we not only get this information in writing simply stated, but also have a presentation when we talk about revenues and expenditures, and underscore how they relate to the debt-related financial guidelines.
Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the animal shelter and requested a budget memorandum with respect to the suggested $55,000 challenge grant.
Council Member Rich commented on future projections and the proposed budget.
Council Member Walker suggested members of the public to contact Council with their concerns and Council will get answers for them.
Councilman Cleveland urged persons to testify at the public hearing on March 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Councilman Speck asked the City Manager for her opinion, after she has thought about it, as to whether we need to redefine the compensation philosophy relative to the comparator jurisdictions, which could essentially be Northern Virginia only.
City Manager Lawson, Management and Budget Director Godwin and Financial and Information Technology Services Director Gitajn participated in the discussion.
Members of City Council congratulated the staff on the proposed budget and thanked them for their hard work.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Euille, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, at 8:50 p.m., the Special Meeting of Tuesday, March 17, 1998, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
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APPROVED BY:
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KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
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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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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Public Notice
There will be a joint City Council and School Board Work Session on the Proposed Capital Budget for the Schools on Wednesday, March 18, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., at the Time-Life Building located at 2000 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia. The Work Session will be held in the Human Resources Training Room on the first floor.
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend the City Council Work Session may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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Meeting materials are available on-line at http://ci.alexandria.va.us.
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