Office of the City Clerk
September 23, 1997
City Council held an Informal Work
Session to Discuss Political Signs at 5:30 p.m.
in the Council Workroom.
There was a Work Session with the
Alexandria Commission on Employment
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom.
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 23, 1997 - - 7:30 p.m.
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OPENING
1. Calling the Roll.
The Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present, except Council Member Rich who arrived at 8:35 p.m.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Nancy E. Foil, Pastor, Baptist Temple Church.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meeting of City Council:
(a) The Regular Meeting of September 9, 1997.
City Council approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 9, 1997, as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
4. Report of the City Clerk.
City Council received the report.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
5. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of October 5-11, 1997, as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Alexandria.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming October as National Arts and Humanities Month in the City of Alexandria.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
7. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium. (Mayor Donley and Vice Mayor Euille)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (8-17)
8. Receipt of the Following Resignations From members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission
John J. Lewis
(b) Alexandria Commission on Aging
Mark E. Locklear
(c) Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board
Elbert Ransom, Jr.
(d) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Richard D. Cunningham
Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
9. (a) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
1 Developmental Pediatrician Representing Alexandria Hospital
(b) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission For Women
(c) Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
2 Health Professionals
3 Non-Health Professionals
10. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding the City's Domestic Violence Intervention Project.
11. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding the City's Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
12. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services for Funding the Development of Model Employment Initiative for Persons with Disabilities.
13. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Social Services for Funding the Virginia Family Violence Prevention Program.
14. Consideration of Approval of the Fiscal Year 1998 Plan for Aging Services and the Submission of Grant Applications for Funding to the Virginia Department for the Aging, the Governor's Employment and Training Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
15. Consideration of Grant Applicant to Support the "Successful Aging Expo".
16. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for Period Ending August 31, 1997.
17. Receipt of the Annual Attendance Report for Boards and Commissions for Fiscal Year 1996-1997.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
8. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) John J. Lewis from the Alexandria Cable Television Advisory Commission; (b) Mark E. Locklear from the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (c) Elbert Ransom, Jr. from the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board; and (d) Richard D. Cunningham from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; and requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.
9. City Council (a) reappointed Robert Anderson as a Developmental Pediatrician Representing Alexandria Hospital to the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (b) reappointed Patricia Schoeni as a Representative From the Alexandria Commission For Women to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; and (c) reappointed Deborah Bombard and Julie Edelson as Health Professionals and Helen Donovan, Michael Gemmell and Catherine Savino as Non-Health Professionals to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.
10. City Council (1) approved the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for funding in the amount of $94,741 for continued funding of the City's Domestic Violence Intervention Project; (2) approved the continuation of one full-time grant-funded Victim-Witness Specialist II position, and one part-time grant-funded Law Clerk position. The Office on Women and the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office will directly supervise these positions; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
10. (continued)
These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant and the individuals who are to fill these positions would be notified of this condition of employment at the time that they are hired, and would sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition. It should be noted that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended.
11. City Council approved this request, which will result in the continuation of an existing grant-funded, part-time (24 hours per week) position for a period of 12 months. The Hispanic Outreach/Prevention Specialist is to be supervised by the Coordinator of the Office on Women's Sexual Assault Response and Awareness program. This grant-funded position would terminate upon the expiration of the grant, and the individual who fills this position would be notified of this condition of employment. It should be noted that there are no funds designated in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended. City Council (1) approved the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for funding in the amount of $26,679; (2) contingent upon the award of the grant, approved the continuation of one part-time (24 hours per week) grant-funded position reflected above; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.
12. City Council (1) authorized the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for FY 1998 funding in the amount of $25,000 from the Rehabilitative Services Incentive Fund; (2) approved a part-time temporary Outreach Specialist position in the Department of Human Services to develop and administer the Model Employment Initiative. Continuation of this position is contingent upon funding from DRS or other non-City sources. The position would terminate upon expiration of the grant and the individual filling the position will be notified of this condition of employment; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
13. City Council (1) accepted a FY 1998 grant award of $25,000 from the Virginia Department of Social Services Family Violence Prevention Program, to provide specialized services to children who are exposed to domestic violence and are victims or potential victims of child abuse and neglect; (2) established a grant-funded half-time (0.50 FTE) Social Worker II position to provide the direct services to children affected by family violence. The position is contingent upon receipt of funding from the Virginia Department of Social Services or other non-City sources, and the employee will be informed of this condition of employment; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
14. City Council (1) approved the FY 1998 Area Plan for Aging Services; (2) authorized the City Manager to: (A) submit the plan which includes application to the Virginia Department for the Aging for continuation funding for the Alexandria Agency on Aging in the amount of $280,401 ($179,770 for federal Older Americans Act Title III funds; $4,000 for federal Health Care Financing Administration funds; and $96,631 for additional State Program funds); (B) sign contracts with the Governor's Employment and Training Department for: $30,010 for Title V (Seniors In Community Service Employment Program) and $12,802 for the Job Training Partnership Act/Older Workers Program; (C) submit grant applications totaling $31,196 to the USDA for reimbursement for congregate, home-delivered and adult day care meals; (D) execute all necessary documents; and (3) approved the continuation of one full-time and four part-time grant-funded positions which administer and operate the Older Americans Act programs and associated services. The positions were established 13 years ago and the full-time position is included in the City's approved FY 1998 full-time position count. Continuation of these positions is contingent upon continuation of funding from the Virginia Department for the Aging.
15. City Council authorized the City Manager to apply for a grant from the Arlington Health Foundation in the amount of $5,000 to support the Successful Aging Expo to be held in Alexandria on May 9, 1998. It should be noted there are no monies available in the City budget to conduct these activities; all funding for the event will be derived from the requested grant funds, donations and registration fees.
16. City Council received the Financial Report for the period ending August 31, 1997.
17. City Council (1) received the report; (2) vacated the 14 positions listed on pages one and two of the report; (3) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies; and (4) requested the eight boards and commissions that have not filed their attendance report to do so within 30 days.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
18. Discussion of Approving the Closing of a Portion of Mt. Vernon Avenue for a Children's Halloween Parade. (# 52 9/13/96; #29 9/9/97) (Councilman Speck)
City Council approved the Potomac West Halloween Parade on Friday, October 31, 1997, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending by 6:00 p.m. Mt. Vernon Avenue will be closed between East Bellefonte and East Oxford Avenues during this time. Staff will work with the Potomac West Business Association, Potomac West Alliance and Gayle Reuter.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
19. Discussion of the City's Undergrounding Policy. (Councilman Speck)
WITHOUT OBJECTION, Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane will put into writing the way he understands the policy to be and the way staff is administering the policy, with the request, from Councilwoman Pepper, to include some suggestions to guide the Council as to what alternatives might be out there.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
20. Consideration of Report on the Naming of City Facilities.
City Council (1) received the information on policies for the naming of government facilities; (2) docketed this item for public hearing at Council's November 15 public hearing meeting; and (3) scheduled a Council work session before Council's November 25 legislative meeting to discuss this item. Following the public hearing, staff will prepare a report for Council consideration at the work session.
If Council concurs with this approach, staff will provide copies of the material to City boards and commissions, civic associations, other interested citizens and to the libraries, so that there is ample opportunity for public review.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Vice Mayor Euille suggested that staff work towards early spring or summer to have a reception recognizing the many citizen volunteers on the Boards and Commissions, so that they can network with the City Council and staff, and Council can thank them for volunteering their time.
Council Member Walker suggested that staff work with the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau to possibly have a joint reception recognizing all the volunteers.
(b) Vice Mayor Euille announced that Tuesday, October 7, was the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election.
(c) Vice Mayor Euille asked staff why the City just accepts the Discover Card for paying personal property taxes which are due October 5. He also spoke to the recent advertisement which lacked a location to pay the taxes as well as a telephone number to call to ask questions. He also wanted to know if the recent memorandum from the City Manager concerning personal property tax proposals was going to be publicly disseminated.
City Manager Lawson spoke to his queries.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
(d) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the tour she participated in on the Queen/Lee property which is to be developed. She indicated that Archaeology have made wonderful "finds". This project will be open from now until Saturday. She hopes that space will be found for the many artifacts so that they can be preserved. She also expressed concern about the many old bricks that are being excavated. She asked the City Manager to work with Archaeology to try to use or save the bricks.
Councilwoman Pepper would like to know what happened to the branch of the Bicentennial Tree which was struck by lightening some time ago.
(e) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the kickoff of the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Senior Citizens Center.
(f) Mayor Donley announced that the City is inviting nominations for the Second Annual Technology Achievement Awards. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m., Friday, November 14. Technology Week will be March 9-13. Persons can E-mail their nominations to arthur.gitajn@ci.alexandria.va.us.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
21. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to amend the City Code by establishing and defining the responsibilities of a youth services commission. (#23 9/13/97; #11(b) 9/9/97) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council finally passed the substitute ordinance, as amended. ORD. NO. 3952
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
22. Consideration of Amending Resolution No. 1819 to Add a Designated Representative for the Alexandria Commission for Women to the City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council (1) increased the number of members on the City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission from 23 to 24 to include a representative from the Alexandria Commission For Women as requested by the Commission; and (2) repealed Resolution No. 1819 and adopted the new resolution to add the following language under Section 1(b): "(21) one member designated by the Alexandria Commission for Women," and (b) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the position. RES. NO. 1839
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
23. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council added to the Council Calendar the Town Meeting on the King Street Metro Station Area sponsored by METRO on Saturday, November 8 (time not set). City Council changed the starting time of the October 25, 1997 Public Hearing Meeting to 10:00 a.m., so that it can be properly advertised. City Council moved the budget work session and budget adoption to Wednesday, May 6. It was noted that Vice Mayor Euille will be out of town on April 18, 1998, which is the public hearing date.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
24. Alexandria Commission for Women
4 Citizen Members
City Council reappointed Mollie Abraham, Susan Butler, Susan Crim and Lynn Jordan as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Commission For Women.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
25. Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Citizen Member
City Council appointed Paul Jost as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
26. Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
1 Citizen Member
Council Member Walker thanked Barbara Lynch for her many years of service on this Authority.
City Council appointed William Dickinson as a Citizen Member to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
27. Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
1 Citizen Member
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Larry Hesterberg as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley congratulated Council Member Walker on the birth of her new grandchild, her first granddaughter.
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
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. Meeting materials are also available on-line at https://alexandriava.gov/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
The City Council of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, will hold an Economic Summit at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Mark Center, Terrace Room, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 1997.
If you are interested in material pertaining to the Economic Summit, you may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 the week of September 22, 1997, to see if material is available.
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council Economic Summit 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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The City Council docket is available via e-mail and fax. If you would like to receive your docket via e-mail or fax, please call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500.
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