Office of the City Clerk
December 10, 1997
There was a Work Session on
the 1998 Legislative Package with
the City's Delegation to the Virginia
General Assembly at 6:00 p.m. in the
Council Workroom.
There was an Executive Session at
the Close of this Meeting. Please see
Docket Item No. 34.
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 9, 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 Council were present.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The Invocation was pronounced by Rabbi Arnold G. Fink, Senior Rabbi, Beth El Hebrew Congregation.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meeting of City Council:
(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of November 15, 1997.
City Council approved the Minutes for the Public Hearing Meeting of November 15, 1997, as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
4. Report of the City Clerk.
City Council received the report of the City Clerk.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
5. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing First Night Alexandria. (Mayor Donley and the Members of City Council)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
6. Presentation of Proclamation Recognizing Peyton Robertson, former Chair of the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission. (Council Member Rich)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
7. Recognition of the Alexandria Police Department as a Participant in the Advanced Law Enforcement and Response Technology (ALERT) Program, a Recipient of Vice President Gore's National Performance Review Hammer Award..
City Council congratulated the Alexandria Police Department for receiving Vice President Gore's National Performance Review Hammer Award, which was presented by FHA Administrator Gendell.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (8-12) (20-24)
8. Receipt of the Following Resignations From Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
None
9. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) USS Alexandria Liaison Committee
1 Citizen Member
(b) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member
10. Consideration of Request to Vacate Two Positions on the Alexandria Commission for Disabled Persons.
11. Receipt of the Supplement to the Annual Committee Attendance Report for Fiscal Year 1997.
12. Receipt of the Fiscal Year 1997 Annual Report of the Alexandria Community Services Board.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
8. No action was necessary since there were no resignations.
9. City Council (a) appointed Peter Dawson as a Citizen Member to the USS Alexandria Liaison Committee; and (b) reappointed Nina Hillary-Bush as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
10. City Council declared as vacant two of the citizen positions on the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies.
11. City Council received the supplemental report, vacated the two positions (one from the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities, and one from the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission), and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies.
12. City Council received the Alexandria Community Services Board's FY 1997 Annual Report.
20. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 13, 1997.
21. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 13, 1997.
22. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 13, 1997.
23. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 13, 1997.
24. City Council noted the withdrawal of this item.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
13. Adoption of the City's Legislative Package for the 1998 General Assembly Session. (#8 11/15/97; #15 10/28/97)
City Council adopted the City's Legislative Package for the 1998 General Assembly session. Mayor Donley and Council Member Walker will continue to serve on Council's legislative committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
14. Consideration of Fixed-Step Pay Scales for General City and City Public Safety Employees. (#14 5/27/97)
City Council approved Option 1, fixed-step pay scales for General and Public Safety City employees. This Option 1 recommendation is consistent with the City Council approved Compensation Philosophy, and with the declining percentage increases previously discussed by the City Council Committee on the Watson Wyatt Report last spring.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
15. Consideration of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee Report on Future Debt-Related Financial Policies for the City of Alexandria.
Mayor Donley requested that some of the initial budget memorandum be an assessment of our budget as it is proposed and how it stacks up against these financial guidelines in order to draw our collective attention to budget and the debt-related financial guidelines as that budget affects those guidelines.
City Council (1) thanked the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee members for their hard work and thoughtful analysis, as reflected in this report; and (2) adopted the Debt-Related Financial Policies as presented in the BFAAC report as amended by the Committee on November 18, 1997 (Attachment 1 of the memo.)
Council Action:______________________________________________________________
16. Receipt of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts' Request on the Need for a System to Develop, Monitor, Conserve and Maintain the City of Alexandria's Art in Public Places. (Vice Mayor Euille)
City Council (1) received the Commission's request with recommendations for the need to establish a system to develop, monitor, conserve and maintain the City of Alexandria's art in public places; and (2) scheduled a public hearing to receive input on this request and the Commission's recommendations at City Council's Saturday, January 24, 1998 public hearing.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
17. Receipt of Alexandria Planning Commission Resolution Regarding the Five-Year Update to the City's Master Plan. (Councilwoman Pepper and Council Member Rich)
City Council received the Resolution of the Planning Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
18. Consideration of a Proposed Process for Obtaining Recommendations from City Boards and Commissions on Environmental/Quality of Life Issues.
Councilwoman Pepper asked that documents or policies relating to this issue be requested from other jurisdictions.
City Council (a) approved a process for involving appropriate City boards and commissions in the identification of 1) environmental/quality of life issues (land, water, air, open space, preservation, and growth); and (2) choices available to the City for addressing these issues along with the cost implications associated with them; (b) requested the Environmental Policy Commission to (1) review the issues, choices and attendant costs prepared by the appropriate boards and commissions; and (2) prepare recommendations on priorities and attendant costs; and (c) requested City staff to (1) review and comment on the Environmental Policy Commission's recommended priorities and the cost estimates associated with them; and (2) forward the Environmental Policy Commission's recommendations and cost estimates to City Council along with staff's recommendations and estimate of costs; and added the following: to ask the Environmental Policy Commission to come back to Council in May with what they have been able to gather from other interested boards and commissions REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
18. (continued)
about what the priorities might be and what the City might do, let staff have a chance to review it, and then plan to have a broad public discussion with a summit like vehicle in June; and requested staff to get notice out in December to other boards and commissions for comment; and added a proviso that if the EPC cannot meet this schedule, that it has the flexibility to come back to advise Council that it is having difficulty meeting the deadline and request an extension of time.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
19. Discussion of the Call to Community Program. (Vice Mayor Euille and Council Member Rich)
Vice Mayor Euille and Council Member Rich spoke to this item.
Vice Mayor Euille will be bringing forth a resolution that will give creditability to the need to move forward with an initiative and a discussion on race. A steering committing will be formed to consist of Vice Mayor Euille, Council Member Rich, Special Assistant to the City Manager Ransom, CMO staff, representatives of the ministerial alliance, and community representatives to begin the process of formulating something that can be brought back to City Council with a formal recommendation within 60 to 90 days.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Councilman Cleveland announced that he received a bulletin from Richmond announcing a public hearing on Tuesday, December 16, from 2 to 5 p.m., at House Room D of the General Assembly Building in Richmond. He indicated that it would be good for the business community to attend. The items up for discussion will be the BPOL tax, real estate tax, tangible personal property tax, earned income tax credit, county and city taxing authority, and the roles and responsibility of local government.
(b) Councilman Cleveland congratulated sponsors of the Christmas Walk on another successful Christmas Walk. He also congratulated and complimented the Warwick Village Association for the display of luminaries in their neighborhood.
(c) Councilwoman Pepper saluted Lois Berlin, Principal, George Mason Elementary School, for receiving The Washington Post's Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.
(d) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to a letter from Ann Plamondon in the Alexandria Gazette about the animal shelter. She requested the City Manager to identify some possible sites for a new animal shelter.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
(e) Mayor Donley noted that the 1996 teen pregnancy rate has declined by 21.4 percent, from 159 in 1995 to 125 in 1996. This represents the lowest rate in ten years; however, he indicated that it is still too high. Alexandria has the highest rate in Northern Virginia.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (20-24)
20. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 5-406(B) of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance to permit, pursuant to a special use permit, an alternative type of mixed-use development project in the CRMU-X zone that does not contain residential uses, that extends the retail focus requirements of Section 6-503 to the entire project area, that increases the required retail square footage by 50% of the retail focus requirements, and that regulates the project frontages.
21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 3-505(A) of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance to clarify that 6,500 square feet of lot area is required to develop a two-family structure on a corner lot in the R-2-5/Single- and Two-Famly zone.
22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the King Street/Eisenhower Avenue Small Area Plan Chapter of the 1992 Master Plan to revise the Coordinated Development District guidelines for the Eisenhower Avenue CDD.
23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the Official Zoning Map of the City of Alexandria, adopted by Section 1-300 of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance, to provide for the rezoning of the property at 5019 Duke Street, and a portion of the property at 5005 Duke Street, from POS/Public Open Space to CG/Commercial General, with proffer limiting development plan.
24. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way at 1757 King Street for a stormwater management facility.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council introduced and passed the Ordinances on First Reading; set them for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, December 13, 1997; and noted the withdrawal of Docket Item No. 24.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
25. Consideration of Resolution Establishing Budget Guidelines for Fiscal Year 1999. (Mayor Donley) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council adopted the Resolution. RES. NO. 1849
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
26. Consideration of Resolution to Set Rate for Basic Cable Service in the City of Alexandria. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council approved the staff findings and adopted, by a roll-call vote, the resolution which approves the Jones Communications rate filing that increases the monthly rate for basic cable service from $10.96 to $11.38 effective July 1, 1997. The new basic cable service rate has been in effect since July 1.
RES. NO. 1850
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
27. Consideration of Resolution Providing Local Governing Body Approval of ARHA Issuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds to Finance the Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Essex House Apartments in Alexandria. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council (1) adopted by a roll-call vote, the resolution approving the issuance, by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), of up to $15 million in tax-exempt bonds to Essex House Neighborhood Corporation, formed by Homes for America, for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Essex House Apartments, a 209-unit apartment rental complex in Alexandria; and (2) authorized the Clerk of the Council to complete the proposed Certificate of Resolution.
RES. NO. 1851
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
28. Consideration of Resolution endorsing the nomination of the Potomac River Basin as an American Heritage River. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council adopted the resolution which supports the nomination of the Potomac River Basin as an American Heritage River. RES. NO. 1852
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
29. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council received the updated Council Calendar. The Council Calendar includes the following additions since the November 25 legislative session: Saturday, December 6, 1997, luncheon with the Lord and Lady Provost of our sister city in Dundee, Scotland, which was held at the Warehouse Restaurant located at 214 King Street; Saturday, December 13, 1997, Police Department and the Crime Prevention Council Holiday Party for underprivileged children will be on Saturday, December 13, in the multi-purpose room at police headquarters from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A van will be provided to transport Council to the party during the lunch break; Thursday, January 29, 1998, the breakfast meeting with INOVA Alexandria Hospital representatives will be on Thursday, January 29, 1998, at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Workroom; Monday, February 2, 1998, the City
OTHER (continued)
29. (continued)
Employee Service Awards Program will be held on Monday, February 2, 1998, at 5:30 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center; and Thursday, February 26, 1998, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce State of the City Breakfast will be on Thursday, February 26, 1998, at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, which is located at 625 First Street.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
30. Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Representative from the Public Schools in the
City of Alexandria
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Gregory Jones as a Representative from the Public Schools in the City of Alexandria to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
31. Alexandria Building Code Board of Appeals
1 Citizen Member
City Council appointed Anna McCaffery as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Building Code Board of Appeals.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
32. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents Arts Education or Business
Expertise Relative to Arts and Cultural
Development, Including Such Perspectives As
Marketing, Finance/Funding, Tourism Promotion and
Organizational Development
2 Members Who Have Expertise in the Arts, Either
As a Practitioner of An Art Discipline or As a
Professional Administrator Working in the Field
City Council appointed Tiffany Larbalestier as a Member Who Represents Arts Education or Business Expertise Relative to Arts and Cultural Development, Including Such Perspectives As Marketing, Finance/Funding, Tourism Promotion and Organizational Development, and reappointed Annmarie Pittman and appointed Donald Williams as Members Who Have Expertise in the Arts, Either As a Practitioner of An Art Discipline or As a Professional Administrator Working in the Field to the Alexandria Commission For The Arts.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
33. Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
1 Citizen Member
City Council appointed Donald Simpson, Sr. as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
EXECUTIVE SESSION
34. Convening of an Executive Session for the Purpose of Consulting with Legal Counsel and a Briefing by Staff Members and Attorneys pertaining to Potential and Actual Litigation Involving the City, Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(7).
At 9:55 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time for the purposes of: consulting with legal counsel and receiving a briefing by staff members, consultants or attorneys, pertaining to actual or probable litigation, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7); and consulting with legal counsel pertaining to the following litigation involving the City, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7): Jebran v. City of Alexandria, et al., a case pending in the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria, which involves injuries sustained by plaintiff in an accident involving a motor vehicle driven by a City employee.
At 11:50 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.
City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the suit identified in the motion to convene this evening's executive session in accordance with the terms and conditions recommended by the City Attorney in the executive session.
City Council authorized the Mayor to sign the Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the Woodrow Wilson Bridge with the appropriate language stating the reservations as expressed by the City.
City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the executive session.
RES. NO. 1853
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 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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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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Public Notice
A regional legislative meeting for Northern Virginia localities has been scheduled for Monday, January 5, 1998, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel at Tysons Corner. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of this and other regional meetings VML holds around the state is to discuss informally the legislative issues that are expected to arise during the 1998 General Assembly Session.
It is anticipated that more than two Members of Council will be attending.
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Public Notice
On Thursday, February 5, 1998, the annual General Assembly Legislative Day, sponsored by VML and VACo, will be held at the Richmond Marriott Hotel, at 5th and Broad Streets, Richmond, Virginia. The day includes a legislative update beginning at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at 5:30 p.m. Dinner with the legislative delegation will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott.
It is anticipated that more than two Members of Council will be attending.
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