Office of the City Clerk
February 11, 1998
There was a Work Session with
Congressman Jim Moran to Discuss
Issues of Interest to the City in the
Upcoming Congressional Session at
6:00 p.m. in the City Council Workroom.
There was an Executive Session at
the Close of This Meeting. Please see
Docket Item No. 22.
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 1998 - - 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.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The Invocation was pronounced by Chaplain John Poffenberger of Good News Mission, Alexandria Jail.
2. Invocation: By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:
(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of January 24, 1998; and
(b) The Regular Meeting of January 27, 1998.
City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of January 24, 1998, and (b) the Regular Meeting of January 27, 1998, 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 Declaring February as American History Month in the City of Alexandria. (Mayor Donley)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
New Business Item No. 1: Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the recent passing of a long-time City advocate, Ben Brenman. She extended sympathy and condolences to his family.
Mayor Donley also extended his condolences and indicated that Ben will be sorely missed.
Vice Mayor Euille announced that a scholarship fund will be established in Ben Brenman's memory. He offered condolences to the family.
Council Member Walker noted that for those who were unable to attend his services today that there will be a memorial service for Ben in the near future.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (6 - 8) (13)
6. Receipt of the Following Resignations from Members of Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Potomac West Alliance Board of Directors
William Miller
(b) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
Tara Mulvey Dacey
Carla Menares-Bury
(c) Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board
H. Michael Curry
(d) Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission
H. Michael Curry
7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Representative From Planning District I
(b) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
2 Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities
(c) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Ecology
1 Student Attending High School in the City of Alexandria
(d) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Member Nominated by the T.C. Williams High School Band Boosters
8. Consideration of Request to Vacate Two Positions on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association, Inc. Board of Governors.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
City Council approved the consent calendar as presented, and noted the deferral of Docket Item No. 13. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
6. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) William Miller from the Alexandria Potomac West Alliance Board of Directors; (b) Tara Mulvey Dacey and Carla Menares-Bury from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; (c) H. Michael Curry from the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board; and (d) H. Michael Curry from the Alexandria Transportation Safety Commission; requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.
7. City Council (a) appointed David Albright as a Representative From Planning District I to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission; (b) appointed Michael Beattie and Harold Rolf Noer as Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities to the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities; (c) reappointed Laurence Breaker as a Member From the Field of Ecology and appointed Emma Carter as a Student Attending High School in the City of Alexandria to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; and (d) appointed Cathryn Schmidt as a Member Nominated by the T.C. Williams High School Band Boosters to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee.
8. City Council declared as vacant the positions for an attraction representative and a restaurant owner/manager representative on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association, Inc. Board of Governors and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies.
13. City Council noted the deferral.
END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
9. Receipt of the Final Report of the Task Force for Exterior Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) and Automatic Vending Machines (AVM).
There was considerable discussion on this item.
City Council deferred this item
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
10. Consideration of Housing Trust Fund Loan to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority for Payment of Outstanding Real Estate Taxes and Forgiveness of Outstanding Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). (#18 1/27/98)
There was considerable dialogue on this item by the Members of City Council, staff and ARHA staff.
City Council approved the City Manager's recommendations and (1) approved the allocation of $937,019 in Housing Trust Fund monies to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) to enable ARHA to pay the outstanding property taxes on 60 housing units at Quaker Hill, to be repaid to the City's Housing Trust Fund with 3% interest by August 15, 2006, with the understanding that if ARHA is unable to repay the full amount at that time, arrangements can be made to extend the remaining portion of the loan; and (2) forgave the repayment of approximately $836,669 owed to the City by ARHA for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) on its assisted housing units for the period 1990 through 1997, pending ARHA's provision of an audit and other satisfactory documentation to the City for its 1997 figure, with the following amendments: that Council revisit this particular issue on a semi-annual basis, and at that time, Council is to receive some type of status report about what the current status is on tax payments that are made in the future; whether there are any operating deficiencies or any operating surpluses that potentially could be used to escrow or repay this particular debt as it goes off into the future; and that Council will eventually be working on a couple of potentially large projects, i.e., redevelopment of the Berg.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
New Business Item No. 2: Councilman Speck acknowledged the recent actions of Detective Victor Ignacio for his recent assistance to a tourist from Texas when the tourist's rental car was towed and impounded. When the tourist did not have enough money to cover the costs and was unable to access an ATM, Detective Ignacio gave the gentlemen $100 to assure that they would not experience any more hardship while on vacation. The gentleman wrote a letter of commendation to the Chief of Police and provided the Chief with a detailed report.
Councilman Speck did not want Detective Ignacio's act of kindness to go unnoticed, and indicated that Council is very grateful for his actions.
Mayor Donley told Detective Ignacio that this kind of public service is the pinnacle of public service, and he thanked him.
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REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
11. Consideration of Update Report on Items Before the 1998 General Assembly.
City Council approved the following as recommended by the City Council's legislative subcommittee (Mayor Donley and Council Member Walker): (1) Adopted the positions on legislation that has been introduced in the 1998 General Assembly Session as noted in Attachment 1 of the memorandum; and (2) supported amendments to HB 1117 and SB 566 (Northern Virginia Transportation Bonds) as described in the memo that would (a) authorize the City to pledge a portion of any new telecommunications right-of-way revenue to debt payment for these bonds; and (b) allow the City the flexibility to determine whether to spend the $4.4 million, now allotted in the legislation for King Street Station, for that project or for other Metro capital improvements.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
12. Consideration and approval of the three-year license agreement between the City and Vyvx, Inc., which allows Vyvx to use the public right-of-way of Metro Road to lay conduit and cable that are part of a telecommunications system it is constructing through the City.
City Council (1) approved the three-year license agreement with Vyvx, Inc., and (b) authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Vice Mayor Euille announced the upcoming Heritage Tours of the African American Community sponsored by the Alexandria Black History Resource Center. Council was invited to participate in the tour to be held Tuesday, February 17, 2 to 4 p.m., followed by a reception at the Black History Resource Center from 4 to 6 p.m.
(b) Vice Mayor Euille announced the Alexandria Police Youth Camp Benefit Dance to be held on March 21, 1998. Tickets are available by calling 683-4615 for additional information. The Grease Band will be performing once again.
(c) Vice Mayor Euille noted that the YMCA Youth With Partnership Campaign will be hosting a Presidential salute Fund Raiser on February 16, 1998, from 6 to 8 p.m.
(d) Councilwoman Pepper reminded everyone of the George Washington Birthday Parade on Monday, February 16.
(e) Councilman Cleveland indicated that the recycling trucks need to be repainted.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
(f) Councilman Cleveland requested that Planning and Zoning Director Lynn contact Planning Commission Chair Hurd to discuss the Planning Commission schedule and process for review of the Master Plan which should include changes to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, how the process can generate more public debate, and how to incorporate the issues of quality life that the Environmental Policy Commission and other boards and commissions are working on.
Members of City Council participated in the discussion.
Planning and Zoning Director Lynn will discuss this with Chairman Hurd and report back to Council.
(g) Councilman Cleveland spoke to the upcoming budget process, and various statistics with respect to the City's financial situation.
(h) Council Member Walker invited everyone to support the American Heart Association on Friday, February 13, at the Holiday Inn North, at 8:00 p.m.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (13)
13. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the City code by changing the title of the individuals responsible for the enforcement of state and City animal control laws in the City from "dog warden" and "deputy dog warden" to "chief animal control officer" and "deputy animal control officer," by providing for the appointment of these officers by City Council, and by clarifying that these officers are authorized to enforce both state and City animal control laws.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Noted the deferral.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
14. Introduction and First Reading, Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement 15 of the City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council introduced and Passed the Ordinance on its First and Second Readings. ORD. NO. 3977
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
15. Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Property at 423 South Reynolds Street for Possible Future Use by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority as a Replacement Public Housing Site. (#20 1/27/98) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council (1) approved the acquisition of the property at 423 S. Reynolds Street, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement of sale for possible future use by the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) as a replacement public housing site for the Samuel Madden Homes, with the understanding that the City will hold the site until ARHA is ready to proceed with redevelopment, and that the terms of the transfer of ownership to ARHA will be negotiated at that time based on the financial resources available to ARHA for the replacement housing, and taking into account the value as determined by an independent appraisal to be obtained by ARHA; (2) allocated $665,000 in Housing Trust Fund monies to be used for acquisition ($635,000), closing costs, and business relocation costs (to be determined), with the understanding that all monies (not to exceed $665,000) received from ARHA related to the transfer of this property, as well as monies received through the leasing of this property, will be returned to the Housing Trust Fund; (3) adopted, by roll-call vote, the resolution authorizing the sale; and (4) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. RES. NO. 1857
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
16. Receipt of Viewers Report for Vacation of Public Right-of-way Located at 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria Central Library, and Authorization to the City Attorney to Prepare the Necessary Ordinance. (#8 1/24/98)
City Council received the viewers report and authorized the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
17. Receipt of Viewers Report for Vacation of a Portion of the Public Right-of-Way Located at 2310-2318 Mill Road, Mill Race, Old Town Commons, and Authorization to the City Attorney to Prepare the Necessary Ordinance. (#23 1/24/98)
City Council received the viewers report and authorized the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER (continued)
18. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council approved the Council schedule and (1) scheduled a work session with the Commission on Persons with Disabilities before Council's Tuesday, March 24 legislative meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; (2) following the Tuesday, March 24, 6:00 p.m. work session, scheduled a brief update on the new community library at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; (3) requested staff to report back on the possibility of having a budget work session on April 1 with the School Board and at what location; (4) scheduled a work session with DASH on April 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; and (5) noted that Councilman Speck will absent for the Tuesday, June 9 Council Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
19. Alexandria Archaeological Commission
1 Member From the Historic Alexandria Foundation
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Michael Bradshaw as a Member From the Historic Alexandria Foundation to the Alexandria Archaeological Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
20. Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
1 Member From Planning District II
City Council appointed Bruce Dwyer as a Member From Planning District II to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
21. Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission
1 Representative of the INOVA Alexandria Hospital Board
City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Arek Tatevossian as a Representative of the INOVA Alexandria Hospital Board to the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council considered Docket Item No. 23 at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
22. Convening an Executive Session for the Purpose of Consulting with Legal Counsel Pertaining to Pending Litigation Involving the City, Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(7).
At 10:10 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel, pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.1-344(A)(7), regarding litigation that is pending against the City in the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria and that involves challenges to the real estate tax assessments, for tax years 1991 through 1994, of the commercial properties located at 4900 Seminary Road, and 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1801, 1900, 1901 and 2000 North Beauregard Street, in the City of Alexandria.
At 10:25 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting.
City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the suits identified in the motion to convene this evening's executive session in accordance with the terms and conditions recommended by the City Attorney in executive session.
City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to this executive session.
RES. NO. 1859.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
23. Consideration of Resolution Establishing a Call to Community Program in Alexandria. (Vice Mayor Euille and Council Member Rich) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council adopted the resolution. RES. NO. 1858
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The meeting was adjourned at 10:27 p.m.
This docket is subject to change.
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