Office of the City Clerk
March 26, 1998
There was a Work Session with the
Alexandria Commission on Persons with
Disabilities at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council
Workroom.
Following this Work Session, at 7:00 p.m.,
Staff Updated City Council on the New
Community Library, in the City Council
Workroom.
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 24, 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 Member of City Council were present.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The Invocation was pronounced by Reverend Dr. Gregory L. Adkins, Senior Pastor, Washington Street United Methodist Church.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:
(a) The Regular Meeting of March 10, 1998; and
(b) The Public Hearing Meeting of March 14, 1998.
City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Regular Meeting of March 10, 1998; and (b) the Public Hearing Meeting of March 14, 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 Honoring the T.C. Williams Boys' Varsity Basketball Team. (Mayor Donley and Vice Mayor Euille)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of April 13-19, 1998, as KOVAR Week in the City of Alexandria. (Mayor Donley)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
7. (a) Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Five T.C. Williams High School Students Who Won the Virginia Regionals of the National Science Bowl. (Mayor Donley and Members of City Council)
(b) Special Presentation by Vice Mayor Euille.
Mayor Donley stated that he will provide each of the students with a picture of them with President Clinton.
Vice Mayor Euille announced that he will provide two scholarships in honor of the Science team and the Athletic team.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
8. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Robert Denison for His Service to the City of Alexandria. (Mayor Donley)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council considered Docket Item No. 31 at this time.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (9 - 17) (21 - 23)
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council removed Docket Item Nos. 13 and 21 from the Consent Calendar and considered them under separate motions.
9. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
Henry Fenlon
(b) Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee
Craig W. Chase
10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Homeowner
1 Representative From the Financial Community
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
(b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
7 Citizen Members
(c) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
1 Member Designated by Vice Mayor William D. Euille
(d) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
2 Members Who Represent Arts Education or Business
Expertise Relative to Arts and Cultural Development,
Including Such Perspectives as Marketing, Finance/
Funding, Tourism Promotion and Organizational
Development
(e) Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Board of Commissioners
1 Representative From the Alexandria Resident Council
(f) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member
11. Consideration of Request to Modify the Membership of the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee.
12. Receipt of the FY 1997 Annual Report for the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.
13. Receipt of FY 1997 Report from the Alexandria Commission for Women.
14. Receipt of the Monthly Financial Report for Period Ending February 28, 1998.
15. Consideration of Application to the Virginia Commission for the Arts for Funding for a Local Government Challenge Grant for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
16. Consideration of Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding Under the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act Program to Support Delinquency Prevention Activities Within the City.
17. Consideration of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids Grant Funding Allocated to the City of Alexandria and Approval of the HOPWA Certification.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
The City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of Docket Item Nos. 13 and 21, which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Henry Fenlon from the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; and (b) Craig W. Chase from the Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee; 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.
10. City Council (a) reappointed Jeremy Flachs as a Homeowner and Amy Rose as a Representative from the Financial Community to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) reappointed Helen Bertot, Sharon Bruce, Susan Clot de Broissia, Daniel Maljanian, William Morgan, Tatyana Schriempf and appointed Michael Stevenson as Citizen Members to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) appointed Timothy Lovain as a Member Designated by Vice Mayor William D. Euille to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (d) reappointed Kimberly Maney and appointed David Tipton as Members Who Represent Arts Education or Business Expertise Relative to Arts and Cultural Development, Including Such Perspectives as Marketing, Finance/Funding Tourism Promotion and Organizational Development; (e) appointed Thelma Towles as a Representative From the Alexandria Resident Council to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; and (f) appointed Brenda Shaw as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.
11. City Council approved the change and requested the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance that establishes the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee as a standing committee and modifies its current membership by deleting the position for a member nominated by the Colonial Cotillion of Alexandria and adds a position for a member nominated by the Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society. The Committee's overall membership will remain at 17 members. Resolution Number 1533, which establishes the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee will be repealed upon the final passage of the ordinance.
12. City Council received the Annual Report from the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission and thanked the Commission members for their efforts on behalf of the City.
13. City Council received the report of the Commission for Women and thanked the Commission for its efforts on behalf of the City. (Separate Motion)
14. City Council (1) received the Financial Report for the period ending February 28, 1998; (2) authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for those capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Program Planned Expenditure Summary; and (3) delegated to the City Manager, or her designee, authority to award a contract for the construction of the new central library and a contract for the traffic computer system upgrade and related improvements to the lowest responsive bidders.
15. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application in the amount of $5,000 to the Virginia Commission for the Arts' Local Government Challenge grant program; and (2) execute all necessary documents that may be required.
16. City Council deferred this item.
17. City Council (1) approved Alexandria's participation in the metropolitan-wide application for HOPWA FFY 1998 funding, estimated in the amount of $125,986, that will be used when previous grant funds are exhausted (estimated to be FY 2001); (2) approved the use of this allocation for the maximum number of vouchers that can be supported with the funding received, with the understanding that the estimated number of vouchers for this allocation is 16, an increase from the previous estimate of 15; and (3) authorized the City Manager to sign the HOPWA Certification to certify the activities under the program will meet urgent needs that are not being met by available public and private sources, as well as any other necessary documents related to this grant. There are no monies available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended.
21. City Council deferred introduction and first reading of the tax rate ordinance until the close of the March 31 public hearing on the FY 1999 Budget; informing staff of the tax rate increase to be included in the ordinance on March 31. (Separate Motion)
22. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing on March 31, 1998; and Second Reading and Final Passage on May 6, 1998.
23. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on First Reading; set it for Public Hearing on March 31, 1998; and Second Reading and Final Passage on May 6, 1998.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
18. Consideration of Proposed City Testimony for the Commonwealth Transportation Board 1998 Preallocation Hearing.
Mayor Donley noted that Council Member Walker would be presenting the City's testimony. Mayor Donley and Council Member Walker will work with staff on the testimony that will be delivered.
City Council (1) approved the projects discussed in the memorandum for presentation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board by a representative of the Mayor and Members of City Council at the Preallocation Hearing for the Northern Virginia District; and (2) authorized staff to transmit the City's list of priorities by letters to the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, as appropriate, with the request to include Mayor Donley's suggestion about the insufficiency of transportation funding for not only our initiatives here in Alexandria but all of Northern Virginia, for not only roads but transit as well.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
19. Consideration of Update Report on Items Before the 1998 General Assembly.
Legislative Director Caton presented the report. Senator Ticer, Delegates VanLandingham and Moran also updated Council on what took place at this year's session.
Mayor Donley requested staff to make sure that Council gets some explanation with respect to eligibility under the provision to which Delegation VanLandingham spoke regarding new guidelines for teachers. Also, he requested the overall dollar figure that was used in the school's budget as adopted, and as recommended in the City Manager's budget, as best we can at this point in anticipation for Council's work session as to how valid that number is regarding school funding.
Council Member Rich requested information regarding changes in legislation with respect to expanding the program of the deferral of taxes for low-income elderly and disabled citizens.
City Council received this report.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
20. Consideration of Changes to the Stevenson Court Condominium Homeownership Project.
City Council approved the revised recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council increase the City's current $156,000 equity participation in the Stevenson Court Condominiums by $460,000 to $624,000, for a total of up to $780,000 in HOME funds, so that the Robert Pierre Johnson Housing Development Corporation can reduce sales prices by 25 percent and have additional flexibility to negotiate prices on a case-by-case basis, and as clarified by Housing Director Davis.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Councilwoman Pepper asked about our Tree City USA designation.
Staff indicated that the plaque is forthcoming and will advise Council with the future planning of an event.
(b) Councilwoman Pepper also spoke to a letter received from Doug and Susan Fertig requesting that the City provide taxpayers with a courtesy reminder before a penalty and interest is assessed to the tax bill.
Staff will send a copy of its response to the Members of City Council.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
(c) Councilman Cleveland noted and was saddened by the death of Colonel Marion Johnson who passed away last night. He was a great warrior for the City of Alexandria and will be missed. Council expressed its condolences to the Johnson family.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (21-23)
21. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to establish the Real and Personal Property Tax Rates for Calendar Year 1998.
22. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the City Code by increasing the transient lodging tax from five percent to five and one-half percent.
23. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend the City Code by establishing an admission tax on the price paid to gain entrance to places of amusement or entertainment and sporting events.
City Council removed Docket Item No. 21 from the Consent Calendar and considered it under separate motion. City Council introduced and passed on First Reading the ordinances in Docket Item Nos. 22 and 23, and set them for Public Hearing on March 31, 1998, and Second Reading and Final Passage on May 6, 1998. City Council deferred Docket Item No. 21 for introduction and First Reading
at the March 31, 1998 Special Meeting.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
24. Consideration of Resolution and the FY 1999-2000 LOCAL PLAN for the Expenditure of Grant Funds Under the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council (1) adopted the Resolution endorsing the FY 1999-2000 local plan for the expenditure of Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act grant monies; (2) authorized the City Manager to submit the FY 1999-2000 local plan grant application, reflecting a total of $525,951 in grant monies for FY 1999, and a total of $525,951 for FY 2000, under the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act; (3) approved the continuation of four full-time grant-funded positions: one Probation Officer; one Program Coordinator; and two Probation Assistants, to administer the grant-funded activities of the Court Service Unit. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant and the individuals who fill these positions were notified of this condition of employment at the time they were hired and have signed an agreement of understanding with regard to 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; and (4) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.
RES. NO. 1864
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
25. Consideration of Resolution to Support the Refinancing of Virginia Railway Express Bond Issues. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council adopted the resolution and authorized NVTC to proceed with VRE bond refinancing efforts in accordance with the terms of the VRE Master Agreement. RES. NO. 1865
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
26. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council approved the addition of the following events to the City Council Schedule: (1) the Mayor's Luncheon with the Alexandria Clergy on Friday, April 3 at noon at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 901 North Fairfax Street; (2) the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission's Reception, sponsored by INOVA Alexandria Hospital, for the nominees for the Flora Krause Casey Award, on Tuesday, April 14, at 6:00 p.m., in Room 2000, (Council has a work session on DASH scheduled at 6 p.m. that evening and staff has advised Health Director Dr. Josh Lipsman that Council would not be able to attend the reception until the work session has concluded - probably around 7:15 p.m.); (3) the Days of Remembrance of the Holocaust Program, on Tuesday, April 21, at noon on Market Square; (4) the Successful Aging Expo on Saturday, May 9, an all day event beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites at 625 First Street; and (5) the Families Facing the Future: A Community Focus on Prevention Conference on Saturday, June 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. sponsored by the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission (the location will be provided at a later date).
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
27. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public-At-Large, As Arts Consumers and Participants
City Council reappointed John Mays as a Member Who Represents the Public-At-Large, as Arts Consumers and Participants to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
28. Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Citizen Member
City Council appointed Russell Merbeth as a Citizen member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)
29. Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Landlord or Representative of a Landlord
City Council waived the residency requirement and reappointed Cynthia Clare as a Landlord or Representative of a Landlord to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
30. Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board
1 Citizen Member
Since no one received a majority vote, City Council requested that this be readvertised.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
31. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring the YMCA on Its Fifth Annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day on April 4, 1998. (Vice Mayor Euille)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The Meeting was adjourned at 10:50 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
There will be a City Council Work Session on the Proposed Budget on Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Workroom, Room 2420, City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
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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