Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 8, 1998 - - 7:30 p.m.
* * * * *
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. Sunderland, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Technology Services; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget; Fire Chief Hawkins; Mr. McMahon, Acting Director of General Services; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Ms. O'Regan, Director of Human Services; Ms. Whitmore, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Simmons and Ms. Barnett, Deputy Directors of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Ransom, Special Assistant to the City Manager; Ms. Cabe, Acting Community Relations Manager; Deputy Police Chief Baker; Ms. Federico, Director of Historic Alexandria; Mr. Sudduth, Director of Personnel Services; Ms. Gattsek, Director of Office on Women; Ms. Beidler, Registrar of Voters; Ms. Owens, Citizen Assistance Office; and Lieutenant Butler, Police Department.
Recorded by: Mrs. Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
* * * * *
There was a City Council Work Session at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom to discuss plans for the East End (Ben Brenman) and West End Parks at Cameron Station.
The agenda was followed and Buffie Brownstein, Park Planning, gave an update on the Ben Brenman Park with respect to changes to the plan in response to police safety recommendations. James Brown, architect, gave a presentation of the design plan for park entry/restroom/concession facility. In addition, Mr. Brown gave an update on the West End Park.
Mayor Donley and Members of City Council directed questions to Architect Brown and Ms. Brownstein. City Manager Lawson and Deputy City Manager Steele participated in the discussion.
Staff will report back to the City Council with respect to authorizing uses for picnic activities, staffing, maintenance plan, play equipment for picnic area, large group access to isolated area, 911 hot line telephones for use by persons walking in the park, as well as regular telephone for emergencies.
The work session was concluded at approximately 7:15 p.m.
(The agenda and material pertaining to this work session is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council and is incorporated herewith as part of the record.)
* * * * *
OPENING
The Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
The Invocation was pronounced by Councilman Speck.
3. THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, upon motion by Councilman Cleveland, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of June 13, 1998; and (b) the Regular Meeting of June 23, 1998, as submitted. The voting was as follows:
Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
4. THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, upon motion by Councilman Cleveland, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council received the report of the City Clerk dated August 31, 1998, a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference. The voting was as follows:
Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
5. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Paul Schott upon His Retirement from the City.
(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Mayor Donley presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Euille, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming September as Voter Registration Month in the City of Alexandria.
(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Councilman Cleveland presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Cleveland, seconded by Council Member Rich and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Cleveland "aye" Euille "aye"
Rich "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming Saturday, September 12, 1998, as National Capital Area Leukemia Cup Regatta Day in the City of Alexandria. (Mayor Donley)
(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Mayor Donley presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Walker, seconded by Councilman Speck and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Walker "aye" Euille "aye"
Speck "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Pepper "aye"
Rich "aye"
8. Presentation of Proclamation Commending the Alexandria Harmonizers Chorus on Its Fiftieth Anniversary and Recognizing the Alexandria Harmonizers for Their Outstanding Accomplishments and Service to, and for, the City of Alexandria. (Councilman Speck)
(A copy of the proclamation is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Councilman Speck presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (9 - 14) (17)
9. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
Gail L. Gregory
(b) Alexandria Commission on Aging
Flora Chappell
(c) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
Joseph Bury
(d) Alexandria Community Services Board
Robert Krupicka
(e) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
John E. Villafranco
(f) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
Denis R. Borum
(g) Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission
Mary Catherine Zinsner
(h) Alexandria Industrial Development Authority
Alam Hammad
(i) Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
Peter T. Comey
(A copy of each of the above resignations is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item Nos. 9(a-i); 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation
(b) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
2 Citizen Members
(c) Alexandria Beautification Commission
1 Citizen Member
(d) Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
(e) Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission
1 Representative Designated by Councilman William C. Cleveland
(f) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Member Nominated by A Masonic Fraternity
1 Representative of the Business Community Nominated By the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
(g) Alexandria Urban Design Advisory Committee
1 Architect
(h) Alexandria Waterfront Committee
1 Representative From the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
(Material pertaining to the above appointments is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item Nos. 10(a-h); 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
12. Consideration of an Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the City's Domestic Violence Intervention Project.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 1, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
17. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 11-400 of the Zoning Ordinance to change the administration of the site plan process from the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to the Department of Planning and Zoning.
(A copy of an Informal Memorandum explaining ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council present received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 17; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented, with the exception of docket item nos. 11, 13 and 14, which were considered under separate motions, and included docket item no. 17. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Gail L. Gregory from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (b) Flora Chappell from the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (c) Joseph Bury from the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities; (d) Robert Krupicka from the Alexandria Community Services Board; (e) John E. Villafranco from the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (f) Denis R. Borum from the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (g) Mary Catherine Zinsner from the Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission; (h) Alam Hammad from the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority; and (i) Peter T. Comey from the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.
10. City Council (a) reappointed Ruth Kaye as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission, and appointed Robert Yakeley as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation to the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission; (b) reappointed Mary Shomon and appointed Marie Takhounts as Citizen Members to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (c) appointed Donald Bush as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Beautification Commission; (d) appointed Eileen Taylor as a Member Designated by Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee; (e) appointed Terri Hauser as a Representative Designated by Councilman William C. Cleveland to the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission; (f) appointed Frank Dunaway, Jr. as a Member Nominated by A Masonic Fraternity and Tamara Tyrrell as a Representative of the Business Community Nominated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (g) reappointed Lee Quill as an architect to the Alexandria Urban Design Advisory Committee; and (h) appointed Ross Bell as a Representative From the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission to the Alexandria Waterfront Committee.
12. City Council: (1) approved the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for funding in the amount of $81,543 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. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant and the individuals who 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 expired.
17. City Council introduced and passed the ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, September 12, 1998.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
The voting was as follows:
Rich "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
11. Receipt of the Annual Attendance Report for Boards and Commissions for Fiscal Year 1997-1998.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated August 21, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
There was considerable Council discussion on this item. Council Member Walker wanted to make sure that everybody knew about the Volunteer Appreciation Day on September 17, at the Torpedo Factory. She hopes that everyone will come down and thank the volunteers for jobs well done. Council Member Walker suggested a proposal to see if the City can come up with some method in which the boards and commissions can talk about what their goals are and what they think their job is for the coming year, rather than negatively reporting how poor attendance was. She indicated that this would give Council guidance as to which boards and commissions were still serving really useful functions, and many of them do. She requested that they be looked at one by one and ask them to come back to Council with a report.
Mayor Donley noted that it is good for Council to occasionally have the boards and commissions to take a look at their internal workings and their abilities to maintain membership and interest.
Councilman Speck asked if there was a way to identify earlier than this report those vacancies which might be filled sooner. He suggested that staff might want to contact the chairs so that they may be able to initiate discussions or possibly solicit a resignation with a person who is not able to attend the required number of meetings for various reasons in order that the board or commission may have a full complement of members.
Staff will report back.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Walker, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) received the report; (2) vacated the 26 positions listed on pages one and two of the report; and (3) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies. The voting was as follows:
Walker "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
13. Consideration of the Receipt of Grant Funding from the Freddie Mac Foundation for a Model Program for Pregnancy Prevention.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated August 31, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Human Services Director O'Regan answered questions directed to her by Members of Council.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Euille, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) accepted the grant from the Freddie Mac Foundation, for three-year funding of $375,000 for a model pregnancy prevention and parenting program for adolescents; (2) authorized the contract with the Northern Virginia Urban League (NVUL) to implement these grant activities, with the NVUL as the sub-grantee; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents pertaining to the grant. The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Walker "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
14. Consideration of an Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice for the Hispanic Outreach Services Project in the Office on Women.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 1, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Director of Office on Women Gattsek answered questions asked by Vice Mayor Euille and Council Member Walker.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Euille, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council: (1) approved the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for funding in the amount of $59,445, for continued funding of the Office on Women's Hispanic Outreach Services Project; (2) approved the increase in program staffing from one part-time Hispanic Outreach Specialist position (24 hours per week) to one full-time 40 hours per week grant-funded Social Worker I position; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required. 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 at the time that he or she is 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 expired. The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
15. City Council Discussion on Amending the Policy on Naming of City Facilities. (#19 4/28/98; #7 11/15/97; #20 9/23/97) [Councilman Speck]
(A copy of an excerpt of the minutes from the April 28, 1998 Regular Meeting is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of an excerpt of the minutes from the June 23, 1998 Regular Meeting is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 15; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Councilman Speck indicated that he did not intend to include the school facilities in the purview of Council.
Mayor Donley felt this should be a collaborative effort and not one that would be etched in stone.
Councilwoman Pepper agreed with Mayor Donley and would like to see this as a joint project with the City and Schools working together.
Council Member Rich indicated that since we are funding the schools and the construction of them, we ought to at least participate in it. If the Naming Committee feels that the schools ought to participate in it when there is a school building to be named, it should ask for the schools' input at that time.
Mayor Donley suggested that this be discussed at the next City/Schools Subcommittee meeting, and the Mayor will report back at the first legislative meeting in October. He discerned a sentiment that Council Members want Council to be some type of a participant in this process and not to totally abdicate the role for naming of schools to the School Board.
Councilman Speck suggested that there may need to be some clarification to the language of the policy which now states that it's the Council's purview. It maybe should be to specify that the School Board recommend and the Council approve.
Mayor Donley requested the City Manager to place this item on the agenda for the next City/Schools Subcommittee meeting, and the Mayor will report back in October.
* * * * *
16. Receipt of Report on Accessibility of City Offices After Hours. (Councilman Speck)
There was considerable Council discussion on this item. Councilman Speck spoke to making the first floor city hall services, specifically the personal property element, more accessible to people other than during the normal business hours, and specifically thinking in terms of the use of some West End facilities to be able to offer this.
Councilman Cleveland favored accessibility to a West End facility, and some after-hours at City Hall.
Council Member Walker also favored making our community something which is accessible to the modern age. She stated that we need to be able to stay open late at night and to work some hours on weekends. Council Member Walker suggested that we really have to come up with a way to make a user-friendly system in our community, and perhaps a satellite facility at Landmark or anything that makes it really easy for people to access their local government.
Council Member Rich spoke to funding and expansion in hours.
Mayor Donley suggested that staff explore extended hours, West End satellite facilities, use of a drop box at satellite locations, and use of either existing or new facilities in the West End.
Councilwoman Pepper requested staff to explore the options of extended hours, West End satellite facilities in either existing buildings or new facilities in the West End, provide Council with the projected costs, provide a compromise so that Council has choices so we know what it is that we want to pursue.
City Manager Lawson stated that staff will look at flextime for the purpose of extending the hours of operation. They can pay by the computer, pay by mail, call and charge to a credit card. Staff will come back and talk about being open on a Thursday so that people can come in very early before work as well as the evening after work.
Councilman Speck queried who are all of these people standing in line at City Hall. The question is will we be able to accommodate them more effectively by extending hours at City Hall or one place outside of City Hall that can become a resource for the City during non-traditional business hours. We need to be as accommodating as we can to our citizens.
Staff will come back to Council with a report on additional hours and days at City Hall, use of an off-site facility at Landmark, and utilization of a drop box at libraries and fire stations
* * * * *
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Vice Mayor Euille expressed concern about the public schools and recent test score results for the SAT and the Sixth Grade tests which were administered before the last school year. He stressed that we need to seriously rededicate and recommit ourselves to improving the quality of education in the City of Alexandria. He indicated that Council is willing to work hand in hand with the school system to help attain the goals and objectives that the School Board has set itself and for all of us in the City of Alexandria to attempt to develop and maintain the highest quality of education possible. We can do that by taking a look at new ideas and concepts that are out there that are perhaps different from what we currently have in place. Vice Mayor Euille stressed that we need to work together as a community to try to improve our school system.
(b) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to a memorandum from staff about a request from the Alexandria Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission regarding the Board of Architectural Review concerning a recommendation to be included in our legislative package to bypass the City Council for appeals and let the appeals process go to the Circuit Court. He requested that a work session be set up with Council and the Board of Architectural Review, so that we can have a full understanding of the BAR and the Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission in terms of what they are trying to get at because it's our call as to how we react to that.
Members of Council spoke to this issue.
Staff was requested to arrange with the Chair of the Board of Architectural Review to set up a potential work session to talk not necessarily procedure but some of the finer points of not only their role but the role of historic preservation to give Council a better understanding and appreciation.
(c) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to the Call to Community Kickoff Event on Sunday, November 8, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial and encouraged persons to attend.
(d) Councilwoman Pepper noted that every classroom in the city now has computers in it.
(e) Councilwoman Pepper asked questions with respect to the renovations at George Washington Middle School and did they get completed.
Fire Chief Hawkins indicated that Code Enforcement made the necessary inspections and the school opened on time. Code Enforcement will continue to work with the schools personnel.
(f) Councilwoman Pepper requested staff to report back on how many trailers were in use by the schools and where.
(g) Councilman Cleveland thanked his many friends who expressed a concern for him and his safety when the recent tragedy occurred on Capitol Hill where two of his fellow police officers were killed.
(h) Councilman Cleveland also thanked everyone for their recent expressions of sympathy in the passing of his mother.
(i) Mayor Donley announced that the Virginia Municipal League contacted all member jurisdictions recently and promoted the idea to develop sort of a sister city relationship throughout the state, a relationship with another similar municipality as a way to share ideas, to share potential resources, to learn what goes on in their city and to potentially implement it in our city. He indicated that he and the City Manager at this point would like to explore a relationship with Roanoke. He spoke to their recent meeting with officials in Roanoke. The City Manager and her staff will be preparing a plan of action as well as the staff in Roanoke to be presented to us probably around the time of our Retreat if not before.
City Manager Lawson spoke to this item.
Mayor Donley stated that tentatively they have agreed to have a meeting of those who attend the VML conference in Roanoke on October 4, 5, and 6.
(j) Mayor Donley indicated he liked the pinwheels on Mount Vernon Avenue. He mentioned an article that appeared in The Journal, during August which created some sense of displaced controversy regarding the pinwheels. There was one upsetting part that he did not like in the article and that was comments that it looked liked Tijuana and it was depressing of land values. He certainly hoped the comments regarding Tijuana were not directed at our emerging and important Hispanic population and community, particularly in the Arlandria area. If they were, a public apology is probably in order and the comments should be retracted. Mayor Donley stated that he certainly hoped that was not the intent of the comment.
Councilman Speck noted that staff did a lot of work to get them set up and hung.
(k) Council Member Rich followed-up on Vice Mayor Euille's comments about the schools. He noted that the City is facing a deadline in a year or two with whether schools are going to be accredited or not. If they are not accredited, we are going to lose state money. We are obliged to all of our students and do whatever it takes. He thinks that the School Board and the Superintendent need to take these two recent test scores as a real wake-up call and a time for accountability. There need to be better results. He stated that the problem is not money in the operating budget because they are the best funded school system in the state. The public at large needs to get involved in this issue to assist the Council and the School Board on what needs to be done to get different results.
Mayor Donley asked all the Members of Council to give serious consideration about not only what Council Member Rich and Vice Mayor Euille have said, but it is incumbent upon Council to come up with a strategy of how we can develop a community consensus of what should be the next step. The next step is not necessarily money. Let's give some thought and have some discussion about how we, as the Council, can help build consensus in the community about what needs to be done, what should be done and how we can marshal, not only the public resources, but private resources to achieve those particular points of consensus.
(l) Mayor Donley congratulated Mark McGwire on hitting home run #62.
* * * * *
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
18. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First and Second Readings of AN ORDINANCE to adopt Supplement No. 17 to the Zoning Ordinance. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
The City Clerk read the docket item.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council introduced the Ordinance and finally passed it on First and Second Readings. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 4018
AN ORDINANCE adopting supplemental pages for the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992, as amended, and providing for the repeal of ordinances not included therein, except those saved from repeal by this ordinance, and for other purposes.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. That the sections of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992, as amended ("Zoning Ordinance"), and the portions thereof, set forth in the supplemental and replacement pages for the Zoning Ordinance, each of which pages is identified in the lower left-hand corner by the notation "Supp. No. 17," are hereby adopted as and shall constitute "The Seventeenth Supplement to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992."
Section 2. That the sections of the Zoning Ordinance, and the portions thereof, set forth in "The Seventeenth Supplement to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992," shall be in force and effect on and after the effective date of this ordinance, and all ordinances amending the text of the Zoning Ordinance which were adopted between January 25, 1998, and May 16, 1998, inclusive, and which are not included in such supplement or in the Zoning Ordinance are hereby repealed, except as otherwise provided in section 3 of this ordinance.
Section 3. That the repeal provided for in section 2 of this ordinance shall not affect any offense or act committed or done, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any contract established or accruing prior to the effective date of this ordinance; nor shall it affect any prosecution, suit or proceeding pending or any judgment rendered prior to said date; nor shall it affect any provision of any ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance which was adopted between January 25, 1998, and May 16, 1998, inclusive, and which is inadvertently omitted from or erroneously incorporated into "The Seventeenth Supplement to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992"; nor shall it affect any ordinance adopted after May 16, 1998.
Section 4. That one complete set of pages comprising "The Seventeenth Supplement to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992," shall be stapled or otherwise permanently fastened together, shall be manually signed on the front sheet by the mayor and the city clerk, and shall be filed in the office of the city clerk and made available to any person desiring to inspect the same. In addition, one complete set of the pages comprising such supplement shall be properly inserted into the copy of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1992, which bears the manual signatures of the mayor and the city clerk, and such code, as amended and supplemented, shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk and be made available to any person desiring to inspect the same.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.
KERRY J. DONLEY
Mayor
Introduction: 9/8/98
First Reading: 9/8/98
Second Reading: 9/8/98
Final Passage: 9/8/98
* * * * *
19. Consideration of Request to Modify the Membership of the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated August 11, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 19; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council (1) approved the request, repealed Resolution 1829, and adopted the proposed resolution which expands the membership of the 250th Anniversary Commission to 29 by adding the following five positions: one member designated by the Alexandria-Washington Masonic Lodge No. 22; two residents of the City of Alexandria (bringing the total to 5 residents); one member designated by the "Call to Community" organization; and one member designated by the Alexandria Interfaith Association; and (2) authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancies. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 1889
WHEREAS, the City of Alexandria will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City in the year 1999; and
WHEREAS, 1999 is also the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington; and
WHEREAS, the City of Alexandria was George Washington’s hometown; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that it is appropriate to establish a commission with diverse membership in order to afford all parts of the community an opportunity to plan events to celebrate these anniversaries, which events will be of interest to all citizens of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA:
Section 1. Creation, Composition and Organization
(a) There is hereby established an ad hoc commission known as the City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission.
(b) The Commission shall consist of 29 members to be appointed by the City Council. The composition of the commission shall be as follows:
(1) five residents of the City of Alexandria;
(2) one member designated by the Alexandria School Board;
(3) two members representing the arts, one from the fine arts and one from the performing arts;
(4) one member designated by the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission;
(5) one member designated by the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board of Governors;
(6) one member designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce;
(7) one member designated by the Alexandria Archaeological Commission;
(8) one member designated by the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage;
(9) one member designated by Bienvenidos;
(10) one member designated by the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission;
(11) one member designated by the Alexandria Seaport Foundation;
(12) one member designated by the Alexandria Library Board;
(13) one member designated by the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee;
(14) one member designated by the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission;
(15) one member designated by the Alexandria Waterfront Committee;
(16) one student member designated by the Youth Policy Commission;
(17) one member designated by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association;
(18) one member designated by the American Legion;
(19) one senior citizen member;
(20) one member from the retail business community, with background in product design and retail sales;
(21) one member designated by the Alexandria Commission for Women;
(22) one member designated by the Alexandria-Washington Masonic Lodge No. 22;
(23) one member designated by the “Call to Community” organization; and
(24) one member designated by the Alexandria Interfaith Association.
(c) The term of the Commission shall be one year, it being the intent of the Council to extend the term for two successive one-year periods, pursuant to Section 2-4-8(b) of the City Code.
(d) Members of the commission shall be appointed in the manner proscribed in Title 2, Chapter 4, Article A of the City Code; provided, that a member who is the representative of an organization shall be nominated by the organization and confirmed by City Council. The members appointed shall serve until the expiration of the term of the commission, including any extensions thereof; provided, that a member who is the representative of an organization shall cease to be a member at such time that such member shall cease to be a member in good standing of the organization for which such member serves as representative, and that any vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the commission, and any extensions thereof.
Section 2. Functions; Powers and Duties
(a) The functions of the commission shall be as follows:
(1) Solicit public input about the community’s desires for celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City and the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington.
(2) To plan activities, special events, re-enactments, exhibitions, lecture series, publications, musical and theatrical performances, and other celebrations to involve all community organizations and citizens in recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City, and the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington, so that such activities can begin in January 1999.
(3) Sponsor activities and events for such celebrations.
(4) Identify non-City resources to support these activities and events.
(5) Develop public/private partnerships to increase the number of activities and events so that all citizens in all parts of the City are involved in the celebrations.
(6) Recommend for approval by City Council a logo/design to be used on commemorative items and to be used to identify all activities and events; and
(7) Assist in the development of commemorative objects for sale.
(b) The commission is empowered to adopt rules and regulations in regard to procedure and other matters so long as same are not inconsistent with the city code including, but not limited to, the establishment of committees through which it may carry on its functions and purposes.
(c) The Mayor shall appoint from among the members a convener of the commission, who shall serve as chair pro tem until such time as a commission chair, vice-chair and secretary shall be elected by the commission.
(d) The City Manager shall appoint such staff to provide administrative and logistical support to the commission as the Manager shall deem necessary and appropriate, subject to the availability of funds and staff.
* * * * *
20. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 3, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 20; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
General Discussion. Staff to report back whether Retreat will be on October 10, 1998, or November 21, 1998.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried unanimously, City Council (1) adopted the schedule of City Council meetings for September, 1998 - June, 1999; (2) kept the date for the public hearing meeting in October as October 17; (3) scheduled a work session at 6 p.m. in the Council Workroom before Council's Tuesday, January 26, 1999 legislative meeting with the Commission on Aging, Commission on Persons with Disabilities, Commission for Women and the Human Rights Commission to discuss the City's Affirmative Action Plan; (4) noted that the following events have been added to the Council Calendar: (a) The Alexandria Adult Day Health Care Center's 12th Anniversary Open House on Thursday, September 24, 1998, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Adult Day Health Care Center, located at the Lee Center; (b) A Taste for Art, sponsored by the Friends of the Torpedo Factory on Friday, October 16, 1998, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory, 105 North Union Street, as requested by Vice Mayor Euille; (c) the Call to Community Kickoff Event on Sunday, November 8, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial; (d) VML Day and Dinner with the City's Delegation to the General Assembly at the Richmond Marriott on Thursday, February 11, 1999; (e) Alexandria Earth Day 1999 on Saturday, May 22, 1999, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p. m. at Chinquapin Park; and (5) noted the time and location of the following events: (a) The Environmental Quality of Life Summit on Saturday, October 31, 1998, will be at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 625 First Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and (b) The Commission on the Condition and the Future of Virginia's Cities meeting in Alexandria on Wednesday, December 2, 1998, will be at 1:00 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
21. Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
1 Parent of a Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade Three Child Eligible For A Free or A Reduced Price Lunch
(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Pasing Jones
Barbara Rawlings
* * * * *
(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 21; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following result: City Council appointed Pasing Jones as a Parent of a Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade Three Child Eligible For A Free or A Reduced Price Lunch to the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Rawlings
Euille - Jones
Cleveland - Jones
Pepper - Jones
Rich - Rawlings
Speck - Rawlings
Walker - Jones
* * * * *
22. Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Citizen Member
(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Committee:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
William Hendrickson*
Joseph Sixeas
*Incumbent
* * * * *
(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 Item No. 22; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following result: City Council reappointed William Hendrickson as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Hendrickson
Euille - Hendrickson
Cleveland - Hendrickson
Pepper - Hendrickson
Rich - Hendrickson
Speck - Hendrickson
Walker - Hendrickson
* * * * *
23. Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Citizen Member
(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Board:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
C. Joseph Baker
Michael Starkweather
* * * * *
(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 23; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following result: City Council appointed C. Joseph Baker as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Baker
Euille - Baker
Cleveland - Starkweather
Pepper - Baker
Rich - Baker
Speck - Baker
Walker - Starkweather
* * * * *
24. USS Alexandria Liaison Committee
1 Citizen Member
(The following person volunteered for appointment to the above Committee:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Claude Berube
Peter Dawson
Dean Makussen
* * * * *
(Material pertaining to the above appointment is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 24; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Whereupon, ballots were distributed, tellers were appointed and the ballots tallied with the following result: City Council appointed Peter Dawson as a Citizen Member to the USS Alexandria Liaison Committee. The voting was follows:
Donley - Dawson
Euille - Dawson
Cleveland - Berube
Pepper - Dawson
Rich - Dawson
Speck - Dawson
Walker - Dawson
* * * * *
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council considered docket item no. 26 at this time.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
26. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to authorize the City Manager to permit the landing of aircraft in the City at locations other than an established airport.
The City Clerk read the docket item.
(A copy of an Informal Memorandum explaining ordinance is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 26; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council present received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 26; 9/8/98, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
City Attorney Sunderland explained the purpose for docketing this ordinance and he read it in its entirety.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried on a vote of 6-to-1, City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage at the Saturday, September 12, 1998 Public Hearing Meeting. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "no"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"
EXECUTIVE SESSION
25. Convening an Executive Session for the Purpose of Consulting with Legal Counsel Pertaining to Actual and Pending Litigation Involving the City, Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.1-344(A)(7).
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried unanimously, at 9:50 p.m., City Council convened an executive session for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel and receiving a briefing by staff members, consultants or attorneys, pertaining to actual or probable litigation, or pertaining to other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel, pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.1-344(A)(7); consulting with legal counsel pertaining to the following litigation involving the city, pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.1-344(A)(7): City of Alexandria v. Federal Highway Administration, a case pending in the district court for the District of Columbia, which involves the city's challenge to the proposed replacement for the Woodrow Wilson bridge; and Lindsey Trust v. City of Alexandria, a case pending in the Circuit Court for the City of Alexandria, which involves a challenge to the "no intensification" rule contained in the city's Zoning Ordinance. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"
THEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, at 10:55 p.m., City Council reconvened the meeting. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Pepper "aye"
Rich out of room
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, City Council authorized the City Attorney to settle the claim referenced 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. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Walker "aye"
THEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried on a ROLL-CALL vote of 6-to-0, City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the Executive Session. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Walker "aye"
The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 1890
WHEREAS, on this 8th day of September 1998, the Alexandria City Council did recess into executive session pursuant to a motion made and adopted in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by City Council that such executive session was conducted in accordance with Virginia law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that city council does hereby certify that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters that were identified in the motion by which the executive session was convened, and that are lawfully exempted by the Freedom of Information Act from the Act's open meeting requirements, were heard, discussed or considered by council during the executive session.
* * * * *
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, at 11:00 p.m., the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, September 8, 1998, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Pepper "aye"
Rich out of room
* * * * *
APPROVED BY:
__________________________________________
KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR
ATTEST:
_____________________________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
This docket is subject to change.
* * * * *
Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council.
* * * * *
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.
* * * * *