Office of the City Clerk
February 10, 1999
The Work Session with the Boards of Architectural
Review has been canceled and will be rescheduled
at a later date.
The Annual Meeting of the Alexandria Transit
Company Stockholders was held at 7:15 p.m.
in the City Council Workroom.
There was an Executive Session at the Close
of this Meeting. Please see Docket Item No. 25.
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 9, 1999 - - 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 Reverend Roger Baskin, Pastor of Roberts Memorial Methodist Church.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:
(a) The Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, January 23, 1999; and
(b) The Regular Meeting of Tuesday, January 26, 1999.
City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, January 23, 1999; and (b) the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, January 26, 1999, 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 Proclaiming the Week of February 7-13, 1999, as Child Safety Week in the City of Alexandria. (Council Member Rich)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (6 - 9) (12)
6. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission
Katherine E. Swiencki
(b) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
Nina Hilary-Bush
John Rozzelle
7. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee
1 Member Nominated by the Lynhaven Civic Association
1 Member Nominated by the NorthEast Citizens' Association
(b) Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission
1 Member Designated by Bienvenidos
(c) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
3 Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities
(d) Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team
1 Representative of a Private Organization or
Association of Providers of Children's or Family
Services Whose Office Is Located Within the City
(e) Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission
1 Member Representing a Local Consumer Action Organization
1 Business Member
(f) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
1 Representative of the President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
(g) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Ecology
(h) Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
1 Member Nominated by a Veterans Organization Other Than the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars
(i) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Tenant Member
(j) Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
2 Members From Among the High School Youth of the City
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
(k) Alexandria Task Force on AIDS
1 Representative from the Alexandria Human Rights Commission
8. Consideration of a Grant Application for the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for a Third Year of Funding for the School Resource Officer (SRO) in the George Washington Middle School.
9. Consideration of City Police Department Participation in the Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Project AGILE (Advanced Generation Interoperability for Law Enforcement) Program.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented, with the exception of docket items 8 and 9 which were considered under separate motions. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
6. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Katherine E. Swiencki from the Alexandria Public Records Advisory Commission and (b) Nina Hilary-Bush and John Rozzelle from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board; requested the Executive Secretary to send the appropriate letters of appreciation and to advertise the vacancies in the usual manner.
7. City Council (a) appointed Ruby Tucker as a Member Nominated by the Lynhaven Civic Association, and Michael O'Neil as a Member Nominated by the NorthEast Citizens' Association to the Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee; (b) appointed Eve Marie Stocker as a Member Designated by Bienvenidos to the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission; (c) appointed John Bollinger (Identified a Disability), Fred DeVinney (Identified a Disability), and Magnus Monson (Identified a Disability) as Citizen Members Who Have Disabilities to the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities; (d) appointed Katherine Morrison as a Representative of a Private Organization or Association of Providers of Children's or Family Services Whose Office is Located within the City to the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team; (e) reappointed Annette Cleckner as a Member Representing a Local Consumer Action Organization and appointed Alan Dubow as a Business Member to the Alexandria Consumer Affairs Commission; (f) appointed Diane Charles as a Representative of the President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (g) appointed Lisa Edouard as a Member From the Field of Ecology to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (h) reappointed Joseph Shumard as a Member Nominated by a Veterans Organization Other than the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee; (i) reappointed Richard Sforza as a Tenant Member to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; (j) appointed Alex Rubenstein and Allison Swindell as Members From Among the High School Youth of the City to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission; and (k) appointed Sherry deVries as a Representative From the Alexandria Human Rights Commission to the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
Vice Mayor Euille requested staff to provide Council with an evaluation in terms of how this initiative has been working, i.e., the good, the bad, and a report on its accomplishments. Staff was also requested to provide any new ideas or suggestions that Council might want to consider.
8. City Council (1) approved the grant application to the Virginia DCJS for a total of $47,597, of which $35,698 would be grant funding from the State, and $11,899 would be the local match. The Police Department has included funding for this grant in its FY 2000 budget request; (2) approved the continuation of one full-time grant-funded Police Officer position, contingent upon receipt of grant funding. Continuation of this position beyond the grant year is contingent upon funding from the Virginia DCJS or other non-City sources; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
Chief Samarra introduced Bob Greenberg, Senior Vice President with GNH International Services, and Brenna Smith from the National Institute of Justice, Office of Science and Technology, and in particular, the AGILE Program Manager.
Ms. Smith briefed Council on the AGILE Program and thanked the Members of Council.
9. City Council: (1) authorized the acceptance of $90,000 in initial federal contract funding; (2) authorized an increase in the authorized strength of the Police Department by one Police Sergeant. This authorization would be for the duration of the contract funding; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.
The funds will be used to create the National Institute of Justice, Alexandria Virginia Police Department Advanced Generation Interoperability for Law Enforcement (AGILE) project. Receipt of this funding is contingent upon final approval from the National Institute of Justice, Office of Science and Technology, National Law Enforcement Technology Center - NE, Rome, NY.
12. City Council introduced the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Tuesday, February 23, 1999.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
10. Consideration of Update Report on Items Before the 1999 General Assembly.
Legislative Director Caton provided an update to the City Council on legislation before the General Assembly.
Mayor Donley spoke to the creation of the State Transit Capital Fund which basically takes money out of transit operations that's earmarked for Metro which has a negative impact on not only the City but also the entire region and asked the status of this. Legislative Director Caton responded to his concern
Councilman Speck, with respect to HB 2031(defeated), suggested to the Mayor, in his capacity as VML legislative chair, that in the future effort should be more focused on trying to get VML to try to get this more as a need for local government and less as a parochial issue that one jurisdiction may want or not want.
Mayor Donley stated that he was successful in getting it into the VML legislative package this year. He indicated that it is our intention to bring it back next year. Mayor Donley noted that the City could work with VML and the other member jurisdictions that it really is an issue of concern for all localities.
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 1999 General Assembly Session as noted in Attachment 1 to the City Manager's memorandum; (2) supported those legislative and budget proposals relating to education funding that (a) increase State funding to the greatest degree possible; (b) give local governments maximum flexibility in terms of the ways they may expend State education funds; (c) include a distribution formula which is as beneficial to the City as possible; and (d) do not require local governments to maintain or exceed their local per pupil expenditure each year; (3) supported budget amendments requested by the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys; and (4) supported budget amendments requested for the Virginia Housing Partnership Fund.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
11. Consideration of an Increase to the City's Community Development Block Grant Allocation for Rehabilitation of the Alexandria Residential Care Home.
City Council allocated $9,000 in CDBG program income from the Fayette Court project to build a deck over the patio in the backyard of the Alexandria Residential Care Home.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Council Member Rich spoke to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge process, as did, Councilman Speck.
A motion was made by Council Member Rich and seconded by Councilwoman Pepper to delay the executive session tonight until Council can have a public hearing on the matter; which motion failed on a vote of 2 "ayes" and 5 "nays". (Rich and Pepper voted "aye"; Donley, Euille, Cleveland, Speck, and Walker voted "no")
A motion was made by Council Member Rich and seconded by Councilwoman Pepper to address the settlement in an open meeting and not hold an executive session; which motion failed on a vote of 3 "ayes" and 4 "nays". (Rich, Pepper and Cleveland voted "aye"; Donley, Euille, Speck and Walker voted "no")
City Attorney Sunderland stated that there can be no action taken in executive session, and no action will be taken in executive session.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR (12)
12. Introduction and First Reading. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE Authorizing and Empowering the Issuance, Sale, and Delivery of General Obligation Bonds not to exceed Sixty Million Dollars, to Finance Various Public Improvements.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Tuesday, February 23, 1999.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
13. Consideration of Request to Transfer Control of Jones Communications of Alexandria From Jones Intercable, Inc. to Comcast Corporation. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
City Council approved the transfer of control of the City's cable franchise held by Jones Communications of Virginia, Inc., a subsidiary of Jones Intercable, Inc. (Jones), from Jones to Comcast Corporation (Comcast) and adopted, on a roll-call vote, the resolution approving the transfer. RES. NO. 1907
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
14. Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee
1 Member Nominated by the Alexandria Interfaith Association
1 Member Nominated by the Alexandria Community Shelter
1 Member Nominated by the Carpenter's Shelter
City Council waived the residency requirements and appointed Reverend Lloyd Roberts as a Member Nominated by the Alexandria Interfaith Association, Katherine Vaughn as a Member Nominated by the Alexandria Community Shelter, and Frances Becker as a Member Nominated by the Carpenter's Shelter to the Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
15. Alexandria Beautification Commission
1 Citizen Member
City Council reappointed Jean Caldwell as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Beautification Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
16. Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Has Expertise in the Arts, Either as a Practitioner of Various Art Disciplines or as a Professional Administrator Working in the Field
City Council reappointed Tamu White-Fitzgerald as a Member Who Has Expertise in the Arts, Either as a Practitioner of Various Art Disciplines or as a Professional Administrator Working in the Field to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
17. Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Individual With Leadership Experience in a Volunteer Organization
2 Citizen Members
City Council appointed Stefanie Reponen as an Individual With Leadership Experience in a Volunteer Organization, and reappointed Justine Rowe and appointed John Curran as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Commission on Aging.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
18. Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Citizen-at-Large
City Council appointed Janet von Sternberg as a Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria Commission on Employment.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)
19. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Environmental Sciences
City Council reappointed Kenyon Larsen as a Member from the Field of Environmental Sciences to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
20. Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Business Representative Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
City Council waived the residency requirement and appointed Joseph Youcha as a Business Representative Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
21. Alexandria Library Board
2 Members-at-Large
City Council reappointed Louise Forstall and Lelia Saunders Bailey as Members-at-Large to the Alexandria Library Board.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
22. Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
1 Citizen Member
City Council appointed Susan Baharmast as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
23. Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Parent from School Board District A
City Council appointed Darryl Francois as a Parent from School Board District A to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OTHER
24. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council (1) City Council removed the tentative March 3 Work Session on plans for Potomac Yard from the Council schedule until a later date yet to be announced; and (2) noted that the follow-up Potomac West Call to Community Meeting sponsored by the civic associations in Arlandria, Del Ray, Hume Springs, Lynhaven, Mount Jefferson, Sunnyside and Warwick Village scheduled for Sunday, February 7, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center had been added to the Council Calendar.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
26. Staff Presentation on Issues Regarding the Cameron Station Development. (Mayor Donley and Vice Mayor Euille.)
Planning and Zoning Director Lynn briefed Council on issues regarding the Cameron Station Development and answered questions directed to him.
Fire Chief Hawkins spoke to the certificate of occupancy process.
Members of City Council participated in the discussion.
The issue of Council policy to provide direction to staff will be discussed at the February 16, 1999, work session on Cameron Street.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
EXECUTIVE SESSION
25. Consideration of Convening of an Executive Session to Consult with Legal Counsel Pertaining to Actual and Pending Litigation that Involves the City of Alexandria, Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.1-344(A)(7).
At 9:15 p.m., City Council convened an executive session at this time for the purpose of 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. Slater, a case pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia which involves the City's challenge to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project.
At 11:05 City Council reconvened the meeting and the following transpired:
City Council adopted the resolution pertaining to the settlement of the City's lawsuit now pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the Federal Highway Administration and others over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project. RES. NO. 1908
City Council adopted the resolution which relates to this evening's executive session and which states "to the best of each Council Member's knowledge the executive session was called and was conducted in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act." RES. NO. 1909
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
At 11:37 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
This docket is subject to change.
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Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council. Meeting materials are also available on-line at https://alexandriava.gov/council.
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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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Public Notice
The Potomac West Community was a meeting for the members of the communities served by the various civic associations on Sunday, February 7, 1999, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Avenue, as An Initiative of the Alexandria Call to Community Program.
The Potomac West Community is comprised of Arlandria, Del Ray, Hume Springs, Lynhaven, Mount Jefferson, Sunnyside, and Warwick Village.
It is anticipated that more than two Members of Council will be in attendance.
For more information, please call: Alethea Taylor Camp at 317-1188 or Ruby Tucker at 549-7754.
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Public Notice
Members of City Council will be attending the annual General Assembly Legislative Day sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties on Thursday, February 11, 1999, at the Richmond Marriott Hotel, 500 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia.
The day includes a legislative update beginning at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner with the legislative delegation 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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Public Notice
City Council will have a Site Visit at the Cameron Station Development Site on Duke Street, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 1999. The Site Visit will be followed by a Presentation by Greenvest Developers and City Staff at the Cameron Station Information Center.
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