Special Meeting
Wednesday, May 5, 1999 - - 7:30 p.m.
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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; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget, and Members of her Staff; Mr. Jinks, Director of Financial and Information Technology Services; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Ms. Plemmer, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Mr. Cole, Director of Information Technology Services; Mr. Ransom, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Human Relations; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Ms. Davis, Director of Housing; Mr. Caton, Legislative Director; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. Sudduth, Director of Personnel Services; Ms. Whitmore, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Mandley, Director of General Services; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. O'Regan, Director of Human Services; Fire Chief Hawkins; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Mr. O'Brien, Director of Libraries; Ms. Gattsek, Director of Office on Women; Police Chief Samarra; Dr. Berg, Superintendent of Schools; Members of the School Board; and Lieutenant Butler, Police Department.
Recorded by: Mrs. Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
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OPENING
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
(It was noted that a Notice of this Special Meeting had been previously served upon each Member of Council pursuant to a provision of the City Charter, a copy of the Notice certified by each Member of Council being on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council.)
2. Consideration of The Proposed Annual Operating Budget for FY 1999-2000 (including Schools) and The Proposed Capital Improvements Program for FY 2000-2005 (including the Schools CIP). (#2 4/20/99)
(Communications received on this item are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 2; 5/5/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Vice Mayor Euille and carried unanimously, City Council approved the City Manager's proposed FY 2000 General Fund Operating Budget with a number of additions, deletions, designations and details to follow: to-wit, increased the estimate of General [Fund] Sales Tax [Revenue] by $559,000; increased the [General Fund] Recordation Tax Revenue by $203,000; increased the [General Fund] Tobacco Tax Revenue by $95,000; increased the Cable TV Franchise Revenue by $30,000; reduced the anticipated Utility Tax Revenue by $363,000; reduced the Penalties and Interest Revenue by $356,000; reduced the Admission Tax Revenue by $200,000; and approved a 2 percent COLA for all City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Council Aides and the Mayor's Aide; approved merit [in-step] increases for all eligible City employees, including the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk, conditioned on satisfactory performance; and approved enhanced employee benefits for regular part-time employees who are expected to work at least 20 hours per week next year; designated $100,000 in Contingent Reserves to be used for either a City-sponsored Development Office or as one-time "seed monies" for a private community foundation; approved a transfer of $69,000 from Contingent Reserves [to the Other Public Safety and Justice Activities budget] to be used for funding the continued operation of the 70-bed Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home; approved a transfer of $38,000 from Contingent Reserves to General Services for enhanced security patrols at the City's marina and waterfront; approved a designation for up to $50,000 within Contingent Reserves to be used as a challenge grant for possible [capital] grant support to MetroStage dependent upon them raising $150,000 in cash contributions, in-kind materials, supplies, labor, equipment or professional services in direct support of the capital project, and subject to other limitations and conditions as Council may require; designated $25,000 within Contingent Reserves for preliminary design for the multi-purpose/multi-generational community center at Cameron Station. These monies [are] to remain in Contingent Reserves until the completion of the Ramsay Recreation Center; increased funding to the Police Department by $75,000 for a supervisory position for the School Resource Officers with a corresponding reduction in non-departmental budget; additional funding for Human Services for a public relations campaign directed at teenage pregnancy [prevention] in the amount of $25,000; increased funding for the [Alexandria] Commission for the Arts $7,041 for its arts grants; made an appropriation from General Fund balance in order to balance the [FY 2000] Budget [as amended], in the amount of $409,198; such that, there will be total expenditures in the FY 2000 [General Fund] Budget of $288,228,198, of which $92,360,410 will go to the Alexandria City Public Schools; and we'll have anticipated balancing revenues of $288,228,198, based on the [real] property tax rate that we currently have [of $1.11] and personal property [tax rate] will stay the same as well [at $4.75]. The voting was as follows:
Rich "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
THEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Vice Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council adopted the City Manager's proposed FY 2000 to FY 2005 Capital Improvement Budget, with one change to reallocate $15,000 from unallocated monies for the repair of the kennel [runs] to be used for additional tree planting. The voting was as follows:
Rich "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
3. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to establish the real estate and personal property tax rates for calendar year 1999. (#3 4/20/99; #23 3/23/99) [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 finally passed the Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. [The tax rates will remain at the current levels of $1.11 for real estate and $4.75 for personal property.] The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
The ordinance reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 4043
AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 3-2-181 (LEVIED; AMOUNT) of Division 1 (REAL ESTATE), and Section 3-2-221 (LEVIED ON TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY OTHER THAN MOBILE HOMES, AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES, TAXICABS, MOTOR VEHICLES WITH SPECIALLY DESIGNED EQUIPMENT FOR USE BY THE HANDICAPPED, MOTORCYCLES, CAMPERS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS AND TRAILERS; AMOUNT), Section 3-2-222 (LEVIED ON MACHINERY AND TOOLS USED IN MINING OR MANUFACTURING BUSINESS; AMOUNT), Section 3-2-223 (LEVIED ON MOBILE HOMES; AMOUNT) and Section 3-2-224 (LEVIED ON AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, TRAILERS, SEMI-TRAILERS, TAXICABS, MOTORCYCLES, CAMPERS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BOATS AND TRAILERS; AMOUNT) of Division 3 (TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND MACHINERY AND TOOLS), all of Article M (LEVY AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAXES), Chapter 2 (TAXATION), Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. That Section 3-2-181 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-181 Levied; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all real estate located within the territorial boundaries of the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $1.11 on each $100 of the assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 2. That Section 3-2-221 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-221 Levied on tangible personal property other than mobile homes, automobiles, trucks, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and boat trailers; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all tangible personal property, other than mobile homes, automobiles, trucks, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers, owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise having a situs within the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $4.75 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 3. That Section 3-2-222 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-222 Levied on machinery and tools used in mining or manufacturing business; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all machinery and tools used in a mining or manufacturing business taxable on capital and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $4.50 on each $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 4. That Section 3-2-223 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-223 Levied on mobile homes; amount.
There shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all vehicles without motor power, used or designed to be used as mobile homes as defined in section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or other-wise having a situs within the city and subject to taxation for city purposes under the constitution and laws of this state and city, a tax of $1.11 on each $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 5. That Section 3-2-224 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-224 Levied on automobiles, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, antique motor vehicles, taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and trailers; amount.
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), there shall be levied and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all automobiles, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, antique motor vehicles (as defined in section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, which may be used for general transportation purposes as provided in subsection C of section 46.2-730 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended), taxicabs, motorcycles, campers and other recreational vehicles, boats and boat trailers owned or held by residents or citizens of the city or located within the territorial boundaries of the city or other-wise having a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $4.75 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
(b) There shall be levied on and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all automobiles, trucks, trailers and semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more which are used to transport property for hire by a motor carrier engaged in interstate commerce, and are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city, are located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise have a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $4.50 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
(c) There shall be levied on and collected for the calendar year 1999 on all automobiles and trucks which are equipped with specially designed equipment for use by the handicapped and are owned or held by residents or citizens of the city, are located within the territorial boundaries of the city or otherwise have a situs for taxation in the city, a tax of $3.55 on every $100 of assessed value thereof, for the support of the city government, for the payment of principal and interest of the city debt and for other municipal expenses and purposes.
Section 6. That this ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.
KERRY J. DONLEY
Mayor
Introduction: 03/23/99
First Reading: 03/23/99
Publication: 03/24/99; 03/25/99
Public Hearing: 04/20/99
Second Reading: 05/05/99
Final Passage: 05/05/99
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4. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to reduce the transient lodging tax rate from 5.65%, to 5.50%, of the total amount paid for transient lodging, and to levy an additional transient lodging tax of $1.00 for each day of such lodging. (#4 4/20/99; #24 3/23/99) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
The City Clerk read the docket item.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Vice Mayor Euille and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council finally passed the Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"
The ordinance finally passed reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 4044
AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 3-2-142 (LEVY AND RATE) of Article K (TRANSIENT LODGING TAX), Chapter 2 (TAXATION), Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. That Section 3-2-142 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-142 Levy and rate.
In addition to any other tax imposed by law, there is hereby imposed and levied on each and every transient, (i) a tax equivalent to five and one-half percent (5 1/2%) of the total amount paid for room rental by or for such transient to a hotel, and (ii) a tax of $1.00 for each day (or portion thereof) of lodging for which room rental is paid by or for such transient to a hotel; provided, that the total tax under clause (ii) for a day (or portion thereof) of lodging in a single unit of lodging shall not exceed $1.00 and, where more than one transient occupies a single unit of lodging for a day (or portion thereof) and room rental is paid by or for more than one transient, then each such transient shall be liable for a pro rata share of the $1.00 tax.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 1999.
KERRY J. DONLEY
Mayor
Introduction: 03/23/99
First Reading: 03/23/99
Publication: 03/24/99; 03/25/99
Public Hearing: 04/20/99
Second Reading: 05/05/99
Final Passage: 05/05/99
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5. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to levy an admission tax of 5% on the gross admission fee paid to gain entry to events held within the city, with an effective date of September 1, 1999. (#5 4/20/99; #25 3/23/99) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
(A copy of the City Attorney's memorandum dated April 14, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 5/5/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 16, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 5; 5/5/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
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. 3 of Item No. 5; 5/5/99, 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. 4 of Item No. 5; 5/5/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
The City Clerk read the docket item.
As discussed in the work session, Mayor Donley noted that City Council would like to consider potential changes to the admission tax in the future, and Council directed the City Manager and the Mayor to appoint a working group to work with the business community about the ramifications of an admission tax as well as seeking additional legislative changes.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council tabled this ordinance. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"
6. Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to amend the city code to increase the ambulance transport fee to $200 for city residents and $250 for non-residents. (#6 4/20/99; #26 3/23/99) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 16, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 5/5/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
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 finally passed the Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. 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. 4045
AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Section 3-2-131 (IMPOSITION; EXCEPTIONS) of Article J (SERVICE CHARGE FOR CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE), Chapter 2 (TAXATION), Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT) of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. That Section 3-2-131 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same hereby is, amended and reordained to read as follows:
Sec. 3-2-131 Imposition; exceptions.
Except as hereinafter provided, there is hereby imposed a service charge of $200 per transport for persons who are residents of the city, and $250 per transport for persons who are not residents of the city, plus fifty cents ($0.50) per mile each way for each mile or fraction thereof operated outside the corporate limits of the city, on each person being transported by ambulance service by the emergency medical services division of the City of Alexandria Fire Department. The funds received shall be paid into the general fund of the city to aid in defraying the cost of providing such service. No charge shall be imposed on persons in the following instances:
(1) Persons in the custody of the sheriff of the city;
(2) Persons determined to be medically indigent by the department of social services of the city;
(3) Persons confined in the police department lockup or the correctional center of the city;
(4) Persons affected by fire, flood, storm, natural or man-made calamity or disaster, or by widespread public disturbance or disorder when the rescue squad responds as a matter of policy without call;
(5) City of Alexandria employees who become ill or are injured during working hours while carrying out work-related duties; or
(6) Persons transported pursuant to the City of Alexandria’s no-charge mutual aid agreement with the Counties of Fairfax and Arlington.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 1999.
KERRY J. DONLEY
Mayor
Introduction: 03/23/99
First Reading: 03/23/99
Publication: 03/24/99; 03/25/99
Public Hearing: 04/20/99
Second Reading: 05/05/99
Final Passage: 05/05/99
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7. Consideration of a resolution increasing the annual fee, assessed under section 5-1-34 of the city code, for the city's collection and disposal of solid waste, yard debris and recyclable material from $160 to $185.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Walker, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried on a unanimous ROLL-CALL vote, City Council adopted the Resolution. The voting was as follows:
Walker "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 1915
WHEREAS, under § 2.07 of the city charter, city council has the authority to establish fees to be charged for services provided by the city; and
WHEREAS, under city code § 5-1-34(a), city council is required, from time to time, to set by resolution the annual fee that is to be paid by the owners of "required user property," as defined in § 5-1-2(12b) of the city code, for the city’s collection and disposal of solid waste, ashes and yard debris from their properties during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 1829, adopted June 10, 1997, city council set the annual fee for such collection and disposal services at $160.00; and
WHEREAS, city council has now determined that it is necessary and desirable to increase the annual fee for such collection and disposal services to $185.00;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA:
1. That, beginning in fiscal year 2000, the annual charge for the collection and disposal of solid waste, ashes and yard debris from required user properties shall be $185.00 per household, with each single-family, two-family and row dwelling in the city, and each separate dwelling unit in a building or structure in the city that contains four or fewer dwelling units, constituting a “household.”
2. That the annual fee established by Section 1 above shall apply to collection and disposal services provided by the city during fiscal year 2000 and, unless and until revised by city council, to such services provided during subsequent fiscal years.
3. That this resolution shall be effective on the date and at the time of adoption.
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General Discussion. Members of City Council made comments with respect to the Budget just adopted, and thanked staff for a job well done.
Councilman Cleveland requested that specific guidelines be developed pertaining to the procedures that Council needs to follow with respect to the add/delete list.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Euille and carried unanimously, at 8:05 p.m., the Special Meeting of Wednesday, May 5, 1999, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
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APPROVED BY:
__________________________________________
KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR
ATTEST:
_____________________________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
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.
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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
City Council will hold a Work Session on Thursday, May 6, 1999, at 7:30 p.m. at George Washington Middle School Auditorium, 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia, to discuss plans for Potomac Yard.
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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