Office of the City Clerk
April 28, 1999
There was a Reception Honoring Dr. Joshua Lipsman
in the Vola Lawson Lobby at 5:30 p.m.
There was a Work Session
on the After School Drop-in Programs
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom.
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 27, 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 Father Michael McCue of Bishop Ireton High School.
2. Invocation. By:_________________________________________________________
3. Reading and Acting Upon the Minutes of the Following Meetings of City Council:
(a) The Regular Meeting of April 13, 1999; and
(b) The Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, April 17, 1999.
City Council approved the Minutes for (a) the Regular Meeting of April 13, 1999; and (b) the Public Hearing Meeting of April 17, 1999, as submitted.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
4. Report of the City Clerk.
The City Council received the report of the City Clerk.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
5. Presentation of the Commemorative 250th Anniversary Alexandria Bottles of Coca-Cola to the Mayor and Members of City Council to be Presented by Coca-Cola Representatives. (Mayor Donley)
Coca-Cola Representatives presented the Mayor and Members of City Council with Commemorative 250th Anniversary Alexandria Bottles of Coca-Cola, and presented the Mayor with a framed copy of the poster, "Happy Anniversary Alexandria."
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
OPENING (continued)
6. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Joshua Lipsman as the Recipient of the 1999 Flora Krause Casey Public Health Award Given by the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
7. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of April 25 - May 1, 1999, as Crime Victims' Rights Week in the City of Alexandria.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
8. Presentation of Proclamation to recognize Mrs. Betty Wright for Her Contribution to the Beatley Library. (Councilwoman Pepper)
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
9. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of May 4-7, 1999, as Alexandria Children's Mental Health Week.
City Council endorsed the proclamation.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (10-16)
10. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
Doris J. Spencer
11. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Archaeological Commission
(b) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large as an
Arts Consumer and Participant
(c) Alexandria Commission on Employment
1 Business Representative From Among Recognized Area Businesses Including Minority-Owned and Small Businesses
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
(d) Historic Alexandria Resources Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage
1 Representative From the Landmark Society of Alexandria
(e) Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board
1 Parent Member
12. Consideration of a Renewal Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding under the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act Program to Support Delinquency Prevention Activities within the City.
13. Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for Funding the Commonwealth's Attorney Office for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program.
14. Consideration of Request to Vacate a Position on the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
15. Consideration of Request to Vacate a Position on the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.
16. Receipt of the City's Monthly Financial Report for Period Ending March 31, 1999.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
10. City Council received the resignation of Doris J. Spencer from the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission, with regret; and requested the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to send the appropriate letter of appreciation and to advertise the vacancy in the usual manner.
11. City Council (a) appointed S. Kathleen Pepper as a Member Designated by the Alexandria Archaeological Commission to the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission; (b) appointed George Chadwick, III as a Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large as an Arts Consumer and Participant to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (c) reappointed Bettie Applewhite as a Business Representative from Among Recognized Area Businesses Including Minority-Owned and Small Businesses to the Alexandria Commission on Employment; (d) reappointed Thomas Lee as a Representative from the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage, and Jean Oseth as a Representative from the Landmark Society of Alexandria (Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum) to the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission; and (e) appointed Risa Greendlinger as a Parent Member to the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)
12. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit the grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for continuation of funding of the Kids are Responsible Workers (KREW) grant in the amount of $44,820 under Title V of the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act; and (2) execute all necessary documents that may be required.
13. City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit a grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for funding in the amount of $170,250 for continued funding of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program. Due to the short turnaround time provided by DCJS, the grant application was forwarded to DCJS in accordance with the April 16 deadline, contingent upon City Council's approval at its April 27 legislative session; (2) approve the continuation of the five full-time grant-funded positions (one Clerk Typist II position, a Collections Specialist II position, two Victim-Witness Specialist I positions, and one Victim-Witness Specialist II position) covered by the Victim/Witness Assistance Grant. These grant-funded positions would terminate upon the expiration of the grant, and the individuals who are to fill these positions would be notified of this condition of employment. It should be noted that there are no funds available in the City budget to continue these activities once the grant funds are expended; and (3) execute all necessary documents that may be required.
14. City Council declared as vacant the position for a representative from a group interested in the promotion and maintenance of affordable housing in Alexandria and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancy.
15. City Council declared as vacant one of the citizen positions on the Sister Cities Committee and authorized the Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions to advertise the vacancy.
16. City Council: (1) received the Monthly Financial Report for the period ending March 31, 1999; (2) authorized the capital project allocations and planned expenditures for the capital projects as detailed in the Capital Improvement Program Planned Expenditures Summary; and (3) delegated to the City Manager, or her designee, authority to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder for installation of security systems at the Courthouse and at the Public Safety Center.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
17. Consideration of Status Report on Recent Traffic Control Initiatives.
Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane spoke to this item.
Councilman Speck queried when Council should have a meeting on this issue, and expressed that he would prefer it be held prior to Council's recess.
Staff will bring suggested dates back as part of Council's schedule at the next meeting.
Council Member Walker suggested having a workshop at some point on this issue.
Councilman Speck stated that what we are trying to do is to determine whether the warning and notification of photo surveillance serves as a more effective deterrent than none at all. If this proves to be effective, then there are a number of other intersections where the same kind of established facility can take place. He stated that he would like to move forward.
Management and Budget Director Godwin stated that if Council moves forward with this, staff's recommendation to Council will be reflected in June's transfer resolution.
Mayor Donley would like staff to look at putting a "Children at Play" sign, preferably a fluorescent one, on Albany Avenue to try to slow down traffic.
Councilman Speck thanked staff for a job well done.
City Council: (1) received the status report on City-wide traffic concerns and the tentative schedule of tasks; (2) approved the measures proposed for enhancement of the existing red-light traffic camera sites; (3) approved the creation of a red-light traffic camera site including the expenditure of $15,000 from Red-Light Camera Project revenue for the installation; and (4) approved the proposed work program and the tentative schedule for speed control and reduction on designated thoroughfares throughout the City.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
18. Public Hearing on Assessment and Tax Increase Public Notice. [This is a Requirement of the State Code to Hold a Public Hearing; However, There is no Proposed Increase in the Real Property Tax Rate of $1.11 per $100 of Assessed Value in the FY 2000 Proposed Budget.]
There were no speakers on this item.
City Council closed the public hearing.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Council Member Walker alerted the Members of Council and the staff that the Waterfront Committee has come up with several waterfront repairs that will have to be made over the next year or so. The Waterfront Committee will be coming back with a more specific request with respect to a plan for the needed repairs.
(b) Council Member Walker stated that she is a member of a committee at the Council of Governments which is trying to make sure that local government has a voice in what happens to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Act will have to be renewed in the year 2000, and this is often approved at a higher level than local government. She indicated that the committee feels that it is really important at the local level to have a voice in what happens with the reenactment of the Chesapeake Bay Act in the year 2000. Council Member Walker stated that she thinks the City should begin to look very carefully how it can become a Chesapeake Bay community.
(c) Council Member Walker gave Council a copy of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's "Transit Service Expansion Plan." She stated that this is a proposal that is going to be taken to the Transportation Planning Board of the Council of Governments over the next couple of months to be added hopefully, in all or part, to the new long-range plan for the Washington Metropolitan area. Council Member Walker indicated in the plan is a light rail transit system from Crystal City to Braddock Road, and also transit across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
(d) Councilman Speck noted that he recently needed to get a City sticker. He was really impressed with the recent renovations and with the efficiency of the process. He expressed his thanks to Finance Director Neckel and his staff.
(e) Councilman Speck spoke to an article in last month's Governing Magazine. There was a column by Alan Ehrenhalt about some of the inherent problems of super majority vote and the real conflict that has with the process of democratic governing. We've gone through a couple of super majority issues recently, and possibly more coming up in the near future. He stated that the nature of our requirement for a super majority is when it's applicable, a 4-3 vote of the Planning Commission has more weight than a 5-2 vote of City Council. Councilman Speck asked if Council is willing to discuss this to decide if this is the most effective way for Council to exercise its elected responsibility as the seven Members of Council, in response to the appointed members of the Planning Commission, and whether a majority requirement does conflict with the process of a democratic government. He stated that he would like to have this discussion. If the discussion leads to a further review, then some time earlier in the fall a public hearing could be held on this item to determine whether we want to present this as part of our legislative package.
Mayor Donley would entertain some type of discussion about not only the basis, but also the implications. In many instances, one might say that in this case it denies an applicant a proper recourse or redress of his or her grievances in this, an application to the elected governing body. Mayor Donley suggested that this be discussed at the work session with the Planning Commission in September. In preparation for this work session, Mayor Donley requested some written explanation of the legal foundation and history for the super majority, and how it is applied in other jurisdictions across the state.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL (continued)
City Manager Lawson suggested that Alan Ehrenhalt be invited to the work session to help amplify on the points he makes in his article.
(f) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" which was April 22. Her adopted daughter was Sarah Bailey, a 10th grader at St. Stephen's High School.
(g) Mayor Donley explained how extremely proud he is of the T.C. Williams High School students who met with President Clinton on Thursday, April 22. The Mayor was impressed with the students' respect for the President, and their in-depth comments of the issues arising from the tragedy in Littleton, Colorado. Mayor Donley commended Principal Porter and the entire staff for a job well done.
(h) Councilman Cleveland spoke to the recent Public Safety Valor Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. He congratulated the employees and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
None
OTHER
19. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
City Council (1) noted that the work session on Potomac Yard scheduled for Thursday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m., will be held at the George Washington Middle School Auditorium; (2) set the date for Council's work session with the Boards of Architectural Review for Tuesday, June 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; and (3) added to the Council Calendar, Monday morning, June 7, the Commission on the Condition and Future of Virginia's Cities Summit at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, exact time to be announced; and Saturday, June 12, the dedication of Windmill Hill Park at 8:30 a.m., before Council's public hearing meeting, the exact location will be provided at a later date; and (4) Council added a work session at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 1999, to discuss operating procedures and rules as they relate to proclamations.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
20. Alexandria Human Rights Commission
2 Citizen Members
City Council reappointed Nancy Jenkins and Richard Reno as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS (continued)
21. Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission
2 Representatives From Planning District I
City Council reappointed Judy Guse-Noritake and Melissa Luby as Representatives from Planning District I to the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission.
Council Action:_______________________________________________________________
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
This docket is subject to change.
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Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council. Meeting materials are also available on-line at https://alexandriava.gov/council.
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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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Public Notice
There will be a City Council Work Session on the Proposed Budget on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Workroom, Room 2420, City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend the City Council Work Session may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.
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