Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 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; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Zoning; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mrs. Godwin, Director of Management and Budget; Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Mr. McMahon, Deputy Director of General Services; Mr. Ransom, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Human Relations; Ms. Whitmore, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Neckel, Director of Finance; Fire Chief Hawkins; Ms. Boyd, Director of Citizen Assistance; Dr. Claiborn, Director of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; Mr. Cole, Director of Information Technology Services; Mr. Sudduth, Director of Personnel Services; Ms. Federico, Director of Historic Alexandria; Police Chief Samarra; Deputy Police Chief George; Mr. King, Director of Office of Employment Training; Mr. Powers, Director of Division of Community Programs; Commonwealth's Attorney Sengel; and Lieutenant Butler, Police Department.
Recorded by: Mrs. Beverly I. Jett, CMC, City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
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There was a Work Session at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom to Discuss Pedestrian Issues at the King Street Metro Station.
Mayor Donley made opening remarks. Council Member Walker gave a status report. Members of the WMATA staff gave a presentation of findings with respect to the King Street Station area improvement projects. Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane spoke to the status of the study area projects, i.e., VDOT's King Street Underpass Project, City Traffic Studies/Improvements, and City's Urban Transit Study.
Members of City Council, City Manager Lawson, and Mr. O'Kane participated in a discussion. The materials were referred to the departments of Transportation and Environmental Services, and Planning and Zoning, to review. The staffs were requested to return to Council with recommendations to provide guidance as to what will work. Staff will include a short-term and long-term layout with costs.
The work session was concluded at approximately 7:30 p.m.
(Material pertaining to the above 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 Reverend Dr. Gregory L. Adkins, Senior Pastor, of Washington Street United Methodist Church.
3. THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, upon motion by Vice Mayor Euille, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Minutes of (a) the Regular Meeting of November 24, 1998, (b) the Regular Meeting of December 8, 1998, and (c) the Public Hearing Meeting of December 12, 1998, as submitted. The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "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 January 5, 1999, which is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 1/12/99, 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 Proclaiming January 15, 1999, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 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. 5; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Mayor Donley presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Euille and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
6. Presentation of Proclamation Proclaiming the Week of January 17-23, 1999, as Jaycee Week in the City of Alexandria. (Council Member Rich)
(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; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Council Member Rich presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Rich "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
7. Presentation of a Proclamation Honoring Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ryan for Their Donation of a Blue Spruce Tree at the Foot of King Street and Honoring Mr. and Mrs. Paul Uhrig for Their Donation of a Blue Spruce Tree at King Street Gardens.
(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; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Council Member Walker publicly thanked the donors for the beautiful trees. She requested staff to send the proclamations to the donors since they were unable to be present.
Without Objection, City Council endorsed the proclamation.
8. Presentation of Proclamation Honoring the Beverley Hills Garden Club for Beautifying City Hall with Holiday Decorations.
(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; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
Councilwoman Pepper presented the proclamation.
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried unanimously, City Council endorsed the proclamation. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
CONSENT CALENDAR (9 - 14; 19)
9. Receipt of Resignations from Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Terence McCarthy
(b) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
Robert M. Agnello
(c) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
Chris Marston
(d) Alexandria Potomac West Alliance Board of Directors
Povl G. Wise
(e) Alexandria Task Force on AIDS
Richard Michael Reno
Michele K. Ross
(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-e); 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
10. Uncontested Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees:
(a) Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee
1 Member Nominated by the Alexandria League of
Women Voters
1 Member Nominated by the Departmental Progressive Club
1 Member Nominated by the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP
(b) Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission
1 Student Member Designated by the Alexandria Youth
Policy Commission
(c) Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
1 Representative From a Group Interested in the
Promotion and Maintenance of Affordable Housing
in Alexandria
1 Representative From the Legal Community
(d) Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
1 Representative With Expertise in Museum Exhibition Work
(e) Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee
1 Citizen Member
(f) Alexandria Commission for the Arts
1 Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large,
as an Arts Consumer and Participant
(g) Alexandria Commission on Aging
1 Citizen Member
(h) Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities
1 Citizen Member Who Has a Disability
(i) Alexandria Early Childhood Commission
1 Member-at-Large
(j) Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member From the Field of Urban Planning
1 Member From the Field of Intergovernmental Relations
(k) Alexandria Human Rights Commission
1 Representative From the Alexandria Commission on
Persons With Disabilities
(l) Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Minority Resident of the City Who Is Not a Landlord or a Tenant
(m) Alexandria Sister Cities Committee
3 Citizen Members
(Material pertaining to the above appointments is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item Nos. 10 (a-m); 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
11. Consideration of Designation of the City of Alexandria and Arlington County as a Local Workforce Investment Area.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 6, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
12. Consideration of a Grant Fund Agreement from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to Repair the Fire Department's Burn Building.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 4, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
13. Receipt of the Alexandria Community Services Board's FY 1998 Annual Report.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 5, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 13; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
14. Consideration of Fourth Year of Funding for COPS Universal Hiring Grant.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 28, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 14; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
19. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of AN ORDINANCE to extend, for calendar year 1999 only, the deadline for the payment of business license taxes from January 31 to February 16.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 5, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 19; 1/12/99, 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. 2 of Item No. 19; 1/12/99, 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. 3 of Item No. 19; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Euille and carried unanimously, City Council approved the consent calendar as presented. The City Manager's recommendations are as follows:
9. City Council received the following resignations with regret: (a) Terence McCarthy from the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (b) Robert M. Agnello from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (c) Chris Marston from the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities; (d) Povl G. Wise from the Alexandria Potomac West Alliance Board of Directors; and (e) Richard Michael Reno and Michele K. Ross from the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS.
10. City Council (a) appointed Lillian White as a Member Nominated by the Alexandria League of Women Voters, Charles H. Nelson, Sr. as a Member Nominated by the Departmental Progressive Club, and Doris Spencer as a Member Nominated by the Alexandria Branch of the NAACP to the Ad Hoc Alexandria Year 2000 Census Complete Count Committee; (b) appointed Robert Morrison as a Student Member Designated by the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission to the Ad Hoc City of Alexandria 250th Anniversary Commission; (c) appointed Nina Hillary-Bush as a Representative From a Group Interested in the Promotion and Maintenance of Affordable Housing in Alexandria, and John Corrado as a Representative From the Legal Community to the Alexandria Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; (d) reappointed Sandra Tinkham as a Representative With Expertise in Museum Exhibition Work to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee; (e) appointed Marsha Oshima as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee; (f) appointed Sarah Wiggins as a Member Who Represents the Public-at-Large, as an Arts Consumer and Participant to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; (g) reappointed J. Donald Edwards as a Citizen Member to the Alexandria Commission on Aging; (h) reappointed Stephen Kahn as a Citizen Member Who Has a Disability to the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities; (i) appointed Eileen O'Brien as a Member-at-Large to the Alexandria Early Childhood Commission; (j) reappointed Molly Theobald as a Member From the Field of Urban Planning, and Douglas MacMillan as a Member From the Field of Intergovernmental Relations to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission; (k) reappointed Chester Avery as a Representative From the Alexandria Commission on Persons With Disabilities to the Alexandria Human Rights Commission; (l) reappointed Raymond Johnson as a Minority Resident of the City Who Is Not a Landlord or a Tenant to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board; and (m) reappointed Peggie Dill, Steven Dingledine, and Barbara Poole as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.
11. City Council authorized the Mayor to sign the letter to the Governor requesting temporary designation of the Alexandria-Arlington Job Training Consortium as a local Workforce Investment Area under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The Arlington County Board approved the request in December.
12. City Council accepted the Virginia Department of Fire Programs' grant fund agreement totaling $53,073 to renovate the Fire Department's burn building and authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required.
13. City Council received the Alexandria Community Services Board's FY 1998 Annual Report, and thanked the Board for its work on behalf of the City.
14. City Council authorized a fourth year of local funding for the COPS Universal grant recently submitted by the Police Department for three police officers (2 School Resource Officers and 1 Community Oriented Policing Officer), contingent upon an award of this federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
19. City Council introduced and passed the Ordinance on its First Reading; set it for Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage on Saturday, January 23, 1999.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER (continued)
15. Council Discussion on Traffic Problems and Traffic Calming Measures. (Councilman Speck)
Councilman Speck spoke to this issue. He indicated that it is time for Council to begin a more in-depth and much broader discussion about what some of these concerns mean to the community. Councilman Speck stated that it is Council's responsibility to begin to look at this as a broad City concern to determine whether there is any policy direction, and any policy decisions Council wants to make that would begin to address some of the concerns that people are addressing.
Vice Mayor Euille agreed that this should not be done piecemeal. It should be a more broad City-wide perspective, not so much for just controlling traffic flow or speed, but we need to encompass other aspects such as looking at parking and an overall transportation plan for the City. If we are going to undertake a process to attempt to resolve these problems, it should be done in a broader perspective, and have a process in place that will not temporarily solve the problems but, hopefully provide some long-term solutions with which we can all be satisfied. Vice Mayor Euille expressed concern that the scope not be limited to particular sections of the City from which we have received complaints, but it should be City-wide.
Councilwoman Pepper stated that she would like to see an overall transportation management plan for the City. She would really like to see the lights better synchronized. She indicated that she feels very leery about doing anything with speed limits.
Council Member Walker spoke to the problem of traffic congestion. She indicated that as we look at the traffic problems in the City, we also have to look at ourselves, i.e., how many personal cars we have registered in the City, how many times we use our car when we might be able to walk or use transit. We need to look at how we protect our neighborhoods, and what obligation do we have to have people quickly come to the City of Alexandria. Council Member Walker stated that looking at our streets in new ways is an important study that we need to do. She indicated that it is broader than just speed bumps. We need to think about different methods of dealing with traffic.
Councilman Cleveland stated that he would like to see better synchronization of lights, particularly the one at Duke and Dulaney.
Councilman Speck questioned why we do not have a 30 mph zone in the City to give a little bit more control over the discretion that you have on speed beyond the posted speed limit. He also spoke to the new technology in rumble strips that create the effect, and not the noise, and whether there are more places that the rumble strips can be used in the City since they do seem to work. Councilman Speck raised concerns about red-light running. He indicated that one of the things that we should initiate, as have happened in other instances where there is a major and concerted campaign, is to declare in the widest and broadest way possible, that Alexandria is going to start a renewed crack down on red light violations. The police department is going to make that for a period of time one of its biggest concentrated efforts and issue as many citations for violation as there can be. Along with the effectiveness of the cameras, this can really begin to start to change behavior.
Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane spoke to Councilman Speck's concerns. He indicated that he is willing to try the 30 mph speed limit.
City Manager Lawson suggested, if Council moves forward with this, that staff contact the civic associations and involve them to help identify dangerous intersections and other problems in their neighborhoods.
Mayor Donley questioned how often the police department uses unmarked cruisers for speed control, and suggested the use of unmarked cars. Mayor Donley spoke to the National Traffic Safety Administration's "Safe Communities Program." He suggested staff look into this and explore some ideas as to what is happening across the country.
Commonwealth's Attorney Sengel urged Council to inform and include the judges in the dialogue and in the planning process as this goes forward.
Councilman Speck suggested that there be a more concerted effort to attack the red light violation problem which needs to be coordinated with the judicial system to make sure that our efforts are being supported once the citation is issued.
Council Member Walker stated that the civic associations are uniquely equipped to handle a lot of local problems. She suggested having a community workshop for civic association presidents that would have some speakers come in and talk about the various tools that might be available to a neighborhood, and whether they can work with their association to see if that's a direction we want to go. She indicated that most of the complaints are coming from individual neighborhoods and if we can start offering them some of their own solutions that might work.
Transportation and Environmental Services Director O'Kane spoke to this.
Mayor Donley stated that the City could develop a presentation of some of the measures that we can take, then we could hear from civic associations presidents or individuals about a policy or address particular problem areas they are having within their association. He indicated maybe we could use some public hearing time on one of the less clogged public hearing dockets, staff could make some presentations about some of the things that we are doing, some of the things we could do, and let's see where it takes us.
City Manager Lawson stated that those are all excellent suggestions. She indicated staff will write a letter to all of the civic associations indicating that Council is very interested in traffic calming measures. Would you help us by identifying the worst intersections; intersections that you think the usage has changed and you think need stop signs; shrubbery where it is a problem, etc. They would give them a couple of months to think about it and identify concerns. Give them some time to pull it all together and then have a meeting where they bring this material that they have collected with respect to traffic calming. The presidents of the associations will be invited to bring the material, as well as anyone else who would like to come to the town meeting. While the civic associations are gathering their material, staff can get the police to help in collating what other jurisdictions around the country are doing. Staff will draft the letter and circulate to Council Members for suggestions.
It was the consensus of Council, to do what has been stated by the City Manager.
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16. Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for Funding for Gadsby's Tavern Museum.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 21, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 16; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a vote of 5-to-0, City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit the grant application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the amount of $85,000; (2) approved the establishment of one full-time Museum Aide II position (Curator of Education) and one part-time (0.75 FTE) Curator I position at Gadsby's Tavern Museum to administer the grant-funded activities should the grant be awarded. These grant-funded positions would terminate at 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. Upon expiration of the grant, if Gadsby's Tavern Museum can show that it is able to fund these positions with available donations, staff will return to Council to request authorization to continue these positions; and (3) execute all documents that may be required. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Speck out of room
17. Consideration of Submission of a Grant Application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for Funding The Lyceum.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 21, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 17; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Council Member Walker and carried on a vote of 5-to-0, City Council authorized the City Manager to: (1) submit the grant application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the amount of $68,000; (2) approved the establishment of one part-time Curator I (0.75 FTE) and one part-time Museum Aide II (0.38 FTE) at The Lyceum to administer the grant-funded activities should the grant be awarded. Approval of this request would increase the number of grant-funded positions by two. If approved, these positions would be established within the Office of Historic Alexandria to provide services outlined in the grant proposal which include for the Curator I: collections management, registration of museum objects using databases, exhibition research, design and installation, as well as improvements to collections storage; and for the Museum Aide II: assisting in the administration of the Lyceum Museum Shop in retail sales and development, and maintenance of the inventory. These grant-funded positions would be terminated at the expiration of the grant and the individuals who are to fill these positions would be notified of this condition of employment at the time they are hired and would sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition; and (3) execute all documents that may be required. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Walker "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Speck out of room
18. Consideration of a Grant Award from the Governor's Employment and Training Department for Information Technology Training for Dislocated Workers.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated December 28, 1998, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 18; 1/12/99, 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 vote of 5-to-0, City Council: (1) approved the grant award in the amount of $435,500 for information technology training for dislocated workers; (2) approved the establishment of two full-time, grant-funded positions (one Human Services Program Administrator and one Employment Training Specialist) to operate the program. The persons in these grant-funded positions would be providing the services outlined in the grant through the Office of Employment Training (OET), and the positions would be terminated upon expiration of the grant, and the individuals who fill these positions would be notified of this condition of employment and would sign an agreement of understanding with regard to this condition; and (3) authorized the City Manager to execute all documents that may be required. The voting was as follows:
Pepper "aye" Euille "aye"
Cleveland "aye" Rich out of room
Donley "aye" Speck out of room
Walker "aye"
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None
ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
(a) Councilwoman Pepper spoke to the wonderful forum held January 11, at the George Washington Middle School, as part of the Alexandria Call to Community Program. She announced that the Potomac West Community will have a meeting for the members of the communities served by the various civic associations on Monday, January 18, 1999, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Avenue, as part of the Alexandria Call to Community Program.
(b) Councilwoman Pepper noted that the First Night Alexandria was a wonderful experience. She thanked everyone involved for opening their doors.
(c) Councilwoman Pepper presented the Council with a mug pertaining to the millennium. She spoke to the Y2K issues and what the City is doing to address them.
(d) Council Member Walker gave a brief report on Metro activities. Metro has an expansion plan much like other areas do. In order to maintain its current market share, the ridership on Metro must double within the next decade. In order to do that, Metro has come up with an expansion plan which includes: expanded parking, more access to the trains, and more trains. It also will try to serve new markets. They have a service plan for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, of getting rail across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge from Maryland to Virginia, which would be a big help in reducing the traffic volume. They also would like to expand stations, particularly, Potomac Yard. She indicated that Metro is still working on a Potomac Yard station. She spoke to a public hearing on January 28, at 7:30 p.m., at the Arlington County Board Room, discussing fare simplification. She also noted that new cars are on order and will be delivered at the end of 1999.
(e) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to the second community presentation, the Call to Community, which was held at George Washington Middle School. It was highly successful. He thanked those involved for a job well done.
He also noted the next one will be sponsored by the Potomac West Community on January 18, at Cora Kelly, at 6:00 p.m.
(f) Vice Mayor Euille spoke to an article in Sunday's Parade Magazine, on how we can make our schools better.
(g) Vice Mayor Euille thanked his colleagues and friends for the condolences he and his family received during the recent loss of his brother.
(h) Councilman Speck noted that in the winter issue of the Recreation Department's schedule that there was a notice announcing the Finance Department's new hours on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. He also noted it was in the Washington Post. Councilman Speck suggested that staff might want to give notice to the various automobile dealers of the new hours. He thanked the staff for a good job in getting out the word on this.
(i) Mayor Donley announced that his former aide, Diane Charles, has become the new Executive Director of SCAN. He introduced his new aide Sandy Murphy.
(j) Mayor Donley briefed Council on his recent trip to New York with respect to the upcoming bond sale.
(k) Mayor Donley requested staff to check for code violations on Colvin Street. If there are violations, he wanted them cited. He indicated that he has received complaints that it appears there is more than light automotive activity.
(l) Council Member Rich gave kudos to Transportation and Environmental Services with respect to a recent request for service by a friend regarding pick up of recycling material.
Vice Mayor Euille also complimented them for the recent snow storm operations.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS (continued)
20. Consideration of Resolution Designating the City of Alexandria as a Civil War Trail. (Councilman Speck) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 6, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 20; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council set this item for public hearing and consideration at Council's Saturday, January 23, public hearing meeting. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich "aye"
Walker "aye"
OTHER
21. Consideration of City Council Schedule.
(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 6, 1999, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 21; 1/12/99, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Euille, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council (1) added to the Council Calendar the City Council and School Board Educational Forum on Tuesday, February 2, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at The Lyceum; (2) added to the Council Calendar the March 23 work session with the Planning Commission on the Master Plan at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom; and (3) added to the Council Calendar the Alexandria Youth Council's schedule of meetings: January 15, 1999, February 19, 1999, March 19, 1999, April 16, 1999, May 21, 1999, and June 18, 1999. The voting was as follows:
Euille "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Pepper "aye" Rich "aye"
Donley "aye" Speck "aye"
Walker "aye"
CONTESTED APPOINTMENTS
22. Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee
2 Citizens-at-Large
1 Representative From the Arts With Expertise in Theatre
(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Committee:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
2 Citizens-at-Large
Elizabeth Belmonte
Martine de Lizza
Andrew Findlay
1 Representative From the Arts with Expertise in Theatre
David Lapan*
Residency Waiver Required
* * * * *
(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 No. 22; 1/12/99, 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 results: City Council appointed Martine de Lizza as Citizen-at-Large and waived the residency requirement and appointed David Lapan as a Representative From the Arts With Expertise in Theatre to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee. Since no one received a majority vote for the second Citizen-at-Large slot, there had to be a second balloting between Elizabeth Belmonte and Andrew Findlay. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Belmonte, de Lizza, Lapan
Euille - de Lizza, Findlay, Lapan
Cleveland - de Lizza, Findlay, Lapan
Pepper - de Lizza, Findlay, Lapan
Rich - Belmonte, Findlay, Lapan
Speck - Belmonte, de Lizza, Lapan
Walker - Belmonte, de Lizza, Lapan
* * * * *
Thereupon, ballots were again distributed, tellers were again appointed and the ballots again tallied with the following result: City Council appointed Andrew Findlay as a Citizen-at-Large to the Alexandria-Caen Exchange Committee. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Belmonte
Euille - Findlay
Cleveland - Findlay
Pepper - Findlay
Rich - Findlay
Speck - Belmonte
Walker - Belmonte
* * * * *
23. Alexandria Beautification Commission
2 Citizen Members
(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Moira Buzby
Mary Hurlbut Seith*
Chris Von Schoening*
*Incumbent
* * * * *
(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 No. 23; 1/12/99, 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 results: City Council reappointed Mary Hurlbut Seith and Chris Von Schoening as Citizen Members to the Alexandria Beautification Commission. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Seith, Von Schoening
Euille - Seith, Von Schoening
Cleveland - Seith, Von Schoening
Pepper - Seith, Von Schoening
Rich - Seith, Von Schoening
Speck - Seith, Von Schoening
Walker - Buzby, Seith
* * * * *
24. Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
1 Member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
(The following person volunteered and was recommended for appointment to the above Commission:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Donald Zdancewicz* Kathleen T. Snyder, President/CEO
(Residency Waiver Required) Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
*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 of Item No. 24; 1/12/99, 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 waived the residency requirement and reappointed Donald Zdancewicz as a member Designated by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Zdancewicz
Euille - Zdancewicz
Cleveland - Zdancewicz
Pepper - Zdancewicz
Rich - Zdancewicz
Speck - Zdancewicz
Walker - Zdancewicz
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25. Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board
1 Tenant Member
(The following persons volunteered or were recommended for appointment to the above Board:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Debra Zusman* Alexandria Landlord-Tenant
Relations Board
Steve Brown
*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 of Item No. 25; 1/12/99, 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 Debra Zusman as a Tenant Member to the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Relations Board. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Zusman
Euille - Zusman
Cleveland - Zusman
Pepper - Zusman
Rich - Zusman
Speck - Zusman
Walker - Zusman
* * * * *
26. Alexandria Task Force on AIDS
1 Representative From the Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross
(The following person volunteered and was recommended for appointment to the above Task Force:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Ian Larsen* Darlene A. Johnson, Executive Director Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross
*Residency Waiver Required
* * * * *
(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. 26; 1/12/99, 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 waived the residency requirement and appointed Ian Larsen as a Representative From the Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross to the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Larsen
Euille - Larsen
Cleveland - Larsen
Pepper - Larsen
Rich - Larsen
Speck - Larsen
Walker - Larsen
* * * * *
27. Alexandria Youth Policy Commission
1 Citizen 18 Years of Age or Younger
(The following persons volunteered for appointment to the above Commission:)
NAME ENDORSED BY:
Patrice Green
Allison Swindell
* * * * *
(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. 27; 1/12/99, 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 Patrice Green as a Citizen 18 Years of Age or Younger to the Alexandria Youth Policy Commission. The voting was as follows:
Donley - Green
Euille - Green
Cleveland - Green
Pepper - Green
Rich - Green
Speck - Green
Walker - Green
* * * * *
EXECUTIVE SESSION
28. 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).
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilman Cleveland and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, City Council convened an executive session at this time for the purpose of: consulting with legal counsel and receiving a briefing by consultants and attorneys, pertaining to the following litigation involving the City, pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.1-344(A)(7): City of Alexandria v. Slater et al, a case pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, which involves the City's challenge to the Woodrow Wilson replacement project; and the bankruptcy proceedings involving Gadsby's Tavern restaurant which is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. 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 Councilwoman Pepper and carried on a vote of 5-to-0, at 11:25 p.m., City Council reconvened the Meeting. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Euille "aye"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Walker out of room
WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Vice Mayor Euille and carried on a vote of 5-to-0, City Council moved that the City settle its claim against [Old] Gadsby's Tavern, [Ltd.] Inc., now pending as part of Gadsby's bankruptcy proceeding, along the lines outlined by the City Attorney in executive session, and that the City Attorney be authorized to execute, on behalf of the City, any documents pertaining to the settlement. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Walker out of room
THEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Speck, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper 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"
Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Walker "aye"
The resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 1904
WHEREAS, on this 12th day of January 1999, 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 Vice Mayor Euille and carried on a vote of 6-to-0, at 11:37 p.m., the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, January 12, 1999, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
Speck "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Euille "aye" Pepper "aye"
Donley "aye" Rich out of room
Walker "aye"
* * * * *
APPROVED BY:
__________________________________________
KERRY J. DONLEY MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________________________
Beverly I. Jett, CMC City Clerk
The meeting was adjourned at 11:27 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.
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Public Notice
There will be a forum on Monday, January 11, 1999, at 6:30 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia, as part of the Alexandria Call to Community Program.
It is anticipated that more than two Council Members will be in attendance.
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Public Notice
The Commission on Information Technology will hold a meeting on Monday, January 11, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 3000, City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia.
There will be three Council Members in attendance.
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