Del Ray Citizens Association – Minutes of the Membership Meeting
Of September 9, 2013Agenda Included:
Of September 9, 2013Agenda Included:
- Crime Report
- Mt. Vernon Community School Announcement
- Land Use Committee Report and SUP Vote
- New DRCA Executive Board Introductions
- DRCA 2013-2014 Budget Overview and Approval
Guest Speakers:
- Potomac Yard Metro Development – guest speaker Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager
- Parks and Recreation – William Chesney, Deputy Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, and Laura Durham, open space coordinator
Crime Report: Scott Ogden – Criminal Investigation Division, Alexandria Police Department
Crime Update: Provided an update on the City’s and Del Ray’s current crime rates. The City of Alexandria’s crime is up overall by 6%. Del Ray’s crime rate is down 2.64%. This is largely due to decreases in larceny and motor vehicle theft.
Crime Prevention Reminder: For those concerned about the security of their home or business, the Alexandria Police Department does conduct security evaluations of Alexandria homes and businesses on a request basis at no-charge.
Prescription Drug Take-Back Program: In collaboration with the DEA and local businesses, the Alexandria Police Department will be facilitating a drug take back program. This program assists in proper disposal of unused or expired medications and provides a green, safe alternative to throwing them in the garbage or down the drain.
Date of Take Back Program: October 26, 2013 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Drop Off Locations: Del Ray Pharmacy, Alexandria Police Department, First Baptist Church (King St.)
Back to School: Reminder that school is back in session and there will be additional PD motor units and extra enforcement of speed and road rules around schools and busy intersections.
Scott Ogden answered questions from the membership about recent crimes in the area, including two armed robberies occurring in the summer and a motorcycle accident that happened over the Labor Day holiday. For any additional questions, as always, Scott encourages DRCA membership to contact him via email.
The Mount Vernon Community School PTA is looking for volunteers to work with students before, during and after school as well as volunteers to assist teachers with various jobs around the school. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to helping children with reading, math and homework assistance along with administrative jobs such as making copies, organizing class/activity rooms, and other odd jobs that facilitate a functioning school day. Those interested should contact Ann Holmgren ([email protected] or 571-236-5858) Opportunities for volunteering PTA Volunteer Opportunities (800 students k-5th)
Land Use Committee – Sarah Haut (outgoing chair)
Sarah Haut and Kristen Gideon are both stepping down as co-chairs of the Land-Use Committee. In their place, two new co-chairs were announced, Danielle Fidler and Lisa Quandt.
Sarah Haut and Kristen Gideon are both stepping down as co-chairs of the Land-Use Committee. In their place, two new co-chairs were announced, Danielle Fidler and Lisa Quandt.
There were three Special Use Permits that were discussed during the DRCA membership meeting (two required a membership vote). For full details, please refer to the email sent out to the membership September 9, 2013.
SUP – 1502-1512 Commonwealth Ave and 4 West Nelson Ave – Parking Reduction in exchange for Affordable Housing.
Renovations and improvements to this property have required the owner to seek this SUP. A parking reduction of 53 spaces is required. No existing on-site parking spaces will be eliminated. The SUP will formalize the parking reduction that already exists.
Land Use Committee recommended support of the SUP application with the condition that the applicant provide adequate bicycle storage, the property be considered for a future bike share, and one of the on-street spaces be considered for a future car share program.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the application with the addition of the condition that the applicant must routinely communicate to new and existing residents that they should maximize the use of onsite parking.
Membership Vote Taken: Membership approved the decision of the committee.
SUP –2013-046 – Request for coordinated sign program for Potomac Yard landbay L, Bell Del Ray Apartments
The property is a new apartment building being constructed on Monroe Avenue adjacent across the street from Simpson Park. An SUP is required because the applicant desires signage that is not permitted per the zoning ordinance. The City has negotiated with the applicant to reduce the blade signs to 50.25 square feet. The sign dimensions are 20 feet long by 3.5 feet wide and will be mounted 6 inches out from the building.
The Land Use Committee believes 40 square foot sign allowed by the ordinance is appropriate in the context of Del Ray. LUC voted to not support the 50.25 square foot signs, but did support the request for retail signage, which conforms to the zoning ordinance.
The Planning Commission approved the SUP with the larger sign. The next step is a City Council hearing and vote.
Membership Vote Taken: Membership voted to approve the recommendation of the Land Use CommitteeSUP Vacation Request 2013-0003: 1607 and 1609 Russell Road
The house on the property was built probably in the 1920s and faces Russell Road.
The alley involved in the vacation request is accessed from Mason Avenue. The alley is adjacent to the driveway. The applicant is willing to repair the wall and maintain it in the future if granted a vacation from the city. Neighbors supportive, and there is no loss of functionality.
The alley involved in the vacation request is accessed from Mason Avenue. The alley is adjacent to the driveway. The applicant is willing to repair the wall and maintain it in the future if granted a vacation from the city. Neighbors supportive, and there is no loss of functionality.
The Land Use Committee voted to support the vacation application.
Membership Vote Taken: Motion approved to support the application
Next Land Use Committee Meeting: September 12, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center. Meeting agenda to include: SUP for lighting for dog park, a proposal to replace the Afghan Restaurant on Jefferson Davis Highway development, and a proposed public play space policy.
Introduction of 2013-2014 Board Members
- President: Bill Hendrickson
- First Vice President: Jay Nestlerode (absent)
- Second Vice President: Danielle Fidler
- Third Vice President: Joe Lamountain
- Treasurer: Tim Herbert
- Secretary: Lauren Benedict
- Sergeant at Arms: Rob Blumel
DRCA Budget and Membership Dues
Dues for 2013-2014 Membership Year (October 1 – September 30) are now being accepted. Online payment is preferred (doing so via the Paypal service on the DRCA website), but checks will also be accepted and can be given to Tim Herbert. Membership dues will remain the same – $25.00 per household and $20.00 for seniors
DRCA 2013-2014 Budget – The budget for the membership year was presented during the meeting and full membership revenue/expense and fund details were distributed as a document to present members. The proposed budget is driven much by income and expenditures of the past year with slight modifications in revenue line items (increased budget for membership marketing campaigns, slightly lower projections for membership dues revenue). Total proposed operating income is $9,000.
Review of Budget Line Items:
Expenses – Largest expenses are related to meeting and membership due to need to refresh marketing materials, signage and collateral. Special Activities, Events and Sponsorship was based on last year’s approved budget. There were questions around which events DRCA should continue and the funding that should be allocated to each activity. There was a recommendation that the DRCA reevaluate some of the events and potentially redistribute the budget funds based on interest level in the particular events. For example, there was a question of whether or not the New Year’s Potluck is worth continuing and if not, could the money be put towards the DRCA Holiday Party instead.
Membership dues are down 2012-2013. This is attributed to very little non-member targeted activities, lack of a membership chair to coordinate recruitment efforts and the overall trend of declining participation in membership based groups.
DRCA is taking in $2,000 more than going out. In the bylaws, it will be at the discretion of the board as to how it is reallocated. A portion will go to National Night Out Fund (it is an internal transfer), Alexandria Scholarship Fund (2 years. $1,000, replenished each house and garden tour)
Membership Vote to Approve Budget: Approved
Official Membership Business completed. A recommendation was made to have guest speakers present first, prior to membership discussions and voting items as a way to respect their time.
Guest Speakers
Mark Jinks
Providing an update on the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station and the budget for the coming year and capital needs and recreational needs of residents
Providing an update on the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station and the budget for the coming year and capital needs and recreational needs of residents
Potomac Yard Metrorail – largest capital expenditure that city has undertaken
Closer than ever been to an agreement, however need to address a number of stakeholder issues before final location and construction can begin.
The city has looked at three alternative options and one non-build option, and these will be incorporated into the Environmental Impact Statement.
Alternative site B is the preferred location, but the city is trying to resolve an encroachment onto National Park Service land and a scenic easement protecting the George Washington Parkway.
Specific Issues include:
Federal Interest involved due to need to use National Park Service land.
The EIS process requires the city to look at all alternatives, including a no-build alternative. It also brings in stakeholders (National Parks Service, Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, etc.) that have different points of view.
Federal Interest involved due to need to use National Park Service land.
The EIS process requires the city to look at all alternatives, including a no-build alternative. It also brings in stakeholders (National Parks Service, Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, etc.) that have different points of view.
The city is still hopeful that a resolution of the issues can occur and that a draft EIS can be ready by late fall.
How the city is overcoming roadblocks:
How the city is overcoming roadblocks:
CSX Tracks – Consideration made to move these over to the west as a potential solution to prevent using National Park Service land
Design Speed – Metro is taking a serious look at the design speed of the tracks, which would allow the tracks to be curved somewhat and potentially prevent an encroachment on Park Service land
Jinks encouraged residents to attend a bus tour and discussion about Potomac Yard issues on Saturday, September 21. Tall stakes will be placed in the ground to provide visual representations of the station location alternatives.
In terms of the city budget, Jinks said there is a lot more demand for services than money to pay for them.
The city is still in the early stage in the budget process. Some of the top line items that need to be addressed: School enrollment and capital needs are increasing, health insurance costs and new national affordable healthcare act, debt service from capital improvement plan, major upgrades to the sewer and storm-water systems (estimated to cost several hundred million dollars over several decades),
The good news: The city’s financial health compared to 90% of other cities in the country is very good. It has the highest bond rating (AAA), which gives the city low borrowing costs, and the, tax base is growing.
Jinks said there is continuing concern about the federal budget situation and its effects on city revenues.
He said the city’s capital improvement budget is now $1 billion, but even that level of spending does not come close to meeting current needs, because of underinvestment in the past.
He said the city’s capital improvement budget is now $1 billion, but even that level of spending does not come close to meeting current needs, because of underinvestment in the past.
Bill Chesney and Laura Durham of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities spoke about parks and recreation needs in the city.
Every other year, Chesney said, the department conducts a community needs assessment.. This is done as a way to benchmark and also to guide the CIP process and operating budget. It also is used when considering development proposals. Overall, open space has remained the largest and most consistent priority of the community. The most recent survey was conducted and published in 2011, with the 2013 survey currently out in the field with public response due back in the next two-three weeks.
Reporting from the 2011 Parks and Recreation needs assessment, the following were the top priorities of the community: walking trails, natural areas, biking trails, picnic shelters and indoor
The top unmet needs include natural areas, indoor exercise, indoor and outdoor swimming. The needs for new aquatics facilities is a top concern because of outdated and limited outlets available in the community.
Chinquapin will be out of service until the end of October because of renovations.
An aquatics study conducted by a consultant reported that for a city of Alexandria’s size, at least one large pool and two outdoor pools are needed. The department has a work session with the City Council in November to discuss strategies for improving Alexandria’s aquatics, especially delivering on the outdoor needs.
The DRCA meeting ended at 9:35 p.m.