City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: GRETCHEN BULOVA, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 2-4-31 (CREATION, COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION) of Article C (HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA RESOURCES COMMISSION) of Chapter 4 (COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) of Title 2 (GENERAL GOVERNMENT) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend the organizational names and membership on the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council consider the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 and schedule it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
DISCUSSION: The Historic Alexandria Resources Commission consists of 26 members appointed by Council to advise the City on the preservation of historic sites and buildings, artifacts, and records from loss or deterioration.
The Commission was established in 1982 with the creation of the Office of Historic Alexandria. An ad-hoc committee within HARC has met monthly for more than a year to re-envision the membership structure of the Commission. The proposed updated ordinance is the culmination of this committee’s work, with unanimous approval of the full Commission.
The proposed ordinance seeks to specifically allow for greater participation from community organizations, including historic houses of worship, and reflect current community organizations that support the City’s museums, historic interpretation, archaeology, archives, and historic preservation initiatives. The intent of this update is to broaden the organizations represented and increase the diversity and inclusiveness of the Commission membership. The number of Commissioners on HARC will remain at 26 members.
The City Council is empowered, pursuant to Section 2-4-4(a) of the Virginia Code and Section 3.04(g) of the Alexandria City Charter, to amend this section of the city code governing the composition of the board and appointment of its members.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be no fiscal impact associated with this ordinance change.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Cover Sheet
2. Proposed Ordinance
STAFF:
Joanna C. Anderson, City Attorney
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
David E. Lanier, Assistant City Attorney